Chapter 1: The Struggles of Job Hunting

Searching for employment can be an arduous task. The barrage of rejections can be disheartening, but perseverance is key. However, there comes a point when one might wonder, "When is it enough?" How does one go about uncovering that ideal job opportunity?

In the eyes of many recruiters, job seekers often feel reduced to mere statistics. Individuals are frequently viewed as numbers rather than respected candidates.

Upon relocating to London, I found myself in a quest for employment, hoping to receive that coveted "YES" from someone willing to help me chase my aspirations. Ultimately, I learned that I alone held the power to fulfill my dreams. Yet, in a city where I had no connections, the path of traditional employment seemed like the only viable option—at least initially.

I faced significant challenges in securing interviews. Each time I disclosed that I was new to the city, responses dwindled. Conversely, when I interacted directly with HR teams instead of recruiters, I was often invited for interviews—although only three times.

In these instances, I wasn't merely a statistic; they recognized my potential. Unfortunately, I still faced rejection.

The most challenging aspect of my job search was the prolonged silence from employers—weeks, months, or sometimes an indefinite wait. My passion for videography, a lifelong pursuit, fueled my desire to contribute creatively. Yet, being unable to harness my skills daily was a source of immense frustration. As a creative individual, I craved validation and the knowledge that my talents were valuable.

Unemployment left me feeling hollow; my career was my identity. The absence of work and opportunities to showcase my abilities was deeply disheartening. I was eager to dedicate myself wholeheartedly, having previously worked tirelessly, and I took pride in my strong work ethic—a trait I believed was rare. Looking back now at 33, I realize that perspective was somewhat misguided.

The job search process can make one feel utterly inadequate, like a failure. With 500 companies turning me down, self-doubt crept in easily. While I attempted to reassure myself, the weight of rejection from so many potential employers was difficult to shrug off.

After six years of searching, I now wish to share insights about my journey. Sometimes, clarity can be elusive. I recognized that my introverted nature and visible anxiety were hindrances, resulting in low confidence despite a high opinion of myself. This was especially apparent during the numerous phone interviews I conducted.

Additionally, I lacked several essential skills. My focus was primarily on filming and sound, yet I had gaps in editing and marketing that I had failed to acknowledge.

Nevertheless, the story has a positive twist.

The video titled "How to Build a Rental Property Empire | From Flipping (& Quitting) to Financial Freedom" highlights the importance of resilience and adaptability in the journey to success.

Chapter 2: Recognizing Undervalued Opportunities

I want to emphasize that I turned down several job offers that I deemed undervalued or dubious. During interviews, I often encountered dishonesty, and I wondered why I would want to work for those who misled me.

If you sense something is off with a potential employer, trust your instincts and walk away before committing. While many companies expressed interest in hiring me, they often offered me meager compensation that didn’t align with my experience in video production, which spanned six years and included significant projects from Košice to Prague.

Not everyone possesses my skills in live streaming, sound engineering, and video production. I even had the opportunity to film the Slovak president, yet I was still offered minimum wage—largely because employers in the UK seemed indifferent to my achievements outside their borders.

The depths of despair can be profound; I once devoted an entire day to a project, assured that a contract would follow. I filmed, edited, and designed for eight hours, only to find the owner monitoring my editing time with a stopwatch—no exaggeration.

At the end of that long day, they informed me that they were unprepared with my contract and requested that I return the following day. I pressed for clarity on the contract terms, only to discover they expected me to work through Christmas with an offer for a lower salary than we had initially discussed.

Another instance involved an interview with a prominent global firm for a video producer role. After a successful initial selection, I had a phone interview with the hiring manager, who casually munched on food during our conversation. The memorable question, "What would you do if noise disrupted a shoot?" left my friend amused, as they quipped that the manager didn't even inquire about basic filming knowledge.

Despite advancing to the final stage with only four candidates remaining, I ultimately withdrew. The manager's assistant frequently made grammatical mistakes in her emails, and twelve hours before my last interview, she sent me an unexpected assignment completely unrelated to the job description. To my dismay, the role had changed from video producer to assistant editor, accompanied by a significantly reduced salary.

That was the tipping point for me. Yes, I had faced rejection from 500 companies, and while I should have felt grateful for any interest, I refused to be treated with such disrespect.

Instead of wallowing in self-pity, I was ignited by determination.

Chapter 3: Embracing Freelancing

Initially, the thought of becoming self-employed intimidated me. It necessitated selling my services, securing clients, and accepting full responsibility for my business—tasks I believed were beyond my capabilities.

However, my frustration fueled my resolve. If companies were unwilling to hire me, I would take matters into my own hands and pursue freelancing. I started to question why clients would want to work with someone that no one else wanted.

Despite my doubts, I began crafting my online brand, overhauling my skills, and putting them into action. I redesigned my website and focused on improving its visibility on search engines.

I delved into soft skills, SEO, marketing, blogging, and confidence-building courses. I produced vlogs, confronting my fears of judgment. I learned new editing software and techniques, often sacrificing sleep to keep up with the demands of my transformation. In less than a month, I secured my first clients, who were incredibly pleased with my work.

With each successful project, my confidence soared, and I began to believe in my potential.

Fast forward six months into freelancing, and I unexpectedly received an on-the-spot job offer from a businessman claiming to be a millionaire—whether true or not, he certainly had a global presence.

This wasn't the only opportunity. A private university with ties to the monarchy and the entertainment industry extended a full-time offer to me. Another significant client presented a lucrative proposal, yet I chose to decline all of them.

Reflecting on my journey five years later, I smile at how far I’ve come. As a freelancer, I have collaborated with over 300 organizations, including prestigious entities like the BBC, British Police, Cambridge University, Channel 4, NATO, Daily Mail, and more.

The most gratifying aspect? Many of these organizations had once overlooked me for interviews.

You can follow my ongoing journey on TikTok or Instagram.