Interview rejection is often a hard fact of life. Most of us have faced it at some point in our lives. Facing it is an ordeal as we are usually hopeful after an interview and then the dreaded NO disappoints us. But this is not entirely a lost cause. It can, in fact, be a propellant for you to succeed in life. Says Rajendra Ghag, Executive Vice President and Head, HR and Administration, HDFC Life, "Facing rejection often helps you to rework on your interview skills and polish you as a professional. The candidate must know and be convinced that he/ she is not the only applicant, particularly if it is the preliminary round. That will help the candidate to be less stressed about the outcome of an interview." Here are a few things to keep in mind when the hour comes:


Never doubt thyself
"Taking rejection in one's stride is not everybody's cup of tea. However, this is the single most distinguishing factor between the go-getters and the losers. To get disheartened after rejection is indeed natural. But what is important is to move on," suggests Alok Jain, EVP and COO, Aspire Human Capital Management. The guru mantra is 'never doubt yourself!' Reevaluate your strengths and weaknesses and take this failure as a stepping stone towards future success. "Always remember, your skills are your assets and a rejection from an employer cannot dismiss them," adds Jain.

Recognise your weaknesses
V K Verma, Advisor, Group HR, Tata Sons, says, "You need to confront the rejection and own it. Once you recognise your weaknesses and shortcomings, you will then be able to positively address any gaps or weak points in your knowledge, experience, skills and techniques." Although it is easier said than done, you need to deal with rejection and move on as quickly as possible. Give yourself a day. Once you've calmed down and rediscovered your selfworth, it is then time to analyse and improve.

Gather feedback
Always take the opportunity to gather feedback and gauge whether there are areas that you can improve upon. Learn from mistakes, accept them and look forward. If you know you were nervous and may not have answered questions well, then you know you can work on it in the future.

Do not take it personally
"Accept that it may not have been anything personal. You may not have as much experience as another candidate or you may not have the requisite qualifications. On the other hand, you could also have been too highly qualified and the interviewer felt that you wouldn't have stayed in the job for long. Remember, failure is a necessary step on the path to success," advises Verma.

Look out for new vistas
Take rejection as an opportunity. Always remember the job you missed is not the last job on Earth. "With so many fields and job profiles making themselves available every year, job opportunities are waiting in the wings. You just need to be on the look out for newer vistas in life," adds Jain.

Creative vent
Find a creative vent for your frustration. Hit the gym or engage in a hobby like painting or dancing to dissolve the frustration of a rejection. Not only will you feel better, you might also come up with newer ideas of self-expression.

Move on with optimism.
Do not brood and get stuck with the rejection; discuss it with family, friends or whoever you are comfortable with. Vent out your feelings. "Look ahead with a positive attitude and be self confident. Do not fear rejection, it's a part of job hunting. Keep looking out for new opportunities and never give up. If you feel depressed for a long time, then take professional help. Successful job hunters use rejection as a tool to push further and drive them towards success, so look ahead with optimism," concludes Seema Hingorany, renowned clinical psychologist.