Over the weekend, I saw the new movie featuring Alexis Bledel, Post Grad, which chronicles a recent college graduate’s attempts to find a meaningful job after falling short of her lifelong dream of working at a publishing house. It’s sort of like watching what would happen to Rory Gilmore if she decided to pursue publishing instead of journalism and if you swapped out the characters in Stars Hollow with a quirky family in sunny California. Despite an overarching theme that tends to pit career versus life, the movie has its rewarding moments and shares some good lessons for recent grads and job seekers in general:

1. Don’t underestimate the power of a good suit.  In both Gilmore Girls and Post Grad, Alexis Bledel can really rock a suit, looking polished, savvy, and sophisticated. The first suit I bought right out of college was a stiff, conservative navy blue skirt suit with a matching scarf. Beyond my first set of interviews, I never wore it again (except once as a Halloween costume). When I later bought a pinstriped pantsuit that is stylish and sleek, I could instantly feel the difference in how I felt and carried myself. I didn’t even realize that suits could be comfortable and fun to wear. The right suit can make all the difference in your level of confidence and self-esteem, which really translates in an interview or networking setting.
2. Interview, interview, interview!  Bledel’s character, Ryden Malby, assumes she will land her dream job on the first interview: she’s smart and has a high GPA, she’s interned at three top publishing firms, and a college advisor is putting in a good word for her. She gets a wake-up call when she shows up and has to wait in line behind 15 other applicants who also made it to the interview stage. She ultimately gets beat out by the class valedictorian who has a personal connection with the boss. After facing rejection, Ryden goes on a variety of interviews—we see her make mistakes and improve over time. Interviewing is a skill that takes a lot of practice and each interview is a chance to hone your ability to present yourself and your talents to potential employers.
3. Embrace career detours.  When Ryden doesn’t land her dream job, she works brief stints as a Production Assistant on an infomercial set and as a salesperson at her father’s luggage shop. While not ideal settings, I think she learns more about herself in the process and gains more knowledge about the world of work. In many cases, when you open yourself to more possibilities, you gain experience, contacts, and skills that prepare you to tackle your career goals. I often realize that these “detours” were leading me on the right career and life path all along. Would Ryden agree? You’ll have to watch the movie to find out.