What to Do When You Don't Get the Job
4 August 2015
We've all been there. You spend so much time and energy putting everything into the perfect application. The unnaturally painful nerves you get minutes before the interview. Your heart skips a beat every time you receive an email or a phone call. The all-round passion and enthusiasm your brain creates in hopes of attaining the position. Even total pessimists like myself have a sprinkle of hope that shines for the weeks you sit in a pool of anxiety. Then one day, the call or email drops. Your heart races and as soon as your mind registers the words "unfortunately", "unsuccessful" or even "I regret to inform you that", every ounce of belief shrivels into a vacuum of nothingness and your surroundings become silent.
As you can probably tell, I've been in this position more than once. If fact, it happened to me on the very day I'm writing this post. When it's a job you're so desperate for, it creates an element of heartache that becomes incredibly difficult to deal with. For me, this happened in the middle of the day, while I was at my existing job and I was in such a state of turmoil blended with sadness I simply couldn't move. The immediate reaction is to cry, it's what human do when they're sad. It's to then sulk, and mentally insult the company that chose not to accept you. The feeling is so uncomfortable, you don't quite know what to do with yourself so you just stare until the feelings slowly melt away. After years of rejection, there are a few pointers I have learned that help me to get over the mourning in a quicker and positive way.
Ache, if you want to.
It's okay to not to be okay! Not getting something you want isn't exactly the key to a smile. When something doesn't go my way, I don't feel sorry for myself and fall into the habit of self-pity; rather I just let myself sulk for an hour. It's a natural and emotion we shouldn't try to bottle up or hide. I occasionally ask for feedback, which will also help you improve for the next opportunity.
Get some tasks done
I was so awfully upset about not getting my dream job in marketing, I wrote three blogs posts on the twenty minute train journey home. So of my most productive days are when I'm full of emotion, whether it's good or bad. The sense of passion is there and it adds a certain flare to my writing (most likely a sassy one).
Turn the sorrow into motivation
It's common to be bitter, but the key is never to stay down. That's where things can go horribly wrong. Rather than dwelling in a lake of melancholy, think about how magnificent you are and how this isn't the end of the world. Something else will come up and the hopelessness is only a temporary feeling. The world has so much to offer, we can't waste time thinking about all the things we can't do. Instead, think about all the skills and abilities that you do possess!
Make yourself laugh
If all else fails, the best way to make myself better is to laugh. I have a pretty wide sense of humour and will laugh at just about any Vine. I could spend hours scrolling through humour Tumblr blogs or reading hilarious tweets linked to unforgettable trends. Find someone that makes you smile and stick with it until your mind effectively overlooks rejection.
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Improving Your Mindset
1 August 2015
If there isn't a reason behind an action, it's very difficult to justify why you're doing it in the first place. One of my biggest challenges is motivating myself to get tasks done, simply because I'm unbelievably and embarrassingly lazy. I would rather scroll through Tumblr for three hours than actually begin to attack my to do list. One thingI like to do, which always improves my outlook on hard work, is think about the reason I'm doing it. Thinking about the positive outcome pushes me to get the job done, so I can reach that outcome as soon as possible.
Be grateful
Taking a step back and really looking at a situation can help you to be thankful for where you are. Comparison is the complete opposite, and focusing on what others posses or have achieved is moving backwards. Focusing on our own achievements and how you got to that place will improve the outlook on the future.
Take breaks
A very common notion but one of the most useful. The brain needs time to chill too. Even if it's just one evening a week or 20 minute intervals, take some time to sit back and relax, totally detaching from he world. If I want to take a break, I usually move away from all technology around me and go outside or read a few pages of a book. Even taking off my headphones, which seem to be glued to my ears, is advantageous and I feel refreshed when I return to a task. It's easy to slip into procrastination mode, so finding an element of motivation to get you back into work is essential for staying productive.
Sleep
One of my all-time favourite pastimes. This doesn't mean sleep whenever something isn't working. It means sleep when you're supposed to sleep. Staying up late seems fun at first but I always regret it and feel much better when I head to bed in good time and wake up with a bit more peace of mind. It's recommended that we get a minimum of seven hours of sleep a night which isn't always possible for everyone, but should be he ultimate goal.
Try to be positive
I'm constantly being told I'm pessimistic and my response will the same: "I'm not negative I'm just realistic." Sometimes reality has its limitations and it's good to dream above the bar or think outside the box. My automatic reaction is to see the bad side, seeing the glass as half empty is never efficient thinking. The best think to do is actually try to be positive, even if it seems impossible. Give it a go!
