Posting two days in a row?! I promise not to make a habit of it.
I’m leaving in less than two hours to drive to an undisclosed set of institutions to unofficially check out their campuses and communities. The job search process gets trickier when there are two lives to consider instead of one. With an on-campus interview scheduled for Monday, it seemed to make sense to make the most of the trip and check out other institutions nearby. By doing this, if I am offered any other on-campuses, my wife will have already had the opportunity to check out the schools and communities. It will also give me something extra to talk about when I travel to NASPA next week.
Despite the amount of last-minute work I’m doing to get out of here on time (although I found time to sit and blog…where are my priorities?), I feel very optimistic at the moment. Multiple institutions have offered on-campuses and I still have one more exchange to attend; I’m getting to get away from campus and get some good old-fashioned road-trip therapy; and I only slightly panic when I think about comps which are within three weeks that I am not more than 10% prepared for.
Thoughts about my on-campus are somewhat mixed. I am very excited about the institution and have only heard good things from those that have worked there and professionals nearby. I believe that I typically do really well at on-campuses and look forward to the chance to get a real feel for the place.
Only question I currently have: What does “open interview” mean? My itinerary does well at telling me the variety of people I will be interviewing with during my stay; however, I have two hour-long “open interviews” scheduled back-to-back in the same room. My guess is that professionals and staff will be made aware that a candidate will be on-campus and available to meet and question during those two times.
When I find out, I’ll let you know. I'm hoping that hearing the song, "Suddenly I See," as I type this is a good omen.
Good luck to those of you recruiting and being recruited at OPE this weekend and good luck to those attempting to prepare for TPE at NASPA which is quickly approaching.
For those of you attempting to do both OPE and TPE, may God have mercy on your souls.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Suddenly I see, this is what I wanna be.... #8
I am faced with an interesting combination of feelings these days.
First, I am now one month from ACPA. This leaves me excited and anxious to get there and start interviewing. I already have a few things scheduled, with many others in the mix. I'm quickly becoming addicted to the ACPA candidate site, looking all around at the positions out there and deciding what is worth my time. It's like an insane grocery store with all these options of different kinds of food, but instead there are all these institutional types to choose from.
This would be easier if I knew exactly what type of institution I was after, as well as where I want to go. I'm doing a fairly broad search, both in type of position and geographic location, which I thought was a good idea. I'm pretty marketable (if I may toot my own horn) in several areas, and why not experiment and see what's available to me? Location is an ever-evolving challenge. There are some cities/areas that I am specifically looking in. There are also many states that I never thought I would consider going to that are now definitely on my radar screen.
I thought that having nothing holding me back would be a blessing, but I'm starting to wish that I had a major anchor holding me down -- only so that decision making would be easier. And even as I type these words my brain is racing and a little voice is saying, "Self! You know how much you LOVE that you can look where you please. You would be so unhappy with limited resources!!"
The voice is right. This is only the tip of the iceberg with my emotions. Read on.
What creates more of the oil and water mixture of my feelings is when you factor in the overwhelming lack of motivation that's starting to seep in. Yes, I'm still managing to harvest some for the use of my job search, but getting a job will mean nothing unless I actually complete my degree. Unfortunately, reading for class and writing papers is not really attention-grabbing these days. It's the time of year - spring is nowhere to be found (with no inclination that it'll be around anytime in the near future) but I'm well aware of how close spring break is. I want that week off (although my insanity has kicked in, and I'm committing to a week of work at BOTH the Assistantship and the Second Job). I want to lay around my apartment and stare at the walls. I want to watch massive amounts of television, think nothing at all about school, and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Of course, I also want a job. Alas...what's a girl to do?
I suppose there's nothing else to do but suck it up and get things done. The great prospects of ACPA should be enough fuel to kick my ass in gear and make it through the next few months. I've hit this type of slump before, and always during this time of year. Too much snow and too much stress is enough to make my motivation pack up and head for warmer clilmates.
First, I am now one month from ACPA. This leaves me excited and anxious to get there and start interviewing. I already have a few things scheduled, with many others in the mix. I'm quickly becoming addicted to the ACPA candidate site, looking all around at the positions out there and deciding what is worth my time. It's like an insane grocery store with all these options of different kinds of food, but instead there are all these institutional types to choose from.
This would be easier if I knew exactly what type of institution I was after, as well as where I want to go. I'm doing a fairly broad search, both in type of position and geographic location, which I thought was a good idea. I'm pretty marketable (if I may toot my own horn) in several areas, and why not experiment and see what's available to me? Location is an ever-evolving challenge. There are some cities/areas that I am specifically looking in. There are also many states that I never thought I would consider going to that are now definitely on my radar screen.
I thought that having nothing holding me back would be a blessing, but I'm starting to wish that I had a major anchor holding me down -- only so that decision making would be easier. And even as I type these words my brain is racing and a little voice is saying, "Self! You know how much you LOVE that you can look where you please. You would be so unhappy with limited resources!!"
The voice is right. This is only the tip of the iceberg with my emotions. Read on.
What creates more of the oil and water mixture of my feelings is when you factor in the overwhelming lack of motivation that's starting to seep in. Yes, I'm still managing to harvest some for the use of my job search, but getting a job will mean nothing unless I actually complete my degree. Unfortunately, reading for class and writing papers is not really attention-grabbing these days. It's the time of year - spring is nowhere to be found (with no inclination that it'll be around anytime in the near future) but I'm well aware of how close spring break is. I want that week off (although my insanity has kicked in, and I'm committing to a week of work at BOTH the Assistantship and the Second Job). I want to lay around my apartment and stare at the walls. I want to watch massive amounts of television, think nothing at all about school, and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Of course, I also want a job. Alas...what's a girl to do?
I suppose there's nothing else to do but suck it up and get things done. The great prospects of ACPA should be enough fuel to kick my ass in gear and make it through the next few months. I've hit this type of slump before, and always during this time of year. Too much snow and too much stress is enough to make my motivation pack up and head for warmer clilmates.
The Great Fishbowl Quest #8
Okay, put your seatbelt on and secure your helmets. I’m hearing a good number of questions and rumblings from my grad student colleagues both on my campus and on others.
Stop showing all your cards so early! If employers ask (which they will) where they fall in your ranking, you do not have to tell them early on.
If you’re interested, but it is still early in the process:
“I really enjoyed this, this, and this about your institution and department. After talking with you, I’m interested in continuing to pursue the position. However, I still have other interviews scheduled so I don’t think that I can tell you with accuracy where you fall in my ranking.”
If you’re not interested at any point:
“I enjoyed this and this about your institution, but I don’t think the position is right for me because (I’m looking for a higher level of responsibility/I’m looking for a smaller department/etc).”
