by Jake
No Pandora today, instead I'm streaming the new Manchester Orchestra album, Simple Math.
Okay, everyone, I'm ready to share the secret. I've been searching, applying, and interviewing for full time Student Affairs jobs since December. I've been following SA Tweeters, reading their blogs, and reading the blogs they read. I've had my ear to the ground and turned over every stone (except heavy ones). At the end of the day, I've found an answer...
There is no secret.
Sorry, y'all, but it's the truth. Construct the perfect resume. Write the perfect cover letter. Apply to the perfect job in the perfect location. At the end of the day, you will be united with the right job.
There is no perfection.
Every job will have its downside to go with its upside. Every location will lack something. Every supervisor will have a flaw. There really is no such thing as a perfect job. Sorting through those flaws to find the best fit is how we determine which job is the right job.
Every resume and cover letter will be viewed differently. One person on the search committee may value a creative resume with superb writing while another will be in search of facts and content. One person may prefer your experience as an RA while others may be more interested in your first prize for raising sheep for wool during your internship in Scotland. Why put in the job description that I should have a sense of humor if I can't make sarcastic remarks in my cover letter? Dates on the right or the left? Who cares!
This internship is ending and I'd like to share the one thought that reigns supreme in the career search and the search for meaning at-large:
Be true to yourself.
Let's face it, search committees can sift through the BS, so why bother giving it to them. If you don't want to work by yourself, then apply for jobs where you'll work on teams. If you can't stand working outside the city, then apply to jobs in metropolitan areas. If you are allergic to cats, then avoid the apprenticeship with the cat farm down the street.
You'll land the job that fits because you genuinely want to do that work in that place with those people. Some of us may have to settle for a less-glamorous job at the start, but keep shooting higher and higher because that great fit may only be an application away.
Showing posts with label job search. Show all posts
Showing posts with label job search. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
The Job Search is Scary
by Jake
Pandora station: Arcade Fire
Days have been coming and going in the ongoing progression toward graduation (May 1) and my first full-time job in Student Affairs (TBD). That's basically the only way I can describe it. One day ends and another begins with a new set of to-dos and a list of cool jobs to apply for. With school days approaching their (terminal?) end, at least that to-do list will begin to feature "go to a museum" rather than "type a paper about some higher ed topic".
The work doesn't stop, though. Every day I encounter a college that I hadn't thought of or considered for employment and they happen to have a job in one of my interest areas; career counseling, residence life, student activities, admissions, academic advising. With every new job discovery comes a new sense of urgency that I must apply for this job today or I will not be considered. Rarely is this actually true, but I have certainly applied for a few jobs (especially in ResLife) that have been posted for months without an end date, but have already moved forward with the interview process.
I am a nostalgic person, clearly, so leaving home, family, and friends is a difficult pill to swallow. I think I've consumed it, though. It's become clear that it is unlikely I will be in Pittsburgh this time next year (or in a few months), so I just have to suck it up and think about the benefits that come with a new experience. As I've written on my personal blog in the past, I have fallen in love with the idea of leaving on several occasions. This feeling can certainly come and go with the coming and going of actual opportunities. I think it's just easy for me to think about leaving now because I don't have any interviews on my plate at the moment, so there's no tangible thought of "what would it be like to live in _____".
It's scary to start something new. It's exciting, too. Starting over, finding new friends, creating a new life, these things are all invigorating and exhausting. On one hand, I know that I'll miss my friends, church, family, and life in Pittsburgh. On the other hand, I can't wait to check out a new music scene and hopefully be hundreds of miles away from any performance by Motley Crue or the Clarks.
The most important thing I'll say today is that you should be excited about the job and location every time you apply. The thought of moving would be a whole lot scarier if I were applying for jobs I didn't love in cities I wasn't excited about living in. Sure, 40 hours of your life is a long time so you should enjoy your job, but even the coolest job won't get me to Cleveland. I'm only applying for jobs I'd enjoy in cities that I'd love. I know that if I want a change I can always come back in a few years, but I'd rather hold on to that chance of falling in love with somewhere new.
Pandora station: Arcade Fire
Days have been coming and going in the ongoing progression toward graduation (May 1) and my first full-time job in Student Affairs (TBD). That's basically the only way I can describe it. One day ends and another begins with a new set of to-dos and a list of cool jobs to apply for. With school days approaching their (terminal?) end, at least that to-do list will begin to feature "go to a museum" rather than "type a paper about some higher ed topic".
