I am feeling extremely restless in my position in life. So, I graduated college last May. Since then, I have been working my two part-time jobs that still don't provide me with enough to do (or my bank account with enough money). I'm looking to relocate to the Chicago area. Everyone keeps asking me 'Why Chicago?' Why not?? I've always loved Chicago. My father used to take my sister and I to the Windy City for weekend getaways after his divorce from my mother. It's a busy city and I'm more than ready to conquer it! The only problem is: I need a job.
I feel like I went to school for nothing. Well, that's a bit of an exaggeration. I learned a lot during my undergrad studies. The thing is, I know I have a helluva lot more to learn. I don't feel prepared to take on the world. It seems that having a degree doesn't necessarily put you ahead of the game - it just gets you in the game. I'm in the game, I know the rules, I've got some skill and a bit of experience but I need practice. I need to find a place of employment that understands that I'm 'fresh meat' and that it could be a great thing for the company. I'm fresh out of college and excited to get a move on with life. I may not have the qualifications for position:dream job, but I'm a hard worker and I'm dedicated - I will learn the ropes, fast.
I have a degree, a resume and a pocket full of enthusiasm. So what's the problem? I've been searching high and low for jobs, both in Grand Rapids and Chicago. I've asked former professors and current co-workers about jobs, spent hours searching online job boards, and I've applied for what seems like a million different positions. I don't think that these employers are really catching what I'm all about just from my resume and cover letter. I know that I need to spice things up and make myself stand out more. I wish I could just walk into the offices of these prospective employers, sit them down, and just hold conversations with them. I'm a people person and I feel that the best way to learn about me is just to have a conversation with me. I currently work in retail and in promotions, so I interact with hundreds of people every day - and I love it! It's crazy to think that I used to be shy and somewhat timid. I thank my first employer for giving a 15-year-old so much responsibility, forcing me out of my shell and molding me into the confident woman I am today.
I know that things will fall into place with some hard work and some time. So now I will stop my venting, put on my name tag and return to the daily routine. And Mr. Employer, if you're reading, I want to leave you with this final tidbit:
I understand that you may be looking for someone with more experience and a longer list of skill sets, but I'm here and I've been looking for you! I've got a fresh mind and a smile always on my face. Throw me into your company, give a little bit of initial guidance and wish me luck! I'm excited to be a part of the professional world - help me help you. Thank you :)
Until next time --
Nikki,
ReplyDeleteIf I may ask, what search engines do you use for jobs? My preference is and always has been indeed.com but I also recommend craigslist since most employers are taking free website route, instead of paying to local job web portals. Look for intern positions to gain more experience in the professional world. Chicago is a good choice. I lived in Milwaukee for two years before I became a victim of downsizing. There were not many jobs in Chicago with respect to what I was looking for and given the experience I had. But for fresh graduates like yourself, you'll have a better chance of landing a position.
Keep your head up, and good luck!