Staying Afloat: Job-Hunt Edition

I recently completed a 3 month internship, I'm now an au-pair, working part-time in a cafe, and searching for a job in the creative industries. Finding a degree-related job while juggling other responsibilities has been one of the hardest challenges I've faced, and it's taken a while to get into a positive headspace about it. I thought I'd share some advice on how to cope with what can be a draining experience. 

First up, prioritise the roles. As tempting as it can be to apply for that dream position straight away, it may not be an entry-level opportunity. If in doubt, send over your details and situation, prove your passion and discuss how you could go about reaching that position. Who knows, they might have a work experience or internship vacancy which hadn't been advertised yet. Apply for the roles you have the most experience for and you are most suited to, rather than getting your hopes up for a job which ultimately you just aren't qualified for at this stage. 

Be Realistic. Make the most of the filtering options on job sites, to make life easier. This way you avoid looking through the vacancies which just aren't you. Consider how far you'd be willing to commute, the company size you'd like to join, your salary expectation, etc... 

Create a template for your cover letter, but tweak it for each role. Add in evidence to prove that you've actually researched the company, dropping in a line about what you've liked that they've recently done for example. They will probably receive an insane number of applications, with predictable key words blurring them all together. This can seem daunting, but there's no harm in getting creative here, share something you do that is memorable. Are you a dog-walker in your spare time? A stand-up comedian as a side hustle? Let 'em know! Getting into the habit of promoting yourself can feel awkward, but it usually gets easier once you get a sense of who you are and what you're looking for.

There's no expiration date for where you want to be. Whether that's to become a marine biologist, or publishing your first novel, it's OK to go slow. Working in retail, or whatever part-time role you find yourself in doesn't make you a failure. It also doesn't need to be temporary. There are no rules about the work you choose post-graduation, so take the advice of others with a pinch of salt (mine included!) There's no rush.

Keep track of the applications you've sent out, to get a sense of how many you've been doing, but also, it can be nice to jot down what else you've been getting up to. This usually cheers me up, reflecting on recent experiences, rather than dwelling on how many hours you've spent scrolling and crossing your fingers...

Reward yourself - it might seem like a small thing to send off a selection of application letters each day, but it takes a lot of energy, and it's easy to fall into an isolated cycle, beating yourself up when that rejection email (or no email entirely...) comes through, or an interview doesn't go as well as you'd hoped. Scheduling fun plans might not fit the spontaneous quota, but setting time aside for laughing in the pub or going for a wander with friends is definitely a positive thing. Solo binge-watching Killing Eve with a giant hot chocolate is also my kind of down-time... 

Hopefully this has been a helpful read! Feel free to send over any of your tips - I'm aware that there will be heaps I've missed out here. Big love to all those figuring it all out, too. 

Favourite Summer Reads

Hello! Somehow it's mid-September already - I hope you enjoyed the summer months. I'll do a wrap up about what I've been up to soon, but for now I thought I'd share some of the books I've read recently. Let me know what you thought if you've read any of them too.

-Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie. Winner of the 2018 women's prize for fiction, this novel is different to anything I've read in a while. It follows the lives of the Home Secretary's family and how three siblings find themselves becoming an international story - as one of them begins to idolise their jihadist father. Shamsie creates believable situations with realistic dialogue and fleshed out characters, which meant I was drawn into the story - to the point that I finished this book in a single day!

-How To Be Famous by Caitlin Moran. This sequel to How to Build a Girl is brilliant! The protagonist, Johanna, is settled in London and living her writing dream, but is still deeply unhappy. From sex shaming, imposter syndrome, and fame, to navigating the music scene as a teenager - this fed my soul. I genuinely laughed out loud and noted down phrases throughout, so if you've not read any of Moran's work, I highly recommend that you do.

-Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney. As soon as I finished this, I instantly wanted to re-read it. I'm still tempted to get it back from my sister before she has a chance to start it! I read Rooney's Normal People earlier this year and liked the dirty realism aspects found in both novels. This follows twenty-one year old aspiring writer, Frances, as she forms a connection with a married couple. The vulnerabilities of each character and the intimacies of their relationships really struck a chord with me, and made me think of youth - with all its naivety and uncertain pleasures.

-The Gloaming by Kirsty Logan. I haven't read Gracekeepers yet but this is the prequel to that, so I'm definitely curious to get my hands on it. This had the perfect balance of magical realism in my opinion, set on an island where occupants end their lives as stone statues atop a cliff. It's enchanting, and reminded me of Ingo by Helen Dunmore - a book which is to blame for my love of the sea.

-All the Good Things by Clare Fisher. If you liked Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, this is similar. Twenty-one year old Beth is documenting the good things in her life, from her prison cell. I love books which make you consider morals and the true perpetrators of crime, and this ticks all the boxes there. It's also got short chapters and is easy to dip into, which makes it perfect for commuting and travelling.

Thanks for reading!