In light of some exciting news from your favorite unemployed chick, I have decided to talk about interviews. The exciting news first: I got an interview for tomorrow for an internship! After a long time of not hearing back from anywhere that I sent my resume, (and yes I tried to get in contact with HR but some of these bigger corporations won't let you call in) it is really nice to get an interview! Wish me luck!!
Anyways, here are some helpful tips that I've learned through the years or picked up in my research.
Some things you should be doing before the interview:
1. Researching the company & the position as well as making yourself familiar with the industry if you are not already: Do not go in unprepared. Show that you have taken the time to learn about the company. Know their mission and vision, their target market, newsworthy items, CEO names, etc. See if anybody you know has any contacts with the company or organization.
2. Iron that outfit. Polish those shoes. Be neat and pressed. Have everything picked out beforehand so you aren't rushing around. Make sure you have a notebook & pen ready as well as a briefcase depending on the position. Also, print out a copy of your resume and a list of references just in case. Make sure you are showered and well groomed. Don't just look like you rolled out of bed.
3. Prep with some mock interview questions. You can search the internet for popular interview questions. Be prepared. Get your mind ready! Practice with friend or family member.
4. Prepare some intelligent & relevant questions. When the interviewer asks if you have any questions, pick 1 or 2 good ones that haven't been covered. Interviewers like when you ask questions because it shows interest. Avoid being to eager about pay, vacation, benefits, etc. Here are some good questions to get you thinking.
Things to be doing during the interview:
1. Be positive and self assured! Fake it even if you are nervous.
2. Be early! Don't be on time and don't be late! Be early.
3. Be polite to everyone in the office before your interview starts. Smile and make a good impression to all the people you might encounter before you meet with the interviewer. People talk after you leave. Trust me.
4. Have good manners. Sit up straight. Say "Thank You"(especially when you leave) and "Please". Do everything your momma taught you that you found irritating to be corrected on. No gum chewing! Use proper English!
5. Focus on the company and what you can do for them in the position. Yes, they do want to learn about you. However, it needs to be relevant to the position and what you can do for them with your skills, experience, education, etc.
After the Interview:
1. Send a thank you note or email. Again focus on the company and what you learned and not all about you.
2. Follow up. Follow up quickly if you think they are making the decision soon. Feel it out for when you should follow up. Don't call 5x a day to find out.
Wednesday, February 3
Tuesday, February 2
Tweeting Your Way to Be Among the Gainfully Employed?
I'm a tweeter. I tweet about my day, my frustrations, things that I'm excited about (as in, the LOST season premiere), my disappointments, articles I find interesting, funny things that happened, and sometimes I even tweet about my job search. But using Twitter as a way to GET a job? Wait..what?
The more I've been perusing the web for tips to strengthen my job search and how to be more efficient in it, I've come across quite a few people claiming that Twitter is a revolutionary way to enhance your job search in 2010.
What is that you say? I could tweet my way to a job? Well, being the curious little creature that I am, decided that I must research this further and have my hand at using Twitter as a part of my new aggressive approach to making my way into the world of the employed again.
Instantly I found this website: TwitJobSearch. Essentially it is search engine for jobs, similar to indeed.com, except that it targets job postings on Twitter. I typed in a few key words "marketing, entry level, Philadelphia" and a decent amount of jobs popped up. Some I had seen on other job boards and some were brand new. I decided to add this to my extensive list of job search boards to scour every day.
But how else could Twitter be used?
Lists: I love making lists in general. Lists on Twitter are fabulous because you can have complete organization. For example, I'm adding lists on my Twitter for networking, companies I'd want to work for, and industry experts. It will save you time instead of sifting through all your tweets to see tweets relevant to your job search.
Networking: After you have become an organized Twitter genius, reach out to some of these people you have listed. Ask for advice from those industry professionals or friends in your field. Make meaningful comments on their tweets. Interact with them! Show them you are serious. I had a good experience with this. I followed InternQueen and asked her for some advice for college grads and internships. She tweeted me back pretty promptly and gave me advice. Some of them are going to ignore you but some of them might respond back to someone who shows genuine interest and shares their career aspirations.
