A Number of General Observations of the Working World

A Number of General Observations of the Working World
or
​A List of Things You Must Know Before Entering the Workforce as a Young Kid/Adult or Something Else
​Part 4
21-30

21. Don’t be picky in thee job
You have to remember that you are not the only person going for that job.
On many, many, many occasions you will receive the standard “due to the large amount of applicants, you were unfortunately not successful in your application”.
Do not let this dishearten you, this is sent to make you stronger.
Remember to question yourself or even better, reply to said person and ask what could you do to improve yourself.
If you’re after “that job” then find another way.
Interning, volunteering or work experience are the some of the best ways of getting a feel of what you want to do and gain some much needed industry experience.
Use your brain and think about how you can get a foot in the door.
 
22. Don’t be afraid to quit
Leaving a job on your own is a liberating experience.
There are videos of people revelling in the joy of leaving their job with a bang.
Others give their two weeks and abandon that position with their head held high and a smile on the face.
Some even just leave without a sound never to be seen again in the office.
I resigned once and drove home with a cigar in my mouth, a smile on my face and fist pumping all the way home after my two weeks and the traffic, for once, didn't bother me (one and a half hours to get home usually).
 Just don’t overly advertise it too much.
 
23. Don’t be afraid of getting fired
This is just another stepping-stone.
You will be informed why you are being fired, terminated, made redundant, unsuitable for the position or let go (unless you are escorted out by security or the police).
Unlike feeling great when you leave your job on your own terms, you will feel disappointed  (a majority of the time you will but some jobs you won’t).
 It is a release of a bad thing in your life.
I have been let go a few times, once was for lack of training which caused an error that was impossible to correct and I was given my papers and another for not fitting into the work culture of that company.
 I learned from these places to figure out my future and not falling into those traps again.
 
24. Don’t be afraid to be let go or letting go
Like the two above don’t fear leaving. Some jobs I’ve had I’ve treated each day like my last because I thought it would be my last day. I left nothing behind and took all the equipment, tools and anything else I needed to and from work.
Why? I didn’t fit in with the crew, I wasn’t fast enough, I wasn’t skilled enough and a dozen other reasons why I wasn’t the person I was expected to be. I choose to leave this job, gaining as much experience I could before leaving. They did offer me a job in future once I was at the level they wanted me to be before I started.
 
25. Network, like socially
Social media is good but nothing is like a face-to-face meet and greet. If your field is having a get together, conference, exhibition, awards…
GO!
Get tickets and go!
If you have just graduated from college, uni, school and did something you enjoyed that is a job on graduation then go to these events and speak to people.
If you are not a good speaker or are shy but have a friend who can break ice better than a narwhal or an overweight polar bear, take them with you to help you out.
If you are legal and can drink have a couple or even better, buy someone a drink or at least offer to.
Being polite cracks open doors, being interesting opens to the latch but being unique swings it open wide.
Seriously it does.
Smoking a cigarette while in a headstand nearly got me a job in Manila!
 
26. If an opportunity is there…
I was offered a job once, an internationally recognised outfit based overseas.
I turned it down as I was studying at the time and wanted to finish my education.
It was because I stood out from others even though I usually wouldn't in most circumstances. I wonder today if I should of taken it.
Then again the life experiences I've had since then have made me into Who I am and guided to who I want to be.
 If you are given the opportunity to do something amazing it is up to you.
The piece of paper you get from study helps in a traditional sense but in a modern sense is overrated and doesn’t get you paid.
However in many industries you do need qualification and certificates that allow you to work in said field.
For example: You can work in a kitchen as a cook without any qualifications and become a chef, but if you want to open your own eatery you have to go to school and get all the qualifications that permits you to open and run a place or face the many troubles in dealing with health inspectors and other officials who will deem you and your business either safe and viable to sell and prepare food for consumption or not.
Trust me in this case, just do your time and come out with skills and experiences.
There was a time where industry experience over time could qualify you for a degree but it seems now days you have to go back to school to get them.
 
27. Try and stop procrastinating
Seriously.
Stop it.
It won’t help at all.
Seriously.
Stop.
This will not help in the long term.
However it works as a motivator to push through some obstacles and helps you overcome these.
 If you keep suffering from this then get help or at least speak to someone about it.
 People in that industry have been in your shoes and can guide you through if you ask for help.
Friends and family have all gone through this too so you can ask them as well even if its not in the same industry.
 
28. Work is hell, get used to it
Unless you really love what you do, find a new career path or chase that fat pay cheque.
But time is a factor.
The older you are the harder it is to do this.
However you can do anything over your lifetime. Your job can either be kick arse or kick your arse.
Seriously this is true.
I’ve had jobs where I’ve been thrown down into a bottomless pit and clawed my way out and I’ve had jobs that felt like I got paid to do nothing.
However, many times climbing out have caused huge amounts of satisfaction and huge anxiety.
The more times this happens the thicker your skin is until you break, depending on your career depends this when occurs it if it ever does.
In most instances you’ll be fine.
 
29. You are steel, you are doom
Believe in yourself.
Don’t stop believing in yourself.
Seriously, keep your mind positive.
If you are positive then your influence will spread.
The other way occurs too.
Stay strong, hang in there and keep at it.
However “no matter how the wind howls, the mountain can not bow to it” – The Emperor, Mulan this is true in many career paths I’ve had.
Try your hardest to stay strong.
Try even harder to stay happy.
Try hardest to stay sane. “You are steel. You are doom… and you shall know no fear” – Battle Brother Proteus, Ultramarine
 
30. When the levee breaks I’ll have no place to stay
Stay in touch with your nearest and dearest friends and family.
 They have experience in life that you haven’t had and should be able to guide you.
As I said above, you are not alone.
 Not everyone has been in your shoes, but hell some people have.
 You can always talk to someone.
It is not a sign of weakness if you ask for help, hell some people will admire you for it.
You can always talk to your GP, doctor, psychologist, psychiatrist or career advisor if you’ve got them.