Tag Archives: jobs

Potential is More Important than Experience

potential

 

The job market is tough. I’ve been attempting to relocate for over a year, but it is much more difficult than I ever imagined. I’m just trying to remind myself that things happen for a reason and I have infinite potential. It just seems that quantity of experience keeps beating me. I have a great quality and variety of career experience, but my limited years of experience seem to be a hard thing to look past.

In the past year I’ve applied to almost 100 jobs. I’ve had the pleasure of one interview and zero job offers. It is a struggle. Some days there are feelings of inadequacy followed by hope, followed by hopelessness. I’ve tailored my résumé to each job and spent countless hours researching and filling out applications. And it’s hard to remain positive.

I thought the job market was better than it was 4 years ago when I completed my undergraduate degree. I went back to school because the job market was so tough. Now I have a job and I am incredibly thankful for it, but my job is in a rural location with very little potential for growth. George and I have big city dreams.

I thought of the quote in the picture above when I was trying to be cheer myself up. I want it to be true. I want my potential to outweigh my limited quantity of experience. I don’t want to work with someone who can’t see the amazing person that I am, the amazing work I currently do, and the amazing work I have the ability to do in the future.

I also think the above quote applies to all aspects of someone’s life– not just career life. You shouldn’t be romantically involved with someone who can’t recognize your potential. You shouldn’t be friends with someone who brings you down and doesn’t see the amazing person you are.

What do you think? Is potential more important than experience? Are you struggling in the current job market? Let me know in the comments!

How to Deal with Disappointment

Remember that job I told you all about? Well, I didn’t get it. Recovering from the disappointment and starting a new school semester has been difficult. In fact, I haven’t been blogging much lately because I’ve been both amazingly busy with the rush of students and I’ve been busy moping.

I’m not afraid to admit to you all that I cried when I found out that I lost the job to another applicant. I’m also not afraid to admit that I ate way too much and maybe drank a little too much that evening in the hopes that it would make me feel better. I didn’t feel better. I just felt bloated.

To cheer myself up on this rainy Monday morning, I made a quick list of things that I am happy about. I forced myself to write 20 items. It was difficult to write at first, because I love to be a pessimist. It’s just my nature of self-improvement, I suppose. But after the first couple of list items, it became much easier to think of things I am happy and thankful for. I have a wonderful life.

There will be more job opportunities in the future. In fact, I applied for one over the weekend. I can’t—I won’t let this get me down.

How do you fight disappointment in life? Let me know in the comments.

love,
melanie