Autumn Marathon

Handling Rejection

Handling rejection constructively is one of the most important parts of prospecting for jobs or business.  It is part of the job hunt exactly like it is part of any other activity with a long sales cycle. My reaction to rejection is a “work in progress” -  it isn’t an aspect of business that comes very naturally for me.  Yesterday, I received an email from a senior executive at one of my primary target firms.  His response to my earlier message was polite and informative: it also made it clear that he did not believe there was a fit with his firm either now or when the economy improves. At the top level, I appreciate his candor and some of the specific information in his message.  Just getting someone at his level in this kind of company to respond to me was a kind of triumph - I had worked my network hard to get a personal introduction.  But on a gut level, I felt as though I had been punched in the stomach.  Though I am not a sales professional, over the years I have learned basic sales skills from experience and reading.  Still, there is a big difference between understanding something and living the life.  Any tips out there from job hunters or entrepreneurs about handling rejection?