OWNING YOUR JOB SEARCH

While searching for a new job I've felt excited and hopeful, yet nervous and doubtful.

Excited that I'm discovering new opportunities and am taking the steps necessary to change my current job situation, hopeful that I can land a job that intrigues and excites me, nervous about making good first impressions on the phone and during interviews, and doubtful of my capabilities of when I fail to hear back from places I've applied to.

A lot of mixed feelings accompany searching for a job, but throughout the process I've discovered ways to ease my mind, strategies to make my resume and cover letters stand out, and have more generally changed my perspective on the job search process in order to get the most out of it.

Ease Your Mind

Each time you're invited to take part in a phone or in-person interview, think of it as practice. Take the pressure off yourself. Regardless of the interview's outcome, whether you got the job or not, you still can take something out of it. Each time you have an interview you can recognize what you did well at, and what you can improve on for next time.

Make Your Resume + Cover Letter Stand Out

I was previously in the co-op program at school and had access to a super helpful student handbook that gave thorough instructions on how to develop a well organized resume and cover letter. After I quick google search I found the 2017-18 version! Chapters 7, 8, and 11 were very useful and helped give my documents a new and improved "makeover". Click here for the co-op student handbook.

Embrace A New Perspective

When one job opportunity doesn't pan out the way you initially envisioned, know that another opportunity is on the horizon. Keep pushing, keep applying, and direct your efforts towards jobs that peak your interest. Can you see yourself working there and being happy doing so? I know it can feel bleak at times with X amount of applications sent out and no responses, but don't let that deter you from continuing your search. Have a moment of reflection, and consider what changes you can make to help you start seeing some results. Is your resume and cover letter specific, coherent, and visually appealing? Be honest with yourself and put in the work where you need to in order to show potential employers your full potential.

Best of luck with your job search! Diving into something new can be very rewarding, welcome the change, and the personal growth that comes along with it.

Image Created By: Katie Made That