How Ignoring Job Hunting Advice Gave Me The Confidence I Needed To Start Job Hunting
It’s hard to run a money blog when the money is about to run out. Or rather the opportunity to earn money is about to run out. My last day of work is December 24th, and my husbands last day is December 20th. We will spend the weekend moving all of our belongings into a u-haul pod. Deep clean the apartment, and then it’s off to the in-laws for Christmas and onto our new adventure.
We have no concrete plans to earn money in Texas yet. Our emergency fund can float us for a few months while we get settled. But there are too many details left to chance. And that is stressful.
So stressful that I stress applied to 100 jobs on Indeed. Did I read the job description? No. Did I research the company? No. I had exactly one requirement. I needed to be able to hit the “Apply on Indeed” button and the “Submit” button without having to answer anymore questions. No cover letters. No questionnaires. Nothing that would waste my time.
I basically did what every job hunter is NOT supposed to do. Apply, indiscriminately, to anything that would let me.
And within days, my email started filling up with people asking for a 20-30 minute phone interviews. And I said yes to every single one.
Did I want every job? Heck no. There was one interview I took where the work schedule was Sunday, Tuesday through Friday, and Saturday. That sounds like it’s a special Circle in Dante’s Inferno. There was another job as a graphic designer/marketing coordinator. Am I good at graphic design? I have no idea… But did I take the interview anyway? Yes. (As an aside, they thought my Our Table for Two was a restaurant, so that was hilarious and wonderful).
Why?
Because I need the practice. I haven’t interviewed anywhere in over a year. And the last time I went job hunting, I essentially gave up and a company called me out of the blue wanting to hire me. I doubt I’ll get as lucky this time, so practicing interviewing is essential.
And because interviewing every day for a week really let me know that I was marketable, that my resume was polished enough to be considered. Both those things worried me. I wasn’t sure if I had transferable skills, even though I knew I did, because hello little beast we like to call anxiety. We’ve become best friends lately.
Now I know I’ll get a job.
And I know I can be a bit picky. I turned down the weird work schedule because it sucked, and I decided not to take the job as a graphic design artist because I didn’t want to feel like a failure for the first year as I was still learning the ropes of a field I’ve had very little contact with.
That confidence is huge for me. When I first started thinking about getting a new job, my stomach turned. I even asked my company to work remote so that I wouldn’t have to job hunt. Unfortunately, they came back with a no, I had a good cry, and then I started panic applying to things. In the long run, that sequence of events turned out to be a good thing, because I know more what I’m worth.
I know that I can find a job with a good 401(k), health and dental. I know that I want a job with at least two weeks PTO plus bank holidays. And I know that I want a job with good life-home balance and the ability to work remote some days. None of this I knew before I went and interviewed 10 different places.
I know not to ask for less than $45,000.
That’s a $12,000 pay increase from what I’m working now, and it’s a significant number for two reasons.
First, if I make that much, I can support us on a single income which means Mr. Moriah won’t have to work while he’s in grad school. That peace of mind means that he can go to school full time and finish quicker if he wants. Although, we’re hoping that he can get a job that will pay for his MSW, in which case, he’d be required to work and then go to school part time. But making $45,000 a year gives us options.
Next, it’s the amount of money I need to stop tutoring. I’m thinking of writing a more extensive post about breaking up with side hustles, but for now, I just know that I’m burnt out. And while I love it, 12 hour work days are too much. I want to be able to enjoy time in my home. I want to be able to spend energy on things like baking and crafting. And I’m not able to as much right now.
I still hate job hunting.
But I don’t dread it the same way. And I’m adopting more of an abundance mindset. There are jobs, and I will find one that fits. It might take a bit and I’m still worried about that, but I can find a way to make money that fits into my goals and expectations of a job.
That said, feel free to drop your best job hunting advice in the comments, I’m all ears!
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I do not envy you on your job hunt! I hated that feeling and I hated interviewing. I love being in the military for this very reason. Most of the raises and promotions come without interviewing for anything.
I know you will be just fine though! You are capable and awesome and straight up lovable! You will find something great! Good luck!
Yeah, I love the allure that the military has. My dad was army and it seemed mostly clear cut for him career-wise. I hate the ambiguity I have right now. But I’ll get through it.
OK, here’s my best advice: do not go to a job interview if you have pooped your pants. Even if you think it is just a little bit. Even if you have to leave the waiting room.
Don’t ask. You probably won’t believe this, but I swear it was not me.
Oh my gosh. Dying laughing.
I won’t do that. Haha.
That’s a really good take on it the shotgun approach even if it makes me a little batty on the other side of the hiring equation when most of my candidates aren’t serious. (Not a snide shot at you, I understand that there are two sides to this always and I’m glad when people can take something positive away from the miserable experience 😉 )
I was between jobs for nearly a year during the recession so believe me, there’s plenty to write about when money ISN’T flowing in too!
Oh, I’m sure it annoys the crap out of hiring managers, and when I’m in Texas, I’m definitely going to take a more conventional approach to job hunting. But for the time being, I’m really glad I did what I did because it helped me get back onto the proverbial horse, if you will.
I’m sure I’ll think of stuff, too. But right now, it’s the fear of the unknown that makes me double think whether or not I’ll be able to write stuff. Which, of course, is insane. I’ll definitely be able to talk about stuff.