Author: Sarah Koenen

The Most Important Thing to Remember With Any Job You Take

When you’re in high school, you may take any number of odd jobs. You might be a waitress, busboy, dishwasher, cashier, etc. It’s a line between needing gas money and wanting to be able to buy a few nice things, right? Well, sometimes it’s a line between wanting to save money for college and needing to make payments on your car insurance on time.

The first job I ever took consisted of me changing diapers, running after screaming kids and dealing with more bodily fluids from toddlers than I ever cared to see. My parents told me if I wanted to drive a car, go to college or go out with friends, I had to work for all those things, so that’s what I did.

The second job I ever took was at a restaurant my senior year of high school. I cleaned tables off, did dishes and eventually was promoted to a cook on the weeknights. I learned a really harsh lesson with this job, though. I learned that I couldn’t work 20+ hours a week and concentrate on my schoolwork. I eventually had to quit the job because, in six months, I’d lost two scholarships. It wasn’t exactly something I was proud of.

Throughout the years, I’ve had third, fourth, fifth jobs. The list goes on. I’ve been unemployed. I’ve worked for almost no money. I’ve had jobs I couldn’t stand and jobs it was hard to leave because I loved them. I had coworkers I meshed with and other coworkers I couldn’t handle.

However, the most important thing I’ve learned in my years of going from one odd job to the next odd job is this: A job isn’t just a job. A job is, seemingly, much more than that. A job is what teaches you life lessons even if you don’t immediately see those life lessons. Sometimes it can take years for you to put the pieces of that puzzle together. Sometimes it takes seconds after you’ve quit a job to realize what the lesson was.

This is something I had to learn the hard way: I always looked at jobs I took as just another job, and I never looked at them as a learning experience. They were simply a means to an end, which is probably why I was rarely happy in any job I took. Not only was that job not exactly what I wanted to do, but I wasn’t looking at it in a positive way. I wasn’t looking at those jobs as something that was bettering me as an individual.

I babysat for years. I bussed tables at a restaurant. I washed dishes and cooked at that same restaurant. I’ve worked at grain elevators, a pharmacy, libraries and a livestock feed store, not to mention all the odd jobs I’ve had on the side throughout the last five or six years, like helping truck drivers with paperwork to helping power-wash buildings.

Even if you don’t want to do what you went to college for, there are jobs out there you can aim for. I went to school for English. All I’ve ever wanted to do was write. However, with that being said, I’m great with people! I’m a people person with extensive skills in communications. I’m great with customers, so that’s what I do. I work primarily with people while trying to maintain my identity as a writer. Someday, my writing will lead to the career that I believe I want.

I’d like to think of jobs before our careers as stepping stones, metaphorically speaking, at least. Jobs we take before we land on the path we feel we’re truly meant to be on are building blocks for our future. You might be cooking at a fast food restaurant, but in a year you might be a manager at that same restaurant. It’s going to give you experience.

I know how hard it is to think that a job isn’t shameful. I know how hard it can be to be proud of the work you do, especially when those jobs are so frowned upon by society. Trust me: No one is above any job regardless of their education, financial background or own thought process. Someone has to work at the gas stations, fast food joints and in janitorial positions. Those jobs matter too.

No matter what, though, a job is a great experience. We should look at it that way rather than being unhappy in the work we’re doing. If you’re going to flip burgers, make them the best burgers you’ve ever flipped. If you’re going to clean toilets at a school or Fortune 500 company, make sure those toilets sparkle when you’re done with them.

No matter what you do, make sure you do it with pride.

Want to Be Your Best Self? 10 Important Things That’ll Get You There

When I was growing up, I always wanted to do big things – great big things, in fact. I used to tell my family that all the time: “I’m going to do great big things.” Everyone would laugh as if it was the cutest thing they’d ever seen or heard. I was a dreamer and I lived with my head in the clouds. I had no idea that by the time I was 26, I would feel more lost than Dory from Finding Nemo.

With that being said, though, here are 10 things I’ve learned in trying to be my best self.

1. Your 20s Really Are Some of The Best Years of Your Life

Regardless of what anyone tells you, your 20s can be the best years of your life. This is the time you get to go from job after job and figure out who you are and what you want to do.

Though it’s true that every year should be the best year of your life, there’s something about your 20s that’s so different. Use your 20s to experiment, create and find who you are.

2. A Positive Attitude Will Win Every Time

I used to be the most negative person anyone had ever met. I’d play the victim card at any given moment, and not a single word that ever came out of my mouth was ever really positive in nature.

What did I learn? Be positive. Even when you feel like you can’t be positive, do it anyway. You won’t regret it. Because years from now, you know what? You’re going to look back on life and wonder why you spent so much time on being negative, mean or just plain unhappy. Life is far too short.

3. The Old Adages About Eating Healthy, Exercising and Sleeping Are True

Sneaking a multivitamin in there wouldn’t hurt, either, but I’m so serious: You have no idea how trading a bag of chips for an apple, or a soda for a glass of water, is going to improve your mood! It isn’t just about your physical health, either; it’s about your mental health too.

