What is the recommended second step, after acknowledging the emotion, in the quick process to handle the initial hit of interview rejection?

De-personalize, reminding oneself that this is a business decision, not a personal failing.

The initial processing method involves a three-step sequence designed to mitigate immediate emotional damage. The first step is Acknowledgment, where one names the feeling like disappointment or anger without suppression. The critical second step is De-personalization. This step requires a conscious mental effort to reframe the rejection, understanding that hiring outcomes are frequently influenced by organizational factors, such as internal politics or last-minute prioritization of a niche skill by the employer, rather than being a direct indicator of the candidate's inherent worth or capability for the role overall. Only after this reframing should the individual proceed to Regroup.