“College is the greatest time of your life.” I’ve heard that a million times. Yes, it is true. So now that I am out, I am ready to jump into a job. So why is it so hard to find one? Everyone tells you it’s hard to find what you really want to do. For me, that’s not the hard part. I know what I want to do. I know what I’d be willing to do. So, why is it so hard to apply to places. It kind of feels pointless to apply anymore. Either 1) no one responds, or 2) they respond in twenty minutes saying “you don’t seem to fit with our goals”. Or then there is the whole "3-5 years experience". My teachers gave me hands on experience writing copy and editing manuscripts, but nope that doesn't count. So, here I am being told "no" to entry level positions because I haven't had enough experience.
Every time you apply, it takes about half an hour, but it takes twenty minutes for them to respond no. It’s the most devastating experience. Then there are those kids who never showed up to class and never actually cared about staying on top of work that already have their dream jobs. And then, if you are like me trying for positions in the publishing industry and actually get an interview, you have to be free for two or more interviews, a copyediting test, and anything else they might need. Maybe I’m better as a student, I mean hey I love learning. But what is that going to do for me out here. So if you are feeling down about finding a job, do not worry. You are not alone. There are hundreds of us surfing the internet, using countless job searches, trying to find a job. The biggest thing I have found is if you don’t have a contact, there isn’t much you can do to get in. All of my interviews have been because of friends or past job connections (though these are all internships). I have started wanting to put on the subject line the Abba song “Take a Chance on Me!” That’ll get me hired right? They say you have to make your resume stand out. Maybe I should add the following to make it interesting:
Now, I know that won’t help but hey, I have to try something to make myself stand out. So excuse me while I go back to hitting my head against the wall and trying to find my strengths and weaknesses, because that’s not psychologically tolling. The other biggest thing about a job search is I feel like I can't do anything else. If I have time to do other stuff, I have time to find a job. This is the worst, because I don't want to enjoy summer since I don't have money or a full-time job, but once I get the job I won't have time to enjoy the summer. The irony of life. Well, good luck everyone. Stay strong. Keep applying (but not applying liquor to feel better) . . . told you I could make a pun about anything. This is in response to The Invisible Man display currently on loan to The Art Institute of Chicago. Imagine living your novel. You don't just see it once a month on a bestseller shelf. No, everyday it is on the streets, you smell it on your skin even after you shower, you find it caked beneath your fingernails. You can't escape it.
This is real pain, read and edited but found so intense they publish it. And people pick it up like oxygen. And you start to wonder if it's CO2 you have been breathing in all of this time, all this evil planted in your mind, exhaled on this page. But they all shut the book and return to their safe lives. You never had a safe life. Being in control of the pen is as safe as it gets. Living and reliving the terror, not for you but for everyone else. You may continue to be called author to the people who pick up your book for fun. But those who share the life you fight through know your invisibility isn't a superpower, yet they call you hero, because you can make them visible. That was always your superpower. And you continue to live your novel, every day the reality of blood, sweat, and tears hits you. But it's a little lighter when you know someone is listening. Someone is aware of your struggle. Even if it's a fictional character they care about, they still care. That's all you ever wanted. |
AuthorCorrie Thompson is a writer, blogger, avid reader, and photographer. Follow her poetry on instagram: @mis.underwood Archives
July 2023
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