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.

Too Blessed To Be Stressed

I'm making my way to the Big Apple this Saturday. Can you believe it?! That's like, less than 48 hours away. There is still so much packing to do, so many people to see, and more preparation to be done. This past week (with the exception of getting my last two wisdom teeth removed) has been so wonderful. I've been taking in every Rhode Island moment I can, and seeing those precious faces that will no longer be at my beck and call a few hours from now.

Roger William Jack-o-lantern Spectacular with Jenny and Erika

Wine Tasting in Newport with my man

Taking in my last moments at The Wall

On top of a sushi date, Tidal Waves, word puzzles, a superhero breakfast, and a rerun of The Devil Wears Prada...I could not have asked for a better week.

Today I spent my last time at Sophies Coffe with Gessenia preparing for her interview tomorrow (!!!) and jamming out to Paradise by Coldplay...




I am so thankful for the love and support I have gotten from all of my friends and family. It has been such an amazing journey these past five months and there is no way on earth I would have made it through without their encouraging words, optimism and faith in me. My biggest thank you goes to Gessenia- the one I could count on to get me back on my feet, to push me to keep moving forward, and to remind me of all the reasons why I made the choices and I did (even on the days I didn't want to hear it). I love you with all my heart!

We expect the world.

And Then There Was Boathouse

My Alumni Reunion was this weekend- can you believe it?! ALUMNI. Mixed in with the conversations of fond memories and gossip, I was prepared for the questions of, "what are you doing now?" To my surprise, I was way more confident explaining my situation than I had thought. 

"Still looking... interviewed at this place...met really awesome people...FutureM... The perfect job waiting is for me." When the conversation was taken to the next level of intimacy, I was asked to describe that perfect place. I answered with three things:

The people, opportunity for growth, and the quality of work.

(Fade into the day before)

My interview at Boathouse Group went so well. I met with five amazing people- two Account Managers, a woman in HR, one of the co-founders, and a good friend. Everyone I met with was inspiring. They were passionate about what they do, spoke so highly of Boathouse, and attributed it all to the people that work there. With this company, there are no titles on businesses cards, no cubicles and no separate departments; everyone is on the same team. I mean, even the CFO met with me- how cool is that?!

I left the interview so pleased. Not only with myself but with Boathouse Group. No matter the outcome, Friday was another experience where I learned a little more about myself and the amazing opportunities that are out there. Big and glamorous in the city, or small and passionate in Waltham, MA- Boathouse Group has caught my attention.

Inbox (1)

This girl has an interview tomorrow at Boathouse Group! It's a small advertising agency in Waltham, MA I had visited for an informational interview back in April. I'm so excited! Of course, Gessenia is across the country visiting the state she can practically call her second home, so unfortunately my excitement hasn't been shared with her yet (it's 6am there). But I'm sure she'll wake up with my positive vibes.

The rest of my day will be spent preparing. Off to the "I'm Awesome" chart...

City Lights

Here we are back at Sophies. Walking in from the torrential down pour we couldn't help but reflect on our first meetings here at the beginning of the summer. It really put the time that has passed into perspective comparing our cold shiver to the heat we were trying to escape just a few months ago.

Today's goal- make business cards. (Don't get me wrong, there's a list of 50 other things behind that) We've been brainstorming for nearly an hour now. How can we be creative while portraying the right message? What will differentiate us from the millions of others while still being professional?

...That's what we've come up with so far, but no purchases have been made yet.

This coming week is the FutureM in Boston. Gessenia and I are registered for Monday, Tuesday and Thursday for awesome events involving Sports and Entertainment, Branding, Social Media and virtual workshops as well. While the intentions behind this production is to educate marketers and keep them on the forefront, we want to take it as a networking opportunity and be as prepared as possible.

