In today’s episode of Frankly Dukky, I will be talking about that time Dukky got a “Dear John ” letter from an organization that I had practically seen myself working for. It was one of those roles, you think you are tailor-made for. I mean, qualifications, check. Skills check, check. Experience, triple check. Then they come back to you with the dreaded job rejection email? It does not make any sense right?

I could have sworn my interview was spectacular. I was smiling while talking because I was genuinely excited about the role. To top it off ladies, I had done my homework. I crawled through every single page of the organization’s website, and downloaded and read every single pdf document that chronicled the work they did as well as the results and impact they recorded.

They also had the profiles of a good number of their staff on their website and I studied every individual’s profile. I saw similarities between some of their career trajectories and mine and I told myself “this is really looking like a match made in heaven.

All those nights, and days of studying and taking down notes and I was ready for my interview. I felt I had a rapport with the interviewers and they could testify that I knew a lot about their work. So imagine my shock when 4 days short of 2 months later, they informed me that they were moving forward with another candidate. I cannot accurately describe how I felt that day but I will do my best to explain it to you.

I was calm, then shocked, then angry, and then came acceptance. All in the space of one hour. I call my husband and pretend to “casually” inform him that I didn’t get the offer. Somehow, in the middle of the conversation, I let him know that some tears escaped from my eyes when I first read the email but then, I assured him that I was fine. Liar liar, pants on fire. Whew, I had just experienced job rejection and it is no fun!

Then I remembered, that there is a reason for everything. Sometimes, we put so much work and effort into what we believe in and it does not seem to be bearing any fruits. Sometimes, some things are not just meant to be. Your heart and head hurt a bit when things do not go the way you expect them to but it’s a phase. You have to be your own cheerleader and remind yourself of all the reasons why you are awesome. No one knows the extent of your ability as much as you do. No one knows how much you would have brought to the table except you. It’s all about figuring out the lessons that need to be learned from that encounter for the next step you need to take.

I sent an email, thanking them for the opportunity to interview with them. On speaking with a rep on the phone, I learned that it all came down to one singular factor that was attainable but currently out of my control. On hearing that, I felt instantly better. So it is okay to ask for feedback, and what you do with that information is equally important.

So here I am, as a true businesswoman, making lemonades out of job rejection.