Hash Tags: I remember this summer seeing these strange hash tag symbols on Twitter. Once I learned how they were used I immediately saw their effectiveness. You can use them in the job search too. Make your you are tagging your posts with relevant key words. You can also search hash tags to see tweet subjects that interest you.
I'm still new to using Twitter as an addition to my job search so I will be giving you the dirt once I learn more ways to use it for this purpose!
What are your thoughts? Do you tweet? Would you ever consider it a good way to enhance your job search? Have you used it for this purpose before or know anyone that has?
The more I've been perusing the web for tips to strengthen my job search and how to be more efficient in it, I've come across quite a few people claiming that Twitter is a revolutionary way to enhance your job search in 2010.
What is that you say? I could tweet my way to a job? Well, being the curious little creature that I am, decided that I must research this further and have my hand at using Twitter as a part of my new aggressive approach to making my way into the world of the employed again.
Instantly I found this website: TwitJobSearch. Essentially it is search engine for jobs, similar to indeed.com, except that it targets job postings on Twitter. I typed in a few key words "marketing, entry level, Philadelphia" and a decent amount of jobs popped up. Some I had seen on other job boards and some were brand new. I decided to add this to my extensive list of job search boards to scour every day.
But how else could Twitter be used?
Lists: I love making lists in general. Lists on Twitter are fabulous because you can have complete organization. For example, I'm adding lists on my Twitter for networking, companies I'd want to work for, and industry experts. It will save you time instead of sifting through all your tweets to see tweets relevant to your job search.
Networking: After you have become an organized Twitter genius, reach out to some of these people you have listed. Ask for advice from those industry professionals or friends in your field. Make meaningful comments on their tweets. Interact with them! Show them you are serious. I had a good experience with this. I followed InternQueen and asked her for some advice for college grads and internships. She tweeted me back pretty promptly and gave me advice. Some of them are going to ignore you but some of them might respond back to someone who shows genuine interest and shares their career aspirations.
Hash Tags: I remember this summer seeing these strange hash tag symbols on Twitter. Once I learned how they were used I immediately saw their effectiveness. You can use them in the job search too. Make your you are tagging your posts with relevant key words. You can also search hash tags to see tweet subjects that interest you.
I'm still new to using Twitter as an addition to my job search so I will be giving you the dirt once I learn more ways to use it for this purpose!
What are your thoughts? Do you tweet? Would you ever consider it a good way to enhance your job search? Have you used it for this purpose before or know anyone that has?
Monday, February 1
Be AGGRESSIVE! B-E AGGRESSIVE! B-E A-G-G-R-E-S-S-I-V-E!
I feel like I have to be my own personal cheerleader these days! This unemployment/job searching ordeal is draining.
I've decided that I need to become more aggressive with my job searching tactics. I need to be bold and relentless. I don't mean aggressive as in getting in hiring manager's faces or stalking CEO's of companies. I mean just stepping it up and not being as passive. (Side note: It makes me think of the too light too heavy commercials)
Job seekers could take a lesson from the "not too light, not too heavy" concept.
Anyways, some ways I'm stepping it up in 2010 regarding the job search:
1) Remember that the job search is my job right now. I need to take it that seriously. I am waking up early, eating a good breakfast, and getting ready before I proceed with the job search. Sitting around feeling like a bum in my sweatpants does nothing for the morale. I need to make my desk Job Searching central and be organized!
2) Have a schedule. This one is really important. Unemployed days consist of a lot of free time which generally ends up being wasted on who knows what! Not anymore! I am scheduling my days so to have more structure and making to do lists that will be completed. Structure is pretty important and will help you to approach the job search as a job.
3) Network like crazy! I normally feel silly and/or ashamed at promoting myself and trying to network. Not anymore. It's about who you know and how well you know them. I'm making a master list of contacts and what they do. That sounds really creepy but it's not. I need to know who might be of help to either ask for advice in the field or a possible job lead.
4) Offer my services. I'm actually really skilled at marketing despite what my resume says about me. I've always loved to do it and I've always had good feedback on what I've done. I'm am offering myself up to those who need some marketing/advertising. I'm contacting my church, my stepdad's American Legion, local businesses and organizations, etc. Who wouldn't want a free pair of hands and a brain?
