A “No” is Not a Dead End

As the corporate relations intern, it is my responsibility to work to secure sponsors for upcoming Come Recommended events. I am not sure how many of you are familiar with this task, but I have learned in the last few weeks the value of being able to charm and sweet talk a secretary, an assistant or an operator. I have also learned that sometimes (actually, rather often), you hear “no.”

I have had this same experience in the job hunting process for the last seven months since I graduated. I will admit, the process — both securing sponsors and finding a job — can be a bit discouraging. The no’s become draining, even when you are trying to keep your chin up.

I do not advocate getting angry or down over every “no.” In fact, if I did, I should probably wallowing in a puddle of self-loathing right now. Dwelling on these particular failures certainly is not a necessary step, but I would argue that using what you have learned from every “no” is just as valuable as the “yes” you receive.

In the case of my job hunt, I use my pile of rejections as a learning experience. Is the company not hiring right now? Send a thank you note for their time and if it is something you want, follow up and keep in touch until something does come up. If you are “qualified, but not what they are looking for,” think about ways you can better convey your skills in your resume or cover letter or your next interview.

In the case of corporate sponsorships, after the first “no,” I re-wrote my pitch, went back to the drawing board and tried again. I will inevitably get a few more no’s, but I am absolutely certain that it will not be for lack of trying.

In my own experience, the process of being rejected is absolutely maddening, but there is a lot to be learned from it. So, chin up, and use every no as a learning experience, not a dead end.