The Truth Behind Failure to Get Your Dream Job Right Out of College

To everyone out there who is still finding their path, here are 8 things you learn when you fail to land your dream job.

Many young adults start their careers thinking they will eventually end up in their “dream job” — that one perfect, magical job where their best skill sets and deepest passions align. Truth is, not many people will because…

Since we don’t have all the information, we tend to make decision in the midst of the “fog of war”. Simply put, we don’t know what’s out there. So, it’s normal if you don’t have a dream job yet. Figuring out takes time and probably some setbacks along the way. It’s a process of exploring many little twists and turns that lead us to the place we ultimately belong. Just remember: there’s more than one path, but the goal is to find the best one.

Many people will talk in terms of “someday’s” — someday I’ll start my own company, someday I’ll further studies or someday I’ll move on to a job that I will enjoy more. Truth is, the people who actually achieve these dreams aren’t talking about someday’s. Because they are busy doing the things that will actually get them there.

It’s not about working really hard for once or twice, nor about applying the success formula to your life but living it. Success comes from showing up, consistently, day after day, ready to quietly do the work today and then do it all over again tomorrow and the next day and the following day.

Life is made up of an infinite amount of choices. And every choice has its consequences. A lot of things happened to get me to where I am now. While I’m still at the beginning of everything. I’m sure that I’m on the path that I so desperately wanted to be on in the first place. And all it took was small choices, practised daily, will have a huge impact that can move you in the career direction that you want.

When you take two steps back, you might feel like a failure. You might feel embarrassed on your progress because you are back tracking when everyone is charging forward. Failing to initially get the thing you want does not feel good. But nothing is scarier than driving yourself crazy wondering what could have been, if you only had the courage to try.

There’s really no instant success, happiness, and peace when you ‘arrive’ at your dream job. Work is work, you’re still going to feel stressed out, incapable, shitty, unworthy, and a hell of a lot of other feelings. But these feelings are so much more bearable when you know that you’re doing something that ultimately brings you joy. Sticking with something you feel satisfaction and not taking the money of a better position is real dedication and loyalty.

In an entry position, I believe that the easiest way to differentiate yourself is to outwork everyone. Others can do your work but they can’t outwork you. Be willing to do what other aren’t willing to do. That’s when you deserve to get things others don’t get.

The big thing is keeping your mind open all the time to do the same. Everyone is your teacher. Some you seek. Some you attract. Some you observe. You could discover what you don’t like to do (which is just as crucial as knowing what you like to do), you might come across a passion or hobby that you wouldn’t have found otherwise. No matter how you are feeling now, as long as you put in your heart to observe and listen, you can ensure that this experience never goes to waste.

Here’s the last thing about dreams; they are wonderful destinations in life but the journey to those destinations sucks. There’s a load of mountain-climbing, ocean-swimming, desert-walking and forest-crawling… But no one’s exempt from experiencing pain. Life gets ugly sometimes — and that’s totally okay. We are all a work in progress.

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