A Collection of Quotes, Sayings, and Nonsense

If I may quote my favorite Business book,"Networking is not a passive sport. You need to get to the people you want to meet, and it takes planning and work and overcoming inertia."

An idea I've been living by since I've read it. And now, as Carol from New Directions said, "Things are finally getting sticky." A phrase, that right off the bat may seem like an undesirable feeling but makes perfect sense. After six months of introductions, sending an email here or giving a business card to someone there... my network is starting to truly develop.

After a "Black-Hole" day... (as my former roommate calls it. A day where you're feeling particularly "unemployed-ish" and you grieve over the death of your college days)...

I decided it was time to revisit my contacts. Writing, "Hi remember me again" email after another and leading them all with Khiara's personal favorite, " what about this weather?" I finally had a break through. For the sake of "not counting my chickens before they hatch," (I couldn't tell you who came up with that one but everyone knows it) I will be vague about the details. However, I will say this much.

• I had an interview. (I possibly had a booger in my nose for at least half of it but other than that, it went AMAZING)
• It's A PR agency located in Boston (Check, Check)
• I absolutely love the place and the people (I think they liked me too)
• And I think I have a shot

"Only time will tell." (Again, I couldn't tell you who thought of that one either....)

Thanksgiving Year Round

Well it finally happened...

The golf season ended - even though there is no frost to be seen and the average temperature this past week was 60 degrees. (Sorry Polar Bears; but thank you Global Warming).

... Meaning- I am officially unemployed.

No, I have not joined Occupy Providence despite the roller coaster of emotions I have endured these past weeks. My behavior has been as constant as the New England weather...everything from surges of impulsiveness, (almost bought a one way ticket to Florida) eating away my depression, to days of empowerment, hope and productivity, and right back to what feels like certified crazy.

My mood today? Pure Bliss. In light of the recent Holiday, I have a lot to be thankful for. And although some days are harder than others, I must remind myself to be grateful for these things every day and not just national Holidays.

I am still coming down from my high from one of the best weeks in my life. 10 days of true happiness. I had a great Thanksgiving with loved ones - the final count was 33. I have a HUGE family to say the least. Not to mention activities after activities! To give you a snap shot of the week- I had my first Bruins game, a night at the Biltmore Hotel in Providence, I successfully made my own pizza out of a brick oven , and did it all with great friends- old and new.

The best part of it all- an interview. LinkedIn has finally proved itself worthy. Advice: follow smaller companies. There is a good chance to get on their radar compared to a huge corporation.

My Job-hunt thus far has consisted of mainly major corporations, but now more than ever am I loving the idea of working for a smaller company. This consulting firm has a culture unique from any other. I was fortunate to meet with five associates, one including the CEO, all who value team work, unity and an overall understanding of respect regardless of status. That was very apparent to me from the minute I walked in and until the hour and a half later when the President himself walked me to the door.

It has me thinking a smaller company is the way to go. Especially after reading 10 pros of working for a small company.

http://www.savingadvice.com/articles/2007/06/11/101529_ten-pros-of-working-for-a-small-business.html

#TheJobHuntContinues but I am thankful for each and every opportunity... TO BE CONTINUED.

Trick- or -Treat

...The infamous saying we are all accustomed to during Halloween. Usually you think of happy children at their neighbor's door, waiting to be be awarded with some sort of treat. I can't help but apply it to the present stage in my life.

I will start with the latter.

The Treat:

For Khiara; she has fulfilled our blog's #1 mission - land a job. Not only in NYC but at Glamour Magazine.

For myself; I had an interview. Not only in NYC, but at MTV Networks ! AND just had a phone interview this morning with an HR from Hill Holliday.

The Trick:

For my Co- Blogger; To survive- literally. After college loans, NY taxes and train fees, her allocated budget alone to find a place to live, never mind eating , is scary.

For myself; The horrific feeling of actually being unemployed for the first time. With the golf course coming to a close, my source of income will also. I have been proud of the money I have saved all season, but in reality, without additional income it will be spent fast. Watching Khiara struggle financially frightens me. As elated as I would be to get a job in the city, I could be in the same situation if an offer comes too late and my "cushion fund" is gone. Not to mention the feeling after one interview after another - the phrases such as, " keep on checking in to see if a position opens" feels like a trick. Is anyone really hiring!?!

All I know is- ghost and goblins are not the things frightening me around this time of year. The only dressing up I have been doing...is putting on heels and business suits AND I continue to knock on doors.

A Light Bulb Just Went Off - (Or On)

Yesterday around 5pm, a light bulb simultaneously was ignited by not only electricity but also an epiphany.
After going Five whole days without power, running water and cell phone service, I was feeling disconnected. both the world and myself.

A lot can change in a week huh? To get everyone up to speed. Following the freak- of -nature earthquake on the East Coast, came Hurricane Irene (said to be in the top 10 deadliest hurricanes to hit the US ever). Rhode Island was fortunate enough to not get hit dead on with the old broad, but the storm that radiated off her caused 60% of the Ocean State without electricity, and some still won't expect it until Labor Day Weekend. Of course it could of been worse, at the end of the day you realized what's important, your family and friends- and life basically - but still... it was TERRIBLE.

