When Opportunity Doesn’t Knock

“Knock, knock.” “Who’s there? “Opportunity.” “Opportunity who?” “The opportunity that awaits you.” If only job searching was so simple. Yet, if opportunities were just dropped into our laps, would it really make things easier? For some people, it seems like job opportunities do really fall in their laps. Others, like me (okay, I’ll admit!), it takes a bit more perseverance to obtain one.

Image by: Petite Wanderer Photography

If you, like me, are one of those people who have had to be persistent in landing a job, you probably sought a mentor, applied for several jobs you were qualified for, and kept looking only to experience the doors closing. And as a result, you probably felt rejected or even angry and frustrated. Who would have thought that your vast preparation in college would fail to prepare you for one thing – closed doors.

Now, if you’re wondering what exactly closed doors are in relation to your job search, these are opportunities you’ve sought after that didn’t result in your favor. When this happens, you have a choice to react in two ways: give up or keep trying. For example, you may have planned after college to search for a job in the radio broadcasting industry only to realize that the market is very competitive and you’ve only received negative responses or lackluster offers that may leave you feeling disheartened. And then there are the other financial and social pressures you have to deal with throughout your job search. Your student loans may be in repayment or maybe your parents are nagging you to move out. You may see your friends getting great jobs and feel left behind. You might even be beginning to wonder why you paid nearly $20,000 for your education (okay that may be me again).

Still, you get the point: money spent on education doesn’t seem to be translating into job opportunities or to be providing an escape from challenging financial or social situations! As you face these challenges, at some point you finally have this intuitive feeling (let's call it strong perseverance) to continue onward with your job search.

Eventually, that hard work and perseverance pay off in the form of a callback, an interview, and finally, a job offer. Hooray!!! The door has opened.

This opened door allows you to gain the skills and professional experience that may help you figure out exactly what you’re looking for in a career. An open door also starts a domino effect in which you gain even broader experiences and job opportunities. While an open door may kick-start your career, don’t forget how it began. As you reflect on the process, you may realize that some of those doors were closed for a reason. If the door would have opened for a different opportunity, it could have taken longer to realize your calling. Think also of the strength and determination you developed as a result of a difficult job search process.

If you are a recent graduate seeking a nonprofit career, a corporate professional looking to enter the nonprofit world, or simply just a job seeker, don’t get discouraged. Remember, the most successful people in life are those who continue to persevere despite the challenges or obstacles they face. Keep knocking and the right door will open. 

 Best of luck!