New York Job Fair!

On April 14th, there's going to be a career fair in New York City. Registration is free and there is a wide array of companies and potential industries represented. No reason to miss it! Check out the National Career Fairs homepage for more info about career fairs in your area!

Here's a list of some of the companies:

Aflac

Army National Guard

Atlantis Health Plan

Avon

BET

Carr Business Systems

Digital Products Inc

Express Employment Professionals

JC Presentations

Mary Kay

Merrill Lynch

Metlife

MetroPCS

New Horizons Computer Learning

New York Life

Niche Career Services

NL Financial Alliance

Sales Enhancement Institute

Sensaria Natural Bodycare

Shop to Earn

Smith Barney

Sovereign Bank

TCDMG

The Living Services Institute

US Army Recruiting Battalion NYC

Wachovia Securities LLC

And many more...

CNN Offers a Tidbit or Two!

A Little Confidence Boost =)

I came across this article on the NY Times "Shifting Careers" blog. It's a guest post by Michael Melcher, a professional career coach. In the article he discusses the dilemma so many wide-eyed, entry level hopefuls are facing right now- the dreaded silence after submitting an application.

We all need to remain optimistic (you'll see, he agrees) so I decided to post the article! Hope it helps!

They Never Write, They Never Call... by Michael Melcher

Despite the prevalence of technology in our lives, career progress requires real interaction with real people. Technology is a helpful tool but you can’t shake hands over the Internet.

But what happens when you put yourself out there and the world doesn’t respond?

You apply online for a job but get no response (or worse, an automated “no thanks”); you send a flurry of e-mails to contacts close and distant, but your own inbox remains a forlorn and empty place; you invite people to lunch or coffee but they can’t manage to tear themselves away from their busy, employed lives.

Career shifts always contains an element of isolation. It’s your journey, not someone else’s. As Herminia Ibarra has written, you often leave one work identity behind before you find the next one. But everything feels worse when you are waiting for the phone to ring or the inbox to chime.

People find new opportunities in recessions, but not people who spend a lot of time being depressed, whiny or angry. You need all the positive energy you can muster. How to get past the non-responding negativity hurdle? A few recommendations:

Act like a human being. The best antidote to feeling disconnected is to connect with people. The end of the year is a good time to do this. Get out into the world. Yes, you should try to go to professional events, but also take a class, see friends, go to church, make it to yoga, call your mom. This is especially important for people whose work includes an element of isolation, including consultants, lawyers, writers and stay-at-home parents. Manifest as a person, not as an e-mail address.

Lessen your dependence on the Internet. If you are focusing solely on online applications, your job search hasn’t begun yet. The quantities of applications that pour in to company and recruiter Web sites make it very likely that even highly qualified applicants will escape notice. Many job seekers get wrapped up in the idea that companies “should” notice them if they are qualified. Well, they might not. It’s a lot harder to make contact with a relevant person than it is to fill out an online application, but it’s infinitely more useful.

Assume that other people are busier than you are. A nonresponse isn’t a “no.” It’s just a nonresponse. Sometimes when people don’t respond in a reasonable time to your calls and e-mails, it’s because they are busy. That doesn’t mean they don’t want to help, it just means . . . that they are busy. So remind them. Send another message, ideally one that won’t make them feel guilty or irresponsible for not having responded sooner. I would try two attempts at one medium before switching to another (e.g., two e-mails followed by voicemail).

My rule of thumb is that, as a whole, you should assume a 5:1 ratio in job-search communications: five calls or e-mails going out for each one that will come in.

Improve your own communications. Maybe you are not coming off as well as you think. A good networking communication is direct without being pushy; confident without being entitled; and friendly without being forward. And it always contains correct spelling and grammar. Consider asking a friend to read some of your draft communications or listen to your oral pitch, and to give honest feedback.

Make connections for other people. Whatever barriers you are facing in the employment markets, you are probably in a position to others in their job searches, whether through advice, referrals or just being a friend. Helping others make progress is a good way to remind yourself that you do have an impact on the world.

Try Fedex. Two people I know managed to break through the interview gates by sending letters by express mail to the people doing the hiring. Boldness sometimes pays off. Just don’t everyone do this at once.

Follow Me on Twitter!

I know I already petitioned people to do this, but I found this nifty button =)



Speed up your PC

Career Fairs- Half the Work!

It can get tedious looking for jobs on the internet or perusing the listings in newspapers. Thankfully, there are some upcoming career fairs which literally bring the companies to you (which is great, because at least you KNOW they're hiring). I attended a career fair last year at Madison Square Garden during the summer and another happens to be coming up next week.