5) Look outside the box for possible job opportunities. Be willing to look for jobs in places other than job boards.
6) Send out 3x the amount of resumes per week than I have been. I'm not just going to be sending them out to just anyone for any job. However, I think in the past I have been so discouraged that I haven't even applied for some jobs.
I've decided that I need to become more aggressive with my job searching tactics. I need to be bold and relentless. I don't mean aggressive as in getting in hiring manager's faces or stalking CEO's of companies. I mean just stepping it up and not being as passive. (Side note: It makes me think of the too light too heavy commercials)
Job seekers could take a lesson from the "not too light, not too heavy" concept.
Anyways, some ways I'm stepping it up in 2010 regarding the job search:
1) Remember that the job search is my job right now. I need to take it that seriously. I am waking up early, eating a good breakfast, and getting ready before I proceed with the job search. Sitting around feeling like a bum in my sweatpants does nothing for the morale. I need to make my desk Job Searching central and be organized!
2) Have a schedule. This one is really important. Unemployed days consist of a lot of free time which generally ends up being wasted on who knows what! Not anymore! I am scheduling my days so to have more structure and making to do lists that will be completed. Structure is pretty important and will help you to approach the job search as a job.
3) Network like crazy! I normally feel silly and/or ashamed at promoting myself and trying to network. Not anymore. It's about who you know and how well you know them. I'm making a master list of contacts and what they do. That sounds really creepy but it's not. I need to know who might be of help to either ask for advice in the field or a possible job lead.
4) Offer my services. I'm actually really skilled at marketing despite what my resume says about me. I've always loved to do it and I've always had good feedback on what I've done. I'm am offering myself up to those who need some marketing/advertising. I'm contacting my church, my stepdad's American Legion, local businesses and organizations, etc. Who wouldn't want a free pair of hands and a brain?
5) Look outside the box for possible job opportunities. Be willing to look for jobs in places other than job boards.
6) Send out 3x the amount of resumes per week than I have been. I'm not just going to be sending them out to just anyone for any job. However, I think in the past I have been so discouraged that I haven't even applied for some jobs.
Sunday, January 31
Internships?
(me at my internship for a customer service photo shoot..and guess what..I ended up in an advertisement in photography magazines!)Internships might just not be for college students anymore. It seems as though every article related to unemployment or job searching tips that I find myself pouring over are saying that internships are the new jobs (particularly for college grads!)
I remember watching The Pursuit of Happiness in college and thinking how horrible it must be as an adult to take an unpaid internship. But alas, here I find myself seriously considering taking part in an internship program. I think alot of people are finding themselves considering the option. I mean, there is nothing wrong with an internship! I had a wonderful, paid internship and learned alot from it. However, the thought of taking possibly an UNPAID internship scares the dickens out of me! That could have been a possibility whilst in school but it would be a tough option to not get paid. It scares me to think that money will be coming out of my bank account and not going in; no matter how well I save.
Let's just highlight some of the positives of an internships (which far outweigh the negatives):
-They are the middle ground for someone like me between having zero experience to having 5 pages worth of experience. Internships don't require you to have extensive experience. They create experience.
- Many internships lead to actual positions and if they don't they sure are a good resume booster and a good reference. That's why it is important to take your internship seriously and do your best work; even if you aren't getting paid.
- You can get a feel for what you want to do (or don't want to do). I've been looking at internships as a way to see what possible careers there are for me out there and how well I fit into those fields.
- They are generally part time. This is important for those of us who are absolutely broke. You could always pick up a few shifts waiting tables or working retail. It will be hard work to juggle an internship, a job, and a LIFE but it will pay off in the end.
- There are some amazing, crazy internships out there! I'm actually in the midst of applying for an internship with a travel company to travel for 3 months and document it. I'm also looking at Cross Cultural Solutions for internship opportunities in India and China (they have many other countries available.) You just have to seek these internships out. Thinking outside of the box is always beneficial.
Those are just a few of the benefits that came to my mind while I was weighing my options.
So, my dear unemployed (and employed) friends, what do you think about internships?
