Rejections in Interviews

Rejections are tough to handle, now and always. Looking back, I realize they were even more challenging a few years ago. I'd avoid any risk of rejection, even to the point of rejecting myself before others could.

Being rejected by an online form would feel like the end of the world to me. 😅

What brought about the change in my perspective? Two primary understandings:

1. Embracing the power of iteration and compounding:

I found that with repetitive, mindful practice, we can acquire and refine skills. Seeking perfection right off the bat often sets us up for disappointment.

2. Shattering the myth of perfection:

I learned that real progress is in attempts, feedback, and, believe it or not, rejections. Rejections aren't the end, but necessary steps on our journey towards success.

3. Transforming Rejections into Positive Sum Games: A Life and Interview Perspective

Typically, when we're rejected for a job, a proposal, or any opportunity, it's easy to view the situation as a zero-sum game. We think we've lost, and the person or entity rejecting us has won. This can lead to feelings of personal failure, as if the rejection is a commentary on our value or worth.

For example, in a job interview scenario, you may not get the job, but that doesn't mean you're 'losing.' You gain experience, insight, and potentially feedback to help you improve for future interviews. Meanwhile, the company that rejected you isn't 'winning' in the sense of causing your loss; they're simply choosing the candidate that best fits their current needs.

1. What some one has learned with multiple iterations can not be mastered by me with few iterations

   The reality is that even though I want to win/be accepted in an exam, if someone else has gone through more iterations than me, the likelihood of the other person being accepted is higher. What is in my control is increasing the iterations I do and be ready to be accepted for another opportunity

So, understanding rejection in the context of a non-zero sum game helps to depersonalize it. It allows us to see rejection as a part of the process rather than an end in itself, encouraging growth, learning, and resilience.

Handling interview rejections is still a unique challenge. They're never pleasant, but they're also seldom personal. Several factors can play a part:

1. our state of mind on the day

2. competition

3. even an overwhelmed interview panel.

It's essential to remember that rejections are less about us as individuals and more about the specific requirements at that moment. There will be a day when we will reject someone else and realize that it isn't about them as individuals either.

Rejections are universal, inevitable, and difficult. Yet, they also offer opportunities for learning, growth, and resilience. I'm already curious about how I'll handle my next rejection after penning down these thoughts. 🤔

So, what's your experience? How do you approach rejections, and what lessons have they taught you? Let's start a conversation!

#rejections #failures #growthmindset #iteration #gametheory