After graduating from college, I found myself struggling to find a job I really wanted. I’ve worked in retail, as an office assistant, and in the corporate world, but I was still looking for something that was the right fit for me and my skillset.
After applying to over 200 jobs in my field, with no success and multiple call-backs from employers telling me that there were too many qualified candidates, I realized it might be time to rethink my approach to job searching.
Introducing Amanda
The day Amanda Aldridge walked into her interview for an assistant manager position at her local Panera, she was dressed in a suit, had done her makeup and hair, and came bearing extra copies of her resume and references.
She was ready. However, that didn't stop Amanda from being told by management you're not going to get a call back because you're overqualified for every single one of our open positions. This happened two more times before she decided to change up how she handled things.
The Quest Begins
From 2013-2014, it was my goal to work for Panera. I applied for and interviewed for many jobs with them, but never got one. Then in 2014, I decided that if I was going to work there someday then I needed to know as much about their company and culture as possible.
So after 2 years of trying (and failing) at landing a position there, I started working on getting myself ready to join their team - even though they had not yet given me an offer. First, I took all the opportunities to volunteer at every restaurant near me and be involved in their charity events.
Second, I did research about what makes the company tick. Third, I made sure that when I found out where the nearest location was from where I lived, that it would be reasonable for me to commute back and forth everyday.
Finally, two weeks ago while waiting outside a busy store in Berkeley California when looking through my Instagram feed - who do you think is right next to me? As fate would have it - yes! A new hiring manager! She walked up to introduce herself just as she posted this selfie on her account (@panerabread).
The Interview
After following up multiple times, Amanda got a call asking her to come in for an interview. Now it was time for her to make sure she really wanted it and really knew what she was getting into. When applying for jobs, you should always make sure you know exactly what you're getting yourself into.
If it doesn't seem like something that would bring value back into your life (other than just having a cool new title), then don't apply! Make sure there is some sort of true passion behind what you're doing! It can be hard sometimes, but if you do this right, the future will be so much brighter.
A Thank-You Note
Sending thank-you notes is an age-old and time-tested tradition for securing a new position or promotion. It demonstrates respect, thoughtfulness, and loyalty (to your former boss). The good news: it’s not as hard as you think. If you send out one thank-you note each week—and make sure that note comes from your heart—it can really pay off.
Your goal is to be personal while still being brief and businesslike. Thank them for the opportunity and mention how much you enjoyed working with them. Say something about the skills you learned there, what you are looking forward to in your next role, and why they should consider contacting you if they have any openings in the future. Always follow up with a phone call if possible!
A Second Chance...Sort Of
So, when it comes down to it, second chances can sometimes be more difficult than firsts. What do you mean by that? For starters, I feel as though when people make mistakes in their past, they're hard on themselves for having made them and even harder on themselves if they don't succeed in rectifying them.
It's like they're wondering if they'll ever get things right or if they are just stuck with a horrible first impression...forever! But like I said before, second chances aren't really a chance to get things right. They simply give us an opportunity to start over...again...and again...if we choose.