Faith While Finding Your Career

Keep the Faith. A constant reminder I'm told when seeking the job I both went to school for along with what I was working in during my time out West. This simple three-word sentence has many iterations, of which I will leave my dear Reader to discover what they are...but in the meantime, I cannot help but feel some apprehension initially to such things. I know that I must keep my faith up, but that's in God, not in me. However, I also know that I must continue to have a positive outlook in life while I keep getting better at what I do.

Therein lies the rub: after searching for over six months for the job I need, I have yet to see any results of employment beyond the occasion 'phone interview' only to be shot down in a followup response.

To put it into averages, I've sent out at least 40 applications per month. That's roughly one to two applications per day, give or take a day. To some, that's minuscule; to others, monumental. Sites like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and NCWorks. In today's job-seeking climate, while unemployment is at record lows (Thanks Obama), only jobs that pay so low you don't consider it are the ones hiring, hence why I did not focus on them, but I did try to look for jobs that are closer to what I have been working towards.

That said, of those applications from August of 2019 to the time of this article, I've had approximately 4 phone interviews in regards to followup beyond the automated "We've found someone else/We've decided to move on" response. Proof that the jobs that could be able to make a difference or be of worth to my career or possible livelihood are not as abundant as our leaders would like us to believe.

Perhaps that's the reason why I am not employed yet, but I would not last long in those environments as being 'happy' on the job would not be possible. Replace 'happy' with 'customer service,' in that having to deal with customers that would cast their pain onto you as expectation of service and you'll get the idea. Also, while I did receive a Bachelor's Degree (and the Student Loan Debt that comes with it), it also does not guarantee work...not yet anyway. The only thing it guarantees is that you'll be in debt until the bill is paid. That's a different subject altogether.

There is no end to the march of fear and doubt that comes into looking for a job on my own. The common things that pop up in my head are "How am I going to handle the bills?" or "Is this job really looking for me?" or, on occasion, "What's taking them so long?"

Many people, besides myself, have this problem looming over their heads. It also doesn't stop bills and debt from needing to be paid, but if this career can help with that, all the better. The odd jobs and savings that I have been slowly draining away, and I'll need to replenish them soon.

All this is a lot to take on alone, and as much as the online job recruitment sites are beneficial, they aren't necessarily on one accord with other sites, meaning I would end up wasting precious time and not even realizing it. Also, they may not inform me that I would need a separate resumé (or tweak my existing one) to look more presentable; just that whether or not I have the keywords that business is looking for.

I can say this simply because I attended a surprisingly beneficial session for job seekers. Without even realizing it, the advisor that assisted me gave me such a revelation to my current problems, it was like a douse of cold water on a wintery day.

The advisor was so clear, so concise in their approach, but also gave me a sense of hope that the job I needed was well within reach; provided I did my homework first and worked upon improving and tailoring my resumé.

At first, I was very silent; not so much that the advisor was giving such a bitter truth, but that they wanted to make sure I was qualified to provide the company to be quality workmanship. My resumé didn't reflect that, despite how much accolades were listed. It also allowed me better insight into the mind of my potential employer in what they need, as they are losing money hiring new help with a resumé as their only measure of a potential employee's worth. I also failed to have realized that, YES, in this age of set-it-and-forget-it, you DO have to tailor-make each resumé.

I didn't leave empty-handed; with not only recommendations but also a means to stay in touch and get employed PROPERLY. Truth be told, I wasn't expecting to stay as long as I did, but I'm full glad that I did so. Now I have the means to get closer to a worthwhile job.

Several key things to examine when dealing with Job/Career Hunting.

1. Have faith in the outcome becoming what you desire. Discouragement isn't making your situation better.
2. Go to workshops/employment centers that help career advancement. Remember, you're working to a better career and thus a better life.
3. Don't get too shocked at the information you receive at these employment workshops. It's a lot at first, but when you keep going back and fine-tuning the resumé, you're one step closer to the right job.
4. Fine-tune each resumé, cover letter, and reference listing in your arsenal; yes, arsenal. This is a battle-plan to a better career; take it with that level of intent.

It's intimidating, especially in a time of 'great economic growth,' but finding the RIGHT career in life, regardless of the economy, requires effort, and faith.