The Journey Home

As many know, a huge and unexpected snowstorm hit the east coast. The amount of snowfall was unexpected and made for many flight delays, over-bookings, cancelations and frustrated holiday travelers. One of those travelers was me. My original flight from Birmingham to my hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia was intended to depart Friday evening. That did not happen, nor did the four flights I booked in the next two days. Thankfully, the storm finally let up and got me home for the holidays Monday morning.

Oddly enough, it was this event that urged me to remember my job search right out of college. Like the snowstorm, the search to land a job was seemingly never-ending. I was constantly hearing, ‘we’re not hiring young professionals at this time.’ Being turned away again was so discouraging, especially when I was eager to work and felt I had the resume to prove I was a strong candidate. I imagine with the recent December graduations, there are many who feel this way. And so I offer my 3 A’s of advice that can be recycled at each graduation go-around:

Awareness: By now you know how hard it is to land a job right out of college, so there’s no need to get you off your high horse. You’ve seen earlier grads struggle to find a full-time job and you’ve heard the talk (and had enough!)

Attitude: But don’t hang your head. Be positive and confident that you will find some sort of work, and probably where you least expect it. Let that excite you! (This is the workin’ world. Free coffee and Ghirardelli chocolates from a client make your day.)

Action: You are not too good for anything, even if you do have a college degree. So you’re not getting that job you want right away, look to something else. Consider it a learning period and a stepping-stone into the job you really want. (i.e. try sales, general marketing position, internship.) It will likely turn into something full-time or be short-lived because of a better offer that you found from being proactive.

Personal story: After trying countless times elsewhere I had kind of accepted the fact that my twentieth ‘informational interview’ would give me nothing more than appreciated time and advice, then send me on my way. But, the right timing and effort I’d made got me the job I have now.

Trying to land a first job is like trying to fly home in the midst of a snowstorm. It is extremely frustrating I know. And while the journey home can take you some odd places, in the end you will get there.