I’ve picked up a few resume tips over the years. They’re pretty basic, but are often easily neglected. Here goes:

1. Always make sure your References are up-to-date. I’ve noticed a lot of my former employers’/supervisors’ phone numbers have changed, either because they’ve moved around in the company or because they’ve moved onto other companies. I always recommend maintaining as much contact information from each of your references as possible because it’s always a major bummer when that star reference you’ve been relying on is MIA!

2. I like to include a small “Leisure Pursuits” or “Hobbies” section at the end of my resume. This is especially appreciated by employers who are hiring you for your creative abilities. It also allows you to appear more personable with your potential employer, especially if they’ve been seeing the same resumes over and over again for the past few weeks/months and need some sort of differentiating factor to separate one candidate from the next.

3. Lastly, and maybe the most trivial, print your resume on quality paper. The actual shade of “off-white” you use isn’t going to be a deal breaker, but I do recommend picking a kind of paper that at least has that cool watermark seal (you know…the fancy emblem you can see when holding the sheet up against the light!).

I agree, these tips are no-brainers, but again, can easily be overlooked. Just remember, every little bit of perfection you add to yourself can go a long way!

Posted by Suzanne Y on February 28, 2006 at 11:58 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

I was still working with my delivery job when I got a chance to actually work with a television crew for a few days, in another city in fact. It was the biggest opportunity I had ever had before and in my mind I was break dancing. My sister was also pretty excited for me and would have wanted to go if it wasn’t for the fact that she had MCATs to study for.

The series of events unfolded first with my covering my backside. I had to get at least three days off work which was actually was easier than I thought. Then I also had to confront my parents who would be curious about me being gone for three days. I broke it down in simple terms that this would be a great business trip to learn new technical skills and that I would drive up there by myself and spend a few nights there. My Dad was again skeptical of course wanting me to cancel, but I said “No way! You can’t do this, besides I’ve already scheduled three days off. I’m ready to do this and have all my clothes in here.” I think he was worried actually that I was leaving for good and thought I had found a career, but I assured him I’d be back in three. I think what really motivated me at the time was also the fact that my coworkers had told me that they drove two hours to work everyday and then two hours back home. Everyday regardless of whether we had overtime!

Day One: Got up to work at six a.m. in the morning, yes. And I wonder how my coworker manages to do a dayshift, go home, and sleep and repeat. Another coworker had given me a pep talk about talking to my boss. I had made a miscalculation and needed to leave earlier than I thought (overtime till 4:30 but had to be at the TV site by 7:00pm about 130 miles away. Thank goodness I took his advice and got courage to talk with my boss about leaving at 2:30pm, enough time to change and drive straight up to the state capital. I arrived about 15 minutes late, not great, but people were still coming. Met a load of beautiful people. Talked, introductions, & waiver forms. There’s a lot of waiting around between shots, more time to talk. One good thing about a big name shoot is tons of good food. Later I would find out that some lower budget independent films tend to also skimp in the comfort food department, which means more time for nerves and uneasiness. So don’t skimp on this if you’re making a movie. When we had dinner, it was in conjunction with a cafeteria scene. Finally we had a night outdoor scene where we got paint all over our clothes, other people, and in our eyes (ouch). It was messy, cold, and fun. By the end of the night there was great bonding among us college-aged-kids-portraying-high-schoolers. We were all delirious and getting tired from being up so late. I was running on adrenaline with the floodlights and cop chase scenes. We finally left at 3:00am due to the onset of rain. I left and drove around asking gas stations for hotels, getting weird looks from being all paint covered. Had a bagel and juice before retiring at 5:00am after a shower and a bit of TV. What a day!

Day Two: Woke up cold around 8:00am. AC too low. Feel like vomiting. Showered & typed a journal in bed till 12:00pm. Asked my friendly hotel clerk about phone cards. Went across the street to buy supplies & breakfast. Hung around some more before heading off to shoot. Got lost and arrived fifteen minutes late again. Today’s shoot was not as messy, we just did some coordinated high school hallway & locker walk through scenes. We had a power outage halfway through and took five. Did an outside shot in drizzling rain. Power came back on and we shot until around 9:00 doing a stage choir and detention hall scene. Came back and got time to watch late night television.

Day Three: Called up my boss and talked with her hoping she could change my misjudged third off day to today. I had planned three nonconsecutive off days initially. I got it. Checked out of hotel. I was going to go to a closer hotel per advice of my TV crewmates. Basically much of the same except it was mostly teacher reprimand scenes and speeches and classrooms. I had left my hotel on time and got a chance to get some matching clothes. I met someone I had gone to college with. Exchanged contact info and talked with her. Finally we had a night driving scene, but I stayed out of it because I was embarrassed about a large dent on my front driver door. I stuck around hoping to learn more. Good thing I did, my college acquaintance said her car battery died and so I got to play hero and jumpstart it. Finally left since my services weren’t needed.

Day Four: Got up to finish up the shoot, and get my car fixed. But I had got lost so many times and traffic was so bad, nearly got in an accident and so I cut my losses and decided to leave back to my town. Arrived by around 4pm to relax and ponder my “vacation getaway” for about a hundred dollars.

In retrospect I’d do it all over again, but be more careful around on time. I learned more about filming and television crew and got to talk to someone really inspiration at the end of Day Three who told me, “Keep doing what you’re doing if you love it. Not everyone loves this like you do.”

Posted by Shuo C on February 28, 2006 at 9:32 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

It's been a long time since I last posted something. I have recently been struggling with some family issues, as well as the day-to-day chaos of juggling classes, work, homework, extra-curricular activities and attempting to prepare for my senior year of college. Needless to say, it's been crazy.

To begin, I'm at that stage in my college experience where I need to make those final choices as to what I plan to do with my degrees. I have the opportunity to attend graduate school and receive my masters in English, or I could choose to pursue an MAT degree. I am also considering going abroad as an ESL instructor. Or, I could simply stick with my B.A. and start my career at age 22, which doesn't seem the most appealing option to me.

It's also almost time to register for my Fall semester classes. I have to divide my time between two majors, a related area, a minor, and my general education classes. I only have two semesters left and a lot to finish up - I have to be extremely careful in coordinating my schedule (not to mention leaving time to work so that I can pay the rent).

I've also been in search of internships again. Luckily, my university recently held a non-technical internship fair and I waas able to speak with several businesses. I am fairly certain (about 98%) that I did in fact already claim an intern position at a local newspaper, but I don't verify that until later in the month. I also received an interview invitation for mid-March and waas asked to submit references to another potential employer. Furthermore, I may have an opportunity to teach summer enrichment programs both at my university and another college closer to home.

I feel very fortunate to have very understanding supervisors and bosses who are willing to work around my chaotic schedule and give me the time off that I need for my interviews (they aren't even insulted by this because the position I currectly hold is only available to undergraduates). They are very supportive and are excited for the opportunities that await me. Hopefully, wherever I end up at, I will be lucky enough to have other bosses like them.

Posted by Erin S on February 28, 2006 at 1:56 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

I’ve only recently realized what I want to do after I graduate…and right in the nick of time (since I’m graduating in less than three months)! I’m majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Management, but I’ve only recently acknowledged my strength as a writer. Given my newfound forte, plus a need to foster my much-neglected creative side, I’m looking into getting an internship in the Marketing sector of Business. I’ve been utilizing my college’s Career Center, which features an online job/internship database. A few jobs listed on the site caught my eye and I plan on submitting my resume as soon as I get a break from the onslaught of midterms.

If none of my job prospects fall through anytime soon, I won’t be too upset. I’ve already gotten over the most challenging hurdle of career searching, which is determining one's passions and finding a way to relay those passions into a career! I know that as long as I'm dedicated to achieving my goals, the rest will fall into place.

Posted by Suzanne Y on February 28, 2006 at 1:16 AM | Leave a Comment (2)

As I said yesterday, when I started working with mail delivery I was gung ho for the work and money. I had set my goals high. I wanted to go to graduate school for film, and with an uncertain but slight lean toward video editing. I wanted to go to a big name school in LA or NY. I mean if you are gonna dream, you might as well dream big, right?

The mail delivery business I was in had a strict hierarchy favoring people that had served the country, soldiers and veterans, and they also hired civilians. The structure was setup to reward those who had worked hard for the government for many years. It also was a stable, steady income trading an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay. At least that’s what it’s supposed to do in theory. Of course hierarchies systems always have some problems if people decide to discriminate based on hierarchy or flaunt their status. For example, the main classifications involved a full-time employee, part-time and temporary seasonal positions. It was also the first time I dealt with blue collar work and unions. But gist is that a temporary seasonal position could work insanely harder than a full-time on the same task, but get paid much less without benefits. I never had noticed or cared until I noticed a lot of complaining from my temp seasonal coworkers. And personally my stance was that it was unreasonable for me to expect equal pay scales when just starting out. Being raised as a son of an airman, I had a work-through-pain-and-inequity-soldier-and-you-will-be-rewarded feeling. Many of my peers didn’t feel the same way. So there was a lot of caustic daily complaining and ill feeling between full time and temps when we had transferred to a new mail unit after all the large holiday packages were exhausted. I stayed neutral, but I could feel a of war politics going on.

There was also a new shipment time pressure element, with lack of sufficient workers, and endless repetition of mail daily duties. I thought I was a great worker and fast, but I learned in the new unit that we were disposable. The work could be hazardous, back breaking, and even fatal if you worked too fast or were careless. But of course, don’t think I have a silver spoon in my mouth. It was easy and you could get in a routine and have breaks and lot of chill out and think time. But, like a full-time employee told me who oddly echoed the sentiments of my car sales job… “You’re wasting your time the longer you stay here, you have a college degree.”

Now, I don’t give up from a fight easily, and I also heard some people don’t like you and just want you to quit (more office politics) but I stayed on until we got terminated in the summer due to the end of our holiday contract. I looked all summer for a job, but couldn’t find anything except some web positions, that didn’t reply back to me. I drew my first unemployment checks, which I recommend to do online to get faster checks.
They brought us back about two months later to start again with a new contract.

Meanwhile, I had stayed on my college newsgroup for theater and they were looking for extras for a big name college music & video television channel. My very, very first break! I was sent this opportunity a few days after I had agreed to the contract. After working back at the mail delivery plant, I got the courage to ask my boss if I could get a few days off in a row. Since they knew my previous good performance and it was still the beginning of our contract I luckily was able to go! More on this and jobs tomorrow.

Posted by Shuo C on February 27, 2006 at 8:56 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

To introduce myself, I’m Danielle, I’m 22 years old, and I live in central Massachusetts. I graduated this January from Franklin Pierce College, and I majored in mass communication and concentrated in print journalism. Right now, I’m in the middle of looking for my first professional job, preferably in marketing, advertising, public relations, or journalism.

So far, the going has been tough. I started applying for jobs semi-seriously in October and very seriously in December, and I have yet to receive a job offer, although I’ve been on a few interviews. I graduated from FPC a semester early, which I thought would be a good time since there are fewer entry level candidates looking for jobs in January than in May. So much for that!

There are a few things that I’ve learned about job hunting since I began my search. I’d like to share them with you:

1. Employers want you to have experience, sometimes two to five years. But if you’re like me and you’re just starting your career, you don’t have any. Without that experience, not every employer is willing to give you a chance. Unless someone gives you a chance, you’re out of luck. It seems to me like finding a job is about convincing someone to take a gamble on you.

2. Job candidates are usually at the bottom of the human resources priority list. Sometimes, you don’t get a phone call until a month after you’ve applied for the job. By that time, you’ve usually forgotten that you’ve applied for the job and what the job even is, and you have to pretend you know what you’re talking about when the recruiter calls. (Yeah, that’s happened to me. More than once.)

3. Your odds of finding decent employment are severely limited when you live in a cow patch (if you don’t know what that is, you probably don’t live in one. But if you’re curious, it means you live in a town that has a significant cow population, a town that nobody has ever heard of. The sticks, if you will). I am one of those unfortunate people, and the closest city to me is Worcester, about an hour away. Boston is about an hour and a half away, too far for a daily commute. While I like the country, I feel as though my opportunities are limited, especially when I see that all of the most interesting, relevant jobs are located in the Boston area.

Maybe my luck will change soon. I have three interviews this week! More later.

Posted by Danielle F on February 27, 2006 at 7:47 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

I have an interview tomorrow. It's for an unpaid administrative internship, not overly exciting, but certainly worth a wahoo! It’s the first response I’ve gotten from the big, mean city, after all, and it’s nice to have some token acknowledgment.

Actually, I find myself in an odd position because I’m not sure I want anything to do with an unpaid administrative gig. I think the interview itself will be a worthwhile experience. It is (almost) as much of an interview for them as for me: I already know how to operate a fax machine and answer the phone, so why would I want to spend my two days off playing gopher for a digital effects firm? Could it provide a flashy name on the ol’ resume? A helpful segue out of tech-land and into the skyscrapers? Something more?

Some wise folks have mentioned that I ought to abandon my dismal commute altogether, shy away from this opportunity, suffer through temping for a while and get some baksheesh for my labors. I think they are probably right. Still, it is difficult to abandon the stability of a known, full-time position and the good people I work with. So wahoo… but what to do?

Further bulletins as events warrant ~

Posted by David K on February 27, 2006 at 6:49 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

“Whatever you decide what you want to do in life, just make sure it’s something you love and it’s something that you will be happy to get up and do every morning.”

In my previous blog, “Tribulation of a Military Spouse,” I talked about my uncertain future. I learned that my spouse would deploy to Iraq in about 6 months. We just settled in a new city and I was actively involved in looking for a job.

What am I going to do now? I asked myself. I really took some time to reflect and took some advice from two very important people, my parents. My mother always told me, “Whatever you decide what you want to do in life, just make sure it’s something you love and it’s something that you will be happy to get up and do every morning.” On the other hand, in order to keep track of all of my ideas and things that I wanted to do, my father would always tell me to write things down.

I took the advice of my parents; I wrote down and thought about all of the things that I would love to do. I want to be a writer, I want to work in public relations, and I want to be more involved in the community.

My next step was to put my goals into detail. I asked myself the following questions:

1. What do I want to write?
2. What area of public relations do I want to work in?
3. What areas within the community do feel, need the most attention?

After answering these questions, I set some short-term goals. I decided to pursue my writing goals first. I plan to start writing and submitting work to a local publication.

However, I do plan to move in 6 months (to be closer to family members), so I decided to hold off on pursuing any permanent PR jobs. I have already begun researching jobs in the area where I will relocate. Fortunately, there are several PR agencies there and hopefully a lot of opportunities to find a job.

I think I’m on the right track now and I am being productive. I am trying to gain more experience and hopeful build-up my resume. I have compiled a list of contacts within the community and hope to get involved with a local organization soon. I also signed up to volunteer with a national non-profit organization to help with media relations.

I can only hope to stay focused and continue to pursue my career goals.

Posted by Chanda D on February 27, 2006 at 4:50 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

Lately, my thoughts are solely on what project I'm going to work on during the eight week intensive summer program for graduate school. I have so many ideas; I just have to pick one and focus it. Since I got in for sculpture, but I've mainly been a painter, I will try and combine the two into one project.

I haven't heard back from the video rental store yet about setting up an interview. Maybe I'll give them a call, but I'm not too worried about it. Since I got into grad school, the job search is much less important now. I would like to have some money coming in though so I can use it for art materials, especially once the program starts.

I've been reading through the graduate school booklet and I'm excited that I have to write a Master's Thesis. As a former English student, any writing exercise is a welcome challenge. After reading through a thousand pages of Troilus and Crisede then writing a research paper on it, nothing they can throw at me will be too difficult.

I think the fact that I have an extensive background in education probably helped me get in. Once I get my MFA, I'll probably start applying to colleges for jobs teaching art. But that time is far away because this graduate program is two and a half years long. That's all for now, I will post again soon!

Posted by Matthew P on February 27, 2006 at 8:17 AM | Leave a Comment (2)

It's been about two weeks since I've written anything on the blogs and I thought I'd finish up the trilogy à la George Lucas before the story loses interest or gets sidetracked. I have had a lot of happenings in the past few weeks (I keep busy) and also I tend to be a writing perfectionist, but if the latter is true I would never get my blogs out. And so this is a good time to begin since College Recruiter just launched their new website design, another momentous occasion!

Since working with mail delivery, I've had a lot of time to think, and I mean a LOT. Consider it being stuck in a sort of prison, without all the benefits. Of course I didn't always see it this way. Tomorrow, I will update you about work politics and drama and you'll see what I mean.

See, what many college students don't realize is that they have all these resources on campus and hardly ever use them all. Most barely use 1% of the libraries, networks, career services and what not.
So when I got out of college I was still pretty jaded by the fact that I was living independent without a care in the world. Soon as that ended, it was "Son, time to get a job. Too bad you never too advantage of that career services center on campus or went to any of those job fairs, eh...? a heh heh."