The work doesn't stop, though. Every day I encounter a college that I hadn't thought of or considered for employment and they happen to have a job in one of my interest areas; career counseling, residence life, student activities, admissions, academic advising. With every new job discovery comes a new sense of urgency that I must apply for this job today or I will not be considered. Rarely is this actually true, but I have certainly applied for a few jobs (especially in ResLife) that have been posted for months without an end date, but have already moved forward with the interview process.
I am a nostalgic person, clearly, so leaving home, family, and friends is a difficult pill to swallow. I think I've consumed it, though. It's become clear that it is unlikely I will be in Pittsburgh this time next year (or in a few months), so I just have to suck it up and think about the benefits that come with a new experience. As I've written on my personal blog in the past, I have fallen in love with the idea of leaving on several occasions. This feeling can certainly come and go with the coming and going of actual opportunities. I think it's just easy for me to think about leaving now because I don't have any interviews on my plate at the moment, so there's no tangible thought of "what would it be like to live in _____".
It's scary to start something new. It's exciting, too. Starting over, finding new friends, creating a new life, these things are all invigorating and exhausting. On one hand, I know that I'll miss my friends, church, family, and life in Pittsburgh. On the other hand, I can't wait to check out a new music scene and hopefully be hundreds of miles away from any performance by Motley Crue or the Clarks.
The most important thing I'll say today is that you should be excited about the job and location every time you apply. The thought of moving would be a whole lot scarier if I were applying for jobs I didn't love in cities I wasn't excited about living in. Sure, 40 hours of your life is a long time so you should enjoy your job, but even the coolest job won't get me to Cleveland. I'm only applying for jobs I'd enjoy in cities that I'd love. I know that if I want a change I can always come back in a few years, but I'd rather hold on to that chance of falling in love with somewhere new.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Social Media
by Jake
Pandora station: City and Colour
Last week was the ACPA Conference in Baltimore, MD. I went to the conference with a cohort of Pitt students as well as a few co-workers from CMU. I've been thinking about something profound to bring back from the conference, but I'll just map out a few important things that have stuck out to me in the week since.
The Internet is big.
I went to a few seminars on social media to learn how we can utilize different applications in the office and in the job search. I am currently preparing a presentation for the office about the things I learned, but there are so many different applications that can be useful that are available for free online. Besides the old-reliables like Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter, there is a whole collection of media devices that can be useful in the workplace.
LinkedIn is a professional social networking tool utilized by over one million users.
Polleverywhere can be used to take polls using text messaging or Twitter that can be displayed right in a powerpoint.
About.me is a site where you can create a simple online business card. Here's mine!
Doodle is a site that can help to coordinate meetings.
Weebly is a simple web page creator.
These are all useful resources that an intermediate computer user can utilize in making their office more hi-tech, efficient, and exciting.
The world is small.
That being said, social networking has made this a very tiny place. I am currently involved in a job search and have had a few interviews, but I don't want to mention any of them with the fear of showing bias for one which might take me out of the running for the others. Social networking devices like Twitter are fun to use in sharing exciting news, but the Internet has made the world small enough that I know employers can read everything I'm putting online.
With this in mind, we must brand ourselves. Google yourself; see what comes up. Are you writing things on Twitter and Blogger that you wouldn't mind a potential employer reading? Did you remember to take down every embarrassing picture from Facebook? Do you still have that Myspace account with your high school girlfriend's pet names written all over the comments? These are some things that need to be addressed and double-checked before the job search gets too intense.
The old school hand-shaking of networking still exists, though, so you had still better be on your best behavior in the real world. These professional networks on sites like LinkedIn still have to start with the real in-person interactions of the past, so put your best foot forward. And try to wear a tie.
For more information about using social media in Student Affairs, check out the research done by Rey Junco.
Pandora station: City and Colour
Last week was the ACPA Conference in Baltimore, MD. I went to the conference with a cohort of Pitt students as well as a few co-workers from CMU. I've been thinking about something profound to bring back from the conference, but I'll just map out a few important things that have stuck out to me in the week since.
The Internet is big.
I went to a few seminars on social media to learn how we can utilize different applications in the office and in the job search. I am currently preparing a presentation for the office about the things I learned, but there are so many different applications that can be useful that are available for free online. Besides the old-reliables like Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter, there is a whole collection of media devices that can be useful in the workplace.
LinkedIn is a professional social networking tool utilized by over one million users.
Polleverywhere can be used to take polls using text messaging or Twitter that can be displayed right in a powerpoint.
About.me is a site where you can create a simple online business card. Here's mine!
Doodle is a site that can help to coordinate meetings.
Weebly is a simple web page creator.
These are all useful resources that an intermediate computer user can utilize in making their office more hi-tech, efficient, and exciting.
The world is small.