It's been a hectic week of playing catch up all the while trying to stay ahead of the game. My trip to Oklahoma was just what the doctor prescribed. I enjoyed spending time with my family, clearing my head and finally having time to relax. I soaked it for all it was worth because the fantasy world came to an abrupt end as soon as I returned home. Wednesday morning I was off to New York for yes, my interview at GLAMOUR MAGAZINE! That day I spent 8 hours traveling for a 45 minute interview and to me, it made perfectly good sense. Thanks to the "I'm Awesome" chart Gessenia and I had worked on just a few weeks prior, some serious research on the company and a good friend in NY, I walked out of the interview beaming. Finally an interview I had no hesitation when saying it went really well. Not only that, the role of Promotion Assistant turned out to be one that I genuinely believe I could thrive in- Creative proposals, budgets, event planning, even stuffing bags- it's a position that would get me excited. I can just see it now......*sigh* (daydreaming)

Before I left the city, my sister and I had the perfect dinner date at Alice's Tea Cup on the corner of Lexington and 64th. The tiny place sweeps you into a fairy tale as soon as you step in. Fairy dust is sprinkled everywhere, the food is exotic and tasteful,and the waitstaff are super sweet.



The whirlwind of my return didn't stop there. I afforded myself 5 hours of sleep when I finally got home only to make my way up to Boston for an all day Brand Camp at Jack Morton. SO worth the lack of sleep!

...more to follow

Marketing Yourself 101

Well the date is set - this Monday at 11:00am I will be having an interview of sorts with the HR of Lois Paul & Partners- on the phone. Despite my attempt of trying to get physically in the door at the agency, keeping in mind the advice I learned early on this summer - the HR had said it's protocol to have a phone conversation before any meeting is arranged. Khiara who played phone tag with the HR Manager of Alex And Ani last week, found herself getting blind sided with an interview, while babysitting two kids. Being resourceful as she is, she pulled through of course- but we both agreed further preparation is needed in case such an event occurs again. The reality of someone calling you on the spot, and not having a face in front of you to read and detect how the conversation is really going- is nerve wracking. Especially with all our resumes being sent through various networks we have met this summer while trying to get our foot- in -the- door. As thankful as we have been for the people who have been sending our resumes through for us, we find ourselves getting phone calls from business contacts who then begin probing us for a position we don't even know exactly what it entails. ( Half way through a conversation you realize we are talking about Project Management... when you studied Marketing.) We both have realized we need to think outside the box, and be able to take our knowledge about ourselves and apply it in any given situation at any given time.

I faithfully follow @AvidCareetist on Twitter - so helpful! And she recently posted an article by Career Shepra, The Best Job Search Tool Ever. It is basically a Marketing Plan of yourself. Of course ours is slightly different, but thus far its been a great help for organizing all our skills and their related experience.

Hopefully it will help my phone conversation lead to an invite for a face-to- face conversation. I'll let you know.

1 Down... (enter # here) More to Go

As I'm driving to Waltham, MA , I have the AC blasting to keep my curls to their most non -frizz potential before I have to face the heat wave outside. My go- to professional business jacket is hanging in the back seat, my heels are in my purse while I sport my Sperrys in the meantime. I have a folder stacked with resumes and Map Quest directions in my lap that read my destination is only an hour and 20 away -yet I left three hours in advance. I have my A game on. The only challenge left is to get through an interview at Racepoint Group flawlessly. Wrong.

My next challenge is to find the building. After circling a parking garage, walking across the street to the wrong industrial park, asking a few people,walking back- I found it. Leaving three hours early didn't seem so silly after all (hate that my mom is always right.)

Now in my jacket and heels standing tall in the waiting room, smiling at everyone that walks by, I'd say I was doing a good job at hiding the pit in my stomach filled with nervousness. The secretary asks me if I would like anything- a juice a water etc. I politely say "No thank you I'm fine" even though I'm dying of thirst (stupid habit) - she hands me a water anyways and replies "you're going to be talking to a lot of people you'll need one."

With my newly acquired water came along with an increase heart rate. Talking to a lot of people? What was I getting into. To make it worse while I'm filling my application I come across the reference page. Shouting at myself in my head on why the hell don't I have a an already printed out paper with all my references information -(amateur move!)- I fumble through the business cards I brought with me and try to get the rest of the info on my phone that has no service.