You can find internships all over the web. Remember to look on websites for industry associations. I know that the American Marketing Association has marketing specific job boards with internships.
And check out my FAVORITE resource for awesome internships and intern advice:
Intern Queen!!
Saturday, January 30
Give back.
I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.
Mahatma Gandhi
All you have to give is your time. And, as we unemployed folks know, we have plenty of that to spare. As I was selfishly moping and sulking about being jobless, I realized that there was a solution to the issue of feeling as though my days were wasted. I realized there was a way I could get out of the confines of my house AND make connections with others that want to make a positive impact on society. I could volunteer! It's not a novel idea or rocket science. However, when you are consumed with moping and sulking, helping people may not be on the forefront of your mind. I began my arduous task of picking just one volunteer opportunity that matched my skills and passions. I happened to find an organization in my area that needed some help with administrative duties and event planning. I can do that for sure! I filled out the application today and am excited to see what kind of experience it will be.
I just think that volunteering would be a really great way to pass those unemployed days. Here's why:
1. You are getting out of your house! For me, it doesn't help to be sitting at home just feeling all the more miserable about my jobless status. Get out of the house!!
2. You are doing good for people. I firmly believing in giving back to your community and to the world. I just think about all the times I've been helped in my life and what a difference that has made. Depending on what you are volunteering for, you are going to be helping people directly or indirectly (what I'll be doing) but either way you will be creating change and serving society in a better way.
3. Helping=Happiness: I've always noticed that every time I've volunteered for something or did something for another human being, it has always boosted my mood--even if I was never recognized for it or it was an anonymous type of thing. Doing something useful with your time can help fight those unemployment blues and help your community at the same time!
4. Resume Booster: Obviously this isn't the only reason you will be volunteering but the reality is that it is something to put on your resume and can be a possible reference. Work as hard as you would if it was a paid job. In a time when you can't find someone to pay you for your skills, volunteering is a great way to get experience to put on the resume. And if you are like me, you need all the resume boosting you can get! So find an organization to volunteer at that is a good fit and work hard!
5. You never know who you will meet: By volunteering, you are expanding your social circle. This is some of the best type of networking you can do. Make sure you maintain relationships with these people and remain professional while volunteering. Work hard and refrain from complaining! You never know who these people might know!
Have any of you had some great experiences volunteering? Do share!
A few great resources:
Volunteer Match
ServeNet
Idealist
Mahatma Gandhi
All you have to give is your time. And, as we unemployed folks know, we have plenty of that to spare. As I was selfishly moping and sulking about being jobless, I realized that there was a solution to the issue of feeling as though my days were wasted. I realized there was a way I could get out of the confines of my house AND make connections with others that want to make a positive impact on society. I could volunteer! It's not a novel idea or rocket science. However, when you are consumed with moping and sulking, helping people may not be on the forefront of your mind. I began my arduous task of picking just one volunteer opportunity that matched my skills and passions. I happened to find an organization in my area that needed some help with administrative duties and event planning. I can do that for sure! I filled out the application today and am excited to see what kind of experience it will be.
I just think that volunteering would be a really great way to pass those unemployed days. Here's why:
1. You are getting out of your house! For me, it doesn't help to be sitting at home just feeling all the more miserable about my jobless status. Get out of the house!!
2. You are doing good for people. I firmly believing in giving back to your community and to the world. I just think about all the times I've been helped in my life and what a difference that has made. Depending on what you are volunteering for, you are going to be helping people directly or indirectly (what I'll be doing) but either way you will be creating change and serving society in a better way.
3. Helping=Happiness: I've always noticed that every time I've volunteered for something or did something for another human being, it has always boosted my mood--even if I was never recognized for it or it was an anonymous type of thing. Doing something useful with your time can help fight those unemployment blues and help your community at the same time!
4. Resume Booster: Obviously this isn't the only reason you will be volunteering but the reality is that it is something to put on your resume and can be a possible reference. Work as hard as you would if it was a paid job. In a time when you can't find someone to pay you for your skills, volunteering is a great way to get experience to put on the resume. And if you are like me, you need all the resume boosting you can get! So find an organization to volunteer at that is a good fit and work hard!
