Three things you need to find your next job

As I joined IRI recently, I tell you, it has been a hell of a ride navigating through grad school in the US, looking for a job abroad,  surviving a pandemic, and living through social and economic crises all at the same time.

Today my words intend to give some perspective to all of us, Class 2020’ or even unemployed people due the current situation. It is OK. It will be OK. As the Alchemist from Paulo Coelho says: “When you want something all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

Beautiful sentences that you might be tired of hearing if you are on the job-hunting side but to be honest the most precious tips, I can share with you are resilience, discipline, and humility.

I could tell you all the ways to prepare to interview (which I have already shared HERE and HERE) but after so many interviews, challenges, and tests, these seem to be the most important things to retain.

1.Resilience because no matter how many NOs I got, (I trust me, I got a lot of NOs), I never stopped trying even when I cried over the phone with my friends saying I was starting to doubt myself and my capacities. Not even when COVID exploded and everyone said it was impossible to get a job (actually, I did all my interviews for IRI when we were already in quarantine). I did get more than one offer during this terrible period. And if I can, SO CAN YOU.

2. Discipline because for months I got up and sent resumes, changing and profiling details on them. Reviewing cover letters and making connections I thought could lead me to an interview. I recorded and repeated my speeches/ story endless times. I developed personal projects related to the companies I interviewed with. And prepared for cases and code challenges. I am not a machine – no one is but I did the best I could to improve every day.     

3. Humility because I always liked to remain myself and where I come from. I always stayed true to my experiences and past career in marketing because I saw value in everything I did before my career change. I think one of the biggest mistakes we make is trying to know everything, which is impossible. Acknowledging our strengths, valuing them, and working around our weakness become a complete game changer for me.

Please, feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.

I hope you found this helpful.

Daniela