If you're an entry-level job seeker, you're probably stuck in the seemingly hopeless cycle of lacking qualifying experience to get a job, but unable to get that experience because you can't get a job. It's a Catch-22.
Everyone stresses how important it is to get a stable, well-paying job because, obviously, you have bills to pay, and those student loans are not cheap. It's rare, however, for people to talk about how much of a failure you might feel trying to get that first job or the practical reality that you're probably not going to get your dream job right away.
Any feelings of frustration and defeat you may be feeling because of this are perfectly valid. We've all been there. You've put in the work to learn the skills and information you were told would get you a job in the career you want, but now you're struggling to even get your foot in the door.
In our first podcast episode, Elizabeth and Vivian share nuggets of wisdom they've collected from their own job hunt research and experience.
Don't be afraid to ask for help.
As much as it might kill you to ask for help, there is no shame. Online resources may be more easily and readily available, but in order to get the job, you need to hustle. Find additional resources. Reach out to peers, friends, and people in the field that you want to be in. Ask them questions like: "How do you get from A to B?" and "What should I be doing?"
It's important to grow a strong professional network because you never know what you can learn or what opportunities will come out of these connections.
Create a killer resume.
Your resume is your professional calling card. It should have the basics like your name, email, phone number, education, and professional work experience from the past five years.
It’s also important to tailor your resume to the job you are applying for and match key words on your resume to the job description. Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a program employers use to pare down all the thousands of applications, so the more applicable key words you have, the higher chance your resume will be passed to a recruiter/hiring manager’s hands.
Clean up your socials.
If your social media accounts are public, you should ensure that your image and content are professional. Some employers do stalk your socials, so be sure that the content you are posting is something you are okay with a potential employer seeing. If you have the mindset that you wouldn't want to work for that employer that disapproves of your online image, then more power to you. Do make sure to do your own research and ensure that your brand aligns with the company you're applying for if this is the route you want to take.
Also, when we say socials, that includes updating your LinkedIn and other professional sites because these are great avenues for potential employers to find you without even needing to submit an application.
Practice and prepare for the interview.
Interviews can be intimidating, especially when there's that pressure of needing a job. But as with any stressful situation, preparation is key. Statistically, the more prepared you are, the more likely things are to go in your favor.
Do your research and Google possible questions for the industry and company you are interviewing for. Glassdoor is also a great resource for actual questions interviewees encountered for specific positions at a company.
Then, practice! Have responses and situations for possible questions and rehearse in front of a mirror. Even better if you can have a peer or mentor do a mock interview with you and give you constructive feedback. You want to make sure that you are able to clearly articulate your experience, so that you don't blank out during the actual interview
Dress professionally and show up like you want the job (even if you don't). You are presenting yourself and you want to show them you are taking this seriously and that it's important enough to you to put in an effort.
It takes time. Be persistent.
It's perfectly normal to feel like a failure and compare your progress to other people when you're struggling to find a job. The pressure is real. Just remember that when one door shuts, you’re not supposed to go through that door. If you do get an opportunity you aren't crazy about, reflect on it and see if it's an opportunity that will help you get the skills you need to get that dream job in the future. You may not know why at that time, but in hindsight, you may look back and appreciate that what happened probably happened for a reason.
Be kind to yourself.
Looking for a job is a marathon, not a sprint. Even though it’s important to hustle to get where you want to be, also remember to take care of your physical and mental health. Eat healthy meals, drink water, get sleep, go for a walk, hang out with friends - do what you need to rejuvenate and feel your best, so you can display your best self to employers.