So you went to the career fair. You felt overwhelmed and the entire experience made you more stressed for your future than you were before. You feel a bit lost. You’re not alone.
First and foremost, breathe. The job-search process is very stressful, and sometimes we forget
to take a second and just breathe. In order to think clearly, you have to relax yourself, creating a
calm state of mind. Make sure to practice methods for alleviating stress, such as taking walks,
meditation, or just hanging out with friends.
Another thing to remember is that you have more time than you think. People tend to rush to
find job experiences, making you feel compelled to rush as well. The environment we are in can
be very competitive, and it is important to remember that you must forge your own career path:
take your time to figure out what you want.
On Rejection
Rejection can be very difficult. However, it is best to never take these things personally. Doing
so will result in a lot of unneeded mental pressure and emotional strain; taking things like these
personally gets tiring. It is not your fault; it’s okay that this happened, it’s understanding that you
would be upset.
If this process ever becomes too stressful or strenuous, there are many resources on campus
available if you need someone to talk to. These resources include EARS, CAPS, or other
mental health professionals at Cornell Health.
Remedying Your Situation
Networking
Networks are such an important factor in a job search. 85% of hires are the result of networking!
Use your connections to find your dream position. Reaching out and finding your support
network can also be useful if you are in a time of need.
Set Goals
A system of goal-setting is integral to an effective job-search routine. By creating
specific objectives throughout your job search you ensure that you are consistently
working towards something and using your time productively. Use SMART (Specific,
Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound goals). This is done so that you focus
less on things that have yet to be defined, and focus more on what you can do to define
it. Do small things, worrying about big things like what job you want is not going to be
helpful, focus on resume perfection, honing skills, etc. Figure out who you are, what you
want, and what interests you first. Applying to something just for the name is not helpful
if it is not interesting to you. Talking to advisors and older, knowledgeable, and
trustworthy peers is very helpful as well!