Lessons I Learned From My Job Hunting Experience

I gave my first interview on 6th November 2014, even before completing my graduation in a campus recruitment. I did B.Com (Bachelor of Commerce) along with Chartered Accountancy but I couldn’t complete CA. I remember the date so well, because the very next day IPCC exams were to start.

My Mom and friends compelled me to attend the interview so I did.

My last interview was on 31st July 2015 & I got selected and I’m presently working with that company. I would like to share few things which I understood while I was on Job hunt.

Not every person who helps, does it with a good intention:

During those few months, there were people who helped me. There was this one person, once a friend of mine, who helped me and I was grateful. But he had an ulterior motive and I lost trust on him and his friendship when I came to know about it.

Lowest point of your life reveals the true nature of people around you:

There was a time when I used to focus on 2 things...1)on my studies and preparation for exams 2) constantly looking out for a job.

There was one such incident which I could never forget. Me & my friends were coming back home after an exam when I was checking for jobs on my phone. In the conversation that we had during that 2 hours, she said one thing, 'is your dad crazy?doesn't he know graduates can't get a good and decent job?’ I lost all the respect for her after that incident.

Society’s Perspective-Girls don’t deserve education and the right to work:

There were many people who came up to my parents and told them that the education I had was enough and I should get married as soon as possible.That I should not be bothered to earn money or study anymore. That it is the husband’s responsibility to earn money and not mine. But my parents never believed those and always encouraged me to complete my education. My dad always said and still does too “ the biggest gift that a parent could give to their children is education. It is the education that let’s them stand up for themselves and do something good with their lives”

Honesty-Acceptable in books but not in real life:

In all the interviews, I have been honest about my aspirations, my dream to be a CA. And there were many such incidents that made me realize...not everyone likes honesty. I was once consulted by a HR Consultancy firm and during the interview process they told me, I can never get a job if I’m so honest in my answers. And asked me to change my answers for certain questions. Which I never liked and will never like too.

It’s a rat race:

Every year there are thousands of students graduating and stepping out for a job. They enter the industry with the hope of getting a good job with a decent pay. But not everyone gets that. It is always a struggle to prove yourself for a job when there are around 50-100 or even more interviewing for the same.

Unsolicited advices- It's free & readily available:

I had many people, both friends and family, give me advices such as go for bank coaching or do your Master’s first then start looking for a job or try for government job etc. People never think twice before giving advices. So many people gave me advices even without asking,not understanding my situation or me and I used to loathe it.

Educational qualification & education system-Will never prepare student to face the real world:

I have questioned my qualification as I was offered many jobs which were not related to my education. When I wanted to be an accountant, the jobs offered were completely different. I used to wonder what is the use of getting a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce. Also, all through my schooling and college life, they taught how to present an answer to get good marks in exam but never did they prepare me for facing the world when I step out of college.

Patience & Effort- Much needed qualities:

Till the time I got this job, I gave many interviews. Met many people, observed them, interacted with them, faced rejection. Everything was necessary for me to understand the above points.

But the most important one...if we want something then we need to have the patience to work for it. No matter who helps you get the job and for that matter anything, it is always your responsibility to work on it. My patience and effort were finally rewarded but with that I learned, something which we earn by ourselves and something which is handed over to us has different importance and value in our life.

Not everyone has similar experiences in their life and my views might differ from that of others. But I believe it’s worth sharing.

Also, I strongly believe that the experiences we have, both good and bad, always gives us insight about us and everything in our life.