Rejections are painful.

I haven’t experienced a romantic rejection for a long time already, but I was recently rejected a few times in my job seeking.

How I dealt with them brought me opportunities and connections, and that’s what I’d like to share with you.

Here it goes:

I went for an interview for a senior position. I was interviewed by the owner of the company.

During the interview, I shared candidly my strengths and weaknesses. The interviewer also shared what she had done. It was impressive.

While talking with the interviewer, she gave me a feeling that I really didn’t know what I was doing. I got the impression that I lacked qualifications and revelant training.

I didn’t get the position I applied for. I walked away feeling quite devastated.

However, after I got through my initial disappointment, I saw that the interviewer’s experience and credential could really benefit fellow tutors in my community, and she might benefit from knowing more tutors.

I decided to invite her to be a part of my community. It worked well. The interviewer turned out to be a wonderfully giving person. It was a win-win situation.

I could have seen that interview as a waste of time.

I could have felt bitter and angry towards the interviewer, and mocked her for not seeing my abilities.

But I am glad that I applied a networker’s mindset, and did a connection instead.The realization is, what doesn’t suit me, may suit other people.

If a door doesn’t open for me, why just walk away? If it’s a door to genuine opportunities, why not recommend it to other people in my network?

The underlying mindset is that I trust I’ll find my open door soon enough.

What will you do, the next time you’re rejected?