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!
I do think that potential is more important than experience – this was actually proved to me recently when I, who had the experience for a job, didn’t get it because they wanted someone with more potential than experience! So you never know! Good luck with the job hunting. I know how tough it can be. (Luckily I also have a job at the moment.)
Lilian, sorry to hear you didn’t get the job. It is tough out there and you never can tell what people are looking for. What field are you in?
I’m a librarian too! 🙂
Ha! Wow, that has been the complete opposite of my experience.
I guess what you’ve experienced is more usual – in most jobs people probably do want experience over potential, but not always. I think it just depends on the job and the organisation and what its priorities/needs are at the time you apply. I think a lot of applying for jobs is a bit of a shot in the dark as you don’t always know all the ins and outs of things when you apply for jobs, you just have to do your best with the information you have at the time.
I understand that! It is hard when a job listing is 2 lines long or their website is hard to navigate. I’m also finding that they already have someone lined up for the position, but have to legally conduct interviews :/
That’s really annoying! 🙁 Hope you find something soon.
Back at ya!
(Cataloguing)