A pessimistic optimist's job search journey

Day 2 was simple: applied, did some (automated) assessments, got some rejections, got one follow-up, felt hopeful, and then felt a bit self-doubt.

My husband, who works at a big corporate, gave me a rundown of options in Seattle the other day:

If you work in a big corporate, like Expeditors, Nordstrom, Starbucks: ok to good salary, stable, things are structured and move slow. A typical day at work won’t be so exciting, you may have a bit of time to do your own things if you want. If you move to another state or another country, you have an opportunity to work at the same company.

If you work at a local business, like University of Washington, Seattle Art Museum, or even just a local real estate agent: smaller pay, probably they have their own style, unique culture, likely very flexible. If you move to another state or country, you will probably have to look for a new job.

If you work for tech companies, because there are so many tech companies here: Google, Meta, Zillow, etc: higher pay, more exciting at work, mostly exciting and good stuff. But it is VERY competitive to get in, if not impossible unless you know someone.

What kind of company do you want? – my husband asked.

My take: I don’t mind working for any kind of business, what is important for me is the people I work with. I used to work in a big corporate with a prestigious name, good pay, good facilities, yet the team I worked with at the beginning was not a great experience. I almost quit after three months but I was offered to transfer to another position – so I stayed. I also worked with great leaders who I respect and always feel grateful for. I thought if they ever moved to another company or started their own business, I would love to work with them again.

So far I have applied to all options: big corporates, tech, local businesses – with the hope that I will find someone, a team who would appreciate my experience and is willing to give me the chance. But – I have not found that person, that team yet. My resume, profile is lost in thousands of others. I have to admit – selling myself “Hey, I am the best!” is not my strength. I can prove that “I am good” if I have a chance with my action and performance at work, but to come up with a resume filled with big words, to make my achievements sound 10 times as good as how I think they actually are – it’s hard for me.

Don’t get me wrong, I think being confident and able to sell myself is a very good skill to have. I am also confident with my experience and my capabilities. But if I am put under the spotlight and asked why I am better than thousands of other people – I get nervous and it is my disadvantage when I look for a job.

I can only make it up with my perseverance.

Practice being comfortable talking about myself, talking about my achievements.

Be conscious in my thinking and notice even the small things about myself that I can be confident/ proud of. The fact that I spent the first few months of 2024 focusing on self-care actually helps – as I shared in the previous post.

Be patient. It won’t be easy to get the job that I actually like and want to stay. Every thing that is worthwhile takes time. I will get a lot of “No.”

But all I need is just one “Yes.” Just one.