I am at my new job for a whole eight hours today. I’d love to take the opportunity and get lots done, but unfortunately I don’t have access to the system I need to complete THE ONE PROJECT THEY GAVE ME. And no one is here. So I blog…
The Pink Fairy Goes Blue: Yes! You heard it! She got a fantabulous job with The Blue Man Group! Woot! There is absolutely hope for all us schmoes that have a degree and haven’t yet had the chance to use it!
I’m a Yes girl: Even if you don’t have a pristine record, you CAN get a job. I relate to people who have made mistakes. I feel for people who have been fired or misused and abused by former bosses. You’re not a failure—your job history doesn’t have to sparkle, it can absolutely have a patina. We hired someone for my position and even though she had a few marks against her, I really liked her and I think all will work out in the end. I remember when I interviewed for my first job… I totally almost cried because during the interview they asked me about the time I quit without notice! Eek! It was totally traumatizing!
Oh Oprah!: Oprah gets my gears turning every time I watch her show. So far this year I have vowed to cut down on my napkin usage, I have tried to clean with all-natural products and reduce my usage of chemicals, I have switched to a more eco-friendly soaps and detergents, and I only use a soap box if the box is biodegradable. I have also decided that once things calm down a bit, I will look for an opportunity to be a mentor in the community. In July I want to investigate this whole world called retirement savings. I also plan to crack down and finish my Cormac McCarthy books. Actually, I just really need to read all those book club books that I got at Costco in the last couple of years!
TV Time: Now that all my shows are on hiatus, I have some open slots…here’s what I’m filling them with: Top Chef, My Life on the D-List, The Age of Love (it will make you feel smart and beautiful, I swear!) Last Comic Standing, Arrested Development (on DVD!), Coupling (the UK version on DVD), and La Femme Nikita (boy that J.J. is a rip-off!).
What are you guys and gals up to?
Last week I had the dubious task of helping my supervisor pick candidates to interview for my position. What I have seen makes me scared for the future of humanity. Here are some tips that might just help you get more than a cursory glance from prospective employers:
Complete all areas of the application, and provide a résumé and cover letter even if it’s not required. One of my bosses has a favorite saying: I would rather have information I don’t need than need information I don’t have. If you are young and just starting your professional life, reference the skills you have gained in school, volunteering, and through other activities or organizations. This will give your potential employer a sense of who you are, and it will show them that you are resourceful and able to think outside the proverbial box.
Proof read, spell check, and grammar check until you are blue in the face. There will be no forgiveness if you have an ill used apostrophe or are missing a word if you claim to be “detail oriented.” Even when completing an online application, you should use a web-based spell check and grammar check tool. If you aren’t that savvy you can also copy and paste the text into a word processing document and triple check that everything is perfect. My current supervisor scrutinized each application before even reading the supplemental documentation. Don’t knock yourself out of the running just because of a careless error.
When attaching a résumé or cover letter online, always convert documents to a PDF file or include them in the body of the application. With so many versions of word processing programs, the room for formatting errors is huge. I can’t tell you how many of the résumés and cover letters came out askew after we downloaded the files and opened them with our own programs.
Figure out the addressee of the cover letter. Call the company or department and ask who will be reviewing and making the hiring decisions. I did this for my current job, and I found out later from one of my references that it made a huge difference in my boss’ decision to hire me. I have also discovered that there is often a search committee and not just one person behind the recruitment process. For my new job I opted to address my cover letter Dear Selection Committee. It’s a bit less personal, but it’s a good idea to do this if you know that a variety of people will be reviewing your application. In most circumstances it is never a good idea to address your cover letter To Whom it May Concern or Dear HR.
I think that’s plenty to chew on for now! Happy job hunting!
I’ve been caught up in my world lately and haven’t had much of a chance to pipe up. I have a few posts that I’m working on, but I thought I’d take these five minutes before my boss gets back to indulge in a little break. You all know that I break for blogs!
I am finally breathing easier after I got some new meds that my health insurance didn’t initially want to cover. I slept well for the first time in at least a week. Hooray!
I must not cheer too wildly though because my car is in the shop. Barring further complications, I should get it back this afternoon after I shell out $400. Bust! The only plus to that negative is that I’m going to have to leave work early to pick up my car, so I’ll get home before rush hour!
I got my new comfy desk chair and I love it so much. I was able to give Violet the Bohemian my other chair since I won’t be needing it anymore. It’s always nice to know that your things will be treated nicely in their new homes.
Tomorrow I’ll start training at my new job. I’m stoked about it and of course a little nervous. I’m not looking forward to using my lunch hour for traveling to my new office. But on the plus side I already have a lunch invitation for Wednesday! Score! My current boss has NEVER invited me to lunch, so already this is a vast improvement.
I shall return later with tips for interviewing and writing a stellar cover letter—not only do I have my own extensive experience, but I’ve also had the chance recently to see it from the employers perspective!