My job search journey. Part 1

Hello everyone! Here is my post about how I was searching my first IT job. I have divided story into 3 parts, here is part 1. Hope you will like it.

I have started job searching process during my final year in Oslo and Akershus university college in 2016(which now become OsloMet University). I had been employed as a part-time shop assistant in a grocery store since 2012, but time passed away, I and my girlfriend had got a child and I almost finished my bachelor degree in applied computer technology. We have moved from one student residence to another one which fits more for families with children.

At that point, 20% job in a grocery store couldn’t satisfy our needs. What was another downside was that even though I had almost got my bachelor degree, I didn’t know who I wanted to be? Perhaps not so dramatic. I liked to do IT (otherwise I would not study applied computer technology), but it was not clear to me what I’m going to work with. My study has addressed many topics within IT without any particular focus.

But a decision had to be made. Fortunately, during the study, we had an opportunity to choose between three different subjects in addition to mandatory. I had chosen Java and C++ in addition to PHP, SQL, HTML, and CSS as mandatory subjects. So I chose to go for it, apply for a job as a developer.

From here it is worth to mention that I wasn’t an “A” student. “A” score is the best and “F” is worst. I had some A’s, but the average score of my bachelor is “C”, kinda middle level. It’s something that makes things a bit harder when you are applying for a job right after college. Dammit, should spend more time studying rather than other things.

Anyway, we have what we have. It’s only your own effort that matters. The search process started at the beginning of 2016. The beginning of the 2016 and end of 2017, when I got a job offer, is a long period, but the process went up and down the whole time because I received negative answers and lost motivation or didn’t get any response at all from recruits which is also made me feel disappointed and confusing. I believe that some of my applications have not been answered yet. The thing I could do better in case of no feedback from the recruiter side is to make a call and ask how it’s going with the application.

During 2016, I only received a couple of phone calls that led to “Thank you for your application, this time we chose to move forward with other candidates.”. But to be honest, the first applications were so bad that I’m now wondering that someone at all chose to take a phone call to talk whit me.

Each time you have written something, take time and read it again at some point in time. It can be a couple of hours, days and even month after that. But do it, and you will find ways to make it better. Just keep in mind that perfection is enemy of progress. Make it good, but don’t try to make it perfect, it will never be. In case you think that you have done it perfectly, be careful it’s probably not.

At the beginning of 2017, I have begun to reflect on my own CV’s and applications. I have read through each one and noticed things I was not happy with and willing to rewrite or improve. It’s nice to notice things you are happy with, it will keep your motivation on the right level. Then I found some tips on how to improve my CV and application writing and implemented them. I also have registered my CV on several websites for job seekers and have completed my profiles that they scored 100% completeness which increases the chance that headhunter will pick it up.

The result came relatively quick. For the first time, I was contacted by a headhunter. Think about it heh! I was so happy and proud of myself! Headhunter wanted to talk with me and present his organization to see if it’s something that could interest me.

Thank you for reading part 1 of my story. Feel free to make suggestions for improving both content and grammar! I will publish part 2 of the story as soon as it’s done 🙂