Sometimes you can find something that you think is perfect for you, that you work your butt off to get, and it still doesn’t happen. It’s tough. It sucks. But that’s life.
If I have any way of contacting you at all, you’ve probably heard about how I found my dream job and applied to itĀ (video here).Ā I texted, I emailed, I called, I tweeted, I instagrammed, I facebooked (even had a FB page about it!) and you have all been AMAZING! Today they announced the Top 50 candidates, and I wasn’t one of them.
Bummed and disappointed but also thankful–that’s how I’d describe how I feel right now.Ā Before you start with the “sorries”, don’t. You have nothing to be sorry about (though I appreciate the concern). You don’t always get what you want, no matter how hard you work. But there are still prizes along the way.
1) The outpour of support has rocked my world. You guys are truly the best. Whether you shared the post or voted everyday or offered me a few words of encouragement, you guys are incredible! I’m speechless. This wasn’t just about me anymore, it was about you guys–and what makes me sadder than not advancing is thinking that I let you down.
2)Ā Ā I’ll share some good news. I heard from Jauntaroo last Sunday that I had made the top 100! 100 people out of 3000 and they picked me?!?! Excited. Honored. Humbled. (P.S. I was sworn to secrecy–hence why you didn’t hear.) They asked the top 100 candidates to create a video touring the city that they live in–in one week. (The first video I made took a week to edit! Psst, they took it down, but here’s myĀ first video.)Ā It was tough, it was stressful, but I’m proud of my effort. I literally sat in one place for twelve hours–I didn’t eat, I didn’t drink, I didn’t go to the bathroom, I just worked on my video to meet the deadline. Without further ado, here’s the premiere of said video (ignoring the part where I’m asking you to vote or calling myself the CWE ;-)) Hopefully it will make some of you want to come visit me in Portland! (Did you see the competition? Some of these folks make videos for a living!)
3) It’s reignited my passion and desire to travel.Ā Even though I was exhausted during the entire process, I was really excited and energized, because that’s how passionate I am about travel and story-telling. I’m heading to Vegas in a few weeks to speak at the LinkedIn Talent Connect conference. Straight from the conference, I’m heading to Peru to climb Machu Picchu. I’ve talked to my managers at work about possibly doing assignments overseas. I got a new manager and team–and the majority of them are in Costa Rica (ahem, face to face?)! I have had people approach me about other opportunities. As cliche as it is, when one door closes, another (bunch) open? I’m really feeling that right now.
Let’s recap:Ā I found my dream job posting. I ignored it, letting my self doubt get the best of me. We crossed paths again–and this time, with the support and encouragement of friends and family, I took a huge public leap of faith and applied. I taught myself a new skill (YouTube is AMAZING for helping with that! And Final Cut Pro X, I’ll have to put you on my wishlist after the trial ends in a week!), created a video and applied. In 17 days we got over 5800 votes–how’s that for putting my social media skills to work? š I got shortlisted to the top 100! I made another video in UNDER A WEEK! And I’ve been showered with nothing but love, encouragement and positivity along the way. I may not be the Chief World Explorer winner, but I still think I’ve won something.
What’s that quote, “Good things fall apart so better things can happen”? There must be better things coming my way–until then, I’m just going to think about all the great things that have happened so far. (And maybe let myself indulge in some treats to soften the blow.) Love you guys!
P.S.Ā I think this might be hard on my mom, she’s the one who’s been calling me everyday with updates on how I’m doing. Sorry mom š
P.P.S. I still think Jauntaroo is a pretty cool site and you guys should check it out. Share your travel lists with me and maybe we can plan an adventure together!
48 thoughts on “I Applied for My Dream Job, and Didn’t Get It”
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Great work and remember, follow your dreams!!!
Thanks, Niraj! Follow your dreams indeed.
Great work and remember, follow your dreams!!!
Thanks, Niraj! Follow your dreams indeed.
Proud of you!!!
Thank you, Megan!
Proud of you!!!
Thank you, Megan!
Love this post Sejal, you’re a rock star– and an absolute ray of Sunshine in this world. This experience simply serves to make you shine more brightly. <3
You’re too kind, Tami. Thank you so much!!! š
Love this post Sejal, you’re a rock star– and an absolute ray of Sunshine in this world. This experience simply serves to make you shine more brightly. <3
You’re too kind, Tami. Thank you so much!!! š
You are amazing and so inspiring Sejal & even though you didn’t get the job you dreamed of, I’m sure the opportunity of a lifetime will come from all this. I don’t use the word “love” very often because most people don’t really value it but I really do love you to death. I’m thankful to have friends like you in my life that remind me that actions speak louder than words and even though we don’t always get the result we hope for, it is our actions that make us who we are.
