You may feel like most of what you learned in school are things you will never end up using in your day-to-day life. Yet, surprisingly, many of the basics that your learned in elementary school are still quite useful, especially when it comes to finding a job. Here are three of those things you learned in elementary school that can help you on your job search.
Stepping out of Your Comfort Zone
In elementary school, you had to step outside of your comfort zone from day one. You had to meet a lot of new people and do something completely new. In fact, school in general forces you to step outside of your comfort zone. From making friends to joining your first club, there were many new experiences. When you search for a job, you have to put yourself out there in ways that aren’t going to be comfortable. You have to meet people you don’t know and talk about yourself in a way you aren’t used to doing. What you have to remember is that most of the times you stepped outside your comfort zone in the past, it wasn’t as bad as you thought it would be, and you ended up accomplishing major milestones.
How to Deal with Failure
Elementary school was filled with successes and failures. The first time you picked up a book and tried to read, you struggled. It took practice to learn those skills. While you made friends, not everyone wanted to get to know you. Failure and rejection are natural parts of any job search. Most people won’t land the first job they interview for; it’s a process. Fourth graders often handle failure and rejection better than adults do. They bounce right back. During your job hunt, you can’t let rejection bring you down. There were likely a dozen other candidates applying for the job. Rejection doesn’t necessarily mean you did anything wrong. Keep at it. You’ll eventually find the right opportunity for you.
Communication and Networking Skills
When you first started school, you had to meet new people, from teachers to students. You likely had the opportunity say your name and share your interests. During an interview, you’re pitching yourself to the hiring manager. It’s basically a more detailed version of the icebreakers you used to have in school. If you think back, you weren’t in it alone when you were in school. You built relationships with your classmates; you built a network. You made friends, grew close to teachers, and sought out useful connections. You also joined groups and clubs that aligned with your interests. Networking for your career uses the same principles.
Elementary school probably feels like it was eons ago. You might not remember it very well, but the lessons you learned in then are some of the most valuable lessons you learned in the entirety of your academic career. You established the basics of stepping out of your comfort zone, dealing with failure, and networking. These are all essential skills you’ll apply to your career and to your job search. Now just make it fun and before you know it, you’ll land your dream job.
How can we help you?
Searching for an opportunity in the construction industry? Contact The Birmingham Group today to discuss your career path or browse our open positions.
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