Job Hunting Is HARD

A couple weeks ago I drove across four states to go to school up in northern California. This summer was great and I hoped to retain as many memories as possible before I left for 9 months for school.

The drive up there with my dad was super fun and easy, and for a while, I forgot the horror of going up there all alone. I think it started to sit in right after I dropped him off at the airport. Suddenly I remembered all I had left behind, all I never wanted to leave again. But I was alright for the moment and all I could do was look ahead.

I started decorating my room, printing off résumés for jobs and doing things I needed to be done this whole summer that I had pushed off. I had a simple task above all else; find a job. Now this summer it was quite a walk in the park compared to where I am currently.

Every day I put on my best clothes, go out into the community, and give them my résumé with the hopes they'll take me. This whole process of looking nice and dressing up is the scariest part of asking for a job, to be honest. So after a couple days of dressing up, I was starting to get worried.

Place after place and face after face I went to give my whole self. I smiled, I shook their hands, I gave them my résumé and schedule. Every time I set foot in a new place I imagined what it would be like to work there. The problem was I would get too attached to some places. For instance, you intend to work one place and give it your full attention.

You give the interview and the talk with their manager your all, but for some odd reason, they don't like you back. It's almost like a relationship itself; you might love them but they don't have to love you back. Sad enough as it seems, it can really mess up your motivation.

There's a couple thing I've tried that have booked me to some leads and success. This is what you have to focus on.

1. Hope

If you believe you're going to get a job, you're going to get a job. If you think you're not hirable, then you're not hirable. It's about persistence and motivation to keep trying and not letting rejection stop you from working at a good place.

Hope will drive you to go to one more place, one more place. Your new job could just be the next place you go in at and give your resume to. Don't be afraid of rejection that let it drive you to push harder!

2. Don't be picky.

Yes, you could work at a place you've been to a thousand times before and love dearly. That was Michael's craft store for me. I went there just about every day and certainly once every week for a year because I loved all their products so much! However, they turned out to not be hiring. I was disappointed but it taught me that I couldn't always work where I felt comfortable. And it wasn't like I couldn't go there anymore to shop, I just didn't have an opportunity to work there.

3. Hidden

Sometimes the places that are just a little out of the hot spot in town are the places that need work the most. If you're in a city or town that is low on jobs then look in the places no one is looking. Don't always go for the most popular and trendy places that you know others have applied for, look closer. There may be a very nice shop just around the corner that isn't in the buzz of town but needs people just as bad as other places.

4. The Speech

Before I went into any place to talk to the employees or manager I ran it through my head of what I would say. It started by introducing myself, giving a handshake, and asking if there were any job opportunities there for me. As they gave their answer back I kept in mind my schedule and all of my best qualities. First impressions seem so scary, yes, but they also can show the person how great you are right from the start. Sure you stumble over your words maybe but let them see your heart and that's all that counts.

5. Online??

Does applying online actually do any good? Well yes, it can, but it's not always the best approach. Anybody can apply online. It's only the ones who are confident and persistent enough to go in in person and give their résumés that they stand out. I know that if I were planning to hire someone I would want to see who they are first and not a name on a computer. I want to see who they actually are from the get-go. Going in person looking professional makes them see you really do care and are interested in the job you're applying for.

When looking for a job. don't give up after one or two weeks! Hold onto the hope that you will find exactly what you're looking for sooner or later. Remind yourself of all you have to offer as an employee or manager. Bring your full self in every place of business and show them all you can really do!