Oh, St. Patrick’s Day.
Each year you provide us with a day to pretend a lot of things. You let us pretend we’re Irish when we’re not. You let us pretend our livers are impenetrable to alcohol, but they’re not. You let us pretend we look good in tacky green clothing when most of us don’t. In many ways, St. Patrick’s Day, you allow us to revel in more fantasy than anything associated with the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus.
One item associated with St. Patrick’s Day that we should probably embrace is the “luck of the Irish.” Apparently no one can pinpoint the etymology of the phrase, and no one can agree whether or not said luck refers to true good luck or ultimately bad luck. For our sake, let’s go with the first reading, as everyone could use a little good luck these days — especially job seekers!
Wishin’ and hopin’ for good luck doesn’t pay the bills, though, does it? If you’re like most job seekers, you’re not waiting around for luck. Today’s job seekers are working hard, trying to land an interview or find a job posting that suits their skills. The idea that finding a job is its own full-time job rings true, and yet, you can’t help but wonder how long ‘til you receive an offer.
For some job seekers, the path to hearing “You’re hired!” was long but turned out to be the best thing that could’ve happened to them. By their own admittance they feel like luck played a significant role in their lives. To give you a bit of inspiration, we asked them to share their lucky stories with you. You might not believe in luck, but come on, it’s St. Patrick’s Day. Put on some green and get see if you find your own professional four-leaf clover!
Here are some success stories from job seekers who found themselves on the receiving end of some good luck.
Vicky T.’s tale …
Vicky looked for a job for over a year and didn’t have luck landing an interview. When she finally did, she made it to the second and final rounds but wouldn’t receive an offer. Finally, after she’d given up on finding a new job, she received a call asking her to interview. The position was great, but she knew she didn’t have the qualifications for it. Still, she went on the interview on the off chance she’d be the perfect match. She made it to the second round of interviews where she was told she wasn’t the right person for the job because she lacked experience. She said, “OK, well here is why I think I am right for the job.” And she got the job, which she has fallen in love with.
“I am now a probation officer,” Vicky says. “I love my job. I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason. I was meant for this job. It is hard to get to the final selection stage and then get told no. It hurts, especially when you have been on the hunt for a long time. If I have any advice to give anyone, it is to keep on keeping on! If you’re not selected, don’t think there is something wrong with you; you just weren’t meant to have that particular job. The job your were meant to have is still out there.”
Lauren Rotchford says …
“On January 1, 2010, I relocated to Atlanta (from Naples, Fla.) to be with my fiancé and was very concerned about securing a decent job in this economy. Within three weeks, I was offered two jobs on the same day. Needless to say, I was both shocked and thrilled. I spent a lot of time researching jobs online and sent my resume to Atlanta companies while still living in Florida. It was a lot of work, but it certainly paid off. I’ve been working for Rubicon in Atlanta since February 1st. I want to share this with others to let them know that jobs are coming back as more and more companies are hiring again!”
Chelsea Levy’s journey …
Chelsea Levy chronicled her job search for a public relations position on her own blog. She went on 11 interviews, sometimes getting rejected, sometimes being offered a position she didn’t actually want, and other times being rejected initially and then called back for an offer. One day she received an offer from an employer who had turned her down once already. In the end, the position she accepted offered a significantly better salary than one of her other offers.
“To all of you recent college graduates out there, know that it is possible to find a job in this economy in a competitive field such as public relations … I am living proof that if you work hard on a daily basis, researching, networking, applying and interviewing, an opportunity (or several) will arise. In the meantime, keep interning and gaining industry experience. It was one of the most discouraging, emotional and frustrating experiences I’ve been through yet, but in the end I succeeded!”
Anna G.’s ongoing search
Anna G. is a marketing specialist in search of a Silicon Valley position where she can put her good writing to work. Although she’s still looking for the right job, she gave us her own take on luck on our Facebook page:
“Serendipity: Get out of the house and let every person know you are job hunting, what you’re seeking and where. Never know when someone knows someone. Go to non-unemployed support events, too.
“Good Luck Charm: Start a very time consuming, time sensitive project (e.g. fixing and selling the house). Put professional clothes back in the storage unit. Take a long trip with nonrefundable, nonchangeable ticket and don’t check your voicemail or e-mails. During any of these [activities], calls for interviews will pick up … Haven’t landed a job yet but have started to get a lot more calls in past month.”
Admittedly, this St. Patrick’s Day getting a pot of gold would be nice because you could sell it for some serious cash and not have to worry about a paycheck. But that probably won’t happen, so here’s hoping luck pops up in your job search.
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Courtesy: The Work Buzz