PS: love the pics in the video š
Love you too, Joe. Your words mean a lot, thank you. And I think it may be one of those things where there’s a bigger, better larger result that I don’t know exists but is waiting out there for me. Or something.
You are amazing and so inspiring Sejal & even though you didn’t get the job you dreamed of, I’m sure the opportunity of a lifetime will come from all this. I don’t use the word “love” very often because most people don’t really value it but I really do love you to death. I’m thankful to have friends like you in my life that remind me that actions speak louder than words and even though we don’t always get the result we hope for, it is our actions that make us who we are.
PS: love the pics in the video š
Love you too, Joe. Your words mean a lot, thank you. And I think it may be one of those things where there’s a bigger, better larger result that I don’t know exists but is waiting out there for me. Or something.
Sejal, this post made me teary-eyed! Love your adventurous spirit and positivity! Can’t wait to see what all your good energy and connections lead you to next!
Thank you, Julia! Who knows where it will take me but it’s the only thing I can control, right?
Sejal, this post made me teary-eyed! Love your adventurous spirit and positivity! Can’t wait to see what all your good energy and connections lead you to next!
Thank you, Julia! Who knows where it will take me but it’s the only thing I can control, right?
Hey Sejal, this post made me teary-eyed. Thanks for sharing your story! I have no doubt that you spirit of adventure will continue to lead you to great places. What a wonderful message to follow your heart!
Your heart is a great compass. Can’t promise the path will be smooth but it’s the one that will give you the most feeling
Hey Sejal, this post made me teary-eyed. Thanks for sharing your story! I have no doubt that you spirit of adventure will continue to lead you to great places. What a wonderful message to follow your heart!
Your heart is a great compass. Can’t promise the path will be smooth but it’s the one that will give you the most feeling
Happy to hear how encouraged and loved you feel. You deserve it!
Thank you, Lilly!
Happy to hear how encouraged and loved you feel. You deserve it!
Thank you, Lilly!
Sounds like you have some awesome adventures in your future and I truly appreciate the nature of this post. You are the only person I know that is brave enough to say “Hey, world! I have this dream and I’m going for it!” Very few people have the courage to broadcast their dreams to the world in fear of failure and other’s expectations. Even though you’re not CWE (this time…) you’ve inspired me (and I know I’m not alone) to be more bold about the things I want to accomplish in my life. I don’t know if inspiring others to go get it is part of your dream job and on the list of requirements for being CWE but you are killin’ it at motivating those who are less lionhearted (me)… thank you.
What a beautiful comment. Couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. Thank you, Shivani.
Sounds like you have some awesome adventures in your future and I truly appreciate the nature of this post. You are the only person I know that is brave enough to say “Hey, world! I have this dream and I’m going for it!” Very few people have the courage to broadcast their dreams to the world in fear of failure and other’s expectations. Even though you’re not CWE (this time…) you’ve inspired me (and I know I’m not alone) to be more bold about the things I want to accomplish in my life. I don’t know if inspiring others to go get it is part of your dream job and on the list of requirements for being CWE but you are killin’ it at motivating those who are less lionhearted (me)… thank you.
What a beautiful comment. Couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. Thank you, Shivani.
You are a role model for all of us Sejal! I was excited to be a part of your effort…made me smile every morning to vote for you!
š And just seeing your name makes me smile, Connie! Thank you for your support and your encouragement!
You are a role model for all of us Sejal! I was excited to be a part of your effort…made me smile every morning to vote for you!
š And just seeing your name makes me smile, Connie! Thank you for your support and your encouragement!
hey sejal, i’m super proud of you for trying you best to get the position. I absolutely loved the videos. But let me know next time if you want to collaborate on another video project, i’ve been meaning to try it.
Thanks, Dave! Let’s talk about the video–my editing skills are elementary, at best, but let’s chat!
hey sejal, i’m super proud of you for trying you best to get the position. I absolutely loved the videos. But let me know next time if you want to collaborate on another video project, i’ve been meaning to try it.
Thanks, Dave! Let’s talk about the video–my editing skills are elementary, at best, but let’s chat!
Your ambition and drive are inspiring! I’m currently in the midst of a major career change. When I read about what you were trying to accomplish here, it taught me to be uninhibited in pointing myself towards my dreams and moving in that direction. Thank you Sejal!
Ameet–thank you so much for sharing! Your comment definitely brightened my day, thank you so much for that. What’s the career change you’re in the midst of? I’d love to hear about it!
Your ambition and drive are inspiring! I’m currently in the midst of a major career change. When I read about what you were trying to accomplish here, it taught me to be uninhibited in pointing myself towards my dreams and moving in that direction. Thank you Sejal!
Ameet–thank you so much for sharing! Your comment definitely brightened my day, thank you so much for that. What’s the career change you’re in the midst of? I’d love to hear about it!
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