Not only did Irene come abruptly, so did a a job opportunity. A friend of mine gave me a lead to an opening at Konnessi, (a company he's been helping while finishing his MBA). The lead turned into a interview, which then lead to a second interview, which then lead to a job offer and a " See you on Tuesday at 9 and we will get started."

For those who have been keeping up with this blog, have most likely gathered the following: I am determined to get out of RI - want to have a career at a prestige agency - and have a career in Public Relations or Marketing. On the contrary, this job opportunity is in RI - is a small start up- and is a sales position. To my surprise all my determination for a goal I have been tirelessly working for was being thrown out the window, and I was beginning to entertain the idea of this new career path. After all this market is unforgivable, I don't have any planned interviews or ins at the moment, I am young and everyone needs stepping stones, and time is passing faster than sand in an hour glass.

I weighed the pros and cons back and forth. I would be excited at one moment as I envisioned a day working for this company, and the responsibility I was accountable for, and overall dominating the human race. The excitement would then be replaced with anxiety and second guessing. The salary being offered was "peanuts" as my father said. Granted in sales, the sky is the limit to make income, but there was an undeniable risk here for what seemed to be an extensive demand for a more than 40 hr work week.

But in the end, it wasn't the amount of work being asked that bothered me, nor the pay check. It was my vision. Life throws you windows of opportunities at random times and there will always be a risk in taking them- that's the only way you get anywhere. But the one thing I hold dearly is this vision, well- you all read it in the first post. And this wasn't it. As Khiara puts it - "do you feel like you have exhausted all your options?" - and I don't. The fight in me is not even close to being tarnished.

So what did I do? The unthinkable for an inexperienced college grad living in this economy. I said I respectfully declined.

As I sat in the living room with my father, as I internally made my decision ...A sign from God, Buddha, or just the right tilt of the earth in this universe - The electricity I was lacking all week fired back on literally and figuratively all at the same time.( I am not even lying.) Not to mention Khiara was back in town and I finally had a phone that was charged long enough to be able to fill her in. After talking to her I felt grounded again...so as of today we are both officially signed up for a marketing conference in Boston in two weeks and it looks like the #jobhuntcontinues.

Time To Shake Things Up

Yes it is time to shake things up around here! And Yes the pun was intended. For those that haven't tuned into their T.V.s and Facebook pages - (Doubtful)- Today the East Coast experienced an earthquake. I however, didn't feel a thing other than the vibrations from my cell phone from the countless notifications on Twitter and the news talking about it.

In Other News...

I had a successful phone interview with the HR from Lois Paul & Partners. I have to admit, I have been really lucky so far because again the HR (Christine) was very welcoming and made it very easy to talk to. I had my "Marketing Plan" in front of me, and overall felt very prepared. It went so well in fact Paul (the man that gave me the introduction) E-mailed me, and said she was impressed and I am near the "top of the list" to contact when a opportunity opens.

What does this mean? - It means I keep going to the gym, keep eating my veggies, keep searching. The #jobhuntcontinues and it is time to mix my strategy up a bit. What can I do now to really WOW the next interview that presents itself?

I have concluded that a Public Relations Career in Boston = Working in the IT, Health/MediCare/ Clean Tech industry, rather than NY which is more consumer based. I do a decent job staying "in the know" when it comes to PR, but I need to learn more about these specific industries. I have started following IT companies on Twitter, reading articles and blogs, and even contacted an alum from URI's Public Relations Society, who did PR for Dimensional Insights, (an IT company in Boston) and asked her for advice on where to gain further knowledge. While reading some of these articles and posts I find myself Googling words I don't understand - how else am I going to learn!

My second move, is to start working with a Head Hunter. I say working "with" rather than "use" based on an article from who else but @AvidCarreist > http://www.avidcareerist.com/2010/11/05/should-you-use-a-recruiter/

Khiara had mentioned her friend had recently got an HR job, and has worked with Head Hunters and she strongly encouraged it. To my luck, my older Cousin Geoff is a Head Hunter ( he's 1 of my 23 cousins - and that's only counting my Dads side - and no, not step cousins, my parents are together... as of now. ) He works for O'Neill Consulting Group LLC, and hopefully he will have some guidance to step up my game.

I am going to need to keep the level of determination high these next weeks, especially since my best friend and motivator- Khiara- has left me today for Oklahoma. Disappointed I will be visiting the infamous Sophie's Coffee myself - I am reassured by Khiara's promise to continue our job-hunt and coffee sessions via Skype.

Anyyyy Day Now Would Be Nice

It's August 11th and I'm trying with everything in me to not let the stress take over. I'm leaving for Oklahoma (yes, I said Oklahoma) in less than two weeks (a trip I was sure I would have to rebook) and it looks like my grandparents will be squeezing these cheeks right on schedule.

I'm giving myself the next 30 seconds to be discouraged- because let me tell you, it's getting harder to say, "I'm unemployed" with confidence that an opportunity is around the corner. I have made great connections, talked to the right people, and I'm losing count of all the hands (and in-boxes) my resume has been in, yet I'm nearing a dead end. What more do you want from me?!? I guess I need to start thinking outside of the box.

