If you are under 30 and you are wondering whether you are ready for 2023, this is your read!

22 years so far in the 21st century and

despite the technologies we are inventing to make our lives easier; however, everyday life's complexity is surging. 

This surge is, of course, associated with one of the most essential life requirements, "flexibility". For this very reason, in this article, I narrate various experiences I underwent in the 21st century, aiming at discovering with you whether I can make good use of my pre-pandemic life in 2023 onward.

Besides gaining work experience, my life goal before turning 30 is to possess academic degrees in politics, business and economy, and sociology.

It took me the first 22 years of this century to realize this life goal!

Nevertheless, is that enough to put on a CV? What could be of interest to recruiters? Did I well-prepare myself for what should come after this accomplishment? Most importantly, what have I learned? Finally, am I ready for 2023? I could assume that a plethora of others around this age are wondering the same, and here are my answers:

Is that enough to put on a CV?

It is certainly a catchy sentence to hunt the interest of the recruiter, however, it is also dangerous and could put anyone on the overqualified list. Furthermore, it is certainly not enough. After speaking with various employers, directors, and recruiters, I learned that how you convey your success is certainly more important than how you highlight it on your CV. It is essential to note that how you order your arguments is what you should think of before speaking with other parties.

What could be of interest to recruiters?

It is undeniable that the benefits of traveling, networking, and having an international footprint are difficult to count, however, using the visibility unwisely could make any effort ineffective. This point takes us back to the previous argument regarding putting your thoughts and ideas in order so you gain the attention that your adventures deserve. A mistake I did once was telling an interviewer how great I am, for more than 15 minutes, and when I finished his reply was "chill, man"! Basically, everything I said about myself was the third or more on his to-know-my-candidate's list of priorities. Let me list some priorities from this list:

1. Tell me what can you do for me?
2. Tell me how can you do it?
3. Tell me how did you learn to do it?
4. Show me that you can do it.
5. Provide me with references that you could do it.
6. Tell me about yourself (which I did first rather than last)

Did I well-prepare myself for what should come after my accomplishment?

To be frank, the answer is no! How come? No one is ever ready or well-prepared, every day there is something new, and it is very arrogant to claim that one could have it all; simply, because there is no crash course that will provide you with the key to living successfully. Yet, there are two things I have mastered that I think are useful for anyone to think of after accomplishing anything:

1. Failure

If you are doing great and you are not falling, that is fine, keep going, keep learning, and go for it. But, keep in mind that you should keep an eye on variable changes, trends, and things you should consider and adapt to, so you ensure your success. However, if you succeed once and you fail 1000 times, it is perfectly fine too, there are two options and one decision in this case. Choices are: 1) You have made a mistake during the process, so, you think about it, learn from it, and keep it in mind for the future; 2) you were perfectly fine, but there was someone who deserve it more, so you work harder to nail it in the future. As for the decision, well, basically, you cannot do anything but continue trying!

1. Solutions

One problem = One solution / this does not exist. You have to train your mind to generate ideas and solutions as many as possible. This mentality will upscale the perspective you view anything from it, and it will aid you in considering and digesting a wide range of information and variables.

What have I learned?

I chose four lessons to present to you:

The first lesson is: Einstein is right in all cases, except when it comes to networking and elevator pitching. It is common to attempt to speak with hiring managers, directors, HR officers, etc., to pitch yourself, and the common response could be negative. This does not mean that you are insane, but rather means that you should try harder, revisit your approach, and modify your content! Failing 100 times for succeeding once, is really worth it! Hence, perseverance and persuasion should be really your friends.

Sharon C. taught in her class at Grenoble Ecole de Management , it is great what you are doing, but what is more important is who knows what you are doing. In simple terms, who knows you is essential for your future, for multiplying and maximizing your outcome, and for achieving your dream. I am very good at networking and reaching out to new contacts, so, is that enough for me that I know people? Of course not! They should know me too, I should make an impression so when I reach out, for any reason, I receive a response!

Michelle Mielly , taught in her class the vitality of learning through exchanging ideas and thoughts. I begin to write LinkedIn articles after completing her class, and it did really have an impact on my life. Why? Because I learned that I, too, could have a voice, and could share thoughts and experiences that others could relate to, which will help us open a fruitful discussion and gain from it. Most importantly, the articles really benefit me when it comes to "who knows me".

The fourth influential learned lesson from the first 22 years of the 21st century is that while you are between 15 and 30, take on as many learning missions as possible. I mean by learning mission here any voluntary task, opportunity to enroll in a university for a diploma or a master, and or internships and jobs. It is not to make the CV looks full or the LinkedIn profile gets richer and shinier, but rather for establishing a solid base that you can rely on to thrive and prosper as you envisioned and more. To share a personal example here, I worked in construction and internal decoration, do I put it on my resume? No, but I know that it taught me skills that may help me to solve more problems than I would have been able to if it was not for those skills.

Finally, am I ready for 2023?

Couldn't have answered the question better than how Holly Goldberg Sloan answered. Being ready means being equipped and constantly work on enhancing the equipment (e.g. read articles and books, attend a workshop, shoulder a new task, etc.). So, if I am to say I am ready for 2023, I would say that I am well-equipped academically, in terms of work experience, and in terms of networking. And 2023, for me, is the year when I can employ my ROI (return on investment) from my investment in equipping myself.

In conclusion, I am confident that nothing goes to waste, neither a trade I did when I am 6 years old, a volunteering task I did when I was 9, any summer job I did in construction or as waiter, or any internship I have completed with a company or an NGO.

Everything we do while we are under 30 is an investment, and its return will be providing us with better chances to maximize our potential in the job we choose to make a career from it.

To this end, and before turning 30, work harder, work a lot, and work in as many areas as possible. This is how you can prove to the interviewer that you are different, that they should select you, and that you are the one who deserves the opportunity.