You know that emotions-wrenching moment when the recruiter says, “We regret to inform you…” and suddenly your heart drops like an overripe mango from a tree? Yes! Been there. Done that. Got the rejection emails countlessly.
Let me take you back to that interview, the one I was sure I had in the bag. The one where I confidently told my friends, “Nah, this one is mine. I felt it in my spirit.” The interview that made me practice my “I’m excited to join the team” talk in front of the mirror, how I will be dressing daily to work, how my table is going to be arranged, how I will welcome everyone I come across on that day with a smile…
Spoiler alert: I didn’t get the job.
And I cried. Not the full Nollywood dramatic sobbing with a background soundtrack when Genevieve is crying, but those sharp stings in your chest when your pride and expectations collapse like a badly built bridge. But looking back now? That rejection was one of the best things that ever happened to me.
1. I Was Interviewing for the Wrong Job
Let’s be honest, sometimes we want a job not because we love it, but because we love the salary attached. I mean, who wouldn’t want to earn six figures just for attending Zoom meetings and pretending to be frozen when asked a question? That’s not the nature of the job though… But deep down, I knew I wasn’t passionate about what the role entailed. It sounded fancy on paper, yes. But every time I tried to explain it to someone, I ended up confused myself.
The interview failure gave me clarity. It made me question: “Why did I even want that job so badly?” and “What do I actually enjoy doing?”
Turns out, I was chasing a title and a paycheck, trying to escape people questioning “why haven’t you gotten a job,” and not a sense of purpose. That painful rejection forced me to pause and reflect.
2. I Needed to Level Up—Seriously
Have you ever gone for an interview and, when they ask, “Can you tell me about a time you solved a complex problem using data?” you respond with: “Well, one time I calculated how many pieces of clothes I could buy with ₦20,000…”
Okay, maybe not exactly like that… but you get my point. That rejection highlighted gaps I didn’t even know I had. I wasn’t as prepared as I thought I was. My CV was good, yes, but my confidence was sitting on a shaking plastic chair.
So I decided to do something about it. I enrolled in free courses, joined communities, updated my LinkedIn, and even practiced mock interviews with friends. I sharpened my skills so that next time I got a chance, I wouldn’t fumble the bag. Failing that interview lit a fire under me that laziness had been trying to extinguish for years.
3. The Company Turned Out to Be… a Red Flag Factory
A few months after moving on with my life, I stumbled upon a tweet from someone who did get qualified for the next stage by that same company. Let’s just say the inside scoop was hot, some got the offer, others were put on holds for months without a notice, the toxic work culture, people getting laid off faster than you can say “monthly target.” Apparently, their idea of work-life balance was “You work, forget your life, and pray you don’t lose your balance.”
I imagine myself in that work environment, where there’s no job security, after struggling to get in, then I will have to be praying and fasting not to get laid off? No way. That rejection saved me from what could have been professional heartbreak and workplace trauma. Sometimes, rejection isn’t just redirection; it’s protection.
4. It Boosted My Resilience (And Gave Me Better Stories to Tell)
There’s something character-building about rejection. The kind of growth you don’t get from hearing “Congratulations, you got the job!”
I mean, what’s life without a little drama? Failing that interview humbled me. It taught me that rejection isn’t the end, it’s a comma; not a full stop. Now, I wear that experience like a badge of honor because I bounced back even better. Plus, I now have a treasure trove of stories for motivational talks, late-night banter, and spicy content’s (like this one).
5. It Pushed Me to Try New Paths
With that opportunity gone, I had two choices: sink into despair or pivot like a pro.
So I tried freelancing. I offered my skills in bits and pieces writing here, virtual assisting there, managing social media accounts for small businesses. I even started learning about entrepreneurship and investments, building a brand of my own SORENTERPRISES (thanks to all those scrolling on opportunity platforms).
Guess what? One of those “side hustles” became a main source of income. If I had gotten that job, I might never have discovered other parts of myself. I’d have been too comfortable, too boxed in. Failure shoved me into a corner but that corner led me to a door I never noticed before.
6. It Made Me Human Again
Sometimes we place too much of our worth on our career achievements. “If I don’t get this job, I’m a failure,” we tell ourselves. Lies!
Failing the interview reminded me that I’m more than my résumé. I’m more than my career. I’m a full human being… funny, capable, creative, and resilient.
Plus, I enjoyed a week of pure rest after the rejection, no alarms, no corporate emails, just me, my business, and my few customers which will one day be large.
Conclusion
Rejection gave me the break I didn’t know I needed. I reconnected with myself. I re-evaluated my dreams. And I remembered that sometimes, failure is simply a stepping stone to something greater.
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