I am never going to get my dream job!
In my previous article Why I Have 0 Friends, I described my reasons for not having friends. Go ahead to see the reason behind this title.
I approached this from a bigger perspective. According to a survey of 2,000 people, 9 out of 10 people are not in their dream careers (Bailey, 2018). This is a very high number, as the article highlights people are in roles that are not desirable or ideal. While the pandemic raged havoc, it left young people giving up on their career aspirations (Mckeever, 2020). From gaining experience to planning what’s next, it’s a maze that seems to have no exit. Let’s take a look at the three possible reasons.
Experience is the first major factor, as many companies advertise jobs with ridiculous experience requirements. At first, this may not seem a problem, but it eventually becomes a brick wall, leaving people confused about where to begin. A recent survey suggests that of 4 million ‘entry-level’ jobs posted on Linkin, 35% ask for prior work experience (Morgon,2021.) It is a predicament people face(including myself), as it seems like starting your career journey should be the easiest part, but in reality, it's the hardest. Forbes suggests following the 70% rule, which allows people to apply if they feel they meet that percentage of the criteria. (Collamer,2014.) This could be beneficial, although I believe this rule would not make significant progress (from someone who just applies for anything.)
Unfortunately, there are certain industries that have shifted away from having certain qualifications or experience and instead rely on your connections. Even though this is somewhat similar to having more experience, it heavily relies on people knowing each other to gain quick access to their chosen careers and to get more jobs due to ‘working with them before’ or ‘good reputation.’ A survey (2,00 people asked) found that 4 in 5 people secured a job because of who they knew more than what they knew. This is a surprisingly high amount but the figure of 80% want to secure a job because what they knew contradicts what is going on within the real world (Winter,2022.) The creative industry is the main culprit of this way of hiring however as highlighted above there are many other sectors that fall into this category. While I understand the reasoning behind this method, it’s grueling for newbies leading to many giving up on their dreams.
The last reason is a subtle one: a lack of self-confidence and hope. The cause of this may be ongoing rejections or the feeling that you are comparing yourself to others. Forbes states that any “boss wants to hire a person who they feel is a positive, motivated, enthusiastic, and can-do person who gets things done” (Kelly,2018.) Everyone has heard about having a positive mindset, approaching life thinking “I am the best” and various other confidence/relaxation techniques, but research has shown that it works. A poll from 2015 highlighted that 1 in 5 people feel their self-confidence was the reason behind them failing to find work (Gentle, 2015) but when job depression is a reality with 56% say they’ve experienced more emotional or mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, due to their unemployment,(Wooll,2021) how can people build on their self-confidence? As rejections build, self-confidence lacks, and it becomes tough to keep that self-confidence positive attitude that many crave. For me, it does take other people to remind me to keep going, and hearing I’m doing somewhat okay is always reassuring. Though just when writing this my self-confidence affected a job interview that I had.
When further looking at this self-confidence issue; nothing can prepare you when leaving education or trying to get that first step in. Perhaps it’s just me, but I believe we all have this notion that everything works out smoothly and in the end. Ultimately, we’re all just trying to get by. This is mindblowing when hearing that from 2,000 American surveyed, 43% are currently in their childhood dream and landing their dream job aged 23 (Melore,2021.) Whenever I find myself comparing my life to other people I know or facts that I find online, I’m reminded that everyone is different and just getting by. Everyone is different, feeling different, and going on different paths it's terrifying when little progress is being made but for some, it's a marathon and not a spirit to your final destination.
We have all heard the saying “once you get a job, it's easier to get another.” As research has proven that there is a stigma of unemployment as people that are employed are more likely to land a role (Ho, Shih, Walters, and Pittinsky, 2012) Can you argue that the best person is getting the role? This can also be seen in wider society, it's hard to shake these views on people as they could be trying the hardest and being judged for no reason. I added this paragraph because I hope next year I will update if this is true and it's something that is impacting me as I personally know I am trying my best and not appreciating the negative views.
The Update
Lastly, when writing last year's article, it was during the covid pandemic when everyone felt somewhat trapped/lonely; those feelings were the main concern for me. I still (more than ever) stand by those points highlighted in the previous article but from the viewpoint that I’ve stopped caring. When it comes to having fun, I found that nothing is stopping me from doing what I want to do. Currently, now the issue is trying to achieve something that’s sadly ‘unachievable.’ I will keep trying with hopes in next year's article I can focus on something else.
In the end, it's all about just sticking to it and keep pushing on. Maybe I am still optimistic, not focused on my final destination (not certain), or as my parents say “not living in the real world.” As even though the title suggests otherwise…you never know…right?
Find attached my video CV.
References
Grant, Bailey. (2018). MAJORITY OF BRITONS STILL NOT WORKING IN THEIR DREAM JOB, STUDY CLAIMS. Available from: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/majority-britons-dream-job-millennials-working-environment-a8655936.html. [Accessed: 29/3/2022].
Gentle, Stuart. (2015). New research reveals ‘confidence crisis’ in the workplace. Available from: https://www.onrec.com/news/statistics-and-trends/new-research-reveals-confidence-crisis-in-the-workplace. [Accessed: 8/6/2022].
Ho, G., Shih, M., Walters, D. and Pittinsky, T., 2012. The Psychological Stigma of Unemployment: When joblessness leads to being jobless. Academy of Management Proceedings, 2012(1), p.15371.
Kate Morgan. (2021). ‘Entry-level’ jobs used to be the way for new graduates to enter the workforce. But many are now requiring prior experience... Available from: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210916-why-inexperienced-workers-cant-get-entry-level-jobs. [Accessed: 31/3/2022].
Kelly, Jack. (2020). Self-Confidence Leads To Success In Your Job Search And Career — Here’s How You Can Start. Available from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2020/08/24/self-confidence-leads-to-success-in-your-job-search-and-career-heres-how-you-can-start/. [Accessed: 8/6/2022].
Melore, Chris. (2021). 43% of Americans say they’re working their ‘dream job’ from childhood. Available from: https://www.studyfinds.org/childhood-dream-job-americans/. [Accessed: 9/6/2022].
Nancy Collamer. (2014). Why So Many Job Postings Are So Ridiculous. Available from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2014/09/22/why-so-many-job-postings-are-so-ridiculous/. [Accessed: 31/3/2022].
Vicky, Mckeever. (2020). Young people are giving up on their dream job due to the pandemic, British study finds. Available from: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/29/under-25s-are-giving-up-on-their-dream-job-due-to-the-pandemic.html. [Accessed: 29/3/2022].
Winter, Martin. (2022). Most adults believe it really is who you know that helps you get ahead in business. Available from: https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/jobs/who-you-know-get-ahead-26163238. [Accessed: 31/5/2022].
Wool, Maggie. (2021). Job search depression is real: Here’s how to overcome it. Available from: https://www.betterup.com/blog/job-search-depression. [Accessed: 8/6/2022].