...and TIME.

Speechless

Looks like I'm still unemployed, except this time I can't even complain about it. I walked into Eident Sports this afternoon a nervous wreck with my speech playing over and over in my head...."I just want to let you know how much I appreciate your offer..." Except when I actually made it into the President's office, I didn't even get that far before he interrupted me.

"Hold on kid, I already know where you're going with this....and if you have a vision, go for it. Don't worry about turning this down, you're making the right choice."

Mentally, I envisioned my mouth dropping while I tried to keep my cool. Never in a million years did I expect that response! The rest of the time in his office could not have gone better and he only helped reassure me that I made the right decision. I could not be more thankful for that.

I love Eident, I loved interning for them, I love the people there and I love what they do.... but right now I'm ready to break out of my comfort zone. There's no turning back now....Boston better be ready for me.

Informational Interviews 101

Another rainy day - it's OK- Another productive day.

Went to the doctors and got medicine for this on going sinus infection- Kept up with the Weight Watcher's Diet... Soup for dinner followed by 6 Oreos (It's within the points!) And got a confirmation for an informational interview.

Thanks to a friend of a friend my parents know, I was able to reach out to VP of New Directions in Boston. They are a Portfolio company, and from my understanding a little mix of life coaching, marketing and branding for individuals and businesses. They help people get to their next step. (HELLO Just what I need!!) But- I am not going there as a client, but as a young professional to ask questions and flatter. We finalized the date, for Thursday next week - in Boston (YES)- I already have my outfit picked out in my mind. But that is the only thing I have prepared thus far.

I need information on how to make use of an informational interview.
Kind of Ironic when you think about it. Your are going there to get informed, yet I need to be informed before I get there.


The way I see it, is people of these industries love talking about themselves and an informational interview can play out in 2 scenarios. 1- they do the same song and dance that they do for every graduate that reaches out to them, telling them the same story of how they got to where they are. or 2- I suck this interview for all it's worth and really make and impression.

Now how to accomplish situation 2. Dissect their company's website. Make a list of questions pertaining to my life at the moment. etc. etc. There is going to be some major preparation for this, and this isn't even a Real Interview. I might even go buy Crest White Strips. Over the top? I don't think so people, this is a recession.

Spell Check

Thanks again to another week of Rhode Island's humid rainy weather, I have been forced to be indoors, glued to the computer as the #jobhuntsontinues- but, I finally got something accomplished. (I wasn't being sarcastic- thank you R.I. )

After writing my first cover letter of the summer, sending it to some friends and generous alums, getting it back changing it, revising it, starting over completely, changing it back-two weeks later- I came up with my final draft. Well, what I thought was my final.

For those that don't know, I freelance once a week for the Media Department at RISD. By only fate, is my supervisor a former employee of an agency in the Great Boston Area, Racepoint Group, and was kind enough to offer to take my cover letter and resume and send it through some people she knows that still works there. Ironically, I follow them on LinkedIn, and notice they were hiring, Like I said, fate.

I admit, I am a little rusty on the whole cover letter format thing, I haven't written one in over a year. It is a little awkward starting off, finding that balance of modesty yet wanting to show off your skills without sounding so desperate-"PLEASE HIRE ME." Not to mention the pressure, you have one shot, one spelling error, and BOOM- trash can- or I guess in these days "DELETE."

Therefore, I thought two weeks was more than enough time, and this cover letter had to be complete. I sent it to my supervisor. SEND. I reopen it to give it one more read, and right there in the first paragraph, I am missing a period. My heart stops. IMPOSSIBLE. So I come up with an excuse that I sent the wrong CL, resent it in a PDF, after adding the period and a couple other things... Two hours later. I re-read it. And my mind is going back to Journalism 341 Editing for Publication (my least favorite class) I know numbers over 10 should be typed in numerals, and majors should be capitalized... I didn't do these things. CRAP. I am really messing up on this one. I go back and forth on the options to my bff Khiara- should I just accept defeat? or confront it, resend ANOTHER , explain and make a fool out of myself. Khiara votes- fix it, and it will show you want to have things right.- So for the THIRD e-mail, I make the revisions and admit to my supervisor my nervousness and lack of experience writing cover letters. I don't hear from her. My thoughts are , she's thinking - "I am not putting myself out on the limb for someone as idiotic and careless as this."

To my surprise, at the end of the day she responds that she understands, is more than happy to help and even made a suggestion herself. THANK GOD. Goes to show you, people remember how it was first starting out, it's scary, we are new at this, and all we can do is learn. So lesson? It's important to get it right. Maybe not always four e-mails worth of trials, but my mind was in the right place and I am sure my supervisor saw that (I hope.) Regardless, I get a good laugh every time I open my e-mail and see that ridiculously long thread (seriously ,click the picture- you will too) But despite it all , I wrote three more cover letters,even one to CONE in Boston, and it's only getting easier. Wish me Luck.

#JobHuntContinues

It's officially been a month. Back at Sophies with Gessen. "It's a local thing, you wouldn't understand."