Recruitment Journal
Hello, all! I'm a fresh graduate who's currently looking for jobs. A bit of background, I received a full-time offer during my last year of university, but because of unfortunate circumstances and a mistake I made, I lost it. I only knew about this a month before graduation, so I didn't have much time. Since graduating, it had been incredibly difficult to get back to recruiting. I didn't want to come to terms that I was unemployed, wasn't studying, and had to go through the tedious recruiting process again. On top of that, I was struggling with low self-esteem and guilt.
It's been a few months, so I'm working towards forgiving my past self and starting recruitment again. Thankfully, my parents have welcomed me home and been so patient with me, so I have the freedom to do my very best. This thread will be a journal-like post of the things I do everyday to get a job, like updating my resume, cold emailing, and submitting apps. Feel free to follow or support me if you like!
@SpellFloo8896
Friday, 15th Sep. I started a new data project focusing on a type of analysis I've always wanted to learn. It's taking longer than expected, but I hope to finish it tomorrow with desirable results, so I can add that to my resume.
@SpellFloo8896
Whoops I forgot about this journal. Will try to update daily.
Friday, Oct 13th. Applied to more local and fresh grad-friendly positions in the past week. Got a short 1-way interview, but didn't perform as well as I'd hoped. Tomorrow's plan: apply to more positions outside of major and send cold emails to recruiters. Then review resume and prepare for behavioral interviews.
@SpellFloo8896
One of the things about interviews, is that the more you do, the more experience you have and you get to know what potential employers are looking for in an employee.
Great to see you are continuing to reach out. Something else that helps is to find a volunteer position with a non-profit that is in your field for a day or afternoon, and through your volunteer work you gain experience which makes you more likely to be hired in your area of studies. It might be something to look into. It also gives back to the community which some employers like.
@KristenHR
Thank you sm for your support, I super appreciate it! I fumbled through the 1st interview because I was not expecting those type of questions, so I want to have a more robust preparation the next time. Volunteering sounds like a great idea, but my field is too niche and specific. I'll look into freelancing though because that sounds like a good alternative. Thanks!
@SpellFloo8896
Wednesday, Oct 25. Applied to newer job posts. Cold messaged a few recruiters on LinkedIn. Have an assessment invite, hope to do it well tomorrow.
@SpellFloo8896
Thu, Nov 2nd. I wasn't able to get emails of the recruiters I wanted so I resorted to LinkedIn instead. I sent quite a few LinkedIn connections to local company recruiters today. In response to a job app, one recruiter also reached out to me with the interest of scheduling a call. I've also, again, submitted several new applications to positions that just opened up.
Things are slowly looking up :) Tomorrow's plan: check LinkedIn, apply more, review resume and practice behavioral interviews.
@SpellFloo8896
I know things can be slow, but great job on the connections!
@KristenHR
Thank you Kristen! They didn't reply to my messages after connecting though. I feel it's wise to follow up on the message soon, but what do you think, if I may ask?
@SpellFloo8896
In my experience with resumes or applications, a week is standard follow up. I'm not sure what protocol is for connections like this. It may be similar, but perhaps someone else has an idea on this question?
Another thought is to look on LinkedIn for any articles on protocol on connections.
It is hard when you are first out of college. I am only 3 years into my career (I’m 26 and went to graduate school) and the first years are daunting. I’m employed and still don’t feel like I have it altogether.
I got hundreds (literally I applied everywhere in my state) of no’s on my applications. But it’s like a professor told me once in grad school:
”don’t be discouraged by 100 no’s; all you need is 1 yes.”
it helped me when I looked at it that way. With 100 applications I was BOUND to be hired at some point and I was!
@xxlostgirl22
Thank you so much for your kind words of support, they are what I need to hear! A little off tangent, I feel there is judgment from the older generation about getting a job, but getting jobs quite frankly isn't as easy as it used to be (at least from how I understand it, a college degree almost 100% guarantees a job back then), so that's what was weighing heavily on my mind as well.
It's so relieving to know that I'm not alone in this. Thank you! I agree, as long as I don't lose hope, as long as I keep sending out apps and messages, something will definitely come my way. It really isn't the end of the world right now haha. All the best for your career and personal life :) <3
@SpellFloo8896
Tuesday, Nov 7. Whew. I took a bit of a break from all this administrative-like stuff/prep and instead focused on my family and self-studying. I'm taking a course on Coursera simply for broader market knowledge and plan to retake a LinkedIn skill assessment soon (just because).
Also, I got some tips from a book called Linked, and I learned that timing is crucial for job applications, and it pays to be the early one to apply to a job post. So, now I'm keeping my eyes peeled for my LinkedIn job alerts and plan to join talent community networks. I just applied to a job that 70% fits my qualifications and was posted today, so fingers crossed for that one! Oh, and I also did another assessment for a job I applied over a week ago. It was a job aptitude test, so honestly I can't tell whether I'll move on to the next step, but I still have hope!
Mentally wise, I'm doing much, much better than I was two weeks ago. I've found that by doing something little everyday, I realise I'm trying my best, and that is enough. Also, I discovered a new journaling style that helps keep negative emotions at bay. I began journaling in a comedic/cynical point of view, and it has helped me detach myself from the application processes. After all, the app rejections are never personal. It took me quite a long while to find a journaling style that fit me in this situation, and I'm glad I did!