That being said, social networking has made this a very tiny place. I am currently involved in a job search and have had a few interviews, but I don't want to mention any of them with the fear of showing bias for one which might take me out of the running for the others. Social networking devices like Twitter are fun to use in sharing exciting news, but the Internet has made the world small enough that I know employers can read everything I'm putting online.
With this in mind, we must brand ourselves. Google yourself; see what comes up. Are you writing things on Twitter and Blogger that you wouldn't mind a potential employer reading? Did you remember to take down every embarrassing picture from Facebook? Do you still have that Myspace account with your high school girlfriend's pet names written all over the comments? These are some things that need to be addressed and double-checked before the job search gets too intense.
The old school hand-shaking of networking still exists, though, so you had still better be on your best behavior in the real world. These professional networks on sites like LinkedIn still have to start with the real in-person interactions of the past, so put your best foot forward. And try to wear a tie.
For more information about using social media in Student Affairs, check out the research done by Rey Junco.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Post-Spring Break Thoughts
by Jake
Pandora station: Copeland
We've entered the stretch run for the school year. All that's left in each class is a final project. The job search is in full swing with a dozen applications hitting the ethernet jungle this weekend. Spring break is over, which means back to the grind, but it also means I'm only a couple months away from big changes.
The biggest decision when interviews and job offers come along will be whether I stay in Pittsburgh or leave for a city on my short-list (Boston, Philly, Seattle, Portland, Denver, and SoCal at the moment). I've spent my whole life in Pittsburgh, which makes this an increasingly difficult decision. Everything I know is here; my family, my friends, my church, my alma mater. Looks like I should stay, but poetic justice has me leave.
"Why on earth would I want to stay even longer?" my inner-artist asks. Because it's safe? That's a poor reason. Because I want to develop the roots I've planted? Getting better. Because I love Pittsburgh? Makes sense.
Who knows where I will have opportunities when graduation rolls around. I'll be happy to get a few interviews and an offer or two. Pittsburgh has a much lower cost-of-living than the other cities mentioned, which would be great for me to build up some savings and pay back loans for a few years before re-evaluating. On the other hand, I'm young and not tied down to Pittsburgh, so now is probably the best time to leave.
I visited Seattle two summers ago, Philadelphia last semester, and Boston last week. These are three great American cities for very different reasons. They each offer different things that are attractive for the young, single, artful Christian male. In a way, each city felt like home during the visit. Each city offers a young, hip crowd of musicians and artists and beer-enthusiasts that I'd fit in with. Each city would bring along a new, exciting adventure. Each city would get me closer to the ocean.
Am I ready to start over? I don't really know. Sometimes I feel ready to try something new and different, sometimes I am terrified to leave what I love. The best part of the whole equation is that I believe in a faith that tells me God has a plan. He'll guide me to the decision and I can just be along for the ride. This thought makes everything seem simpler, but taking the decision out of my hands is a scary thing. You only live once, though, so we'd better make the most of it.
Pandora station: Copeland
We've entered the stretch run for the school year. All that's left in each class is a final project. The job search is in full swing with a dozen applications hitting the ethernet jungle this weekend. Spring break is over, which means back to the grind, but it also means I'm only a couple months away from big changes.
The biggest decision when interviews and job offers come along will be whether I stay in Pittsburgh or leave for a city on my short-list (Boston, Philly, Seattle, Portland, Denver, and SoCal at the moment). I've spent my whole life in Pittsburgh, which makes this an increasingly difficult decision. Everything I know is here; my family, my friends, my church, my alma mater. Looks like I should stay, but poetic justice has me leave.
"Why on earth would I want to stay even longer?" my inner-artist asks. Because it's safe? That's a poor reason. Because I want to develop the roots I've planted? Getting better. Because I love Pittsburgh? Makes sense.
Who knows where I will have opportunities when graduation rolls around. I'll be happy to get a few interviews and an offer or two. Pittsburgh has a much lower cost-of-living than the other cities mentioned, which would be great for me to build up some savings and pay back loans for a few years before re-evaluating. On the other hand, I'm young and not tied down to Pittsburgh, so now is probably the best time to leave.
I visited Seattle two summers ago, Philadelphia last semester, and Boston last week. These are three great American cities for very different reasons. They each offer different things that are attractive for the young, single, artful Christian male. In a way, each city felt like home during the visit. Each city offers a young, hip crowd of musicians and artists and beer-enthusiasts that I'd fit in with. Each city would bring along a new, exciting adventure. Each city would get me closer to the ocean.