Shana, the head HR at Racepoint Group finally greeted me and lead me to a room -and it was all up hill from there. Of course it helped that she was an incredibly sweet woman, but the nerves disappeared and I just felt like - Me. The best part was, I meant everything I said, and I believed it. While talking about my experiences and what I have learned a light bulb kind of went off like - Hey I am qualified for this job! And I could feel my confidence shining through, Throughout the 2 hours there I met with another Account Executive and an Account Coordinator. All three conversations were genuinely pleasant, and It felt great.

Leaving the building, (after switching out of my heels and back into my Sperrys of course) I felt like skipping to my car. But coming down from my high I stopped. As great as it was, I have to keep going, keep applying, keep networking. This is no one and done. But the experience was so worth while and I know with each interview it can only get better. But Racepoint Group isn't going anywhere and either am I. I have a feeling we will meet again soon.

WARNING: Information Overload

Despite a couple minor setbacks, or several... as Khiara mentioned in the last post, I got to my informational interview on time. Note to self- One coffee is good enough for the morning. Call it the caffeine, call it the nerves, I was not feeling like myself.

That changed the minute I walked in the doors of 131 Oliver Street, as a security guard asked for my I.D., snapped a picture of me, and handed me a pass as he directed me to the second floor to New Directions. (Impressive eh?)

I then met with Carol, VP of New Directions and Joan, head of First Directions, ( a program helping recent grads and young professionals in particular- lucky me!)

As I write this post I am excited/anxious- hence, the title - info overload. The informational interview was awesome. They brainstormed with me on how I should go about taking my job search to the next level. They already had my resume printed out with corrections from the header to footer - even my Linkedin profile. For the sake of the length of the blog post I will bullet 10 general pointers they gave me. (Hopefully un-clutter my mind a bit)


1. Who are your resources? Something we all know but they really stressed on how much bigger my network can be. My Mother is part of NAWIC - where plenty of business leaders are gathered for networking conferences. They even suggested bringing business cards to the Golf Course with me.

2. MAKE A LIST- list companies. Find out Companies from PBN, The Boston Journal. Fortune 500's. Companies to research and ask for informational interviews. What I thought was super important about this point, is they said you need to research directly and indirectly. Researching companies in different publications and not only looking at them, but clients they have worked with, and considered them as potential employers. They also said to make lists of what I like, and as i meet more and more people from these companies and find out their corporate culture, I will learn more about myself and where to look. You need a "vision."

3. Be in the Know! Read on-going trends and, check out the "investors" part of these companies websites - the majority have press releases there.

4. Be innovative/Stand out- Carol really broke the mold by establishing a Women's National Chapter for Golf, a place for women to Network and also for her, hence now she is working in Boston (She is a RI Native also.) Both Carol and Joan seemed impressed with "Graduate Swagg" as a way of being innovative, but they both suggested it needs to be somewhere where people can see it. Hence my LinkedIn. They also agreed I should put work from classes and internships as a mini portfolio on too.

5. Which brings me to my next point - Get in front of the person that Hires you. I continued to tell them my involvement with Twitter, and trying to create a real digital presence - they agreed that is a good idea, but those people aren't always the ones that are hiring. Not to toot my own horn or anything - okay I am- but they both said, once they meet me- they will hire me. Therefore I need to become a member of something, go to a workshop or networking event and meet people face -to-face.

6. Which also leads me to my next point - write down what people say about you. When you get to that next interview and they ask "describe to us who you are yada yada" you can sound more modest and genuine. So far I have, well- spoken, high -energy, and a great smile... They said it not me!

7. Be Organized from the start when it comes to networking- And I mean whoever you meet. Whether it was just a run in, an informational interview, a phone conversation, backyard BBQ. Write their name down, when it happened, something particular about the conversation, and follow up. And keep it somewhere where you can get back to. More often then not, in the business world your connections overlap in different ways at different times. Consider it your "database."

8. Add an "Objective" part to the top of your resume. I've had several professors and mentors tell me different - but they stood firm that I need to differentiate myself as much as I can. Meaning, even more than having an Objective at the top of my resume, make it really stand out and be true.