Personally, I think it is bad practice for employers to ask your “ranking” of them at an exchange. The ones that may ask are completely comfortable with you telling them that you need time to process and compare your options. More than likely, they asked in hopes that you would give them “bonus” information. It will not hurt your “score” as a candidate to hold back. In fact, at an exchange I think you’re more likely to harm yourself by sharing that information than help.
I think the tendency to share information is based in excitement and thinking that if you tell the employer they’re in your “Top 3,” it will help. Not necessarily. Here are ways that it may damage you:
1) Employers talk to each other. If you commit to giving them a “ranking,” that information may be shared.
2) If an institution knows you’re “super excited” and they are your “number one” it won’t really get you anywhere early on. If they’re interested in you, they’ll pursue you, anyway. Telling them how high they rank may lower the amount of energy they spend trying to recruit you. They may contact other candidates prior to contacting you.
3) Your ranking can change. If you tell a school that they are in your “top three,” they will carry the assumption that you will want to move into the next phase (possibly an on-campus interview). If you turn it down (which you will find to be much harder), they may actually experience a feeling of frustration with you.
LESSON 1: Don’t show employers your cards: regardless of your excitement, level of interest, or fear of losing their interest. I promise that you can get a job without ever telling one school that they are your number one.
LESSON 2: Don’t leave employers hanging when you decide that you aren’t interested. Let them know as soon as you make the decision. There is nothing more frustrating than a candidate who shows interest and then never responds.
You have control as a candidate to pick who you interview with and who you pursue. After all, you’re the one committing to a new job.
Stop showing all your cards so early! If employers ask (which they will) where they fall in your ranking, you do not have to tell them early on.
If you’re interested, but it is still early in the process:
“I really enjoyed this, this, and this about your institution and department. After talking with you, I’m interested in continuing to pursue the position. However, I still have other interviews scheduled so I don’t think that I can tell you with accuracy where you fall in my ranking.”
If you’re not interested at any point:
“I enjoyed this and this about your institution, but I don’t think the position is right for me because (I’m looking for a higher level of responsibility/I’m looking for a smaller department/etc).”
Personally, I think it is bad practice for employers to ask your “ranking” of them at an exchange. The ones that may ask are completely comfortable with you telling them that you need time to process and compare your options. More than likely, they asked in hopes that you would give them “bonus” information. It will not hurt your “score” as a candidate to hold back. In fact, at an exchange I think you’re more likely to harm yourself by sharing that information than help.
I think the tendency to share information is based in excitement and thinking that if you tell the employer they’re in your “Top 3,” it will help. Not necessarily. Here are ways that it may damage you:
1) Employers talk to each other. If you commit to giving them a “ranking,” that information may be shared.
2) If an institution knows you’re “super excited” and they are your “number one” it won’t really get you anywhere early on. If they’re interested in you, they’ll pursue you, anyway. Telling them how high they rank may lower the amount of energy they spend trying to recruit you. They may contact other candidates prior to contacting you.
3) Your ranking can change. If you tell a school that they are in your “top three,” they will carry the assumption that you will want to move into the next phase (possibly an on-campus interview). If you turn it down (which you will find to be much harder), they may actually experience a feeling of frustration with you.
LESSON 1: Don’t show employers your cards: regardless of your excitement, level of interest, or fear of losing their interest. I promise that you can get a job without ever telling one school that they are your number one.
LESSON 2: Don’t leave employers hanging when you decide that you aren’t interested. Let them know as soon as you make the decision. There is nothing more frustrating than a candidate who shows interest and then never responds.
You have control as a candidate to pick who you interview with and who you pursue. After all, you’re the one committing to a new job.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Suddenly I see, this is what I wanna be.... #7
I am attempting to not get my hopes up. I keep telling myself, "Self. Do not get overly excited about this."
The phone interview went very, very well. I felt like things were just right. It felt sincere and exciting. We'll see what happens next, but I'm hoping for the on-campus invite.
I also got my first email from a prospective employer who's interview at ACPA saying "Hey....we saw your resume and think you're mighty awesome. Wanna interview with us?" [I might be paraphrasing that :P] Job search-wise, it's been a pretty good week.
I like reading and then responding to reader comments that are left on posts (those that I catch, at least). Someone commented on my last post asking a few questions about my placement and conference choices.....
Why'd I pick ACPA? When I decided to attend the Joint Conference last year, I picked ACPA to be my affiliation. I tend to enjoy the things that ACPA does a little more than NASPA, and I knew I couldn't afford to go both places this year. So ACPA in Atlanta was the obvious choice.
Most of my job searching has been done on the web, usually with higheredjobs.com. Of course I also use studentaffairs.com (I think I might get kicked off writing this blog if I didn't) and I check the Chronicle, but it doesn't yield me much. I'm starting to peruse the ACPA Placement site a little more frequently.
The Joint Conference last year was the most amazing experience. The opening ceremony......whoa. I don't think I'll ever forget the moment that the slide show started, splashing facts about both organizations across the screen. There was this upbeat music playing behind it and I literally got chills. (Keep in mind that I'm a HUGE dork, and so these sorts of things amuse me) Despite the fact that I had only been a member of ACPA for about 6 months, I felt like I was so important to what was going on. The sessions were good, the weather was amazing, and I got to go to Disney World :) I was able to volunteer to help out at placement, and it was definitely a good thing to see. I would recommend anyone who's attending a conference but not interviewing to help out at placement. Getting a first-hand look at how things are run (and how hectic it is!) will be helpful later. If nothing else, I know to expect a busy day with many things all going on at once.
As for the cost....I am very fortunate to have financial outlets of my institution and my assistantship. It doesn't cover all the costs, but it sure is nice to have some money to work with.
When it comes to phone interview prep, I make sure I completely dissect the website of the institution. I try and get a feel for student life and also the department that I'm interviewing with. I always hit up the "Fast Facts" type page that gives all the important data figures about the institution. I have ideas jotted down for the standard "interview questions" that might come up, and I try to come up with at least 5 questions to ask - many times some of these may be answered by the interviewer during the course of the interview, but I try to have one or two that are obscure enough that I'll have to ask on my own. I also make sure I have a copy of the cover letter that I used, as well as a copy of the job description. Is all of this a good idea? It sure seems like it to me, but I don't have a job yet. Ask me in about six months :)
The phone interview went very, very well. I felt like things were just right. It felt sincere and exciting. We'll see what happens next, but I'm hoping for the on-campus invite.
I also got my first email from a prospective employer who's interview at ACPA saying "Hey....we saw your resume and think you're mighty awesome. Wanna interview with us?" [I might be paraphrasing that :P] Job search-wise, it's been a pretty good week.
