It never feels good when you feel like you aren’t succeeding at something – and we have all been through this at some point in our lives.
Some people send hundreds of job applications in before they get any kind of response at all…
Others might set themselves physical or mental challenges in life, but never quite get there…
And, for some of us, it might be that we never feel happy and settled in our home lives or manage to achieve the goals we have set ourselves in terms of our careers, where we live and how we spend our free time.
But feeling rejected can feel like the worst kind of failure of all.
We all know we should be happy with what we have achieved – because, after all, we have all achieved some things in our lives.
We also all know that when it comes to money, material items or that all-important job, these are not the most important things in life.
And we all know that lots and lots of other people go through rejection too.
But, also, in all honesty, knowing all of this rarely makes us feel any better in that moment of feeling rejected.
In the modelling industry rejection is extremely commonplace – and everyone does go through it.
None of our models are chosen every time – that simply isn’t how the system works.
And this is the same in many, many other industries too…
Exceptional actors often attend audition after audition; fantastic writers send books and scripts in over and over again only to have them turned down and many incredible singers and musicians struggle their whole lives to be heard.
But, again, you know that don’t you?
And it still doesn’t make you feel any better, does it?
What can help, however, is stopping to consider your situation and working through a few simple steps.
So here are a few tips on dealing with rejection for those keen to work within the modelling industry:
- What kind of modelling jobs do you get for mature models?
- What different looks does Models Direct represent?
- What kind of female modelling jobs do you get?
- Our Clients & Success Stories
- Capturing your teen’s vibrancy in modelling photographs
1 Acknowledge the way you feel. Admit to yourself that you feel rejected and give yourself a little time for self-care before getting back up and trying again. You may wish to run yourself a long hot bath, snuggle under a blanket in front of your favourite boxset or call someone you love for a long chat. Talking to other people can really help if you are feeling rejected. Talk to your partner, call a family member or arrange to meet a good friend.
2 Then, make two lists. On one list, write all the things you have achieved in life. These can be as simple as making a good friend, completing a course or being a hard-working employee. Then, on the other, write down everything that makes you happy in your daily life. Again, these can be as basic as drinking a cup of tea, sitting down to watch your favourite show or walking to work or college on a sunny day.
3 After this, being busy can be helpful. If you check your e-portfolio and see you have been put forward for jobs but not chosen – or if you attend a casting session and are not picked – take time to do something else that is fun and distracting. Go to the gym and expend some energy or book tickets to that film you have been considering.
5 Finding a sense of achievement in another area of your life can also be helpful. Finally get around to sorting out your wardrobe, cook a special meal for someone, wash the car or weed the flower beds.
6 Whether you are a female model, male model or parents of a child model, you must understand that this industry is competitive and rejection is normal. If you can’t cope with that, then maybe it isn’t right for you (or your child). There is no shame in deciding this. There may be something else out there that is much better suited to you and your personality.
7 Understand the way the system works. At Models Direct – as long as your e-portfolio photos are up to date – you will be put forward for jobs where someone like you is requested. The client then chooses the person they want. This means the final choice is out of your hands and our hands. Understanding and accepting this can help you deal with that sense of rejection when you are not chosen.
8 Ensure your photographs – or your child’s – are refreshed every few months and that out-of-date pictures are deleted. This is essential. We cannot put any models forward for work if we can see they have old pictures. We need to know the way a model looks in an e-portfolio is the way they look now. So, if you are feeling rejected, rope in a friend or relative and on the next good day head outside to take some more shots.
9 Finally, if you have been signed up with an agency for a considerable period of time and not been chosen for work, send a message and ask for some guidance. Your team may be able to offer you some advice about your photographs or other steps you can take.
Rejection is miserable, there is no getting away from that – but following the tips above may go some way towards helping just a little…
