Do Your Research... On Yourself!

I'm sure you all do some research when it comes to applying to jobs, well at least I hope you do. Have you considered doing research on you?

Every once and again I think its a good idea to Google yourself (or use yahoo, Bing, etc...) to see what other people see when they look you up. Whether it be some embarrassing photos or an award you forgot about it is a good idea to know what's floating around the Internet about you.

Maybe its time to "clean up your digital dirt." If you are serious about looking for a job, some employers take the time to do the research and they may stumble upon those crazy frat party photos you have posted on Facebook or those not so pleasant tweets. It is possible that things like this can turn an employer away from hiring you.

Its important to make sure your Internet identity represents you in the best light and will help you get hired. I have gone through Facebook and deleted photos and comments that may not make me seem too appealing to potential employers should they search for me. Although they have privacy settings on these social networking sites I feel its always better just to not have it there, people can hack almost everything, its better to be safe than sorry.

You should always be careful with what you do and post online, you never know who's watching.

-K

One Way to Keep Yourself Busy - Look For Simple Side Jobs

Hey sorry it's been a while, things have gotten a bit crazy around here. 


Quick update: Alex finally got a job and starts next week.... YAY! He will be writing in soon to talk about the experience. Also I have talked with a couple of friends that are in different working situations, and some have agreed to write in with any pointers they may have or stories they want to share, so stay tuned. (I also promise to start writing in more regularly since everything is calming down) So here we go on one of the things that Alex and I tried to do while we were still unemployed (some we are still involved in).

If you are still looking for work or you need a little something extra, take your talents and put them to good use.

Before we moved to NYC, Alex used to (and still does over the phone) help his friends with computer, Internet, and electronics problems. They didn’t normally pay him much, and a lot of the time it wasn’t with money, but it kept him busy and it would bring him something.

I wish I could say I used to do something like babysit on the side, but I was not blessed with the “motherly” gene. Instead while I was in college (already working two jobs and taking a full course load) I used to tutor for extra money. Some kids really needed it (mostly those party animals) and it worked out where I could help them in between classes.

Since being out of school and in the working world, I’ve more recently thought about getting a certificate to be a wedding/event planner. Ever since working at my dad’s flower shop when I was a teenager I’ve been fascinated with it. I helped my brother and my sister-in-law plan their wedding; it was a lot of work, but a lot of fun (for me hehe). I’m very organized and I like to negotiate. I honestly feel it could be a good side business to start (especially in NYC).

Side jobs should be skills you already have (I guess unlike my idea), but it can make life more interesting to branch out and see what you can do.

I read an article in Time Out New York about earning extra money where it listed a bunch of different ways to make some extra cash (TONY). You should check it out.

Anther thing to do is to start a blog and write about what you know, or post pictures and or music you like. Like Alex said before, it is important to stay sane while job hunting and its always nice go earn some extra cash while you’re waiting for you big break.


-K

Event Marketing Job Postings

If you are interested in marketing, and you search for jobs online you will most likely see postings for “Event Marketing.” I would be very cautious when approaching these.

“Why?” You may ask, well I’ll tell you… right after college I was determined that I wasn’t going to live with my parents for long, so I started applying to many different kinds of jobs, not just in the music industry. I figured using marketing as a keyword could find me an enjoyable job seeing as I minored in marketing. I saw a few postings for “Event Marketing Management Training” and just “Event Marketing.” I was naïve and thought what have I got to lose? I am not going to lie I thought it was like a planning company that other companies outsourced to help them plan marketing campaigns that would eventually lead up to an event. I have always been interested in event planning so it could be a good fit. I applied to 4 or 5 of these ads, and the next day they all called me to come in for interviews the next week. So I made a schedule and a game plan – printed out directions to and from each of them (I did schedule 2 in the same day as to save me money with gas since they were all at least 2 hours away from where I was living). I was most definitely prepared for these interviews.

I showed up to the first interview, they explained how the process worked: you are an Associate for a few months (I believe it was three), then you move up to Junior Manager for another three or four months or until the partners believe you are ready and you move up to Manager and you are able to run your own campaigns and events. Now it sounded interesting especially when they asked me for a second interview, which was “in the field observing.” Every company asked me to go on a second interview; however I only went to one – believe me I couldn’t take much more than that to know it wasn’t for me. The person I “shadowed” was setting up an event for Bobby Brown cosmetics outside under a pop up tent in front of a DSW in Glensdale, NY (Long Island). I was meant to observe and absorb everything they were showing me, but I was not allowed to do “selling.” After which they “quizzed” me about what I observed and then I was called back to the office for the third and final interview, where I was offered the job on the spot. It was solely commission base on how well you “marketed” the product, which really meant how annoying you could be like the kiosk people at the mall trying to sell you useless junk that doesn’t work anyway. I told the woman I would need a few days and after I got home that day I called her and the other three or four companies back and told them I was not interested.

It just seemed off to me. And after a lot of thought I realized it had to be some sort of a scam, the job postings didn’t really give a good description of the job and you had to guarantee them like three years of your service. For me this didn’t seem to be a legit option especially since I wanted to be taken seriously when it comes to my work.

This is a case where I did research on the companies, but nothing of was how the jobs and companies really were. Unless you want to be one of the annoying kiosk people you see in the malls or on the sidewalks, this is not a good opportunity.


