Thank you for applying, but...
Job rejections can make you start questioning your worth and feel defeated. If the thoughts of not being good enough are starting to pile up, this post offers a reality-check and a reminder that your worth isn't up for debate.
GROWTH MINDSETMENTAL HEALTH & SOCIETYSELF GROWTH
Kashmira
4/10/20252 min read
Let’s be real. Constant job rejections don’t just bruise your ego. They take a hit at your sense of worth.
You start the job hunt off feeling hopeful, even excited. Then the “thank you for applying, but…” emails begin, and become routine. And then one day, your skills, your degrees, your personality, all of it feels like it’s under scrutiny. Rejection stops saying, “you’re not a fit here”. It starts saying, “you’re just not enough”.
But the thing is, this isn’t exactly your fault.
We live in a world where millions of qualified, smart, creative, capable people are chasing after the same few jobs. That’s hardly a “you” problem. That’s an economy problem. A system problem. A privilege and access problem.
And yet, you’re expected to keep your chin up, tailor every cover letter with passion, and take rejection with grace.
Every time. So many times.
It’s exhausting. Of course it chips away at your confidence. Of course it makes you question your worth. Because no one talks enough about how soul-crushing it is to be constantly evaluated and rarely chosen.
But let me say this as clearly as I can. You are not unskilled. You are not unworthy. You are not falling behind.
You’re simply navigating a rigged game with honesty and effort. And that’s incredible.
Your skills still matter. Your ideas still matter. You still matter.
So if you’re tired, give yourself a break. If you’re doubting yourself, talk to someone who reminds you who you are. If you’re grieving opportunities that didn’t work out, let yourself grieve.
And when you’re ready, try again.
Not out of fear or desperation, but out of self-trust. Not because you must prove your worth, but because you still have so much to explore.
Believe me, upskilling and adapting is important. But it gets so much harder when you’re doing it because you’re scared, burnt out, or feeling like you just don’t have what it takes.
Start from a place of self-trust. You already have something valuable to offer. Build on it. It won’t fix everything right away, but it’ll make the journey feel less heavy.