Try, Try Again

 Keep plugging away!  You may have to go through an awful lot of noes to get to a yes.  Here’s a real world example for you.

Imagine a local company has posted a job, and you feel the description fits you to a T.  It encompasses three fields in which you are not only trained and experienced, but also have a genuine interest in.  You send a résumé posthaste.

A couple of quiet weeks later you get a rejection e-mail. This may confuse you but that’s fine. Just gotta get back up on that horse.

Lo and behold, about 18 months later the same job is posted.  You don’t give up!  Go again!  Submit another résumé!  This time mention that you are trying again because you are quite certain the job description fits you to a T.  It isn’t some kind of lark; this is a great match and you really think we need to meet.

Lo and behold, just a few days later, you are rejected once again.  This might be even harder to believe.  It could make you bitter, and that’s natural.  But you can learn from this.  Remember the great Nelson Mandella and his quote about how he only ever succeeds or learns.  Still, it’s understandable if you want to be a little upset.  We can’t overlook that part of the process.  Just don’t let it keep you down.

Lo and behold, TWO full years after that, the job is listed again!  Just because something appears gone doesn’t mean it’s gone forever.  We definitely have learned something here.

So you apply again, and this time you really tweak your résumé.  Taking everything you learned from the past two experiences, you really dial this one in.

Two silent and fairly long weeks pass, but then you find out you know someone who knows someone at the company!  An IN!  This is how things get done.  A phone call is made and your name is specifically mentioned.  Lo and behold, the very next day you are invited to a ½ hour video interview!

The very definition of perseverance!  I’ve always loved that book title “Getting To Yes”.  I’m sure it’s a fairly repulsive read, but the title has a lot of truth to it.  Almost reflexively, the world is a giant wall of “No” but there’s usually a “Yes” somewhere under that veneer.  The “No” is just human nature. Maybe a protective trait.  “Yes” almost always exists. You just need to find a way in.

Anyway they sent the rejection e-mail less than 24 hours after my interview.  Of course we can’t all win.