Francine was in a tough spot. Next weekend she’d graduate Extra Cum Laude from Elite University, but she still didn’t have a job or a plan for the summer.
Everyone knew Francine. She was always active on campus, president of the student government, and famous for convincing the Board to implement 2 ply toilet paper in every on-campus bathroom.
She had found all kinds of job postings and sent out dozens of resumes with cover letters describing her accomplishments. She figured she was doing all the right stuff.
But Francine continued to watch her less accomplished, less impressive peers win interesting fellowships and land jobs at notable companies. “What’s wrong with the world?” she thought, “I’m the T.P. Legend, but Elliot Stonerhead is the one with a job?”
Francine was not about to ask for help, she figured her degree and extracurriculars would speak for themselves. “I just need to work harder,” she told herself, “crank out more applications everyday.”
Truth is, Francine didn’t realize that strategy was killing her chances. She was so focused on just getting any job, she wasn’t thinking about which companies and which jobs were actually a good fit. Her applications weren’t standing out because they lacked genuine interest and meaningful connection to the company. Her process left no room for self-reflection, industry research or personalized follow-up.
Francine endured a summer of rejection after graduation, but a chance encounter with Elliot Stonerhead, now a successful kite-making apprentice, re-ignited her efforts. “Don’t fight the wind bruh,” he told her, “think about where it wants to take you and let yourself fly!”
Sure it was vague poetic gibberish, but it was exactly what Francine needed to hear – she wanted a piece of whatever Elliot was having, so she went back to the drawing board. Fast-forward five years and Francine is leading the sales division for an up and coming sustainable toilet paper company. Nice going Francine!
