I graduated with a degree in Business Marketing in 2018. With one of the highest GPA’s in my graduating class and relevant internship experiences, I was nothing short of confident that I would get hired a few weeks after graduation.

Over the next few months of applying for job after job, I began feeling discouraged and wondered why I hadn’t landed a position. I was making it to the phone interview stage, and went to many in-person interviews, but wasn’t receiving any offers.

It took months to figure out the mistakes I was making, but here’s what I learned:

Be Vocal About Your Value

Many employers view hiring a recent graduate as a gamble. They may prefer to hire someone with more years on their plate. Instead of viewing your age or limited work experience as a disadvantage, be vocal about what you can bring to their company during the hiring process. Do you understand new social media platforms the company isn’t currently using? Do you think the agency could gain more clients if they focused their efforts on local advertising? Research the company by reviewing their website to see how you can help solve a company problem. Offer your recommendations and show how the company can benefit from hiring you. …

Disconnecting can be life-changing

Picture this: Friends and family sit around a table playing a board game and laughing. Some are reading in the living room while others are taking a nap. The television is off, and the kitchen appliances are left unused; delicious dishes have been prepared for this very occasion beforehand. No one will run out the door with their car keys or refresh their email for incoming messages.

It is the Sabbath (Shabbat in Hebrew), the Jewish day of rest. And since I was about ten years old, this is what our home has been like every Saturday afternoon. We refrain from using any technology for a 25 hour period each week that begins Friday at sunset and ends the following evening at nightfall. …

These last few years have been a financial wake-up call for many, myself included. I used to spend mindlessly- comfort buying or shopping as a form of escape was something I indulged in regularly. While acquiring new items may be exciting for a quick minute, I have come to realize that saving and investing is so much more fulfilling in the long run. Purchasing less has led me to become a much more intentional shopper. I no longer spend money on unnecessary purchases that bring physical or mental clutter into my life.

If you are trying to save money but find yourself spending mindlessly, it can be helpful to create a do-not-buy list. This list should consist of purchases you are currently making that are not improving the quality of your life and would be easy to omit. This list may change from time to time, but it is good to have one, regardless of your lifestyle and income. Everyone’s do-not-buy list is going to be different, but I hope sharing mine serves as a bit of inspiration to get started on yours. …