5. You never know who you will meet: By volunteering, you are expanding your social circle. This is some of the best type of networking you can do. Make sure you maintain relationships with these people and remain professional while volunteering. Work hard and refrain from complaining! You never know who these people might know!
Have any of you had some great experiences volunteering? Do share!
A few great resources:
Volunteer Match
ServeNet
Idealist
Friday, January 29
LinkedIn!
I was urged to join LinkedIn by a few friends. They said it's the place for serious job seekers and networkers to be. Well, I thought to myself, I had better head over there because that is what I am!
Basically LinkedIn is the professional world's version of Facebook. It's pretty fabulous. You aren't being bombarded by dumb quizzes about which Twilight character you are like and Farmville applications (no offense to anyone..I know how addicting these things can be) nor do you have to see pictures of little hoe cookies half naked and drunk on your news feed. You know, those girls you were never friends with in high school and still have NO idea why they have added you as a Facebook friends. I have to admit it doesn't quite have the fun factor like Facebook has but it's a really good place for people serious about networking. You can link up with your old professors, friends, family and then you can see who they know. It's quite a shame that, so far, none of my contacts know people high up in places I want to work! Jeez, I mean, why can't somebody I know be the sister of the higher ups in Vogue or at Michael Kors! :)
Anyways, I can't boast of some huge success story with LinkedIn quite yet as I'm still new. However, get on over there and create a profile and add everybody you know! You never know the connections you might come across.
Basically LinkedIn is the professional world's version of Facebook. It's pretty fabulous. You aren't being bombarded by dumb quizzes about which Twilight character you are like and Farmville applications (no offense to anyone..I know how addicting these things can be) nor do you have to see pictures of little hoe cookies half naked and drunk on your news feed. You know, those girls you were never friends with in high school and still have NO idea why they have added you as a Facebook friends. I have to admit it doesn't quite have the fun factor like Facebook has but it's a really good place for people serious about networking. You can link up with your old professors, friends, family and then you can see who they know. It's quite a shame that, so far, none of my contacts know people high up in places I want to work! Jeez, I mean, why can't somebody I know be the sister of the higher ups in Vogue or at Michael Kors! :)
Anyways, I can't boast of some huge success story with LinkedIn quite yet as I'm still new. However, get on over there and create a profile and add everybody you know! You never know the connections you might come across.
Thursday, January 28
Non-Job Searching Ways to Pass the Unemployed Days!
It's easy to get the unemployment blues. Trust me. I've been there. It's easy to throw yourself a perpetual pity party that nobody (and I mean nobody) except yourself wants to attend. It doesn't even matter if there is a pinata. Nobody wants to come. I had to start finding ways to keep myself occupied and ward off those feelings of failure, self loathing, discontentment, & boredom. I wanted to use this time I had productively.
What are your favorite things to do to pass your unemployed days? (Past or present)
1. Read! I've always been a reader but I've been spending alot of my days reading. I read pretty much read anything. I've been knocking out some classics, some "fluffy" light reading, memoirs, self help, and of course reading related to the field I want to get in. I like to read outside when it is nice, in a cafe, a bookstore, a park, etc. I'm pretty addicted to Goodreads . I even started an online book group for College Students that is extremely active and has almost 800 members! It's a fun group. It's been fun to use all the things I know how to do for something I love (organizing, starting discussions, marketing the group in different ways, planning events and book giveaways, etc.). I'm all about stimulating my mind while I'm unemployed.
