Normalising the No: Why Rejection Is Part of Every Career Journey

Normalising the No: Why Rejection Is Part of Every Career Journey

Job hunting can feel like a relentless emotional rollercoaster. You craft what you think is the perfect application, perhaps even nail what you think is a great interview, and then... silence. Or worse, a polite "thanks, but no thanks" email that lands in your inbox like a small punch to the gut.

If you're nodding along, you're not alone. Whether you're a teacher looking to transition into a new field, a recent graduate entering the job market, or a seasoned professional seeking a change, rejection is an inevitable part of the process. The sooner we normalise hearing "no," the better equipped we'll be to handle the journey ahead.

The Reality Check: Numbers Don't Lie

Here's something that might surprise you: it takes the average UK candidate around four months (122 days) to find a job*, and the average vacancy receives 118 applications**. This isn't a reflection of your worth or capabilities, it's simply the mathematics of modern job hunting.

Think of it this way: if you're applying for roles where you're competing against dozens or hundreds of other candidates, a 1-2% success rate isn't failure – it's normal! Even our Academy Members who are securing interviews against 150 candidates, still have several rejections first. The problem isn't that you're getting rejected; the problem is that we've been conditioned to see each "no" as a personal failing rather than a predictable part of the process.

It's Not Just You (And It's Not Just Teachers)

Career changers often feel like they're fighting an uphill battle, and as teachers transitioning to new industries I think we’re especially vulnerable to feeling the pain of rejection. But the truth is that everyone faces rejection when applying for new roles, regardless of their background. I know it sounds obvious, but I wonder if we sometimes forget this.

The software engineer with five years of experience still gets turned down. The marketing manager with an impressive portfolio still doesn't make it past the first round sometimes. The recent MBA graduate still receives those automated rejection emails. Rejection is the great equaliser in job searching! It touches everyone, regardless of experience level, industry, or background.

So if we can’t avoid it - perhaps we can get curious about how to better make space for it.

Your Rejection Audit: What to Check When the Answer Is No

While we expect rejection, inside the Academy Membership I clearly want members to experience as little as possible! Before you let rejection spiral into self-doubt, run through our checklist to ensure you're on the right track:

Application Quality

Are you tailoring your CV and cover letter to each specific role?
Do your application materials clearly demonstrate how your skills transfer to the new position?
Are you using keywords from the job description appropriately?
Is your LinkedIn profile optimised and consistent with your applications?

Target Alignment

Are you applying for roles that genuinely match your skill level and experience?
Have you researched the company culture and values to ensure alignment?
Are your salary expectations realistic for your experience level and location?

Interview Performance

Are you preparing specific examples that demonstrate your capabilities?
Do you have thoughtful questions prepared about the role and company?
Are you clearly articulating why you want to make this career change?
Have you practiced explaining how your previous experience applies to this new field?

Market Timing

Are you applying during peak hiring seasons for your target industry?
Is there high competition in your geographical area or desired field?
Are there external factors (economic conditions, industry changes) affecting hiring?

Mindset Shifts That Change the Game

Reframe Rejection as Redirection Every "no" is steering you toward a better fit. That role you didn't get? Maybe the company culture wouldn't have suited you anyway. That interview that didn't go well? Perhaps it highlighted skills you need to develop further. Trust that the right opportunity will recognise your value.

Adopt the "One Yes" Philosophy You only need one yes. You're not trying to achieve a 100% success rate – you're trying to find the one role that's perfect for you. All those rejections are just clearing the path to your aligned next step.

View Yourself as a Product in Market Research When a product doesn't sell immediately, companies don't assume the product is worthless, they analyse the market, adjust their positioning, or find the right audience. Apply the same logic to your job search. Sometimes it's about finding the right market for your unique combination of skills and experience.

Celebrate the Process, Not Just the Outcome Set goals around activities you can control: "I'll apply to five quality positions this week" rather than "I'll get three interviews this week." Acknowledge your effort and persistence, not just the results - this one is really important!

Remember Your Why Keep your motivation front and center. Whether you're seeking better work-life balance, more challenging projects, or a complete career pivot, remembering why you started this journey will help you push through the inevitable rejections. Pin you “why” somewhere you can see it!

Building Resilience for the Long Game

Create a Support Network Connect with others who are job searching or have successfully made similar transitions. Join professional groups, attend networking events, or find online communities where you can share experiences and get encouragement. You can read more about our community here.

Maintain Your Routine Job searching can become all-consuming, but maintaining structure in your day helps preserve your mental health. Set specific hours for job search activities and really try to stick to them.

Keep Learning Use quiet periods (!) between applications to upskill. Maybe researching companies on LinkedIn, attending free webinars, or reading industry publications. This keeps you productive and improves your candidacy for future applications.

Document Your Journey Keep a record of applications, interviews, and feedback. This helps you track patterns, see your progress, and identify areas for improvement. It's also incredibly motivating to look back and see how far you've come.

The Power Perspective

Here's the most important mindset shift of all: every rejection is bringing you closer to the right opportunity. I know it doesn’t feel like it when you’re in that messy middle but each "no" is valuable data that helps you refine your approach, clarify your goals, and build resilience for the role that will ultimately say "yes."

Your career journey isn't a straight line, it's a series of experiments, pivots, and discoveries. The rejection you face today is honestly building the character and wisdom you'll need for the success that's coming tomorrow.

So normalise the no. Expect it, prepare for it, and don't let it define you. Your perfect role is out there, and every rejection is just part of the navigation system guiding you toward it.

The only way to guarantee you won't find your ideal role is to stop looking. Keep going. Your yes is coming!

Sources:

* https://standout-cv.com/stats/...

** https://standout-cv.com/stats/...

Categories: : Psychology of Career Change