In Solidarity, from a Job Seeker to Another (Part 1/2)

Job search is hard. It is a full-time job on its own. From tailoring resumes, writing cover letters, to networking, trying to find a role that would be a good next step for your career takes a lot of time and effort. Add the goal of being in a workplace that puts in the effort to be equitable and inclusive, and it feels like an impossible task.

As a job seeker with a non-traditional background who also must navigate immigration regulations while at it, one might say I've been through the ringer - and I don't want anyone else to.?

So, I'm sharing what I have learned after sending out the n-th copy of "Xin Yi Yap_Resume.pdf", getting feedback from recruiters, and having countless coffee chats with people who are good at what they do, all of which had a positive impact on my job search process. These lessons have landed me 2 offers that are

• paying me over 54% of the average that an undergraduate lands out of college
• in organizations that align with my values, and
• with teams that are as interested as my development and vision as I am with contributing to their work!

Preface

My lessons are divided into 2 parts:

1. Mental Shifts and Calibration (what did I think differently?)
2. Action steps (what did I do differently?)

The reason is twofold. First, because the article would get too long. Second, because thought work is required in order for you to execute the action steps with visible results. When we are faced with challenges, we tend to jump straight into problem-solving mode.

"What is missing?"

"What can I do better?"

"What are others doing that I need to get on?"

While being in problem-solving mode allows us to focus on resolutions, it can also create tunnel vision, ie. hyper-focusing on one element of a job search rather than the purpose of why we are looking for a job and/or the possible impacts we want a great job to bring to our lives. This can look like learned helplessness ("my career gap must be the reason why I am not getting callbacks") or rigidity in our plans ("I want that job and that job only!").

Job seeking is a long, arduous, multi-faceted process. Having a tunnel vision towards the goal of getting a job can exacerbate the sense of disdain, frustration, and loss we are often already feeling throughout the process. Most importantly, it can take us further from our goals.

For a large part of my own endeavour, I was convinced that finding the "secret sauce" of securing interviews will ultimately land me a job. It is also what I continue to see out there, through advice such as: "Network instead of cold applying to access the hidden 80% of the job market!", "Use the X-Y-Z method in your resume, measure your impact. Numbers, numbers, numbers!"

However, some of the most impactful changes to my job search is internal. By shifting how I view the job search, how I view my candidacy, reviewing what I'm taught about job search etc., I recalibrate my approach in the job seeking process and enter in the various stages authentically.

I shifted from "I am looking for that one person/team who'd take a chance on me!" to "I am taking a chance on myself before anyone else."

And here's 4 ways my approach to job search has changed:

1. There are no rules.

We've all heard of, or have seen at least one of these "rules":

• Keep your resume to a page. 10 years of experience = 1 page
• Your experience does not qualify unless it's in an organization and a full-time role (hint: one that everyone has heard of is best like, y'know, the Big 4? FAANG?)
• Stick with the typical resume templates, like "Educational History" and "Work Experience" in chronological order

When I was in my job search process, I'd stress out over trying to fit my experiences and skills to a page, and I’d worry about all these rules. I eventually grew tired of spending time on messing around with the margins and font size. I was frustrated that my experiences on campus and in other countries were disqualified as examples of my compatibility for the roles I was applying for.

And then I broke those rules. (!)

Breaking these rules made my mind scream "THE AUDACITY" with the pomp of a Victorian-era etiquette consultant. The imposter phenomenon within me bubbled up, telling me that, in truth, I am presenting myself as someone I am not. You may even be experiencing some of that yourself when you read the sentence.

But that's where that magic happened for me.

With a 2-page resume that fully represented me down to the font and colors, I was more confident. One creative expression led to another, like wordsmith-ing my accomplishments in the different roles that fit job descriptions for the positions I was applying for.

Instead of tumbling down the imposter phenomenon spiral, I dug deep and buried those voices. I felt more confident than ever that I would receive call-backs from applications - which I did. I also started gaining momentum on the networking front with more people reaching out with opportunities. In other words,

I flourished.

So yes, I am telling you to swim against the current, to not do what everyone told you to do in order to get a job. Breaking the rules is not the point (although it is fun); The point of adopting the "there are no rules" concept is to give yourself permission to explore. Heck, let yourself?enjoy?the job search process! It never hurts to put yourself in a good energy state. Seriously. Every time you free yourself from the ways we are conditioned?and taught about the job search, the more you will regain a sense of control over the process (see point 4).

For anxious and worried job seekers out there, here is another way to look at it: What's the worst that can happen when you break the rules? Chances are, you've already received more automated "Sorry, but we have moved on to another candidate" than you can count. How would changing things up hurt you?

2. Be Effective, not Rigid.

Adapting the concept of "Impact > Intent", consider the purpose of the different elements in the job search over the intent of why they are set up in the first place. Example: For those of us who have spent some time in the working world, consider the times when you are told how to do something in accordance with the SOP and then have the actual practice be waaayyy different (*ehem* shortcuts). Reality just does not match what the best practices have laid out for business operations sometimes, and that applies to the hiring process as well.

