A Labyrinth called Job Search

Why a Labyrinth?

Job search has never been easy, and it never will be. Some say it’s “a bumpy ride” although “a labyrinth” is more appropriate to justify my case.

That’s what a job search is: a long, complicated journey with uncountable uncertainties, risks and dead-ends.

And you never know you're on the wrong route until you walked into one!

Let's Start with my Architectural Background.

I was set to graduate (Master of Architecture) in July 2018. I am a foreign student and therefore required a work visa. It made more sense to pay for a visa only if I'm in favour of landing a job, yes?

With this mindset, I’ve planned my career path in late 2017: prepare and email all the necessities of a job hunt (CV, cover letter and portfolio) during my final semester.

Fingers crossed, I can secure a position by the time I graduate.

However, my final semester had been much busier than anticipated as I struggled to attain my own expectation of grades. I may have maintained my grades, however, I accomplished nothing from my career plan.

*sighs*

After my visa application process (which underwent almost a month), I focused 101% on my job search. Starting with the bread and butter of job search, which is:

The CV, cover letter and portfolio. The trinity of job search in the creative industry!

I also revamped my LinkedIn profile, grind every architectural firm on Google... and the list goes on.

I then set the quota to send at least five applications per week. Only one per day: this is quite a lenient effort, yes?

It didn’t take me long to realise my quota is an unrealistic target. Upon researching the “do’s and don’ts of any job-hunting”, I comprehend the importance of tailoring each application to suit the company profile.

My CV and portfolio require major customisation. For instance, if the firm primarily undertakes residential projects, then I will include mostly residential (or similar) projects in my portfolio.

For my cover letter, I used the buzzwords according to the firm’s philosophy (from their website)

That is extensive data to be analysed and a humongous amount of research.

They are not difficult—just tedious. And tedious works are inevitably lengthy.

I resort to the quota of at least three applications per week. One month passed, and no luck.

Through the job openings, I noticed their palpable hiring pattern: their pre-requisites were so identical as though they copy-pasted from one another. Here is also where I fall short:

I do not fulfil any of the positions' pre-requisite... can I even get hired?

Pre-requisite number one: prior work experiences that always amount to years, even if the position is a “junior” or “fresh grad” position.

Talk about absurdity. Some even emphasised having local work experience.

I have nothing to begin with since I only have one month’s worth of internship experience in this foreign country.

No doubt, this is a monumental stumbling block for me

Then came pre-requisite number two: software knowledge. Apparently, the current software that I used is considered “old-school” and thus, “outdated”.

Certainly, the software that cruised me to my graduation can still bring food to my table in this country, yes?

I still applied, nevertheless.

Then I had my first interview!

The interviewer, an architect himself, asked me about my knowledge and practical experience with this software.

There you go, pre-requisite number one and two in a single shot. I’m honest to declare my basic knowledge of this software, and his following sentence was:

"We require someone with extensive experience in this software. Let’s cut this interview short so we don’t waste each other’s time." -interviewer in the first 10 minutes

Oh. Uh.. alright. Thank you for the (brutal) honesty?

Despite failing the interview, I now knew the dead-ends of my labyrinth: practical work and software experience.

While I cannot do anything about my lack of work experience, I can control my software knowledge.

"When you can’t change the direction of the wind – adjust your sails." -H. Jackson Brown

It's time to learn everything all over again

I signed up for online tutorials and courses: YouTube, LinkedIn Learning, Lynda.com, you name it. Next, I explored and experimented even further by reproducing all of my portfolio projects via the new software.

Does this mean I have to redo my entire portfolio?

Yes.

This redoing effort alone easily took me two months. Compiling them into my new portfolio is another story.

Considering all the time and effort spent, I should have better luck...?

*deep breath*

No. I'm still in the mountain of rejection.

I persistently emailed my applications even when I'm still re-creating my projects. As per usual, most of my applications fell on deaf (virtual) ears (of the firm’s email system). The rest were rejected emails.

By now, I've signed up for more than one employment platform yet the results were more than disappointing. Since there is no luck around...

I have to be flexible and creative to secure my dream job.

I expanded my target location to other states: I am willing to move somewhere a four-hour flight away simply for a Graduate offer. Despite this, I still fall into the same pile of rejections: both direct and silent ones.

One firm invited me to an interstate interview that is 2.5 hours flight away.

In this labyrinth of job search, a wrong choice is better than completely missing it... simply because I cannot see where and how each choice will end.

I accepted the interview and flew straight away.

While being off-state, I also seized the opportunity to visit as many firms as I can... on foot. All just for brief self-introduction and dropping my flyers of CV and portfolio snapshots.

As for the interview, it was nothing worth being excited about, despite how fervently I tried to portray myself. My body was expressing enthusiasm but the soul in me just... fell flat.

I returned the next day and stopped anticipating any outcomes from this effort. Sure enough, the firm's reply was:

"We are concerned with your software skill and work experience."