I like reading and then responding to reader comments that are left on posts (those that I catch, at least). Someone commented on my last post asking a few questions about my placement and conference choices.....
Why'd I pick ACPA? When I decided to attend the Joint Conference last year, I picked ACPA to be my affiliation. I tend to enjoy the things that ACPA does a little more than NASPA, and I knew I couldn't afford to go both places this year. So ACPA in Atlanta was the obvious choice.
Most of my job searching has been done on the web, usually with higheredjobs.com. Of course I also use studentaffairs.com (I think I might get kicked off writing this blog if I didn't) and I check the Chronicle, but it doesn't yield me much. I'm starting to peruse the ACPA Placement site a little more frequently.
The Joint Conference last year was the most amazing experience. The opening ceremony......whoa. I don't think I'll ever forget the moment that the slide show started, splashing facts about both organizations across the screen. There was this upbeat music playing behind it and I literally got chills. (Keep in mind that I'm a HUGE dork, and so these sorts of things amuse me) Despite the fact that I had only been a member of ACPA for about 6 months, I felt like I was so important to what was going on. The sessions were good, the weather was amazing, and I got to go to Disney World :) I was able to volunteer to help out at placement, and it was definitely a good thing to see. I would recommend anyone who's attending a conference but not interviewing to help out at placement. Getting a first-hand look at how things are run (and how hectic it is!) will be helpful later. If nothing else, I know to expect a busy day with many things all going on at once.
As for the cost....I am very fortunate to have financial outlets of my institution and my assistantship. It doesn't cover all the costs, but it sure is nice to have some money to work with.
When it comes to phone interview prep, I make sure I completely dissect the website of the institution. I try and get a feel for student life and also the department that I'm interviewing with. I always hit up the "Fast Facts" type page that gives all the important data figures about the institution. I have ideas jotted down for the standard "interview questions" that might come up, and I try to come up with at least 5 questions to ask - many times some of these may be answered by the interviewer during the course of the interview, but I try to have one or two that are obscure enough that I'll have to ask on my own. I also make sure I have a copy of the cover letter that I used, as well as a copy of the job description. Is all of this a good idea? It sure seems like it to me, but I don't have a job yet. Ask me in about six months :)
The Great Fishbowl Quest #7
I have a handful of good problems I’m dealing with at the moment. I much rather have these issues than others.
1) I did really well at SPE last week (it feels like it happened a month ago). Out of the twelve institutions I interviewed with, five expressed a high-level of interest at the exchange and two others have contacted in the past week. Where’s the problem? I’ve already scheduled two on-campus interviews. My goal is to not take more than five on-campus interviews total, and there’s at least one more institution from SPE that I hope to get contacted by this next week. That means that I’m going to TPE with the goal of accepting no more than two on-campus interviews. I guess it comes down to the worry that I’ve committed too quickly to two on-campus interviews.
2) Some institutions are pursuing fast. I shoot to be the top candidate (as everybody should) and get the first offers. Having attended the first placement exchange of the recruiting season, there is a real potential that if I do well, I may receive job offers prior to attending TPE. I don’t know that this will happen, but if it does, I need to be able to say, “I won’t be accepting an offer until (fill in the blank) date.”
3) I’ve got no clue about which institutions will jump to the top of my list at TPE. At SPE, my #1 quickly became my #0 and an institution that was low on my list jumped to #1. It makes it hard to accept and decline interviews.
4) This whole job search is getting expensive fast. I have an on-campus next week that’s an eight-hour drive away. I’m not flying for a couple reasons: last-minute plane tickets aren’t usually cheap and my wife won’t be able to check out the place unless we get two tickets or drive. Institutions (reasonably) won’t pay for my wife’s travel and they won’t reimburse if they offer and you don’t accept. I hope to do well enough to receive multiple offers, which means I won’t be getting reimbursed one or a few times.
5) With my recent success at SPE, I haven’t been motivated to get ready for TPE. I rather by a second plane ticket and treat Boston as a min-vacation with my wife. My wife, however, is far more sensible, and doesn’t want me to pass up opportunities that may land us at our dream home that we don’t know about yet.
Needless to say, all of those are good problems. Not-so-good problems include the fact that I have an inner-ear infection that makes me fall to the left whenever it feels like it, we may have to rent a car for this on-campus road trip next week, and coursework is piling up on all sides of me.
The cohort that I often refer to do is doing well for the most part. It seems that those with some type of job search parameters (geographic, benefits, etc.) are doing much better than those open to anything. The ones open to anything are truly taking whatever interviews are offered first and are filling their schedules. Those with parameters have been declining more interviews than accepting. I guess we’ll see how it turns out at the end.
I've got to stop writing and get to work. Today I need to write cover letters for all of the institutions that I currently want to interview with at The Placement Exchange at NASPA. I’ve never attempted to attend more than one placement exchange, and I’m not sure that I’m a big fan. However, after spending $400 on a plane ticket, I find myself committed to the idea.
Keep up the work, you candidates and recruiters.
1) I did really well at SPE last week (it feels like it happened a month ago). Out of the twelve institutions I interviewed with, five expressed a high-level of interest at the exchange and two others have contacted in the past week. Where’s the problem? I’ve already scheduled two on-campus interviews. My goal is to not take more than five on-campus interviews total, and there’s at least one more institution from SPE that I hope to get contacted by this next week. That means that I’m going to TPE with the goal of accepting no more than two on-campus interviews. I guess it comes down to the worry that I’ve committed too quickly to two on-campus interviews.
2) Some institutions are pursuing fast. I shoot to be the top candidate (as everybody should) and get the first offers. Having attended the first placement exchange of the recruiting season, there is a real potential that if I do well, I may receive job offers prior to attending TPE. I don’t know that this will happen, but if it does, I need to be able to say, “I won’t be accepting an offer until (fill in the blank) date.”
3) I’ve got no clue about which institutions will jump to the top of my list at TPE. At SPE, my #1 quickly became my #0 and an institution that was low on my list jumped to #1. It makes it hard to accept and decline interviews.
4) This whole job search is getting expensive fast. I have an on-campus next week that’s an eight-hour drive away. I’m not flying for a couple reasons: last-minute plane tickets aren’t usually cheap and my wife won’t be able to check out the place unless we get two tickets or drive. Institutions (reasonably) won’t pay for my wife’s travel and they won’t reimburse if they offer and you don’t accept. I hope to do well enough to receive multiple offers, which means I won’t be getting reimbursed one or a few times.
5) With my recent success at SPE, I haven’t been motivated to get ready for TPE. I rather by a second plane ticket and treat Boston as a min-vacation with my wife. My wife, however, is far more sensible, and doesn’t want me to pass up opportunities that may land us at our dream home that we don’t know about yet.
