bizMe

July 10, 2008

So as it turns out, I didn’t have my highly anticipated interview. When I called to confirm my meeting I learned that they had hired someone else a few days before. While I was a bit disappointed at first, I still held my head up high and realized that this job must not have been meant to be. I like to think this means that there is a job out there that is better suited for me.

While it’s become frustrating that some of my friends have already started their first job, it makes me realize that although I have not found a perfect fit for myself yet, I have to take a step back and take a deep breath. I’ve always been a perfectionist and I’ve realized that I do not want to settle for a mediocre job that just pays my bills. I want excitement in my job. I want to work in an environment that’s fun but one that I find challenging. Some have told me that this is unrealistic for my first job, but a handful of my friends have found this in their first job and I believe that I will also be lucky enough to find a job like that.

So until next time, I’ll be sending out more resumes in hope that my perfect job will come sooner rather than later.

May 21, 2008

The stress of finals and writing papers is finally over, which means more time to dedicate to my job search. Over the past few weeks, I’ve started to apply for jobs. Some I’ve found on job search engines, some through word of mouth, others on company websites. I’ve applied for a plethora of careers from communications to media to advertising and public relations to marketing. I’ve been successful and gotten calls back for interviews already.

It’s been a stressful but exciting process for me. I was so nervous for the first job I applied for. This really meant that I was ready to enter the real world even though I don’t feel old enough to enter the corporate work world of 9 to 5 days.

The one thing that has stayed constant though is to not get frustrated during this process. The first time I received an email “thanking me for my interest in the company but my credentials did not meet their needs was a bit upsetting. But this makes me believe that there is a much better job out there for me.

While I have found lots of jobs to apply for, I really take the time to consider if that’s a job I would enjoy going to everyday. I don’t want to apply for a job just so I get that first job. I want my first job to be at a place I enjoy working for. I don’t want to have to dread getting through eight hours of work.

So, who knows. Maybe I’ll find the perfect job for me in three weeks. Maybe it will be six months. Whatever the case is, I’ve learned to be patient and persevere during this process because somewhere there is the perfect job for me.

May 3, 2008

You wake up extra early on a Wednesday. You take more time than usual styling your hair and fixing your makeup. You open your closet and put on that brand new suit. But deep down, your palms are sweating and you have butterflies in your stomach. Today is the day you have been waiting to arrive for the past month. It’s the day of your all-important job interview. I wanted to share the few tips and tricks I have learned along the way. I know, you’re probably thinking what would I be able to offer since I’m young? Well, I started interviewing and doing public speaking at the age of seven so I’ve learned some things that have helped to make this all-important day less stressful than it really seems.

First things first. Most people freak out over the thought of an interview, which is completely reasonable to understand. To have no idea what the person you are meeting with looks like or their personality type and the thought of being asked questions, when you have no idea what they’ll ask, seems scary. And on top of that, you are being judged on who you are and what your background is so this whole interview becomes even more stressful. But take a deep breath quick. This is simply a conversation with someone else. They are just trying to get to know you and what your background is to see if you have what it takes to work there. They’re not going to ask you to name the 27th President of the United States. These questions are all about you, what you’ve done and what your goals are. You know the answers to these questions.

A few other tips to be reminded of. Watch your “um’s , “like’s and any other slang that most Americans typically use in their everyday language. You may be interviewing with a person wise beyond their years who might not appreciate the everyday language we all typically use.

Also look the interviewer in the eye. This shows confidence in your answers and demonstrates that you know you are the best fit for the job. And although you are probably still nervous, remember to smile from time to time to help make yourself feel at ease.

I assure you that after all of the nervousness and anticipation of this day, once you sit down for the interview and answer the first question, you will be relaxed and ready to take on this interview!

April 20, 2008

As my second semester of senior year began, it really dawned on me that in less than five months, I would be done with school and out into the real world. While the past few months rolled by and I continued studying for tests, worked on advertising campaigns for my classes and wrote papers and presentations, looking for a job was always something that had to take a back seat at the time. Now, with less than three weeks left of school and my studies starting to draw to a close, I have had more time on my hands to give my job search the attention that it deserves.

While I have not totally waited till the end to search for a job, back in December I started to post my resume on websites such as Monster.com and Careerbuilder.com. While I still have not found the perfect fit for me, the daily emails I receive from websites catered to my job search have been beneficial in showing me what is available.

I’ve looked through books, searched magazines and other websites. But what I have found to be the best help on trying to find a job is the networks and contacts I’ve gained throughout the past few years. While this was an idea always stressed to me through classes, I never believed it until recently. It’s all about having personal relationships that can help you to get where you want to go.

As I am able to devote more time than ever now to my job hunt, I am relying on these people everyday to help guide me in the right direction. Whether it’s a family friend, a co-worker, a professor or someone I met through other friends, it’s the people that know me that will help guide me into my future. This network of family and friends know my personality and character; my strengths and weaknesses; my educational and work background; knowing these things about me will help them to provide me guidance in the right direction for my future.

While it’s great that there are endless resources to look to when searching for a job, the most important thing is having others in your life that will aid you in trying to help you get to where you want to be. And for all of them and their advice, I am very thankful.

April 15, 2008

Hello to all! I am Ashley, a senior at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. I am eagerly anticipating my graduation in May with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Advertising and Public Relations.

If someone would have asked me four years ago where I thought I would be five years from then, I would have had a completely different answer than where I am today. When I entered college, I had this dream that I was going to become a world famous television reporter and travel the world conducting investigative reports.

But, after enrolling in a broadcast journalism class, I realized that something I had wanted to become for so long was not what I had thought it would be. Following people around and putting a microphone into their face when they would probably rather not talk to me did not seem appealing at all.

So, here I was—a freshman in college with no idea what I wanted to do with my life. After re-evaluating my strengths and what I enjoyed doing, I realized that advertising is what I wanted to do with my life. I liked writing and being creative. I always loved watching commercials and flipping through my latest InStyle magazine to look at the ads. This seemed like the perfect fit for me.

Four years later and I am ready to take on my career. Everyday, I search online, in newspapers and through networks I have made for that perfect career for me. One of my strengths is organization and planning so my job search has lead me to search for a career as an account planner for either an advertising or public relations agency. I also am considering a career in either sales or marketing for a Fortune 500 company. Although I have not found the perfect fit for me, I know that out there somewhere is the perfect job and company waiting for me!

In addition to school and trying to find my perfect job, I keep busy with three jobs. I know, it’s quite the workload for a senior in college but I love being busy! For fun, I work as a dance teacher at a local studio a few days a week. I also had an internship at a local marketing communications agency for the past year and half. I assisted with marketing and public relations and this internship gave me the experience and skills I’ll need for my future career. On the weekends, I work for a photographer doing sales. Every weekend I am in a different city assisting with photo shoots. Yes, it’s a full platter of work and school but being busy and always having something to work on is something I thrive for.

I look forward to the journey that lies ahead of me and I’m excited to share my new experiences with you!