7 inspiring movies for jobseekers
Lots of jobseekers would agree that job hunting in itself feels like having a full-time job as well.
The daily grind of getting from one place to another to get to interviews and the need to dress up and present yourself well can be an exhausting process. It can leave jobseekers feeling tired, even demoralized when they feel their hunt seems to be going nowhere.
In times like these, perhaps going to the cinema and watching movies for a couple of hours may do the trick to help lift your spirits up. So sit back, relax, munch on popcorn, and leave all your worries behind for now. Let these movies motivate and inspire you to go after your dream job:
1. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
This autobiographical movie, starring Will and Jaden Smith, tells the story of Chris Gardner and his rags-to-riches story of his rise from homelessness to becoming a CEO of his own stock brokerage firm. From selling portable bone scanners to seeking out employment as a stock broker for a top firm, Gardner faced his challenges with the right attitude and determination for the sake of his young son. His journey will inspire each and every one to seek out better opportunities for themselves and their families. Viewers will marvel at this father's determination to lift up him and his son's life situation. Ultimately, it's a story of unwavering faith even in dire situations.
2. Office Space (1999)
This cult movie about a group of disgruntled IT employees working in a dreary, cubicle-filled office is for those who are still working but needs the extra "push" to help them get started on their job search. Overworked and underappreciated, Peter Gibbons and his colleagues struck back at their company when several of them got laid off after management brought in "efficiency experts" to cut costs and downsize their employees. Their methods may have been extreme but what job seekers can take away from this movie is that it is important to know your worth as an employee. If you are feeling abused in your workplace, know that this is not a permanent situation and that you can get better treatment elsewhere.
3. Julie & Julia (2009)
Sometimes opportunity knocks when you least expect it. In this case it's Julie Powell who finds inspiration through an unlikely source (Julia Child's " Mastering the Art of Cooking " book) and ends up getting a new lease at life. Julie Powell, a young writer working at a call center discovers her passion for culinary arts when she made a vow to cook all 524 recipes included in Child's book. She blogged about her experiences which lead to the creation of her memoir, "Julie & Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen". In a parallel story, the movie also covers Julia Child's early experience in learning French cooking at the Le Cordon Bleu. The movie shows that understanding our hobbies and interests may help us figure out the right career for us. There's a saying which states that the thing you're doing when you should be working (in Julie's case, writing and cooking) is perhaps what you should be pursuing for a living, and this story is proof of that.
4. Erin Brockovich (2000)
In this true-to-life tale, Julia Roberts"”in one of her best performances to date"”stars as the title character, an unemployed single mother whose tenacity, sass and drive helped in the fight against a huge US petroleum company over health safety violations. In the beginning, all Brockovich wanted was to get compensated over injuries she sustained in a car accident. When she didn't get her way, she never backed down and instead sought employment for the law firm who defended her case. That's when she discovered a case involving health and environmental violations between Pacific Gas and Electric and the residents of a small California town. Her unwavering search for truth and justice helped bring much-needed relief to the town's residents who were getting sick from chromium poisoning from the company's local plant. Like Brockovich, you can take solace in the fact that even if things may not go your way (missed job opportunities, failed interviews), you can fight back by toughening up to face the challenges that come your way. Doors being closed on your face? Force yourself to kick back and demand people to listen to you (figuratively, of course!). Don't let career setbacks derail you from your goals, and instead look at them as motivation to work even harder.
5. High Fidelity (2000)
For those looking for new beginnings or a chance to reinvigorate their dreams and life goals, this is the movie for you. John Cusack plays the role of Rob Gordon, a music store manager who seemingly is in a perpetual state of adolescence. Through the course of the film, Gordon navigates his thirties with humor and a self-awareness that he needs to finally step up and become an adult. He eventually finds purpose in life again through the help of his friends and his unwavering love for music. A movie that is full of quirky characters and pop culture references, this movie is not just for geeks and music fans but also for those who need a "boost" to get them going in their job search. Knowing what you want and what you are passionate about should be at the heart of every job hunting endeavor. Doing so will bring you satisfaction and gets you just a bit closer to achieving your dreams.
6. Jerry Maguire (1996)
Successful sports agent Jerry Maguire just got fired from his job at a top talent agency, Sport Management International. This sudden change didn't deter him and he vowed to start his own agency but with only one athlete and one other employee to start his business from the ground, will he be able to bounce back from this setback? Cameron Crowe's "Jerry Maguire" teaches us that a solid support group can help us a lot during times of uncertainty in our careers. Doubters will surely be around but having family and friends as support can help push us to work even harder. If you're feeling down in the dumps while job hunting, talk to your loved ones and let them know how you feel. If you're feeling lost or unsure, reach out to them and lean on them for support and comfort. Look at them as your personal cheerleaders who will always be there for you every step of the way.
7. The Secret of my Succe$s (1987)
Ambitious fresh grad Brantley Foster learns the hard way that to rise up in the corporate world, one has to pay his dues and start from the bottom. A surprise lay-off leads Foster to work for his uncle's company as a mail room staffer. Not content with what he ended up with, Foster used his financial smarts to rise up the company ladder. Many fresh graduates get disillusioned upon working when they realize that they have to start with low-paying, unglamorous jobs. What they fail to realize that these jobs, as simple or as "mindless" as they may seem, help prepare them for the challenges ahead. Each one of us has to start somewhere as even presidents and managers also started their careers as interns and assistants. This movie will inspire those who are just starting out to work hard and will help them realize that they would have their day in the sun if they push through and persevere.
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