Hey you,

I sometimes resent being the player in today’s job search, even though it’s been such an evolution from yesterday’s.

No longer do we have to browse newspapers for job openings and send out printed resumes. Nor looking for information about the company in the library or the news. Nor checking the answering machine for an interview invitation.

The internet’s made it much easier to search and apply for our dream job. There are templates and guides for a CV, cover letter, portfolio, interview answers, and so on.

We can even follow and connect with recruiters to increase our chances.

With everything becoming easier, landing a job should be too, right?

The old and new job-hunting methods essentially amount to the same thing: sitting tight and crossing one’s fingers.

Even with all the modern conveniences, landing a job doesn’t become easier. Or faster.

Because it’s so easy to apply for jobs, companies receive hundreds of applications for each posting. After a massive filter, they have to schedule several interview stages and assignments to find a good fit.

But this still doesn't always work, so someone else has to keep filling in until the new recruit comes.

Out of curiosity, I checked on a role I got turned down for four months ago to see if it’s still there.

It was.

Essentially, not much changed about the job search:

• It’ll always be a full-time job. We may no longer have to put a printed resume in an envelope, but now we may have to fill out more forms.
• It drains. It can be demotivating. Candidates are tired, and so are the hiring managers.

So what can be done?

❌ Acknowledge the flaws

I’ve lost count of how often I’ve been frustrated over companies’ recruiting processes.

• The classic ghosting.
• Interviewers who didn’t even bother to read my CV before the call.
• Recruiters who told me they recruited someone else shortly after I turned in my technical assignment. They said it’d be “used for future roles.” Guess how long it has been.

But I can’t do much about them, can I?

They’re all part of the game. Besides, our emotions aren’t the recruiters’ responsibility.

Set realistic expectations and train ourselves to be more forgiving of minor inconveniences like the above. They stink, yes, but complaining gives us no value whatsoever.

💻 Appeal to ATS

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan resumes for keywords and rate candidates depending on recruiter criteria.

Not every company uses it. Having a resume pass ATS doesn’t necessarily guarantee we’ll be hired, either.

But being able to write for the machine won’t hurt our chances. After all, it's part of the screening process. And this has been my recent focus.

Again, thanks to the internet, we can find many templates and tips on creating an ATS-friendly CV. Take advantage of this by ensuring our resume has relevant key terms for the job.

🤝 Keep in mind that people get jobs every day

I’ve received countless “no” emails like that.

From time to time, I wondered, “Who’s that “another candidate”?”

My envy kicked in. What did they have that I didn’t?

My application was well-written and met all the requirements. What more did the company need?

But I also try to see things from the point of view of that “another candidate” too. I have no way of knowing if they have the same problems I do, like applying for jobs repeatedly only to be met with a flood of rejections. Getting by with the money we have on hand until we have a steady income.

Maybe they do merit it. Maybe they don’t. We never know.

But it shows that people always get jobs. So do we. Maybe today’s not that day yet.

​

Disclaimer: Everything expressed here comes from my personal experience. I never claim to be an expert.

🌱 Good to know

​The Truth About Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)​

When we look into ATS, we might come across some strange claims about it. Job seekers are being misled, and this article wants to remind them that ATS shouldn’t be their main concern. 💻

​Expat Guide To Moving And Living In Indonesia​

Want to work in my home country? This read gives you the basic facts you need. Be sure to check out the immigration website regularly. 🇮🇩

​Be unshocked by culture shock​

Moving to a different country comes with culture shock. It’s a normal part of adapting to our new home. Based on my experience, I shared some things you can do if you're still worried about the effects of culture shock. 🌏

Life as an 🇮🇩 in 🇩🇪

This week’s best news was that one of my best friends passed her master’s thesis. I couldn’t be happier or prouder of her! 🤩

Another highlight was a date with my boyfriend to Weimar, a city about 25 minutes by train from Jena. San, a modest yet wonderful South Korean restaurant in the city center, was our destination.

I’m currently on what I call an “Instagram diet,” which means not being on the platform for a few days. Usually, I’d share a story time posted there, but I’m gonna post my favorite winter picture here, where everything is covered in a beautiful blanket of white.

I hope you enjoy this letter. See you at the next one. 💕

Cheers,

Devi