How to Bounce Back from Rejection and Build Resilience During Job Search
Jane Jackson
Career Coach supporting mid-career changers gain career clarity and confidence | LinkedIn Top Voice | Author of Navigating Career Crossroads | Host of YOUR CAREER Podcast | Resumé Writer | LinkedIn Trainer
"This too shall pass" – but what if it feels like it's taking forever?
Are you laying awake at night tossing and turning, worried about landing a job?
Have you ever found yourself staring at the ceiling at 3am, wondering "How do I get through this?"
Maybe it was after another rejection email, or perhaps when you realised your savings account is looking as empty as your inbox of job opportunities and you felt totally lost at sea.
Thousands of the career changers I've worked with over the years have felt this too, initially.
Sometimes that question comes from worry about what's next, other times from fear about what might happen if nothing changes, and occasionally from the raw anger of feeling like the world has forgotten your worth.
And suddenly you've lost your sense of self, and have started to question your ability - in all areas of your life.
If you're reading this while sipping your morning coffee (or your third cup of the day because sleep has become elusive), you’re not the only one who feels this and you ARE stronger than you think.
You just need a plan, a strategy, and follow it systematically, adapting along the way if you encounter a roadblock while navigating your career crossroads.
The Ancient Wisdom That Saved a King (And Might Just Save Your Sanity)
Here's a story I always remember whenever life gets overwhelming. A 12th-century Persian poet named Attar of Nishapur, told of a powerful king seeking wisdom from his advisors.
The king asked his wise men to create something that would bring him comfort in sorrow and humility in joy. After much deliberation, they presented him with a simple ring bearing four words:
"This, too, shall pass."
Centuries later, Abraham Lincoln shared this same story, saying these words were "chastening in the hour of pride" and "consoling in the depths of affliction."
Thinking about your current job search struggle? This too shall pass.
That feeling of being professionally invisible? This too shall pass.
The weight of uncertainty about your future? Yes, even this shall pass.
But here's what Lincoln didn't mention that’s important to remember: you don't have to just sit there waiting for it to pass. You CAN do something about it.
Why Some People Bounce Back While Others Stay Down
We all know someone who seems to handle career setbacks with surprising grace. They get made redundant and somehow land on their feet within months. They change careers and make it look straightforward.
What makes them different?
Resilience isn't about being tough as nails or pretending everything's fine when it's not. It's about staying both flexible and strong when everything around you feels uncertain, much like learning to steady yourself when the ground keeps shifting.
The Five Superpowers of Career-Resilient People
Resilient job seekers share these remarkable abilities:
I need to remind you that these are all skills you can learn and develop.
Your Personal Resilience Archaeology: Digging Up Your Hidden Strengths
Before we build new resilience muscles, let's acknowledge the ones you already have.
Right now, you might feel like you're failing, but you've survived 100% of your difficult days so far, and that's no small feat! That’s something to congratulate yourself on right away. You are here, right now, and today onwards is what we must focus on.
As a coach I focus on the 'present state' of my clients and guide them towards their 'desired state.' What has happened in the past is in the past but a little reflection can help you to gain a perspective you hadn't considered before.
Take a moment to reflect: Think of a time when you overcame a challenge.
Maybe it was a difficult boss, a project that seemed impossible, or even a previous job loss.
This isn't just a feel-good exercise, it's the start of building your resilience toolkit.
Learn how to identify your accomplishments and do it regularly (the end of each week is a good time to reflect on what you’ve achieved).
The Four Pillars of Career Resilience: Your Blueprint for Bouncing Back
Pillar 1: Know Yourself Like Your Best Friend Would
Understanding your SELF matters more than any external expectations.
When the job market feels chaotic, knowing your core strengths becomes what keeps you grounded. Now is the time to assess what really makes you tick and to help you I created my Career Clarity Pack
Pillar 2: Understand What's Really Happening Out There
Understanding the job market helps you make better decisions. The landscape has changed dramatically and pretending it hasn't won't help you succeed in it.
Pillar 3: Connect With People Who Get It
No one succeeds alone, especially not in job searching.
Your network isn't just about who you know, it's about who understands your VALUE and potential.
Pillar 4: Take Purposeful Action
Motion creates momentum, and momentum creates opportunities.
Even small steps forward are still steps forward.
