After a Career Setback, Reflect on Your Strengths
Career setbacks happen to everyone. Maybe you didn’t land that job you were vying for, or the promotion you wanted went to someone else. But failures and missed opportunities don’t have to derail your career — and they can even propel it forward. To move past a setback with confidence, start by acknowledging the pain of being rejected. The physiological response it creates in our minds is akin to physical pain, so don’t dismiss how you are feeling. Next, take a step back and assess the situation — and be fair to yourself. Is what happened a reflection on you and your skills, or (as is often the case) were there factors at play that were beyond your control? And then make a conscious effort to look toward the future. Spend some time thinking about your strengths and what you love doing. Consider how else you could use your skills — it may be that your next career opportunity will be in an area you haven’t even considered.
“Use Failure as an Opportunity to Reflect on Your Strengths,” by Susan Peppercorn