Needless to say, all of those are good problems. Not-so-good problems include the fact that I have an inner-ear infection that makes me fall to the left whenever it feels like it, we may have to rent a car for this on-campus road trip next week, and coursework is piling up on all sides of me.
The cohort that I often refer to do is doing well for the most part. It seems that those with some type of job search parameters (geographic, benefits, etc.) are doing much better than those open to anything. The ones open to anything are truly taking whatever interviews are offered first and are filling their schedules. Those with parameters have been declining more interviews than accepting. I guess we’ll see how it turns out at the end.
I've got to stop writing and get to work. Today I need to write cover letters for all of the institutions that I currently want to interview with at The Placement Exchange at NASPA. I’ve never attempted to attend more than one placement exchange, and I’m not sure that I’m a big fan. However, after spending $400 on a plane ticket, I find myself committed to the idea.
Keep up the work, you candidates and recruiters.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Suddenly I see, this is what I wanna be.... #6
I had a mental meltdown yesterday.
It's all starting to weigh on me and I completely went postal yesterday afternoon. My gripes about my internship became too much to handle and I decided to succomb to the breakdown that was building. So I freaked out on my best friend and my mom, sent some emails, and I'm starting to finally float back to Earth. At least before it was just quiet panic attacks about time management and organization. This is my first complete, no holds barred, freak out of the semester. I hope to not have very many more.
Eeriely enough, after making my last post about not having any new job search info to report...I heard some news! I got a call for another phone interview for a different position. The amusing part is that it's at the SAME institution that I interviewed with before. At least I know they must like me there :) I applied for about 4 more positions over the weekend. What's left to do now is starting my focus on the ACPA Placement. I'm still a little in the dark as to how to go about doing all of this. I've posted my resume and updated my info on my candidate profile....I suppose I should now start directly sending stuff to the contacts of the positions that I like. I can't believe that it's just about one month away. I can't believe that spring break is right around the corner and that the semester is nearly half over. Time is flying by - just as everyone promised.
It seems my blogging pal (and hopefully all of you lovely readers) who attended the placement this past week had wonderful interviews and made some good connections. My excitement for my own placement is building, but much of it is for the warm weather that will be there. As I sit here and stare out a snowy world I wonder if it'll ever get warm again. I was fortunate to attend the Joint Conference last year - warm and sunny Florida was a fantastic change from the winter weather....but I was quickly brought back to reality when I arrived back home to cold and snowy weather. Curses to these differences in climate!
Cross your fingers that I'll have a good interview this week. Not that the other one was necessarily bad, just not what I expected. I'm hoping for good things from this one. It could definitely spice up things up - in a very good way :)
It's all starting to weigh on me and I completely went postal yesterday afternoon. My gripes about my internship became too much to handle and I decided to succomb to the breakdown that was building. So I freaked out on my best friend and my mom, sent some emails, and I'm starting to finally float back to Earth. At least before it was just quiet panic attacks about time management and organization. This is my first complete, no holds barred, freak out of the semester. I hope to not have very many more.
Eeriely enough, after making my last post about not having any new job search info to report...I heard some news! I got a call for another phone interview for a different position. The amusing part is that it's at the SAME institution that I interviewed with before. At least I know they must like me there :) I applied for about 4 more positions over the weekend. What's left to do now is starting my focus on the ACPA Placement. I'm still a little in the dark as to how to go about doing all of this. I've posted my resume and updated my info on my candidate profile....I suppose I should now start directly sending stuff to the contacts of the positions that I like. I can't believe that it's just about one month away. I can't believe that spring break is right around the corner and that the semester is nearly half over. Time is flying by - just as everyone promised.
It seems my blogging pal (and hopefully all of you lovely readers) who attended the placement this past week had wonderful interviews and made some good connections. My excitement for my own placement is building, but much of it is for the warm weather that will be there. As I sit here and stare out a snowy world I wonder if it'll ever get warm again. I was fortunate to attend the Joint Conference last year - warm and sunny Florida was a fantastic change from the winter weather....but I was quickly brought back to reality when I arrived back home to cold and snowy weather. Curses to these differences in climate!
Cross your fingers that I'll have a good interview this week. Not that the other one was necessarily bad, just not what I expected. I'm hoping for good things from this one. It could definitely spice up things up - in a very good way :)
The Great Fishbowl Quest #6
I would have posted sooner (I’m sure you’ve been holding your breath), but I’ve pretty much been sleeping and catching up. I’m writing prior to going to class for the day, because once I leave, I won’t stop again until I hit the bed.
Just like always, SPE was fantastic! It felt like a family reunion, and I met even more great people. There was one big disappointment, but a handful of good surprises that outweighed the one negative.
To get the bad done with, an institution that I had ranked as pretty high really didn’t meet my expectations at all (and I believe the feeling was mutual). I’m not even sure I was being interviewed by a real person. It seemed like a hologram, because regardless of what I said, I couldn’t gauge any type of response. I was tempted to say, “Excuse me, but my pants are on fire,” but I expected a response such as, “That’s interesting, let’s continue.”
So that was a bust.
On the positive side, though, there were so many good experiences. I believe I have five institutions actively pursuing me as a candidate with a few more that I’m unsure of. There are most definitely two institutions not interested in pursuing me (with one being the hologram institution).
Switching gears a little, I would love to have a video collage at the closing social at SPE with all of the “bloopers” that happen in the candidate waiting area. Over the video reel we could layer sound bytes of what the candidates are really thinking while they are waiting. I’d enjoy it, because I had a few good “bloopable” moments myself.
Last observation of placement exchanges: It is amazing how little details that shouldn’t play into decisions really do as candidates. For example, when I get back on the employer side of the table, I will always do the following:
1) I will give the candidate material and confirm our time the day before the interview.
2) I will attempt the candidate’s last name no matter how much I may butcher it.
3) I will follow up with a thank you card or some type of conversation.
4) I will attend the closing social.
Even though many of those things may seem trivial, as a candidate I heard so many people talking about how those little things play into their decisions. For example, one candidate found it rude not to receive a thank you card or some type of follow up. I myself found myself frustrated when I went to the social and couldn’t find a few institutions, and when I came home, the people I remembered best were the ones that I had contact with at the social.
Anyway, all is going well. I need to prepare for TPE in Boston, as I still only have one interview. I know, I know. Hopefully, the next time I post I will have a few more interviews scheduled and possibly an on-campus or two from SPE.
Just like always, SPE was fantastic! It felt like a family reunion, and I met even more great people. There was one big disappointment, but a handful of good surprises that outweighed the one negative.
