Hello, kittens!
I know I've been MIA for awhile, but I've basically been making some serious transition moves in my life. I finally said goodbye to my college town/apartment and moved back home, and have been interviewing for my first real-world job! Crazy, right? Sometimes I swear I still feel like that 17 year old kid getting hyped to get to Welcome Week in August and start my life.
Speaking of college, if you're like me your college days are behind you and you're trying to figure out where to go next. In the past, you've always had an idea of what was next: high school to college/work, work to wherever, etc. However now that part of your life is over and you basically have the chance to start something new, except the choices you make now are what shapes your life. Both super exciting and scary as hell, right?
Through this AyshKittyCareer series, I'll be sharing some tips/learnings from my experiences through this transition. Starting things off is one of my current woes: JOB HUNTING.
There are tons of websites that can direct you to hundreds of openings in your area. But how do you go through them all?! I've been at this job hunt since March, so here are some things I've learned:
The first step: Make sure you've edited your résumé, have practiced writing a few cover letters and have cleaned out your social media accounts.
Check the spelling, make sure your information is accurate (if you had a college job, make sure the dates you started/ended are correct) and reach out for advice! Show your résumé and sample cover letters to mentors or friends and ask for constructive criticism. How do you sound on paper?
Social media, oy. Make sure its PG and edit those privacy settings. Also check out LinkedIn. Some people think its useless but it is a good opportunity to showcase your work. Give it a chance!
Know where to look.
Again, there are so many sites these days! Take the time to explore them and the type of listings they post. I personally really like Indeed.com and LinkedIn.
Know what you're looking for.
Have an idea of the job you want. Try writing down some key words you are looking for. If you're new to the workforce, you might want to start with something entry-level to get your foot in the door and gain experience. Look for jobs that you would like to learn about! Don't get turned off by a job listing if you didn't major in the field. Yes, the experience helps and some employers prefer certain degrees but if you express that you're passionate about learning and can prove that in your cover letter, you might just get the interview! Take a chance!
Do not over-apply.
Its really easy to go on these sites and apply for EVERYTHING. However, take the time to read through the qualifications and job responsibilities, and definitely check out the company's website and social media. You might find that you're really excited about 30 jobs and apply for them all- totally cool. Just take the time to make sure you really want to take the next step. You might feel the desperation to apply for everything and get something, but the last thing you want is to interview at a job you know you don't want.
Take a breath!
You'll hear from some, and you'll get rejected by some. That's life. However, don't let that discourage you! It just meant that it wasn't meant to be. Don't let the rejection of a "dream job" be enough to make you believe you aren't good enough. Just keep on your hustle.
How is your hunt going? Holla @AyshKittyMeow
Happy hunting, kittens. ;)
xxx
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