APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions.
Here she gives a reader advice on facing rejection after an interview.
Q: My daughter graduated with a first in English literature.
She had her heart set on a graduate marketing scheme at a big company, but she didn’t get it.
She took the rejection badly – she’s used to getting top grades and being a high-achiever, so hasn’t experienced much rejection in life so far.
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Ever since, she has been moping around the house, as she didn’t have any other plans.
Neither my husband or I are particularly academic, and we have pretty “normal” jobs, so don’t feel qualified to help.
Do you have any advice about how she can deal with rejection and what to do next?
Jen, via email
A: Your role as a supportive parent is invaluable.
While you might not have personal experience with academic or career-related challenges, your encouragement, empathy and willingness to listen can make a difference to your daughter’s ability to find a path forward.
Rejection is a normal part of life and it’s OK for her to feel disappointed, upset and frustrated, so encourage her to acknowledge her emotions.
Try to help your daughter understand that rejection doesn’t define her worth or capabilities, and that the decision might have been based on factors beyond her control.
While the scheme was her preferred path, it’s not her only option.
Ask her to list the reasons it was so attractive to her, as it will help her define what it is she is looking for and she can use this checklist when job-hunting.
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It’s important that she gets out there and gains experience.
Good grades are one thing, but as an employer, experience and skills like resilience are equally as important.
Life is full of ups and downs, and setbacks are just stepping stones to success.
- Got a careers question for Karren? Email bossingit@fabulousmag.co.uk