Hunting for a job isn’t easy. It’s especially not easy when you’re applying out-of-state and are currently viewed as “unemployed.” It’s hard to express to potential future employers that I left my last job on good terms in hopes of finding a great job in a new city. (Who does that?!) There are many days when I think it’s nearly impossible to get a response from an application for what sounds like my perfect dream job. I often feel like my resume and cover letter are submitted to a black hole of online employment postings that get lost in the mix of thousands of other job seekers. How could I possibly stand out? Maybe I’m not as good as I say I am on a cover letter (and that’s a whole other blog post, I’m sure.)

Then I began to clean out my box from my old job. I found several random knickknacks and pictures I kept on my desk to liven things up, but the real treasures were the random cards and notes. This was just the boost in morale I needed. I have several thank you cards from bosses and co-workers that make me realize that what I did actually made a difference. These small words of encouragement are even better than a letter of recommendation because they’re real and from the heart. I didn’t have to ask for them, they were given as a token of appreciation. I decided to add them to my portfolio in hopes that my dream job may realize “this girl can get the job done!” If anything, they make me a little more confident in being as cool as I say I am.