Let’s face it: The job search is often a long and agonising exercise we wish we could excuse ourselves from. But like it or not, we have no choice but to go through it to jumpstart our careers. Before reaching the pot at the end of the rainbow, however, many of us have to go through a lot -- and I mean a lot -- of disappointments.

Usually, your job hunt starts with you scanning local newspaper ads or your now bookmarked online recruitment site, such as Jobstreet.com. And all at once, with some excitement, you say to yourself, “Eureka! I’ve found the perfect job!”

The ad that lights you up specifies requirements that match your skills, your experience and your vision to a T. All you have to do now is send your resume and wait to be called for an interview. You’re sure that after the interview, you’ll soon be on your way to your brand new office, lugging along your personal paraphernalia like picture frames and little stuffed animals to arrange on your monitor.

Oh, if only life always works out the way we want it to. Alas, it doesn’t. You find out later that even though the interview went smoothly -- you answered all the questions well, you were dressed to kill in your brand new suit, you proved you had the experience to fill the position -- you did not get the job.

The rejection is so demoralising that you’re ready to drop out of the race.

Deflecting confidence busters
But that would serve you no purpose. Instead, fight the urge to let a few rejections impact on your job search and crush your confidence. How to do that? Even before launching a jobhunt campaign, arm yourself with a strategy for dealing with rejection. Here are pointers on how to tackle no-hire situations and get out of a rut:

• Accept that being turned down is a normal part of growing up and a common occurrence in the real world. Learn to take things (particularly rejection) in stride. Job searching may not be fun, but it can be a learning process and good practice ground for you in the real world. Think of the experience as a means for self-improvement, as a firm step towards a better life and a better future.

• Understand that the unfavourable decision is not a reflection of who you are or what your abilities are. Even the most experienced professional has been turned down for a position at one time or another. So remember that being declined does not mean your qualifications or capabilities are less than superb. Often, hiring managers look at a number of factors, many of them beyond your ken or control. If you give it your very best shot, then you should be able to cope with the rejection well because you know it was not due to any big mistake on your part.

• Know that you are not alone. Realise that you are not the only one to encounter such setbacks. So don’t let adverse developments dissuade you from rejoining the millions of others in the job search merry-go-round. People around the world are doing the very same thing you are doing -- skimming through online or print ads, dressing up and putting on confident smiles (with matching sweaty palms) for the interview. And like you, countless others also get that unfortunate call from the human resources manager wishing them luck on their continued job search. Bad stuff can -- and does -- happen to anyone.

• Don’t quit. A wave of self-pity is a normal reaction after a couple of rejections or non-response from companies you sent your resume to. But it is a grave error to give up in the face of rejection, to hide inside your home watching television till the days roll into months. This will only hurt you because hiring managers would likely question the gap in your employment history.

• Once you have gotten over the rejection, start analysing why you did not get the job. Maybe the experience is pointing out a weak skill or area you need to work on. Some questions you could ask yourself: Are my computer skills up to par or am I still living in the Stone Age? Should I try to be more conscious of my actions? Should I adopt a more positive outlook? Do I exude self-confidence? After all, it would be hard to convince someone to hire you if you yourself do not believe in yourself. For added measure, ask some close friends or family members to evaluate your resume and your interview skills and point out any areas for improvement. Take their comments and criticisms constructively. And once you have identified your weaknesses, do something about them.

• Do not burn your bridges. You may not have made it, but it is always good business sense to send thank you cards or letters to the companies that gave you interview opportunities. For all you know, their choice may not live up to expectations. It’s not uncommon to get called in for another round of interviews after an initial rejection. By doing something extraordinary like sending them a thank you card, you are imparting the message that you can take no graciously and imprinting your name in their memory.

Remember, if you have been invited to interview, then you are an ideal candidate for the job. That is already half the battle won.