[tatsu_section bg_color= "" bg_image= "" bg_repeat= "no-repeat" bg_attachment= '{"d":"scroll"}' bg_position= '{"d":"top left"}' bg_size= '{"d":"cover"}' bg_animation= "none" padding= '{"d":"15px 0px 15px 0px"}' margin= '{"d":"0px 0px 0px 0px"}' bg_video_mp4_src= "" bg_video_ogg_src= "" bg_video_webm_src= "" overlay_color= "" overlay_blend_mode= "normal" section_height_type= "auto" custom_height= '{"d":""}' vertical_align= "center" top_divider= "none" top_divider_zindex= "9999" bottom_divider_zindex= "9999" bottom_divider= "none" top_divider_height= '{"d":100}' top_divider_position= "above" bottom_divider_height= '{"d":100}' bottom_divider_position= "below" top_divider_color= "#ffffff" bottom_divider_color= "#ffffff" invert_top_divider= "0" invert_bottom_divider= "0" flip_top_divider= "0" flip_bottom_divider= "0" section_id= "" section_class= "" section_title= "" offset_value= "0" full_screen_header_scheme= "background--dark" overflow= "" z_index= "0" hide_in= "" animate= "1" animation_type= "none" animation_delay= "0" animation_duration= "300" border_style= '{"d":"solid","l":"solid","t":"solid","m":"solid"}' border= '{"d":""}' border_color= "" border_radius= "" box_shadow= "0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)" key= "gddjpgrp42cnyju9"][tatsu_row full_width= "0" bg_color= "" border_style= '{"d":"solid","l":"solid","t":"solid","m":"solid"}' border= '{"d":""}' border_color= "" no_margin_bottom= "0" equal_height_columns= "0" gutter= "medium" column_spacing= "" fullscreen_cols= "0" swap_cols= "0" padding= '{"d":"0px 0px 0px 0px"}' margin= '{"d":"0px 0px"}' row_id= "" row_class= "" box_shadow= "0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)" border_radius= "0" hide_in= "" animate= "1" animation_type= "none" animation_delay= "0" animation_duration= "300" layout= "1/1" key= "gddjpgrp8ca9mi4v"][tatsu_column bg_color= "" bg_image= "" bg_repeat= "no-repeat" bg_attachment= "scroll" bg_position= '{"d":"top left"}' bg_size= '{"d":"cover"}' padding= '{"d":"0px 0px 0px 0px"}' margin= '{"d":""}' border_style= '{"d":"solid","l":"solid","t":"solid","m":"solid"}' border= '{"d":""}' border_color= "" border_radius= "0" box_shadow_custom= "0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)" bg_video_mp4_src= "" bg_video_ogg_src= "" bg_video_webm_src= "" overlay_color= "" overlay_blend_mode= "normal" animate_overlay= "none" link_overlay= "" vertical_align= "none" sticky= "0" offset= '{"d":"0px 0px"}' column_parallax= "0" column_width= '{"d":"100"}' column_mobile_spacing= "0" image_hover_effect= "none" column_hover_effect= "none" hover_box_shadow= "0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)" overflow= "" col_id= "" column_class= "" top_divider= "none" top_divider_height= '{"d":"100","m":"0"}' top_divider_color= "#ffffff" flip_top_divider= "0" top_divider_zindex= "9999" bottom_divider= "none" bottom_divider_height= '{"d":"100","m":"0"}' bottom_divider_color= "#ffffff" flip_bottom_divider= "0" bottom_divider_zindex= "9999" left_divider= "none" left_divider_width= '{"d":"50","m":"0"}' left_divider_color= "#ffffff" invert_left_divider= "0" left_divider_zindex= "9999" right_divider= "none" right_divider_width= '{"d":"50","m":"0"}' right_divider_color= "#ffffff" invert_right_divider= "0" right_divider_zindex= "9999" z_index= "0" hide_in= "" animate= "1" animation_type= "none" animation_delay= "0" animation_duration= "300" layout= "1/1" key= "gddjpgrpbfdaxk3z"][tatsu_text bg_color= "" color= "" max_width= '{"d":"100"}' wrap_alignment= "center" text_alignment= '{"d":"left"}' margin= '{"d":"0px 0px 30px 0px"}' box_shadow= "0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)" padding= '{"d":"0px 0px 0px 0px"}' border_style= '{"d":"solid","l":"solid","t":"solid","m":"solid"}' border= '{"d":"0px 0px 0px 0px"}' border_color= "" border_radius= "0" text_typography= '{"d":""}' hide_in= "" css_id= "" css_classes= "" animate= "1" animation_type= "none" animation_delay= "0" animation_duration= "300" key= "gddjpgrpe4732oyw"]
Author: Ariyike Sodeinde
Job hunting can be a really frustrating, emotional and depressing time, especially if it's your first time facing the job market. I have been looking for a job, straight out of my masters programme, for over a year now.
