It is time to unearth another old post from this blog. And apparently September is a good month. So many blog posts written. So many good ones too. It was hard to choose this month. However I settled on sharing my 10 things I learned job hunting one. Am I currently job hunting. Not really. But I was – sorry if this sounds arrogant – blown away by my own wisdom and the great advice I compiled in that blog post.
When I wrote this post I was finally back in a job. The 11 month prior were no fun. I don’t know how many job applications I wrote (probably more than 100) and how many interviews I had to go to. It was so energy draining and at a certain point the novelty wore off.
I think that experience prepared me for my freelance life. Because applying to position and constantly sending out papers and trying to get in touch with people, holding their interest is an important part of my daily life. Even if I am not actively looking for a job I have to stay on top of things. So I can the bulletin boards, check in with people and maybe even apply just to stay in th loop and hone my skill. Is it fun? Not really. But I have become quite good at it with an invite to interviews of about 80%.
One other thing I learned while job hunting is that the more desperate you look for a job the less you will be considered and/or invited. I don’t know if this is just an individual thing or a universal one. It almost seems like if you are a bit distant and radiate I don’t need this they are more eager to get you to consider the job.
Well, now enjoy reading my blog treasure about job hunting and feel free to add your own advice.
When was the last time you had to apply for a job? Do you have a routine for when you have to do it? How many jobs did you have in your career? Do you think the whole job application process is outdated?
8 comments
Looking for a job is soooo draining. I’ll go read your advice now!
It is. No fun. Enjoy reading.
I was underemployed/unemployed for about a year a couple of years ago. It was such a stressful time. I do wish I had been more organized about keeping track of what applications I sent in. I like your idea of keeping it all in one place.
In academia, however, it is not true that if you don’t hear back in the first three days you probably won’t be in the running, Here in the States, we have to post jobs for a certain amount of time (varies from two to six weeks) and must look at all applications that come in. So sometimes you might not hear back for more than a month! It’s so interesting how different industry standards for things like this are.
Oh I remember you looking for a job. Glad you are happy we’re you currently are.
There are jobs here as well where you won’t here back within three days. Mainly academia and public sector. I had one company write me back that my job application wasn’t consider 26 months after I sent it. Can you believe it?
Your advice from 2014 is still good advice today! I especially love #8 Don’t put up with any BS. Yes! I used to feel like an employer held all the power, but it’s not true. Luckily, I haven’t had to apply for a job recently. It is super stressful!
I was really surprised how well that blog post aged. Such good advice. My past self had some good advice.
Glad you are not relying on finding a new job.
So happy you are back I. The blogging community. Missed you.
I hate looking for work. When I was younger, I kind of enjoyed it, but low level jobs are pretty quickly filled. “Can you wait on tables?” “Yes, I can wait on tables!” “You’re hired!” When the job is more professional and you have to come back for 3 or 4 interviews and still maybe don’t get the job, it’s demoralizing. I don’t think I could manage what you do, with all of the networking and so on involved with being self-employed.
My current job, I applied in December, and finally got an interview in May. That was extreme though, HR posted the job before they should have. I like the tip about 3 days though, even though it hasn’t been real for me. It seems like good advice if you can manage it.
I can not imagine applying for a job and then waiting 5 month to get an interview. If you are really needing a job no one has time to wait that long. If you really want a job and you are in limbo so long it is demoralizing. I feel like the whole job hunting things is so outdated somehow. In my freelance business they want to have references and contacts for people to call. There is one company often having interesting jobs. Twice I have given contact info on my client so they call – they never did. It does put me in a bad light. So I am not even trying for those jobs.
The networking part is not my favorite. I write post cards for new years and since I am alone in that it is a pretty good marketing thing for me. They do remember me.