Pubblicare Cinque - Research, Research, Research!

Oh my goodness! It is already Wednesday, and I have not even started this post.

Last week we talked about conquering the fear of the job search and thinking positively. This week - in case you cannot tell by the title - we are talking about research!

We discussed figuring out what you are good at and setting goals a few weeks ago. With these two aspects in mind, you should start to form in your mind what kind of company you would like to work for.

Do you want to teach? If so, do you want to teach elementary, middle or high school?
Do you want to work for a corporation? Is Corporate Social Responsibility important to you?
Do you want to work for a nonprofit? What cause do you believe in?
Do you want to work for a super high-tech company because you are computer savvy?

What do you like to do? What company likes to do that as well?

Personally I enjoy community involvement and revitalization, as well as working with children and influencing young lives. Therefore, I am looking into nonprofits such as the YMCA/YWCA, ELPN, etc. and small PR agencies that work on these types of campaigns.

Where do you want to live?
In state?
Out of state?
Over seas?
In your hometown?
In your college town?

Help narrow your focus by researching companies geographically, but do not let geographic location hold you down from a job you will love. If you want to live in El Paso, Texas, after college, but your dream job is in Tuscaloosa, Ala., THEN MOVE TO TUSCALOOSA!

DO NOT give up your dream job so you can live where you want. You can always work back to your geographic home of choice; you cannot always work back to your dream job. Use geography only to narrow your search because there are tons of options out there!

Also, research the type of people that are in the company, and find out who will be your point of contact for hiring. If you like a company, and the company does not have a job ad posted, research the company still. Just because a company is not advertising that they are hiring, does not mean they are not hiring. If you can prove that you are worth the time, the company will be interested in hiring you.

How do you prove that you are worth the time? Well, dear reader, that is for discussion next week.

This week, I challenge you - and myself - to research 10 companies you would like to work for in the near future.

There are 100 days until - my - graduation.

It's time to get kickin'!

Stipes Quattuor - Don't Worry; Be Happy.

Ah! My first late post!

Last week was insane. So much to do, and school just started! I am sorry for not posting last week for anyone who reads this on a regular basis - ha.

Anyway, two weeks ago, I wrote about finding out what you are good at and setting goals. I also left you a teaser for this week: how to perceive and pursue a job search. I noted that this subject will probably expand upon multiple posts.

This week we are talking about how to perceive the job search. The first two words that come to mind when I think of the job search is, "Oh sh*t!" Then I think, "I have to grow up!" Neither of these are great, positive thoughts. Then, after hyperventilating and a mini-panic attack, I step back and really examine the situation.

I am not actually scared of the job search; I am scared of the unknown. I don't know where I am going to be, what I am going to be doing, who I am going to know, etc. etc.. There are countless things that are going to happen in 2014, and I do not have a clue what those things are! That's terrifying. Even just typing this I am starting to get that panic feeling.

In Miller's book, he talks about listening to positive programing. Whether that is music, television, stories, movies, speeches, TED talks or whatever else makes you happy when you listen - listen to it.

I personally feel uplifted when I watch comedies, or when I listen to Frank Sinatra. When you are getting that, "Oh sh*t," moment, and start stressing, stop and listen. Everyday, listen to the things that make you feel uplifted. Maybe reading or meditating help you feel uplifted? Do it!

All of these positive endorphins will bring you to such a state of euphoria that you will be ready to CONQUER the job search. Well, maybe not conquer it just yet, but at least be ready to make a few tackles.

Next week we'll take a leap. For now..

Don't worry, be happy.

Beiträge Drei - Good Books, What You're Good At, Setting Goals, and MORE!

Last week I talked about trusting God.

However, just because you are trusting God, does not mean you can be lazy!

That said, welcome to Post Three.

My brother recently gave me a book titled 48 Days to the Work You Love by Dan Miller. Anyone going through a job search should have this book. Even if you are not going through the job search, you should still have it. It is amazing. Buy it. Read it. You will not regret it.

That being said, Dan Miller writes about figuring out what you are good at, setting goals, and how to perceive and pursue a job search. I am going to try my best to sum up these points - as well as put in my own input - but the best thing for you to do is READ THE BOOK. (Can you tell I want you to read the book?)

Point 1: Figuring out what you are good at.

I struggle(d) with this one. I feel as though I am good at many things. I was good at Calculus in high school, so I came to college as an engineering major. I hated Calculus in college. In fact, I hated all of my engineering classes.