So I dedicate Dramatic Drama this week not only to the struggling actors and students out there, but also most definitely to the post graduate students. The ones out there like myself that have gone "the wrong path" and put themselves into a hole whether because we make poor academic, financial, or life decisions. Or just we are born with bad luck. I give you this advice, "Only you can take control of your life. All the power for success already lies within you." Because we all make "mistakes", but they are never truly mistakes if you learn from them. They are just what makes you unique from everyone else.

My tip for today which I got from a career help site is this: stay up to date with your field with free magazines and books. Once you find a field you are truly interested, whether it be medicine, art, accounting, etc. you can usually find free publications online that are willing to send them to your door monthly for free or very little fee.
For instance, doctors, teachers, and computer scientists have an ever changing field and always need to stay updated and abreast with current information. Thus, this is a great way to always be "in the know." Think about it.
I personally was able to do a search for free industry professional and trade magazines and find some goodies. If you are looking for acting resources, you'll also find newsgroups to be an excellent source of information as they often have links to online books and links. Often these will also have insider information into jobs and internships.

Tomorrow I'll also talk about my first lucky break and more about the power of online resources.

Posted by Shuo C on February 26, 2006 at 9:40 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

When I was in college and had no money for the holidays, I would call into a temporary employment agency, and tell them when I was available to work. Usually they would have some stellar opportunity like manufacturing music stands (screwing the same one or two parts into each other for an eight-hour shift) or sorting through brown glass bottles for the ones with a certain code on the bottom. The pay was never great, but it was usually $1.50 above minimum wage.
For two weeks, in January of 1999 I worked for a company that went into fire-damaged homes, salvaged what they owned, cleaned, it and returned it to its original position once the house had also been fixed. We each had items that we preferred to move and clean. My specialty was wall hangings and photographs; checking out the photographs gave me the edge when it came to betting who in the family caused the fire. And no matter what the job was, I always met fascinating people, experienced a different sector of the working world, and got the money I needed to travel home (or to Vegas) for Thanksgiving.
But I never thought Temp Agencies could ever help my career; I thought they could only find warehouse jobs or paper shredding jobs –jobs you’d never want for life. The first several jobs I got through Temp Agencies, after moving to Los Angeles were no different. I sorted mail at Playboy Entertainment, filed archival paperwork for law firms, and evaluated teachers in training for a company called Testmasters. They pay their instructors $50/hour (not bad if you can score in the 99th percentile on the LSAT, which all of their instructors have). I, on the other hand, made $10/hour –the same as I made at the other temp jobs in L.A.
And so I’ve carried on. The old lady who supervises my filing has finally gotten off my back, and they’re paying me $14/hour. The Temp Agencies still haven’t found me a job doing what I want, but I can pay my bills and keep looking for the right job.

Posted by Just Kibbe on February 24, 2006 at 1:44 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

The New York job hunt is dragging on. It is a tiring process of honing and patience just a short step away from faith. It occurred to me that I know an expert, a prominent career counselor from my home-sweet-home town of Portland, Maine, who has spent years rubbing elbows with the newly educated. I asked her for an interview to see if we could reformulate the challenges faced by new graduates and make them easier to understand. I wanted a new way to measure my efforts. She graciously agreed to help and did one better by providing the metaphor of the chasm.

According to the “life coach,” as she prefers to name her position, there are two major challenges confronting the typical grad, though they are more specific to either youth or inexperience than college per se. First, practically speaking, they may have left school without the requisite experience needed to land the job they want. Second, even with the necessary skills there may have a problem demonstrating them to an employer. Think of the combination of these as a chasm. Better yet, think of it as the chasm from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom with all the crocodiles of self-doubt underfoot and utility bill-spears approaching quickly from behind. It must be crossed!

Rather than a lone, dashing rope bridge, the life coach laid down five planks that may be taken to the land of financial stability and luxury shopping on the other side:

1) Experience itself: Hero is the most apt position for Indiana Jones. After Raiders of the Lost Ark, his bullwhip and hand-to-hand combat skills made him a shoe in for the sequel in India. Still, had there been no prequel, his willingness to work for free for the sake of good for a while may have landed him the job. The life coach emphasized, “Don’t underestimate the power of unpaid work.”

2) Contacts: Indiana knows the value of local networking, and his charge, Short Round, would have been able to connect him with any number of employers on the sub-continent, had he not been in need of constant rescuing.

3) Training: Indiana Jones was an experienced archeologist and professor. Had his goal been a professorship (rather than evading an evil zealot) he would have been able to cross unmolested.

4) The Right Fit: Sort of like Indiana's hat to his head. Even lacking training, experience, and contacts, Indiana may have been able to demonstrate how he was made for the job, (not unlike Cinderella.)

5) Lastly, Knowledge: Jones knew his field. Even hatless, friendless, and devoid of combat energy, the trilogy always revolved around his ability to make correct decisions, which, were derived from his archeological knowledge (though luck and rugged good-looks didn't hurt.)

Stepping away from the silver screen for a moment, the life coach pointed out some basic examples from within this framework. “Say you don’t have the internship that you would have needed, in college, for a graceful transition. Be graceless. Do it now, for free, and then take the skills you acquire to an employer. There are lots of ways to go about making a case. If you’re an extravert; network. Locate a friend of a friend in the industry your hunting and chat them up over a drink.”
At the end of our conversation (and before its filtering through a bizarre Indiana Jones metaphor) the life coach had this last bit to add. An important afterthought:

“People in their early 20s aren’t very sure of themselves. Their biggest challenge may be just overcoming the fear of getting out there and doing it.”

Though I am disgruntled, tired of looking at my own resume, and well acquainted with the fear, I still feel I’m on the right path. After all, Indiana Jones never let those snakes get in the way, did he?

Posted by David K on February 24, 2006 at 11:37 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

I spent about a year after college working for an outdoor gear distributor. A few years back this would have been a dream job back in that small junior college town. I promised myself that I would work there just for a little bit. Buy all the tents, backpacks, water bottles, knifes and climbing gear that I needed. After a few months, I fell into the groove of waking up going to work, and hardly ever applying for better jobs when I got home.
It was easy to stay though; after all I was spending all my money on these really cool toys.

Trying to live on $8.00 dollars and hour is hard enough without having all of the temptation to spend it right there at work. Payment for this discounted gear could come straight out of the paycheck if I wanted it to, just like one of my good friends child support payments comes out of his paycheck. In the end I probably brought back enough money for gas and the occasional road trip. I had a truck full of gear that would last me more than a long time, but I learned quickly that buying gear soon turns into an addiction. The collection begins to grow into enormous proportions. Some deals are too hard to pass up, and you would be a fool not to buy at the lowest price. Enough to keep me busy, not enough to keep me interested. Eventually, I got to the position in the company where the wanted to get me out of the warehouse and onto the sales floor. About this same time, I was interviewing for a good job with another agency.

In the end I ended up leaving the company for a more interesting summer job. They were even gracious enough to let me keep the employee discount. I still find myself spending quite a bit of money buying things from their company. While picking up an order today, they asked me if I would come in and work the next day. There is something a little humiliating about working at a company you left. Then again I feel a little grateful for the work while I am in need. Something should be said for leaving a job on good terms.

Posted by Daniel G on February 23, 2006 at 7:11 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

I recently started to do temp work at a local educational facility in my area due to lack of job opportunities. I score essay tests for eight hours a day. It will be a great addition to my resume, since its consistent practical experience in my field (English), but I really don’t care for it. I do, however, like the fact that I’m making money again. Hey, its work! And, according to my supervisor, I’m doing my job well. I have also managed to make connections with some of the senior staff in regards to full-time salaried positions, minus the mind-numbing boredom. The corporation designs open-response tests for standardized state testing; essentially, it’s a much-needed complement to the multiple choice exams we all know and love. 38 states are involved; right now we are grading 10th graders from Utah. The company has branches all over the country, including a large one in Denver, which also has some jobs I’m qualified and have subsequently applied for. I think I may have more luck here since the company is rapidly expanding and new jobs are becoming available nearly every week. We’ll see….

Posted by Matthew D on February 23, 2006 at 4:34 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

For the past few months, I've been assisting in the editing/marketing operations of a newsletter distributed in the Pacific Northwest. While I make considerable contributions to the design and content of the newsletter itself, much of my time is spent proofreading each and every letter waiting to go into print.

I'm very detail oriented, so honing in on synonyms and syntax isn't as irritating as one may believe. However, after countless hours of staring at words, the text from rough drafts and outlines are no longer letters and numbers. They are a militia of cryptographic characters that render me illiterate.

3's blur into 8's. Columns merge into thick, dark blobs.

When speaking to friends and co-workers, I find myself sounding out logograms and punctuations marks:
"Go ask the editor hyphen in hyphen chief"
"I had a peanut butter ampersand jelly sandwich"
"Look exclamation point It's Brad Pitt exclamation point exclamation point exclamation point"

Other than the occasional blurring of vision and extended verbal communication, my proofreading duties have proven rewarding. I've gained insight into the operations of how to stay afloat amongst the hectic operations of meeting deadlines under strict guidelines. Because producing quality work under time pressure takes both talent and practice, I am sure this experience will prove beneficial down the road period

Posted by Michelle T on February 23, 2006 at 3:44 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

Just as I was getting accustomed to living in a new city and pursing employment, I received some disheartening news. I found out that my husband might be deployed to Iraq (for the second time) as soon as September of this year. The bad thing about this news is that he will be deployed (for at least a year) to a place that is known for a lot of violence and is mentioned repeatedly in the news for attacks on US troops.

During his first deployment to Iraq I was in college. I was taking a full load of classes each semester, so I kept busy and remained focused. I had plenty of friends and several family members visited to “check-up” on me.

However, this time around I have a child to take care of and as far as having family support, well most of my family members live 16 hours away. Therefore, I am now forced to re-evaluate my situation and to decide what kind of options I have.

One of my options is to move closer to my family members. I would have their support and it would probably allow me to remain in a “stress-free” environment.

Since moving is a likely possibility, I checked out the jobs that are available near my family members. This is where the irony comes in. I actually found several public relations agencies and places that are offering paid internships for a PR assistant. That is good news, if I was living there now but it’s definitely something to keep in mind.

The other option is not to move and continue to look for work in the PR field, which is hard to find in this area. Consequently, if I choose this option I can only foresee having more opportunities to be involved in community relations instead of finding the PR job that I really want.

However, I am still in the process of researching clubs and organizations within the community. Therefore, I don’t know exactly where my future networking pursuits may lead.

Through all this uncertainty, I am remaining optimistic. What I do know is that I’m not willing to give up on my career goals so easily. I just have a few things that need to be “ironed” out.

Some may see the news about my husband deploying as “bad news.” It definitely is not good news but I am an optimist at heart. I do believe that all things happen for a reason. Perhaps, this was my “wake-up” call to put things in perspective and to commit to making more “concrete” decisions both in my personal and professional life.

Posted by Chanda D on February 23, 2006 at 3:18 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

Ok so yesterday I met with the editor of my school's newspaper. She turned to be extremely hyper and "cool". She basically went over everything I already knew but it's ok, it's sort of her job, so I let her do it. I found out that meetings take place at an exceptionally inconvinient for me time and I don't know if I'll ever actually get around to attending them. I mean, after all what is the purpose of them? Maybe I'm just a bit antisocial, but I really don't care much for getting to know everyone on the staff. I just want to write my articles and get the published. Of course I realize that is not the attitude of the future journalist, but come on, let's be realistic at this moment I care about keeping the job I actually have.
On the plus side, I have my first assignment which is due next thursday. It's easy and I will actually enjoy it. It's about coffee and different places on campus that serve coffe. (I'm a coffee junkie, so this assignment should be very "satisfying", for me at least).
All I can say is that it feels good being back into the wonderful world of journalism!

Posted by Mariya K on February 23, 2006 at 1:19 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Unlike myself, my sister always had direction. At the tender age of thirteen, my sister had already work-shadowed a very popular radio personality. That's eighth grade people. However, my sister later discovered that it would be more beneficial to the rest of the world for her to also be seen as opposed to just heard, she, being one of the vainest people that I know. And I say that with the utmost of love. But I must agree, her personality is infectious and she has always had face for TV.
She attended the highly prestigious New York University, where she majored in Broadcast Journalism and Communications. She then went on to grad-school and excelled in Media Arts. After an extensive stint in higher education, my sister was ready and poised to take the world by storm. She immediately looked to New York and the many media opportunities that it offered. Through her networks that she acquired during her interning days, she fortunately got a position at a leading music channel. However, the job was not exactly what she went to school for. But it was a foot in the door. And this music channel was not any ordinary music channel. People killed to work there. You could be in Timbuktu, mention this channel and everyone would know exactly what you are taking about. And my sister believed that if she wanted to be the best she had to work with the best.
But after four years of working for the channel of her dreams, she is very far from happy. She had to admit that she simply accepted her first job because she wanted to be associated with the name. It is a daily grind in a completely stressful and thankless environment. She gave up offers to work for other organizations that actually dealt with what she wanted to do, reason being that nobody ever heard of them. Was this wise? I am certain that with her current job on her resume, it will be more than easy for her to land another position someplace else. But she feels as if she has wasted her time doing something hardly related to her field of study. Years where she could have honed her craft, were spent lingering in limbo. And she did it all for a name. So the moral of this story is: never rule out the little guy. They may lead you to your dream job faster than you think.

Posted by Devon C on February 23, 2006 at 8:44 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

I got into graduate school! I only applied to one school so far and it was the one that I really wanted to get into. I'm so excited! The summer program starts in June and runs eight weeks. Then, during the fall and the winter, I do independent study and check in with them every few weeks.

However, there is one thing that has to be settled before they can process my application: they haven't received any of my recommendations yet. All three recommendations were sent over two weeks ago, but I forgot to tell my professors to put "Admissions" on the envelope. So, the letters should be somewhere on the campus, they're just not in the right department. As soon as they track down my recommendations, everything's set!

Now that I got into graduate school, it's a huge weight off of my shoulders. I have a focus, a plan, and something to look forward to. I won't be completely content until they track down my recommendations, but it should be no problem! And if it is, I'll get them resent.

I'll have my own studio to do my art! I'll be able to use their wealth of tools to create the best art of my life. After I graduate, I'll have a Masters in Fine Arts and I'll be able to teach college. This is everything I wanted and it's a relief.

Posted by Matthew P on February 23, 2006 at 6:55 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

My dream job materialized on a whim and a phone call. I had interviewed with this law firm in 2003. The interview with the head attorney was just so-so. But he sent me a rejection letter that said I was one of the top candidates and I found out that the firm might be expanding in the future. I kept meaning to check in with this firm to see if they were hiring again. But three years went by, I got busy with my call center position, and life in general. Then one day while I was driving by, I saw that this firm had relocated into their OWN BUILDING, and I thought, how prosperous, and how close to home! Last Friday, I called and remembered the paralegal who had interviewed me in 2003. She referred me to the office manager, who said, yes, they were hiring, and could I come in that night? I did, and found out the firm had excellent benefits, and that the opening was for a replacement for a paralegal who was leaving to be with her husband in North Carolina.

I interviewed with the Managing Partner on Saturday. He sounded real tough, asking me about each job and why I left and did I do a good job at each place. I answered candidly and straightforwardly, told him confidently that I would do a good job for him. I told him that he had a very good benefits package and that my salary requirements were negotiable. I gave him references, including a law firm I had worked at for eight years. He asked me for more work experience references, and I gave them. Then he smiled and left me with the assurance that if the references checked out, that he would have a job offer for me. He called me at home the next Monday night, and just said, "Dottie, do you want to work for me?' I said yes and he offered me $1,0000.00 more than I had asked for, to do the kind of work I had trained for in a lovely new office real close to home.

Posted by Dorothy A on February 23, 2006 at 6:00 AM | Leave a Comment (2)

I haven't written in a while, because I just started a new job; but I'm back. I currently work for a Financial Institution-a job I received through a temp agency. So far, so good. Right now, I'm filling in for a woman on maternity leave, but hopefully this will turn into something long-term. I would love a stable, permanent job, but for right now, temping is good for me. It allows me to work in different environments and get the feel of a company before I decide to work there long-term.
Looking back, I realize why some of my previous interviews didn't turn into job offers. In one interview, they asked why I applied for the position and what I thought I could contribute to the position. To say the least, I bs'd my answer, because honestly, I didn't know too much about the position. My answer was geared towards another position in the company; but not the position I was interviewing for. I didn't land that job (even though they said they'd "be in touch").
With that said, my advice to interviewees is to be open-minded. A job may not start off permanent (if it's with a temp), but it may end up permanent. You also should know about the position you're applying to. Do your research before the interview, and know facts about the position and the company. This will show the employer that you're knowledgeable and very interested, and most likely you'll get called for that second interview.

Posted by Genae G on February 23, 2006 at 3:16 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Know yourself. Seriously. Know what your interests are, what you would enjoy doing. There are a lot of career inventory tests and aptitude tests and tests to fit your career to your personality. Your dream job may not be the best-paying job, but based on my personal experience, money doesn't exactly buy happiness!

Get as much information as you can about the careers you're interested in. Interview people in the field. Job-shadow if you can. Try not to make the mistake I've made of just working in jobs to pay the bills. I make a decent salary, but the personal fulfillment isn't there.

