One hundred and twenty – that’s the number of job applications I sent before landing my position with the NHL. One hundred and twenty is the amount cover letters I wrote; the number of interviews significantly less, but the hours spent on each application considerably more – triple, maybe quadruple.
The journey to get to where I am was long and trying. The road to where I’m going will be the same. The hope in sharing my story is to give those actively searching, hoping, and yearning for their breakthrough a reminder anyone’s shoes you are striving for were once in yours.
When I applied to job 1/120 – I felt the most badass. A new grad, with unwavering confidence in my resume, feeling strongly in a CV comprised of five seasons with the Sudbury Wolves, time with the London Knights, MasterCard Memorial Cup, and Vancouver Canucks, among other sporting and volunteering stints.
My goal was specific: sport communications.
Oftentimes throughout the process, I was forced to pause and reflect. Rejection literally forced me to stop what I was driving so hard towards. Whether I felt honoured to be considered next to whoever ended up being chosen or shocked to lose out to someone with less experience, it was tough.
Some rejections hurt more than others. Very early on in the process, a communications position opened with the Ottawa Senators for the first time in many years. This would have been a dream come true, and I fought like hell for it down to the final two. I’ll let you figure out the ending…
At the time, I wanted it so bad. Today, if I could sit at the table across from the manager and director I would thank them for not choosing me at that time. While I still feel deeply I would’ve been a great hire, the amount of growth I’ve experienced both professionally and personally wouldn’t have been the same if I was handed my dream so soon and easily. The reality is I would not be who I am now. Since that day, I’ve travelled 10 countries on my own. I wrote my GMAT and began my MBA. I started Eight Days a Week. I wrote a lot and read a lot. I kickboxed competitively. I experienced two more OHL seasons. I met people over coffee. I did a lot of living. I grew. Looking back on how those dots connected, I am so grateful.
If I were to give only one piece of advice through your process, it would be to have a mentor or someone to ground you. You need to find yourself a Tyler Fitch. A Tyler Fitch is a person who always has your best interests in mind and sees your best version. It’s a person who encourages you forward, pushes you, and challenges your perspectives. A cheerleader and an ass-kicker. This person is invaluable to careers. Tyler Fitch is the person I call for support when I don’t want to do something – like send an email or ask someone for a coffee – knowing he’ll tell me exactly what I don’t want to hear, but need to.
From that, came networking. Through 120 applications, I sent almost as many emails. I connected with people I admired and wanted to learn from. I was terrified every time I got on the phone or sat down for coffee, but honestly, it terrifies me more thinking about where I would be right now if I hadn’t put myself in uncomfortable situations to meet new people and explore new minds.
Every step, I kept building my resume. With my goal of communications, I focused on improving skills in writing, developing content, managing social media platforms, and storytelling.
Through the 119 failures over 30 months, I moved forward. I worked hard. At times, I had to settle for jobs or tasks or salaries with the trade-off of gaining invaluable experience. I tried again, one hundred and nineteen times.
As I began to establish my young career, I gained a different perspective on what exactly I was looking for… a perspective far removed from what I had on number 1 of 120. I understood the importance of finding the right organization for me, with a corporate culture I believed in. I understood the significance of a strong manager. I understood it wasn’t just about being chosen for a position but also choosing a position right for me. I needed the time and experience that 120 applications brought to see the big picture.
Then one Thursday, the day before the Sudbury Wolves opened the 2018-19 season and thirty minutes before a phone interview with the NLL’s Vancouver Warriors, I was offered a position with the NHL. After eight years I left the team I started with at 16, the one I grew up in, and kicked open a new door to begin another chapter. I’ve been told by some people I’ve made it. The truth is, I haven’t but I’m working towards ‘it’ every day. Be patient, resilient, and relentless towards your goals and if you see me, please encourage me to do the same.
Sara
