Lessons learned the hard way for finding a job

Recently, I've realized I need another job.

But actually, this realization isn't something new; rather it is something I've finally come to terms with. After successfully draining my bank account and being partially cut-off financially from my parents (they still pay my rent—thanks Mom and Dad), another job has become a necessity. As great as it is to have my "Spectator Service Award" pay part of my tuition every quarter, it doesn't pay the bills and sure doesn't put food in my fridge.

So, in this less than favorable job market, my desperate, frantic search for a source of income began in January.

Lesson number one for those seeking employment now, or for those who will be in need of it after graduation in June: Start looking now. I made the mistake of waiting until I was completely broke to start looking for a job. I knew in October that my parents were going to stop giving me money for groceries and bills and that I would be out of money by the middle of January at the latest.

But did I start searching ahead of time and secure a job? Of course not. In fact, the first job application I turned in was one I faxed from home over winter break. I applied for a position lifeguarding and teaching swim lessons at the Downtown YMCA—a job I was 100 percent sure I would be able to land.

Number two: Apply for jobs in person. Had I turned in my application in-person, I would have found out that the listing on the Web site was old and the position I applied for was no longer available.

The third lesson: Don't stop applying for other jobs just because you get asked in for an interview. Once I returned to Seattle after break, I resumed my search. I put in applications at a few random places around Capitol Hill. I submitted an application to a doggy daycare, another job I was sure I would be able to get since I worked at PetSmart in high school and had experience working with dogs. When I was called in for an interview, I was convinced I had the job. I showed up to the interview, which ended up being a group interview with seven other applicants. I didn't get the job. And even better, I had stopped putting in other applications.

Frustrated and annoyed, I put in an application at another YMCA to lifeguard and teach swim lessons. Again, I was confident I'd get the job as I've spent six summers lifeguarding and teaching swim lessons.

The fourth and fifth lessons: Follow up aggressively after applying and interviewing, and realize how hard it must be to tell someone they didn't get the job. After my interview at the YMCA, I didn't hear back from them for almost a week. I should have followed up my interview with a phone call thanking them for their time. But it's important to keep in mind how hard it must be to tell someone that they didn't get the job, especially these days.
My search continues today. There are things I've done wrong but I've been able to learn from these mistakes (and from the "10 Tips for Interviews" article my Mom sent me in the mail) and re-vamp my approach to finding a job.

Searching for a job has been frustrating, brought me to the verge of a mental breakdown multiple times and has forced me to live off of a diet consisting mostly of rice, beans and pasta for a few months. Through all of this, I take comfort in the fact that I am not the only one out there desperate for work and in the knowledge that the market will turn. It has to, right?

Until that happens, I will be combing through listings on Craigslist, giving my resumé to anyone who will take it and eating my rice and beans.

Taylor may be reached at opinion@su-spectator.com