Just because you are good at something, does not mean it is what you have to do for the rest of your life. 

I always enjoyed writing, but I never really saw it going anywhere. Writing was just a way for me to get my thoughts out of my head - clear my mind. I also noticed I enjoy telling people how to look good. (That sounds bad, but I mean it more as how to put your best foot forward.) Then I started reading the public relations' class descriptions. They sounded intriguing and - oh my word - FUN! Toto, I don't think we're in the College of Engineering anymore.

In my new classes, I learn all about how to write well, and how to make organizations look good, as well as what to do when your organization looks bad.

Umm... Hello. Two worlds colliding perfectly!

I am that crazy person in class who usually - we all have bad days - comes to class excited and ready to learn. I thoroughly enjoy most of my homework - even when I am freaking out because the paper is due at midnight and it is already 11:30 p.m.. (Ah... Procrastination still gets me sometimes.) I love all the facts and tidbits I get in class like, how the potato is a great source of Vitamin C, or how carcinogens and cancer fighters should not support each other (KFC and Komen).

All of that is besides the point. I love what I am learning, and I know I am going to love what I do if I am in the PR industry.

Another great way to find what you are good at is by figuring out your strengths. Freshman year we had to take a test called StrengthsQuest. As much as I hated taking it, the test has really proven useful. You can look at all of the strengths here. Mine are: Belief, Adaptability, Activator, Connectedness, and Woo (winning others over).

These five strengths mean I base most of my decisions based off of my beliefs. I am able to adapt to different situations. I enjoy getting projects started. I like to be connected to those around me. And, I enjoy making friends. It is pretty self-explanatory. These strengths are helping me narrow my search as I look for my future place of employment.

What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing?
Gardening?
Brushing your teeth?
Styling hair?
Putting computers together?

Think about what you really love and what strengths you have to achieve it.

Point 2: Setting Goals
Now, I have never been one to really set goals. I just know what I want, and I go for it. Miller brought up a valuable point, though, only 8 percent of the population can identify clear goals and only 3 percent write them down. Instead of just having ideas of what you want floating around in your head, write them down. This way you have something to keep you accountable.

This is also a great way to prepare for a job interview! Two interviews I have had lately have asked, "Where do you see yourself in five years?" Nothing is worse than the crickets singing in the background.

You should make goals based on three aspects of your life:
1. Skills and Abilities
2. Personality Traits
3. Values, dreams and passions;

I suggest starting at 10 years from now. Where do you want to be in that time? CEO of your own company? Married? Single? Homeowner?

Then go to 5 years. Where should you be in 5 years to be able to accomplish your 10 year goal?

Then 2 years, 1 year, 6 months, 3 months, this month, this week, and today.

Since my life plan is changing regularly, I have only made my 10 and 5 year goals. However, I will write the rest soon!

The important thing to remember is goals are not concrete; they are a starting point, something to work towards. 

Point 3: How to Perceive and Pursue a Job Search
This is probably the most important part of this post. However, it is so important that I think it needs its own post or two. (I cannot give away all of my secrets in one post!)

Stay tuned...

Blog Post Numero Dos. - The Most Important Thing.

Since I am writing about finding THE job, I have been thinking about what is the most important thing to consider when finding a job.

Is it:
The resume?
The phone interview?
Your outfit?
Your smile?
Level of confidence?
THE interview?
Your experience?
Your education?
Your extracurricular activities?
Your connections?
How you smell?

This list could go on for days.

In one article staying positive is the most important thing.

In another it's following up with future employers.

In my most honest, humble opinion though, neither of these are the most important thing when job searching. Now, what is the most important thing? It is really quite simple.

Trusting God. 

It's so simple, and so controversial that most bloggers or how-to-get-a-job writers do not even touch on the subject.

Trusting God. 

It just feels good to say. Go on, say it. The phrase is freeing. It is uplifting. The words are so sweet to the taste-buds. Why would it not be the most important aspect in job searching?

I know I get so caught up in what I can do, on what I have to do, that I forget and look past what God has already done! It amazes me every time I think of it. God is in control, and that is a good thing, indeed.

In February, I wrote a note titled Peace. For some reason I never published it - it's probably a God thing.

"I have two assignments due tomorrow.

A test tomorrow and a test Tuesday.

And I work all weekend.

You know, life of a college student. 

I work 30-40 hours a week.