Career Goals: Be Happy
29 July 2015
There are hundreds of thousands of people that could spend days talking about how much they hate their job. They could describe every abominable moment of the working week without a single detail missing, from the unnecessarily packed trains, buses or traffic jams to the constant sound of a pretentious manager and wiseacre workmate. Not that I struggle with this on a daily basis, but from working 35 hours a week I'm started to see a generic adult routine setting in, I have decided one career goal: to be happy.
Financially, it's not the best option. I live in the North which is a little easier on my current account but I'm also 19 and haven't been working for a full year so my pockets aren't exactly tearing at the seems. I'm so happy that I have been able to find a job in such an established corporation, where I'm able to learn more about the real world that I was every taught during my education years. However, being an employee has also helped me to realise it's very easy to get lost in the crowd. My day begins at 6:30am and I could go through the day to 5:00pm without remembering anything that happened - it's actually quite scary.
Jumping around from job to job isn't the way for me to find happiness in employment. Sometimes it's not even the job that makes me smile, it could be a great conversation or a manager that shows realy confidence in me.
Blogging full time would be the ultimate dream, to spend all day writing and editing is the equivalent to a online sanctuary. My interests vary, it's not difficult for me to dive into a project as I like to keep busy. It may result in me trying brand new experiences and taking on unfamiliar job roles. But I know, that in 20 years, the last thing I desire is to wake up dreading the journey to an industry I detest. Ambition isn't something that's considered to be one of my traits, but determination to aim higher just never seems to fade.
How to Cure Boredom
26 July 2015
Get crafty
I often act like I'm an artistic person. Although I studied graphic design in school, I'm far from a Lee Krasner or Vivienne Westwood. But when I'm struggling to find something to do, it's nice to pull out all those expensive art supplies I keep buying and actually try to use them. Even if it's drawing a simple picture or (an attempt at) painting the Yorkshire scenery.
Read
By getting stuck in a page-turning book, the time passes ever so quickly. There's nothing better than getting lost in a captivating plot no matter what the storyline or genre. It's a great way to pass time, but I also use reading to expand my vocabulary which is very helpful for me. I quite like the idea of being able to use a wider range of words, which works for me as someone who is trying to develop their journalism techniques.
Refine a skill
To expands techniques, you must be able to have the right skill level. This applies to just about anything and the only way to getting better at something is to practise. I've tried, there's no shortcut. Finding that urge of motivation and working hard soon takes your mind away from how dull the day was.
Play a game
Competition is in my blood. I'm a fierce Mario Kart player and will happily play every track until I win each one. There's no chance of mercy if I play monopoly and a solid game of hide and seek will feel more like the Hunger Games. Not that games have to be that serious, but they easily cure boredom even if you're alone. There are plenty of free games online that you could get lost in and thousands that's spend hours glued to a games console!
Get outside/work out
Walking is one of my favourite things to do this summer, and strangely enough - so is working out. My playlists are ready to go and I cam happily stroll across the Leeds Liverpool canal for hours. Pack a bag full of snacks and drinks and head out the door. If you hate walking, why not just sit outside and absorb your surroundings? Take in the great things this season has to offer and you'll quickly end up in deep thought. Before you know it, an hour or so has passes!
De-Clutter Your Life
23 July 2015
Sometimes sticking to the same thing every day means an out-of-the-blue task becomes a shock to the system. It's good to have structure, especially with a very busy lifestyle. But it's also important to remember we must enjoy life and value spare time we have. Trying a new routine and mixing things up will help get some of those tasks on the never-ending to-do list to calm down.
Reduce commitments
There's a saying, it's something to do with spreading butter too thin on toast. The exact wording always slips my mind but I'll never lose the real meaning behind it. When we're constantly multitasking we naturally lose track of time and eventually energy. It's not always easy for everyone, but prioritising certain responsibilities will wash a way a little clutter.
Enjoy the good bits
Majority of the working world have very busy lives. It's hard to de-clutter because there seems to be so much and it's difficult to know where to start. That's why it's vital we treasure special moments that could occasionally be once in a lifetime chances. Many people have bucket lists or constantly carry a camera so they can get the very best out of what life has to offer.
Write things down
When I have the time to really sit down and thing about de-cluttering my life. I like to write everything down. Just grabbing a pen and paper and listing everything and anything I can think of. Visual aids help my brain to stop stressing and it's much easier for me to focus if I see all my obstacles in front of me.
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