Have you ever gotten a rejection response from a potential employer, and while your fingers typed one response, your mind was thinking another? This happened to me with my last job interview. I was actually relieved when I received the rejection email, but when I found out some inside information later, I wish I had been able to write an entirely different response. They gave me the stereotypical response of holding onto my resume for potential future openings, but after I found out the inside info, I was ready to write back and tell them to lose all the information they had on me because I wouldn’t work for them even if they offered.
At this point, I’m applying for jobs I don’t even want just because I need a paycheck. I will do my best at any job as long as I’m paid for the work that I do, and I’m not too proud to try things outside my normal wheelhouse. I don’t care what people think about the “rank” of job, but I do care about working with people who try to do their best without causing problems for others. If I refuse to apply for a job, it’s because I can already see all the disasters awaiting me if I did. I think through all the pros and cons before applying for a job, and I ask myself if I’m capable of doing the job because I know my strengths and weaknesses. I don’t like wasting anyone’s time or my own.
During this process, there have been a few times when the “thanks for applying” responses burned a little bit because I couldn’t figure out what I had done wrong. However, after giving myself some breathing room and reflecting on each job, I can often see where someone else would be more qualified or appropriate. What it usually comes down to is that I’m just sorry I didn’t get a paycheck. I guess that seems mercenary, but I’m at a point in life where that’s what work is. I don’t get attached, I don’t put my whole “heart” into it, and I don’t feel a passion for work anymore. I did that for 20 years in my library career, and what it got me was kicked over and over and over and over again. What did I learn from that?
I no longer feel the need to see purpose in the job because I’ll bring my own purpose to the table. I’ll do my job well because it is the right thing to do by my employer and the people that I assist. I won’t get close to people anymore because I have all the close friends I can handle right now, but I’ll be good and fair to every person who crosses my path insofar as I am able. All I ask in return is kind and fair treatment and a good paycheck.
I’ve been down this path before, and this time, I’m handling it way better. Nonetheless, it can be really difficult in the first moment of rejection for a job, but I want to find the right job where the employer believes that I can do the job and help the business. On the other hand, I’m mature enough to know that a paycheck is VERY important, and it’s more than a little stressful when you keep getting rejected. I’m not surprised at the rejection because I’ve been through it before, and rejection is a normal part of the job seeking process. Also, I’m trying to change career fields so that is probably having an influence as I tweak how I market myself in a new capacity.
I keep tailoring my resume to each job, and I write focused cover letters. I read the instructions through twice to be sure I’m doing what they ask, and I keep an open mind. Just because I’m applying and want a job doesn’t mean they have to interview or hire me. This is giving me time to examine things about myself – strengths, weaknesses, skill sets, and experience. My brother is helping me think outside the box with my skills to see how they can apply in new fields. This has been a real challenge because I was in the library field for so long, but I’m now discovering new ways to apply the skills and explain those skills so that potential employers see how they apply to their businesses as well. The whole process is stretching me, but to grow, we have to stretch as I recently learned from a sermon.
Yes, I’m being rejected, but I am being interviewed. I know it’s only a matter of time before someone recognizes how my skill set fits their company. If you find yourself in the same situation, just keep what you’re really thinking in its place, and remind yourself that it’s all part of the process. Keep applying. Keep interviewing. Keep tweaking. It will come together.
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Inspirational verses for the day:
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24 (NLT)
All Things Subject to Change 