The Path to Employment
Searching for a job should just be considered a job. If someone asks you what I do, say that I’m a job seeker (kidding). I’m not even trying to just find any job. I want one that will benefit my career. I’m looking for an opportunity to get my foot in the door of a fantastic company and grow with and within it. So in a way, my current path to employment feels 10x harder.
I have yet to land the job I want, but I hope to give some insightful tips to those who find themselves in a similar position.
1) Don’t lose hope!
Don’t become cynical. Take everything as a learning experience. If you didn’t make it to the next round of a job interview, it’s okay.
Learn from your mistakes and knock them dead next time! When you get a job rejection email, be sure to respond.
Thank your interviewer and let them know that you appreciate them taking the time to have interviewed you.
If you’re feeling gutsy, ask them what you could’ve done to have been a stand-out candidate.
It’s okay to feel down after receiving a rejection email or no response at all. Take a day to cope with those feelings and treat yo’ self. And the next day, get back to work and keep on applying!
Sometimes I feel like D.W., but then I remember the wise words from the one and only, Joanne the Scammer.
2) Take a break!
Searching for a job is tiring, and when you’re not looking for a job, you might feel unproductive. But it’s good to take a break every once in a while. Go out and get some fresh air!
3) Get Organized
Make a list of what you’re looking for in your next role and place of employment and work from there. And be sure to keep track of all the places you’ve applied and your status of each job application.
4) Get Creative
Every company is different; you don’t want to send the same generic cover letter to each job that you apply to.
It does require more work on your behalf, but it will most likely lead to better results.
Think outside the box, what sort of company are you applying to? If you’re looking for an animation job, consider submitting an animated cover letter.
If you’re a graphic designer, submit your portfolio or create a website showcasing your skills. Visuals are a great way to make an impression on your possible future employer.
5) Location
It depends on your situation. I know that not everyone has the luxury of considering relocation. One of my dreams for years has been to move to NYC.
I want to work in that environment; I like the idea of the fast-paced city life. It’d also be amazing to work in a city where I don’t need to drive to work.
I’ve applied for a couple of jobs based in NYC and have landed interviews, but none have turned into offers. I plan to expand my vision. I even applied to work in South Korea recently.
Wherever there’s work, I’ll follow!
6) Try Freelance
That’s what I’ve been doing in the meantime. I don’t want to get rusty, and I want to be active in some way or another.
There are various sites you can use to get freelance work. For example, Upwork is a site that I’ve used to find work online.
7) Consider Running Your own Business
That’s what I’ve thought about doing for a while. I launched a new blog because I wanted a clean slate. I want to build my brand around The Many Concerns of Nicole, so we’ll see how that turns out.