Still Job Hunting? Kinda

Even though I am working, as I mentioned in my previous blog, I still have my eyes peeled on potential open positions and sources of income. I am looking at some job openings listed on LinkedIn , Mediabistro and New York times Jobs, and notice many different key things to avoid especially now that I have obtained a job and I am not looking desperately like last year. When I didn't have a job, I was looking for anything that had marketing and NYC in the job description. Now I know that there are many different areas of Marketing and jobs that I would like and like to avoid.

I avoid jobs or companies that:

• Doesn't have a website--- no website, how do I market them or for them?? How do I learn about them? How do I learn about my position!?
• Doesn't have or hard to find Facebook Page. Facebook is one of the key aspects of marketing a company, based on my opinion and my research
• It might not be a big deal but I second guess companies that do not display a photo of their logo on LinkedIn because then I have to search them on my own, which I should do anyways but it helps narrow down the search when there is a "profile picture"
• IMMEDIATE HIRE -this is usually not the best place to look for a job. Companies who post this usually pay based on commission, not salary. I went on an interview once for a company that posted this, needing entry level marketing. What the job entails is standing in different parts of the city trying to introduce a company or fundraiser to people walking in the streets. We were in groups but there was no way I was going to do that for hours in the day to see how many people I could convince to sign up. I went to college and graduated with a degree to find a real full time position in the city, not to stand in the street talking to strangers.
• Companies that have positions that relate to the bullet point above are known as outsourcing. Instead of working within the company or working for companies that help other companies within the company, then they might want you to go door to door for certain jobs. Don't get me wrong, that might be something you are interested in. I am not. I wanted to work inside the company and help inside so that I can help the community outside. But I need to master the company from within first. 
• All positions entry level?? Then how will you grow in the company? I don't want to be entry level material forever!

These are only some of the verbiage you need to watch out for. It is very difficult to obtain a job using LinkedIn and other job sites because can you imagine how many applicants are applying for the same open positions on that exact website as you?! We are swimming in a sea of unemployment! That is one of the reasons why I started to look into Temp agencies. It took me many months to finally interview with temp agencies to receive help in finding a job. These temp agencies have connections with companies looking to hire. So not only was I not be doing all the work in looking for an open position, but they narrow down the companies for me! That is how I obtained my current full time job and that is why I am hopefully becoming a permanent employee because my hours are up! Temp agencies require that you work for a certain amount of hours (in my case it was 500 hours) before the company can actually hire or fire you without paying an extra fee. Now that my 500 hours are up, I am trying to give my company incentives to keep me full time! (It would be nice to have some benefits don't you think!?)

I am currently having a hard time applying for jobs again because I literally HATE writing the cover letter. I know that the cover letter is important and can really help in obtaining a job because some companies were willing to interview me just because I actually submitted a cover letter. But they are tedious and I feel that they are monotonous. I don't like talking about myself that much and it can be really difficult. The cover letter needs to show that you are interested in the company, you are qualified for the open position and that you know about the company you are applying for. It sounds simple but it is very time consuming creating one for every single company I am applying for. So as I try to continue to apply for jobs even with the jobs I have now, I hope to find the motivation to complete my cover letters and explore other opportunities available to me in New York City unless better opportunities are brought to my attention here where I currently work! So here I go again!

(Also, I know I promised a picture of my apartment so I am trying my hardest to get a good one this week!!)

xoxox 

OneSmartLady

    

 

  

No Longer the New Girl

I drink coffee now. It is hard to turn down free coffee when you like drinking it. I never was the type to need to have coffee in the morning. But now I am so tired and I feel I need my coffee!!!

Anyway, this past work week was an improvement. I am currently still not a full time employee and because of that it can be difficult when I want to be taken a little more seriously. It's been almost four months working here now. The holidays have come and gone and now I can feel the tension in the office of deadlines and projects needing to be completed. As a temp, I was under the impression that they were going to hire me after four months of working here. Let's be clear now that this isn't necessary true. After the four months of working as a temp, my temp agency and the company I work for agreed that if they decided to let me go BEFORE the four months were over, the company I work for would have to pay the temp agency a fee but they can keep me as a temp for as long as they want. As a temp, I don't receive any benefits. No paid holidays, no sick days, no paid time off. It's challenging. But, becoming a temp first has given me an idea of what kind of company I want to work for and gives the company an idea of my skills and abilities while at position I applied for.

To try and accelerate my chances of becoming more permanent, I decided to act proactively. In a past internship, I was given the task to sit in on every Wednesday morning meeting and record the topics and discussions from the meeting. Then, I would return to my desk, type up my notes and send the notes to everyone who attended the meeting and those who were not able to attend. This was a great way for the employees to review what was discussed and keep track of the duties that needed to be completed. I also learned more about the company this way and it was also a great way for anyone who was not able to attend to see what was discussed at that meeting. So, I decided that even though this company is much smaller, it would be a great way for any company to review meetings. I reached out to my boss with this idea. She said, "Sure we can give that a shot." A few days and meetings later, nothing happened.This was the opportunity that teachers talk to you about in school. Time to take initiative.

So a few days ago, as my boss and a few others were entering the conference room next to my cubicle, I quickly got out of my seat and walked over to my boss as she was just about to enter the conference room. I asked her if she needed someone to record the meeting. She was a little puzzled but then agreed. I sat in the meeting the entire time, not saying a word unless spoken too. I typed up my notes and sent them to my boss for editing before sending them out to everyone. She emailed me back with an edited copy and was so impressed that she wrote the words "wow" in caps-lock. She was very impressed with my note taking skills even though I am not familiar with the topic. This type of feedback gave me a little more confidence around the office. Now I know that I can ask if the bosses in the office ever need a note taker because I know that my boss, an editor, was impressed with my note taking skills. Another boss from another department mentioned my notes were informative and helpful because she was unable to attend as well so that was also encouraging. 

Today, we had a new girl come take a previous girl's position. She sits right next to me now and looks younger than me. So not only am I no longer the new girl, but I don't think I am the youngest anymore. I began to think of the future and how I may never be the youngest in the office again. I am 23 and with a new class graduating every year, even though I am young, someone will always be younger than me! That's how everyone feels isn't it?! It makes sense now. She better enjoy the baby faze while she can because I lost mine only after 4 months!! On the other end, I feel more knowledgeable because I have been with the company longer. I am more familiar with the employees and already have my way around the office. It will be really interesting now to view her perspective around the new office and relate it to how I was feeling my first few days here.

Since October, I have not been given too much work. I can feel now that there are many assignments and projects that need to be completed soon. It was easy to see there weren't any deadlines before the holidays and that is why it was difficult to find work for me. Now I feel the stress everyone is feeling for the upcoming deadlines. But it is finally nice to know what is going on as I become more and more familiar with the people and the type of work done for this company. I cannot wait for future endeavors and the ability to become permanent! Hopefully soon!! Wish me luck!

xoxxo
OneSmartLady