Rejected and Accepted

Have you faced a lot of rejections in the past, almost given up.. but continued and accepted the challenge???

Source: https://www.saleshacker.com/overcoming-sales-rejection/

Maybe you are like me..who experienced several rejections before but I persevered and accepted every challenge that came my way. 

It was in 2012 when our project is about to end in 6 months. I sent a lot of resumes online. Every morning at the office, I always check emails and the website if there are replies. 

One day, I checked my email and there were positive responses. Alas! I was accepted for job interviews. I was very excited and prepared for the interviews. First, I was interviewed by a national government agency after passing several exams, I had fun during the interviews and the panel members were very friendly. The chair of the panel said to me “Ms. Hinlo, you put here in your personal data sheet that you are a Visayan Vocal Solo Champion during college, can we hear a sample from you?.” I paused for a bit and looked at them with astonishment. My hands were shaking and my voice my trembling. And I said, oh my gosh.. why did I put that information in my sheet... I totally forgot that I put it there.

“Sir, will I sing it today, sir.?” And He answered, “Yes, of course”.. and I said, with a deep breath, “Okay, sir”.. Anyways, I need to nail this and sang my piece. “Ania si Rosas Pandan, gikan pa intawon sa kabukiran.. kaninyo makig-uban sa maanindot na kalingawan…” and after I finish the song, all of them laughed and I heard a loud clap. “Anyway, thank you Ms. Hinlo for your time”. “Thank you very much.” When I was about to leave the room, I overheard their conversations, saying that this girl is great!

I was hoping to get the job, but I did not receive any call from them. And I just learned that they already hired someone for the job. I was kind of disappointed because that was my dream job. Maybe they were turned off by my golden voice.. 

Anyway, I had to move forward to attend my second job interview in an international development firm, which focused on agro-enterprise projects. It was a panel interview, with a lot of foreign members. During the interview, I was asked about a certain terminology about agriculture and I was not able to elaborate. I was not confident and was not able to answer fluently. And I just said…”Yes, that’s a great idea, sir. I think that would also help the project.” But seeing the faces of the panel members, their eyebrows were raised, and they all looked at me.. I felt ashamed and almost melted in front of them…” “I just want to jump off the window to go out of that building. Because I cannot take this embarrassment anymore. Well, I expected to be rejected. I applied in again in several private companies, and the same response I was “REJECTED NOT ACCEPTED.”

For the remaining days that my contract will end, I was worried because I didn’t get any of the jobs that I applied for. How will I pay my bills for the next months??? And, one day I received a call from a former schoolmate in college. And he told me “Jen, are you available this semester to teach at USeP?”. When I heard about this, I'm not sure if I would say yes because I was not sure that I am fit for teaching. Secondly, I was hesitant to apply part-time first because the salary is usually delayed. I was not able to respond right away. But when I heard that we had a severance pay. I thought that maybe this money would be enough for 2 months, even if the salary is delayed. Maybe I will give teaching a try and let’s see what will happen. So I took the risk, I called him again and said. “Yes, I will accept the job offer.” After that, I was relieved and felt amazed at how I worked hard for all my job applications, and I just received a job offer without sending an application yet. After all the rejections, I'm glad that I am the one to accept the job offer in 2012. 

Today, on my tenth-year anniversary in my job here at here University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP), I am very thankful for the opportunity given to me and I am forever grateful to my friend for giving me this chance. For this blessing, I realized during those times of job hunting, I kept on worrying and was not trusting God that there will be the destined job for me. I remembered a verse shared by our Pastor about the sermon on the mount by Jesus in Matthew 6:31 “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’   But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you.”  

Source:https://daily-bible-verse.net/matthew6-31.html

I will not worry anymore about rejection, because this is a sign from God that He has prepared something better and more special for you.. Those job rejections were not meant for me, God has prepared my path to become the teacher that I am today.

No matter how many times you stumble and fall, you will always stand up and move forward. 

No matter how many storms pass your way, there is always a rainbow shining upon you.

No matter how many doors are closed, there is always a door made for you to open.

Just have the 3Ps….be Patient.. Persevere.. Proceed….wait for your right moment.. and everything you worked hard for, will be given to you….

I am Jennifer Hinlo, rejected several times, but now I’m always ready to accept whatever comes my way..