All the effort and money spent are washed away by the mere 10 words.

If you think this rejection is bad enough, it is not. Because another firm rejected me merely 30 minutes after I emailed my application, saying:

"We require someone with more practical experience." -employer's response merely 30 minutes after I sent my job application

At the same time, I also attended various networking events. One of them is volunteering as a “Graduate Spotlight” candidate.

Promoting (selling) myself enthusiastically (shamelessly) in front of a crowd of professionals.

The presentation went swimmingly well—unfortunately, I received zero offers. Imagine devoting an inspiring speech to multiple impasses.

Desperation grasped me, and depression was not far behind.

But what else can I do, really? I have done everything that one can think of!

Without realising, I’ve stepped into the festive season of the year: Christmas. I graduated in July and now it’s December.

It's been six months.

I’m still unemployed.

...

One week into December 2018, I was shortlisted for another interview that seemed to be the last interview of the year. Officially unemployed for half a year; this labyrinth had been so arduous that I am too disheartened to count the number of walls I've bumped into.

I still attended the interview anyway.

The supposedly formal interview suddenly took a surprise turn when we started chatting.

The interviewers chatted about their firm’s projects, I voiced my opinion on several architectural paradigms and issues.

I then waved them goodbye—and forget everything the moment the lift doors shut.

These interviews enlightened me in a myriad of things; one of them is to move on after the interview. The actual battle is during the interview itself; there's only that much you can do.

Once it is accomplished, let it go. Stop pondering about it. Instead, focus on the next steps.

My next steps...

The very next day, I broke down.

All the efforts for nought?

Have I wasted all and my family's investment on my postgraduate fees and work visa?

What am I lacking?

Maybe I've done something wrong somewhere?

Maybe I'm a fool for being optimistic?

Or maybe...

I'm just not good enough?

I am suffocated in depression. Every exhale I made is a heavy sigh of despair.

How heavy—how lonely.

I refused dinner invitations and family calls because I know what they'll ask and my answer will always be "No, I am still unemployed."

As much as I appreciate everyone's concern and moral support....

But it was me in the labyrinth of job search.

My repeating answer to their innocent question slowly becomes a mantra of my failures.

Desperate, I turned to my priest for confession where he suggested joining his church's youth gathering. I was reluctant at first, though I decided to give it a go in the eleventh hour.

Sometimes... a last-minute decision is all it takes to shed some light on any unknown paths ahead.

I resonated deeply with the host's sharing. Their praise and worship lifted my mood. One of their songs miraculously strikes a chord.

The glimpses of hope that flashed through my eyes; the strength to persevere that filled the void in me: that moment is truly spiritual and beyond phenomenal.

I was far from recovery; at least I am not sinking deeper into depression.

Even though I am still in this labyrinth of job search... I don't feel alone.

I was still at the youth gathering's dinner when I finally checked my email for the first time since the last interview.

A new email from the most recent interview—and I maintained an impassive face.

Another rejection? Not that it’s going to hurt any further, will it? I am inundated with rejections and failures anyway.

I clicked it and it reads:

“Dear [my name], could you forward a phone number so I can call to discuss the position? Regards.”

...

Am I—accepted?

I read it again.

Yes, I am.

I am—finally—offered a Graduate position.

After six months of my graduation. After all the labyrinth of tears and emotions. After climbing out from the desolated pit that I dug along the way.

I can finally taste the fruit that I sowed.

.

.

.

You may have felt by now that I have gone through a lot. Indeed, I have done so many. A bit too much, some may say... the plethora of attempts and hard labour. I may have been extremely hard on myself, but I regretted nothing because I've learned a whole lot more.

It doesn't matter how detailed I've prepared for, or how well I've presented during battle, because... the results were more often at the mercy of someone else.

I cannot control everything, so the best I can do is to do my part to the fullest.

Realising this truth is one thing; mustering the strength to surf side-by-side with it is another.

Instead of sulking, I embraced them. I realised the further I ventured down this labyrinth, the clearer I can see the ends of each course.

Throughout this journey, I realised the strength to endure these hardships stems from:

The balance of hardship and loving yourself.

I strongly believe there are times when you should be hard on yourself: challenge your mindset and push yourself further.

It's only by stepping out of your comfort zone that you get to see which path works best for you (personally!) and which one allows you to shine.

Simultaneously, you should be sensitive to your own limits.

Listen to your mind—stop when you’re at the edge of your breaking point. Step back, analyse, re-muster your strength and act.

Turn back if you have to. Consider another avenue, even if it’s the one you skipped earlier.

Don’t head-butt a dead-end! Remember, you’re still in the same labyrinth and you’ll end up even more lost than you were at the start.

I cherish the dualism of hardship and love that now dwells within me.

I may not have mastered it, but at the very least it guides me to continue living meaningfully.

Manoeuvring my way from a Graduate position to a qualified Architect is another labyrinth but hey, at least now I am more prepared for the battle!

Disclaimer:

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