A few months ago I wrote a post about whether I had sold my soul for a pay check. Although I am happy in my job, I think that it is probably true. For the benefits of some job security in my life, I have taken on a position which is not my dream job and I remain on the stepping stones towards my future career without actually having arrived.
I know that the road ahead is long before I can say I am truly happy in my position and I don't think it will be at this company, although my current job does afford me many positive things.
It is difficult not to feel jealous of those who have worked hard and deservedly gained the positions that I have been dreaming of. Everyone's career is difficult but as more and more of my class mates eventually find a footing in the correct industry, I am reminded again and again how much I would like to have their job instead of mine.
I'm not sure what to do about this feeling. I think all I can do is be happy for those people who one day I might hope to call my colleagues. It's really hard not to fall into a pit of despair about your job. I think I have to try and appreciate what I've got while still balancing the ambition to move on.
Anyone else suffer from Job Jealousy?
Showing posts with label job hunting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label job hunting. Show all posts
Thursday, 12 November 2015
Thursday, 20 August 2015
Selling Out
So many of my classmates of the 2013 graduating class still harbour the ambition to become authors, journalists and publishers. I also still have that ambition but with our arts degrees and the pressure of living back at our parents' or suddenly burning through that last scrap of student loan sometimes the only option is to bite the bullet and get a job that doesn't immediately shout "dream opportunity".
I think it is important that graduates remember that their career is a long road, they could be in full time work for the next 50 years so it is not the end of the world if the first couple of jobs are not ideal. Everything takes time and in the grand scheme of things you only need to be at each stepping stone job for a year or two before it is acceptable to move on.
The other thing to remember is that transferable skills are everywhere. There are so many stories about my classmates not having enough office experience leading to them missing out on that application. My advice would be to aim for as close to the dream job as possible or for as similar a role as possible which will make the next step an easy transition and make the most of every position.
On the other hand maybe I am defending that route because it is the one I have been forced to take. I hope that this new job will be a stepping stone to my next. I certainly consider it to be more appropriate than my last. My new role is at a publisher of sorts and getting used to a company with a similar culture is helpful.
Always remember make the best of your situation, particularly if it is not exactly where you want to be and that should be enough of an armour against the accusation of selling out or selling your soul to the wrong industry. We've all got to climb the ladder from somewhere, why not let it be from a steady job that pays on time.
I think it is important that graduates remember that their career is a long road, they could be in full time work for the next 50 years so it is not the end of the world if the first couple of jobs are not ideal. Everything takes time and in the grand scheme of things you only need to be at each stepping stone job for a year or two before it is acceptable to move on.
The other thing to remember is that transferable skills are everywhere. There are so many stories about my classmates not having enough office experience leading to them missing out on that application. My advice would be to aim for as close to the dream job as possible or for as similar a role as possible which will make the next step an easy transition and make the most of every position.
On the other hand maybe I am defending that route because it is the one I have been forced to take. I hope that this new job will be a stepping stone to my next. I certainly consider it to be more appropriate than my last. My new role is at a publisher of sorts and getting used to a company with a similar culture is helpful.
Always remember make the best of your situation, particularly if it is not exactly where you want to be and that should be enough of an armour against the accusation of selling out or selling your soul to the wrong industry. We've all got to climb the ladder from somewhere, why not let it be from a steady job that pays on time.
Thursday, 5 February 2015
Finding a job is a full time job.
Job hunting? Is it taking over your life? No time to apply because of full time job?
Well, I hear this all the time. Finding a job is a full time job, if you are applying with blanket applications. Something I've found is that when you REALLY want a particular job then the application process is easy, you buzz through a cover letter with enthusiasm and perk up your CV.
The full time slog comes when you just need anything. So my biggest piece of advice for job seekers is cherry pick very carefully and get excited about every job application. You know it's the right one for you if you are already thinking of interview research you'd like to look at from the company.
I'd advise persistence and multiple applications when going for internships, but not for real jobs. (It doesn't cut it and it's really obvious.) If you do not have a job already, then you have the time to apply well. NO EXCUSES.
Many of my graduate friends had lamented to me that looking for a job is so time consuming they can't fit it into their daily lives. Now comes the decision then. Do I stay where I am until my next job falls into my lap/I get promoted? OR do I "Get the fear" and quit my job without a new job offer and dedicate the next month to finding something.
Now, sometimes the fear is a great motivator, but that's a huge risk depending on your circumstances. Can you pay your rent without an income for how ever long it takes to find a job? Do you have a back up plan if everything fails. It's generally pretty good practice to make sure your back up plan is less preferable than your current situation otherwise you could find yourself at your parent's door looking for a cushy hand out. (No one likes that guy.) Make sure you can quit safely.
Unfortunately the sad truth is that you CAN make time. When I was job hunting the biggest piece of tough love I got was "Stop whining, have you really got no time? are you really pushing hard enough? Get on with it." And they were totally right, I wasn't. I was discouraged and was ignoring job emails.
Work ethic is such an important thing to value. I realised that something I always found attractive in people is their approach to work. Find that work ethic in your self and it will make you happier because at least you are trying!
Inject yourself with a new boost of enthusiasm and I promise job hunting will get easier.
Well, I hear this all the time. Finding a job is a full time job, if you are applying with blanket applications. Something I've found is that when you REALLY want a particular job then the application process is easy, you buzz through a cover letter with enthusiasm and perk up your CV.
The full time slog comes when you just need anything. So my biggest piece of advice for job seekers is cherry pick very carefully and get excited about every job application. You know it's the right one for you if you are already thinking of interview research you'd like to look at from the company.
I'd advise persistence and multiple applications when going for internships, but not for real jobs. (It doesn't cut it and it's really obvious.) If you do not have a job already, then you have the time to apply well. NO EXCUSES.
Many of my graduate friends had lamented to me that looking for a job is so time consuming they can't fit it into their daily lives. Now comes the decision then. Do I stay where I am until my next job falls into my lap/I get promoted? OR do I "Get the fear" and quit my job without a new job offer and dedicate the next month to finding something.
Now, sometimes the fear is a great motivator, but that's a huge risk depending on your circumstances. Can you pay your rent without an income for how ever long it takes to find a job? Do you have a back up plan if everything fails. It's generally pretty good practice to make sure your back up plan is less preferable than your current situation otherwise you could find yourself at your parent's door looking for a cushy hand out. (No one likes that guy.) Make sure you can quit safely.
Unfortunately the sad truth is that you CAN make time. When I was job hunting the biggest piece of tough love I got was "Stop whining, have you really got no time? are you really pushing hard enough? Get on with it." And they were totally right, I wasn't. I was discouraged and was ignoring job emails.
Work ethic is such an important thing to value. I realised that something I always found attractive in people is their approach to work. Find that work ethic in your self and it will make you happier because at least you are trying!
Inject yourself with a new boost of enthusiasm and I promise job hunting will get easier.
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