(Written by Felicia Ruff)
Here is a topic I’ve been wanting to talk about for a while. Most of my time these days is spent searching for my first full time position. Yep, the real world is calling! I’m sure most recent graduates can relate. Before beginning this process I pretty much envisioned everything negatively.
Not just because all my older friends described it as a nightmare but also added pressure from myself and family. I would dream about how I’d be jobless for a long period plus living at home, and just become an all-around loser while my friends ball out as I watch from the sideline. To add, in these dreams I was listening to Nickelback. Are you envisioning this nightmare with me?! Now that you catch my drift, how does anyone ever have positive things about the job search?
That’s where the purpose of this post comes in.
I want to share my positive experience with this process in hopes that it inspires others to think differently about it. I don’t want you all to get the impression that I am an expert on this topic because I’m right where you are: figuring it out as I go. But since I’ve learned and gained so much I can’t help but pay it forward by sharing my perspective.
As I like to put it – enjoy the process! This is a moment where every emotion is going to be tested. Everything from defeat, discouragement, rejection (lots and lots of rejection) to hope and joy. The most important thing to keep in mind is to remain positive. I know it sounds so easy, right? I’d wake up, go straight to the job boards, spend hours applying (to a ton of places I probably wouldn’t hear back from), networking/setting meetings, sending emails, and eventually wake up to repeat the next day…how can you find the positivity in that, especially when you aren’t getting any leads.
Let’s face it, it’s not easy. However, if you can enjoy the process of rejection, defeat, the withering down then the positivity will come! When you’re positive, it’s hard to let the obstacles in front of you break you down. You’re probably thinking how on earth can anyone enjoy all those things?
For me, I see this as a period to grow. I’m not only looking at this as a time to search for a job but also a time for me to become a better version of myself. This can feel like a trying time, and if you’re anything like me, it’s natural to heavily depend on human catalyst but this chapter is all on you. No one but yourself can really take you away from those negative spaces and encourage you to continue to power through.
This challenged me every day but I quickly realized that all of this was shaping me into a stronger, more persistent and confident Felicia.
Developing your mental toughness can help you be more emotionally resilient and push you to go further and keep striving. Which is awesome because you need all of those attributes to land the job you want!
Without that mindset I don’t think I would have made so many connections and be motivated to find alternate routes to landing the job I want. I’ve been so fortunate through this process to connect with phenomenal resources all because I just asked. You don’t get anywhere if you don’t ask. I understand this may not come easy for everyone but try it, you would be surprised to see how many people are wanting to help new graduates.
This job search process has taken me out of my comfort zone and I am so grateful for that. Being outside my comfort zone has fueled my positivity because I know it’s getting me to where I want to be and ultimately do the same for you.
I hope after reading this you guys aren’t thinking “okay, sweet I’ll just be positive and a job will fall in my lap.” That would be cool if it did but realistically it takes time and effort! I want you guys to understand that being positive through this process will help you develop mental toughness and push you to grow in areas of your life where there are weaknesses.
I look back on all the progress I’ve made in these few months and I am so proud of myself. Definitely there were moments of weakness but you just have to tell yourself to power through, it’s going to work out! Remember to enjoy the process!
