Summary

Vishal, a data analyst, secured a new job after a period of personal growth and persistent job applications during the pandemic, despite initial setbacks and numerous rejections.

Abstract

Vishal's journey began amidst the pandemic in March 2020, which disrupted his plans to complete his degree and study abroad. Confined to his home, he developed new hobbies and found solace in reading, coding, and cooking. As the lockdown extended, he turned to meditation and the Bhagwada Geeta for personal growth, which brought him happiness and a sense of fulfillment. The realization of the need for career growth struck when he learned about his experienced former colleague's job loss and subsequent job acquisition. Vishal then actively sought new employment opportunities, facing a series of rejections before finally landing an interview and securing a job as a data analyst. Throughout this process, he refined his skills, built a strong LinkedIn profile, and learned valuable life lessons, viewing his experience not as a struggle but as a journey of learning and self-improvement.

Opinions

Vishal initially underestimated the impact of the pandemic on his career plans.
Personal growth activities like reading, coding, and meditation were crucial in maintaining Vishal's well-being during the lockdown.
The experience of his former colleague, Mr. John Doe, served as a wake-up call for Vishal regarding the importance of career development amidst uncertainty.
Persistence in job applications, despite repeated rejections, was key to Vishal's eventual success.
Vishal's proactive approach to improving his resume and LinkedIn profile demonstrates his adaptability and commitment to his career.
The rejections Vishal faced were reframed as valuable learning experiences and investments towards future acceptance.
The successful job acquisition was a significant moment of triumph for Vishal, marking the end of a challenging chapter and the beginning of a new one in his career as a data analyst.

Thank You LinkedIn, I got a new Data Analyst job!

Landed at my new job

And, the pandemic arose! It was in mid-March, 2020 when we were all sent back to our homes. Our university decided to close its doors for 15 days and the students fleed back home.

Who knew it was just the silence before a thunderstorm!

Ten days were over and I was confident that as soon as this period ends, I will complete my degree. Soon, I will be sitting on a flight to Canada and complete my master's degree there. But, the government had other plans.

Let’s Lock the country down!

I thought “OKAY, THIS SHALL TOO PASS!”. But, the lockdown got extended. And, again it got extended. Now, it was more than 2 months I have done nothing — just sitting at the home reading books, coding, and a bit of cooking in the kitchen. I forgot about my degree. I forgot how would I go abroad and study there. I forgot everything. I was just living with the characters in my book!

But, for how long?

I had decided to read 30 books when the year started. Now, I was already 15 down in mid-May. I was getting tired of the same routine. I wanted to do more. I wanted to try something new. And, I bumped into Bhagwada Geeta and meditation. I meditated in the morning, read one chapter of the Bhagwada Geeta daily. And, something new was added to my life. I was happy with my personal growth. I have never felt this way before. I was happy, cheerful, and I was loving every bit of my surroundings.

And, one day it happened. I was struck by the fear — how will I get a job after this pandemic? I had already left a company saying that I want to study abroad and I am not continuing with you. And, now I was seeing my studying abroad plans going haywire. To make things worse, I get a notification on Linkedin “ Mr. John Doe has joined a new company”. I was shocked! He was my colleague for 7 months and he was way too experienced. I am talking about 25–30 years of experience. And, my former company laid him. Just like that!

I talked to him. He was low but was happy he got a new job. We chit-chatted. I told him about my reading, coding, and cooking hobbies that I have developed. To that, he said “Good for your personal growth. But, what about your career growth?” The bells rang and I got my signal.

I have to look for a new job ASAP!

I knew I had skills. I had a wee bit of experience in the industry. I will get a job like this.

I bought the Linkedin Premium account. I started by applying to a company. I got no reply. I applied to another company. No reply. And, the process continued. I would apply and no response will come. This became a never-ending process.

Now, things were getting out of hand. I had already applied to more than ten companies and I have got no reply. So, I decided to apply to five companies daily. No matter what country it is, I just applied, applied, and applied.

But, now I was seeing some development. With the first companies, I was not getting any response. Now, I was at least getting rejection emails.

Hi Vishal,

Thank you for applying to our firm. After careful consideration, we regret to inform you that you have not been selected for this position.

Although we will keep your profile in the database. Thank you for your interest.

Best Regards,

I counted it as a development. At least, they are looking at my resume and then, rejecting it. So, I decided to brush up my skills, make projects to show in my resume, and build a presentable Linkedin profile.

Remember, I was talking about my new hobbies earlier — cooking, reading, and coding. Getting a rejection mail was now added to that list. My inbox was cluttered with rejection emails.

And, one day. One beautiful day. I got a call from HR. She said we liked your profile. Can you sit for an interview today at 11:00 PM? Not AM, but PM! I was fed up with the rejections. I didn’t want to let go of this chance. So, what could I have said?

Yes, Si, Oui, Ja!

After applying to dozens of companies, I was going to sit in my first interview. I had no other choice but to give it all in that interview. As the threshold of my rejections was passed days ago. I couldn’t have borne any more rejections now.

The interview went well. Now, I just had to wait. My mind was playing games. “Vishal, the probability is still 0.5 of getting selected.”. So, I decided to apply for more companies in the meantime. A week had passed and I hadn’t got any news from the HR of the company. I am not selected, I thought. So, I moved on and applied to more places. I used to smash the “Apply” button wherever I see a job opening.

And, that “Applying to a job” chapter came to an end when I finally got the call from HR. Vishal, things have been positive for you! I was on cloud nine. Not just nine but that day, I was on ten! I finally got that job.

No more “Apply Smash” from now on!

I was frustrated when I was not getting replies from the company. I was fed up with those rejection emails. But, I just wanted to crack an interview and get a job. I just had one text in my mind. And, it wandered in my mind 24x7. “What about my career growth?”. Now, I look back at it. I love every bit and piece of that 2–3 months of “rejection” journey. I cherish it as a journey, not a struggle. A journey where I polished my skills, learn new things, life lessons, and decoded the art of rejection.

Few rejections are just the investments you make to get accepted.

From now on, a new chapter has started “Analysing data after being a Data Analyst”.

Peace!