To get the bad done with, an institution that I had ranked as pretty high really didn’t meet my expectations at all (and I believe the feeling was mutual). I’m not even sure I was being interviewed by a real person. It seemed like a hologram, because regardless of what I said, I couldn’t gauge any type of response. I was tempted to say, “Excuse me, but my pants are on fire,” but I expected a response such as, “That’s interesting, let’s continue.”
So that was a bust.
On the positive side, though, there were so many good experiences. I believe I have five institutions actively pursuing me as a candidate with a few more that I’m unsure of. There are most definitely two institutions not interested in pursuing me (with one being the hologram institution).
Switching gears a little, I would love to have a video collage at the closing social at SPE with all of the “bloopers” that happen in the candidate waiting area. Over the video reel we could layer sound bytes of what the candidates are really thinking while they are waiting. I’d enjoy it, because I had a few good “bloopable” moments myself.
Last observation of placement exchanges: It is amazing how little details that shouldn’t play into decisions really do as candidates. For example, when I get back on the employer side of the table, I will always do the following:
1) I will give the candidate material and confirm our time the day before the interview.
2) I will attempt the candidate’s last name no matter how much I may butcher it.
3) I will follow up with a thank you card or some type of conversation.
4) I will attend the closing social.
Even though many of those things may seem trivial, as a candidate I heard so many people talking about how those little things play into their decisions. For example, one candidate found it rude not to receive a thank you card or some type of follow up. I myself found myself frustrated when I went to the social and couldn’t find a few institutions, and when I came home, the people I remembered best were the ones that I had contact with at the social.
Anyway, all is going well. I need to prepare for TPE in Boston, as I still only have one interview. I know, I know. Hopefully, the next time I post I will have a few more interviews scheduled and possibly an on-campus or two from SPE.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Suddenly I see, this is what I wanna be....#5
I wish I had more exciting and interesting news to give everyone, but I don't. I haven't heard from any other places, and I haven't spent any time applying anywhere new. February is always a very hectic month for me, and this is proving no different than usual. On my last post, a comment was left asking what kind of schools I was looking at for positions. I wish I could give a definitive answer, but the fact remains that I'm not being very picky about much. I've experienced both the private and public atmospheres - I can see the benefits of both, and I enjoy the resources that both have to offer. I have been able to be at institutions ranging in size from the very small to the very large - and once again, I can see the appeal of both types. In the end it doesn't really matter which type of school I'm working at, so long as it's in a place I love and in a position that excites me.
That being said, my heart belongs to the liberal arts colleges. Would I give my eyeteeth to work at one someday? Yes. Does that NEED to be right now? No. Would it be beyond awesome if it DID happen right out of the gate like this? You bet.
My only gripe that I can make as of late is with my internship. Parts of it are amazing - I love the things I'm doing and I love the people I'm working with. Other parts of it are not so cool....such as my supervisor. The good part is that there's limited interaction there, but the bad part is that every interaction that IS there is one that leaves me feeling uninspired and feeling like I'm just not good enough. This seems to be the usual feeling according to everyone else I talked to that is professionally supervised by this person. It's making me nervous about what will be said on the evaluation of my performance, although I think I'll be okay.
I guess it's time to hop back on the job search horse and start searching some more. So much work and so much time spent, but so few results so far. It's a little disheartening, but I know it's early still. My ability to stay positive still exists, but I still can't help but feel a let down with each passing day.
That being said, my heart belongs to the liberal arts colleges. Would I give my eyeteeth to work at one someday? Yes. Does that NEED to be right now? No. Would it be beyond awesome if it DID happen right out of the gate like this? You bet.
My only gripe that I can make as of late is with my internship. Parts of it are amazing - I love the things I'm doing and I love the people I'm working with. Other parts of it are not so cool....such as my supervisor. The good part is that there's limited interaction there, but the bad part is that every interaction that IS there is one that leaves me feeling uninspired and feeling like I'm just not good enough. This seems to be the usual feeling according to everyone else I talked to that is professionally supervised by this person. It's making me nervous about what will be said on the evaluation of my performance, although I think I'll be okay.
I guess it's time to hop back on the job search horse and start searching some more. So much work and so much time spent, but so few results so far. It's a little disheartening, but I know it's early still. My ability to stay positive still exists, but I still can't help but feel a let down with each passing day.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
The Great Fishbowl Quest #5
The Magical Eve of SPE
It seems that no good opportunity will be presenting itself to me for a chance to write as the day progresses, but I made a commitment to write prior to leaving for SPE. Housing issues have required a great deal of time that I don’t really feel that I have at the moment. In addition, it feels as if the cohort is being lowered ever so slowly into a hot, blazing fire (which may be the case, as sweat is starting to appear on our brows).
This may have been a bad introduction for today’s post, because that fire seems to be refining us, and I have no complaints. In the past week, the cohort has grown ever closer (which I didn’t believe was possible, we’re about as close as any group of people could be) and everybody has started assisting each other in healthy ways (none of that resume-sharing I’ve talked about previously).
With a departure for SPE tomorrow after our last class (which I have a presentation in…that I haven’t started yet), people seem to have disappeared in preparation. I have been asked a large number of questions from those who haven’t been to SPE or any placement exchange before, and I hope that I have addressed them well.
Yes, most of the interviews happen in a ballroom setting. No, it’s not that bad or distracting. Yes, the Taste of Memphis is awkward. No, you shouldn’t attempt to skip it (and if you go to the Candidate Briefing, when you walk out of that room you will be in the middle of the Taste of Memphis).
Honestly, I’m excited about SPE. It may be in by best interest to be nervous, but that isn’t present. SPE may be the friendliest placement exchange currently available. It may sound weird, but I’m looking forward to the chance to get off of campus for a few days and eat a lot of barbeque.
Currently, I have twelve interviews scheduled with two or three pending based on our compatible schedules. I was hoping to keep a few more open timeslots on Saturday for possible second interviews, but it just didn’t work out that way.
If you’re going to be at SPE, enjoy the time. Talk to everyone (in the proper context) and say only good things. Everybody knows everybody, and everybody talks. Chances are if you’re another candidate, you and I will chat at some point. Chances are if you’re an employer, we’ll be formally chatting for a full half-hour, anyway.
Have any questions? Find me at the Taste of Memphis social. I’ll be the one smiling.
It seems that no good opportunity will be presenting itself to me for a chance to write as the day progresses, but I made a commitment to write prior to leaving for SPE. Housing issues have required a great deal of time that I don’t really feel that I have at the moment. In addition, it feels as if the cohort is being lowered ever so slowly into a hot, blazing fire (which may be the case, as sweat is starting to appear on our brows).
