I am feeling very optimistic today.
Back story: I have a
habit of deciding on something and then wanting it to happen right that second. It’s like with my
previous degrees. I don’t like it? BOOM I dropped it. I want to start doing my
Masters even though I’m already doing a degree and I don’t have the freaking
time? SIGN ME UP. I decide that I
haven’t been social enough this week even though all of my assignments are due
and I have had maybe two hours sleep in three days? Break out the wine baby, I’m inviting the girls around. I’m not a
patient person at the best of times and it turns out I’m much worse when it
comes to full time job hunting.
On May the 31st I started putting in
applications. And by putting in applications I mean I have put in over fifty.
That is not an exaggeration- my life has literally been writing essays about
how awesome and talented I am in the hopes of fooling prospective employers.
By June the 2nd I was in the depths of despair.
Why has no one called me? Why am I never ever going to get a job, because obviously
these last three days must represent my
entire future?
When I make my mind up, I want whatever it is to happen
instantly, and so I remained completely depressed for the next week because
obviously the world doesn’t work that way.
When I got an interview last week I was psyched. It was next
door to Joel, for a small private company and was basically exactly what I am
doing now. The only problem? The pay was abysmal. For five days it was what I
am making now in four. But of
course, since I wanted a job right away, I agreed to the interview and didn’t
really think more about it.
Until I got home.
And I realised: what’s the rush? I have a job that’s pays amazingly
for what I do and I’m back to full-time uni for the next three months before
going to LA for holiday in October. In terms of practicality- getting a job
right this second would be another stupid ‘but
I don’t want to waaaaaaiiiiit’ decision that would add so much unnecessary
complication.
So I decided to try and practice a little patience and
not take the first opportunity that comes my way. Instead of applying for allthejobsinCanberra (seriously)
regardless of pay or level of incredible boringness, I decided to wait for jobs
that I *gasp* would actually enjoy.
And once I made that decision, I got into work the next day
and BLAM, two perfect jobs within my
skill level with waaaay higher pay
grades than I ever dreamed got listed. And even though it’s not all that likely
that I’ll get either of them, it’s made me realise just how much more fun it is
to apply for jobs that I actually want. And that there are opportunities out there and there will continue to be so even
if it takes me a year to find the right career.
Because basically? I realised that my lack of patience stems
from a nastier source than I thought: low self-esteem with a dash of paralysing
fear. I never wait for perfect opportunity because I doubt that it will ever
happen for me. I take the first thing that comes up because I’m terrified that
if I don’t, nothing ever will. Granted, a lot of it still has to do with my
inability to wait because waiting is just
no fun at all- but that is also not a character trait I should foster,
because it means that I’m always holding onto the first idea that comes my way.
Which isn’t a terrible thing, and it has led to quite a few adventures, but it’s
also the reason that I’m in my seventh year of university and I have spent the
last two years in a job that great, but is also driving me stir crazy.
So while a little actnowthinklater
can be bundles of fun, it’s also nice to wait for that moment- you know the
one, when everything falls into place and you know without a doubt that ‘this is it’.
.....Okay okay I lied, it sucks to wait and I don’t think
that my mind was made for such a feat.
But still, I’m feeling more optimistic that I have in ages
and I know it’s going to pay off eventually.
What about you guys?
Do you think it’s better to act on impulse or wait for the right opportunity?
(Image credit: 1.)
Comments
I realised this wasn't a great idea when i started getting calls for interviews for jobs I couldn't even remember applying for and that's when I became a bit more discerning about applying!
I think you're right though, a lack of self confidence was probably behind it as well as I felt completely unemployable and assumed no one would want me.
So its a bit of a toss up. A lot of stress these days for performance evaluations. And I'm one of those with self esteem that isn't quite where it should be, I know.
Half the time, I'm worried I'm out of there as it is. I always feel I'm not doing enough. Then I wake up and see I'm having to do a lot of stuff that other people don't want to do.
All I can say, its hard to stay calm. Knowing when to stand up for yourself, and letting some things go. Its always a tight rope to walk.
But you have to start thinking of the whole economy and where you fit into. Or ..where will you be a decade from now. Is this job going to be healthy for you? Or will the stress bring decay to your health in the long run?
Most times, its instinct looking our for you.
When I was looking for jobs last fall, I was eager to take any interview, just for practice. And while my job isn't ideal, it does pay much more than the first few jobs I applied for. You have to decide what things you need at a job and what you're flexible with.
But that feeling of wanting things to happen RIGHTNOW? That I definitely get.
Well good luck with the jobs :) and have an amazing holiday :)