Posted by Joan C on February 22, 2006 at 9:49 AM | Leave a Comment (2)

The first thing I noticed when I participated in the first meeting in my PR company as a intern, was the lack of respect given to our boss. I was surprised, but it wasn't hard to find the reason - he's shockingly disorganised and seems to live in the world of his own. While everyone is stressed and rushing projects, he's spring cleaning. I suspect that adds to the stressful atmosphere here. You could be frantically rushing a PR proposal for one of Hong Kong's biggest clothing lines, while the boss is writing, "Mind you Head," decorating the sign with lively cartoons. I kid you not.

But him living in the world of his own is relatively harmless - the thing which has led to a lack of respect shown to him? He simply gives out the wrong information...consistently. You look him in the eye and ask where an event will take place, he'll give you an answer, but you'd be dicing with death if you didn't double check the information. Lesser colleagues have found themselves on the wrong side of HK Island because they trusted his information unquestioningly.

However, as with everything, there is a bright side to it all. As an intern working here, I've learnt the importance of integrity (I mean, mate - this is a public relations firm, if we're not accountable, we may as well change profession.) And the importance of double checking every information that gets given to me, or at least finding someone accountable for giving me that information. A little work now would save headache and bursting blood pressure in the future. The situation may be bad, so at least learn something from it.

It's enough work simply following the many tasks delegated to me, without having to double check information as well. But I guess that's all part and parcel of being a humble intern. You learn skills that you can take with you no matter what industry you chose to work in for the future.

Posted by Emily W on February 22, 2006 at 3:07 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

When I started looking for a part time job, I dreaded the idea of telemarketing. Calling and harassing people during their afterwork wind-down time selling secured credit cards to people with more than their fair share of credit issues, and running the very real risk of being used as some stranger's verbal punching bag did not appeal to me.
But the company I work for, to my great suprise and relief only calls doctors to invite them to conferences to discuss the latest breakthroughs in medicine. Not the greatest use of my B.S. in Communications, but it's suprisingly fun! I work with the most creative people, and I have the fredom to re-write the scripts we use to something that's more effective for me. (not a total waste of my skills!)
I've also begun submitting my short stories to some magazines, and am working on a socio-political essay to submit to a few others. That;s the kind of stuff I enjoy writing, so all in all, this week, I'm having a ball!

Posted by Rahima W on February 21, 2006 at 8:28 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

After Getting a Bachelors Degree from an accredited university and working a few seasonal jobs in the recreation field I was surprised when I found out how hard it can be to land a decent full-time job. There are lots of recreation jobs out there. They may be in places that I find unappealing, or require more experience than I have, but they are there. Seasonal Recreation work is fun and has its benefits. I am not talking about health or dental benefits, but more about the benefits of working outside and playing for work.
Seasonal work is also always easier to land, even if you don't see them coming. During January and February, I take my time to rummage though the job posting, looking for summer employment. By the time the employers call in April and May, I sometimes do not remember applying for the job. I have had the experience of working in quite a few glorious corners of our country though, and traveled to many of the places I have always wanted to. It even gets interesting when employers are fighting to have me come work in their neck of the woods for three, four or five months at a time. Let them haggle it out against each other. Which of the locations will have the better housing, experience, recreational opportunities? All of these are really important issues, after all the employment might last 6 months, maybe a little more with luck and funding.
Some of the problems that come with seasonal employment are very apparent. For one, it will be harder to have any sort of permanent relationship. For another, it will be harder to stay close to home and help out with the family. Many seasonal jobs will only give you enough experience to land another seasonal job the next year. After getting in the routine of seasonal employment, it can be difficult to get out.

Posted by Daniel G on February 21, 2006 at 5:41 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Went in today for the training in the wonderful, dull world of data entry. Some good things about things particular office, though. Casual environment, pick your own start time (although training is set, and there is only a 2 hour window after that), short day on Friday and headphones are allowed. In two weeks or so I am supposed to get my own cubicle and desk, but for now I, as well as four others, are stuck in a training class. It was really boring, in case there are any other kind of training courses. But at least the teacher is nice, as are the others I have met so far. Still, not as bad of a first day as I had feared. Nobody gets mad when I screws up (yet, anyway), and the instructions were easy enough to follow that I have not gotten terribly lost (again, at least not yet).

The few regular employees I talked to all had relatively good things to say about it. And then there is always the thought that I may not even get hired on at all after these three months are up. They gave us the standards by which they jusdge who gets hired and who does not. However, at this point I have no idea how high or low those standards are. So, there is no point in swelling on that fact too much just yet. Just hope it all goes well.

Posted by Andrew S on February 21, 2006 at 5:11 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

I was religiously searching the internet day after day specifically for public relations jobs within the local area. Unfortunately, I would only find jobs located in the larger surrounding cities (most of which are an hour to an hour and a half away).However, I recently have found that my local newspaper may be the missing factor in my job search.

I previously had given up on searching through the daily-classified jobs in my local newspaper, due to disappointing results. However, this time I decided to go through each section of the newspaper. I was searching for some type of valuable information pertaining to future employment opportunities. I didn’t find the types of jobs I was looking for but I did find some valuable information.

In the Business section, I found several announcements for local ribbon-cutting ceremonies. These ceremonies are usually the grand-opening event for new businesses. Therefore, I could use this as an opportunity to offer my services by using my experience in doing advertising campaigns. Thus, I would be gaining more experience and adding valuable work to my portfolio. Unfortunately, I want to add more diversity to my portfolio and I am now pursuing more writing opportunities. Although, I would advise any Communications undergraduate, that is interested in advertising or public relations, to do an advertising campaign.

Within the Community section of the newspaper, I found brief descriptions of local clubs along with their contact information. So, not only was this an opportunity to offer volunteer work but it was also a way to begin networking within the community.

I simply had forgotten about the value of the local newspaper. I found hope of building a network of contacts and finding new opportunities, just by taking the time to look through each section of the paper.

I still believe that the internet provides more information for finding jobs. However, I now have the newspaper as another source to aid me in my job search.

Posted by Chanda D on February 21, 2006 at 2:27 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

This winter I finally graduated from a Community College with a degree in Journalism and Print Media. Sounds cool, doesn't it? Wrong! I now for some reason feel as if I am better then everyone else in the office where I work. I probably should explain what kind of office it is. It's a medical office and as you can understand has nothing to do with my major. I've been working there for the past four years and honestly they pay me much more then they should, therefore I stay there.
During last summer I interned at a magazine. I loved what I did, but felt as if it wasn't glamorous enough (after looking at Vogue or Cosmopolitan, no magazine is ever "cool" enough). I had to quit because summer was over and i went back to school not to mention they weren't really running after me with job offers. After this I really felt as if I know a lot in the field and should be getting a job in journalism. I took a deep breath, updated my resume and began sending it out. It's been about five months and I still haven't heard from ANYONE. it's frasturating knowing that you are worth something but no one is willing to give you a chance. I try to keep my hopes up and think that maybe closer to summer I'll start getting responses, after all I was mainly applying for summer internships. For now I transferred to a four-year college which so far has the best English department in New York City. And soon planning to start writing for a college newspaper once again.
For all you college students out there, I know how you fell but I guess the best thing is to just keep yourself busy and keep in mind that you are not alone.

Posted by Mariya K on February 21, 2006 at 12:48 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

The time is passing and it is becoming difficult to land a job. All the searching, applying, and waiting is easy. I must say though I have had some optimistic experiences. The first was when I went out of town to a friends and while I was there I did some networking. I had positive responses so I followed them up but didn't hear anything from them. Secondly was when a position that I applied to referred me to another employer. The employer called and said they had my resume but needed my resume tape. I then mailed my resume tape to him and then called to follow up with him on the position. To sum this story, he still hasn't returned any of my phone calls or emails. Last but not least I recieved a letter asking me to complete an employment application. I did as instructed and also followed up on my application. I still haven't heard anything from them also. I am beginning to feel like I am doing something wrong. I thought it was good to follow up on applications that you have applied for. Of course I know in the type of field that I want to work in is very competitive. However it is rare that you have opportunities that present themselves such as myself you always take those experiences into consideration. I am also thinking now should I have a different approach to finding a job.

Posted by Alicia G on February 21, 2006 at 11:28 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

This week I'm back at the school I recently graduated from for two reasons: One, to see my close friend Heather's directorial debut in theater and two, to take my girlfriend back to my house during her spring break. However, being back at school gives me a weird feeling. I know I don't quite belong here anymore so, I feel kind of awkward when old friends see me. However, I also convince myself that I shouldn't care what other people think and I'm here for certain reasons. Plus, I acknowledge that after her spring break, I have a job interview with a video rental store and hopefully, I will get the job. Therefore, who knows when I will be able to see my girlfriend again.

In a way, I comfort myself by the fact that as long as I have something to read and a creative project to work on, I'm content. So, even though I really don't have a place at this school anymore, no matter where I am I can be okay as long as I have those two things.

It's somewhat ironic that I waited for two weeks to get a call back from the video rental store and long after I gave up on it, they called me Sunday, the day before my visit that had been planned since last fall. I asked them if they could wait a week to give me an interview and they said that was fine. So, hopefully it will work out. And if it does, I plan to be a busy person with a job and a lot of volunteering to do!

Posted by Matthew P on February 21, 2006 at 9:59 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

In the last ten years, I’ve moved thirty times between two countries and six states; received my B.A. and M.F.A.; spent eight years in the Marine Corps Reserve; and worked no other job longer than one year. As a result, my resume is ridden with potholes, washboards, burned out bridges, robber bandits, and headless references; but there is also hidden treasure. I have acquaintances around the world, a few friends to ride shotgun, a mastiff/pit-bull cross who guards my shadow as it follows and precedes me, memories for when I’m drunk and lonely or drunk and well accompanied, and experiences I’ve been fortunate enough to live through.
In my blogs, I will not tell you what you should know; advice, when it comes from someone other than yourself is always best left for them who spoke it. Advice is hindsight is 20/20, and only benefits the telling of a good story. You will learn what you need to, and you will discover things you wished you’d known earlier. Advice cannot prevent that. You will remember when someone did give you the advice that, in hindsight, you wish you could have taken, but you ignored it because you did not understand why you needed it: that is how it should be. We learn from our own mistakes, not from others.
Perhaps there are those who can learn from other people’s mistakes, but I am not one of them. I only learn from my own. I’ll not lie. I’ve made the same mistake a couple times in a row –many times in a row. Eventually, the mistake becomes a part of me, and instinctively I move forward to my next mistake. There are always more to make. I will never reach the age of perfection; there is always more to learn. It was difficult for me to learn this. I still like to think that someday I’ll achieve perfection; it is something to live for, to look forward to (other than hearing back from the countless resumes I’ve sent out).
It is as equally difficult for me to admit that I’m not perfect as it is for me to believe that I’ve made the correct decision. This is the first of my hidden treasures. It keeps me humble with a dash of confidence.
I have, on many occasions, taken the advice of the older, wiser, and more experienced humans, but that is not best. When you take advice that you did not come by honestly, that is through your own mistakes, you have learned nothing. You did not live. You only acted out as any machine could also do. Machines do not make mistakes; operators do. I am not a machine, and I have made many mistakes. Some of those mistakes have turned into goldmines, as have some of the pieces of advice that I took, like a machine, and acted out perfectly.
There is good and bad fortune. A steady whip, a shotgun, and a few sticks of discretion will always help you secure or steal that hidden treasure of a job.

Posted by Just Kibbe on February 21, 2006 at 12:16 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Young people today have no idea how changed the job market has become. I don’t mean that as a put-down. I’m referring to the drastic tactics that many post-internet age employers are using to snare employees. When I was in my teens, twenties and thirties, all you had to do was write a really good resume, possibly a cover letter--if you were going into a better (high wage) job and fill out a paper application. Snap, you’re done. However, that’s not the only thing that has changed. Nowadays we’re not employees; we’re “team members,” “cast members,” “associates” and all that namby-pamby fluff that’s designed to make a crummy low-wage job sound like a major motion picture role.
Today, many post-911 employers are picky almost to the point of being paranoid-schizophrenics. At one point, I filled out an online job application for a position with a major tire company as a sales associate. Besides the usual questions on any application, there was an 81 question “survey.” This little do-hickey can be found with many major employers, from mid-size grocery store chains to major department stores. It usually is accompanied by a dreary on-line application, and can take as much as (depending on the computer’s speed) 45 minutes of your valuable time to complete. It contained numerous questions about one’s drinking and partying habits, and whether you liked to shoot guns or fish. Nowhere does it mention anything about tires…or cars. I like the questions that ask if you’ve ever shoplifted, or if you think that it’s okay to steal from your employer. I try to imagine what kind of…person, would answer “yes” to these queries. A few years ago, you didn’t have to have a great--or even good--credit score to secure employment, and, unless applying for a bonded position, you didn’t need to go through massive background checks, either. All that was required of prospective employees back then was that you did your job well and that you showed up for work. Then again, there was not the constant stark fear of lawsuits, shootings and robbery that seems to have developed and thrived in the post-internet/9-11 world. Makes me long for the seventies again.

Posted by Nancy G on February 19, 2006 at 7:42 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

Recently I went to a time management workshop and I was impressed by really how much time a person can spend on something. There were about 10 questions to answer in this one questionaire. By the time you answer them, you multiply by the number of days, and in the end subtract from 168 hours. Your result tells you how much time you spend studying a week. Some people at the workshop had a negative number, others slightly positive, and people like me had a number close to 100. I don't know if I study close to 100 hours a week. That simply sounds insane. The most insane thing is that actually that time is not enough. I know, I know. Probably someone is asking themselves if I have a life. I do. I go out once a week to get my mind off school for a little bit. Time is really flying by. Here are the questions from the questionaire.

1. Number of hours of sleep each night _____ x 7 =
2. Number of grooming hours per day _______ x 7 =
3. Number of hours for meals/snacks per day - include preparation time ____ x 7 =
4a. Total travel time weekdays ____ x 7 =
4b. Total travel time weekends _____ x 5 =
5. Number of hours per week for regularly scheduled functions (clubs, church, get togethers, etc.) ____ x 7 =
6. Number of hours per day for chores, errands, extra grooming, etc. _____ x 7 =
7. Number of hours of work per week _____
8. Number of average hours per week socializing, dates, etc. _______
Add up the totals: _____________________
Subtract the above number from 168 - _______ = ____________

This is a good time management worksheet. It makes you think of where your time goes.

Posted by Silvia A on February 18, 2006 at 10:15 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Rahima Wachuku makes an excellent point about striking a balance between our dreams and the path that we have to walk to realize them. I have tried to live under a permutation of the sentiment "If you enjoy what you do, you'll never work a day in your life." It goes: "Success is the merger of what you want to do with what you have to."

What I wanted to do always involved a moral component. In college, I held a secret disdain for friends I had that worked at the local telemarketing firm cold-calling, or transferring balances with the nearby offices of a gigantic corporation in the financial services industry. I felt, and sometimes still do, that in earning their daily bread they were knowingly facilitating underhanded and negative aspects of life: Transferring a large balance to a new credit card, for instance, where the interest rate would quickly increase and render the sum unmovable, or interrupting a family's dinner to ask them about their insurance policy. Their arguments were reasonable, but rang dangerously of group-think. "If I don't do it, somebody else will."

"Maybe," I would respond, "but does it have to be you?" Now I'm hungry, so to speak, and I don't protest as much. What we're talking about here is "selling out." Mid-life crises stalk quietly. Making glasses for a large corporation seemed safe at first. People need to see! However, I know from experience that the most expensive products, the ones being pushed all the time, are not only overpriced and unnecessary, many are optically inferior. A close friend who I hooked up with a sales job left the industry because he couldn't lie to people. I've held on by virtue of being far from the retail floor.

Recently there was mention of a promotion. Instead of a cause for celebration, it has spurred my job search. The student loans are about to kick in, my living situation is not sustainable for long and it would be very hard to turn down the money - or the chance at a credible title - but something tells me it would also form a dangerous rut and conjure the specter of a mid-life crisis. I agree that we should not sacrifice ourselves for a paycheck, but schooling is not the same thing as entitlement and integrity may have to be purchased with sacrifice.

Posted by David K on February 18, 2006 at 8:33 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

There are two things about work and life I remember and seem most relevant at this point in my life.

1. To be happy, you need four things, Something to do, someone to love, something to believe in, and something to look foward to.
2. If you enjoy what you do, you'll never work a day in your life.