In case of job search and applications, we are taught that there are two ways to get a job:

1. Apply on the website
2. Reach out to people ("network") until someone happens to be looking for a candidate and then Tada! offers you a job.

College career advisors and career coaches/influencers alike preach the second (the "80% hidden job market", remember?). But y'all… to think that these are mutually exclusive is not just ineffective, it's outdated. Same with writing cover letters, resumes, and even interview best practices. Going back to point 1,

There is no one fixed way to go about it.

Throughout my job search, I realised that I have no inkling of how my application is processed, especially around my visa limitations. I know for a fact that international candidates are often an afterthought. Many job descriptions do not list whether they accept us, and recruiters are not informed about the distinctions in requirements between the different visas. It is not uncommon for organizations to cut me off without giving me the chance to say that OPT and STEM OPT candidates do not require sponsorship the moment they see that I checked "Yes" to the question "Do you now, or in the future, require sponsorship?"

I was frustrated for a long time. I understood the purpose of the question, but I feel it did my application injustice as a loaded question. Understanding that the purpose of the process did not match its intent, I did what I could next: After submitting my applications, I would reach out to recruiters through InMail with the specifics about my situation. When it comes down to my visa situation - an element that is out of my control - I did not want to leave my application to a chance of being struck out simply because of lack of information. I want to do everything I can - even if it's unorthodox - to improve my chances.

Going back to you: here is a list of guiding questions that I have used to help me along the way:

1. What about your job search have you been feeling that is out of your control? Be as specific as possible. Is it something, or is it somewhere along the application process?
2. Taking out the sense of frustration and any negative emotions, what else can you do to inform recruiters about your application? In other words, what is within your control to do?
3. [When objections within yourself come up,] How is said obstacle stopping you from doing what's within your control? Who says you cannot? By not moving forward with this solution, what are you leaving to chance?

3. On-/Off-Campus Experience IS Experience

Graduates, please repeat the sentences below with me, three times each:

1. Being a student *is* a job.
2. My part-time job *is* experience, even if it's unpaid.
3. My volunteer experience is experience.

In case you need more convincing: a work week is 40hrs/week. Do you spend equally as much, if not more, on your studies and whatever else you are working on to get that paper? I don't know many who haven't.

Reframing the experiences that you have accumulated as a student is a powerful way to take pride and ownership of the years you've put into education.

Put that project you've spent countless nights on in your resume or cover letter. That volunteer experience that taught you what it means to be a leader. Better yet, develop a portfolio to keep all of that in one place. It can be as simple as an Excel spreadsheet and Google Drive, or more expressive like a web page like the one that I have .

Job seeking is not the time to "play nice". Be humble, yes, but toot your horn!! Simply going through your projects and accomplishments can boost your confidence and give you an idea of what you bring to the table. It helps you keep your head up going into interviews because you know that you can explain why you're the best fit, how your academic experiences relates to the job and shush that self-doubt within you because...

4. You HAVE options AND power

I don't care what old-timers tell you about being an early career professional or graduate, that you are only worth the youth you have and nothing more.

The working world is changing. It has been for the past couple years, thanks to the many movements enacted by the younger generations.

So, know that you have power over this process. It may not feel like it now, but every 'no' you get - even from the most sought after and "dream company" - is a dodged bullet. And every "no" you issue is a vote for yourself and what you are worth.

Go into interviews knowing that. Knowing?you. What you bring to the table, what you can do, and what your limitations are. Also, be clear of what you are looking for in a job - and accept that. We all want a job that pays us well, but a job has the potential to change your life beyond monetary means. This next move can:

• propel you to greater heights
• afford you better living, and/or
• surround you with people who'll support you through.

So be clear! Are you looking for

• a well-paying job, regardless of what the job entails so that you can afford to travel and buy those nice things for yourself?
• a workplace where you can build a community and sense of belonging because your work is also your hobby?
• Maybe both, one more than the other?
• What are your non-negotiables? (For instance, do you want to go back to in-person work? 100%, or hybrid? How much of a deal breaker is this for you?)

Regardless of your criteria, having a clear direction and sense of self sets you up for a good interview experience. It comes through in the way you carry yourself, the way you speak and interact with the interviewers. More importantly, that feeling of knowing helps you reclaim the power that you have over the process.

In my case, I was able to better articulate my expectations and likewise, for interviewers to tell me theirs. It allowed transparent communication so that I could find the role and workplace that I could thrive in (and sift out the ones that don't).

And I want that for you.

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I hope this article helped you work on a better approach towards your job search process! I understand how daunting it can be… we expect a lot out of a job that takes up so much space in our lives. It is therefore even more important that you give yourself the permission to take time, effort, and grace to find that next landing spot!

In Part 2, I will share specific action steps in various stages of the application process that you can take to improve your job search. Leave a comment and let me know: did this article help? What would you like to see in the next part?

If you've learned anything from what I share, please consider making a contribution @xinyiyap on PayPal and Venmo .