Not Accepting Defeat.

Three weeks into my job search and I am not taking no for an answer. As the rejection emails trickle in, I have to pivot my strategy to approach this differently. I cannot wait for opportunities to knock on my door, instead I’ve decided to kick in the doors that I want opened. Searching LinkedIn, I have started connecting with individuals in my field of work, starting conversations about potential opportunities, and sending my resume to anyone who puts “We’re hiring” in their headline. Sending follow up emails/messages to hiring managers expressing my interest in the position I applied for. A simple resume can only take me so far but the act of following up speaks volumes to my perseverance.

This morning I received yet another rejection email from a company I was rather excited about. A high end landscaping company was looking for a Director of Culture and Talent. I went back and forth on Saturday afternoon thinking about whether I should send a follow up message since my family owns a landscaping business. Knowing the industry would provide an advantage but I didn’t want to put a part-time position on my resume from 2007…. seemed a bit silly. Receiving the rejection email this morning was a bit disappointing but I was determined to give it all that I had. Jumping on my laptop I navigated to the company page to send a follow up message. I voiced my interest and explained my personal experience within the landscaping industry, telling him I had to give it one last shot.

I got an immediate response asking for my resume again! Any response is better than no response, I’ll take it! Once I sent it over, I got a response several minutes later with an explanation as to why I was rejected initially but after receiving my follow up message he was interested in interviewing me. All it takes is one email, one last shot in the dark, one message that shows why I’m interested, setting me apart from other applicants. I may not have the perfect background for the position but I have the personal drive to do whatever it takes to succeed. I will claw my way out of this slump and I won’t just sit idly, waiting for an opportunity to come my way.

When I played lacrosse at Augustana, I absolutely was not the best on the field and I quickly came to realize that. Hours of hard work, extra practice, extensive conditioning work and I achieved my goal. The last two years of my career were spent as a starter for the team and that was not from natural ability, let me tell you. I’m a fighter. I will not hang my head at the first sign of adversity. I will spend my days applying for jobs, messaging potential employers, and highlighting every strength I have in order to get an interview.

The job search has not been easy and I would not want to put anyone else in my shoes but I will come out of this stronger. Spreading mulch on the hottest days of the summer, raking gravel with sweat dripping in my eyes, cleaning out the garage attic for the 25th time in one summer…. I was raised to handle hard shit.

The claws are out, my head is down, and I’m ready to hit the ground running. The word ‘no’ does not deter me, it feeds the animal inside of me.

These two quotes embody my feelings through the last three weeks of the job search. Some days I wake up with the drive to tackle anything that comes my way, applying for jobs until the clock strikes five. Not all days are the same… After receiving rejection after rejection, sometimes the disappointment is overwhelming. The whisper in my head to try again tomorrow is all I need to get me through. Each day is unique, filled with new feelings, new possibilities, and new obstacles. I’m learning how to address each obstacle as they come and always picking myself up after a tough day.

“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” —Maya Angelou

“Courage doesn’t always roar, sometimes it’s the quiet voice at the end of the day whispering ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” —Mary Anne Radmacher