This may have been a bad introduction for today’s post, because that fire seems to be refining us, and I have no complaints. In the past week, the cohort has grown ever closer (which I didn’t believe was possible, we’re about as close as any group of people could be) and everybody has started assisting each other in healthy ways (none of that resume-sharing I’ve talked about previously).
With a departure for SPE tomorrow after our last class (which I have a presentation in…that I haven’t started yet), people seem to have disappeared in preparation. I have been asked a large number of questions from those who haven’t been to SPE or any placement exchange before, and I hope that I have addressed them well.
Yes, most of the interviews happen in a ballroom setting. No, it’s not that bad or distracting. Yes, the Taste of Memphis is awkward. No, you shouldn’t attempt to skip it (and if you go to the Candidate Briefing, when you walk out of that room you will be in the middle of the Taste of Memphis).
Honestly, I’m excited about SPE. It may be in by best interest to be nervous, but that isn’t present. SPE may be the friendliest placement exchange currently available. It may sound weird, but I’m looking forward to the chance to get off of campus for a few days and eat a lot of barbeque.
Currently, I have twelve interviews scheduled with two or three pending based on our compatible schedules. I was hoping to keep a few more open timeslots on Saturday for possible second interviews, but it just didn’t work out that way.
If you’re going to be at SPE, enjoy the time. Talk to everyone (in the proper context) and say only good things. Everybody knows everybody, and everybody talks. Chances are if you’re another candidate, you and I will chat at some point. Chances are if you’re an employer, we’ll be formally chatting for a full half-hour, anyway.
Have any questions? Find me at the Taste of Memphis social. I’ll be the one smiling.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Suddenly I see, this is what I wanna be.... #4
The phone interview went well.....they asked questions I anticipated and I think I answered intelligently. The big downfall seems to be that they want someone to start very soon, and I sensed disappointment that I won't be available until May. There's still the chance that they'll ask me to campus anyway and like me enough to wait, but who knows. I'm not getting my hopes up.
I've put more applications out this past week at a few new places. I need to start prowling the ACPA placement site more carefully and start working on setting things up there. I'm looking forward to interviewing, but I know it will be a stressful few days. Just about a month and a half until then!
I have a lead on another job that I just recently applied for. I think that they are interested in interviewing me, but I know they will definitely be at NASPA and are looking to do some interviewing there. I'm actually really surprised that anyone even contacted me. This is a position that I know I will be viewed as not-so-likely of a candidate. I guess being optimistic and having a creative cover letter can pay off :)
Remember all that talk I did in a previous post about how no one in my program is discussing the job search? Throw that out the window. In the last week there have been rumbles about different positions out there and applications getting sent. A few classmates have just been offered positions. It's getting more and more "real" by the day, but I'm still not completely freaking out yet. This is definitely a good thing. I am, however, reaching quiet desperation regarding a few other issues in conjunction with my search. These are the things that are stressing me out the most right now and they are also the things that I can't really do much about.
The list of bookmarked sites on my computer keeps growing as I add more and more schools that I'm interested in. I'm making it a point to check everything once a week, at least. I'm trying to check everywhere at least once a week. Fortunately I keep finding positions I like, but my folder with the print-outs keeps getting thicker and the neatly labeled folders with the things I have applied to aren't getting any larger. I need to step up my game with this whole time management thing.
Despite all of this stuff I was able to find the time this weekend to go out and have a good time with good friends. I have more fun things planned in the coming weeks so that I can retain some small amount of my sanity. If it wasn't for these plans and my concerning addiction to reality tv, I'd probably go postal.
I've put more applications out this past week at a few new places. I need to start prowling the ACPA placement site more carefully and start working on setting things up there. I'm looking forward to interviewing, but I know it will be a stressful few days. Just about a month and a half until then!
I have a lead on another job that I just recently applied for. I think that they are interested in interviewing me, but I know they will definitely be at NASPA and are looking to do some interviewing there. I'm actually really surprised that anyone even contacted me. This is a position that I know I will be viewed as not-so-likely of a candidate. I guess being optimistic and having a creative cover letter can pay off :)
Remember all that talk I did in a previous post about how no one in my program is discussing the job search? Throw that out the window. In the last week there have been rumbles about different positions out there and applications getting sent. A few classmates have just been offered positions. It's getting more and more "real" by the day, but I'm still not completely freaking out yet. This is definitely a good thing. I am, however, reaching quiet desperation regarding a few other issues in conjunction with my search. These are the things that are stressing me out the most right now and they are also the things that I can't really do much about.
The list of bookmarked sites on my computer keeps growing as I add more and more schools that I'm interested in. I'm making it a point to check everything once a week, at least. I'm trying to check everywhere at least once a week. Fortunately I keep finding positions I like, but my folder with the print-outs keeps getting thicker and the neatly labeled folders with the things I have applied to aren't getting any larger. I need to step up my game with this whole time management thing.
Despite all of this stuff I was able to find the time this weekend to go out and have a good time with good friends. I have more fun things planned in the coming weeks so that I can retain some small amount of my sanity. If it wasn't for these plans and my concerning addiction to reality tv, I'd probably go postal.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
The Great Fishbowl Quest #4
Dear Potential Employers,
I appreciate your enthusiasm in contacting me in regards to the career opportunities that you have available at your institutions. Please keep in mind, dear Employers, that I share your enthusiasm; nothing fills my heart with greater joy than an inbox full of potential interviews. What I ask you to understand, though, is that I do not have the ability to dedicate all of my time to the job search process. The very reasons that you are interested in considering me as a candidate are the same reasons that I cannot reply instantaneously to your e-mails. I am trying to obtain the Master's degree we would both like for me to achieve and perform my current position with excellence and integrity.
I understand that these placement exchanges are quickly approaching and you are looking to make the most of these opportunities. As a candidate, I can assure you that our inboxes are filling at a much quicker rate and will likely continue to do so until these exchanges occur. Because of this, it is likely that my response time may slow by a matter of a few minutes.
In closing, I appreciate the effort you have put into recruiting me. I also hope to interview with you in the very near future, assuming that both of our schedules still permit.
Respectfully,
Candidate
P.S. In your excitement to contact me, there have been a few errors in some of our correspondence. I am quite accepting of this issue, and only point it out in hopes that you will share my ability to overlook a simple mistake if I happen to do the same.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Candidate,
Thank you for your honest feedback in regards to establishing interview schedules at these exchanges. While we understand the multiple roles you are currently playing at your institution, we’re intent on finding the right professionals to fill our open positions. Please understand that you may take your time in responding; you just may not like the options available to you if you decide that you want an interview.
Respectfully,
Potential Employers
P.S. In your excitement to contact others, we are waiting to find out if you are even interested in us. Seriously. E-mail us and let us know.