-k

Patience

I know there is a saying – “good things happen to those who wait,” but it’s hard to just sit and wait. I am the sanest when I have a ton of things to do, and sitting around waiting for a call back about a job or an interview makes me NUTS>

I have tried to find thing to occupy my time (i.e. starting this blog) but my mind continues to circle around the call or email I am waiting for. I am constantly checking my blackberry for service, emails, and any indication that something is going to happen for me.

Patience is a Virtue

A virtue I haven’t had in my possession until I started teaching myself yoga. I know it may sound like cliché but I really think it has been helping me relax a little and take a step back to realize again it’s only a matter of time before something good happens.

If you don’t believe that, then what is the point of life? I honestly think that everyone needs something to look forward to or needs goals to fulfill in life to keep moving and growing.

I keep thinking of Dory singing “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming” from Finding Nemo when I think of patience, because you need to keep moving forward and to keep pushing along until you reach that goal.

My patience has paid off however, since accepting the job at the law firm I have been offered two interviews within the music industry. Even though these jobs are not guaranteed I am just super excited to get the interviews in my field. That is the best relief I have felt in a long time. So just keep focused and everything will work out for you in the end.

-K

Cover Letters – Please Help

Writing an effective cover letter can be tricky. For me I have trouble not rewriting my resume in letter format. I also have a little problem making it pop when someone reads it, I feel like it just drones on and on. I know you really need to make it sell yourself; I have always had a hard time writing about myself.

A year or so ago, I asked a friend to help make a more generic one that I could just customize for each job I applied for. This has worked but now I feel like it sounds more like a robot wrote it rather than me. It just doesn’t have a pulse and definitely has no personality. I really want to learn how to take it to the top and make a “kick-ass” cover letter.

If anyone has any ideas or tips please let me know!! Leave your comments below and share them with the world. Cover letters are definitely my downfall and it is the area I need the most help when it comes to job searching.


-K

Portfolios - Online or Physical?

I'm sorry its been so long since I last posted, but as Alex said, I did get a job and I'm still trying to get used to my schedule. Now down to business... 

I know everyone has Facebook or twitter accounts, but what about Linkedin or building your own website devoted to you and your work?

I got the idea to build a portfolio from my Linkedin profile. Sometimes you have letters of recommendation, projects you're proud of, or awards you deserved and you want to show them off (possibly with your resume to future employers).

Originally I only had a "hard copy" of my portfolio - where I had my resume, a list of professional and personal references, letters of recommendation from previous employers and professors, awards and certificates. I have it all neatly together in a black leather binder with page protectors to keep everything up to par. I must say that I am very proud of it, well that is until I started going to interviews and no one ever asked to look at it or anything like that.

Then it hit me: if they wanted to really see all this information about me, they are more likely to Google me, rather than ask for my book. So I decided to create a website dedicated to be my online portfolio. Although it isn't completely finished, it is up for the viewing at ( My Portfolio ). This portfolio has snippets from my cover letters, a little blurb about my interests and me. But it mostly is about my work, my resume is available to view or for download, I have the letters of recommendation scanned in, and a few samples of my work. It is definitely a working progress but as I add to my portfolio it gives me more experience in than I wouldn't normally have.

There are plenty of options for free website builders out there. Some are super simple - just pick a layout and go. The only thing I really suggest is that you keep your really personal info at a minimum (i.e. Don't put your address or phone number and if on letters of recommendation they put their contact info, you should blur it out). Make the employer come to you for that.

I really think this is a good way to market yourself without it being too cheesy.


-K

Stay busy while being unemployed! (part one)

Hi everyone I'm Alex, the other half of halfwaythere. So while Kirsten is adjusting to her job situation (she did land a job) I'll try to post in between and keep our followers following!


So I suppose a lot of our (monthly) readers are our friends, but then there are the few out there, the far in between (.01% of our fanbase) that actually do not have jobs. You are the proud, the few (reading our blog), the unemployed. Well while I do want to express my condolences to your working life at the same time I would like to congratulate you for finding our blog!! You have sifted through the vast sands on the internet to find one piece of work worth reading! Good for you!


While you enjoy your temporary (hopefully) stay at this path in life whether your living it up or cramming your nose in a book or going insane, Your most likely trying to stay busy. The most important ideas I could suggest anyone who is currently not employed are three things:


1. Find a (legal) way to obtain money
2. Continue to search for a job while your obtaining money
3. Stay busy while your not searching for a job




Why do I say that? Well otherwise you'll go nuts! I personally feel if you don't stay busy you'll get depressed and lose hope. If you occupy yourself with silly (and not so silly) tasks and chores you'll pass the time between not having a job and eventually land a job. My luck has always been one month. You will apply for 80+ jobs and borderline giving up and then BAM 3 interviews in a week! So while it is important to stay searching this post is more about what you can do while you search for your "dream job":


Stay in Shape
Read a book
Reevaluate your budget
Reevaluate your savings
Do household repairs
Consider a career change
Find a new hobby
Go back to college
Learn a skill or trade
Search for cheaper insurance, phone service, etc...
Stay current with news
Meditate
Blog!
sell useless possessions
Go outside
Go on a vacation
Meet some new friends (Or reconnect with old ones)
Get involved with your local government
Ask yourself what you really want for life
Cut out coupons
Find free stuff online : http://www.samplestuff.com/
Conquer a fear
Learn the local public transit system
Limit TV use


Is there any you could think of or anything you did? Please feel free to comment or email and stay following for our next post!!


- A