I am a South Korean who graduated from Zhejiang University and am currently working in Shanghai. When I informed my friends about my employment, they all praised me, saying, "It's impressive that you got a job right after graduation." However, the past two months of job searching were the most confidence-shaking period of my life.
Before starting my job search, I thought I would easily find a job. I had interned at a major Chinese company, had various work experiences such as being a university lecturer and field interpreter, and had excellent academic grades as well as a master's degree. Therefore, I expected to find a job easily. However, in reality, out of the 100 companies I applied to, only about 10 offered me an interview opportunity, and out of those, I reached the final interview seven times but was rejected six times. Just when I was about to give up and even considered returning to South Korea, I thankfully received an offer from the last company I interviewed with.
For over two months, I submitted resumes daily and had interviews almost every week. My confidence dwindled day by day, and it was a mentally and physically exhausting period. I regretted not preparing earlier and more thoroughly, but it was already too late. The only thing I could do was keep challenging myself without giving up, utilizing everything I had. I don't think I got a good job because I was outstanding; I just think I was lucky. However, I believe that even that luck wouldn't have come if I hadn't challenged myself.
Even an ordinary person like me can achieve the desired result. I believe that everyone who is currently looking for a job and students who are about to graduate and are worried about employment can achieve good results as well.
--Noh HyeonCheol (South Korea)