9. Try to reach out to people you can connect with about a mutual interest. An Alumni of URI. If the company has a diversity program or Women leadership program you want to know more about. Angle your reasoning on wanting to connect with them so you're not just another kid desperate to meet.

10. When writing your cover letter, make the connection for them between your traits and what they can do for them. They mentioned that many will write they are hard working, detail oriented etc etc. and any reasonable person would think that It would be a great trait for their workplace. Wrong. You need to draw it out for them. ".. will benefit measuring countless impressions..." I would tackle this problem by..."

Overload? I'm still sweating over the fact If I should send hand written thank yous in the mail. (According the the book I am reading, Women, Work & The Art of Savoir Faire - Hand - written is a must. ) Or Just an Email? or Both? I am deciding on both for the mere fact the 4th of July weekend activities ( My Graduation Party, Blocked Island, and Kayaking-...all future posts!!) have postponed some of my professional goals and I would hate for my thank you note to seem like an after thought rather than a sincere thank you.

So I am tired- I worked a double at the golf course today and my mind is running laps now with so much that needs to be done. Not to mention following up with Bank of America, Cone, Race Point Group and RISD. I am unplugging myself in 3..2...1..Good Night.

Bostonians

7:30am: (401): So excited for todayyyyy! I'm on my way...Boston here we come!

7:55am: After getting to her house, Gessenia and I spent a considerable amount of time deciding which shoes she should wear to her informational interview. It was between her reliable "mature" white shoes or her stylish nude suede heels. After weighing the pros and cons, we obviously agreed on the latter...(it may be an interview, but you still have to look fabulous!) With the assistance of her mom, Gessen's outfit was complete and we were ready to catch the 8:38am train.

8:38am: We're only at exit 20 on 95. "Looks like we're taking the 9am train!"

8:45am: We purchased our tickets and it wasn't until we stepped out of Cafe Le France (or whatever it is) that we realized he said the next train was at 9:48. What?! Not possible. Turns out we somehow managed to read the schedule wrong the night before. After a brief moment of panic we did what he had to do and paid the extra money to buy another ticket for the 9:16 Acela.

9:05am: As we were waiting outside for the train I grabbed my camera off the ground to snap a pic of the State House. Silly me forgot I was using my camera to keep my ticket from flying away. Sure enough my ticket took off. As it drifted toward the tracks I had a moment of poor judgment and envisioned myself doing whatever I had to do to get it back in my possession...even if that meant jumping down to the tracks to grab it. Thankfully I caught it just as I stepped onto the yellow section. Gessenia and I died laughing at my frantic scramble and it wasn't until we read the sign "Caution live wires below" that we fell silent. That could have been bad.

9:48am: We arrived in Boston after numerous mock interviews and the extension of our Boston dream. We had just enough time to find New Directions on Oliver Street and grab a multi-grain bagel at Starbucks.





12:00pm: I got quite far into my book, Firefly Lane, while I had waited for Gessenia outside on a park bench down Oliver Street. When she finally walked out of New Directions it looked like a whole new level of excitement had come over her. She was reassured, motivated and was so excited to share the information she had learned during the past hour and a half. (I'm sure she'll go more into detail in her blog to follow)

We lost track of time for the rest of the day and it only continued to get better. We walked around Quincy Market and found Gessenia the perfect graduation party dress at Urban Outfitters. We grabbed lunch at a little Mexican restaurant where we discussed our next move (career wise) over apps and a pitcher of white sangria. We made a lengthy check list and decided to step our game up even more (after the 4th of course!). After we paid the bill and checked our statuses in the mirror, we took off-with no plan in particular just to make the most out of our trip. We hopped around from place to place, even tried watermelon flavored beer, until Gessenia got a call from a friend (who saw her tweet- that she was in Boston) and we made our way to The Landing. It was so exciting to be in the Boston crowd, mixed in with people who were just getting out of work and really feeling like we belong here.

After too many drinks and too many laughs my boyfriend scooped us up after his night class at 10:15pm and we headed home. It was such a perfect day....and we still have unused tickets back!

