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.)

The joys of interviewing

"Tell us about yourself."

What a heavy question.

Where to begin?

Well... waaaaaaay back in 1987, a stubborn, blond little lady was born in Tucson, AZ to a father just out of medical school and mother who doubled as a special education teacher.

Hah.

There is definitely an art to interviewing. Think about it ... if we treat each interview question as an exponential equation, the response given by the interviewee then guides the interview into unforseen territory. When someone asks (or more like states), "Tell me about yourself.", one can go in many different directions. The gist is the same but depending on where you begin and where you end, the entire direction of the interview goes down a different camino (path).

For example, I had an interview last Thursday at a wonderful public relations agency in downtown Seattle. They began with the loaded question. Amongst the verbal spewage that was my answer, I mentioned that I work with a rescue horse organization as a way of giving back. We then had a several minute conversation about animals because two of the three interviewers had either worked at a veterinary clinic, trained guide dogs or showed Quarter Horses.

And in a way -- that's the beauty of an interview.

There is no guide. No format. There's preparation -- yes. An interview is a two-way conversation and just like in normal turns of conversation, can go down surprising and unexpected paths.

I have my second interview today. This time a phone interview. I'm open and ready for the art of beautiful conversation.

And by the way, Korea is a no-go. Sorry but I was just gone for a year. I'm ready to be home. Meeting someone wonderful might have helped :) Details to come.
(PHOTO credit: image one - http://www.international-job-search.com/interview%20reduced.jpg.)