Once upon a time

I might have been about 14 or 15 when I secretly wrote an application letter for an internship with the world-famous movie-maker Luc Besson. It goes without saying that it did not work. However, what gave me encouragement back then, were those words: “We are not looking for an intern right now, but we keep your application in case of further need”. As excited as a teenager could be, I felt an inner feeling of pride and delight: not only did they write me back, but they were also keeping my name in store just in case. My heart lept and my eyes looked in the air accompanying my big smile.

The plot 

More than ten summers passed since this day. Today, as a Business graduate and learning my sixth language, I send my applications around Berlin to even have a tiny chance to work as a student. Anything that requires creativity, organization, encouraging others, leading market studies or working with mutli-culti people, I apply!

Needless to say, the format of rejection letters has not really changed. The worst part is that it does not give you the chance to daydream about it. In two days only, an email can politely announce you the bad fortune: “We receive many great applications and therefore decisions are often based on minor differences. We wish you all the best in your future career”, or even better : “We hope that this answer does not discourage you and we wish you a great success with the search of new challenges”. Well, with that kind of answer the future career is de facto a challenge!

This is how searching for a job turns into a treasure hunt for guys. We all know, no one has ever found a treasure outside of a pirate book. And for girls, this is like waiting for Prince Charming.

The usual process when searching for a placement is first to select what best fits our abilities and character, and the bonus is when it’s a great company. Not really! Our parents invested so much in our education that the most famous companies are on our top-priority list and that we will stick to it no matter what.

The good and the bad characters during the adventures

I personally never dreamt of any charming boy. Just like the ideal work, I thought (a) all good guys are taken, and (b) if there is any left, I am not worthy. It takes guts to send your application to the top-companies and the top-positions, or to try dating Prince-High-School. You do know that the competition is going to take place on a complete unknown and jungle-like territory. The worst part is, you will never actually know why you didn’t get the job, but you will be cruelly notified why you didn’t get the guy.

The reason why you didn’t get the guy is pretty obvious: Prince-High-School is actually Prince-Immature, hence not the hero of your life. The fact is, your tale does not end up when high-school is over, there is a life after. Prince-Grown-Up is the one who will save you from your dungeon and win your heart.

With time, the fear of rejection turns into resignation. I wonder what Sleeping Beauty or the Beast thought of this. Their hope must have turned into fatalism. This is how we are lead to sometimes take the dumbest decisions. Yet, life is more intelligent than we are. It has incredible surprises in store. 

If we decide to stay passive in our dungeon, what must happen will happen: nothing! However, if we take the courage to put on faith and confidence as an armor, and then enter the unknown-forest, we might be extremely surprised. It is in those adventures that we can find a lot of great people to help us, and who can later become our friends.

Happily ever after

Boys are attracted to pirate stories, whereas girls dream of princess stories. Let these tales become reality. Each have similar patterns: the dream, the hope, and the joy of knowing that our destiny is meant for greatness.

Life is like a tale, we ought to dream the best for us and fight for it. Rejection letters and Prince-High-School have the same role: to teach us that the best is yet to come and that one day we will live happily ever after.