P.P.S. You are free to make as many simple mistakes as you would like. We will simply choose to hire those who make the decision not to make any. Good luck in your search!
I appreciate your enthusiasm in contacting me in regards to the career opportunities that you have available at your institutions. Please keep in mind, dear Employers, that I share your enthusiasm; nothing fills my heart with greater joy than an inbox full of potential interviews. What I ask you to understand, though, is that I do not have the ability to dedicate all of my time to the job search process. The very reasons that you are interested in considering me as a candidate are the same reasons that I cannot reply instantaneously to your e-mails. I am trying to obtain the Master's degree we would both like for me to achieve and perform my current position with excellence and integrity.
I understand that these placement exchanges are quickly approaching and you are looking to make the most of these opportunities. As a candidate, I can assure you that our inboxes are filling at a much quicker rate and will likely continue to do so until these exchanges occur. Because of this, it is likely that my response time may slow by a matter of a few minutes.
In closing, I appreciate the effort you have put into recruiting me. I also hope to interview with you in the very near future, assuming that both of our schedules still permit.
Respectfully,
Candidate
P.S. In your excitement to contact me, there have been a few errors in some of our correspondence. I am quite accepting of this issue, and only point it out in hopes that you will share my ability to overlook a simple mistake if I happen to do the same.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Candidate,
Thank you for your honest feedback in regards to establishing interview schedules at these exchanges. While we understand the multiple roles you are currently playing at your institution, we’re intent on finding the right professionals to fill our open positions. Please understand that you may take your time in responding; you just may not like the options available to you if you decide that you want an interview.
Respectfully,
Potential Employers
P.S. In your excitement to contact others, we are waiting to find out if you are even interested in us. Seriously. E-mail us and let us know.
P.P.S. You are free to make as many simple mistakes as you would like. We will simply choose to hire those who make the decision not to make any. Good luck in your search!
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Suddenly I see, this is what I wanna be.... #3
I just spent the last 10 minutes trying to find a great quote about happiness or joy, or something like that. I can't find anything I like and that seems to fit, so I'll forget about being creative and just announce the news:
I got my first phone interview!!!
In a day of missed calls and voicemails (and also endless meetings), the end of my workday gave me a lovely message about wanting to set up a phone interview. The coolness factor: it's at a really awesome institution. The "Haha...are you serious?!?!" factor: it's for a type of position that I wasn't even looking really hard at. The "OMG freakout!" factor: the phone interview is this week. Whoa. My lovely supervisors at the office are helping me by completely encouraging me and also driving me towards the loony bin. Those of them that read this (because, as I mentioned before, secret-keeping is not my forte) will be delighted to see that I've finally made mention of this. My head supervisor (or, as I refer to her, The Queen of Me) had incredible fun giving me sample interview questions and threatening to put me through a mock interview. As excited as I am to graduate and get a job, my heart is breaking at the thought of leaving this office. I have had the most wonderful experience in this assistantship, an experience that I never could have had anywhere else. Each step I make towards graduation is a step closer to the day I actually have to leave. This is a feat I am not yet ready to tackle. (And let's all pause to find a tissue, because even writing it makes me misty-eyed).
Everything else sort of came to a grinding halt this weekend. I got done about a tenth of what I wanted to and made no additional progress with my cover letters. I don't even have a good excuse, honestly. In reality I'm lazy, enjoy procrastination, and sometimes suffer from a lack of motivation. But my huge to-do list that I now have is enough to put me back on track. And the goal of getting things taken care of in time to do a few fun things I have scheduled on my calendar is also good motivation.
As far as slogging through my classes......it's a mixed bag of emotions towards the semester. The one class I was hoping to be enlightening and interesting is currently extremely boring and off-topic. The other class that I've been looking forward to is......interesting. Let's say that not everyone has the same opinion on matters discussed, and it's very divided among first-years and second-years/doc students. I am loving the dynamic of it.
---------------------------------------------------------
I have to interrupt my own thought process and share that my wonderful "Queen of Me" supervisor just sent me a very detailed email with thoughts and ideas and things to question going into this phone interview. See, THIS is what I'm talking about. THIS is the incredible support that's there for me (aside from all the teasing and torture that will lead me to the loony bin) that makes me so lucky.
But I digress.
--------------------------------------------------------
I feel that this post reflects the disjointed and jumbled mess that is my brain right now. Maybe it's just that time of year, as my writing pal seems to be going through the same thing right now. I'm half-tempted to go back and try to make this post seem a little more well organized, but honestly, I don't even think I can focus properly enough to make it worth while. We'll leave it at this and I'll try and not be mentally all over the road for next time.
I got my first phone interview!!!
In a day of missed calls and voicemails (and also endless meetings), the end of my workday gave me a lovely message about wanting to set up a phone interview. The coolness factor: it's at a really awesome institution. The "Haha...are you serious?!?!" factor: it's for a type of position that I wasn't even looking really hard at. The "OMG freakout!" factor: the phone interview is this week. Whoa. My lovely supervisors at the office are helping me by completely encouraging me and also driving me towards the loony bin. Those of them that read this (because, as I mentioned before, secret-keeping is not my forte) will be delighted to see that I've finally made mention of this. My head supervisor (or, as I refer to her, The Queen of Me) had incredible fun giving me sample interview questions and threatening to put me through a mock interview. As excited as I am to graduate and get a job, my heart is breaking at the thought of leaving this office. I have had the most wonderful experience in this assistantship, an experience that I never could have had anywhere else. Each step I make towards graduation is a step closer to the day I actually have to leave. This is a feat I am not yet ready to tackle. (And let's all pause to find a tissue, because even writing it makes me misty-eyed).
Everything else sort of came to a grinding halt this weekend. I got done about a tenth of what I wanted to and made no additional progress with my cover letters. I don't even have a good excuse, honestly. In reality I'm lazy, enjoy procrastination, and sometimes suffer from a lack of motivation. But my huge to-do list that I now have is enough to put me back on track. And the goal of getting things taken care of in time to do a few fun things I have scheduled on my calendar is also good motivation.
As far as slogging through my classes......it's a mixed bag of emotions towards the semester. The one class I was hoping to be enlightening and interesting is currently extremely boring and off-topic. The other class that I've been looking forward to is......interesting. Let's say that not everyone has the same opinion on matters discussed, and it's very divided among first-years and second-years/doc students. I am loving the dynamic of it.
---------------------------------------------------------
I have to interrupt my own thought process and share that my wonderful "Queen of Me" supervisor just sent me a very detailed email with thoughts and ideas and things to question going into this phone interview. See, THIS is what I'm talking about. THIS is the incredible support that's there for me (aside from all the teasing and torture that will lead me to the loony bin) that makes me so lucky.
