Job hunting is really all about patience.

The number one thing that takes patience is finding the right job.

Are you a patient person? I can tell you right off the bat, I'm not. I like to have things done as soon as possible, but if life has taught me anything, it's that things never happen when I want them to. I've had to learn the hard way that things take time. Finding a new job certainly doesn't happen overnight. It takes patience.

Job-searching is going to take up a lot of your time. No doubt about it.

Searching for a job can be an emotionally draining and physically exhausting process. Perhaps you come home at the end of the day feeling nothing but discouragement because employers just can't seem to see the potential you have for a job. You feel ready to give up because you feel like you'll never find the right job. Be it searching for only one day or a whole year and you've come up empty - it takes time.

Trying to find the right job is like having a full time job. You've got to put in the work to build your resume, CV, cover letter, and other required documents in order to be noticed by employers. You've got to spend time networking with people who are in your industry or field of choice so you can have an in with the kind of job you want to do. You've got to have good research skills, have a good idea of the kind of job you want (it doesn't have to be just one) and you want to apply for as many jobs as you can that you would be interested in and willing to do. Don't settle for less than who you are. Your skills and qualifications mean something, prove to the company you're applying with that you are the best candidate for that position!

You're not going to get your dream job straight out of college

Even if you graduated with tons of internship experience or multiple degrees, don't expect to have your dream job right after graduation, because it most likely won't happen. There's a number of reasons why: 1) Your dream company isn't hiring, 2) the dream job isn't available in your area, or 3) you've still got some experience needed before you can get there.

Getting your dream job takes more hard work (perhaps more than you did in college) because it requires real life experience. It'll take networking, finding the right people at the right time to support you in your business or entrepreneurship ventures, going the starving artist route and doing whatever you can to achieve your ultimate dream, or simply starting at the bottom to work your way to the top. That in itself requires a whole lot of patience.

Let's face it, the time it takes to get your degree can feel like forever. Especially depending on the field you're in (like medical.) It takes patience to make it through the classes, finals, and trying to pay off the mountain of debt you've acquired now that you finally have the piece of paper which says you're qualified for the job you really want.

Writing resumes, cover letters and other application documents takes even more time

Your resume probably will never be perfect. There's always going to be a change you can make to it to help improve it. You've got to go over your resume until your eyes bleed (but not really), go over it again and again and keep thinking of ways where you could add more of your skills and qualifications. Make your resume shine so it's a glowing review of you and all of the experiences you have that make you qualified for the positions you're applying for.

The key point I'm making here is, take as much time as you can on your application documents. It's like writing an essay for school: don't procrastinate writing it until the night before it's due because it's not going to get the best grade (no matter how great of a writer you are.) The more time you put into your documents to research the company, the job, and really emphasize your skills and qualifications, it will show the employer you're applying to that you've really done your homework and that you really want the job.

Once you've submitted the application, you get to play the waiting game

The waiting game can last a few days or a few months. It really depends on the employer and exactly how soon they need to make a new hire. A good word of advice is to follow up on your application at least a week after you've applied. At that point you don't look desperate to the employer, but mostly curious about when you can expect to hear back from them. When you follow up, it's also good to re-emphasize your interest in the position as well as your qualifications for the position. Be sure to thank them for the time, and indicate that you look forward to hear from them soon.

Sometimes you might never hear back from them. That is honestly the fault on the employer and a decision that has the potential to harm them just as much as you. If you never hear back, don't get too torn up about it. Let yourself go through the grieving process if need be, but don't be afraid to move on and keep searching for your next position. Chances are, there's a better opportunity out there for you.

As you make your way through the hiring process and get your initial interview, then your second interview, then you've got to wait again for the yes or no. The nice employers will let you down easy and tell you if they decided to move forward with a different candidate. Some employers will hire someone else and never tell you. If you never heard back and you had several interviews, you can try to contact them to get closure, but more often than not, they've gone with someone else.

Ultimately, no matter how long you've been playing the waiting game, you've been pressing forward with patience, and your patience has finally paid off with a phone call or email that tells you, "You're hired!"

With time and a sure amount of patience, there will certainly be a big payoff in the end. Especially once you get that first paycheck.