The Questions That Change Everything
If you're in the thick of career transition right now, here are the questions that can shift your perspective from surviving to thriving:
The Unexpected Gift Hidden in Your Struggle
The Roman poet Horace wrote,
"Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents, which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant."
Your current career challenge isn't just something to endure, it's helping to reveal strengths you might never have discovered otherwise.
The problem-solving skills you're developing, the emotional intelligence you're building, the clarity you're gaining about what really matters, these are now becoming part of your professional DNA.
Smooth Seas Don't Make Skillful Sailors
There's an African proverb I remember, that perfectly captures the paradox of difficult times:
"Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors."
Think of the storms you're weathering now not as obstacles. Shift your mindset by realising they're actually building your capacity for future challenges.
Every rejection email, every awkward networking conversation, every moment of self-doubt you push through is making you more capable. What did you learn from each experience? What little shift could you make to change the outcome next time?
Your Next Chapter Starts Now
When you are in career transition, your career story isn't ending just because it's taking longer than you hoped, it's getting to an interesting part.
And like any good story, the challenges you're facing now are setting you up for what comes next. Perhaps you didn’t realise you may be creating a portfolio career? Have you considered a portfolio career?
This could be an option for you. Building a career around multiple income streams and diverse professional activities, rather than relying on a single, traditional job could open up interesting new opportunities for you.
Your portfolio career could be a mix of part-time work, freelance projects, consulting, or even small business ventures, allowing you to pursue various interests with flexibility.
The question for you is not whether you'll get through this (because I know you will), but who you'll become in the process.
You will become more resilient, clearer about your value, and more appreciative of the opportunities that lie ahead once they land.
And you will end up with a good story to tell that will inspire others who will be in a similar situation in the future.
What has worked for you in building resilience during career transitions? Share your experiences in the comments. Your story might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today.
Are you ready to turn your career transition from overwhelming to manageable?
Join my Career Success Program where you’ll gain immediate access to the resources you need to build practical resilience strategies and create a clear plan for your next move.
The program is affordable and instantly accessible to you 24/7. Why have I made it so affordable? Because I don't want you to be stuck. I am on a mission to make careers guidance accessible and affordable to ALL who want it.
I’m Jane Jackson, Career Coach, author of Navigating Career Crossroads, LinkedIn Top Voice and host of Your Career Podcast with Jane Jackson.
With professional support your determination and focused effort will yield positive results.
You just need a plan, a strategy, and follow it systematically, adapting along the way if you encounter a roadblock while navigating your career crossroads.
The Ancient Wisdom That Saved a King (And Might Just Save Your Sanity)
Here's a story I always remember whenever life gets overwhelming. A 12th-century Persian poet named Attar of Nishapur, told of a powerful king seeking wisdom from his advisors.
The king asked his wise men to create something that would bring him comfort in sorrow and humility in joy. After much deliberation, they presented him with a simple ring bearing four words:
"This, too, shall pass."
Centuries later, Abraham Lincoln shared this same story, saying these words were "chastening in the hour of pride" and "consoling in the depths of affliction."
Thinking about your current job search struggle? This too shall pass.
That feeling of being professionally invisible? This too shall pass.
The weight of uncertainty about your future? Yes, even this shall pass.
But here's what Lincoln didn't mention that’s important to remember: you don't have to just sit there waiting for it to pass. You CAN do something about it.
Why Some People Bounce Back While Others Stay Down
We all know someone who seems to handle career setbacks with surprising grace. They get made redundant and somehow land on their feet within months. They change careers and make it look straightforward.
What makes them different?
Resilience isn't about being tough as nails or pretending everything's fine when it's not. It's about staying both flexible and strong when everything around you feels uncertain, much like learning to steady yourself when the ground keeps shifting.
The Five Superpowers of Career-Resilient People
Resilient job seekers share these remarkable abilities:
I need to remind you that these are all skills you can learn and develop.
Your Personal Resilience Archaeology: Digging Up Your Hidden Strengths
Before we build new resilience muscles, let's acknowledge the ones you already have.
Right now, you might feel like you're failing, but you've survived 100% of your difficult days so far, and that's no small feat! That’s something to congratulate yourself on right away. You are here, right now, and today onwards is what we must focus on.
