Get a Haircut and get a Real Job

Lynae N.

May 17, 2010 - 7:00 AM

I hate job hunting! I knew this was coming up for me and I had time to mentally prepare myself for the work and the annoyingness of filling out applications, writing cover letters, and mailing out resumes and vitas into the vast sea of potential employers who I am trying to entice. There are two things that I really don't like about the process. The first is the time consuming aspect. The work is tedious and boring and I am not any more a fan of filling out application after application (with the same information that is on my resume by the way) than I am the busy work I've done throughout my college career. Yet I do fill out all of these forms and am in the process of checking for new job openings that fit for me on a daily basis and then waiting.

The second nasty aspect of job hunting is unique to the place I am at in my career. . . the beginning. I don't have any paid experience and it is sad that unpaid experience through internships, externship, and volunteer work doesn't account for much in the paying world's eyes. I'm left then selling myself based on my education and my "niche" based on where I worked for my externship. The problem with that is, there are 15 other students graduating with me who are staying in Eugene. They have the same education they are trying to sell to potential employers.

This has got to be a nightmare for the agencies looking to fill a position. There is such a flood of applicants all saying the same thing with slight twists based on our interests and or externship associations. Applying for jobs is hush-hush among the students. No one wants to tell anyone else where the jobs are that they've found and no one wants to make others feel bad if they are the one who is hired for an open position. It feels sad to me that the most competitive part of the program is happening now when we are all trying to get in our last bonding moments.

I have to confess that even though I know I have the luxury of some time to find the right job and my faith that lets me understand God is my provider, not a job or anything else; I am still struggling with others in the programs getting the jobs I am applying for. I feel inferior even though I know in my mind that is a ridiculous thought. I struggle with these thoughts mildly from time to time. But even more than this intrusive and unwanted battle, I am frustrated that every job that goes to someone else is a wasted resume, and ultimately wasted time on my part.

I am glad that this process won't last forever. My husband just got a job and I know my turn is coming. I just saw another round of jobs posted and I need to dig into filling out all the needed paperwork for positions again. One of these times, it will pay off.