Rejection is data — not a verdict on your worth

Most rejections happen for reasons that have nothing to do with your ability: someone internal got the role, budget got cut, the role changed, or someone else had a very specific skill the JD did not even mention. What is genuinely in your control: preparation, presentation, honesty, and follow-through. Rejection after doing those things well means it was not the right fit — which is actually useful information. Collect the data. Adjust. Keep going.