I suffer from depression and anxiety, and I had no idea that by going from processed foods to fresh produce, healthy fats, whole grains and proteins, my mood would improve so much. I’m not an expert in this area, but I can tell you from personal experience that changing things up in your life is going to help you improve immensely.

4. Make Friends

If you’re new somewhere or you’re just looking for different places to go, hit up local libraries! The first week in Aurora, I went to the library and signed up for a book club. The local library hosts a monthly gathering where people can discuss the book of the month. It was one of the best things I could have done.

Humans need interaction, and we need people who see things both differently and the same as we do. Get out there. Make friends! I promise you it’s okay to meet people. As a 26-year-old in a new area where I know next to nobody, it’s been fairly difficult for me to acclimate on those grounds alone. I’m scared to go into any place by myself, but I shouldn’t be and neither should you; get out there! Most towns and cities have websites, so check out the “Recreations” tab, ask what’s out there and don’t be afraid of trying new things.

5. Be Cautious (But Not Too Cautious)

If something doesn’t feel right, about 90% of the time I’d say that gut instinct is what you’ll want to follow. If your instinct is telling you that something’s off with a group of people, for example, listen to it. You may not see red flags right away, but eventually people’s true colors will begin to show.

6. Go Out Alone

I swear to you, you won’t regret the decision to go out alone. Since I’ve lived in Colorado, I’ve gone out alone twice, and while I didn’t acquire any new friends, I did talk to some people. If someone sees you sitting alone eating a meal, they’re bound to talk to you in some way (at least in the places where I’ve been!). Don’t be afraid to strike up conversations with people!

Even if you’re just in your favorite shoe shop and someone tries to talk to you about the most menial things, take that conversation! Don’t be afraid to talk to people! I know in today’s world it’s hard not to be a little timid when it comes to talking to strangers, but give it a try every once in awhile!

7. Get Used to Boredom

You have to get used to boredom, even if you’re dating someone or are around a million people all the time, but why? Why do we have to get used to boredom? Because people aren’t always going to be around. That’s not negative. I’m simply saying sometimes your significant other, friends or other peers won’t be around. In those instances, you’ll want to know how to entertain yourself!

The moments of boredom are the moments most of us hate and never get used to. We always have to be moving. We always have to have something to do. I’m telling you, though, to get used to boredom, because it’ll prepare you for the moments that will come later on in your life when you’re in a new place, far from home, traveling or your friends are all away.

8. Don’t Plan So Far Into the Future

I keep telling my roommate that in a year I hope to be back in Nebraska or Iowa; I’m sure it gets annoying. The other night she looked at me and said, “Why are you even planning so far ahead? You have no idea where life is going to take you.” She’s right. I’ve got absolutely no idea. You think you’re working a job you love, but what if someone offers you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in six months or in a year or next week? You wouldn’t very well turn that opportunity down now, would you? Don’t plan so far ahead that you become anxious or depressed when those plans fall through or change.

9. Get Used to Criticism

I wish someone had told me this and taught me this as I was growing up. Sometimes you’re going to receive rude criticism, and sometimes people are going to be really nice to you about it. Either way, you need to learn to accept it, use it and move on. One of my own tricks is realizing that I can take the criticism of others and use it to better myself. Another one is to take into consideration what people say and how you really feel about it.

As we hear criticism or read criticism, we can react in one of two ways: We can either become upset by it or we can take that criticism and turn it into a snowball of amazing changes. I’m a writer, and yet accepting criticism isn’t something I do well, or rather, it’s something I never used to accept. I would be so distraught when people didn’t like my work. Now when people offer up criticism on my work, I use that criticism to make my writing better.

When someone feeds us criticism most of us automatically become defensive. We don’t want someone to point out our flaws! How dare they? This is the wrong mindset to have, though. Instead of being defensive when someone offers up criticism–whether they’re rude about it or nice about it–take that criticism and stash it in a safe place in your brain. Use it later on as a guideline of how you can change.

10. Keep a Journal

Keep a journal to track your progress as a person. Often times, it’s interesting to go back and look at how we’ve changed as the years have gone by. When we keep a journal, we’re also keeping our changes tracked, our feelings monitored and our mental state intact.

This goes for everyone! Keeping a journal is not mutually exclusive to women. Men can do it and absolutely should do it. There was a time when I stopped journaling (and my journaling habits now are even a little spotty), and I could kick myself for it! Journaling is such a great way for you to gain mental clarity as well as help you grasp who you are!

Write down how you’re feeling, what you’re thinking and what you’re doing. In a year, go back and look at those entries and see just how much you’ve changed as a person. It can be fun and exciting to see that, and it can motivate you to continue taking chances you never would have before!

Most of all, though, learn to embrace life. I know this isn’t a bullet point, but I’m serious. If you can’t embrace life, the chances of you leading a happy one are pretty slim. I used to be one of the unhappiest people I’d ever known. I’m not sure how I did it or when it happened, but I started to embrace life. It’s still hard sometimes to embrace the shortcomings life hands me, but it’s gotten much easier.

