Reframing Rejection with Design Thinking: From No to Next Step
If you’ve been sending out applications that disappear into silence, you’re not alone. More importantly, it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. Long application processes, multiple stakeholders, and fierce competition can make applying for roles in academia or higher education feel like a marathon.
One helpful way to navigate this landscape is to borrow a mindset from design thinking. If you think like a designer, a “failure” isn’t a dead end; it’s part of an iterative process that helps you understand your environment, refine your approach, and move closer to a better solution. When you apply that lens to your career search, each “no,” or even the absence of a response, becomes information you can use. Instead of an endpoint, rejection becomes a data point that helps shape your next move with more clarity and intention.
The following process uses a design thinking lens to help you transform rejection into momentum, giving you practical steps to iterate, grow, and move closer to the roles that genuinely fit.
1. Separate Yourself from the Outcome and Turn On Your Curiosity
Why it matters: Hiring decisions are influenced by many factors beyond your control, from departmental priorities to timing. A rejection rarely reflects your abilities.
Action step: Keep a rejection journal. Each time you receive a no, jot down any initial feelings of frustration, and then list the factors you know influenced the decision. Then, get curious. Think about what else might have influenced the decision and whether each factor is inside or outside of your control. Over time, you’ll start noticing themes, much like a designer spotting patterns during research, and develop a deeper understanding of the hiring process.
2. Treat Rejection as Feedback
Why it matters: Even when feedback isn’t explicitly offered, a rejection can highlight areas for growth in your CV, cover letter, or interview approach.
Action step: After each rejection, ask yourself what you could improve in your application:
- Was my application tailored enough to the department’s focus?
- Could my research or teaching narrative be clearer?
- Did I articulate my value effectively during interviews?
Use your answers to refine your materials for the next application. Think of it as iteration: Each version gets sharper.
3. Cultivate Your Network
Why it matters: Every interaction, even unsuccessful applications, can expand your professional network. Once you advance to getting interviews, treat each one as an opportunity to build your network.
Action step: Send a brief, professional thank-you email to interviewers or committees. Include a line like: “I would value any feedback or advice you might share for future applications.” Not only does this demonstrate professionalism, but it builds the kind of real human connection that can ultimately lead to mentorship, collaborations, or future openings.
4. Reflect and Strategize
Why it matters: Self-reflection helps turn rejection into actionable growth. In design thinking, reflection is where insights become action.
Action step: After each application cycle, complete a “lessons learned” worksheet:
- What went well?
- What could be improved?
- What new skills or experiences could strengthen future applications?
- Are there gaps in my network or visibility that I can address?
5. Keep Perspective and Practice Resilience
Why it matters: Academic careers are long-term projects. Rejection is often a redirection rather than a stop sign.
Action step: Schedule regular check-ins with yourself on a monthly or quarterly basis to review progress, celebrate small wins, and adjust strategies. Recognize that each “no” nudges you closer to the right fit. If your nos aren’t reducing and your yeses aren’t increasing, it’s time to gather more information.
- Search for articles about the institutions you’re applying to and hiring trends tied to your field. Look for patterns that help you improve your application materials.
- Turn to your network for external feedback. Each conversation is a chance to hear about hidden openings, strengthen your materials, and gain insights you can’t gather on your own.
The Bottom Line: It’s a Process, Not a Verdict
Rejection is part of the process, not a verdict on your potential. When you approach each setback with the iterative, curious mindset of design thinking, every “no” becomes a useful signpost that helps you refine your path. Over time, those small shifts add up and will bring you closer to the role that truly fits.
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About the Author: Deepthi Welaratna is a strategic designer and founder of Tiny Little Cosmos, a studio that helps individuals and organizations navigate moments of change with clarity and creativity. Deepthi has led workforce and leadership initiatives with universities, nonprofits, and companies, including Parsons ELab at The New School, the University of Toronto, The Knowledge House, Google, and the Center for Global Policy Solutions.