For the past two years, I worked at a major non-profit agency in New York that provides services for the mentally challenged. I loved the altruistic aspect of the work. In the beginning. My job was to advocate for my clients, predominantly mentally disabled adults, and get them the services they wanted, which ranged from finding them housing so they could live on their own, to acting lessons.
I loved it. I'm a communicator, and using my skills to better someone's life made me feel good. Unfortunately, the longer I worked there, the more it came to pass that my job became less about advocating for my clients, and more about maintaining paperwork compliance with state and federal guidelines.
I was in my office constantly and constantly burried under piles of forms. I no longer had time to see my clients, much less find out what their needs and desires were.
Now, I understand there are those detailed oriented individuals who, bless their hearts, can spot an un-dotted letter i from a mile away, but I'm not one of those people.
I became so stressed out over impending audits and unsatisfactory annual reviews that I gained 30lbs and slept less than three hours on any given night. It finally got to the point where I cried every morning before going to work.
So I went to my Director and told her I couldn't work here anymore.
After a few weeks of much deserved rest and recouperation, I am now working part-time at a telemarketing firm, going to the gym every morning, and looking foward to grad school in the fall, MFA in Creative writing.
The point of my story is this. In the ongoing struggle called "After graduation" in which we attempt to reconcile doing what we love with doing what we need to do to pay the bills, we must find a balance until we can reconcile the two. Do not sacrafice yourself for the sake of a paycheck, and don't sacrafice your rent money in the pursuit of your dream. Play to your strengths, and with tenacity and patience, you will find yourself reaching your goals.

Posted by Rahima W on February 17, 2006 at 4:08 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

This month has been the greatest of my career so far. Last week I got the call to interview for a paying intern position at a local television station. I have a feeling I didn't get the job, but that's o.k. You can't win them all.

I have been working overtime trying to land writing gigs and I have gotten all of the ones I have applied for. I now write for my colleges newspaper, I am a press release editor for a online magazine, I submitted some of my poetry to a publisher and they will include three of my poems in their next book on african-american poetry!! I will receive royalties. Also, I got my first writing contract from a political website. Last week I submitted an application for an intern at an adult oriented newsletter and they liked my submission so much they decided to made me the editor.

So yes I am happy for once and maybe some of my doubts will ease a bit. Or maybe not...

Posted by Lakisha H on February 17, 2006 at 1:37 PM | Leave a Comment (2)

During an interview, be sure to inquire about benefits before you leave the room. However, previous to asking the question, take the time to familiarize yourself with at least some of the monetary investments businesses offer their employees. For many of you out there, this may not be necessary. But for those job seekers just entering or re-entering the market place, it might not be a bad idea to brush up on your knowledge just a little.

The two investments I’m going to discuss are the standard 401 K and the Roth IRA. I will state here and now, that I am not a financial advisor. Nor am I well-versed in financial investing. The information I’m giving is available from many sources--both online and at your local public library-- and is not in any way an endorsement for a particular product. It is always a good idea to get feedback from a financial expert before investing a penny of your money.

First, here’s what I have learned about 401 K plans. Some of the advantages of a 401 K retirement plan are that it will reduce the amount of tax taken out of your pay check each week, you often have a choice of a variety of investment options, many employers (but not all) will match your contribution, it is protected by federal pension laws and from garnishment (exception: domestic disputes) and your capital, while it grows, does so tax-free. However, there can be a downside to a 401 K. You can be penalized for accessing your pension before the age of 60, and it can be quite expensive. Also, the plan is not insured, the matching funds are not actually yours until quite a few years have passed and your investments, to truly pay off, must be fairly aggressive--until you near retirement age. This is why it pays to have some kind of financial advisor in your pocket. Additionally, every company seems to have a different plan, so the plan you had (or your parents have) with one employer, may be in total contrast with another businesses’ plan. There is much more to a 401 K plan than the little I’ve discussed here. Your best bet is to hit the books or the internet and find out which investment(s) would be most suited to you and your personal needs.

Another investment offered by some employers is the Roth IRA. This type of account has some advantages which many employees find more agreeable than the usual 401 K plan. One of the big drawing points is that you can take money from this account without the substantial penalty that the 401 K insists on. However, this only applies to whatever amount you initially put into the account, and not to whatever sums it may have earned in the meantime. In other words, if you put $5000 in at the beginning, you can withdraw up to that amount of cash at anytime, without penalty. Another advantage is that the Roth IRA is that your money is growing tax-free, but on the downside, contributions are not tax-deductible. This is a good plan for anyone whose income ranges from the lower-middle to medium-high range, because of the higher income it generates. Be warned however. Your tax rate may also increase a percentage or two with that boost in income. Again, don’t blindly launch into retirement benefits--even if retirement is fifty years away. Look carefully before you make the leap onto the road of investment.

Posted by Nancy G on February 17, 2006 at 11:18 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

I've been browsing for jobs and internships that relate to art or english online and haven't come up with much right now. But my plan is to start volunteering everywhere I can. It seems that a really good resume booster is volunteer experience (in any field). Since I would certainly be willing to take a Human Resources job, volunteering is a good option. I see social service as a wonderful career because it helps people personally and that helps the community as a whole.

The next few weeks I'm going on vacation, but after that I'm going to get involved in a local political party of my choice, try to find a kids' sports team to coach, and volunteer at my local library. Once I've participated in my community, I feel that I will be more experienced and more qualified for jobs.

Posted by Matthew P on February 17, 2006 at 9:27 AM | Leave a Comment (2)

"Why aren't you looking for a job today, loser?"
"Because I got one, idiot!"

Shutting people up is fun, especially when that person is your little sister. Getting a new job is also a good feeling. I had gone in for the interview yesterday, and got a call back this morning to report for training on Tuesday. This is through a temp agency, but I will only be working one place this time instead of driving all over the Omaha metro area. Data entry, not exceptionally well paying, but I do not need a whole lot of money anyway. There is a full benefits package after I get hired, if I get hired. That is the other thing. There is no guarantee that this will last longer than 90-days. So I can't quit my old job just yet, and will have to work at least once a month to stay on their payroll. Still, 3 months is better than zero. If it does work, I have a new job. If it does not, I still end up with the money and a new experience. I don't really know what to expect either. I had a job once through a staffing agency that went okay. My next temporary job was horrible, and the last one, which was actually seasonal, went well. They showed me the working area, and nobody seemed to be in a bad mood. Not that anybody appeared to be having a particularly good time either, but a good sign anyway. No point in dwelling on it too much, though. Until I start, there is nothing for me to do but hope that I make the cut-or that the cut is even worth making.

Posted by Andrew S on February 16, 2006 at 4:37 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

I spoke with the gentleman in charge of hiring for a small packaging and display corporation in the watch and eyewear industries. The conversation began when he flipped open his laptop and exclaimed: “The web already has thirty-three responses for me.”
The position in question entailed basic administrative duties. He wanted a graduate with excellent communication skills, preferably someone who spoke both English and French, and had at least two years of experience.
“How long ago did you post the advertisement?”
“Yesterday.”
“Do you always post with that sight?”
“Yep.”
This encouraged me. I have signed up with a couple of search engines/ job-seeking communities with misgivings. Would anyone legitimate actually post there or hit on my resume? “How do you pick?” I asked.
“The thing is, I get so many of these things – I know it sounds horrible – but I have to start making up arbitrary rules to disqualify people.”
Less encouraging. “Such as?”
“If it doesn’t have a cover letter, I won’t even look at it.”
“What about paper? Is it true that people throw out all the white ones?”
“I know some people who have done that. I don’t really care what color they are, but it’s good to have something to set you apart, a good quality paper. And if there is a misspelling I throw it away. They could be the greatest candidate in the stack, but if they can’t manage two grammatically correct paragraphs and a list, I’m not going to call them.”
“Anything else?”
“Watermark on the bottom.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. That’s just where it goes.”
“Does the envelope have to match?”
“No. I don’t care.”
Given the volume of “click to submit” riffraff produced online, it appears as though our audience has the attention span of a chocolate-fed two-year-old (or about three second). Employers, by necessity, are so good at throwing away resumes, they can make a crumpled jump-shot into a one liter wastebasket from forty-five feet away and still have the watermark land on bottom – don’t test them. Yesterday, I grudgingly walked the two blocks to the stationary store.

Posted by David K on February 16, 2006 at 9:47 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

I pretty much landed in the biomedical field by chance. Actually, I was recruited by a third party to work for the biomedical firm. This company is growing rapidly and needed people to fill some holes quickly. Interesting enough, they didn't ask me any medical related questions, or require any sort of medical background. Which is good, because I didin't know I would enjoy the job as much as I do.

Attaining a bachelor's degree in Computer Information Science, and participating in an internship helped make me marketable for entry-level positions. The recruiter seemd to really like the fact that I had an intership. The experience in my internship was limited, but it gave me a direction in my field. Helping others solve problems is enjoyable to me, so being a software tester is a good entry-level position for now. Currently, I am working under a temporarty contract. Will se what happens.

Posted by Ryan C on February 15, 2006 at 7:53 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

First impressions are obviously important in the real world. How you choose to dress and carry yourself shows everyone the kind of person you are. The clothes that you choose to wear are like advertisements. With just a glance, they can tell a lot about the kind of person you are. Are you overly stylish, concerned with every detail of your outfit? Do you dress in daring fashions that make you stand out in a crowd? Do you prefer traditional clothing that makes you seem competent and conservative? How do you think the rest of the people in your business dress? These are questions you need to ask yourself before shopping for a work wardrobe.

When I have the freedom to choose my own clothes, I tend to wear clothing that makes me look younger then I am. I have a tendency to choose loud colors and accessories popular with the counterculture such as spiked collars and fishnets. When I need to dress in a professional manner, however, I know much of what I want to wear wouldn’t portray the image my employers want to see. Therefore, I try to define my style within the narrow constructs of the business professional world. I like to dress in black, red or purple, and I’m a big fan of boots and mary janes. Worn properly, these elements of style can conform to most any company dress policy. Yet the same colors and shoes worn incorrectly could make me seem childish and improper. Therein lies the difficulty. How do you decide what does and doesn’t look professional in that context?

A lot really depends on fabrics and the cut of the jacket or suit. Men, for example, can often wear a dark suit with a bright tie, or pin stripes with a longer jacket. Since the proper attire for most men in business is a suit and tie, they can wear almost the same thing everyday, changing only the color and accessories they wear to help define their personal style. Women have a lot more leeway, and therefore a lot more chances to make fashion mistakes.

A good rule of thumb is to dress conservatively at first. Wear suits, pants with matching jackets or skirts no shorter then knee length, and make sure not too wear anything too flashy or dramatic. Plunging necklines, shocking colors and excessive jewelry have no place in a job interview. After you pass the interview, continue to dress conservatively for the first few weeks. Once you get a feel for the office, keep an eye on what other people around you are wearing. They can clue you in to what is acceptable and what isn’t. It’s a good idea to never wear anything you think your boss wouldn’t wear to the office. Once you get a feel for the environment, then you can start introducing more personal elements into your wardrobe. However, first and foremost, be prepared to dress to impress. It is imperative that before a job search, you have enough outfits to carry you through several interviews as well as your first few days at work

It can be difficult to find impressive clothes, especially when you’re just leaving school or you have been unemployed for a while, but there are places you can go. Some of the big discount chains like Target have started carrying impressive selections of business clothes, but if even that is too much for your budget, don’t forget a college kid’s best friends, thrift stores. The clothes may be used, but if you search hard enough you will find really unique items. Make sure that when shopping at thrift stores you wear clothing thin enough to allow you to try things on. A lot of second-hand stores don’t have changing rooms, meaning it is up to you to guess if things fit. Wear a tank top under your shirt or jacket and tight pants or shorts so you can try clothes on without disrobing in public. It’s also important to check all items for stains or discoloration. Despite the extra work, thrift stores can be a real boon to up and coming professionals. I passed two interviews with flying colors, and actually received compliments on my outfit by several people in the office,while wearing a dark plum dress suit I bought for $3.

The important thing is to be comfortable and let your personality shine through while following the rules. It’s a pretty hard trick to get perfect, but like everything else it takes time and devotion. How you dress is your choice, but understand that at first glance people will decide who you are by what you choose to wear. Make sure you think long and hard before you make that choice.

Posted by Elizabeth F on February 15, 2006 at 12:38 PM | Leave a Comment (2)

Yesterday I recieved mail from an employer that I applied to about a month ago. It read.....

Dear Ms. Gray,
Thank you for an interest in our postion. To complete the employment process visit our website and fill out an employment application. Again thank you and we hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,
Employer

My mother was so excited, she said that the company must be very interested. I also believe that they are because of the content of the letter and also because I recieved a letter from them. I hope this is a good sign because I am getting fustrated with job searching. I really want to work in my field. I don't want to be the college graduate with a degree and working where I don't have desire or passion for what I do. Hopefully this is a good sign and a entry to my field.

Posted by Alicia G on February 15, 2006 at 11:45 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

Working in the biomedical field is an enjoyable experience. The benefits are numerous. I get to meet and work with people from all over the world, and enjoy the thrill of being in on the ground floor of cutting-edge technology. Currently I am testing software that guides catheters using an electro-magnetic field. These cathers are used to map the electric state of the heart. The animal studies are very interesting. If anyone is thinking about joining a biomedical firm, I would recomend it.

Posted by Ryan C on February 14, 2006 at 9:23 PM | Leave a Comment (2)

Hello again. Well, I didn't get the Art Gallery Assistant job. I got an email yesterday saying that they had already filled the position. At least I didn't lose it to anyone, it just already had been filled. I'm not going to let this get me down. There are plenty of options out there and I have to find them.

I'm still waiting to hear back from the graduate school I applied to. They said I'd probably hear from them within two weeks and tomorrow will be two weeks to the day. However, they don't have to let me know until March 15. So, I could be waiting for awhile.

Today I burnt myself out from working on my art projects. I've been overworking myself trying to become a better artist (and to build up my portfolio) and today I paid for it. I was working on carving some wood and I got really impatient and screwed it up. Then I just kept trying and trying to fix it and nothing was working. Eventually my brain just went blaaaaaaarg and I had to quit. The rest of the day I spent trying to get my mind off of my art for awhile (not successfully).

Tomorrow I'll start the job hunt again. Look out employers!

Posted by Matthew P on February 14, 2006 at 2:15 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

I can't say this enough. The positions I've held in recent years helped me build on skills I'd learned previously, which often resulted in more responsibility, and in some cases, more (merit) pay.

I never really thought much of my 3 years at Burger King, but I worked in Food Prep, cashier, inventory, and was even a shift supervisor for a while. It was here that I learned to multi-task and get the job done. These skills have served me well in all jobs I've acquired after this one.

Working in a small organization (our branch had less than 20 employees total) is beneficial too - this gave me the chance to get my hands into different aspects of the office environment. At first I felt like a fish out of water - going from the erratic work hours of the fast food world to a set 8-5 M-F schedule took some adjusting to. But I went from a lowly office assistant, answering phones and following up on orders, to becoming the ISO Internal Auditor for our plant, working with our top salesman on our top account (Chrysler), focusing more on purchasing and inventory management, and training our employees on a new software system that was implemented.

Wherever you work, if you are given the opportunity to learn new things, by all means give it a shot. It will serve you well later on down the road - and looks good on your resume!

Posted by Joan C on February 14, 2006 at 9:14 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

By way of introduction, I landed in North Jersey two weeks ago, across the Hudson River from lower Manhattan, a walking cliché: Fresh out of school with high hopes and a theoretically valuable liberal arts degree proving, if nothing else, that I was literate and capable of fighting my way through the red tape of the financial aid office. Eager and hardworking in an economic hot zone (in sharp contrast to Anywhere, Maine) no worries finding a job, right? Right. A career? Let the groans begin.

There is a valuable lesson to be learned from that, however. I began working as a certified optical technician to make tuition years ago and when it came time to make the geographic move, I was well positioned within a huge retailer that had outlets sprinkled throughout the nation. The Manhattan region was saturated, because two stores had just closed and the island was bursting with techs that needed to be placed or compensated, but an inquiry for a transfer to North Jersey placed me within two hours. In other words, the what, where and when lined up.

The same framework has helped me understand that giant hole in cyberspace where my career-related resumes are going to die. When it came to making glasses, I knew where the lab needed to be within five miles. I knew what I wanted to do, how to do it and when I wanted to get it done. In contrast, my career-focused request sounds likes this: “Yeah, I’d like to do not this like five days a week. I don’t really know what you do and I don’t have any experience but, I know it must be better than this and – I can feel it, trust me – I’m who you’re looking for. Hey, where you going?”

Though it seems obvious, you have to have a well defined goal and the ability to identify your qualifications (or unflinchingly exaggerate them.) It is important to have lines in the water – resumes on somebody’s desk – but it may be a waste of postage if you are sending them out to without really examining them, or applying solely for a sense of accomplishment. I still have a fairly amorphous idea of what I want to do, but now I have the conversation with myself first, and then decide whether or not to commit myself to an opportunity. If I feel I can give something a try for a few months, perhaps to gain experience for something else, then I will go after it as though it is my soul purpose for being. Job seekers are a valuable resource and scoring a job is the result of a mutual want. Make sure you know what you want and have the three w’s squared away.