Don’t be afraid to live.

What I’ve Learned About the Job Hunt From Reading 100 Job Listings This Month

I grew up in a household where we were taught a job is literally just a job. You have to have one in order to pay bills, put a roof over your head and put food on your table. What do you do, though, when the mentality your parents raised you with has flown out the window? How do you explain that to people?

A job is no longer just a job to me. I’m not aiming to jump at another stepping stone. I’m aiming for the boulder labeled “Career”. Of course, I’ve always been a job hunter. I’ve always been on the lookout for a newer, better, more exciting occupation and opportunity. However, those opportunities seemed to always come to me in the form of a job I couldn’t really move up in.

Before I moved to Colorado, I had several phone interviews for jobs in Colorado. The initial interview would go great. I’d even get a call back to set up a face-to-face meet with the manager. The issue, though, was that I wasn’t sure any of the jobs I’d interviewed for were truly what I wanted to do. I’m not a call center type. I’m not really a marketer. I don’t want to do door-to-door sales.

I had three phone interviews in the two-week timeframe before I moved to my new home. Each employer said the same thing to me: “Well, we really need you to fly out here for a couple days so we can get you through the interview process.”  In the back of my mind, I knew I should comply with what each employer wanted me to do. After all, I needed a job. The bottom line was that I didn’t really want any of those jobs. It wasn’t worth the flight expenses or the hotel expenses. Not a single one of them. For me, I just reasoned if I was going to spend my hard-earned, hard-to-save dollars to fly to Denver and back plus the hotel expenses, that job had better be exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

For the last four years, I have gotten so used to working with the general public face-to-face. My specialty and focus since graduating with my first degree has been customer service and communications…though I’ve always considered myself a writer and more creative type. I’m from an extremely small town in Iowa. Moving wasn’t easy for me, but I wouldn’t say it was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. What’s made the move even more difficult, though, is not wanting to settle for just any job but knowing eventually I might have to.

There are several little things I’ve learned in the past several weeks as I’ve combed through every job board site you can think of. The most important—in my opinion—are the following:

1. Do Things That Are “Optional” and Put Your All Into Everything

As I was applying for jobs, I noticed the only jobs I was receiving a call back on were the ones where I included a cover letter with my resume, even if it was just an optional part of the application. I’d also recommend making sure to double and triple check any documents you send in to a potential employer.  Have two or three other individuals check over your application materials and if you want to be the best applicant ever, I’ve also noticed saving these documents in PDF form has won me a few brownie points here and there.

(And for more tips on tiny resume tricks that make a huge difference, we’ve got 37 of them in this blog post.)

2. Having More Than One Type of Resume Is Great—Not Misleading

Do you have expertise in more than one area? For instance, I’ve got experience in communications, writing/editing, customer service, and sales. I have two separate resumes: One for the communications and writing and one for the customer service and sales. This is completely okay. I have a lot more experience in several other areas, but I list those in the ‘Skills’ section of my resumes.

3. Do Your Research

Look into a company before you apply for the job. I made the mistake of not doing any research at all for one company. I went in for a face-to-face interview my first week in Colorado and the job turned out not being anything like what I thought it was going to be. Needless to say, though I was hired for the position, I had to turn it down and was kicking myself for letting the process get that far.

4. If You’re Given the Chance to Interview With a Company, Take It

Interviews are experience, and experience prepares you for whatever could come next. Not sure you want to take the job? There’s no harm in going in for the interview. If, by the end of the interview, you feel as if it just isn’t a position for you, there’s no harm done. You can still tell the employer in a professional way you just don’t feel as if you’re the person for the job. I’ve had to do it twice in the last two weeks. Often people starting their careers forget that interviews are a two-way street. The employer gets to learn more about you, and you get to learn more about them as a prospective employee. This is a great time to get a real feel of your potential employer! Keep that in mind!

5. Know That You Have to Start Somewhere (But That Doesn’t Mean You Shouldn’t Be Careful)

Unless you do have 30 years of experience, you’ll start small in most companies. This is oftentimes why I stick with the mentality of a job being a job. We need the experience to work our way up or to apply for the careers we truly want.

That said, beware of smoke and mirrors.  In many cases, a potential employer may make a job sound better than it really is. If you feel like a job is too good to be true, ask questions. Get specific with your interviewer. Be curious. If they don’t have the answers, give them your email and tell them you need the answers. You always want to be aware of what it is you’re getting yourself into. Questions are a great way to weed out jobs, so you can find your dream job.

For any individual out there trying to find the perfect career fit for them, I can’t sugarcoat it: It’s difficult. I’m sure for some individuals things may just fall into place for them. That isn’t the case with every individual, though. Be aware, research and make necessary adjustments to any and all application materials. Know your worth, know your boundaries and know your surroundings.

Job hunting isn’t hard.  Career hunting can be, though.  Make sure you do plenty of research, tweak your resumes and other application materials and realize you may have to work your way up in any career field.  Keep a positive attitude and a bright personality, and always be ready to ask or answer questions.