1. You Look like Everybody else Applying

Doesn't matter what you do – sales manager, writer, server. You look like every other applicant … unless you make yourself stand out, preferably in an appropriate way.

2. At Least Three Unemployed People Vie for Every New Job

No fake: politifact.com. I have to imagine that number's much higher depending on the field, plus you also have to consider the applicants who are under-employed and those who are employed but looking.

3. You Might Have to do Something You Don't like for a While

You might even have to do something you actively hate. It's possible you'll even have to do more than one thing you hate – you might have to do lots of little crappy jobs.

4. Putting Together the Perfect Resume is Complicated

You have to Tetris a lot of valuable, relevant, eye-catching information into a relatively small space. You also have to make it perfect. NBD.

5. Job Interviews Are Just Horrible

Unless you're good at them, but I'm not even talking to you anyway. Just playin', but really, for a lot of people, they're just nerve-wracking and cringe-inducing and full of so much potential for embarrassment, anxiety, and failure.

6. And Prepping for Them is Tougher than Your Most Difficult College Class

This is real life, after all. You can always get a second chance in school, even if you have to pay for it. You get one shot with an interview.

7. You Might Hear Some Totally Unexpected Interview Questions

You should keep a running tally and share them on the internet. You might make some money! You might even get a job! Then you won't have to go on any more interviews.

8. Don't Rely Solely on Text, Email, and Social Media to Get in Touch

Sometimes, an old-fashioned call is better. Granted, that's not always the case, but it should maybe be your default form of communication unless otherwise stated.

9. People Can Be Kind of Judgmental when You Don't Have a Job

Not everyone, not at all, but some people can be extremely judgmental. You expect it from some of them, but it comes as a disappointing surprise from others.

10. Your Bank Account Will Drop like It is Hot

Watching it dip lower and lower is absolutely agonizing. Every dollar it drops can make you panic, so you treat every single cent like it's a precious little baby.

11. You Have No Savings to Speak of

You've probably already gone through that. If not, refer to #10.

12. You Spend Your Free Time on Indeed and LinkedIn

And Craigslist, of course, plus you're constantly googling job openings, and you quickly learn how to use Facebook and Twitter to your job-seeking advantage, too.

13. You Might Have to Completely Alter Your Career Path

That is entirely possible, even if it's only a temporary change. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do and it can lead you to unexpected places.

14. Your College Degree Won't Necessarily Mean as Much as You Wish It Did

I say that as an English major who writes for a living, by the way, so no judgment, no hate, all love.

15. You Might Need to Lower Your Expectations about Money

It hurts, but it happens. Believe me, it happens. It won't be forever, but again, there comes a point when you've gotta do what you've gotta do.

16. Prepare to Learn the Fine Art of Budgeting

You'll thank yourself, especially when you don't have to pinch every penny quite as hard. This can also make you more frugal in the future, when you won't necessarily need to budget, so you'll build up savings instead!

17. You'll Find a Job You Love, Even if It Takes a While

You'll get there, and it will be so sweet, and you'll appreciate it so much, and you will frigging SHINE.

Hands up if you've faced the horror of unemployment and lived to tell the tale.