Posted by David K on February 13, 2006 at 8:05 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

One of my aspirations is to become a hotel manager, travel the world, and on the side be a writer: publish my own book. Maybe it sounds like a lot, or just a wish, a dream, some hope maybe. It really is not that. I really want it all. I am going to school now for two degrees. Taking 6 classes this semester, this internship, 3 organizations, and my life. Its busy but when you've got ambitions and a positive attitude, you got it all somehow. I've been looking for an internship or some work experience in the hospitality industry but all I've got is rejections. Everybody wants experience. I do not have that. I can offer only m yself in terms of hard work and making it count. I've been applying for hospitality jobs since 3 years ago and nothing. All I ever get is a marketing firm, or something to do with marketing. That's all the experience I've got. I don't like marketing at all but nobody else would take me. I'm not saying that this will prevent me from dreaming big. No, it won't. This will only extend the time and my search for something more. I'll eventually get my dream but I don't know if it will start anytime soon. Lets hope so:)

Posted by Silvia A on February 12, 2006 at 9:28 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

A close friend of mine recently graduated Bachelors Degree with honors and is still looking for a job. She applies everyday for 5-7 jobs and nothing. Nobody calls her. Everybody wants experience in order to apply for the job. It's like why is education important? I am asking myself: are we going to school to educate ourselves or are we going just to pass the time and work on the side? Some people can work on the side, but others who live with their parents and who are more concerned about earning that grade, to them, education is most important. Some people can juggle more than school and their life, but others can not. Is this supposed to be a judging contest? A competition of who can handle pressure? Experience comes with experience. If somebody doesn't give it to us, where do we find it. WHy not just give us a chance?

Are we educatiing ourselves or just passing the time? If experience is so important then why go to school? Why exhaust ourselves when employers look at the experience part and not the education? I really don't get it. Today it seems that education is just education, and experience or conncetions is what matters. What happened to equality and equal chance for everyone?

Posted by Silvia A on February 12, 2006 at 9:11 PM | Leave a Comment (2)

I want to thank everyone so much for the support they have given me on writing this blog. It's very nice to have that and I really do appreciate it. I've managed to finish up reading for my online courses but I have yet to finish the essays that I have to write 10 -15 pages for 3 of them and 6-10 for two others. It seems like a lot of things to do in a small amount of time. I'm hoping to finish them up by the end of the month although I don't know if that is realistic but it is my goal.

Posted by Jessica P on February 11, 2006 at 7:02 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

When I left my car sales job, there were a few moments of callousness from a few individuals, but there was probably also genuine concern. My manager asked me what I would do now. I told him I had a mail delivery job lined up. (Good thing I had followed through with a backup plan as my Dad had suggested.)

So it was about a week and a half that went by when the company called me back for an interview. It was a much more laid back interview I think in retrospect. Sure I was a bit nervous at first, but it was mostly just paperwork, drug and background checks. The philosophy was that as long as you can do the work and are an honest individual, you'll get hired.

At the sales job, it felt a bit more like I had to put on an act and sway people into paying a certain price. It wasn't quite who I was, but it also was a different kind of culture. It was also very cliquish. You hung out with the same group of guys and act chummy with everyone else smoking cigarettes and wait most of the time for a sale to walk in.

When I got hired for mail sorting, it was a more casual environment initially. No suits or ties, just down-home normal nose-to-the-grindstone type people. I had never done blue collar warehouse type work before so it was interesting doing physical labor. I came in to help out near the November/December holiday season and was sworn in to protect the mail. I was with a small group of holiday employees that helped out with the big packages that are usually shipped. There are two major classifications of employees. One handles the big packages, the other handles the smaller packages about the size of a loaf of bread or smaller that weigh about 20 pounds or less. The latter also do some minor data key entry. I handled the big packages enjoyed for the first two months a nice friendly atmosphere with all sorts of different employees from all walks of life. Eventually we were evaluated and those that were the best employees (speedy, always on time, and with a zest for working) got called back for another half of a year.

I was lucky to be among those called back. It was a good job because as long as you keep working you can't be terminated on a whim like at non-government jobs.

*** Wow, my fantastic fellow readers! Another week has whirl-winded by and you've managed to get a windowed glimpse into my wacky job endeavors. I hope you liked the Job Hunting series. Look for my new series in the trilogy entitled: Dramatic Drama in the upcoming weeks. Also stay tuned for bits of asides, job interviews & comments.

Posted by Shuo C on February 11, 2006 at 6:33 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

Well, the video rental store hasn't called me so I went out looking for other jobs. No stores I want to work in are hiring right now because it's after the holiday season and not close to summer yet. So, it looks like I'm out of luck for the minimum wage jobs that I would consider.

However, I feel renewed. My mom found a website that is advertising jobs in the Philadelphia area. I searched through them and I saw one that I wanted to apply for! It's for an art gallery assitant. The job description says that the person will be expected to help with coordinating, framing, and hanging exhibitions...no problem for me! I'd be great at that. I'm obsessive when it comes to displaying art correctly. The person is also required to have experience with Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Word. I know them both very well. And finally, the person should know how to make a website...which I'm great at! It sounds perfect. Now, can I get it?

I sent my application in. I'm feeling confident. I feel like the old Matt who was ready to be a high school teacher. The one who gave presentation after presentation in front of class with full confidence. The one who was ready to take on anything. I'm not letting stupid anxiety hold me back anymore! I can do this!

Posted by Matthew P on February 11, 2006 at 6:21 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

About a week and a half later, I was shuffling through a desk and organizing papers when the boss called me in. He told me that I was a nice guy and that selling cars just wasn't my thing. I hadn't sold a car in two weeks and it'd be a better use of my time if I got a regular 9-5 job.

I felt a lump in my throat and my eyes welled up as he and the second manager there tried to console me that, "You have a college degree man.." And then I had to turn over my papers, my keys.

I fumbled clumsily through my pockets with bits of paper, keys, and lint falling out. I remember he was trying to cheer me up... "whatcha got in there? You got a hot dog in there?"

I thanked him for having taken a risk in hiring me and then I went to grab papers from my desk as the dam behind my eyes were itching to burst. Two junior members of the staff jeered and jibbed at me, saying "Hey, man? What happened?! What did you say in there man?" as they grinned. I stayed the stronger man and did not get angry or upset in front of them. I briefly glanced at a fellow senior salesman who just looked on with an all too knowing sullen look on his face of seeing this scene replayed several times before he turned and left.

As I was leaving I met one of my fellow team members and he said that someone else had also got axed and his brow furrowed as he looked at me saying he'd probably be next. I managed to pluck up as best a comforting smile as I could and continued walking out faster. I had read on a website that a car salesman was once yelled at for not leaving fast enough just because he was saying goodbye to coworkers even after being terminated. I didn't want any of that kind of yelling.

I saw another friend come out. I stopped in my tracks briefly as he held up a goodbye hand sign and then I spun around again and left. The last person in the world I wanted to see was DW and let him see the beginnings of a cascading waterfall. I was somehow managing to drive home in the rain with my face all wet from failing him and my family and mostly myself. I couldn't drive straight home, but went to the library afterwards since I didn't want to ruin my family's day that immediately.

Eventually it didn't hurt so bad and I remembered what my boss said before I left, "Maybe this is a blessing in disguise."

When I got home late in the afternoon, I finally plucked up the courage to tell my Mom, Dad, and brother that I had lost my first post-college job. Dad and my brother started telling a story about a brother that had gotten his other brothers and the grandfather to get in an investment that went bankrupt. He said that he was foolish... I got angry for an instant as I missed the antecedent in the phrase and thought he was talking about me. "It was my job that I had just lost and don't you think I feel bad enough?" I yelled. But I was mistaken as my brother clarified that Dad was talking about one of my uncles... “Oh.” Dad told me... “family is like a group of tigers, we may be rough with one another, but we never eat our children...” I just needed to be more careful about my business ventures.”

In hindsight it was pretty ridiculous to pay for a training session with no guarantee of employment, especially having known nothing about the business... but I learned lots of things I wouldn’t otherwise.

1) Never get too comfortable! 2) If it's too good to be true, it most likely is. 3) Change & rejection is part of life.

Posted by Shuo C on February 10, 2006 at 4:22 PM | Leave a Comment (2)

Two things that can make an interview akward: the interviewer is either somebody that you know, but not very well (if you did not know they were going to be the one interviewing you) or somebody your own age. Or worse-being interviewed by someone younger than you.

I have run into people I had not seen in ages and had not known well even back then sometimes, and see others in the same situation. The results vary only slightly. "How have you been?" Standard first line once identities are firmly re-established. I do this in my spare time now. Oh you work over there? Yes, I remember him! A few other questions whose answers no longer bear any relavance, plenty of akward silence and I just remembered that I have something important to do that may or may not actually exist and it is all over. Now imagine transplanting that situation into an interview setting. And an interview setting is one of the few places where running into someone your own age will not make you feel more comfortable. I mean, you are there clinging on for dear life and that guy in the big comfy chair, this guy or girl you graduated with is already set up to the point that the company trusts them enough to select who gets hired next? Tough.

I know all this from experience. Last Friday I had an interview with a guy I went to elementary and middle school with, same age as me. It could have been much worse. We had no ill-will toward one another. And yet sitting there in his office, which was bigger than my room and with his name inscribed on a gold plaque in front of my face felt a bit odd. "Still working in fast food?" "Oh, so you still live at home?" Things any interviewer would say just took on whole new meanings. I really was prepared for the interview, but everything was just shaken right out of my head instantly. It was not that I was intimidated or hostile. More like dumbfounded. That was just so unexpected that I had no idea how to react, and unfortunately did not react much at all. Going in right after college, you can't help but expect the interviewer to be a complete stranger, middle-age. Maybe a bit older, or younger than that, late twenties at least. Somebody who you can at least pretend had a long, hard road to get to where they are, just like the one you will have to take. It is a bit of a comforting thought, even if it is not a conscious thought.

I should have listened when they said "be prepared for anything."

Posted by Andrew S on February 10, 2006 at 3:41 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

When it comes to acing interviews, there is so much advice already written that it’s easy to think you know everything. However, here are a few great hints that often fall through the cracks. They may seem like insignificant details, but they make more of a difference then you realize.

1) Be kind to everyone!
Oftentimes that receptionist who jots down your name is also a spy taking notes. Remember, everything that happens from the moment you step into the office is being observed. Say please and thank you just like they taught you in school.

2) Smile!
A smiling face often invites a smile in return, but there’s more to it then that. The muscles used in smiling cause the body to release pleasurable endorphins. That’s right, smiling can make you happy for no other reason. If you are both grinning at each other during an interview, they will associate you with feeling happy, and you will feel more comfortable and at ease.

3) Always dress to impress!
This one has been mentioned for sure, but it is so important I felt the need to mention it again. How you dress and how you carry yourself say more about you then words. Make sure everything you wear is clean and neat, and make sure you are well groomed from your hair to your toenails. It’s especially important to make sure your shoes are shined. Nothing ruins a perfect ensemble like messy shoes.

4) Listen to the interviewer carefully!
Don’t just talk about yourself. Actually listen and respond appropriately. Nod your head and make mental notes about anything that seems important. When an interviewer feels at ease, they often start sharing things about themselves and their work environment, and they may even give you hints as to what the other candidates are like. Afterwards, in your thank you letter, make sure you mention what a great job they did and include details about them you learned during the interview. This is a wonderful way to prove that you were paying attention.

5) Write down information as soon as possible!
Bring a small notebook and jot down everything you can the moment you have some time alone. This way you won’t forget names and important details, plus you can start planning for your thank you letter.

6) Be confident!
Wake up the morning of the interview and begin the day by looking in the mirror and smiling at yourself. Be proud of who you are, of the fact that they are interested in your work. An interview is your time to shine. You are getting a chance to prove your worth, but if you don’t believe in yourself, then no one else will either. If you walk into that room certain you aren’t qualified, you create a self-fulfilling prophecy. Quiet down that insecure little voice in your head by any means necessary. Repeat “I’m going to get this job” to yourself until you believe it. Sing “My Way” by Frank Sinatra in the shower while imagining yourself accepting the position. Force yourself to laugh at your negative thoughts by telling yourself they are preposterous every time they start creeping up. Confidence is key to succeeding in life, not just job interviews. Don’t leave home without it.

Good luck!

Posted by Elizabeth F on February 10, 2006 at 8:21 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

I'm gonna compress some of my experiences with this car company.

Interview:
What I think got me the job was that I had been listening the radio and they were talking about Jesse Owen who was both a student that faced huge obstacles and discrimination. It was such a good story about triumph in the face of adversity that I decided to use that as one of my answers in my interview questions. I think the interviewer was impressed. She invited me to a 3 day training session the next day.

Day One:
Introduction. Meet and greet people and candidates who had passed the first interview. We had not yet been hired but were being "trained" to become salespersons.

Day Two: Quite a few left when we learned we had to pay a tuition fee for materials and the training session after the first day. But some of us thought this as a way to weed out candidates. So half stuck around and did more training material.

Day Three: Only about four people were left from a pool of twenty.
We had a little last minute training with our recruiter before the real interview with three head honchos of the auto plant. The recruiter asked us to remember a time when you overcame a really difficult situation and I wove this great story about how I had gotten lost when I was first learning how to drive and ended up in another state all by myself. I just plucked up the courage, and reasoned that I had got myself here, and can get myself back... after asking around. And I did. It was a true story and a good one because it was honest and genuine and happened about one week before my interview.

I think I wanted to prove to myself I could nail this job and make something of myself. When the three managers entered I made this "feel good as a team" speech which I used to present to the group as a whole when we did a big lecture type interview. It was actually impressively good because I had been shy throughout most of the training. I quoted company statistics, used references, and exuded major confidence about being able to "sell yourself, but never sell yourself short". It was one of my crowning moments of achievement in being able to show I was an optimistic team player and could also put on a suit and act the part... So I was exhilarated when they hired us as a group. And of course... I paid my "training/admission" fee.

For the next week we basically sat around, watched training videos, did a bit of group bonding and went out to eat together. Most of the time they went to take smoke breaks together and I just stood with them, being a nonsmoker. There were two new candidates that showed up on the first day of work who had not been part of the training, but were walk in candidates that got hired. We would joke a bit and I had made a really cool friend, I'll call DW, who had been a salesperson before. DW was a real genuine and intelligent person that showed mutual respect. I told him I was glad he was helping me out because I wouldn't last a week alone trying to sell cars.

Sure, it was no problem approaching people and asking them to pick out the car, but when it came down to finances, I was clueless and had to bring my wingman (DW) in...
I remember several times we'd stick together as "the new guys" because the veterans were just too cool to hang out with us. Eventually we conversed and we got to know each other a bit more. But as another coworker told me, it's a dog eat dog business: "worry about yourself" and not whether someone else made a sale.

Posted by Shuo C on February 9, 2006 at 6:20 PM | Leave a Comment (2)

I worked at the boring data entry job for a month. Given a choice between staring at spreadsheets all day long, and wanting to sleep for boredom of it all, and sitting at home having the freedom to run my errands and work out whenever I wanted, I had to choose the former. I did not want to use up all my 401K money that I had cashed out, simply because the job wasn't "right." I had to work! I had 5 weeks off and, granted, they were a nice 5 weeks off, but it was back to the workforce for me, and this was the best job that had come my way.

Fortunately, I was still keeping my options open, updating my resume on all the sites I'd had it posted to. Within a couple of weeks I came across a position that was similar to what I'd done at my purchasing job(s), but not in purchasing. There were a few qualifications I wasn't sure I met, but I took a chance and applied anyway. Would you believe I had a moment of self-doubt, and almost didn't interview for the position, because I felt I wasn't qualified? **NOTE: Don't do this to yourself.** Give yourself a chance to show your employer what a good asset you would be to the company.

Assets, by the way, are my specialty for the moment. I am now employed in an asset management position at an automotive company. Yes, the job is still a bit dry (okay, a LOT dry) and totally doesn't offer the challenge or even the workload that I'm accustomed to, but it pays more than my last purchasing job did, and I needed good benefits to boot, so I took the job. At the time I was just happy to have obtained a half-way decent job that paid me well enough for me to feel more "whole." I am still keeping my options open, though, believe me!

As for education, I finally broke down and enrolled at a local university. I only needed to complete 10 (more) classes to (FINALLY) earn my Bachelor's degree! I started in August, and I should be done by this June! Can you believe that it'll only take me less than a year? Granted, it's a bit of an "open-ended" degree - they're incorporating my old Associate's degree in CIS, and I'm minoring in Management - but for me still being at a crossroads about where to go next, this is perfect for me. I wanted to obtain a 4-year degree and I will accomplish this in just a few months! I am thrilled. A Bachelor's degree will at least make me more marketable.

Posted by Joan C on February 9, 2006 at 12:28 PM | Leave a Comment (2)

I'm not really sure if I am supposed to be writing on this blog because I feel like I have nothing to offer here. It seems like everyone else has a ton of things going on that someone worthwhile could read but I don't. I'm not really sure. I have more personal things that go on in my life - wedding plans, moving, and graduating. I haven't even really thought about a job or anything like that. It's too stressful to worry about things like that which I cannot control. I am fiathful in believing that the Lord will show me where it is I am supposed to work and what I am supposed to do with my life. I guess that's why I don't worry about getting a job.

