We're adults. When did that happen? And how do we make it stop? #19

Sorry it's been a while since I've posted...this will be my final blog! I hope to make it short and sweet.

To everyone who has read my blog - thank you! If my words entertained, informed, elicited laughter, annoyance or any type of emotion, then I have been successful. It has surely been a wild, crazy, stressful and emotional roller coaster ride for me. But I can say the days, months and weeks of searching for job postings, creating and editing resumes and cover letters, researching institutions, phone interviewing, campus interviewing, and writing thank you notes, has all paid off. I HAVE A JOB!!!!!!! A few days ago I was offered a position in Residence Life and I was happy to accept. I love the school, I love the staff and students I met, and, although I had my reservations before, I am very excited to be working in Residence Life.

The moral of the story is: Often what you end up with is different than your original expectations. Life (God, fate, whatever you believe in) throws you a curveball and you have to change your swing so you don't strike out. (This doesn't mean settling for a mediocre position. Only say "yes" to a job you will love.) It just means you should expand your horizons and open your mind to new possibilities. I know I have and I am better for it.

Thanks again. Goodbye and good luck. May the force be with you.

We're adults. When did that happen? And how do we make it stop? #18

Just to give a rough quantitative summary of what a job search can look like (for those who don’t/didn’t do the whole ACPA/NASPA Placements):

I’ve applied for approximately 40 positions (including AmeriCorps VISTA positions).

I’ve had:

7 phone interviews

7 on-campus interviews (2 of which skipped the phone interview step)

1 offer (AmeriCorps), which I turned down

I do not know how typical this is, as far as numbers go, but it’s an example.

Otherwise, not much is new. I have been playing phone tag with the Director from AMC. Since he hasn’t been insistent about calling me back I am assuming he is NOT offering me the position I interviewed for. Disappointing. I have one more on-campus interview next week and I should hear back from the other two institutions where I interviewed within the next week.

We're adults. When did that happen? And how do we make it stop? #17

It’s interesting how every on-campus interview is different. Actually, it’s interesting how, in general, every interview process is different. For example:

1) Some institutions call references BEFORE the on-campus interview and some only call AFTER the on-campus interview
2) Some institutions skip the phone interview all together. I’ve had two of those.
3) My on-campus interviews have ranged from 2 hours (no tour, only met with two different groups of people) to half day (tour, interview with the office staff, meet the head honcho, meet with HR) to a full day interview where (I am sure my fellow job seekers will agree with this metaphor) they run you through the gauntlet. During one interview, I met with 3-4 groups with 6-7 different staff members, faculty members and students. Throw in an individual interview with the office director and then the department Dean/VP/Chancellor/whatever they call it, a campus tour and a lunch and you are ready for a nap. It’s like working an 8-hour a day without getting paid.
4) Some institutions have you meet with HR and some don’t. I like it when they do because I can ask about and understand the salary and benefits earlier.

Speaking of salary and benefits…negotiating is something I have never done before and which makes me NERVOUS. They say women are the worst at negotiating and don’t do it as much as they should. I have plenty of handouts of the subject, but when I am actually attempting it (if that day ever comes) I might pee my pants. Okay, hopefully not, but I know I will at least be shaking and red-faced, so it’s a good thing negotiations occur over the phone. If anyone has any tips, please feel free to share them!!!! They are most welcome!!!!