The ramblings of a frustrated jobhunter

Hello, my name is Sylke... and I'm a frustrated jobhunter.

I've graduated in August and ever since then (and a little bit before that time as well), I've been looking for a job. Preferably a job that relates in some way to the subject that I have studied (international law), but really I'm just looking for any job. Any job that can provide me with some kind of practical experience or from which I will be able to learn something... anything. Because my current job of delivering mail isn't really doing that, at all. So I don't think I'm asking for that much. Then why is nobody offering me a job? Or even inviting me to come for an interview?

Because for the legal positions that are in some way related to 'my field' I do not have enough experience. And for a lot of the other positions I am either too highly educated or do not have the right education.

First of all, how can I get some experience when nobody wants to hire me?

Secondly, how can I be too highly educated when I still have so much to learn?

I understand that an experienced candidate might be more desirable than a candidate like me, who needs more training which costs more time and money. But that doesn't mean that I don't come with my own wonderful set of benefits. I'm not necessarily more intelligent than most people, but I'm smart nonetheless. I'm a quick study, hard worker and eager to gain experience and learn new things. So I'm thinking I could be a great asset to many companies and organizations. But people like me, recently graduated and without a lot or any experience, still have a lot to learn even after having studied hard for several years. And employers don't want to spend the time and money to teach us what we need to learn. If they did, however, they might just gain an employee that they could mold into someone that fits perfectly within their company. Employers need to start seeing us not as burdens that will be time consuming and expensive, but as blank slates that they can train and teach to be the perfect employee.

Ok, I think that's enough of my by frustration induced incoherent ramblings for today.

International Women's Day

This is for (some of) the women in my life, in celebration of International Women's Day:

• My mom - The strongest woman I know! She is beautiful, smart, powerful and wonderful. If I have only inherited one tenth of her strength and wisdom, I'm a very happy woman.
• Joyce and Evelien - My two oldest friends, who I consider to be more like the sisters I never had than 'just' friends. Thank you for all the amazing times together, I'm looking forward to many more (including skydiving together when we're old and grey!).
• Myrthe - One of the most creative and smartest persons I know (who taught me that it is ok to wear mismatching socks).
• Ilse - You were an amazing housemate and I'm so happy we were able to remain good friends (even though we don't always get to see eachother as often as we would like).
• Mensje - I always enjoy our dinner and movies dates greatly!
• Wendy - The best childhood friend a girl could wish for! And I don't think I have ever properly thanked you for introducing me to Erwin, so in case you happen to read this: Thank you so very much!
• Lucie and Jeanine - The best mother- and sister-in-law anyone could ever hope to have.
• Paula - Who makes my dad so happy, thank you!
• My aunt Marianne - Who taught me (probably without realising it) that you should live your life to the fullest and enjoy every moment, because you never know how many moments you have left.
• My aunt Rita - Who taught me (probably also unknowingly) that there is nothing wrong with being a little different.

Happy International Women's Day!