I'm in love...with Jack

I couldn't help but grin when the elevator doors opened to the fifth floor of 142 Berkeley Street in Boston.

 This is exactly the type of place I'm looking for.

My boyfriend and I left Rhode Island at 9am yesterday for my 11:30 informational interview with Jack Morton. The entire trip up there I couldn't get out of my day dreaming mode. I have been following Jack Morton on twitter as well as keeping up with their blog, but I still had no idea what to expect. How will the interview go? What are the people like there? Who will I meet? What will the place look like? Will they like me? Is it as cool as I think? Let's just say it was better than I imagined. The women I met with were absolutely wonderful, gave me great insight into the company, and could not say enough great things about Jack Morton. Lucky for me, a woman from HR stopped in to say hello and informed me that they were interviewing for an open Freelance position....even though I wasn't there to be interviewed, she said I would considered if it was something I was interested in....(how exciting!) so we'll see what happens! Overall I left there beaming and was sure to snap the above picture before the elevator doors closed on me.

I extended my stay in the city and spent the rest of the afternoon walking around Boston with my boyfriend. He took me to lunch at Salvatores (where we spent our first Valentine's together!) and we window shopped on Newbury Street... something I'll be doing one day with my bff during our lunch breaks ;)

It was such a perfect day....and I can't wait to soak it all in again this Thursday with Gessenia.

Present Occupation: Beach Bum

FINALLY THE SUN IS OUT! And things are looking up.

Khiara's Informational Interview went better than imagined, let's just say a situation 2. My older sister Kendra, who just graduated from Providence College with a Masters in Special Education, had her first interview for a teaching position last Friday (and I thought the job market was tough for my Field - try and be a teacher in the state of the Rhode Island) and ironically, her best friend Lindsay who has lived up the street from us our entire lives, had an interview the same day ( She also studied PR at URI.) It was only fitting that both of them got confirmation that they got their first "big girl jobs" yesterday within hours of each other. Weird huh? I can't tell you how happy I am for both of them. Seeing my sister jump up and down , a 25 year -old, tears in her eyes of just pure happiness. I Know what she was thinking, " it was all worth it." Every decision and step she made, substituting for almost two years, busting her butt to get into grad school, from being dead broke, living with her parents all through college, taking all those summer classes and not making it to the beach... all lead her to where she is today.

And Lindsay. She's something special. The type of person that just draws you in with her humor, charm and good looks. Always was that "in" girl, promoted for a liquor company, lived the fabulous young life, bar hoping, trips to Vegas, a total beach bum in the summer, and her worst worries were if it was raining or too cold out- she wasn't going out. But as she got older, 25 now, the panic started setting in, of when this real job was going to happen. She told me how interviews started going sour, when they were asking what has she been up to for the past three years and why she hadn't already been hired. Now, in two weeks she will be doing marketing and events for a medical company, which requires her to travel and be on the go and starting at an impressive salary. As linds puts it, "a cubicle was never for her."

After getting the good news, us three and a few other friends went down to the beach yesterday, taking advantage of the beautiful weather. And me and Linds got to talking. She was expressing her excitement and fears about finally starting her professional career. I told her mine. We talked about how our mind sets were different after graduating college. When she graduated college in 2009, she wasn't on careerbuilder looking for a job frantically yet, she wanted time to enjoy herself, and that the people she knows that did do that, weren't so happy. I thought about this. It's not the first time. I know I'm young, 21 - years -old. I have my whole life to work. And I'm sure that first job I get most certainly won't be my favorite. But I am ok with that. I am ready for something new. I want to be somewhere different. Not to discount Lindsay's path for a second, everything worked out for her. Because in the scheme of everything, our lives are not resumes that we need to continuously build to impress others. It's an experience. And how you spend your time and find fulfillment is only up to you.

So things worked out. Everyone has their own path. Things happen. Good and Bad. But Everyone gets there. Where ever "there" is. I'm sure my journey to my Scenario 1 Life isn't going to happen over night, but I'll get there. In the mean time, all you can do is soak up the sun for what it's worth.

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.