Am I ready to start over? I don't really know. Sometimes I feel ready to try something new and different, sometimes I am terrified to leave what I love. The best part of the whole equation is that I believe in a faith that tells me God has a plan. He'll guide me to the decision and I can just be along for the ride. This thought makes everything seem simpler, but taking the decision out of my hands is a scary thing. You only live once, though, so we'd better make the most of it.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
An Introduction of Sorts
by Jake
Today's Pandora station: The Strokes
Oh hello! My name is Jake. You can read about me in the About Jake section, naturally.
Today is Wednesday, the first of my three-day week as an intern in CMU's Career and Professional Development Center. It's hard to drag myself out of bed on Wednesdays (you know, my Monday). I don't have to get up early for anything Sat-Tues, so Wednesday is the toughest. I also bike to work, or walk in the winter, so the single-digit temperatures today made my electric blanket seem like heaven this morning. There's no better way to become alert in the morning than by walking a mile and a half in 8 degree breezes, though. I think that's the main reason I can avoid coffee all day!
Today is not like normal Wednesday because my schedule is full of appointments with students preparing for tomorrow's career fair, the Employment Opportunities Conference (EOC). I've been busy all day since my first appointment at 9am and I'll be working til the (my) bell at 3:30. My appointments today are almost exclusively to help students prepare their resume for tomorrow's phenomenon that is a career fair. Most of the students today met with me last week and wanted to schedule time to review their adjustments, so the second half of our appointment is usually an explanation of what tomorrow will be like.
Shake hands. Smile. Eye contact Suit and tie. What's your year? What's your major? Why do you want to work for us? What are some projects you've done? Scan the room. Map out your route. Make sure to do your research! You'd better know what internships Google is offering before you give them your "elevator speech"!
It's a game, the career search. Not only do you have to do impressive things to put on the resume, but you have to present it well, along with a cover letter, then clean up and present yourself well at the career fair. Maybe then you'll get an interview!
Then there's the interview. Do it all again. Be ready to map out your biggest strength and weakness. Think about a time you faced adversity and overcame. Can I talk about when I played on a sprained ankle in the state championship? Or maybe when I was paired with the lazy kid in class for our final project? I don't know if "not killing your partner" really counts as "overcoming adversity"...
It's all a game that we have to master. We are all salesmen when it comes to the job market, which is why everyone has to be able to communicate well, no matter your field.
The most interesting aspect for me is that I'm on both sides right now. I'm telling students how to prepare for the job search, but I'm job-searching myself as graduation approaches. I look forward to sharing part of that journey with you, so you might figure out your own path.
Give the advice, then take your own. Hopefully I'm giving good advice.
Today's Pandora station: The Strokes
Oh hello! My name is Jake. You can read about me in the About Jake section, naturally.
Today is Wednesday, the first of my three-day week as an intern in CMU's Career and Professional Development Center. It's hard to drag myself out of bed on Wednesdays (you know, my Monday). I don't have to get up early for anything Sat-Tues, so Wednesday is the toughest. I also bike to work, or walk in the winter, so the single-digit temperatures today made my electric blanket seem like heaven this morning. There's no better way to become alert in the morning than by walking a mile and a half in 8 degree breezes, though. I think that's the main reason I can avoid coffee all day!
Today is not like normal Wednesday because my schedule is full of appointments with students preparing for tomorrow's career fair, the Employment Opportunities Conference (EOC). I've been busy all day since my first appointment at 9am and I'll be working til the (my) bell at 3:30. My appointments today are almost exclusively to help students prepare their resume for tomorrow's phenomenon that is a career fair. Most of the students today met with me last week and wanted to schedule time to review their adjustments, so the second half of our appointment is usually an explanation of what tomorrow will be like.
Shake hands. Smile. Eye contact Suit and tie. What's your year? What's your major? Why do you want to work for us? What are some projects you've done? Scan the room. Map out your route. Make sure to do your research! You'd better know what internships Google is offering before you give them your "elevator speech"!
It's a game, the career search. Not only do you have to do impressive things to put on the resume, but you have to present it well, along with a cover letter, then clean up and present yourself well at the career fair. Maybe then you'll get an interview!
Then there's the interview. Do it all again. Be ready to map out your biggest strength and weakness. Think about a time you faced adversity and overcame. Can I talk about when I played on a sprained ankle in the state championship? Or maybe when I was paired with the lazy kid in class for our final project? I don't know if "not killing your partner" really counts as "overcoming adversity"...
It's all a game that we have to master. We are all salesmen when it comes to the job market, which is why everyone has to be able to communicate well, no matter your field.
The most interesting aspect for me is that I'm on both sides right now. I'm telling students how to prepare for the job search, but I'm job-searching myself as graduation approaches. I look forward to sharing part of that journey with you, so you might figure out your own path.
Give the advice, then take your own. Hopefully I'm giving good advice.
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