By Kira Vermond, a Canadian freelance writer.
(Listen to the original audio.)

So didn’t get the job. It doesn’t feel good, does it? But try not to take the rejection too personally. Because let’s do the math: 350 candidates, one job.

No matter how you swing it, 349 people are going to get snubbed.

There are ways to bounce back if you face rejection while looking for work, though.

For starters, if you made it to the third or fourth round of interviews, make a follow-up call or schedule a meeting and ask why you were looked over. Good employers know that every interview should be a growing experience for the job seeker. Especially the ones who almost landed the job. There could be a better fit at the same company for that employee later.

But if you’re going to make the call, don’t do it when you’re upset. Calm down first. Then arrange a time to meet with the hiring manager. The last thing you want is to put that person on the spot now. That’s a guaranteed way to get a half-baked, vague answer.

Once you’ve got their ear, however, have some questions ready, don’t argue and thank the person for his or her time.

It doesn’t hurt to ask for a referral while the iron is hot, too. Maybe the employer, (who, frankly, is already impressed with you), knows someone else who might hire you.

You’ve also got something else on your side: Guilt.

That employer is already feeling sheepish for not giving you the job. The path to redemption? Finding some other way to help you out.

And then there are those internal promotions that go to a complete stranger. Talk about rejection that hits close to home.

You’re right. When a company rejects a hard-working current employee and gives the job to an outside candidate, it seems harsh. But it just makes sense from the employer’s perspective. Let’s go back to basic math again. When you promote someone from within, it creates two staffing changes. The job you’re leaving, and the job you’re moving into. But by hiring someone new, the employer only makes one change.

And don’t forget, if you’re effective and helpful, employers are even less likely to want to see you moved to a new position because you’re doing a great job where you are.

How to get around this unexpected jam? Ensure there’s someone below you who can do your job if you’re promoted. In other words, make yourself replaceable.

Of course, this tactic only works if you’re a star employee.

No matter how badly you’ve been rejected while trying to climb a ladder or looking for a job, do your best to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and keep going. Here’s what you can’t do: go into hiding for a couple of weeks to lick your wounds in the middle of a job search. Go AWOL and you could miss out on another terrific opportunity.