Entering the ~real world~ is tough.
Even tougher when you feel like you're sifting through the millions of online job postings to find that one "perfect" opportunity.
Or, you're just itching to get your foot in the door by asking that one friend's cousin's twice-removed brother-in-law who works at that multi-billion dollar tech company.
Either way, you get a ton of advice, read a zillion websites, and still feel completely and 100% LOST. I'm right there with ya.
So here are the 12 struggles of applying to jobs, as told by a college senior:
1. “Start applying early.”
It’s literally February...I can’t start until like August, so…
2. *Entry Level Job* *Needs 1-2 years of work experience*
Wtf? So I need a job to get work experience, but I can’t get a job unless I have work experience? How does that work?
3. *Seeking immediate hire.*
Welp...can’t apply to that job...k. NEXT!
4. When your friends have had offers since the fall…
Ok, computer engineers...I see you -.-
5. When you’re a humanities major and don’t even know what skills you have…
Ummm...I’ve made like 3 Google Slides presentations, so like, yeah, I’m totally proficient in MS Office, Back-End/Front-End web development, and the Adobe Suite.
6. *What makes you stand out?*
Well, I’m not qualified for this job, so does that count for something?
7. *Please provide a cover letter outlining why you’d be a good fit for this company.*
You’re hiring; I need a job, $$, something to do during the day. I’m desperate. I have no other offers, so I can commit to y’all 100%. Sound good?
8. When LinkedIn says it’s a “Marketing/Advertising” job, but it’s really just a “Sales” job in disguise…
Scam, scam, scam, scam, scam!
9. When you get 5234573924 daily emails from external job sites about “Recommended For You” jobs, but…
The seniority level is 20+ years out of range, the location is 6,500 miles away, and, oh, it’s a temp position.
10. When you “Easy Apply” via LinkedIn 7 times and feel super productive, only to never hear back from anyone ever, EVER.
At this rate, I’ll have applied to 59 jobs by next Tuesday! Expert status ;)
11. When you apply to Apple or Google with no internal references cuz, like, why not, right?
It’s not like I could lose my job? The job I don’t have...that I’m applying to...that 723,678 other grads have applied to…oh.
12. When you don’t even know where you’re going to be living in 3 months, let alone in 1 year…
Oooh, maybe a job in London? Wait, what’s the living wage there? Do you think I could meet One Direction? No, they didn’t break up; that’s just a conspiracy theory.