Something old, something new

For all the lamenting about the job search, the "real" world is rather routine. Not that I don't marvel at the fact that I'm entirely independent and am free to make my own decisions but -- a job is basically what gives you freedom to play after work.

I've been in Seattle for over four months now working in the advertising and marketing department at an international retailer. My primary responsibility is fulfilling all components of the ad cycle - beginning with the concept, morphing it into a layout, proofing, eventually printing and publishing ads for 12 Costco-esque stores in the Caribbean and South Pacific and then analyzing sales data to see what worked and what didn't. Gets me thinking about getting a certificate in graphic design. We outsource designers to make our ads visually appealing ... but if I were able to do that ... well, imagine the possibilities!

I love living in the big city. The snowy peak of Mt. Rainer serves as a backdrop to the Evergreen studded Eastside while Lake Union and Puget Sound bring the ocean practically to my backyard. Seattle and the surrounding area is a playground for nature lovers. The views take my breath away on a daily basis. Weather is as Seattle is famous for -- variable. It's been spectacular the past week or two but as we've all become familiar with, can go from the 80s to raining in one fell swoop.

I'm currently living with five fabulous young women like myself in a quaint house in a charming neighborhood on Queen Anne. That is all about to change. At the end of the month, I'm moving to a studio apartment in Eastlake. My drive home will be cut by 20 minutes easily. I've never lived alone and it's something I've always said I wanted to do. Why not now? And -- I can get a pet! I've been an animal lover since birth. Believe it or not ... my first "word" was actually a sentence ... "Good dog, Phaedra, good dog." Probably repeating what I'd heard my parents say countless times ... but still -- I was speaking to my pet.

Still with that special person I alluded to way back in January. Big smile.

On that note, I'll leave you be. Wanted to give an update before I proceed with Bakan parte dos once again.

XOXO - Bre

When you could go many ways...

Decisions, decisions, decisions. How do you answer your million dollar question?

Practicality? Matters of the heart? "Eeny, meeny, miny, moe"?

Case in hand: Hold your applause. I got a job!! But... it pays $10,000 a year. Yes, it is full-time. How can it be possible, you ask? It's AmeriCorps. And it does come with $200 in food stamps every month, if that helps. In a year's time, however, I'll be right back where I am now - searching for a job in a tight market amongst qualified applicants.

When $10 an hour internships go to people with Masters degrees that speak four languages, you know there's an economic problem on the loose.

I turned down the AmeriCorps job. I don't know if I did the right thing. I'm holding out for my dream. But how long am I going to give this dream before I decide to earn pennies and live like a pauper while doing something that would make me happy? Everything about the AmeriCorps job sounded fantastic. Except the salary. That's reality speaking.

I let my heart speak last year and it took me to Santiago, Chile to teach English. Might it be time for practicality to dictate this time around?

Practicality seems to be taking its sweet time. I'm learning my lesson in patience.

In the mean time, I am living life. I made it up to Whistler the week before the opening ceremonies of the Olympics started and got to rub shoulders with all the athletes in Whistler village. The energy was dripping with enthusiasm, excitement and goodwill. Frowns were not to be found. On our last night there, we went to a Haiti benefit concert and silent auction and are now proud owners of tickets to the men's free-style ski jump event tomorrow night at Cyprus Mountain in Vancouver! Holler.

I'll make sure to let ya'll know how the Olympics are!

In regards to AmeriCorps -- because the people there are so awesome -- I will be able to re-apply in a few months for a similar position and probably get it if my whole "dream" of having a career job that pays a normal salary doesn't pan out. Here's what it boils down to...

Life is unpredictable.

I can't say what I'll be doing in a month.

But somehow, someway ... it all works out. Right?

Over to you -- Let's hear about your transition periods. What path did you choose? Did you ever have a heart vs. head decision to make? Which path did you choose?

(PHOTO credits: image one: http://juchiaetan.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/payperpost-realrank-decisions.jpg ---  image two: http://www.gamesbids.com/english/images/article/van_2010_logo.jpg)

Resiliency -- life's secret

"You'll bounce back."
The famous last words from a best friend's ex-boyfriend after breaking up with her. Not exactly what you want to hear, right? It certainly didn't make the situation easier. But she cried for a few days, ate a carton of ice cream and went on her way. She's now in a happy relationship with an engineer she'll probably marry.

Life's greatest lesson of all is this -- amongst those topsy turvy turns and unexpected changes is a new day. Everyday.

Dealing with things you don't want to hear isn't easy. Especially when your situation depends on it. Unemployed? Great. Minimal savings? Even better.

Instead of getting antsy and irrational -- get creative. An unexpected blessing of this downturned economy is the push it gave those out there that were coasting. A sense of discomfort in relation to jobs or life leads many to one of two options: stressed, panicked and shut-down or inspired, energized and optimistic. Perhaps elements of both. Generally, however; personality traits dictate where one will stand.