Posted by Jessica P on February 9, 2006 at 10:20 AM | Leave a Comment (3)

Okay, you have a dilemma: you definitely need to work, but you just spent years of college and thousands of dollars to work in a specific field(s). Unfortunately, you are finding that there are either limited opportunities out there, or loads of competition. What do you do? There are basically two main things one can do. You can, while you’re in college, save up or sell something valuable. This will give you a financial cushion to allow you to extend your search. You can also try moving in with a friend or relative, and share living expenses. (Note here: don’t wear thin your welcome, always offer to pay as much as you can possibly afford, even if it’s only physical labor.) It also might be a good idea to seek part-time employment. Work doesn’t even have to interfere with your job hunting. You can deliver newspapers, pet sit, work at an online job or a night job. This will allow potential headhunters to see that you are employable. Just make sure you show up on time as scheduled and do your job well, because hiring managers will check. I probably don’t have to tell you this, but be sure to give present employers as much notice as possible (without losing your new job opportunity) so that they can work on replacing you ASAP.

There is also another option: you can get a full-time job doing something that you hadn’t planned on. Here is a leaf from my page, as a real world situation. After five years of college and over $50,000 in debt, I’m working in maintenance at a race track. The pay is less than $5000 than what I need to truly be able to begin to support myself. However, it has hours that will allow me to either, A. keep scouting for a good-paying full-time job, or B. will allow me to take a second job. This is not my dream job, but the employers/employees seem great, it’s union and there are a few perks (like a $2 all-you-can-eat buffet for employees every shift). I may even find that I wish to stay in this position, if there’s chance for advancement. I have an acquaintance that started out wanting to work in business administration. Today he sells farm equipment in Vermont and adores his job. If finances are getting close to the bone, you don’t have to settle, but don’t necessarily walk away hungry, either. You may be passing up the feast of your life.

Posted by Nancy G on February 9, 2006 at 9:44 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

It’s been a week since I spoke of my predicament. I’m sure all who have read it is wondering what has become of my circumstance. Yesterday, exactly a week from the spoken dilemma was an answer: I was told to go about my business with the week long gig (good, it’s what I wanted) but oddly enough that was not the end of it. They added the notion of welcoming me back as a part-time employee after my short term commitment, considering of ‘course that I have not landed a new job by then. I was confused. I was appreciative of the thought but I was definitely unsure of their motive, if any. First, they tell me there was no room for changing positions. Secondly, they declared that they may never even have the occupation I desire. Therefore, the only legroom there is would be my resignation. Yet, they are willing to welcome me back just in case I (fall off my high horse?) fail to find another job. Are they calling my bluff? It’s really bizarre because I’m not bluffing at all! As a matter of fact, I’ve been offered a significantly great opportunity at another institution pending I pass their drug test ---- (this, all together would be a new entry).

I suppose it works out, I get to do my gig and work a new job but “just in case” I can always go back and work for my 'to be' ex- employer who is willing to pay me even when they’ve acknowledged they have no use for me. Either way, I didn’t burn my bridges. Yoo-hoo me!

By the way, I asked if I should hand them an official letter of resignation and their response was, “none needed.”

Posted by Golda M on February 9, 2006 at 1:51 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

The interview—a Monday afternoon. Quiet, slushy, rainy. I was relaxed.

Let me tell you, nothing will relax you for an interview quite like another interview beforehand.

Er.

Okay, so I was two-timing my interviewers. One was in the morning at nine, the other in the afternoon at three. The nine o’clock interview was down at the county courthouse.

I was ushered through security, shown up to the office, and sat down with two women who were (respectively) older and much older than I. My dress was appropriate, I took notes, I asked questions—I ended up having a ball. The ladies were these great, professional gals (one could’ve been my Mom—maybe that’s why it was so easy to talk to her). They told me all about the job, gushed about the Judge I’d possibly be working for, cackled and cawed and chatted—and I was fighting the urge to bust out a Terry Pratchett reference, because I swear the older of them was a really nice version of Granny Weatherwax. I talked a bit about myself, handed over my references, all that jazz. We hit it off. The work sounded really interesting.

It was like going to an interview day spa.

My fears of the demanding bossman with jowls like a bulldog slamming into the room and demanding that I justify both my existence and wasting his precious time—they vanished in a lovely, misty haze. We talked about the atmosphere. My headache stopped. We talked about my service philosophy. My back pain was alleviated. We talked about opportunities for advancement. My sinuses cleared. Ahh.

They said they’d make their decision by Friday.

When it was over, I felt great, went right home, and wrote two thank-you emails. (I didn’t have a clue how to send actual cards fast enough without making the drive again and dropping them off in person.)

I ran a few errands, had lunch, touched up my makeup (managing to make a striking and semi-bizarre eyeshadow statement—by the time I realized it didn’t work, it was too late—I blotted, smudged, and hit the door). I got turned around on the way to the interview and almost didn’t make it—but then I did.

The three o’clock interview was with a non-scam (I checked, oh boy did I check) benefits company. The receptionist was nice. The office manager and the coordinator were nice. I filled out a formal paper application. We chatted. They took notes.

Neither could’ve been much older than I was. I asked them how long they’d both been at the company—they told me three and four years, but they mentioned others that had been there much longer. I told them my greatest strength (I chose follow-through/tenacity) and greatest weakness (I picked ‘I let myself get frustrated sometimes’—and yes, I will argue with the articles that suggest you spin this question so that you say nothing bad about yourself whatsoever—obviously you don’t want to answer with ‘My cocaine habit’—but people are not stupid—don’t walk in and give them some BS line like ‘I don’t always allow myself to be proud of my achievements’—okay, that’s a different rant for a different time). I felt the interview was going decently, but not amazingly well or anything.

They asked if I had time. I did. I took a test on Microsoft Excel knowledge (did better than I remembered) and a personality profile. Then there was a short IQ-type test. Analogies and such. I had an AP Lit flashback.

When they were finally done with me, two hours had gone by and they were shutting up shop. They mentioned that they were early in their interview process. They said they’d call.

Yeah, I thought. That’s what I used to tell my Ex. I can smell a kiss-off.

But we shook hands and parted nicely. I got Chinese food, went home, and felt very accomplished over my egg drop soup. I’d done all right, I thought. At no point did I blurt out anything obviously crazy. I can do a few more of these.

They called the next day.

The benefits people set an appointment for Wednesday morning. I was to come in and meet with The Dude. They didn’t tell me he was The Dude, though, they just gave me a name. Foolish me had no clue.

I came in this morning. I met with The Dude. The Dude was civil. Seemed decent. Reminded me of an Uncle of mine. Asked me what I’d been doing lately, how did I think I worked best, was I interested in the job, why did I go to Florida for four months (ahh, Florida—that’s an entry, too). It was dry. There was no rapport happening. I was more nervous than I wanted to be.

They came in with a drug test.

Huh, I thought. Okay. I guess the tests are getting cheaper to run and all. They’re probably giving them to all their applicants. I tucked the swab in my cheek and twiddled my thumbs for three minutes. The HR lady sealed up my swab, labeled it, had me sign something, and left.

I sat alone for about a minute.

They came back with a job offer.

Same money I was making at the other company. Better hours. Better benefits (they are a benefits company). I don’t have to be covered in ointment all day. Pending the results of the drug test and background check—which I know I will pass, unless someone in Minnesota is using my identity to rob banks or something—I’ve got the job. They’ll get back in touch with me when the test and check come in to set a start date.

So… I guess I’m employed, y’all.

I’M EMPLOYED!

Posted by Karen P on February 8, 2006 at 8:50 PM | Leave a Comment (2)

After the Financial Advising thing slipped by, I saw this ad in the Sunday newspaper in big bold letters. "Now Hiring!!
No Experience Necessary. Will Train. Benefits include Health, Dental, 401K... Work in a layoff-proof industry in car sales." Even though I knew nothing about cars and even less about salesmanship, I think what drew me to this was my desire to get off my "family welfare fund," that is, I wanted to be a self-made man not owing anyone anything and with little help from anyone else. I didn't want to be ruled by the Fates or predestined, as they say, to live my father's life as he thought it should go. I didn't want a cookie cutter life without some struggles or strife... because that would be boring. The struggles, the battles, the long road there are what make life worth living. Who doesn't want to have a little challenge, win the battle, and have the prize actually mean something?

I bantered back and forth with Dad about how I should try to take this job. I commented on how like my previous job search attempt, it would be an experience that this time would net me income... It was a job after all, not a career. And I commented on how I wanted to have battles of my own, stories to tell like how he struggled to make his dream of arriving in America to support four children after working through rice paddy farms all his youth and became a strong military airman.

I was still scared of driving. I never drove that far from home before, but Dad was willing to be a passenger with me there to find the location beforehand on a weekend. It was up to me to make the trip again when they actually opened for job hiring a few days later.

Dad treated me as an intelligent person capable usually of making the right decisions and able to listen to reason. One piece of advice he gave me was that even if I took this job, I should at least call back my mail delivery position I had agreed to apply to after college. That way I wouldn't burn my bridges and had a back up plan to fall to if I needed it. It was a great piece of advice and I followed it when the mail delivery position was starting on their second round of interviews a month later.

I did manage to make it to the interview later that week and sweated torpedoes throughout the session. I managed to convince them that I wanted to help them sell cars (and learn more about cars in general because I had bought the same brand as their company and they were a very reliable car brand).

Posted by Shuo C on February 8, 2006 at 6:53 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

I visited a few record stores yesterday but none of them were hiring. However, I did find a DVD rental store and the clerk said that they are always hiring. He referred me to their online site to fill out the application and said they would probably call me in a few days. It sounds promising.

Have you ever filled out an online application for a nationwide store? They're like a labrynth. I've filled out about three and they're all the same way. Now, I have no problem with about 50% of the application. The questions in that 50% ask about information that is very relevant to whether they'd want to hire me or not. But the other half of the questions are either for their statistics or attempts to trick the applicant.

I have a big problem with the questions that try to trick the applicant. There are about 20 pages of these questions. Let's say, for example, that there's a question on page one that says, "Are you comfortable in a crowd?" Then on page 4 there will be a question that says, "Do you prefer to work alone?" And on page 8, "Are you a private person?" And on page 12, "Do groups of people make you uneasy?" It's all the same question worded differently! What I can figure is that the test is mainly to see how consistent your answers are to make sure you're being honest. But a lot of times, I feel that I'm trying to be honest but the questions are so tricky they may make me be inconsistent.

For example, sometimes they may think they are asking the same question when they really aren't. They ask questions like, "Do other people annoy you?" and "Can other people be annoying?" They may be trying to find out if you get annoyed easily by other people. My answer would be, "Other people can be annoying but they usually do not annoy me." So, I would answer no to the first question and yes to the second. Does this mean I'm being inconsistent according to them? Who knows? I would like to talk to the person who came up with this questioning strategy and find out what their goal really is. Ugh...stupid questions.

Posted by Matthew P on February 8, 2006 at 11:14 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Since I have to take a break from college and I couldn’t find a paid internship in my area, I decided on a temp agency. Little did I know this temp agency was going to offer me more than what I was expecting. I’m thinking temp agency, hmm……go work in some office for a weeks or months and then transfer to a new office. Well, the temp agency had something else in mind. On my second assignment I ended up at an oil company doing some office work. Even though it had nothing to do with my major, I figured it would give me some money so I might as well go for it.

Well I’ve been with the company for a few months now and my supervisors have approached me on numerous occasions about becoming permanent. They even gave me a promotion from being a receptionist to working in the retail division. At first I was excited and ready to stay on permanently but the past few weeks have me thinking otherwise. As much as I like my position in the company and the people that work with me I am contemplating the fact that my degree will have nothing to do with my job. There is a possibility that I could make my degree work for me with my current position, but that would require the company to let me show them what I am capable of.

I’m thinking maybe it’s me being scared and ashamed about not having a career in my field or the idea of not knowing where my current position could possibly take me in a direction that I haven’t even thought about. By working in retail I am learning a lot about how to run a store and the procedures that are taken when it comes to opening up a new location. So I guess this position could lead to bigger and better things. Maybe it’s just my nerves getting to me.

Posted by on February 7, 2006 at 7:42 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

Now that I was no longer in college, I had time, a LOT of time. I could do a lot of research and work on my website design hobbies which I had developed through college. But I kept finding pressure to find a job. I didn't want to spend time being and carrying my family burdens again. Besides, I wanted to go to graduate school and the last thing I wanted to do was be what my friends termed, "a stay at home bum".

One of the things I missed from college was the high-speed internet connection. I even wanted to invest in cable at home, but decided finally not to since we'd have to do a lot of rewiring from our second floor cable wires. Plus, I'd have to foot the bill all myself and I didn't have much money having just graduated. I reasoned a faster Internet connection would mean faster job offers. But, I had a car now and could go to the library to access their better resources anytime I wanted to.

I spent many hours on a 56K dialup connected to career websites applying to jobs and reading up resume and interviewing techniques and rifling through Sunday newspapers. It was a painstaking process of redoing, printing, and mailing my resumes. As I read in a career tip, it's best to personalize all contacts toward the company so I would change greeting and titles of address.

I usually got email replies thanking me for applying and that they would get back to me. Usually when they did it was a thank you rejection note. I preferred the cold, businesslike, distance provided by email and website forms rather than talking in person. I realized later that phone would be more effective, but still preferred that to the instant directness. I was still pretty shy.

One day I got a email invite from a large credit card company that said it was recruiting people just like me for financial advisors. I had dismissed this email partially until I brought it up to my attention of my Dad who instantly encouraged me to jump on it. We bantered back and forth that it was not what I really wanted to do with my life, but he stated that the location was only a close 14 minute drive away. He said that it's okay to jump around job to job when you're beginning off. And also pointed out that I needed the money which this place probably had plenty of. Besides, he said, don't burn all the bridges that you come to. Sometimes you only get an opportunity the first time around.

So I agreed to go down there dressed in nothing fancy, and ask for an interview which I had the next day. I learned a few things too. It was a business meeting type environment where they hired people of all ages, genders, and education. The interview was more a group informational session complete with propaganda video shown on TV. We learned about there were plenty of benefits, tuition assistance, and rewards. It was more of a marketing position in a way also in that we would be selling "our expertise" in Financial Advising services. One way I learned was a fishbowl technique where you agree to bring business to a restaurant by setting up a clear glass fishbowl where people throw in business cards, get randomly selected for a small free Financial advising business luncheon (sales pitch). I also learned they used to provide free training until people got trained and then jump to a better company (basically training them to work for another company with higher pay). So they stopped doing that.

I had some business and math skills so I took their mandatory accounting entrance exam and didn't pass. But I nonetheless learned a few real world job techniques out of this, mainly keep your window open for opportunities.

Posted by Shuo C on February 7, 2006 at 4:56 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

I last left off with my taking time off from working - at all. This was a scary concept for me, as I need to work to pay my bills, and if it weren't for my 401K sitting in my savings, I would've had no money to fall back on, but I was tired of having "just a job." So I considered going back to school to obtain my Bachelor's degree already - a goal that's been 13 years (off and on) in the making. Part of my procrastination was due to the fact that I wasn't sure whether I wanted to keep pursuing an IT career, or change direction.

By my second week of job-searching I was getting antsy - how come I wasn't getting a job? But I told myself to be patient, and make the best use of this "time off." I started taking career inventory tests and found out more what careers fit my personality and interests best. Accounting was one of them. Counseling, one I'd always thought about in the back of my mind, was another. I discovered there were plenty of accounting jobs in my area. So I figured that was the route for me to take. I chose to dismiss the fact that I didn't do well in Accounting I years ago - I would just have to take it again.

After 5 weeks of not working, and working with recruiters, I finally was offered a data entry position within the Big 3. It was a contract position, still a paycut for me and I knew it would be a bore, but I decided to take the job anyway. It was better than sitting around, and who knew when the "right job" would come along? Contract work seemed perfect for my situation.

Posted by Joan C on February 7, 2006 at 12:32 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

Ok, I see that my last blog got people talking, that's good I think...

I need a new resume. My previous Resume was written by me, but now I have more stuff to add and I don't know where to put it or how to add it. I have 2 internships, I write for the college newspaper, and I am about to start broadcasting school on top of the College I go to now. So, I go online to try to find a resume service that could write it for me. I was shocked to see that the prices were steep. I need to know if all resume services are so expensive and are they worth it? What if I pay and the resume isn't any good??

Speaking of internships, my internships are going really well and I have been told I have a knack for editing. So, hopefully I can land any kind of gig that pays. I'll take anything right about now. The money isn't really the issue, I just need more experience.

Posted by Lakisha H on February 7, 2006 at 12:20 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

I started to prepare my own taxes over 10 years ago. Times were simpler then. A few numbers from a W-2, a signature and a stamp and the taxes were done. Now there exists child care and earned income credits, mileage deductions and depreciation; the latter which I can not comprehend, kudos to tax software. However, I do have the basic knowledge, even if I was not smart enough to take accounting classes. Some friends and family agree. The problem lies in how much to charge them. They are friends and family after all.

