Dear Students, Job Hunting Will Not Be Easy

Today I mourn over the fact that as an adult, I now need to pay for my own 3-in-1 Milo packets (cries). All I can do is pray that the office's coffee machine provides good Milo...

After completing four internships, several part time jobs and having taken up multiple leadership roles, I expected that the job-hunting process would be relatively easy. I know it wouldn't be a walk in a park, but I didn't expect my parade to be rained on; not only did it rain, Elsa buried me in a freaking 20-inch snow storm. If my funny analogies didn't get through you: it was tough (very tough) landing a job.

The saving grace? Knowing I'm not alone. The unemployment rate is a national concern, with politicians (by politicians I mean Syed Saddiq) proposing different methods on how to help youths in this area e.g. a pro-youth budget, keeping the retirement age at 60, and just creating job opportunities - seemingly out of thin air, so if your friend gets an abstract role like being a "Christmas ornament consultant", just... don't ask.

The reality is that if you're looking to land yourself a job in a good company, recruiters would expect a lot from you. When I was interning as a recruiter, I learnt that filtering resumes can take less than 10 seconds: If you don't have good grades? Out (although some companies are revamping this elimination process). If you don't have leadership experiences or are not pro-active when it comes to co-curricular activities? Out. If you're in your second-year of university and haven't done any previous internships or volunteering work or part time work? KIV (keep in view). Most importantly, are you a good communicator?

So you have top-notch grades, were the president of your society, did tons of volunteering work and communicate fabulously - well, so do hundreds (if not thousands) of other applicants. I kid you not, it is a very competitive world.

I write this in hopes that if you're a student, you would now have time to prepare yourself and to really beautify your resume. It's not too late, but it is very necessary for you to start now. Know that it is also not doing something for the sake of doing, but adopting a drivenness to know more about the industry and to also know more about what you truly want for yourself - if you would like to read more, I wrote an article on why internships are important. It's having the humility the learn from people who are actually already in the workplace. It's having the desire to acquire more knowledge beyond classroom walls and textbook theories. It's about wanting to grow.

I write this in hopes of giving you hope, that it will be a tough process, but you will figure it out. Two nights ago I was panicking over a job offer (and it took a good three months to actually come to this stage) - that although I was given the initial offer, the confirmation depended on the results of a pre-medical checkup. It's been weeks and they have yet to revert if I am physically "fit for work" (I peed in a cup for the first time, which was lowkey exciting; and I'm more terrified about being unemployed than having health concerns). I decided to surrender it to God and thought "if this doesn't work out, God will provide, I will be where I need to be", I didn't want to be overwhelmed any longer. I called to follow up and was sent an offer immediately. God will provide, and God will plant you where you need to be - be rest assured, find peace in Him.

I write this in hopes that I will always remember this period of my life, and to show empathy to those who will have to go through it. To help and ease others through this transitions, just like how my friends have helped me. To never look down on fresh grads and to dismiss their concerns, to not see resumes as empty souls, but to realize that behind every CV is a person with desires and needs.

If you need more guidance on where/how to start, feel free to reach out!