Resiliency = the ability to "bounce back".

Let's test your resiliency. This test comes from Awakenings, found at http://lessonsforliving.com/index.htm.

First, get a clean sheet of paper. Number the right side 1-20. Next, list 20 things you would like to do. Anything from taking your dog for a walk to changing the world.

Simple enough, yes? Maybe not. You may have trouble coming up with 20 items, according to Awakenings. I'll keep you posted. I'm about to make my list.

Let your list sit for a week. When you check back in, put a W next to the things you did the prior week. If you hit 75 percent, you probably had a fantastic week. Did you really go sky-diving? Nice! Maybe you met 50 percent of your to-do list. Good. Anything under 50 percent means you might want to wake-up and get proactive.

Alright, time to evaluate your list again. Now go over it and mark a P by the activities that take more than 20 minutes to plan and prepare for. Are nearly all of them marked by a P? Maybe it's time to be spontaneous and simplify your life. Many enjoyable activities, like going for a walk or watching a romantic comedy, take a minute or less before you're on your way.

This evaluation measures what you set out to do and what you actually accomplish. Are you resilient? If you are, you'll make life necessities happen. And yes, painting your toenails is a necessity -- if that's what makes you happy at the end of the day.

There you go.

What do you do to boost your resiliency? Have you ever faced a significant challenge? What did you do to keep your spirits high and your optimism roaring full-speed ahead?

(PHOTO credit: http://denitza.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/creativity_504x428.jpg)

My glass is half-full

A closed door always leads to new opportunities.

Isn't that the truth?

I received my first "no", was a little bummed about it and then what do you know?

Just a day later, I got an interview at my dream agency as well as a job tip from within an international cruise ship organization for a marketing position. Things are still moving around here.

Phew.

According to http://www.job-search-coach.com/, a person's attitude has everything to do with the success and outcome of their job search.

I'm taking notes.

1. Keep the momentum rolling. Be proactive and take initiative. Don't put all your eggs in one basket but instead pursue every lead. Inactive waiting is poison.

2. Let go of expectations. We all know it's a tough market out there. Extra pressure backfires -- leading to aggression and nit-picky attitudes toward oneself. Creating approachable goals for each day is healthy.

3. Rejection isn't personal. Everyone faces it at some point in their life. The job search is just an uncongenial process.

4. Don't give up. Opportunity is just around the corner.

Thanks Job Search Coach! Check out the website if you want to delve in. It's pretty comprehensive.

I have an interview Tuesday afternoon. For an agency that I've already spent three hours at. They want another few hours from me before making their decision. When I went last Friday, they did a lot of talking. This time around I take it I'll be doing the talking.

It's prep time this weekend!

(PHOTO credits: image one - http://socialjusticenow.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/job-search-crossroads.jpg. image two - http://www.palomar.edu/counseling/careercenter/images/Local%20Career%20Fairs/opportunity_boulevard.gif.)

Rejection bites.

Yup.

I've got my first answer. The waiting game is over for my very first interview. And it's a big, fat N-O.

"Sorry, we've decided to proceed with another candidate."

Well ... I tried. And you know, I was prepared to hear some no's. But it still hurts a little. It's that whole "they didn't want me" thing. There's a lot of people fighting out there for a small number of positions. Someone just happened to be more qualified than I was. Or cooler. More charismatic perhaps. Did better on the spelling/grammer test? Who knows. There's no point in dwelling.

I do have a question though:

Can I be selective in my job search?

Take example A -- I went to a local chamber meeting last Thursday. I was introduced to this very nice gentleman who took a keen interest in connecting me with his business, a financial advising firm. Apparently the company recruits and trains their own financial advisors; no experience necessary. Sounds dicey? Maybe. However, this company is nationally respected. You've most likely heard of them.

His administrator contacted me almost immediately after he got to his office and gave her my business card. She passed along informational materials (1-day shipping for a DVD) and arranged for him to call me this A.M. I spoke to him briefly and he told me straight up that he thought I'd be a great candidate for three reasons:

ONE - I'm female. They're looking for more woman in the field apparently.
TWO - I speak Spanish. Always an asset.
THREE - I founded my own volunteer program when I was in high school. Which demonstrates initiative and an entrepreneurial spirit.

I was frank and told him that I was curious but that I'd had several interviews in Seattle and was exploring my options. Deep down, I know I don't necessarily want to be a financial advisor. However, receiving my first "no" today activates this panic button inside that tells me I'm running out of options. Not true. But you know me.

The man said he'd submit a referral for me, which entails me going out to lunch with him and some other official to further discuss possibilities. I would like to learn more, yes, but honestly -- I want to work at a global PR agency.

