I have been applying for every PR job I can get my hands on for the last several weeks. With graduation growing nearer, I want to make sure I have options on the table. I sent my first application out, eager and feeling like I had a great shot. When I didn’t even land an interview (the company even sent me a generic email saying “We are not considering your application at this time. Due to the large influx of applicants, we cannot provide you with individual feedback”), I was crushed. Ouch.
First lesson in humility: don’t let the “no’s” get you down!
I started to consider the reasons I didn’t get the interview. I had new sets of eyes read over my resume and offer feedback. I updated my profiles and web presence. I was sure that the next position I would apply for would be “the one.”
Nope.
I’ve always been told that in most fields, applying for jobs as a fresh college graduate is the most tedious, heart-breaking and rewarding experience. I’m learning that firsthand now, and I promise it’s true.
With each application I’ve learned something- how to tailor my resume to a specific position, what to put in a cover letter. Even though I may very well have been qualified for a position, there was someone else out there who was better. Perhaps s/he had a better resume or more experience. It doesn’t matter! The truth is that there is always someone better than you, and sometimes the stars just don’t align in your favor. The best you can do is keep trying.
Today I got a call from a company I’ve been applying for (I submitted an application and then was given follow-up questions via an email survey) and was offered the chance for a pre-interview! All of the rejections made this one victory so rewarding.
I made sure to be very professional on the phone, and I followed up with a “thank you” email soon after. I believe that my persistence, timeliness in filling out the application/questions and reworking of my resume to match this company’s specific needs were all reasons that landed me this interview.
Granted, there are still likely more steps after this initial interview, and I may not get the job after all. Regardless, this is going to be a great opportunity to practice my interview skills (take every chance you get to do mock interviews; they really do help!), learn more about the “real world” market needs and grow my network of connections.
My interview is this Friday, and I’ll be sure to keep everyone posted on how it goes and with any advice I may offer along the way!
