Jobs, Rejections, and the One-Year Trend
This morning on my way into work, I was reading NPR.org on my Android (yes, I have an Android and not an Iphone…). One of the articles I came across, “Landing a Job After A Year of Rejection” struck a familiar chord with me.The story (please read it, it is really good) is about a student with an accounting degree and how she applied for jobs for one year before landing full-time work. What struck me was the absolute defeat that she personally felt. Hearing rejections constantly does no good for your confidence level, believe me. And it doesn’t get any easier.
Working in Career Services, you hear from a broad spectrum of people. You hear from students just starting out in their college career, from alumni who have been in the field for years and are either changing jobs or have been laid off, and everything in between.
The one thing that I can say after years in this job is that it never gets easier. Ever.
Every person is unique and has a special situation. Everyone has a different skill set, education, personal story, and set of circumstances tying them to one place or another. It can be defeating hearing students talk about rejection. About how they worked for years on a degree and feel like it is amounting to absolutely nothing.
Here are a few things that I have learned that, while not entirely helpful, hopefully will make you understand something about the market in which you are looking for work.
1. It is not easy to find a job, no matter what anyone says. Do not listen to the political rhetoric being tossed around right now about how people should just “Go get a job.” There are 4 people for every 1 opening. Those are terrible odds for anyone looking for a job. Great. So what? This means that if it takes a while to find a job, please don’t be too hard on yourself. I know it is difficult not to beat yourself up, but the worst thing you can do is give up. Do not give up!
2. There are no “safe” degrees. Notice that the girl in the article earned a degree in accounting. She thought that was a safe bet. All job markets and sectors are tight. What does this mean? This means you should focus on pursuing an education in something that you have a passion for. Have a little faith that things will work out.
3. You are not alone! There are many, many people out there who are unemployed. Take some time to go out, do some volunteer work, and meet the other people out there who are in your shoes. Talking through frustrations with people going through the same thing while doing some good in the community can work wonders on your attitude about life. Believe me on this one… I know from personal experience what happens when people spend all day job-searching and never leave the house.
4. Keep your chin up. Yes, it took the girl a year to find a job. However, one year is NOT forever. Keep on talking to people and building your community, follow leads, learn from your mistakes, and good things WILL happen. Even on days when that seems impossible, just keep repeating to yourself that everything will work out. Fake confidence if you have to.
Remember, too, that we are here to help you, even if you just need to use us as a sounding board for ideas or frustrations. We are very good listeners… I promise.
