The Emotional Toll of Job Hunting

A year on from moving back home from university I have learnt many things. Loss of friendships, lifestyle changes and learning to fall in love back with my home. And the big one: the job market. 

I am qualified, I have a degree, I went to societies, I did all the extra curricular you could imagine, created my own work experience and on top of that attended lots of other work experience. My CV is bursting. For what you might say? Absolutely nothing. To be disappointed. To be stressed. To be lost. To make me cry every other month. 

I am aware that anyone trying to find a job is difficult. A job that you had planned on in some shape or form. But imagine having all this ammunition to go on the battlefield to still be given no replies or the same old ‘you aren't qualified enough’ answer. When you have literally everything they asked for and more.

This comes with the next battle, the CV vs meeting each other. A CV is the representation of everything you are. It shows them your personality and how you move. It showcases how hard working you are and it even talks for you and tells them all your amazing ideas and what you plan to do. News flash it doesn't. How can any job representative even know you from a piece of paper? They can't. And always bear this in mind. 

For a long while I couldn't help but take it personally. I know you won't get every job you apply for and being disappointed is all a learning curve. But after spending a year and applying for everything, degree matched or not it is draining. You can't help feeling disappointed. Like how can I have had six years of retail experience and on top of all my educational experience and still not fit in a supermarket?

Rant over. 

I know everyone has probably felt this as when I speak to anyone they have been in this exact same spot. Maybe it is my turn. But maybe it has been too long of a turn. 

I want this to be read by those who are in the same boat. Shall we get a cruise? Let's be optimistic and decide on a boat for now. I want you to know that you are not alone, especially if you feel a bit lost right now and helpless. I am manifesting good things for us and to keep trying. 

Remember that hopefully you have a safe home, family or friends to come home to or just simply feel safe whatever and whoever that looks like. That being young in particular to take this pressure off you. We see and hear about what everyone has got and nothing about how they got it and that everyone has their own route. 

Sometimes I wish I was a girl who did a 9 to 5, Monday to Friday and be happy with that or I wouldn't have been in this situation wanting to chase my dream. But maybe even then I might struggle to get that office job. 

Don't give up, that's all I want to say to myself and most of all you.