5 Ways to Overcome Internship Rejection

By Jason Coronel

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​The whole process of applying for internships can be scary. It can be gruesome when a company you want to work for denies your application. Here is a scenario: You impress the hiring manager with your resume and are given a chance for an interview. A few days later, you receive an email stating that you did not get the position. Everyone knows a thing or two about succeeding in interviews, but how does one deal with rejection? What happens if you receive that dreadful rejection email? This how-to list will help you positively deal with rejections from internships.

1. Stay Active When Rejected:
Life is not always perfect, and the internship process is not always perfect either. There are instances where you receive that dreadful rejection email in your inbox. It can be a tough pill to swallow, but it is essential to know that all will be okay. First and foremost, it is okay if you get rejected from an internship--it happens to everyone. There can be many factors contributing to why you weren’t selected, and those factors may not have anything to do with you! But the most important thing to do after a rejection is to continue applying to other opportunities that best match your qualifications. It is okay to be upset; putting in so much effort just to get rejected is draining. However, it is vital to get back out there and be positive for the next interview. Use the rejection as a learning experience for yourself and future career endeavors. Rejection should not be seen as a sign of defeat, but as a way to learn from an obstacle.
 
 2. Move Forward:
When it comes to rejection, it is always best to move forward. Do not take it personal in any way, lingering in the past will only hurt you more. It is ill-advised to focus on the negative and best to focus on the future. Yes, rejection may be the worst feeling, but you have to endure many "no's" to be successful. It is how you handle the rejection that determines the type of applicant you are. Opportunities are always within your reach; you have to make the best out of the situation and confidently move forward. Not feeling the confidence? Blast some music to keep your motivation going during the application process. It helps, trust me. 

3. Be Gracious and Stay Connected:
How can you be kind while facing rejection? Even though you did not land the job, it is always good to show gratitude towards the interviewer. Thank them for the opportunity that was given to you. If it is a company that you are interested in joining, it is also important to include that you are interested in future opportunities that they may have. You never know, their first choice for the internship may have accepted an internship elsewhere which could lead to them reconsidering you. The smallest gestures can provide a favorable outcome, even if it is from an unfavorable situation.
 
4. Ask for Feedback:
If you are unsure of what you could fix for your next interview, you can always ask for feedback. Feedback and acting on it is the most crucial part after getting rejected from an internship. Receiving feedback can help you improve on critical elements that you may not have known. You may not want to hear it, but it is necessary information that can help you in the future. When you thank them in your email, you can ask for any constructive criticism that they may be able to offer. According to Indeed.com, “explaining your motives for requesting feedback gives the interviewer an idea of the type of advice that would benefit you the most.” When asking for feedback, it is best to do it within 24 hours of receiving your rejection. Most hiring managers will be thrilled to give you advice. It shows that you are interested in learning from past mistakes.

 5. Practice and Learn:
The definition of insanity is repeating the same thing over and over, expecting a different result. If you continue to get rejected, it is vital to take a few minutes and see what skills you need to work on. As mentioned before, if you receive feedback from your interviewer, it can provide a footprint on what to work on for your next interview. Receiving all your feedback and learning from your previous interviews can help you prepare for the next one. If you want to improve on your interview skills, ask a friend or family member to conduct a mock interview with you. They can give you real interview questions, help catch any mistakes and receive additional feedback from them. Practice makes perfect! 

Always acknowledge your career journey as a work in progress. Everyone has a different story, but with hard work, you can succeed. There are many failure stories that are shared, and if you need any inspiration check out http://www.rejected.us. This is a website where people post their rejection stories or past failures from their career. Most of the people who have posted were able to obtain positions where they had been rejected before. It is all about persevering and prospering, even at the worst moments.