My great big ol’ journey to the East begins today, but first I have to make a stop in the Midwest. I left most of my belongings in Missouri after I graduated because I didn’t know where I wanted to go, which, in retrospect, was probably not the greatest idea. Now that I’m moving to New York, I basically have to unload everything.

It’s an adventure! Right? You know, selling all your stuff, moving large boxes, that sort of thing.

Adventure! It’s what the kids are calling it these days, I hear. Whatever it is.

On the upside, I got an interview request last week. Forty applications sent out, one concrete interview request! I’m pretty excited about it (but not too excited. A Minnesota excited, if you will). At this rate, I’m feeling really good about my 400th application at this rate!

September 25, 2009 at 5:16 am | Uncategorized | No comment

Job Search Day 19

Resumes submitted: 23
Responses: 3 (two from internships [follow-up questions and a possible interview], one rejection from a real job)
Days until The Big Move begins: 21
Mid-call flushes since Aug. 27: 0

I’m pretty much at a halfway point here, about four weeks since I decided to move to New York and another four weeks until I’m settled in a hallway-sized room in Cobble Hill. I’m hopeful these next weeks will be more promising than the last few when it comes to searching for jobs. I haven’t had tons of luck so far, but the fact is, I feel like I’m learning with each job application. I’m learning how to best approach employers, to read the entire job description, to spell check two, three, four times, and most of all, not to be afraid to discuss my accomplishments.

I submitted my resume to JobFox the other day for a free critique, and they had some really great input. Among the things they mentioned, they said I should talk about results rather than just tasks on my application. I used the advice and overhauled my resume. All in all, I’m much more satisfied with what I have now, and I hope employers see the difference. So! Onward with the second half. I’m giving myself four months in New York. If I’m still unemployed by February 1, I’ll move elsewhere, tail between my legs, but at least I can say I tried.

September 4, 2009 at 8:40 pm | Uncategorized | No comment