5 months.

20+ interviews.

Countless written tasks.

About 3-4 rejections a day.

Someone called me a scammer. Someone else called me an A-player before ghosting me for a while and then sending a default rejection email.

One MASSIVE heartbreak.

Several job offers.

One perfect match.

This is what I’d like to remember next time I look for a job. See if it helps you too.

Stay Professionally Humble, But Make Your Achievements Seen

I’ve always felt uncomfortable making achievements seem more important than they were. But I’ve seen several people being praised for far less than what I had accomplished.

And I’ve realized how important it is to present yourself in the right lighting, even if I strongly believe there’s always room for better.

So I used true facts. Real numbers. And I presented them in more detail and with more pride than I would normally had.

Specifically, instead of simply writing what I did in my CV, I added why it mattered. What difference it made in the workplace, what numbers I’ve achieved, how I brought my contribution to the team and to the company.

I started getting more interviews after this change. And it felt right to me too, since I wasn’t lying.

Not Enough Experience? Apply Anyway

Eventually, I got the job I didn’t have enough experience for. That’s because they could clearly see my passion and potential.

They know I will be involved every step of the way. And they’re right.

I’ve said it before: job requirements are… like Christmas wishes. Not everyone gets what they’re hoping for. And think of it this way: not having all the requirements means opportunities for growth.

And you want those, don’t you? Mention it in interviews.

If It Feels Off, It Is

I’ve done some loooooooong tasks. Even when I felt it wasn’t worth it.

There are jobs that tell you they are going to use your work regardless of whether you’re selected or not. And there are others that pressure you to finish quickly and act like it’s a normal thing.

My piece of advice: look over the tasks. Do you think it’s worth the effort or are you having second thoughts?

I emailed one company that was pressuring me to finish the tasks fast. I told them such detailed case studies and marketing strategies should be paid for.

At this point, I had had enough.

Every Rejection Only Gets You Closer to the Right Job

I got used to rejections quickly. I learned to skim the text to the part where they rejected me.

But one specific rejection broke my heart.

I had done 4 interviews with them (including a test task) and I was scheduled for a 5th one.

Nothing on their side to complain about. Only positive feedback and good time spent together.

I fell in love with the product and supported them everywhere (and I still do).

The HR person scheduled a sudden call with me. I didn’t suspect anything cause I was somehow sure the job was almost mine. He called to tell me the job had been given to someone who lived physically closer to the rest of the team, although it was a 100% remote job.

Location was the only reason I didn’t get chosen. And it broke my heart.

But kudos to the HR person who was incredibly sweet and gentle with my feelings.

It was the first time it was hard to believe something better was coming. But I had to keep going, after a long cry. And I did.

Unless You Need a Job ASAP, Don’t Accept One You’re Not Excited About

It’s weird to complain about how hard it is to find a job and then reject an opportunity, isn’t it?

I’ve felt guilty about this. But accepting a job for the sake of having one isn’t what I need at this point in my life.

I need stability, trust, and to do my job with passion and with a sense of fair payment. So I was willing and able to turn down some offers that didn’t seem right.

Learn, Believe, Reward Yourself

Finding the right job is a long and stressful journey. It’s really, REALLY hard. So don’t be hard on yourself for being on this journey for a long time. On average, it takes around 6 months, but of course it depends on the field of work, location, timing.

With so much you can’t control, it’s important to stay focused on what you can control and not lose yourself in the process.

Dedicate a Given Time-Frame to Job Hunting

It doesn’t have to be non-stop, like I was mistakenly doing at some point. It becomes very tiring to do job hunting as a full-time job. And it’s not as productive as using job alerts and browsing offers with a fresh mind.

Expand Your Search and Experiment Being More Specific

There’s no recipe for finding a job. Which means it’s up to you to make it your own. Sometimes defining your role and experience does the trick. Other times, it’s expanding the search to new industries or locations.

My search included “creative” “copywriter” “content” “marketing” “branding”. I wanted a remote job, but I looked over hybrid ones to find those that didn’t ask for very frequent office visits. I looked for jobs in the EU, UK, USA, Romania, my town, Bucharest. See how you can expand your search or define your role more accurately.

When Getting No Rewards, Reward Yourself

You’re doing a fantastic job in itself looking for one! Don’t you ever forget it!

I know it can feel in vain when results don’t appear no matter how hard you’re trying. So I’ve learned it’s important to reward yourself. It can be as simple as an hour dedicated to a hobby. A cup of hot chocolate prepared with care. A walk.

I was spoiled with a coffee machine I wanted. And I bought myself a drawing pad.

It was hard, but I allowed myself to feel I deserved them.

And the truth is I did.

Keep Learning New Things

I find learning new things to give me a boost of confidence. And hey, it’s a new diploma to brag with on social media. Not all learning has to be used as proof, though. I enjoyed Duolingo. It gave me a sense of achievement.

I also liked audiobooks on Everand. And free Google Analytics courses.

Use every interview to improve your next one. What could you do better next time?

The goal isn’t to be accepted the first time you apply to a job, but to become the person who’s most likely to get accepted, in general.

And you’ll do it gradually, by learning to give good answers, presenting yourself in the right lighting, becoming aware of achievements and learning your worth. You’ve got this. Keep going!