What you're about to read comes from my own rollercoaster ride through job hunting land. It's packed with the good, the bad, and the kinda ugly. So, grab a snack, and let's keep it real. Remember, this is just my take, so feel free to mix and match with your own experiences.
The Intro That Says It All
Ever hit "send" on a job app and then spent the rest of the day stressing about it? Welcome to the club. Dealing with rejection feels like a part-time job on its own. But here's the secret sauce: it's not about you. It's like not winning the lottery—not personal, just luck of the draw. Stick with me, and let's figure out how to make your apps stand out, minus the stress.
Spray and Pray? Nope, Let's Get Picky
I used to throw my resume at every job that popped up, like throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks. Spoiler: not much did. When I started treating job hunting like Tinder—swiping right on the good matches—things got way better. Focus on what really fits you, and you'll save heaps of time and tears.
Do Your Homework
Blindly applying is like going on a blind date with someone your grandma set you up with—risky. Google is your bestie here. Look up what current and past employees say about the company. Trust me, dodging a bullet feels way better than landing a job in a toxic wasteland.
Get Real Feedback, Not Just "Looks Good!"
My first resume? A hot mess. It took a brutally honest friend to set me straight. Get someone who knows their stuff to tear yours apart and then rebuild it. It hurts but in a good, "I'm growing" kind of way.
I'm a professional feedback provider- hit me up
Don't Put All Your Eggs in One Basket
Relying on one way to apply, like shooting off resumes into the void(LinkedIn Easy Apply, Cold forms), is a surefire way to get ghosted. Mix it up by:
- Tackling projects that show off what you're good at.
- Hanging out where people in your dream industry chill, online or IRL.
- Helping out on stuff that interests you, even if it's just for the fun of it.
- QA existing projects, and offer to help with the fixes.
- Be seen.
I once helped a guy on GitHub, and it turned out to be the golden ticket for one of my jobs. You never know what might catch someone's eye.
Make It Personal
Generic is boring. Tailor your resume and cover letter like you're crafting a DM to your crush—make it impossible for them to ignore. Highlight the stuff that makes you perfect for this job, not just any job.
The David and Goliath Approach
Going for the big names? Cool, but don't overlook the underdogs. Smaller companies or startups are often where the real fun and growth happen. Plus, your chances of standing out are way higher.
Wrapping It Up
This job hunting game is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep tweaking, keep learning, and most importantly, keep going. Got your own war stories or killer advice? Slide into my DMs on Twitter or drop a comment below. Let's help each other level up.
Our goal here is to making the job hunt a little less daunting and a lot more doable.
Top comments (1)
Great insights!