I Started My Job Hunt in a Global Pandemic.
Not a bad opening line, huh?
When I got to the end of my Master's degree, that final, weeks-long, sleep-deprived push of effort to conquer the largest piece of work I have ever tackled, I expected some sort of fanfare. Alas, the reality settled in after checking the file submission ten times, and after catching up on some much needed sleep I discovered that my friends and relatives had all developed a new hobby: asking me what I was going to do now.
The truth is: this question had been pushed well onto the back-burner, but once the deadline of the dissertation was out of the way there was no avoiding it.
I found myself in the dreaded job hunt asking myself questions like:
How come entry level jobs expect me to have 2-3 years experience in a similar role?
Why are no companies transparent on compensation?
What's with all these "trick" questions in interviews?
Aside from all the pressure to find a job instantaneously after graduating, I was also navigating the "new normal" as everyone seems to keep calling it. The new normal for me apparently meant moving back in with my parents after four years of independence, never leaving the house, and sending out job applications 2-3 times a day week.
On a more serious note, the 13%+ unemployment rate amongst graduates back then really puts everything into perspective and highlights the disproportionate impact the pandemic has had on young people.
A time when morale is unbelievably low and yet you really have to believe in yourself and your abilities because chances are your CV is sat comfortably in the bottom half of a stack of 200 other graduates’ with the “same” experience and aspirations as you.
It’s hard to stand out on a two-dimensional piece of paper.
Can we talk about this for a second? I mean, GCSE and A-level grades are really being considered for a role I am applying for 5-7 years later… seriously? So much has happened since then that’s far more pertinent.
I wonder when CV’s will be a distant memory and the real judgment of suitability for a company will be determined through more creative and personable means. Note, I say suitability here rather than capability. It’s about understanding that individuals can be perfect for a role and have the potential, but need to be given the tools and opportunities to thrive. I strongly believe that companies that recognise this are ahead of the curve and will build strong, highly driven, motivated teams, and a healthy work culture will follow suit.
Anyways, I digress.
If there is anything that I learnt from the job hunting experience it’s that it’s an emotional roller coaster. A constant battle between hyping yourself up for a role and really believing that you are perfect for it (because how else can you stand out if you don’t?) and being knocked back down again.
A few things to bear in mind if you’re job hunting:
- If your potential isn’t recognised throughout the interview process, chances are, even if you did get the job they wouldn’t recognise it in the future. Not ideal if you are career motivated and looking to progress. Although it sucks not getting a job you just know you would have aced, it’s a blessing, move onwards and upwards.
- Interviewers are humans too! Try and remember that when it seems overly “business” and “professional”. They too have family and friends and a life outside of work (one would hope, if not major red flag). Sometimes helps to remember this if the nerves are getting a hold of you. Interviewers are just people, bring them back down to earth in your head.
- It will happen.