I Applied to 53 Jobs and Received 1 Offer Letter. Here's Why.
Here's the scoop:
As a graduate student, I had done an internship that I didn't exactly love over the summer, and I didn't want to get stuck in a job that I would hate after college. So, I started job searching in the summer and didn't get any offers for several months!
I was sure I did everything right! Great resume, internships with federal government agencies, and Fortune 100 companies, extracurricular activities, and leadership roles. So, why was I not getting any job offers after graduation?
I was due to graduate with my Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in May, so far without any job offers, and I had tried every trick in the book to get a callback:
- I prepared for each interview, prepped questions, and jokes if needed.
- Researched the interviewers and the companies.
- Followed up with a HANDWRITTEN thoughtful thank you message after each interview.
Finally, as I took my midterm exams, my first and only offer letter came via email. I could've done a backflip right in the middle of the library! It was a perfect dream job offer, and I could finally stop stressing. It wasn't until months later; I realized that those job rejections were not because of something I was lacking; those companies did not meet the criteria I specified.
I had a specific criterion for the job I wanted:
- Starting Salary $60,000 or above
- Rotational Program
- Flexible Work Schedule
- Big City Location
- CPA Assistance
I didn't realize it at the time, but I put an intentional request out into the Universe. Those rejections were the Universe blocking me from accepting a job offer that was less than what I asked. Thank you, Universe!
My only job offer had EVERYTHING on my list. The universe delivered my ask and eliminated anything that did not align with it. Now, I'm almost a year into my first job and beyond grateful for how things have turned out! All this to say, BE CLEAR WITH YOUR GOALS AND NEEDS. If you are not clear about your goals, you will get distracted and accept mediocrity.
Tell the Universe precisely WHAT you want, HOW you want it, and WHEN. Put that exact energy into the world and watch the Universe give you the tools you need to receive it.