2. Vocab Sushi: I promise you I'm not a nerd. Ok, well, I can't promise you that. Anyways, has become my latest obsession. You take a little test and then it figures out where you stand vocab wise and then gives you an appropriate list of words to learn. You can see the words used in articles and sentences and do little word games. It's a really great way to keep your brain stimulated, build for yourself an extensive vocabulary, and, hey, you might even be able to through in a $3 word in an interview and sound extremely smart! Just make sure you are using it properly! :)
3. Learn How To Cook: I have considered myself one of those people who can cook or bake. I had never really done it before. Unless you count my little stint with my Easy Bake Oven as a child. However, through my own attempts out of unemployment boredom (and a little lesson from the movie Ratatouille) I soon learned that "anybody can cook!" Cooking can be expensive but luckily for me I still live at home with my stepdad and sister, neither of them who like to cook, so I'm given the money to buy groceries and they get a home cooked meal! You can find recipes that aren't too costly when you go to the grocery store. Always be on the lookout for specials going on and cut those coupons! Anyways, I just started picking things from allrecipes.com that sounded good and after my first experiment in cooking was a success I decided to keep trying. It's been fun and it feels really nice to cook something good for other people. It's also a nice skill to have for when the boyfriend and I get married! :)
4. Blog: I like to write so blogging is pretty fun for me! I have a few blogs that I write on and I've been enjoying the process. If you are passionate about something that relates to your particular career, blog about it! If you are into fashion, create a fashion blog. If you are a photographer, blog about the photography world and share your own shots! You never know who is going to stumble upon your blog. And at the end of the day, it's really nice to have documented your life.
5. "Spring Clean" Your Room/House: : I loathe cleaning. However, I have found that really tackling my room has been a productive and useful way to spend my day. I have been purging my room of clutter and trash and things that are no longer used or useful. Then I start organizing like a mad woman. It's just really nice to have an uncluttered headquarters here at camp unemployed. I've found some great tips and methods on a few blogs and websites. Let me know if any of you are interested in the links!
Anyways..those are just a few of the ways I've been spending my unemployed days. More to come!
XH5WMYEDYSMR
What are your favorite things to do to pass your unemployed days? (Past or present)
1. Read! I've always been a reader but I've been spending alot of my days reading. I read pretty much read anything. I've been knocking out some classics, some "fluffy" light reading, memoirs, self help, and of course reading related to the field I want to get in. I like to read outside when it is nice, in a cafe, a bookstore, a park, etc. I'm pretty addicted to Goodreads . I even started an online book group for College Students that is extremely active and has almost 800 members! It's a fun group. It's been fun to use all the things I know how to do for something I love (organizing, starting discussions, marketing the group in different ways, planning events and book giveaways, etc.). I'm all about stimulating my mind while I'm unemployed.
2. Vocab Sushi: I promise you I'm not a nerd. Ok, well, I can't promise you that. Anyways, has become my latest obsession. You take a little test and then it figures out where you stand vocab wise and then gives you an appropriate list of words to learn. You can see the words used in articles and sentences and do little word games. It's a really great way to keep your brain stimulated, build for yourself an extensive vocabulary, and, hey, you might even be able to through in a $3 word in an interview and sound extremely smart! Just make sure you are using it properly! :)
3. Learn How To Cook: I have considered myself one of those people who can cook or bake. I had never really done it before. Unless you count my little stint with my Easy Bake Oven as a child. However, through my own attempts out of unemployment boredom (and a little lesson from the movie Ratatouille) I soon learned that "anybody can cook!" Cooking can be expensive but luckily for me I still live at home with my stepdad and sister, neither of them who like to cook, so I'm given the money to buy groceries and they get a home cooked meal! You can find recipes that aren't too costly when you go to the grocery store. Always be on the lookout for specials going on and cut those coupons! Anyways, I just started picking things from allrecipes.com that sounded good and after my first experiment in cooking was a success I decided to keep trying. It's been fun and it feels really nice to cook something good for other people. It's also a nice skill to have for when the boyfriend and I get married! :)
4. Blog: I like to write so blogging is pretty fun for me! I have a few blogs that I write on and I've been enjoying the process. If you are passionate about something that relates to your particular career, blog about it! If you are into fashion, create a fashion blog. If you are a photographer, blog about the photography world and share your own shots! You never know who is going to stumble upon your blog. And at the end of the day, it's really nice to have documented your life.
5. "Spring Clean" Your Room/House: : I loathe cleaning. However, I have found that really tackling my room has been a productive and useful way to spend my day. I have been purging my room of clutter and trash and things that are no longer used or useful. Then I start organizing like a mad woman. It's just really nice to have an uncluttered headquarters here at camp unemployed. I've found some great tips and methods on a few blogs and websites. Let me know if any of you are interested in the links!
Anyways..those are just a few of the ways I've been spending my unemployed days. More to come!
XH5WMYEDYSMR
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)