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.
Showing posts with label spe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spe. Show all posts
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
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.
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 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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