Peter, our Resource Room Consultant, Career Vlogger, and Workshop Facilitator, found this interesting article which was original written by Tina Hurd, Program Manager at WorkBC Vancouver South.  Although the article was published in 2017, the tips and suggestions remain relevant and helpful for job seekers in 2021!   

 

SEVEN TIPS ON HOW TO DEAL WITH JOB REJECTION

No one likes rejection, but as a job seeker, it’s important to be aware that each rejection is another step towards securing employment.

When dealing with job rejection, the concept of ‘negativity bias’ comes into play–the tendency for the human brain to hold on to and be influenced by negative feelings. This wiring made sense during prehistoric times where each negative memory could be the clue to survival; in today’s world, constant negativity is no longer necessary and can actually get in our way. Being aware of this bias is the first key to dealing with job rejection and to regaining control of your job search.

Here are seven more tips for dealing with job rejection:

Recognize that feeling bad after job rejection is natural This is why a NO feels so horrible and negative thoughts can linger or nag at you. Make a conscious decision to re-frame your thoughts. Instead of thinking that you didn’t get the job because you messed up at the interview; think about other scenarios like the possibility there was an internal candidate or maybe you were not the best fit for the team. Recognize that the reason is not necessarily just about you.

Maintain an open mind Go into a job interview with an open mind. In the event that you do not get the job, whenever possible, request feedback from the interviewer in order to determine if there is an area that you can work on. Remember, just because you didn’t get the job doesn’t mean you aren’t qualified.

Continue the momentum It’s common for job seekers to ‘wait to see what happens’ after an interview before applying for other jobs. However, keeping the job search momentum going both maintains motivation and opens up other possibilities.

Resist overanalyzing Don’t reflect on what you felt you did wrong in the interview, focus instead on what you did right. It is okay to self-critique in order to do better the next time, but overanalyzing only serves to keep you stuck in disappointment.

Have a positive attitude Your attitude is just as important as your skills when it comes to a job interview. Feelings of frustration, depletion and desperation, if not acknowledged, can carry over into the next job interview.

Don’t project into the future Worrying about things in the future that you do not have control of only makes you more afraid and insecure. Instead, focus on the present and be pro-active in your response to job rejection.

Seek help Visit a WorkBC Centre in your area to receive assistance with tailoring your resume, practicing your interview skills and improving your job search. Career Advisors are available to assist you with all aspects of your job search including how to deal with job rejection.

Awareness and preparation are the keys to dealing with job rejection. Knowing what to expect, re-framing your thoughts, focusing on the positive and continuing to persevere in your job search until you find the best fit for you will ultimately get you to your goal of sustainable, long-term employment. There may be many NOs in your job search but it only takes one YES to secure employment.

https://www.workbc.ca/WorkBC-Blog/Read-WorkBC-s-Blog/Seven-tips-on-how-to-deal-with-job-rejection.aspx

 

 

 

 

New Year – New You. Self-care Tips for 365 Days of the Year

An important part of being job ready, or life ready, is self-care.  At the Career Centre, we can definitely support you with your professional care, and work with you towards finding employment, but what about the rest?

What is self-care? Self-care is any activity we do deliberately in order to take care of our mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health. Good self-care is key to improved mood and reduced anxiety. It’s also key to a good relationship with oneself and others.

What isn’t self-care? Knowing what self-care is not might be even more important. It is not something that we force ourselves to do, or something we don’t enjoy doing. As Agnes Wainman explained, self-care is “something that refuels us, rather than takes from us.”

Where do you start? Well, there are three golden rules:

• Stick to the basics. Over time you will find your own rhythm and routine.
• Self-care needs to be something you actively plan, rather than something that just happens.
• If you don’t see something as self-care or don’t do something in order to take care of yourself, it won’t work as such. Be aware of what you do, why you do it, how it feels, and what the outcomes are.

Source: https://psychcentral.com/blog/what-self-care-is-and-what-it-isnt-2#1

Self-Care Ideas:

 

Encouragement:

• Set up a 15-day self-care routine and see how you feel before and after. And never forget: As with everything, self-care takes practice!
• Self-Care Apps: There are many!  Fabulous, Sanity & Self, I am … Find one that works for you and Take Care!

 

ZOOM Your Way Thru an On-line Job Interview

So you’ve landed a virtual interview via Zoom.  Here are some helpful tips on how to be successful in your interview:

Get to know Zoom

First and foremost, it is important to familiarize yourself with Zoom by downloading the software onto your device. Although you can download the Zoom app on your smart phone, for a job interview it is wise to use a laptop or PC for better video quality. Once you have created an account, Zoom provides mock meetings where you can learn about how to either “host” a meeting or become an “attendee”.  Typically when you are interviewing virtually for a job position, the employer will email you a Zoom link with an access code, and you are an attendee at their meeting. Additionally, it is very important to find out how to “mute” or “unmute” your microphone as well as how to share with video.

Practice makes perfect

Setting-up a practice Zoom meeting where you can check things like the lighting, background noise, your eye-line, and video quality are excellent ways to prepare prior to your interview. If you are brave, you can even record yourself and look at things such as, your tone of voice, your body language, or how much you fidget! When you are creating a first impression for an employer it is important to reflect that you are professional and prepared.

Dress for success

Although it may be tempting to attend your virtual interview in pajama pants, this is not advisable. Even though you are at home, it is a good idea to dress as if you were attending the interview in person. Attending your Zoom meeting dressed in business casual attire (which is usually the standard expectation for an interview) shows an employer that you are taking the interview seriously, and that you care.

Be curious and ask questions

Just like in an in-person interview, have a few questions prepared to ask your interviewers. Being curious about the company is an excellent way to connect and can make the conversation become less formal. Also, one of the benefits of a virtual interview is that you can prepare your questions on a sticky note and place it on the side of your screen. The note then stays at eye level and reminds you of your talking points.

Taking the time to go through these tips can help to alleviate some of the stress of virtual interviews, and can certainly help to set you apart from other applicants!

Good luck!

 

Have you ever looked at a job posting and thought to yourself “I’m missing a skill or a level of experience the employer is looking for,” and then you do not apply?  This happens to many job seekers.

Think of your last employment.  Did you actually know everything you were going to do before you started the job?  Chances are incredibly high that you learned something on the job, so think of the skills listed within a job posting as a “wish list” from the employer.  Their ideal candidate will have all of the skills, education, and knowledge required for the position.  In reality, their perfect candidate may not exist but it never hurts to dream so they post a job description with their wish list.

So what do you do now?  You build your resume to sell the skills and relevant experience you have that employers are looking for and you apply for that job.  Let the employer make the decision of whether they will interview you or not and don’t let a missing skill hold you back from applying.  After all, you can’t be offered a job you don’t apply for.