I go to class for 21 hours a week, while only receiving 15 hours of credit.

And I average 5 hours of sleep a night.

You know, life of an exhausted college student.

I don't know where I'm going to live come August.

I still have not heard back from some internships for the summer.

And I am graduating in December.

You know, life of a soon-to-be-graduating, exhausted, college student.

I don't know where I'm going to be living in a year.

I don't know what job I'm going to have in a year.

I don't know if I will even be here in a year.

You know, life of a should-be-freaking-out, soon-to-be-graduating, exhausted, college student. 

But I have this overwhelming sense of peace.

This wonderful sense of peace.

This patient sense of peace.

I have a roof over my head, food in my belly and refrigerator, a car to drive, and ways to communicate with family and friends. I have all of my limbs, and no life-threatening ailments. 

God is in control.

Even if I did not have all of these blessings, God would still be in control.

God will work things out." 

Even as I am still in the unknown, I know God is in control. He knows where I can go, what I can do, and how to best do it.

This doesn't mean that I should just sit back and forget about applying to jobs, but that each application I fill out, and each employer that I talk to, I should do it with prayerful consideration, and with open ears and heart.

Chew on that!

First Post! - Hello Job Search.

Hello world!

For those who are reading this and do not know me:

1.) You're officially a creeper, but that is OK because I creep, too.
2.) My name is Sarah.
3.) I am a Senior Public Relations major at Texas Tech - wreck 'em!
4.) I am graduating a semester early - Dec. 2013 - eek!
5.) I am on the mission to find my first "big girl" job.
6.) This blog is going to document how I find said, "big girl" job.

This last semester - Spring 2013 - I had plans. I was going to find a internship that semester, as well as find one for the summer. I can attest to the fact that plans change. I applied to a few internships over Christmas break, and when I came back to Lubbock, I interviewed for the positions. I made it to the top two, and then both employers picked the other candidate because that candidate had more experience.

Ouch!

I was crushed, but I kept telling myself, "Every no brings you one step closer to a yes."                                                      

Then the needs to pay my rent, feed myself, and the occasional beer or two caused me to go out and look for anything that would hire me. That is when I came across Buffalo Wild Wings. I already knew I liked their spicy garlic wings, so I applied, and I was hired on the spot.

This spurred working 30-40+ hours a week as well as going to school 15+ hours a week and - like I said earlier - going out for the occasional beer or two. I still applied for summer internships, and I even had a phone interview with Southwest Airlines. After more "No's," I decided to start figuring out other summer plans, but left those for me to decide after spring break.

I decided, instead of working all break long, to go skiing with my friends since it was my last spring break. Long story short - I tore my Anterior Crucial Ligament, and I am not meant to be an Olympic skier. (There goes that job possibility!)

After the injury, things fell apart. My job as a server collapsed since I could only walk on crutches, and who else would hire someone for two months? Luckily, I had some money saved up so I could still pay my rent and eat. I asked one of the Public Relations' professors what I could do during the summer now that I was going to be unable to take on an internship. He told me to write a blog. (Maybe I procrastinated a bit on his suggestion since it is now the end of July?)

After finals I came home, and had surgery on May 22.
I went from no ACL:

To new ACL:

Gruesome, I know. For two weeks I was basically bed ridden. I had a machine that bent my knee for me six hours as well as two rounds of at home physical therapy a day. To pass the time, I read, and read, and read some more. I got to the point where I would read a book a day. This time reminded me of my love for reading.

During the school year I get so caught up with making professors' deadlines, working, and hanging out with friends that I forget the little things that I like to do by myself for enjoyment like reading and writing.

I became more observant and reflective throughout my recovery time, as well. This time helped me figure out what I actually want to do with my life.

All of that brings me to my job search. Where do I go? Who do I meet? What do I say? What do I bring to an interview? Hell, what do I wear to an interview? Should I research the company before an interview? WHAT DO I DO TO FIND MY JOB? (Please excuse the screaming; I get passionate about this subject.) The answers to these questions - and more goodies - will - hopefully - be answered in this blog.

Think of this blog post as a starting point. My hope is I will post once a week, and by the end of this blog, there will be a progression from college student to adult. However, do not get your hopes set too high for me to post once a week; I do not want to disappoint.

To all of my friends and fellow future graduates - good luck! With perseverance and a large amount of will power we will somehow become adults through this process!

Goodbye v-necks and blue jeans, hello sports coats and pencil skirts!