The Big East Career Fair is March 13th at from 10-3 pm at MSG. Take a look at the companies participating and check out their tips for preparing for the big day. Some of their recommendations:

- plan to wear a professional outfit
- prepare plenty of copies of your resume (emphasis on "plenty")
- market yourself
- CONFIDENCE CONFIDENCE CONFIDENCE!

Another career fair is slated for April 2, 2009 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in NYC. Be sure to check out the Careerbuilder tips included as links on the page, especially the 24 jobs with rising salaries and eight salary-talk traps.

Make sure to check out the career fairs or company recruitment opportunities at local colleges and universities, and don't be afraid to look beyond your own institution (unless, of course, you must be a student there to attend in which case I don't recommend attempting to sneak in, no matter how competitive the job market may be). There's one at Montclair State University in April.

You could have a job, but it could be like this.

91 Days to Graduation

We're in the double digits, ladies and gentlemen.


First things first.

I've begun to search the job market this month as my college career winds down, and at first glance I have to admit that I reconciled myself to the fact that I am most definitely screwed. My optimism was restored quickly, however, when I stumbled upon a particular website at the suggestion of a friend. LinkedIn is a website where individuals can create a professional online profile (think of it like a Facebook account, but without all the images and information that make most people un-employable). It's absolutely free and extremely easy to manage, as well as border-line addictive. What's best is that potential employers can glance at your profile and see all of your relevant work experience, job descriptions, interests and activities, and awards all in one place. Past employers, teachers, and mentors can even recommend you. There are new applications to add every day (I'm a fan of the Reading List application myself) and it's amazing how quickly the site is catching on. Research has shown that even in today's economy, this website has shown more traffic as the competition for jobs increases. Why not be on the cutting edge? Eventually, just like Facebook, if you don't have a LinkedIn profile, you'll be out-of-touch and out-of-date.


As a point of procrastination while making your LinkedIn profile, I suggest scurrying on to PhotoFunia. It's a website that provides cool and artistic templates for your photos. You can simply upload them into whatever format you choose and bingo, photos worthy of the MoMa!

100 DAYS TILL GRADUATION

Goodness! It's been quite a while since I last posted! Guess you can never underestimate exactly how busy second semester senior year may be...

Today officially marks the 100 days until graduation countdown and, if your school is anything remotely like mine, this of course means a mass senior class celebration at a bar later where there will be no shortage of beer tears and, well, BEER.


Now considering the momentous occasion this blog is dedicated to is quickly approaching, (100 days from now to be exact) my mind began to wander to another Point of Procrastination. As my friend Kelly suggested, in a few short months many of us will be on to full time jobs (come on stimulus plan!) and of course one of the best benefits for any post-graduate is Happy Hour.

Ah Happy Hour, the happiest of all hours!

Now depending on your particular region, Happy Hour specials may differ. In my neck of New York in Poughkeepsie, Noah's is by far the most popular destination with free wings, garlic bread, and baked ziti on Thursdays and Fridays from 6-7:30 pm. Wash it all down with $1.75 beer and you've got yourself a dedicated legion of fans.

In NYC though, there are plenty more options to choose from. A personal favorite of mine is Flip Night on Tuesdays at Flight 151 on 8th Avenue where patrons flip a coin after ordering any house liquor or wine. Guess heads or tails correctly and the drink is yours for free. Be careful though, if luck is on your side, you may not pay for a drink all night, but you'll pay for your hangover in the morning. Tuesday gets even better with Doc Holiday's where from between 8 and 11 pm, guests pay $7 or $8 and can drink Bud Light to their hearts content.

For more happy hour deals, or really any entertainment/nightlife information, check out some of the more popular websites such as Shecky's, NYCGo, Yelp, or Thrillist.

Remember, it's always 5 o'clock somewhere.

Twitter- The Newest Kid on the Block

Now that I'm a working girl, I'm getting a glimpse into the rest of my life that starts in just four months. Commuting into NYC, balancing things at work and home, somehow finding a way to pay for all of this...AHH! It doesn't help that my college placed electronic signs in most of the administrative buildings that count down to graduation. "T MINUS 100 DAYS UNTIL GRADUATION. DO YOU HAVE A PLAN?"

Geez.

