Frustrating.

In a time such as this where the job market is...empty, its not surprising how frustrating the search can get. Day after day, email after email, online application after online application...and the list goes on. The monotonous tasks seem to get me no where, but I'm hoping eventually this regiment will get me somewhere...a job. Now believe me, I do realize there are people out there who have been at it much longer than I have. Friends of mine have been pretty much unemployed since we graduated in May of 2009, and some have been tossed from job to job, because in an economy like this no job is really secure. To be honest, the most frustrating part of the whole job hunt for me, is the automated emails one receives back from a company. 

'Dear Person X,

We have received your resume. We will review your information and determine if you are qualified for the position.

Good luck with your job search,

Company Y'

Thanks for the same email that every other applicant is getting. And really...will someone be actually looking at my resume to see if I'm the perfect fit, or will it be run through a program, searched for keywords, and tossed aside when they are not found. In this age of technology, the job hunt has become completely impersonal. Maybe, just maybe, if there was a way for my image to get out there, along side my resume, I could find myself a position. Make it personal, make me appear human, rather than a rap sheet of accomplishments, work experience and a long list of clubs I was involved in during college. So how does one make the job hunt personal? Aside from personally going to a company to hand in your resume (which I am certain 99% of companies would not like) I guess there really is no way. Write a killer cover letter maybe? 

But that in itself is a whole other issue. So basically, I write a letter to go along with my resume. I never know who to address them too, or exactly what to say...but I take key points from my life and map them out, give the personal an a-b-c relationship of my skills. I worked at company a, where I did be, and that would make me a great asset to your company because of c. Can this basic formula get me a job? The job of my dreams? In an economy where dreams are crushed left and right?

I guess part of me just spends my days bitter at the world. I worked hard in college, maybe not as hard as some, but harder than most. I made Dean's List, and would have made Comm honors (if it existed while I was there). I was involved in over 20 clubs, held 3 jobs my senior year, and had friends. I did two internships, one of which was international. All of these things, added to my stellar personality and my skills to multi-task surely make me a shoe-in for any career, or so I thought. Two years older...thats all it would have taken. Students graduating in 2007/2008 got jobs right out of school, practically naming their own salary...and here I am, an 09er with no direction, no job...and little hope.

So how can I stay motivated? I have a car payment that I'm reminded of everyday when I hope in my car. A credit card bill that comes into my email box once a month. Bills, needless spending, needed spending...and so the job hunt will move along...and will continue to be important until I land a job...any job at this point. Isn't that sad though? I graduated college with a twinkle in my eye, and now I try to regain composure, without even a glimmer I realize the job I sat around dreaming out won't come easy, and might not come at all for many years to come...but work is work and money is money. And so I chug along...