We're adults. When did that happen? And how do we make it stop? #15

Job Search Update:

1) Not offered a position with College B. Tip: It’s important to ask for interview feedback, especially from the colleges who reject you. It shows maturity and interest in your professional development. If you ever decide to apply for another job at that institution or department they will hopefully remember this. Plus, you want to know what you can improve on so you can get a job, right?

So College B told me I gave a good interview, but other candidates had more housing experience. The advice was to develop a more defined answer to the question: “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” (there are many varieties of this question). Make sure the answer includes how the position you are interviewing for will help you get where you want to be 10 years down the road.

2) My alma mater finally called about that admissions position and I interviewed for it. I really like the feel of the office and the camaraderie of the staff. I think I could fit there and do an excellent job. However, during one section of the interview I spoke with HR and they provided me a very low salary number. I did the math and I could not live on this salary with all the expense I will have. I do not know if the number was correct and hopefully I would be offered higher because I have a Master’s degree. I know I can negotiate, but if they start off with that number I will not get where I want to be even with negotiations.

Let me make this clear – I am not in this field for the money, but I do have to make enough to cover my expenses and I hope to save a little money, as well. So, I just have to wait and see if they offer me the position and at what price.

3) I have an on-campus interview at the institution I just graduated from. Yay. It’s for a position in the Alumni Office. I think I could do this position well and I already know the person who would be my supervisor. He would be very different from my previous supervisors…probably a little too unorganized for me…but I think that would be a good learning experience and I could balance him out (since I am uber-organized).

4) I have a phone interview for a residence life position at a small, private college. I am very interested in this as well. I think a Residence Life positions would stretch me/be a good professional development experience.

Keeping my fingers crossed. This process is taking forever. And it’s difficult to stay positive when it seems like everyone else already has a job.