The whole job market situation can be depressing at times. The ways companies hire workers basically in slave roles just to save on the bottom line rather than provide actual job satisfaction.
I'm fortunate because my friend actually opened up a door to submit my resume at his company. Last week I interviewed for a position as an Audit Specialist and was given an offer on Monday, which I promptly took. My first salaried position with benefits ever, making way more money.
Since May of last year I've been working a data entry job in healthcare enrollment that I've been content with in the sense of working in an office setting, being left mostly to my own devices, not having to talk with people on phones or perform any sort of customer service role, having friendly leadership and a diverse work environment, being close to home, etc. However, the big frustration is that the job only paid $12 an hour because it was through a temp agency, where the same exact position but on the official company payroll (that is, the permanent/full-time version) paid something like $18 an hour with a benefits package. Coming to work every day knowing that you're doing the same work as others (basically) but having an agency absorb a third of your paycheck was certainly heartbreaking. But, again the job was the most tolerable one I've had yet and as embarrassing as it is, $12 an hour is the most I've ever been paid.
That's why I jumped on the opportunity to move elsewhere. I believe that my connection helped out but the interview went well too. I've had bad interviews and I know what they're like; this one was more natural. Though I still got tripped up by a couple of the questions. Like, I prepare for the "what is your weakness?" question, sure, but the interviewer asked "what are three things that you are trying to work on?" and I could pretty much only think of two. I hate feeling cornered like that and feeling forced to conjure up half-true answers on the spot.
But anyway, for the first time in my life I feel truly accomplished because a company has shown genuine desire for me, enough to offer a salaried position. After slaving away at my current company hoping they would open a door to full-time glory, I had to strike while the iron was hot and while I actually had some motivation.
The worst experiences were in college, though, interviewing for co-op positions. I had five years and I never once interviewed successfully. Well, I shouldn't say that; the one time I did have a successful interview was a fluke and they realized within the training period that they didn't even want me and let me go. Soul crushing indeed.
I hope from now on I have it a bit easier since I'm building better connections and credentials, but man, it's no easy task to be marketable and it's no easy task to actually find desirable career options at desirable companies. Getting interviews isn't so simple either and interviewing is one of the toughest things you can do, because no matter how confident you might be there's always a curveball just waiting to be thrown. All you can do is study, practice, and hope for the best.
