By Medha Thakkar, Master in Management alumna, ESSEC Asia Pacific

Failure stings, especially when it’s your first genuine attempt at landing a job. I still remember the moment I opened that rejection email. It felt personal, like a verdict on my worth and abilities. But looking back, that rejection became one of the best things that happened to me. It kicked off a journey that has shaped how I grow, apply, and present myself in my career.

1. Rejection Isn’t Personal
   At first, I took it hard. However, I eventually realized that most rejections have little to do with who you are and more to do with timing, fit, or factors that are not readily apparent. I’ve often reminded myself:
   “It’s easy to take it personally, but most rejections come down to things beyond you. With steady effort, almost everyone finds something that eventually fits.”
   That shift in mindset helped me detach from the outcome and focus on learning and improving instead.
2. Feedback Is a Gift
   I decided to reach out to the recruiter and ask for feedback, and they actually replied. The insights were constructive and honest, providing me with a clear direction on what to work on next. That response became a roadmap, not just for interviews, but for how I carried myself professionally moving forward.
3. Reflect and Reassess
   I replayed the entire process in my mind. Did I thoroughly research the company? Could I have told my story better? That reflection helped me spot blind spots I hadn’t noticed before – in how I prepared, communicated, and connected. It was humbling, but necessary.
4. Embrace Continuous Learning
   Instead of sitting with disappointment, I signed up for workshops and raised my hand for projects that stretched my skills. I improved at framing my experience, sharpening my writing, and developing a more strategic lens. Slowly, I started to feel ready again.
5. Trying New Things
   While upskilling on one side, I also explored paths beyond the usual: co-creating women-led community events, collaborating with local venues, and assisting a marketing agency with branding projects. These side gigs taught me just as much as any full-time role: how to lead, collaborate, and adapt quickly. And they brought me joy.
6. Build a Support Network
   Talking to my peers made me realize that I wasn’t alone. Almost everyone I knew had their version of a “first no.” Sharing stories helped – not just emotionally, but practically. I got advice, book recs, and even mock interview support. It reminded me that careers are never built in isolation.
7. Stay Resilient and Persistent
   Armed with all of this, I kept going. Each application got sharper. Each conversation felt more grounded. Today, I lead marketing at a cybersecurity startup, where I get to shape narratives, build campaigns from scratch, and align content closely with business goals.
8. Moving Forward
   My journey hasn’t been a straight line. It’s a mix of experimenting, showing up (even when it’s uncomfortable), and saying yes to what feels real. Sometimes, all it takes is one message, one post, or one coffee chat to open a door.

Even if progress feels small, don’t underestimate the ripple effect it has. Showing up, even if it’s inconsistent, matters more than waiting to be perfectly ready.

I wouldn’t call myself shameless 100 percent of the time, but hitting send on that first post or message often sparked more than I expected. Courage compounds.

Studying at ESSEC in Singapore — with its global outlook and local exposure — gave me the cultural fluency to build bridges faster. It helped me start conversations that led to real opportunities.

Careers don’t always come together in neat arcs. But if you stay curious, keep trying, and put your voice out there, you’ll find your way.