For most people, they spend the first 18 years on this planet living a pretty dope life. Their parents give them clothes, food and rent-free living. Next, they borrow a bunch of money from banks they never knew existed to go to college and prepare themselves for that dreaded thing we like to call a career.
Once they've completed this section of the cycle, they're pretty sure it's all downhill from here. They'll get the dream job, pay off the loans and buy that house and the avocado toast, right? WRONG.
With the immense amount of people applying for work in overcrowded cities, how do any of us stand a chance? What makes me any more qualified than Sharon who is out there applying for everything I'm applying for too? Unfortunately, the answer can't be found in the 6-10 seconds a hiring manager takes looking at both of our applications.
Now we have to deal with being 1 of 3,000 people applying for a job. And it's pretty likely those odds will only lead to your resume being looked over and thrown into a pile or worse, totally ignored. Sure there are plenty of apps and websites that will help in your career hunt, but none can build the personal connection that oftentimes leads us to the best jobs.
You could spend weeks applying for jobs that match your interests and not get a single response. And believe me when I tell you, that's not because you aren't any good or because your resume is trash (but be careful because it might be.) The real reason is that now it's up to a computer, not a real human being.
So what's the solution? I guess there is really one answer. Networking!
I know, it sounds like bullshit, but I swear it isn't! Sure I'm still unemployed but that doesn't mean I'm wrong. As a matter of fact, 70% of the jobs out there on the market right now aren't even listed!
So sure, you've spent weeks applying, but have you actually had a single real conversation about your job hunt with anyone other than your mom? If the answer is no, well there's your sign. Don't be afraid to reach out to the people you already know and express that you're looking for work. Hell, post about it on social media. You already put all of your other business out there anyway.
We can't solve that we're over-populated, that jobs are scarce and that no one is willing to work in trade industries anymore. What we can solve is how we represent ourselves outside of digital applications and email inboxes empty of job offers. My advice to you is to find other ways to set yourself apart, ways that really resonate with people.
No one will know what you really have to offer if they don't know you. So sure, applying is impossible, but what are we if not those out to conquer the impossible?
