How to be a badass woman in the workforce post grad
Don’t forget to make time to be the best HBIC you can be
As a graduating senior, there seems to be only one thing on everyone’s mind: when am I going to get a job? Everyone would like to think that the perfect job is waiting for them the moment they hold their degree in their hands. However, we all know that’s not the case.
Being a woman entering the workforce is even more intimidating because of the hoops and obstacles we will have to overcome in order to be taken seriously. Having said this, the one thing that should be on your mind as your walk the stage with your cap and gown is: when exactly am I going to show the world just how much of a bad ass I really am?
A tale as old as time: the post grad who spends the next three years of her life in the basement of her parent’s house in her hometown, not having any luck with any of her future employment endeavors. Though time off from eighteen years of school is definitely necessary, try your best to limit it to one summer before you take the next step in maturity and start the rest of your life.
The workforce can seem intimidating as hell, especially if the degree in your hand leaves a very vague grey area for what it is you can exactly do. But that is why you should be enthralled with the fact that you have the opportunity for the first time in your life to do whatever the hell you want. Try a job you’ve never heard of, try a job you never thought you would get, try a job you are severely under qualified for. If anything, each experience you have is not only another gold star on your resume but it is also a tremendous learning experience. Find out what you like and what you don’t. If you have some form of income, you’re doing just fine.
I was never one of those girls who went to proper etiquette class to learn what it takes to “be a lady.” Actually, whenever I hear about girls actually going to those classes I can’t help but think I would act very similarly to Amanda Bynes in ‘She’s the Man’ if presented with that situation… The world is changing and women are allowed to show our ankles as well as our personality.
However, when attempting to get a job, it is best to put your best self forward. :isten to my words very carefully: Your. Best. Self. Meaning that you are allowed to be yourself, show your personality – you definitely won’t want a job where you cannot act in your true fashion – but present yourself in a way where you can be respected. Then you will get the respect you deserve.
There is a lot of emphasis on looking the part for a job. My boss one time told me, “Dress for the job that you want, not the job you have” Though, at the time, the job I wanted was to be a stay-at-home college student who seldom changed out of her sweatpants, it definitely resonates with me what she meant. If you want a certain occupation, don’t get comfortable where you are – work as hard as you possibly can until you are the official HBIC (head bitch in charge).
The world is yours for the taking; it is only your effort that is getting in the way. A very simple solution to getting the job you want is to look presentable, be ready for any opportunity that may come thru your office that day. My mom also told me once, “Dress every day like you’re going to meet your favorite celebrity.” If you think I am going to meet Harry Styles in a frumpy half-assed outfit, you are dead wrong.
If you have paid attention to one thing about entering the workforce as a woman, the words “glass ceiling” and “wage gap” may have so graciously crossed your path. If anything, those words should not be deterrents, they should be the ultimate motivation. If anyone has ever told you that you couldn’t do something, they are always the trigger words that completely change your mindset and all you want is to prove them wrong. Well, take this as your kick in the ass – you will not achieve your dreams if you are sitting on the couch watching Netflix. Yes, Netflix is amazing, and yes, it is easy to be sucked into the black hole that will consume your time and energy, but don’t forget to make time for striving to be the HBIC you know you can be.
Now, let’s go take over the world. Post-grad life isn’t ready for us yet.