Last week, I put myself forward for something that felt huge. A job opportunity that, on paper, seemed exciting… but in reality, felt absolutely terrifying.
Last Monday, I reached out to ask about the experience needed for the role. To my surprise, they invited me that very afternoon for an informal chat. Taking that step felt huge — I had to push past my nerves, ask questions, and put myself out there. Later that evening, I completed and submitted my application, heart racing.
And then I got an interview.
For someone who lives with anxiety, that alone felt like a mountain climbed.
It’s been a whirlwind: I applied on Monday, the job closed on Friday, got an email the following Monday inviting me to an interview on Thursday… and today, Friday, I received the phone call letting me know the outcome.
The interview process itself was long and challenging. I had a tour of the school, completed a written task, and then attended a face-to-face interview with two interviewers. The amount of social interaction required, combined with having to talk about my skills and experience — something I usually struggle to acknowledge or celebrate — was enormous. And yet, I managed it all.
I didn’t get the job in the end. But the recruiter was incredibly kind — they told me I did really well in the interview. The selected candidate simply had more experience. It wasn’t a reflection on me at all.
For a moment, that familiar sting crept in. The quiet voice that says “You weren’t enough.” The one that tries to make rejection feel like failure. But then I started noticing all the positives that came from the experience.
Pushing Myself and Celebrating Wins
Applying for the role, reaching out to ask questions, completing the written task, and navigating the face-to-face interview all took courage. I stepped out of my comfort zone, advocated for myself, and proved that I could face my anxiety head-on. I also had to sell myself and acknowledge my own skills and successes — something that doesn’t come naturally to me — and that was a huge achievement in itself.
Gaining Experience and Confidence
Interviews are a skill, and confidence in presenting yourself is a skill. Each part of this process — from the informal chat to the full interview — taught me something new. I left the call feeling stronger, more prepared, and more aware of my own abilities.
Reframing Rejection
Sometimes rejection isn’t a reflection of your worth. Sometimes it’s simply a “not this time” or “this role wasn’t the perfect fit.” It doesn’t erase the growth, courage, or effort — it simply redirects your path.
Rejection can feel personal, even when it’s not. It can trigger doubt and self-criticism. But when we step back and look at the bigger picture, we can see that each experience, even the ones that don’t go our way, teaches us something valuable. It shows us how resilient we are, how much we’re willing to try, and how capable we are of facing fear, uncertainty, and discomfort.
Choosing to see the positives transforms rejection from a stopping point into a stepping stone. It reminds us that progress isn’t always about outcomes; sometimes it’s about the courage it takes to show up, the lessons we learn along the way, and the small wins we carry forward.
Rejection can redirect us toward opportunities that are a better fit, toward growth we didn’t even know we needed. And it gives us the chance to celebrate ourselves — for our effort, our bravery, and our persistence.
It doesn’t make the disappointment disappear, but it changes the story we tell ourselves about it. And that shift in perspective can make all the difference.
If You’re Sitting With a Rejection Right Now
Remember: trying is not failure. Showing up is not failure. Being brave enough to want more for yourself is never failure.
I didn’t get the job — but I gained confidence, courage, self-pride, and a deeper appreciation of my own abilities. And those are wins that no rejection can ever take away.