The job
If you are a recent graduate who is starting to look for a job or have been doing so for awhile with no luck, you are not alone. There are so many requirements that have to be met, more so if you live away from home. This might be the case for international students who not only have to compete with the local young professionals, but as well, have to deal with being rejected due to the language barrier, even if the CV is out of this world. Oh and don’t even get me started with the STRUGGLEs of the work visa, like procedures, tears, paper work, tears, companies rejection, tears and many more. However, there is a light out of the tunnel for those that don’t give up, trust me.
It’s not you
Sometimes we don’t realize how much pressure we put in ourselves to find a job. Not just abroad, but anywhere. Although, finding a job in your native country might make the process easier with the connections, language and supportive family. There are so many setbacks that can make people’s emotional health, including mine, be filled with anxiety on what will happen in the coming months, work visa, contracts and many more.
Why? Because we depend on it. A simple decision from a company can impact so many aspects of a person’s life abroad. Not only the option to get deported but also the relationships built. Some put extra pressure to get a job instantly and when it doesn’t work that way, they think its their fault, they are not worthy. Well let me tell you, YOU ARE WORH IT. ITS NOT YOU. It’s the struggle of not having a supportive system for expats wanting to discover the world.
Aquarium of emotions
I personally would like to say that finding a job abroad is like being in an aquarium. This is mainly because if I were to reflect and think back on how my job hunt was in NL, an aquarium, like extra large, would be ideal to keep all the tears I experience throughout this journey. As well, in some freaky way, you feel like you are stuck because it is like you don’t want to give up on proving yourself and family that you can do it but at the same time want to go home so badly.
I also think an aquarium symbolizes how the journey is because I see that once people find a job, after all the anxiety, economical worries and lots of rejection, you find your crew and way of life in the workplace and it becomes a rhythm to your life. More so during this Covid-19 situation, WFH is like being in an aquarium because everything is online, isolated, no office and talk to the same work circle during team meetings.. just how fishes do the same routine but with pretty decoration.
Hang in there
Again, with all that said, finding a job abroad is possible. But I am writing this to let you know that there will be times when it won’t be easy. There will be times when you won’t know if you will be able to pay rent, get a permanent contract or just be so exhausted of fighting that you want to quit. This is a message to remind you that your mental health matters. I know the struggle, the pain and the tears.
I know it all, but I also made it and know of friends who also made it after months of being depressed or feeling rejected from companies. You will make it but make sure you stay healthy throughout this process. Make sure you find people that understand the struggle and are willing to stick it out through the ugly and the pretty. Make sure you are okay and choose the decisions based on what makes you feel alive and well.