My wife, I mean my ex-wife, and I divorced seven years ago. As a result of our unique and misunderstood civility toward each other, I have continued to complete her taxes ever since our separation. I feel great comfort in knowing that she still relies on me. My real pay is being needed; and being assured that she is taken care of. She is still in my will. (No, I am not worried about her ‘offing’ me because then she would have no one to do her taxes.)

Six years ago, I took on my mother’s taxes. This was simple enough as long as she wasn’t sitting there second guessing my every penciled movement. She agrees to pay me between $25 and $40. I may have been paid twice; three times if you count the day that she gave me frozen sour kraut.

Five years ago I started a friend’s taxes. We worked together at a restaurant then. Her taxes are the simplest even with the earned income credit and every year she is pleased. My first real paying customer, she pays me about $20. Even with her $3,000 refund, $20 seems enough. My pay maybe slightly below average, but we are both grateful.

Last year at this time, I took on two of my largest tax projects. Two friends, neither aware of the other, had both neglected to have their taxes prepared for two years prior. I had no knowledge of past due taxes but researched as best I could. More than 20 hours were spent on each “customer’s” income taxes. I made it clear, as we sent the forms to the IRS and PA Department of Revenue, that I could not be sure that the forms were correctly filled out. Months later, the only feedback that occurred was that of penalties, which I had anticipated and informed them both of. My pay was $400 worth of work on my car and $40 cash from the other.

This year I am up to eight or nine customers. I do not anticipate even making $100. There are more ways to get paid than just with cash though. Sour kraut, assurance, gratefulness and engine work all count. These types of compensation do not pay the bills, but they do indeed add up. The $100 that I might make is $100 more than I made 10 years ago when I started. There is also another benefit. Now I have ten years experience in tax preparation. What have you been doing for ten years?

Posted by David L on February 7, 2006 at 12:11 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

A lot of people today say that without education you got nothing. Most people look at getting a degree or multiple degrees because they believe they will be paid more in the end. What happened to looking at education for the sole purpose of learning for yourself? Being a better person? Finding who you are? Some people even make it without going to college and I see it not by chance or luck, or connections, but by determination. Ambition and determination is what is needed, not being judged by grades and GPA. What about those people who cheat all their way through college and beyond in their education, in the end they get the high GPA, and they are praised for it. And people who work hard for their grades who don't earn what they expect to earn but don't seem to give up, they just don't have that high GPA. Wouldn't employers want the second person to be working for them because they'd see the value that they possess within them and smile and say good job? Others, just get the job because they got connections. I think everybody should be given a chance no matter who they are, who they know, or where they come from. Wouldn't you want to be that person?

How do we value education? Is it by the payroll in the end or is it by the knowledge that we gain? I see it by the person we find within ourselves. I hear people these days go to school because their parents told them to go, but what about what you want to do?

Posted by Silvia A on February 6, 2006 at 10:20 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Well when I got out of college I had never needed a car. My parents never let me use one of their cars and I never really asked for one. Almost everything was accessible by just walking. And what was too far usually I could take by campus bus which was basically free for students (paid through your tuition).

So when I got home I was still a bit unsure about where to take things to further my life. Yes, I wanted to go back to graduate school, but I needed funding and I needed to get together an art portfolio which I greatly lacked. I had not the nerve to ask for admission requirements via phone from specific colleges mainly because I was afraid I simply would not meet them for obvious reasons.

In the meantime, my Dad and sister helped pushing me to find a job and I knew I needed money. On the one hand I was sort of lucky because he had found a governmental mail delivery service that he thought would give me stable secure income. I think he expected the pay to be around at least enough for a typical year's salary for post college graduates. I needed a job so I said, "sure, point me the direction and I'll sign up." Actually it was more like "uh... well..." And my Dad was like, "Son, have a little backbone." And that galvanized me to make the call.

During this time my Dad helped me pick out a car, fill the paper work, and took on the insurance responsibilities. I took care of the money basically. I had put down about a grand for the car and spent another grand for repairs, timing belt, spark plugs, etc. which my Dad helped recommend to fix.
When all was done, he also helped me wax and shine the car.

I was pretty pleased with the car, and still am... even though it was a used car with little faults here an there.

I later learned:
1) Don't skimp too much on the car. You need money to make money and that includes car expenses (besides the usual interview suit and job search gear). For example, I got a used car that had heat but no air conditioning. I was still on a tight college budget so I decided to plop down some cash on necessary repairs, but drive with my windows down for most of the summer. I'd recoup my cash and be able to get a better car later. I didn't need the hottest new car and I knew my own budget also.

2) Save enough for a rainy day. Especially for little expenses here and there (grumble) like flat tires (2 in the past two years and 1 almost flat which was replaced ahead of time). Traffic tickets, insurance, and gas are likely some of the likely things that may happen.

3) Try to keep your car clean because you never know who might need a ride, but it's cool to have personal amenities to help make your car your new home. I have some munchies, books, and camping gear in case I need to make like Rambo and bum it in my car for a few days.

4) You need a car with stability that you can depend on. While you don't want to skimp, you don't want to go overboard either. You just want a car that can take you where you want to go and won't die on the road. My car has been pretty reliable, same as my father's foreign made car. Mine is supposed to be able to reach at least 300,000 miles in its lifetime.

5) Treat your car good and you'll get many miles out of it.

Posted by Shuo C on February 6, 2006 at 6:28 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

About a week ago I went out of town to see if any jobs in my field would be available to me. I went to a couple places bringing my resume and my pretty face. I was determined and optimistic. The first destination I went to was almost discouraging though. I walked in confidently, introduced myself, and handed my resume with my smile. All was well, but then I began to think,"What will they say and think?" The lady then informed me that it would be best if I visited their website and see what was available. I then felt it was a wasted trip and didn't want to continue with the so called "networking". I then came to the conclusion that it wouldn't hurt to go to these places and get information as well as put in my resume. The question I am really wondering is, " What is the best way to network?"

Posted by Alicia G on February 6, 2006 at 3:56 PM | Leave a Comment (2)

Through my college experience, I learned invaluable lessons, I gained a massive amount of knowledge, and I met many wonderful people. However, one thing I didn't get was preparation for the real world. My college experience was like being in a bubble. I lived on this safe, tiny campus where I had an infinite amount of support, and once the bills were paid, my biggest worry in life was getting my homework done. I could go weeks without worrying about anything but reading.

Here's a few examples of what I mean: When I got hungry, I'd walk into a room with fully prepared meals. No shopping or thinking necessary. Then, I would put my dirty dish tray on a conveyor belt and it would disappear into the unknown. Apparently, little gnomes cleaned my bathroom because whoever did it, was never seen. They were in and out before the crack of dawn and my bathroom was spotless. I just parked my car in the lot and it would sit there for weeks without me ever having to worry about it. I would spend careless hours with friends hanging out and discussing dreams, problems, life, gods, literature, philosophy, silly things, other worlds, etc...

I didn't take these things for granted while I was there; I soaked them up because I knew life wouldn't always be like that. And even though I knew that then, it still doesn't make it easier to adjust to real life now. I come home and the dishes sit in the sink until someone does them. Since I need to constantly use my car, it always has to be cared for and there's always something wrong, whether big or small. Food shopping needs to be done, cleaning needs to be done, I need to help the family with lifting anything because I'm still young and strong. I'm living under someone else's roof again and I need to live by their rules. If I don't want to, then I'd have to go out on my own and find a REAL job which I'm not ready for.

My bubble has popped. As I've said, I'm in the process of applying to another bubble called graduate school. If I'm accepted, I look forward to putting off more responsibility (because it overwhelms me, not because I'm lazy) and losing myself in the world of visual arts, learning as much as I can (like a sponge) until that one pops as well. Then, hopefully, I'm ready to deal with what we call real life. I've matured so much intellectually but what happens when that doesn't translate to emotional or practical maturity?...????

Posted by Matthew P on February 6, 2006 at 1:04 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

One of the hardest, yet most important, things college graduates need to do once they face the real world is network network network. If the major players in whatever field you want to get into don't know who you are, there is nothing to separate you from the hundreds of candidates applying ahead of you. In so many industries, especially creative industries like writing and film, if there is nothing about you that sticks in the minds of the people doing the hiring, then you will consistently be forgotten.

It's cold hard truth. But how can you meet your peers? How can you make a name for yourself? These questions don't always have easy answers. Joining professional organizations is a great place to start, but there are other ways. First and foremost, it is important to stay in contact with as many teachers and fellow graduates as possible. Try to make friends with classmates who share the same interests as you. If they graduate before you, make sure to exchange screen names, email addresses, and phone numbers. As they get ahead in their respective fields, they can keep you informed as to trends and job openings.

Teachers can be an even bigger help. Normally they maintain their own network of contacts. If you impress a teacher while still in school, they may be able to assist you once you're out there looking for work.

In the meantime, find work wherever you can. Everyone wants to join the big leagues right out of college, but it is important to remember that everyone starts out somewhere. Work for free if you must, but try to find work within your field. Too many of my fellow graduates have found work far removed from their chosen profession. After a few years of working somewhere else, it becomes much more difficult to follow your dreams. That job you take "just for right now" may become the job you're stuck in for years.

If worse comes to worse, if you search for a year and find nothing, try going back to school. Take classes, get an Associate's degree, or bite the bullet and go for a Master's. If you feel trapped, there are always other options.

But remember, even if you do go back to school, it takes more then a degree to get a job. Networking is the key to following your dreams, no matter what those dreams may be.

Posted by Elizabeth F on February 6, 2006 at 9:35 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

And I can't get to sleep. Back to trying in a few minutes. I've so far:

1) Laid out my clothes--going with simple, don't want to funk my way out of a job.
2) Put out my makeup-type stuff.
3) Set two alarms, cell and clock.
4) Made sure I have copies of the resume and references. (Is 9 each a bit much? I better print more.)
5) Reviewed my questions for the interviewers.
6) Made sure I put out keys, wallet, notepad, resume/reference copy folder, pens, and breath mints.
7) Realized I probably need to put gas in the car.
8) Reset both alarms for half an hour earlier (to be safe).
9) Realized I should really eat tomorrow before I go.
10) Reset alarms for ten more minutes - it'll be something fast.
11) Prayed.

Oh, and I drove both interview routes today. As far as I can figure, traffic and my hair are the only variables. (At least the traffic, I can predict.)

Breathe deeply. In. Out. In. Out. It'll be fine. It will.

Posted by Karen P on February 6, 2006 at 12:45 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

Hello fellow readers! I'm back again for the new Job Hunting
Adventure series. This is a new raw and unedited
version of my thoughts for the day, complete with Freudian
slips (oops!) and speed of true blogging.
I will try to write an entry every day for the next two weeks.

Job Hunting is a seven part mini-series about my post college
life up till I get a small steady-income job.

The last series ended with my uncertainty about how I was
going to get into film school and theater after having changed
majors so many times during college.

Here I begin after arriving home and a bit of goading from
family to begin to seek some personal income. We'll see how
I progress from stay at home bum, to working class citizen.

Bonus material, check out from the library:
Asher, Donald. "How to Get Any Job with Any Major".
Berkeley, Ca: Ten Speed Press. 2004.

According to this book, which I'll probably mention again later,
one out of four students don't have a job by the time they
graduate college. Pretty eye opening since I fit a twenty-five
percent piece of that pie.

Posted by Shuo C on February 5, 2006 at 8:20 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Friday's interview at the law firm went well. I got hired on the spot! It's only 20 hours a week, since I still have classes that take up the first half of the day. But, it's a weekly paycheck. There's only one attorney to work for, and only two lines to answer. Lots of high-tech gadgets to play with; I have never met an attorney who is more abreast of technology than I am. It should work out well though. I start tomorrow, but I'm really not all that nervous. The first few days of a new job always suck, getting used to people's mannerisms, agendas, etc. I'm not thrilled about being back in law, but, as I said in the previous post, it's the easiest field for me to get into right now. It's not all bad, just not my life's calling. It's all -- if I may reference the title -- a means to an end.

Now that the job hunt is over, at least for now, I have spent hours online researching internships. I think I may have one in the works; it's unpaid, but just the experience of it would be enough. (I don't want to elaborate on it until I know for sure. I'm superstitious that way lol.) I did manage to find some associate programs for some major publishing companies in NYC, so I applied for those. I don't really see any reason I shouldn't get accepted to at least one, since I am an English major, and I have publishing experience -- a work-study position, but it still counts.

Money is going to be super tight as I save up for the move to NYC. I really hope I get one of those associate positions. It's a year of training in all the different departments, it pays decent and I have an extremely high chance of landing a permanent position. Not a bad way to get one's foot in the door, huh? I think I'm already "in NYC" though, at least mentally. I just can't wait to get up there in a few months and start my career. My career! At 22, that is so weird to think of. I'm ready to get in there though, make my mark and whatnot.

Posted by Ashley H on February 5, 2006 at 4:21 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

When I first began my job search in November of 2005, I thought I’d land a job no later than mid-November. By the time New Year’s Day rolled around, I was starting to sweat.
When life forces you to live on a completely fixed income, any major changes and/or sudden loss of income can be devastating. Those changes can mean the difference between treading water and sinking to the bottom.

To make matters worse, people who have jobs or have never been in your situation just don’t get it. “They’re hiring down the street,” is a popular phrase to many job seekers. What these unknowing people who say that simply don’t get, is that there are probably 40 to 100 or more people applying for a few, or even just one, position. As I’ve stated before, today’s employers have much in common with Morris the cat: they are very finicky. If you can’t get a job, virtually no one who hasn’t been there will sympathize with you. It sounds harsh, but unfortunately, this is a part of the new American reality.

If I sound bitter, yes, I am. I try not to feel this way, but I’m only human. I’m literally about to lose everything I own/care about, for no other reason than being unable to secure employment. So yes, I am angry, depressed and frustrated. What I don’t do is let employers or (usually) the public see this side of me--ever. I try to remain upbeat and hopeful, even though I literally feel doomed. I also make a genuine effort to keep a sense of humor, because once I’ve lost that, I’ve lost not only the battle, but the entire war. I make a point everyday of reading, listening or watching something funny, because laughter is genuinely great medicine.

It is important though, to face reality, well into the job hunt. I try not to let employers sense how desperate I really am, which can be a challenge--especially when they start talking about odd shifts and low wages. When you get to end-stage job searching, you’ll take anything that comes along. Right now, if someone wanted to hire me to stand on my head and sing the National Anthem backwards, I’d…consider it.

A word of caution here: when you’ve reached the point where you’ll gladly take anything, start thinking about worse case scenarios. I mean, seriously begin looking for financial assistance, food stamps, HUD assistance, whatever is available in your area. You will most likely find social workers to often be indifferent, unsympathetic and sometimes downright hostile, but you’ll just have to bite the bullet. Also try faith-based charities and non-profits for help and advice. Don’t wait until the eviction/foreclosure notice arrives, you have no heat or you completely run out of food for the rest of the month. You may not qualify now, but you can always ask about financial guidelines. These are guides that social workers use to determine what, if any, assistance would be available to you. Finding these things out is a time-consuming process, and you will need documentation of your income and utilities, checking account information, and so forth.

Don’t fool yourself into thinking the financial support you have today, will be there tomorrow. God willing, it will be. But things happen to the best of us, such as medical illness or a major repair bill. It doesn’t take much to pull you down these days. Unless you have a generous family or friends, or few major expenses, plan now. Tomorrow could be too late.

Posted by Nancy G on February 4, 2006 at 5:49 PM | Leave a Comment (2)

There's a writerly-type phrase, attributed to Faulkner (I don't read much of the guy myself - not enough wizards), that goes - "Kill Your Darlings." What it basically boils down to is this: Do you love a certain passage or turn of phrase? Are you grinning when you read it? Are you impressed by yourself? Cut it. (Or at least take a good, long look at cutting it. Especially pointless parenthetical comments.)

I don't always agree with this philosophy in regard to fiction and the like. But for job applicants? Keep it in mind. You aren't trying to sell the vibrant, interesting person. You're trying to sell the employee.

Look at your resume. Ask yourself if an employer really needs to know that you led the Clayton County Urban Windsurfing Team to victory last year. Do they really need to know that you have four dogs at state competition? That you like to restore old cars? That you're active in your church, that you lead a scout troop, that you bake award-winning pies?

Unless you've applied at Mrs. Field's to be their newest award-winning piemaker (I hear they've got great dental), cut those things out. The lines you spend telling a prospective employer about yourself are lines spent not telling an employer how you are the perfect choice for the job. You even risk the garbage can by adding 'personality'. Write a funny cover letter and an HR manager with a sense of humor might call you. What's more likely? The HR manager says, 'This girl doesn't want to work here. She wants to be a comedian. Next.' Unless you can present one of your hobbies as fulfilling a position requirement (demonstrating leadership skills, mechanical aptitude, maturity, etc.), don't present it.

Last week I pared down my resume. I took out all the things a company wanting an administrative type wouldn't care about. All the playwriting. The theatre-type awards. I re-wrote the job duties summary for my work as a Quality Analyst to focus on the mountains of paperwork I had to fill out, and not the production policing or product testing that were also a large part of my day. My cover letter went from six paragraphs outlining my different positions to two concise paragraphs, a short bullet list also geared toward the adminstrative, and a closer shamelessly modeled after several sample resumes I read online (the Internet is a wonderful place) but tailored to suit my needs. It hurt to cut it all down. I felt like there was nothing there. Vibrant, interesting (pushing it) me wasn't there!

