After ending university on a high note, collecting my degree, getting off the stage, saying goodbye to my family and friends, changing my clothes in the car and running to the airport–I know it sounds like a movie scene, but it really did happen that way. I dove, no, flew headfirst into the job market in a new country. Let me be honest, I knew the grass wasn’t greener on the other side, but I still expected some to be there. Instead, it felt like I was tasked with searching for a yellow needle in a haystack while blindfolded.

The Wild Ride of Rejection & Discovery

I’ve been in the US for the better part of a year, and I’ve been job hunting way before the plane landed. After what feels like a gazillion resume overhauls, I’ve received a handful of interviews and two job offers here. But according to my LinkedIn Applied section, I’ve applied to 25 pages’ worth of job postings. Of those 25 pages, I’ve been interviewed by a few, offered jobs by none, and ghosted or rejected by several. 

I’ve tried Indeed, LinkedIn, government job boards, regular Google searches for jobs, reaching out to my network in person and online, joining an email group, and sending cold emails to companies and individuals both inside and outside of the industry for resume reviews, general advice, and upskilling support. I even went as far as taking a targeted approach, focusing on specific organizations and applying for multiple roles while tailoring my resume to be more specific to each job posting.

This has resulted in me being rejected from all kinds of jobs – Administrative Assistant, Marketing Assistant, PR Intern, Communications Specialist, Content Writer, Receptionist, Sales Associate – you name it, I probably applied for it. Even positions where my experience almost entirely mirrored the preferred qualifications of the organization, to the point where it felt uncanny! Like divine intervention, as if this job was carved out for me – and yeah, I still got rejected. I guess that moment was akin to seeing an oasis in the desert.

A couple months ago, I was having a conversation with a friend, and we recited rejection emails to each other almost verbatim from memory! I might have to create a post about how those emails are structured. I have some notes for these orgs.

Is “Rejection Email Writer/Reviewer” a job? Are they hiring for that? The point is the rejection stuck with us.

What complicates my job search further is that, during this time, I’ve been referred to, interviewed for, and offered jobs back home in my area of study, which I turned down. I know, I know, let’s not talk about it. So apparently, I’m qualified somewhere, but it just doesn’t feel that way here. 

The Art of Staying Curious and Persistent

This might start to sound like a LinkedIn post, but here’s what I’ve learned: persistence is key! Yes, I’m not where I want or would’ve hoped to be, but I’m much further along than when I just started. Apart from aspiring to find my place in the Communications space, I aspire to be as persistent as a toddler who just wants to know why.

“Why don’t I have the job I think I’m qualified for?”

“What more do you want from my resume?”

“Why is this application so long?”

More recently, I updated my resume to meet Applicant Tracking System (ATS) compliance standards (that’s a blog post for another day), while ensuring that it could still impress a human reviewer. But even with those adjustments, the emotional rollercoaster of rejection is one that can truly test your self-worth, your belief in your skills and abilities, and your mental health.

If you were to ask me what keeps me going, I would probably say, “I’m not sure.” Then I’d rethink it and say, “I refuse to believe that this is the end of my story. Maybe I’m just stubborn, but I just cannot settle for this.” The LinkedIn post answer is this: the lessons that I’ve taken from that rejection are what keep me going. Building connections, learning to talk yourself up to people without sounding too cocky, and being humble enough to ask for advice can set you apart. 

The Start of Something…BLew

I recently finished a book, Murder on Millionaires’ Row by Erin Lindsey, and I resonated with the main character Rose Gallagher, in the moment when she was asked what she wanted out of life. Her response was simple “More.” That stuck with me because that sums up my feelings–there’s always more to seek, experience and achieve.

So here we are–this blog, my space, born out of the confusion and frustration of my job hunt but driven by my curiosity and hunger for more. It’s where I share thoughts, ask questions about the things that intrigue me, and hopefully connect with others. Expect some industry talk, some dramatics, and lots of authenticity.

It won’t be a formal ride– but I do hope to keep it honest while I figure things out. 

Follow me on Instagram @herblewprint to stay updated.