Luckily I think I'm pretty well prepared. I've noticed though that a lot of people my age sort of lack the technology savvy that is so attractive to employers now-a-days. Granted, my generation is fantastic in most respects in that we eat up the latest gadgets to pop up on the market, but when it comes to social media applications that are emerging, college seniors could be better. Everyone has a Facebook and Myspace (the haven for teenage, angst-ridden high school students) has jumped back into the spotlight. Neverthless, I noticed at work today that a study came out that claimed that businesses don't do enough in terms of monitoring their clinet's reputations on social media applications. So what better time to acclimate yourself with one than in college? Think how impressed employers will be.

If you're new to the whole social media app. thing then I'd suggest starting with Twitter. Imagine updating your Facebook status throughout the day, but without the guilt. You can respond to others' status and even "follow" other people to indulge your inner creeper. So tone those stalker skills. Even celebrities, companies, and high profile politicians have "tweeted." Just check out Obama's Twitter. Trust me, you'll become addicted (once you get over the initial embarassment of not having any friends).

Feel free to follow me on Twitter! My username is kdavie09! Happy Tweeting!

A Little Lesson Courtesy of 'The Office'

One Small Step

So this morning I traveled into NYC to interview for an internship at a really great PR firm...and I got it! Thank you, Jesus. Now because I have the crucial pre-graduation internship in the bag, I'm going to offer some tips and advice so that others can find the same luck.

I came home and checked my email, and a friend had conveniently sent me an email with a blog post that I might find useful. It talks about when to begin the crucial job search. Now I'm not sure if my friend even knows I started a blog recently, so this was really coincidental and literally fell into my lap.

It's really helpful though and led me eventually to another Point of Procrastination. Alright, I can argue that this website is educational in that it blatantly demonstrates what NOT to do in the job market, but you tend to forget that after about the 3rd or 4th rediculous cover letter or resume excerpt you come across. Keep that in mind though if you find the minutes passing by too quickly- it's serving a purpose in the long run.

Second Point of Procrastination, then let's get down to business

As I was talking with a friend about my new blog, we began to wonder what happened to our blogs of old. In high school, so many of had Livejournals, Deadjournals, Xangas, and then simply stopped posting because the new soup de jour FACEBOOK became available to us. Granted, the posts weren't even that interesting and I'd probably be embarrased should a would-be employer ever stumble on them, but I was nostalgic all the same.

I looked mine up but hit a brick wall. Fortunately, I found something better, or at least more interesting. Burger King and Facebook have teamed up for a special promotion of the "Angry Burger" and are enticing users to dump 10 unlucky friends they may have beef with for, essentially, a beef burger. Check out the link for more details.

+++++++

Now, for the actual helpful section of the post.

I'm venturing into NYC for an interview tomorrow. Hopefully it's no sweat, but I go prepared with a list of possible interview questions (and those not permitted to ask) and I'm going to share a few:

• How would you describe your academic achievement?
• What school year was the most difficult and why?
• How would you describe the ideal job for you?
• Tell me about a responsibility you enjoyed.
• What has been your least valuable work experience?
• If you were hiring a graduate for this position, what would you be looking for?
• What have you done that shows initiative and willingness to work?
• Where do you think you could make the biggest contribution to this organization?
• What do you see yourself doing five years from now?

Those are just a few. For a full list of interview questions, click here.

Welcome!

So I've decided with only a few short months seperating yours truly from a college degree, I'd create a blog to ease the minds of my fellow senior students (and, if nothing else, make myself more attractive in today's technology driven job market CHA CHING).

Here you'll find regular posts with helpful tidbits regarding securing a job, interview tips, advice from experts (namely, friends who have successfully landed a job or have found themselves on illustrious internship committees), and most importantly, points of interest to distract readers from the looming threat of wearing a cap and gown.

Welcome to the mind of a college senior- rapidly approaching graduation and entering the real world in the midst of a recession and record low amounts of entry level positions, armed with nothing but her education, resume, and a sense of humor.


Now because I'm not OFFICIALLY beginning the countdown until next Tuesday when classes resume at my particular institution, I'm offering my first point of procrastination: http://www.sporcle.com/

Cleverly simple, Sporcle is a trivia website that tests the knowledge of patrons. Some are especially easy. I nailed the test asking me to name all of Santa's reindeer pretty quickly. Others, not so much. I tried to name all of the planets and almost forgot Uranus (I'm aware of the jokes that can be made in response to that). There's a test that asks ambitious readers to name all 150 Pokemon or every point of historical interest named in Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire." Trust me, this website can keep you occupied for hours on end, but beware- all of the tests are timed. Don't say I didn't warn you.