Finding the Right Job: A Personal Journey Through Job Searching
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Chapter 1: My Job Search Experience
After being laid off roughly a year ago, I found myself in a state of panic.
Watching my savings dwindle was distressing, and every morning was spent scrolling through LinkedIn in hopes of discovering the ideal job.
In my frantic search, I applied to around 350 companies and received three job offers.
I chose one, but quickly realized I despised both the work and the atmosphere.
Waking up each day felt like a chore, and even though weekends provided some respite, an underlying sense of dread persisted.
To avoid making the same errors I did, here are some lessons learned.
Section 1.1: The Danger of Spreading Yourself Too Thin
Before my layoff, I was in what I considered my dream job, surrounded by great colleagues and a mission that resonated with me.
When the layoff occurred, embarrassment and regret overwhelmed me, and I jumped straight into job hunting without taking the time to process my emotions.
I treated my search as a numbers game, thinking that securing one "yes" was all that mattered.
While I did receive multiple job offers, none truly excited me.
After applying to approximately 350 positions and undergoing around 100 interviews, I found myself in a role that paid the bills but wasn’t the right fit.
"I tried to convince myself I could adapt to this new environment, but deep down, I felt out of place."
Section 1.2: The Importance of Networking
Consider the network of people you know—friends, family, and former colleagues.
Many would be willing to refer you to opportunities at their companies if you reach out.
It's crucial to approach this with authenticity; don’t bombard strangers with requests.
Instead, leverage your existing relationships by scheduling informational interviews to gain insights into the company culture and job roles.
Often, those in your network may even facilitate introductions to key individuals at organizations you’re interested in.
Subsection 1.2.1: Do Your Homework
I conducted research on most companies I approached, yet there was room for improvement.
Recruiters and hiring managers can often tell when candidates have done their homework.
After countless hours on calls, I struggled to convey genuine enthusiasm for roles I wasn't interested in.
Prepare thoughtful questions for interviews; avoid generic inquiries and focus on what truly piques your curiosity.
While my last job search resulted in a position, I soon realized it wasn't a suitable match, teaching me that sometimes you only discover a company’s culture through firsthand experience.
Chapter 2: Learning from Experience
In this video titled "Don't DO THESE 4 Things When Job Hunting," you'll learn about common pitfalls to avoid during your job search.
The second video, "If you HATE job search, WATCH THIS!" provides valuable strategies for making the job search process more enjoyable.
Remember, if you wish to navigate your job search with greater success, consider these insights and avoid the mistakes I made. To stay updated on my writing journey, feel free to subscribe to my email list or follow my latest reads.