Facing Unemployment: When Post-Grad Life Doesn’t Look Like You Planned
I placed the key inside an envelope, sealed it, and then left it on my supervisor’s desk before collecting my belongings and heading out for the day. I wouldn’t set foot in that office again.
After two full years of resume editing and practicing responses to interview questions, I’d finally landed a job—albeit, part-time—only to learn the company had been outsourced to Europe sixteen months later. I felt anxious, angry, and stressed.
Worst of all, I felt like a failure.
It had taken me so long to get this job and now I was unemployed again. What if it took me another two years to actually get something full-time? I shuddered at the thought as I waited for the bus, shivering in the chilly November air. I didn’t know if I could do it. But then what if I had no choice?
I tried pushing the thought out of my head as the bus pulled up and I boarded it, claiming a window seat. On the ride home, I came up with a plan. I’d give myself a couple weeks—maybe a month—to adjust. With Christmas approaching, how much hiring would companies be doing anyway? I thought. Then, once the new year began, I’d fully dive back into it. I’d write as many cover letters and go on as many interviews as necessary until I found something great.
***
Despite my plan, the weeks between my last day at my old job and the new year were anything but relaxing.
I tried to keep myself busy by tidying things up around the house, playing with my dog, and doing some Christmas decorating, but it only distracted me for so long. Then the ball dropped, 2019 commenced, and it was time for me to resume my job search.
I spent hours on Indeed looking at postings, trying to pick the right combination of keywords to find what matched my skill set. My mom sent me links to jobs. My cousin sent me links to jobs. A good friend I’d graduated college with sent me links to jobs.
I had phone interview after phone interview with no luck. I attended a job fair a counselor from my alma mater directed me to—no open positions. I networked and practiced answering questions, and the few in-person interviews I snagged just didn’t pan out.
So I tapped into placement agencies, went through coaching sessions with a career consultant, and took a few freelance jobs to make a little bit of cash while I was waiting things out.
Then, in March, I went to a talent acquisition meeting at a local company that gave the participants face time with individual recruiters.
I met with my recruiter one-on-one and she reviewed my resume.
“I have a position that aligns well with your background,” she said, providing me the job description. I applied online with zero expectations. Then I received an email asking if I could interview in May.
I said yes, prepped with my career consultant, went to the interview, and felt like I had a good experience. But then I didn’t hear anything back and figured the position probably went to someone else and I was out of the running.
Since I’d finished one freelance job and the other had fallen through, I accepted a temporary part-time position set to last from June to August to keep busy. The circumstances weren’t ideal, but at least it was something. (I actually wound up liking it way more than I thought I would). Still, it wasn’t permanent, which meant that after August, I’d be on shaky ground again. Would I ever find a job that was stable?
***
It was a hot day in mid-July and I was sitting outside on my lunch break. I still hadn’t heard back about the job I’d interviewed for and the posting hadn’t been removed from the website, so I decided to contact the recruiter I’d connected with. I asked her if I was still being considered for the role and if she had any updates.
She told me that I was still under consideration and that each applicant’s materials were carefully being reviewed in order to determine the best fit for the company. My heart raced a little. Maybe this will be the one, I thought, followed by but it’s best not to get your hopes up. I really didn’t want to be disappointed again.
About a month later, I contacted the recruiter again. Shortly after I’d asked her for an update, she reached out to me and asked if I could provide professional references who could speak to my capabilities. I’d submitted the five requested references (yes, five), but radio silence. This time, she didn’t pick up so I left a message. I was still at my temporary job, which meant I’d have to give my supervisor notice if this other job came through.
I took a short bathroom break and checked my phone inside the stall. I had a voicemail and a text from the recruiter. The job is yours, she said.
I didn’t know whether to scream or cry tears of relief. After four years, I’d gotten my first full-time, post-graduate job. I didn’t feel like a failure anymore.
***
If I’ve learned anything from unemployment, it’s that things don’t always work out and that’s okay. It’s hard and it hurts, but you grow and learn so much in the process, and each interview makes you better equipped to handle the next one.
As I approach my one-year work anniversary in August at a time where so many people have been forced to file for unemployment due to the pandemic, I feel an entire flood of emotions. I’m grateful to have a job that I enjoy, though I worry about job security, layoffs, and furloughs and whether or not those things will impact my company.
I also have empathy toward all those who have experienced layoffs and furloughs, and most especially to the college graduates who will now enter the “real world” and be looking for jobs amid a public health crisis.
And so dear reader, if any of these sentiments apply to you or someone you love, know that my heart is with you and that I wish you well. The future may feel extra scary and uncertain these days, but you are not alone.
[Photo by Nick Morrison on Unsplash]
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Christine works in pediatric emergency medicine research by day and writes by night. She loves a good cup of coffee (decaf please), a good song, and a good journaling session. She also enjoys dabbling in photography and design, spending time with her family and friends, and spoiling her Coton de Tulear pup, Romeo. An eternal dreamer, Christine hopes to one day write a book and visit her favorite city—Nashville. She is grateful to anyone who reads her writing. Keep up with Christine on Twitter: @cmsellers14 or her website.