The other day I was listening to You and I by none other than the aforementioned lyrical and musical genius Jason Mraz, which begins with the line “Was it you who spoke the words that things would happen, but not to me”, and I felt like bursting into tears, because Jason Mraz was right: things were happening, but not to me.

Hiring season has started, and I have so far been rejected from every position I’ve applied to. I’m no stranger to rejection and failure but it still stings nonetheless, and I’m sure many of you have gone through, are going through, or will go through the same experience.

Nonetheless, it’s easy to turn that negative experience around and get the most out of it. If there’s anything I’ve learned from the multiple speakers I’ve listened to this year, it’s that failing can be an extremely valuable learning experience; making mistakes is what helps you see where you have room for improvement. In this context of applying for jobs or positions, the experience doesn’t simply end with the “We regret to inform you…” email. Go ahead and email or call the Hiring Director, or whoever is responsible for hiring, and ask them (politely, of course) for feedback on your performance in the interview. Learning how to improve your skills and build your experiences will make you a more competitive and qualified candidate for any future positions you might apply for.

Another tip to keep in mind is to stay positive, which is evidently easier said than done. It’s okay to feel down for a couple of days, especially if you’ve been rejected over and over and over again in the short period of one week. In the words of famed poets Timon and Pumbaa, Hakuna Matata. Forget about the past and focus on the future – which means getting up off your feet, dusting yourself off, and applying to yet more positions.

Lastly, surround yourself with a supportive group of friends, because their encouragement can really help in tough times. Each and every one of your close friends believes in you, and thinks you’re super intelligent and probably ridiculously beautiful too. :) If you still need that extra boost, this is one of my favourite websites for injecting a little positivity back into my life.

Fortunately, Mr. Mraz’s song doesn’t end at the first line:

“Oh things are going to happen naturally,
Taking your advice I’m looking on the bright side,
And balancing the whole thing.”

If you keep thinking positively and pursuing your goals instead of giving up at the first sign of failure, you’re going to (eventually) end up where you’re meant to be, even if that means failing a few times first. There’s always a certain balance to life, and although it may often seem that the bad far outweighs the good, it’s always possible to find a little bit of good within the bad (and vice versa, I guess, but I only condone optimism here).

Incidentally, I recently found out I’m going to be the next Communication Director for SIFE UBC (soon to be Enactus UBC), and an Assistant Director for UBC Rec’s online magazine, The Point, and I’m so so stoked.

Jason Mraz is always right. :)

DFTBA,
Olivia

TUNES:

You and I – Jason Mraz
9 Crimes – Damien Rice
Say When – Jukebox The Ghost
Champagne Supernova – Oasis

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