This is post is about how to keep going. I'm sharing some personal tips and suggestions on how to have a balanced life during your job search, and not so much on how to apply for jobs. II'll share tips from my personal research and experience, about how to start your job hunt, for those who are currently in the thick of it, keep sane as possible.
I. Remember: It takes time.
I definitely feel like I was not prepared for how long this process would take or how many rejections I would get before I even got a first stage interview. When speaking to my friends they all felt the same way. Some waited six months, one year or or even two years before they finally got a full-time job.
If you were like me and getting through full-time education with good grades was fairly easy, you may be entering the job market with unrealistic time expectations. Going from my A Levels, to my undergraduate degree programme, and then onto the postgraduate degree programme I wanted was fairly simple. Don’t get me wrong, there was A LOT of work involved at every stage, but the application processes did not take long. So if you’re just setting out on your job search or you’re like me and did not see yourself still looking for a job a year after you finished your degree; remember that these things take time. Do what you can; make sure your CV is in good shape, continue applying and interviewing for jobs, even find some part-time work if you can, but beyond that, don't spend too much of your time worrying about factors over things out of your control. It can take months from the point where you complete and submit your application to getting to a final stage interview or assessment centre. Creating more stress and pressure for yourself means that you won't be able to get through the process with a clear head. So, try to relax, fill and complete every stage of your application to the best of your ability, and be patient for responses - remember that sometimes you won't get a response at all. This kind of rejection can be really tough, but try not to let it get you down.
II. Get a part time job.
If looking for a job is your full-time job, getting a part-time job might be a good way to get you out of the house and help you to earn some money whilst you are going through the application processes. Working for Peer Mentor Circles has helped me to develop new skills. Being a social sciences graduate, I never thought I would have anything to do with website migration, social media or even blogging, but learning how do to these different things has helped me to continue to get a sense of accomplishment during this waiting period. Getting a part time job also looks good on your CV. As I said, company application processes can take a long time - you don’t want to have significant gaps in your CV, and a part-time job can show that you are developing and learning new skills.
III. Find other ways to occupy your time.
Looking for a job can be extremely monotonous. Throw in the current social-distancing and self-isolation requirements, and it can add quite the strain on your mental wellness. To battle this, create a daily routine for yourself and try to stick to it. You can see the day like a working day, and split your time into three blocks. For example, 9am-12pm, 12pm-3pm, 3pm-6pm). Make sure you create breaks for yourself, and in these breaks, eat, watch tv, read a book, or workout. Do something so that your mind can take a break for a little while. Short breaks will always make you more productive.
Whenever I say I am looking for a job, people tell me to enjoy this time that I have because when I start working nothing will be same. It’s hard advice to take because you can feel guilty when you’re relaxing or enjoying your time because, “should you really be doing this when you’re effectively jobless???”. The answer is yes. Of course jobs are important, but so is having a balanced life, both in and out of employment. So whenever that nagging guilt comes, remember that employment shouldn't mean you can't enjoy some free time, rest time, or social time.
I hope these tips help you. Keep sending in applications each day. Take your time with them, and have someone else look through them before you submit. Try to find a way to make some money on the side if you can, and remember to enjoy every day and every moment as it comes.
Written by Ariyike Sodeinde for Peer Mentor Circles.
[/tatsu_text][/tatsu_column][/tatsu_row][/tatsu_section]