That's where my dream lies today.

I want a career in public relations. It combines everything I love to do -- speaking, reading, writing, research, putting together something creative but smart out of scattered details and facts -- and I crave that. I've been home for a month today. And while it's great to be at home, I itch to use this other side of me. The itch just gets stronger everyday.

So anyways -- back to the question.

Should I turn down this financial advisor opportunity because I'm chasing this global public relations dream? Can I do that when I have no income coming in and desperately need a job? The financial advisor thing is a committment -- the company invests around $60,000 in each employee they train. So if I was to say "yes" ... it would be for good. Or at least the next ten or so years.

Can I be selective in what I pursue?

I, after all, know myself better than anyone. I can see myself being happy doing public relations at a global level. I feel like I'd be putting to use what I was trained in and have been following as a passion since, well, I was ten. I won a writing competition and received a several day sailing trip on an ancient schooner at ten years old. I knew I wanted to involve words in whatever I did as a career since sixth grade. I can't give up on that now that I'm here.

But a job is a job. Or is it?

(PHOTO credits: image one - http://www.mario-kart.net/gamespy/images/8828rejection.jpg. Image two - http://ladyfi.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/midnight_dreams.jpg.)

Little things, lots of time

I'm not the type of person to enjoy having lots of free time. That's just not me.

In college, I was "that" person. The one involved in everything -- from tennis club to student societies to sororities to optional class projects to part-time jobs. And if there were leadership roles, I usually volunteered my services. When I graduated, I already knew that I was headed down to South America for my next adventure -- hence, no down time.

And now I'm back. With down time. Loooooots of down time. Until I find a job, this seems to be a full-time occupation.

But here's the deal: I have down time!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Loooooooots of down time!!!!!!!!!!

I was a little moody about not having things lined up for the first week or so I was home from Chile. I may have made a few snippy comments here or there.

I was quickly put in my place, however.

Everyone -- and I mean everyone -- was quick to remind just how lucky I was to have a break. Once I enter the working world, there's no looking back. A lot of workers thirty years deep into their careers would give their right arm for a month off.

So I've been taking time to enjoy being free and irresponsible. (By irresponsible, I mean not having a paid job. My 22 years of age belie my non-rebellious ways).

My friends and I decided to go listen to some live music at a local bar last night (Sunday). We were probably 40 years younger on average than the rest of the good 'ol country folk at The Edison. Which drew attention -- typically positive -- except when a 65+ year old volumptious lady with a cane demanded we move out of her line of vision because she couldn't see all those single men she'd been eyeing. We quickly moved to faciliate her prowling.

A little while later, my friend Lani was curious as to how her search was going and asked her so. The lioness whipped out notebook with not one, but three numbers! And had a lunch date for Wednesday. All in a good day's work.

I'm learning to appreciate the little moments like that. If I had a job, I wouldn't be out on a Sunday night. I've gotten to catch up with so many friends I hadn't even been able to catch-up with before I left . I have near daily morning coffee catch-up sessions with my best friends. I go on bike rides and runs around Samish Island's three-mile loop like no one's business. I make jewelry.

I'm going to do this. And be grateful about it. Because I know that when I do get that job, I'll look back on these days and go, "Ohhh the good old days."

Down time isn't so bad after all...
(PHOTO credit: image one - http://sarabarton.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/busy-lady.jpg.)

The joys of waiting

Symptoms of post-interview waiting disorder:

1. Complusive e-mail checking
2. Cell phone seems to have become an extended part of self
3. Time passes reaaaaaally slow
4. Jumping when a phone rings or a "You've got mail" announcement pops up
5. Restlessness to boot

Waiting is the worst.

Worse than the nerves before an interview. Worse than the hours spent researching the company and prepping for the interview. Worse than the "What to wear?" dilemma. Worse than even blowing an interview.

Because that constant, niggling little thought is ALWAYS in the back of your mind... "Will I hear from them today? Tomorrow? Right now? In an hour? This afternoon? On Friday?"

It doesn't stop. Let me tell you.

What to do to combat the wonderfulness that is waiting for THE call or e-mail?

Keep busy. Be proactive. Research other job possibilities (just in case they found someone better than you .. unlikely, of course, but always good to be prepared). Network like no one's business. Do something that you can bring to your next interview -- like making a blog. Hah.

Here's what I'm doing:

1. Making jewelry (new obsession and a good distraction...)
2. Applying for other jobs
3. Attending local chamber of commerce and rotary meetings (Did someone say networking..?)
4. Reading Isabel Allende's Paula
5. Keeping my blog up-to-date
6. Working with a rescue horse organization
7. Helping my parents around the house

And inevitably... wondering when I'll hear ... if at all.

Waiting is the worst.
(PHOTO credit: image one - http://www.patientpowernow.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/waiting.gif.)