Good Job Hunting
2017-04-12
It’s easy to find a job, but not always a good one. People have different definitions of good jobs. I don’t know about others, but for me, a professional xxx is all I’ve been thinking about. But the reality, which I only get to know when I’m seriously hunting for a job, is harsh.Roughly, half my class have got offers or have signed contract, the other half are still searching. As we were talking about this yesterday, a girl from another department pointed out that almost all the boys have found jobs, only the girls are struggling. From what I can see, gender is a factor employers consider, but not always a deciding one. After all, boys only constitute a small fraction of foreign language students. But the feeling that it is difficult to find a proper job is shared by all those still unemployed.
Here’s my experience. I received few offers of interview for the hundreds of resumes sent. Sometimes I thought they were never viewed. They were just like stones dropped into the sea. I checked and revised my resume time and again and also asked for advice, but things didn’t improve much. For those I did have interviews, I found both the companies and positions disappointing to me. I sat for the national civil servants examination last year but nothing good came out of that: I was terrible at that kind of tests and was not really well-prepared. As time went by, I got frustrated and started to lower my expectations and applied for jobs that I knew I didn’t want to do.
The struggle is: to choose what you like or to settle on what’s good for you (or to be practical) because the two don’t always come together. I’ve never thought about hukou before but was reminded of its importance by two close friends. One of them very much hopes to find a job that offers her BJ hukou. When she finally managed to land one, she wasn’t sure whether to take it or not as the work was not quite desirable. The other wanted to be a teacher in SH but was unsure of herself. We talked on Wechat last night. I thought she would make a great teacher because she’s got a very loving and kind character. Both of them forward recruitment information to me from time to time, encouraging me to keep faith and keep trying.
Here’s my experience. I received few offers of interview for the hundreds of resumes sent. Sometimes I thought they were never viewed. They were just like stones dropped into the sea. I checked and revised my resume time and again and also asked for advice, but things didn’t improve much. For those I did have interviews, I found both the companies and positions disappointing to me. I sat for the national civil servants examination last year but nothing good came out of that: I was terrible at that kind of tests and was not really well-prepared. As time went by, I got frustrated and started to lower my expectations and applied for jobs that I knew I didn’t want to do.
The struggle is: to choose what you like or to settle on what’s good for you (or to be practical) because the two don’t always come together. I’ve never thought about hukou before but was reminded of its importance by two close friends. One of them very much hopes to find a job that offers her BJ hukou. When she finally managed to land one, she wasn’t sure whether to take it or not as the work was not quite desirable. The other wanted to be a teacher in SH but was unsure of herself. We talked on Wechat last night. I thought she would make a great teacher because she’s got a very loving and kind character. Both of them forward recruitment information to me from time to time, encouraging me to keep faith and keep trying.
They also advised me to just pick one job if no ideal offer come by the time I officially graduate, and change to better ones later when there are opportunities. They made good points. Hukou, home, stability, medical insurance and children’s education. But I can feel the strong resistance within whenever I start to think about this option.
Luckily I met someone. An alumna who graduated five years ago. She shared her story. It was not easy for her either and she got a job pretty late but stayed on it for only twenty days. Then she started over and has been doing what she’s doing now since. And she’s doing great.
I knew what I wanted to do all along but didn’t got the courage. She gave me that. My mom was a bit concerned though as I might face more uncertainties and instabilities choosing this career path, but she can be easily persuaded.
Job hunting is a struggle for many of us. Some are not clear about what they want. Some decided to play it safe. Some gave in to tough realities. More fight. I will.
Luckily I met someone. An alumna who graduated five years ago. She shared her story. It was not easy for her either and she got a job pretty late but stayed on it for only twenty days. Then she started over and has been doing what she’s doing now since. And she’s doing great.
I knew what I wanted to do all along but didn’t got the courage. She gave me that. My mom was a bit concerned though as I might face more uncertainties and instabilities choosing this career path, but she can be easily persuaded.
Job hunting is a struggle for many of us. Some are not clear about what they want. Some decided to play it safe. Some gave in to tough realities. More fight. I will.
To quote Lisao, the journey is long, but I’ll search up and down.
It would be nice to be your friend, by the way. My wechat ID is 15526869310, and if you like, we can meet there.
Don't tell me a lady like you cannot find a desirable job, since your English in my opinion is at a certain level? Which kind of job do you prefer?
Comment