When it comes to finding a job, timing is super important.
You can have the ideal skills, qualifications and experience but if a business or company isn't looking for new employees then it's a lost cause right from the start. Ever since I left my last part time job a couple of weeks ago, I've been on the hunt for a new permanent role. I still have casual jobs that I do a couple times a month, but nothing on a fixed basis. I know everyone can probably relate when I say finding yourself a new job can be quite the journey and sometimes you end up where you least expected yourself to be. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. Apply for jobs you think you'll be a good fit for but don't rule everything else out entirely. You never know what you can and can't do until your try.
This is what my mentality was going into my last job. The one I decided to leave. I gave it my best shot. I embraced the new environment, co-workers and tasks given to me but in the end, it wasn't quite enough. That's another thing about jobs. You need to stay open minded but you shouldn't have to sacrifice your own happiness in the process. If a job is making you doubt yourself and what you know, then it might be worth looking elsewhere. The part time job was okay initially but after a while, I started to feel like my lack of knowledge in the field I was working in was slowing both me and my co-workers down. I could tell I wasn't the only one getting frustrated while working and this made me even more resentful of the job. Although it was quite hard for me to come to the conclusion that I wasn't all that good at the role I was in, I knew in my heart that there was no point forcing something that already wasn't working.
Another thing I've found with jobs is that connections can really make a difference. Whether that person is telling you first hand about a role they have open or personally referring you to their boss/employer, having someone on the inside definitely has it's advantages. I don't think there's anything wrong with telling friends and family that you're looking for work. A couple of the jobs I've had, I heard about through people I knew. I feel like everyone understands how hard job hunting is so there's no reason why your friends and family won't want to help you.
These are just a couple of things that have been on my mind recently in terms of finding work. Let me know your thoughts on the subject down below!
Q: How many jobs have you had in your life?
Thanks for reading!
CONTINUE READING
When you're young, it's your likes that determine what you want to be when you're older. If you enjoy being around animals, you want to be a vet. If you like food and baking, you want to be a chef. For me, I loved painting and because of this, I wanted nothing more than to spend my adult years in front of a easel, exercising my imagination with a brush and canvas. As you get older your mindset towards jobs definitely changes. Instead of focusing purely on interest, I began to take other factors into account such as income and pay, the chances of getting the career, and the length of training required for the role. What I liked and most enjoyed kept getting pushed further and further to the back of my mind, becoming less and less of a priority. Instead of thinking about what I wanted to pursue, I kept thinking about what I had to pursue in order to live a somewhat comfortable life.
As I grew up, I slowly drifted away from the idea of pursuing a creative career and before I knew it, I had my heart set on becoming a doctor. Thinking back, I can't really remember what set off this change in career paths. I was still extremely passionate about art but for the some reason, I didn't think becoming an artist was a realistic job prospect to have. Math and science weren't - and still aren't - my strongest subjects yet with a career in medicine in mind, I persisted through and through. The fact that I didn't enjoy either of these subjects should of indicated to me that my true career lied elsewhere. This, and the fact that whenever I tried to imagine my doctor self, I really struggled to conjure up that image. I began to realise that if I couldn't even visualise myself as a doctor, there was no way that I wanted the job enough nor would be willing to do everything it took to fulfil the role. I didn't try to make myself like the idea of becoming a doctor. That was where I drew the line. If the burning desire wasn't then I there was nothing else I could do for it.
As a kid, being an artist was the only creative job I thought existed. At 5 years old, graphic designers, animators, illustrators and bloggers were completely unheard of. Nowadays, these are the careers I care more than anything about. One of my favourite sayings is, "Do what you you love and the rest will follow." For me, I really enjoy being creative, thinking outside the box and working with my hands. These are what make me most happy and I will remember these three things as the boxes I need ticked off when looking into potential job/occupations. Essentially, I've become my younger self again. I know what I like, my hobbies and my interests and I trust in these to help me find the career of my dreams.
I hope you enjoyed this post! Let me know what you think in the comments!
Getting part-time work can be tough especially when you're starting out and looking for your first paid job. This is because most employers look for those who have been previously hired making it harder for those who've never been employed, to get work. In most cases, you need experience to get experience however getting a first job is definitely doable and with a little persistence, you'll soon find your way into the workplace.
Keep an Eye Out For Any Open Positions
Job vacancies are actually easier to find than you'd think. You just have to know where to look. Like with most other things, I'd turn to the internet first. Online sites are a great because they're able to narrow down your options for you, helping you find a job result that both interests you and works with your schedule. After online sites, I'd probably check social media as most companies post any open positions they have on their pages. Then if I still hadn't found a suitable job opening, I'd turn to the more traditional places such as newspapers and shop windows.
Communication is Key
Don't be afraid to get in touch with businesses you'd really like to be a part of. Even if they haven't advertised an open position, it's never a bad idea to share your interest in employment with them. Though it's likely they will turn you down - which is understandable if they're not hiring at the moment - it doesn't hurt to leave your CV with them in case they need someone to help out in the future. While you can flick them a friendly email with you resume attached, sometimes going in and talking to them personally makes a really nice first impression.
Talk to Your Family And Friends
Get in touch with those who have already been through the job hunting process before. They're sure to have some good advice for you. And if you're keen to work at a company a friend or family member is part of, tell them. That way you'll be able to hear about possible job openings first hand. They may even be willing to recommend you to their employer themselves. As well as talking to the employees you know, talk to any business owners you know also. If you have a friend or relative that runs a company you think would be the ideal workplace for you, arrange a meet-up and let them know you're looking for part-time work. If you're really close to them, it's likely you won't have to worry too much about the interview/introduction process which definitely takes some of the pressure of you.
I hope this post was helpful if you're still on the job hunt. Do you have a part-time job? If so, what is it?
CONTINUE READING