The result?

Next week, I've got three interviews. All of them called today from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - maybe it's just Friday scheduling serendipity. One is - sort of - my second interview: the phone screening went decently today, so now I move on to the second round Monday afternoon. Monday morning, I go to an interview for a part-time position (no benefits, but near full-time hours, and GOVERNMENT JOB - my Mother is for that one - I'll see how the interview goes). The third is temporary (through tax season), farther than I'd like to drive, and the woman who called seemed to have me confused with another applicant at first. I'm not sure job number three would be a good fit for me - but who knows, I might get down there and feel differently. I'll give it a shot.

I'm still pretty giddy. In one day, the line has had more bites than it has had in weeks.

Score.

Posted by Karen P on February 3, 2006 at 9:06 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

As an English major I realize there are many many many things that I haven't read, however I feel as if I am reaching the bottom of the barrel here with my latest Renaissance mess of class. It seems that the education system just can't have enough of this literature.

Posted by Jessica P on February 3, 2006 at 8:26 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

I have spent my entire life creating. For as long as I can remember, I have seen images frozen in time, and I've had a compulsion to express myself in words. These are the qualities that define me.

There have been times in my life when I've tried to escape this part of me. Writing is such an unstable career at times, and making a living as a photographer frequently involves attending countless weddings and birthday parties or stalking celebrities. I've tried teaching and medicine, electronics and telecommunications. However, my talent and my passion will always be reporting.

I've never felt more alive then when I'm chasing a story, tracking down leads and interviewing people, or in a newsroom, researching and developing ideas. When you work as a team to put together a great issue, and you know that you have created something with the power to inform and challenge. You know you are making a difference. You are changing the world.

Maybe I'm an idealist, but I think all good journalists are idealists to a degree. We sacrifice ourselves, making less then we deserve sometimes, for the idea that a free and independent press is a necessity for real liberty in a society. I believe this firmly. The best journalists become journalists because they realize that they will never be satisfied doing anything else.

Hopefully one day I can live up to my potential. Until then, I can only aspire to greatness, and wait for my chance to make life better for all of us.

Posted by Elizabeth F on February 3, 2006 at 6:27 PM | Leave a Comment (2)

Well, I quit my job at the movie theater. Here's what happened: A week ago I had to schedule an interview with the fine arts school that I applied to for graduate school. At the time, the schedule for work this week was not posted yet. It should have been but the scheduler was running behind. So, I scheduled my interview for 1:00 on Wednesday. However, once the work schedule came out, I had to work from 2-10 on Wednesday. This conflict stressed me out a lot. It shouldn't have, but it did.

There were many options I could have chosen. I could have called the movie theater and said that I couldn't work Wednesday. I didn't want to do that because I had missed several days the week before due to my anxiety problems. I could have told the movie theater that I would be a few hours late due to my graduate school interview. That eventually became my plan. To call the theater Wednesday morning and let them know I was going to be a few hours late. However, when Wednesday came, I had an anxiety attack because I didn't know what work would say to me about being late. I've always wanted to be an above average worker and show that I'm working hard. After missing three shifts last week, what would they say to me about calling in late? I couldn't bear the thought.

By the time my interview came, I had stressed myself out to the point at which I quit the job at the movie theater because I couldn't handle any of my options. On a good note, the interview for grad school went wonderfully! The lady loved me and it seems like if it was completely up to her, I would be in. They have a meeting to decide who gets in in a week or so and then they'll let me know if I'm accepted. I'll be crushed if I'm not.

So, since I quite my job, I'm now visiting my girlfriend at the college I recently graduated from. When I go back home I plan to look for a job at a CD store. I know a lot about music and I'm very familiar with rummaging through the alphabetical order to find certain CDs. Hopefully I'll find a CD store that's hiring.

My mom is concerned about how I handled the situation with the movie theater. She thinks I made an irrational decision when there were many options I could have chosen. She said that I demand too much of myself and that the consequences at the movie theater wouldn't have been that bad. She's right. But the decision I made is the only one that I could (and still can) see myself making in that situation for better or for worse.

Posted by Matthew P on February 3, 2006 at 11:08 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

INTERVIEWER: So. You graduated in 2003 with a degree in...

ME: Theatre.

INTERVIEWER: Ah-ha. Okay. And your last job. You were...?

ME: Quality Analyst for a pharmaceutical company.

INTERVIEWER: ...So you have a background in science?

ME: No.

INTERVIEWER: ...How do you feel about math?

ME: ...How do you feel about calculators?

INTERVIEWER: ...

ME: ...

We all have goals. We try and aim for them, but all it takes is one quirk of circumstance to turn our career paths upside down, inside out, and backwards.

I became a Quality Analyst through a massive internal shakeup at the company where I was temping. I'd always made it a point to be friendly with my superiors, and mentioning that I had a college degree made everyone in the lab go, 'hmm.' So a stopgap temp job became, suddenly, my new career.

"Just think," said my supervisor, "if you stick with this and take some science courses, in two years you can have a Master's in Quality!" And then, I might have a chance at a promotion - or I could go somewhere else and become a quality supervisor there. Until that happened, the company would be able to keep me on for next-to-nothing (which isn't as bad as nothing, granted) - and if I didn't want to get a Master's in Quality, they might have me for next to nothing for a very long time.

Still, there were good benefits and decent hours, so I stayed for a while.

Then one day, I looked over my shoulder and glimpsed my original path, its end far off in the opposite direction. My path was now steep and winding, and looked like it would be tough to navigate even in low heels. I'd have to make sacrifices. Neato, undeserved job title - gone. Regular paycheck - gone. Dental coverage - oh, no, why didn't I get my crown fixed while I was covered? Bad move, Karen, bad move.

I thought about my path with its shiny, golden end. Then I thought about a Master's in Quality, and years spent trying to get ointment out of my clothes. I thought about being broke again, and I thought about the shipping supervisor who'd been there twenty years, and seemed to have given up a decade ago.

I left.

I should've at least waited until I found another job before leaving. But hey - if there's one thing I can do, it's make irrational decisions. I've got a Theatre degree, after all.

I've been technically unemployeed since late October. I've registered with temp agencies, but they've mostly given me the run-around (January is not a good month for job seekers - it seems like everyone is busy tightening the belt in the post-Christmas season). One of them won't return emails or calls. One of them sent me to a job I wasn't qualified for (but they only told me that after I finished an hour of unpaid 'shadowing'). I've been the target of scammers (that's another entry - how I love multi-level marketing! - not). I've also been approached by an organization that generously offered to pay me for my services 'when the company starts to make money.'

Today, I got a call about an interview for a clerical position close to home, same pay as I got with my fun, science-y title, great benefits, and while not precisely on my path - it will definitely be a step in the right direction.

My feet hurt, and my teeth are killing me - but I'm going to make it.

Wish me luck.

Posted by Karen P on February 2, 2006 at 8:22 PM | Leave a Comment (2)

Since this is my first entry, I'll take a moment to introduce myself.

I am 22 years old and wiill graduate from the University of South Carolina in May with a BA in English/Writing. That should be enough for now, n'est-ce pas? :)

Now to the blog at hand:

My post-graduation job search is atypical, in that this is the second time I have had the pleasure of going through hundreds of employment ads and "investing" an obscene amount of money on "professional" paper and envelopes and faxes. I was set to graduate in December 2005, and even had a full-time paralegal position lined up -- including full benefits! -- and then I got in a really bad car wreck in late November; not even a month until graduation. Some of my professors worked with me, but most refused. And so, here I am, going to school part-time to make up the credits I missed last semester and on the job hunt for a second, fun-filled time.

I had no problem landing that paralegal job. In fact, I sent out applied for two positions, and both called me back the same afternoon I faxed my resume. And, they both offered me the job. (And they say new grads struggle finding work.) The position I had accepted was too perfect; the senior attorney and I clicked right away, the office manager was super nice; I felt like I had known these people for years. But, it didn't work out, so here I am: back at square one. I'm not too worried about finding a job, since it was pretty easy last time. But, still, it has been extremely frustrating. I have been out of work for two months and my parents have to pay all my expenses, and I can't stand it. I like being financially independent. It's a good feeling, don't you think?

In the past week, I have sent out about ten resumes. I had only two calls this week, one from a company I have no desire to work for but applied out of desperation for money. The other one, for a legal assistant position at a Columbia law firm, called and I have an interview scheduled for tomorrow morning. This is full-time (I hate part-time jobs) and offers health insurance. So, let's all hope I can come back in a couple days and announce the good news!

It's an understatement to say that not hearing back from any potential employers is frustrating. It's really borderline insulting. I know I'm good enough for these positions, in fact, for some, I'm probably overqualified (and I don't really have that much experience in the workforce). How horrible is it to sit at home waiting for someone to offer you an interview, all the while watching the bills stack up in your mailbox and knowing you can't pay them. I have bill collectors calling me just about as much as my close friends and family do. I can't really say if my being an English major has anything to do with some companies' neglect in contacting me; one would think that this would be an asset, since most ads emphasize the importance of "strong writing skills." This will be the second legal job I will have, and I'm not thrilled about it, because I would much rather be working in other fields, like publishing, for instance. But, that's another entry. Law seems to almost guarantee an English major a job, but it's not what I want.

In South Carolina, jobs in my preferred fields are very limited. I am just biding my time until after graduation when I move to NYC to pursue publishing. But, they all want experience. The competition in NYC is intimidating, and this begs the question: How am I going to make myself stand out? I don't have the experience that they ask for because the opportunities aren't available here. A lot of good a legal assistant job is going to do if I want to be an editor of a magazine. Whatever job I do get while I'm still in Columbia won't last long, since I plan to be out of here by the early summer. And then I get to start the whole process all over again.

Posted by Ashley H on February 2, 2006 at 7:48 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

I had an interesting conversation with a nice gentleman today. He is 57 years old and has been laid off from a job he’s worked at for over 20 years. “Joe” (this is not his real name) has been looking for work for over five months. At first he did what I did and looked at local jobs. Unfortunately, in our semi-rural area, his field of expertise was not in high demand. Joe told me that he began applying for jobs in the nearest metropolitan area, an hour’s drive away. When he got to the interview, a particularly aggressive interviewer kept harping about Joe’s long commute. Joe got so upset, he walked out. That not only may have cost him a job, but it certainly cost Joe his gas and valuable time.

I’m sure many job applicants--myself included--have experienced what I call “interviewers with attitude.” Business people in today’s job market are more aggressive than ever. Instead of getting upset and walking out the door, Joe should have taken a mini time-out. He should have taken a pause to silently count to five. Then maybe he would have been calm enough to stress that either, there were no openings any nearer to him, that he had reliable transportation and was a good driver and/or that jobs in that particular location offered much better pay and benefits. He could even have impressed the interviewer by saying that theirs was exactly the type of company he’d enjoy working for, and that he didn’t mind the commute at all. Another tack, although a last ditch one, would have been to point out that many people who work in New York City may commute as much as two hours to work. Do not walk away from interviews, even if you are ticked off or on the verge of tears. Save it for the car. Many interviewers have so many applicants for a position, that aggressive tactics are their way of weeding out prospective employees.

Posted by Nancy G on February 2, 2006 at 4:23 PM | Leave a Comment (2)

I finally did it, there’s no turning back. I pulled my chin up, sucked in any showing anxiety and laid it all out. I told my boss how it is. Windows of opportunities are slowly and surely closing on me, I can no longer allow them to slip away. Keeping the position I currently have only limits me from what I really deserve: at hand, a short term gig. Nonetheless, it’s great networking and a great resume enhancer. If I don’t take the offered gig, I would go back to my mundane clerical duties and never know what could have or might have consequently leaded me to the ideal job. So my mind was set, we had to meet. Fifteen minutes later, all I wanted from them was their realization of the inability to offer me a position that best suits my qualifications and capabilities. Thus, they would be saddened but have no choice and be happy for me as I give my resignation.

As much as it sounds dramatically flattering to walk away and see their faces sigh with regret, the talk was rather amenable. We agreed in a couple of things: one, on my part of being anxious considering I am a recent college graduate; two, on their part of being an employer of whom is not able to provide me with the opportunity I need ask for. The truth is there is no room for my talents in this company. They don’t have the necessity of using my skills and may in fact, never will need my line of duty. I am in the right industry but in the wrong field of work. So now, I have to wait for their decision. Evidently, they were not ready to resolve my predicament as quickly as I anticipated. Do I hand them the copy that’s been attached to my email since yesterday, entitled resignation letter? Or do I simply keep searching for that ideal job just until they find my replacement? A dilemma waiting to be resolved; to some, patience is always tested.

Posted by Golda M on February 2, 2006 at 1:10 AM | Leave a Comment (2)

Some students that are going to graduate school after college, have been planning and preparing for it since their freshman year of undergraduate school. However, there is that other percentage of us that have made last minute decisions to attend. What makes the difference and the deciding factor for most recent college graduates? With a major in mass communications and a field that is so highly competitive, I have decided that perhaps I need a back up plan. For others it may be that they are just not ready for the real world yet, and have realized that to truly advance quicker within their field, a graduate degree is almost a neccesity. Of course, there are alternative options that allow students to earn a Master's degree without having to actually be in a classroom. One of these options is online learning. But exactly how respected is an online degree. Well, I have done some research and it seems that according to where you enroll, an online master's holds just as much merit as one earned on the campus. Although, there are some scams that have been reported on. Some tips if considering on-line programs are to make sure the program is accredited and also make sure that you are not being pressured into enrolling. There are some programs that actually prey on lower income students. I will not disclose any names but be mindful of programs with over the phone interviews and 2.0 gpa requirements. I would reccomend a distance learning program that also has the option of being on a campus.

Posted by on February 1, 2006 at 1:03 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

Coping with rejection can be tough. I know, because after five years of college, the only solid job offers I’ve had (and there hasn’t been many) in the last 8 weeks have been for low-wage cleaning and fast food jobs. Not a single one of the many dozens of resumes that I’ve submitted has landed me the job of my choice--or any good-paying job. I’ve swung from feelings of total frustration to utter worthlessness. Many of you may have had to deal with constant turn-downs. You have good resumes and cover letters, are perfectly capable, and, hopefully even eager to do the job required, but no one is giving you serious consideration. How do you deal with this?

The first thing to do is find someone--anyone--to talk to. Even if it’s only the occasional e-mail or phone call, it will make you feel better to discuss your situation.
I’m blessed with an e-mail pal who patiently listens to my woes, and even offers good suggestions. If you don’t have anyone like that in your life, don’t panic. Talk to your physician. He or she may be able to recommend a good counselor. The fact that you are reading this posting, and other blogs, is also a good start. Simply knowing that you are not alone in your situation can sometimes help a little.

Since writing to my friend, I’ve slowly come to grips that the customer service, driving or library job that I’d love may not be in the cards right now. One of my major hurtles is a lack of recent work history. I went back to school to stop the cycle of working for minimum wage and/or back-breaking labor. Now, I can ruefully admit that that’s just where I’ve ended up again. Talking things out has helped me see that although the jobs are not ideal, at least they will show, later down the road, that I am a reliable employee. Thanks to my friend, I’ve managed to find a bit of ironic humor in all of this, and maybe my ego will weather my present situation. Talking is the key to personal crisis management. Don’t hold it in, or you may do yourself more harm than good.

Posted by Nancy G on February 1, 2006 at 11:56 AM | Leave a Comment (2)

Picking up where I left off on my last posting, I had left ophthalmology after getting a really strong gut feeling that this wasn't the right field for me. I made this decision after my boyfriend and I came back from a nice long weekend away - which means I had no other job to go to. This was a scary thing for me to do, but I had my 401K from my old job in the bank (I DON'T RECOMMEND DOING THIS UNLESS YOU HAVE TO USE IT, WHICH I HAD A FEELING I WOULD!!), so I had a bit of a buffer financially while I searched for work. But I was a little lost as to where to go next. I was so sick of purchasing, having done it for about 10 years now, but besides having general office experience, this was the one thing I did well. And I was realizing just how important having a Bachelor's degree - even any Bachelor's degree - is when trying to secure a well-paying job. Even with my extensive purchasing background - not to mention my unused technical education - no one would touch me because I only had an Associate's degree. I had been putting off working towards my BA for too long now - now was the time to act.

I started to worry when my job search went into a second week, then a third...........by this time I had to tell myself to relax, something I was interested in (and paid well) would have to come along. But I really felt like I was being tested, and began to second-guess my decision to leave my last job, with no new job lined up. I normally don't take big risks like that, but I truly felt in my heart it was the right decision for me to make. I was just beginning to wonder how long I would be unemployed - I had been working non-stop since my senior year of high school. I began to use this time off as a time to really research into what I wanted to do next as a career - something I'd truly enjoy, not just something to do for a paycheck.

Posted by Joan C on February 1, 2006 at 8:21 AM | Leave a Comment (2)