This is the buzzword in today’s reality. Isn’t it? After sending 138 applications over a span of two years and perhaps working on couple of freelance projects here and there, I feel that I must write about it. So here is a list of things that inspired and annoyed me on my job-hunt journey!

Inspirations:

• Like me, if you have grown up watching Hindi cinema, popularly known as Bollywood, there is a song that cheers us up in every situation.

• I am an eternal optimist and have always believed that whatever happens, happens for a reason!

• I watch a lot of positive stories, ted talks which showcase people in various walks of life. Must confess the message I take from them differs from day to day. For ex: I heard one celebrity saying that he just wrote a list of his dreams and aspirations in a diary and let the universe know – and eventually he is where he is today. On a negative day – what I take from that story is put your thoughts across to the universe! And on a positive day – I work on the second part that he mentioned - work towards your dreams, as nothing comes easy!

• Make use of the internet – Based on your interest you can learn a lot from the internet ranging from cooking to editing to graphic designing to potty training your baby.

• Take up a hobby, join a course that will enhance your skill and helps you step out of the house and also helps you in networking.

• Prioritise your day and mark what you will do every hour and remember to keep time for just being!

• Branch out and try to look for jobs that are not perhaps directly related to your field of work but could perhaps be linked to it. You never know a person working there may lead you to your dream job.

• If you have a good idea, try entrepreneurship.

…and the last mantras for me are – Step out of your comfort zone, network, socialise and believe in yourself.

Annoys me when:

• When someone asks what did you do the WHOLE day? Try writing a covering letter and an updated CV to two companies a day! It’s a lot of work.

• When it comes to women, if they have a child, most often than not very organically, there comes a break in their career. They give everything sometimes few months and sometimes few years to their baby. And very rightly so, but in the process everything else moves ahead. Slowly you lag behind, grow low on confidence and sometimes completely shut down.

• So what I learnt the hard way is to keep myself active, learn a new skill, be in touch with the latest trend and dig in to find out that quality that is unique to you – your USP.

• Proverbs and whatsapp messages which talk about 'the most important thing in life'. For ex: something that says – ‘In the end money does not matter, it’s the memories you make that counts.’ I wish I could say that when I get the bills to pay! Dear electricity bill in the end memories matter so let go of this one!

Last but not the least, employers & recruiters please take that leap of faith and give them a chance. Work can always be learnt, but trust cannot be built easily. 

PS: This post was written few weeks ago. I have started as a Social media content producer trainee in a television production company! Talk about putting your thoughts in the universe!

Do you relate to any of this? Then please give a shoutout!