As a coach I focus on the 'present state' of my clients and guide them towards their 'desired state.' What has happened in the past is in the past but a little reflection can help you to gain a perspective you hadn't considered before.
Take a moment to reflect: Think of a time when you overcame a challenge.
Maybe it was a difficult boss, a project that seemed impossible, or even a previous job loss.
This isn't just a feel-good exercise, it's the start of building your resilience toolkit.
Learn how to identify your accomplishments and do it regularly (the end of each week is a good time to reflect on what you’ve achieved).
The Four Pillars of Career Resilience: Your Blueprint for Bouncing Back
Pillar 1: Know Yourself Like Your Best Friend Would
Understanding your SELF matters more than any external expectations.
When the job market feels chaotic, knowing your core strengths becomes what keeps you grounded. Now is the time to assess what really makes you tick and to help you I created my Career Clarity Pack
Pillar 2: Understand What's Really Happening Out There
Understanding the job market helps you make better decisions. The landscape has changed dramatically and pretending it hasn't won't help you succeed in it.
Pillar 3: Connect With People Who Get It
No one succeeds alone, especially not in job searching.
Your network isn't just about who you know, it's about who understands your VALUE and potential.
Pillar 4: Take Purposeful Action
Motion creates momentum, and momentum creates opportunities.
Even small steps forward are still steps forward.
The Questions That Change Everything
If you're in the thick of career transition right now, here are the questions that can shift your perspective from surviving to thriving:
The Unexpected Gift Hidden in Your Struggle
The Roman poet Horace wrote,
"Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents, which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant."
Your current career challenge isn't just something to endure, it's helping to reveal strengths you might never have discovered otherwise.
The problem-solving skills you're developing, the emotional intelligence you're building, the clarity you're gaining about what really matters, these are now becoming part of your professional DNA.
Smooth Seas Don't Make Skillful Sailors
There's an African proverb I remember, that perfectly captures the paradox of difficult times:
"Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors."
Think of the storms you're weathering now not as obstacles. Shift your mindset by realising they're actually building your capacity for future challenges.
Every rejection email, every awkward networking conversation, every moment of self-doubt you push through is making you more capable. What did you learn from each experience? What little shift could you make to change the outcome next time?
Your Next Chapter Starts Now
When you are in career transition, your career story isn't ending just because it's taking longer than you hoped, it's getting to an interesting part.
And like any good story, the challenges you're facing now are setting you up for what comes next. Perhaps you didn’t realise you may be creating a portfolio career? Have you considered a portfolio career?
This could be an option for you. Building a career around multiple income streams and diverse professional activities, rather than relying on a single, traditional job could open up interesting new opportunities for you.
Your portfolio career could be a mix of part-time work, freelance projects, consulting, or even small business ventures, allowing you to pursue various interests with flexibility.
The question for you is not whether you'll get through this (because I know you will), but who you'll become in the process.
You will become more resilient, clearer about your value, and more appreciative of the opportunities that lie ahead once they land.
And you will end up with a good story to tell that will inspire others who will be in a similar situation in the future.
What has worked for you in building resilience during career transitions? Share your experiences in the comments. Your story might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today.
Are you ready to turn your career transition from overwhelming to manageable?
Join my Career Success Program where you’ll gain immediate access to the resources you need to build practical resilience strategies and create a clear plan for your next move.
The program is affordable and instantly accessible to you 24/7. Why have I made it so affordable? Because I don't want you to be stuck. I am on a mission to make careers guidance accessible and affordable to ALL who want it.
I’m Jane Jackson, Career Coach, author of Navigating Career Crossroads, LinkedIn Top Voice and host of Your Career Podcast with Jane Jackson.
With professional support your determination and focused effort will yield positive results.
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CHRO of the Year | Adjunct Professor | Professional Speaker | Coach | Trainer | Book Author
1moImprove your resilience with three simple exercises: https://getyourdreamjob.co/2024/04/11/navigate-your-job-hunt-with-confidence-to-attract-the-best-opportunities/
Brilliantly articulated and just what I needed to read today.
Consultant · Practice Lead · Accessibility SME | Story-seer and Storyteller | Systems Thinker
2moIt’s important to stay strong to survive, but it’s equally important to stay true and faithful
Feeling lost doesn’t mean we’ve failed. Small steps still move us forward each day. Jane Jackson