We Got Rejected

What happens when we #humblebrag about our rejections? We Got Rejected is a platform for diverse professionals to share something we all have in common. Motivate others on the hunt with your story.

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Ignoring #They and Moving Past Self-Doubt 

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Internal Rejection

I had my sights set on a certain position shortly after I was hired within the department.  It would mean putting my bachelor’s degree on hold and enrolling in a Legal Assistant Program, which fulfilled the educational requirements for the position.  I chose one of the senior professionals in the department as my mentee gaining valuable hands on experience for more than a year.  Having worked in the department and promoted by this time once, again later, I knew how the department operated.  Things were looking very promising and I was hopeful when that Jr. position opened up, I would be a great candidate.   My annual reviews were above average and management was very pleased with my work and willingness to take on more tasks.

 Unfortunately when the Jr. position became available, an outsider was chosen because they had more experience in the legal field.  However, I was encouraged to apply in the future.  Opportunity came again, and once again I was hopeful.  This time the door was closed forever.  Management had decided the Jr. position was no longer needed and changed it to a Sr. Position. 

 I later found out “WHO” encouraged her to make that change and why.   The WHO and why isn’t important here.  What is important is that we’re all here for a purpose.  Although that was my plan, it wasn’t God’s plan for me, and I’m thankful.  I did go on to earn my bachelors’ and Masters Degree and still working in the same department.  I realized that all I had endured was to make me a better person and position me for my purpose.  Words of wisdom, don’t try to open doors GOD has closed, they are closed for a reason.                  

 “Jonesy”

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Probably the worst rejections I've gotten were from companies I didn't even feel excited about. This is a pretty open-and-shut case--I wasn't a good fit for this position, and HR sent me a polite and prompt rejection email. No harm, no foul. But it still doesn't make me feel confident in my search for a full-time job after graduation.

Aspiring Marketing Professional

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So I decided to apply to my dream job at UT Austin only to receive a denial three days later on a SUNDAY night…who has time to send denial letters on Sunday nights? Employers who want to deny you, that’s who. What sucked the most was that the lady pretended that she consulted over my application with a group of people (mind you this entire interaction happened over the course of the weekend and not business hours) and gave the decision, *much thought.* SAY IT TO MY FACE, LADY.

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Coming fresh out of College graduation and an internship at one of the top tier ad agencies in the country, I felt confident in my job search. Boy, how I was wrong! After months of applying, and severe rejections, from similar agencies, I decided to start applying to some smaller agencies that might be more willing to take on young fresh talent. Boy, did they not want me either! But that didn't stop me, I applied to everything that came up, and I got a few promising leads. One, so much so, that I began doing rounds in the office and started meeting the teams. They sat me down, and BAM, surprised me with a math quiz about ice cream men. Nothing to do advertising, and absolutely no preparation! Following this meeting, I looked past bump in the road and relied on my interviewing skills for this job. I even sent along some cookies for time appreciation and hopefully warm greeting to the team. Then I received this rejection email....

No worries though, through ambition and perseverance, only a couple months later I received a job offer for a much better opportunity, and from another top tier ad agency!

Everything takes time, have patience! Things tend to work themselves out for the best.   

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"Hi Karina - We had a really hard time deciding between all of our candidates this year for our summer intern position. !!!So much talent!!! We were honored you considered us for an internship. Unfortunately, we narrowed down our decision for the summer but invite you to submit again for the Fall if you are interested."

My name isn't Karina. 

This was just one of the many rejections I got back before I found the one that stuck. You don't need them all to say yes. You don't need them all to remember your name. You just need one.

Copywriter

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So, Let me tell you about this messy agency I interviewed at ... mind you, this was for a assistant media planning opening.... After months of searching for the golden nugget of advertising positions (anything related to strategy), I decided to apply to a media planning position.  My thoughts? Start there ... get a few gifts and perks.. then move onto a bigger strat position.  

So I applied to this agency and to my surprise (actually wasn't surprised at all) they called me to meet with some TEAMS.  Now here I am, fresh on the market, hair laid, face beat for the GAWDS, giving these people FACE & BRAIN.  I basically looked like Zendaya in anything she does.  Side note... her makeup is ALWAYS on point. 

So I meet with 2 team for about 2.5 hours.  Already I'm stressed out because I just worked out and was starving.  Then they gave me a math test... ANYWAY.

I finish the interview.. everyone seems satisfied per usual fakeness, so I go about my way.  

*Oh this reminds of another rejection I got... I have to find that one. There's a funny pathetic story about how I cant control my eyes, that goes along with the rejection.

So back to this media planning mess. I get an email days later telling me to come in and talk to TWO MORE TEAMS.  So I did and then the recruiter sent me the rejection... that's fine though... a few days later I got an offer.

SUCCESSFULLY PETTY JUNIOR STRATEGIST 

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0-1 Years of Experience.  After my summer internship I decided to book a trip to L.A. and visit one of my top agencies. 

I felt pretty confident to apply, I graduated with honors and my work had been published, so I decided to give it a try. However, I got this response after following up with the recruiter via email. What’s the worst part of the story? Them saying “We need someone with MORE experience" 

So what does 0-1 years of experience really mean when you are clearly qualified? Only they know. 

Now, I’m happily employed at a great agency and I don’t regret not staying in L.A. because I understood that everything happens for a reason and it wasn't my time to be in L.A. 

Successfully Employed Junior Planner

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I’m not a stranger to failure. In fact, failure is essential in order to be successful. Through this rejection, I learned to come back knocking on the door 10X harder. I’m not going to stop knocking until the door opens.

Like any other rejection, this one hurt. But, it also empowered me and gave me the opportunity to conduct a self-evaluation. Where can I improve? What do I lack? How can I be better? How do I get the job?

And if the door doesn’t open, I’ll build my own door and take my passion and talents elsewhere. Life is about connecting the dots. Everything happens for a reason.

Aspiring Media Planner

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But I didn't even apply!

After being turned down for this internship twice (one application for the summer term, another for the fall) I get turned down again for a third time.... I have only ever applied twice. How? What? I don't even know.

Designer at a Large Social Media Agency

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Nothing is more of a blow than getting a rejection email that you were clearly just BCC'd on. (Especially after you ask applicants to spend a full day shooting content on Snapchat). I emailed back for feedback but got no response.  It's aiight Saatchi. No hard feelings. It wasn't meant to be. 

Mass Mail Rejected But I'll Survive

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I Guess 5 Internships Weren't Enough

This kind of sucked because I was trying to make the move out to LA, and I already had a freelance creative gig. I thought that would help, but I still didn't make the cut. It sucked to be rejected, but it made me realize what my competition looks like (even though I'd like to think I'm already qualified).

In the meantime, I figured out a track for my career and life. I'm set to start at a Publicis agency next month for an internship (for basically entry-level pay) and enroll in top-notch portfolio school in the fall.

Creative That Hasn't Gone to Portfolio School (Yet)

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Job Hunting While Black

I'd post a rejection email but my cover letters and applications seem to be ignored. Maybe it's because I'm vocal about Black Lives issues on social media. Are agencies afraid to hire an unapologetically black woman? Should I be getting a separate Twitter? If that's the case, fuck that. The right people will find me at the right time. Don't give up & know your worth. 

Soon-To-Be-Employed-Creative  

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I spent hours drafting this cover letter only to realize a typo AFTER I submitted my application. But, one thing I won’t be doing anymore is beat myself up about it. Nothing hits your confidence more than hunting for a job. The #1 requirement is experience but… how do you get that if you’re fresh out of college?  Positivity and persistence will pay off soon. (and it has TBH) 

Aspiring ADV Strategist