I applied to 47 jobs over the course of three months. I customized my résumé for each role, wrote cover letters, followed up on applications, reached out to connections on LinkedIn, and did everything I was “supposed” to do. And still, rejection after rejection rolled in. Some companies didn’t even respond. Others sent automated emails. A few invited me to interviews that felt promising—only to disappear without explanation.
Each rejection started to chip away at my confidence. I began to question my skills, my experience, and whether I was even employable anymore. It felt like I was shouting into a void. I kept thinking: what am I doing wrong?
And then it happened. One company responded with a second interview. Then a third. Then an offer.
What shocked me most wasn’t the fact that someone finally said yes—it was who said yes. This wasn’t one of the flashy companies I had been chasing. It wasn’t my “dream job” on paper. In fact, I almost didn’t apply at all. It was a smaller company I had barely heard of, but from the very first conversation, something felt different. They actually listened. They cared about what I could bring to the table, not just how well I checked boxes.
Now, a few months into that role, I realize that I wasn’t being rejected because I wasn’t good enough. I was being redirected. Most of those roles weren’t right for me—and deep down, I probably knew that.
Here’s what I learned: rejection isn’t always a reflection of your value. Sometimes it’s just the wrong timing, the wrong culture fit, or an overly crowded applicant pool. Job hunting isn’t just about finding someone who will hire you. It’s about finding someone who sees your potential—and values it.
If you're in the middle of a long and discouraging job search, I know how hard it is. I know how draining it can feel. But it only takes one yes. And sometimes that yes comes from the place you least expect.
Keep going. Keep applying. And don’t forget to apply to the ones you almost scroll past—you never know what might come of it.
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