But I digress.
--------------------------------------------------------
I feel that this post reflects the disjointed and jumbled mess that is my brain right now. Maybe it's just that time of year, as my writing pal seems to be going through the same thing right now. I'm half-tempted to go back and try to make this post seem a little more well organized, but honestly, I don't even think I can focus properly enough to make it worth while. We'll leave it at this and I'll try and not be mentally all over the road for next time.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
The Great Fishbowl Quest #3
Runnin’ Down a Dream
WARNING: This entry was written by a blogger with a lot on his mind during this entry. Readers are advised that this blog is composed of what may appear to be many mini-entries; in truth, it is simply a peek into a conflicted mind. Read at own risk.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With my to-do list unfinished, I chose to work during The Football Game (I’ll be honest; I don’t follow football that closely…Anybody surprised?). However, I did catch Tom Petty during the halftime show. With every thought and action pointing my thoughts right back to the job hunt, I couldn’t help but feel better listening to him perform “Runnin’ Down a Dream.”
In the song, his lyrics refer to the process of getting to the “finish line.” Something that I find myself to be struggling with is staying in this moment as opposed to focusing on the next one. For those of you out there with a never-ending to-do list (I have a five-color-coordinated to-do list written on my dry erase board at the moment), I have a suggestion from my own experience.
At the end of the day, write a “finished and accomplished” list. I have gotten a lot done every day this past week, even though I’m not where I’d like to be with my coursework or job hunt. I’m always going to want to be further ahead (most of us are leaders and that urge is natural), but that doesn’t mean it is always possible. I think “just keeping up” is about as good as this semester is going to get.
With that said, I feel that I accomplished a good amount this weekend. I either have interviews or am in contact with eight of my Top Ten Institutions. By the end of this week, I hope to have a good number more high-interest interviews scheduled.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Southern Placement Exchange (SPE)
In twelve days, the placement exchanges begin. For those of you who have followed the exchanges for the past few years, there are some new twists to the game. One of those twists is that SPE is occurring before the Oshkosh Placement Exchange (OPE). This has led to a far earlier start time for recruiting than there has been in the past. I think many employers are finding themselves scrambling to be prepared. Candidates, take heart, we’re not the only ones trying to catch up.
I have had the fortunate opportunity of attending SPE as both a candidate and as an employer. It has given me some insights that are somewhat frightening, but good to be aware of, nonetheless. These insights apply to all placement exchanges.
1) Candidates talk about “warm up” interviews. The idea is interview with an institution that doesn’t make the top of your list to “get into the groove” of interviewing. As an employer, I’m not a fan of my time being wasted if you’re not interested at all. As a candidate, I’ve got to say “warm up” interviews can help.
2) The time of the interview matters (far more than anybody prefers). Everyone knows this, but it is amazing how hard it is to concentrate as an employer at certain times of the day. As a candidate you’ve got good motivation to be focused (you’d like to have a job). As an employer, you get hungry, distracted, annoyed, and bored. I try to put my most important interviews early in the morning and right after lunch.
3) If you haven’t been to an exchange, be prepared for the telethon set-up. Imagine a ballroom lined with tables with all of the employers facing the front door and all of the candidates facing the back wall. There are no walls separating you from any other employers or candidates. It’s not as bad as it sounds, but it is something to be aware of.
I’m sure I will talk more about SPE in the next two weeks. If you have any specific questions about it, feel free to comment. There are many in my cohort who haven’t experienced SPE, so I may address some of the concerns they bring up.
I’ve decided to go to bed with only four things on my list for the unaccomplished; but my “finished and accomplished” list is much longer.
WARNING: This entry was written by a blogger with a lot on his mind during this entry. Readers are advised that this blog is composed of what may appear to be many mini-entries; in truth, it is simply a peek into a conflicted mind. Read at own risk.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With my to-do list unfinished, I chose to work during The Football Game (I’ll be honest; I don’t follow football that closely…Anybody surprised?). However, I did catch Tom Petty during the halftime show. With every thought and action pointing my thoughts right back to the job hunt, I couldn’t help but feel better listening to him perform “Runnin’ Down a Dream.”
In the song, his lyrics refer to the process of getting to the “finish line.” Something that I find myself to be struggling with is staying in this moment as opposed to focusing on the next one. For those of you out there with a never-ending to-do list (I have a five-color-coordinated to-do list written on my dry erase board at the moment), I have a suggestion from my own experience.
At the end of the day, write a “finished and accomplished” list. I have gotten a lot done every day this past week, even though I’m not where I’d like to be with my coursework or job hunt. I’m always going to want to be further ahead (most of us are leaders and that urge is natural), but that doesn’t mean it is always possible. I think “just keeping up” is about as good as this semester is going to get.
With that said, I feel that I accomplished a good amount this weekend. I either have interviews or am in contact with eight of my Top Ten Institutions. By the end of this week, I hope to have a good number more high-interest interviews scheduled.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Southern Placement Exchange (SPE)
In twelve days, the placement exchanges begin. For those of you who have followed the exchanges for the past few years, there are some new twists to the game. One of those twists is that SPE is occurring before the Oshkosh Placement Exchange (OPE). This has led to a far earlier start time for recruiting than there has been in the past. I think many employers are finding themselves scrambling to be prepared. Candidates, take heart, we’re not the only ones trying to catch up.
I have had the fortunate opportunity of attending SPE as both a candidate and as an employer. It has given me some insights that are somewhat frightening, but good to be aware of, nonetheless. These insights apply to all placement exchanges.
1) Candidates talk about “warm up” interviews. The idea is interview with an institution that doesn’t make the top of your list to “get into the groove” of interviewing. As an employer, I’m not a fan of my time being wasted if you’re not interested at all. As a candidate, I’ve got to say “warm up” interviews can help.
2) The time of the interview matters (far more than anybody prefers). Everyone knows this, but it is amazing how hard it is to concentrate as an employer at certain times of the day. As a candidate you’ve got good motivation to be focused (you’d like to have a job). As an employer, you get hungry, distracted, annoyed, and bored. I try to put my most important interviews early in the morning and right after lunch.
3) If you haven’t been to an exchange, be prepared for the telethon set-up. Imagine a ballroom lined with tables with all of the employers facing the front door and all of the candidates facing the back wall. There are no walls separating you from any other employers or candidates. It’s not as bad as it sounds, but it is something to be aware of.
I’m sure I will talk more about SPE in the next two weeks. If you have any specific questions about it, feel free to comment. There are many in my cohort who haven’t experienced SPE, so I may address some of the concerns they bring up.
I’ve decided to go to bed with only four things on my list for the unaccomplished; but my “finished and accomplished” list is much longer.
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