What They Don’t Tell You About Job Hunting

Written by Rachel Pope

Photography by Aida Ebrahimi

Graduating college is an impressive feat, but it’s just the beginning of the rest of your life. From commencement day on, life feels like it’s one job after another. You may know the basics of job hunting, but here is the non bs-ed version of what they don’t tell you about the process. 1. It’s hardThere are so many different websites to check, deadlines to keep in mind, people to network with and cover letters to write. There’s a lot to keep organized, which brings me to point two. 2. It’s incredibly time consuming Prepare to take on your second or third full time job. Not only do you have to balance school work and work work, now you need to balance job hunting as well. Checking Linkedin, job boards, company websites, and everything else takes time and energy. 3. It’s scaryYou’ve spent the last twelve plus years getting an education, and going to school feels like the only thing you know how to do. Some of your friends are going to grad school, your peers on Facebook (that you haven’t talked to since freshman year) start to post where they’re going to be working. All of these things add up and make you feel like you’re making the wrong decisions. It’s scary, but know that everyone else is probably feeling something quite similar. 4. You have to start early Most summer internship applications start in the fall semester, and finish well before the spring semester starts--that is, if they still take students that have graduated. It’s important to check websites early, so when you finally sit down and apply to things, all the deadlines haven’t passed already. The earlier you can get yourself together, the better for your success. 5. Not everyone gets a job right after graduation There’s a myth floating around in our minds that right after college you get a job with a nice salary, and start down the easy path to your retirement.  But like most myths, this one is surrounded by inaccuracies. It’s not failing if you are unemployed and are not going to grad school, and it’s not giving up if you have to move back home for a while. Whether or not you have a job immediately is not an indication of your self worth nor how successful of a person you are. It just takes time, and the position for you is out there somewhere. Here’s some advice to those of you who are going to start job hunting in the coming months or even years:1. Talk to a career advisor I had a negative experience with a career advisor my freshman year, and it turned me off from ever going back to an advisor--Until senior year, when I was desperate and confused enough to go seek help. Advisors are a great resource on campus, and they don’t exist for free outside of collegiate environments. They’re able to help you with your resume, cover letters, figure out where to look for jobs, and even put you in contact with people in your potential field.2. Take time for yourself As highlighted above, this process is taxing. Make sure to relax and binge watch your favorite television series for the hundredth time, and make sure to spend as much time as possible with your friends. The next step in your life is a wild unknown, so make sure to take time to prepare physically and mentally. Good luck, you’ve got this!