Don’t Be Degree Centric When Job Searching

You’ve spent thousands and thousands of dollars on your education only to find no one will give you a job, or at least a chance to prove yourself.  This can be discouraging at a time when you’re ready to get your life started.  Between college loan payments, living in limbo and having your relationships all over the page, it’s hard to have patience, faith and the confidence to press on.

Step back!

One of the most important things that you can do at this juncture is to take a good look at the bigger picture.  Remember what you have already accomplished – remind yourself of how young you are!  More important, realize that this isn’t a permanent situation – stay positive – keep focused.

No matter how aggravating it can be to submit your resume, to write another cover letter, do not stop applying to new jobs.  It has to be part of your daily routine.  Try everything – talk to people – network – don’t burn any bridges and don’t give up.  This may be the ultimate test of your patience but the right opportunity will find you and the strength of self that you will gain from the process will all be worth it when you land that perfect job!

Don’t be degree centric!

At this point in your career, you need to be open to new challenges.  If a completely unrelated job comes along but it sounds like it might be an interesting path to take – do it!  Applying only to jobs that are “exactly” what you want might make the process even longer – however – there is another side to this coin – don’t apply to degree centric jobs if they don’t excite you.  This is where you have to follow your instincts. If the job posting peaks your interest – apply!  At this point in your life, even an unrelated job that really excites you can never be a bad choice.

Don’t worry about things that haven’t happened yet!

Let’s take a look at a problem most job applicants would like to have – two different jobs wanting YOU to come in for an interview.  What normally takes place in the mind of the job hunter is the “what-ifs:”

  • What if they both offer me the job?
  • What if the second job is offered first?
  • What if I accept the second job and then the first job is offered?

Never pass up an opportunity because you’re afraid of the what-ifs!  Stressing yourself out about what you will do if you land your dream job a few weeks after you accept the “this will pay my bills” job will only do one thing – stress you out! Don’t waste time worrying about things that haven’t happened yet – make the decisions as they present themselves.

It’s always easier to find a job when you have one!

If you’ve been searching for eight months and growing further and further behind on your bills, then it might be time to give it up and take anything because any job is better than none – even if it’s not the “perfect” job. Keep this in mind; it’s always easier to find a job when you have one – and – your job search shouldn’t end just because you found a temporary one.  Keep job searching while working and something will eventually change – who knows – you might just meet the right person in your temporary job that will put you in touch with your dream job.

One last thing – enjoy this wandering phase of your life because it will not last.  One day soon you will have that job – you’ll be all settled in your life and without a doubt you will reminisce about the “good old days” when all you had to worry about were the possibilities of where life could take you.

Follow Us:  FacebookTwitterYouTubeLinkedIn

Contact Us