Using Gamification to Hack Rejection

Hey everyone, I’m Vivian, the Founder & CEO of Rise. Building a company has brought its fair share of rejections and disappointments my way. I recall feeling utterly depleted, burdened by an overwhelming mix of shame, hopelessness, and sadness. Although I don’t usually write many articles, I felt compelled to share my experiences, hoping they might resonate with someone navigating the current job market.

Job Search Rejection

Before I landed my first tech job, I faced rejection almost 200 times. A decade ago, I was immersed in the beauty and consumer goods sector, yet I harbored an unshakeable desire to make a meaningful impact in the tech world. I diligently applied to roles I believed I was suited for, only to be met with repeated rejections, being passed over, and often outright ghosted. My Ivy-League, type-A personality was thoroughly humbled. I was caught in the classic catch-22: needing a job to gain experience, but unable to get a job without it. Despite my qualifications, the lack of industry-specific experience was a barrier I couldn't seem to overcome.

However, I clung to the belief that I just needed ONE hiring manager to take a chance on me. This mindset transformed every rejection into a learning opportunity. I meticulously tracked each application in an Excel spreadsheet, noting the company, position, interview stages, questions asked, and areas for improvement. This practice helped me focus on learning, making the rejections sting less.

Eventually, my persistence paid off, and I received not one, but three job offers at the same time. This experience taught me the power of self-belief and how to navigate through seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It was also a pivotal reason behind the inception of Rise.

Rejection as a Founder

Stepping into the shoes of a first-time founder, I was well-versed in the narratives of entrepreneurial hardship. I knew the stories of now-renowned founders who faced 50, 100, even 200+ rejections. So, when I began fundraising, it felt reminiscent of my early job-hunting days. But this time, I was equipped with hindsight. I understood that I could steer the process, regaining a sense of control. Once more, I was on the hunt for that one believer.

I devised a new strategy to cushion the impact of rejections: I gamified the process. I set up a system where each 'no' brought me closer to a personal reward. After 10 rejections, I'd treat myself to a movie I'd been wanting to see. After 20, a spa day awaited. And at 50, I'd go on a mini-trip. This shift in perspective made each rejection less daunting and, to my surprise, something to look forward to. I found solace in thinking, "At least I'm not wasting any more of my time with them."

In the end, I spoke with 49 investors and successfully closed my funding round, just shy of the 50-rejection mark needed for the mini-trip. Without this simple mental trick, each rejection would have felt much more personal and painful.

The methods and strategies I've shared are born from the need to navigate through tough, but necessary, phases of my career. I hope that by sharing these insights, I can offer you new ways to view rejection, not as a setback, but as an opportunity for growth and celebration.