At 26 I never thought I had been the position after graduating with decent mark and gaining some work experience I believed I had find a stable job within a few months but here I am almost a letter after attending 30 interview still waiting for that yes.
Every rejection email felt like a personal defeat. Some companies didn’t even bother to respond. I’d prepare thoroughly, put on my best smile, answer confidently, and still hear nothing back. Slowly, doubt began creeping in — “Maybe I’m not good enough,” “Maybe something’s wrong with me,” or worse, “Maybe I’ll never get hired.”
I want to share this not as a sob story but as a reminder that it’s okay to feel lost, it’s okay to feel tired — but it’s not okay to give up on yourself.
Facing Reality Without Temper
When rejection piles up, it becomes more than just a professional disappointment — it starts affecting your self-worth. I won’t lie; I had days when I didn’t want to get out of bed. I avoided friends because I didn’t want to answer, “Any updates on the job front?”
The worst part wasn’t the silence from companies — it was the silence I started building inside me. I stopped believing in my skills, doubted my resume, questioned my past choices, and compared myself to others constantly.
But somewhere in all that noise, a small voice inside me kept whispering — “You haven’t come this far just to stop here.
What I Learned After 35 Interviews
After failing so many times, something inside me shifted. Instead of chasing every job listing like a headless chicken, I decided to pause and reflect.
Not Every Rejection Is Your Fault
Initially, I took every rejection personally. I thought if I didn’t get the job, I must have said something wrong, or maybe I lacked something. But over time, I learned that sometimes it’s about the timing, internal referrals, budget cuts, or cultural fit — things beyond your control.
One hiring manager even told me, “You were great, but we already had someone referred internally.” That helped me realize: not all rejections are because of me.
Feedback Can Be a Game Changer
After my 10th rejection, I decided to do something uncomfortable — ask for feedback. Not everyone responded, but a few did. One recruiter mentioned my answers were too generic. Another said I wasn’t aligning my past work experience with the role I was applying for.
That feedback stung at first, but it helped me shift my strategy. I stopped trying to sound perfect and started trying to sound real.
Interviewing is a Skill — Practice It
We often treat interviews like a final test. But they’re more like performances — the more you practice, the better you become. I started doing mock interviews with a friend who worked in HR. She gave me pointers on how to improve my tone, how to structure my answers, and how to handle tricky questions.
Confidence isn’t something you’re born with — it’s built slowly, through repetition and self-trust.
Rebuilding Myself Bit by Bit
As the rejections piled up, I realized I needed to not just improve professionally, but emotionally too. Job hunting had become so consuming that I was ignoring everything else.
Drawing the line
I used to apply to jobs till 2 AM and check emails the moment I woke up. It was exhausting. Now, I’ve set rules: job-related work only from 10 AM to 6 PM. Evenings are for walks, books, and things that make me feel human again.
I Invested in Myself
I took a free online course related to my field — not just to improve my resume, but to reignite my passion. I also worked on small freelance projects, even if they paid little. They kept me sharp and gave me a sense of progress.
I Changed My Inner Dialogue
Instead of saying, “I’m a failure,” I began saying, “I’m learning.” Instead of, “I’ll never get hired,” I told myself, “My opportunity is coming.” This wasn’t toxic positivity — it was reprogramming my brain to be on my side.
What Keeps Me Going
There’s no magical success story (yet). I haven’t landed the perfect job. But I’m no longer where I was months ago — emotionally, mentally, and professionally.
Here’s what helps me get through the rough days:
Talking to someone who listens without judging
A close friend became my emotional anchor. We didn’t always talk about jobs. Sometimes we just laughed, watched movies, or discussed random things. That helped more than any motivational quote.
Celebrating small wins
Even getting a callback or clearing one interview round became worth celebrating. It reminded me I was making progress.
Journaling my thoughts
Putting feelings into words helped me clear the mental clutter. Some days I’d vent, some days I’d reflect. It became therapy on paper.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone
If you’re 26, or 28, or 35, and still struggling to find a job — know this: you are not behind. You are not broken. And you are not the only one.
We rarely hear about people’s failures. Everyone shares the offer letter but not the dozens of rejections. Everyone posts about the “dream job” but not the nights they cried in silence.
So if you’re feeling lost, tired, and unsure — breathe. Take a pause. Cry if you must. But don’t stop. There’s something out there that’s waiting for you — not a perfect version of you, but the real one.
Your story isn’t over. It’s just in the messy middle. And one day, this chapter — the one filled with rejection, doubt, and struggle — will become the part you’re proudest of.