Job Hunting

Regarding the job hunt, I don’t know how it works for other people. I do know how I approach it.

I don’t feel entitled to have a job. Even if I have a degree from a good school and relevant experience. I feel like I don’t deserve anything honestly. If someone wants to hire me, it’s a privilege and a blessing. There are countless other qualified people they could give the job too.

When I have to look for a job, it’s a full time job.

I’ve met people looking for a job. “I can’t find anyone that will hire me!”

How many jobs have you applied to the past 3 months? 5.

It’s like. Really?

How bad do you really want a job?

“Well I really just want the perfect job— this position, pay, industry, location, etc”

Doesn’t exist.

Some people look for the “perfect” job, and when they find it, they get so emotionally invested. They do lots of preparation, and are optimistic— then they don’t get the job. Then they get sad.

Then they give up. Blame the market, HR, recruiters, etc. and stop looking.

I think being picky only works for those with exceptional skills or experiences. Even then there’s no guarantee.

If I gave advice to someone looking for work: apply to any job at any company that’s remotely interesting.

Apply often.

Customize every application.

Prepare for every interview.

Apply to 1-5 jobs a day.

Write custom cover letters for every application.

Every call back or interview you get, ask questions. Lots of questions. About the job. Responsibility. The market. The pay. The culture. Etc. learn.

Figure out what companies want, and what they want to hear.

The more applications and cover letters and interviews you do, the more prepared and polished you become.

Soon, you’ll notice that instead of getting a 10% response rate, you’ll get a 20% and it’ll grow as you get better.

You’ll find yourself scheduling more and more interviews.

You’ll find yourself more and more confident.

In time you’ll have offers, and you’ll be the one saying no, because there are other offers on the table.

Apply to jobs you don’t want, and try to get an offer. It’s all practice.

The more you do it, the better you’ll become.

When the right opportunity presents itself, you’ll be so sharp, so polished, so prepared, that you can even negotiate your pay.

And after dozens and dozens of interviews, you’ll know when it’s a good opportunity. You’ll have surveyed the market and know when to take it, because you’ve done your research.

And never take rejection personally.

No means next.

No means the right opportunity is still to come.

No means there’s more work to do.

No doesn’t reflect your value, your worth, your capability.

Never let rejection influence how you perceive your worth.

No should have zero impact your your performance or activity.

No should motivate you.

Rejection should inspire you.

Every “no”, every “rejection”, every “failure” is a step closer.

That’s exciting.

On to the next.

The next opportunity, the next sale, the next offer, the next girl, the next whatever.

Life goes on. The NO’s are the way. It is the path. You must pass through the no’s.

Once you accept that, no’s become exciting.

Every NO is just a step closer. It means your time is coming.

Avoiding no’s, avoiding rejection, avoiding failure…. delays your success. It pushes the opportunities further out, and makes them occur less often.

The mindset is to find the no’s and plow through them.

The obstacle is the way.

If No’s or rejection or failure hurt… remember: this is the ego.

The ego is the enemy.

Lose it quick. It will sabotage everything it touches.