Writer's Block

So, it's been more than a month since I last posted something. I've had writer's block. I've also hit more walls during my job search and have been really confused lately. I've been trying to network, schmooze, and send out my resume to stations I've never heard of in Georgia, Tennessee, and Nebraska. I'm going to stop whining (although, I do love to whine! jk! sort of!) before this becomes a pity post...I woke up yesterday with a newfound perspective on the whole matter. For two reasons. Reason #1: When I went to church on Sunday to repent my sins I talked to someone who is also looking for a job. She is a mom who is going through a messy divorce. She gave me the following advice: Take this time to find yourself. She said, "I always tell my kids to get an education and travel to see the world before you have kids and a husband. You already have the education. So, you're halfway there." It got me thinking. Yes, I would love more than anything to hop on a plane and go to Spain for tapas and sangria or France where I could enroll in cooking classes like Julia Child (of course my trips would revolve around food) but I know realistically right now I can't. I agree traveling expands your knowledge and changes the way you think about others, yourself, and the world. I can't jet set now but plan on doing so once I get the funds. Fingers crossed I get a job to start saving! Haha! Might not have j.o.b but I do have trips to look forward to! A girl can dream! Reason #2: My Mom. She's the only one who keeps pestering me about getting out of my "funk". She says she knows me like the back of her hand and can see right through my act of pretending everything is okay. We've been bickering lately and it is because I keep denying that I'm in a "funk". I finally admitted to her yesterday that she is right. She usually always is. I have been in a "funk" and may or may not have taken it out on her. I woke up realizing there a lot more positive things in my life that I should focus on rather than the fact that that I don't have a job right now. So I've decided to work on getting out of this "funk" and staying positive about the whole situation. Yes, some days will be easier than others but I have a lot to smile about. Also, being unemployed has allowed me to cook a lot. I've been whipping up Bobby Flay recipes lately. I'm not ready for a ThrowDown but with time, maybe. Haha! See: A positive!

New job posting: Relationship Specialist

I woke up today and had job postings from careerbuilder in my inbox. I know I just wrote about how people should be cautious of these postings from job sites but I had to share this one. I am not going to apply to this because: 1. I am NOT a relationship specialist (those who know me well know why) 2. It would be so awkward to be an "Abstinence Examiner". Just saying. What the heck is an abstinence examiner? Would I have to write about chastity belts and promise rings? I guess I could pass on Steve Harvey's advice from his book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man: wait 90 days to give up the cookie (aka sex). Or...I could pass along the advice my lovely roommate Shane has given me, "He won't want the whole ice cream truck if you're passing out the Popsicles for free." I really wish people would keep food out of this (my love in life). I can't look at cookies or Popsicles in the same way anymore. I think I'll just star this job post instead of deleting it. Maybe with some more dating experience and when my loans start kicking in I'll consider applying to be the "Abstinence Examiner".

From Marketing Assistant to Popcorn Girl

I was advised to look on careerbuilder, monster, simply hired, craigslist, and a bunch of other sites to apply for jobs. It's true these are good sites to scan for job opportunities. But like with everything online...be wary! I applied to a marketing assistant job on careerbuilder. I got called in for an interview last Monday and it was the most "interesting" job interview I've had by far. Now to be fair, I haven't had that many interviews. Still, this one takes the cake! I had a bad feeling the night before and was worried the building wouldn't even exist because I wasn't familiar with the company. I typed the address into Google maps and lo and behold it existed so I thought...why not give it a shot? You need a job. Go out there! "Grab a bull's balls!" (Never Been Kissed reference). I walked into this storefront office in Schaumburg, after getting lost on Golf Road and almost getting rammed by a road rager behind me, and Kei$ha's "Blah, blah, blah" was blaring. I felt like I was in a club/bar. Soundbar, Skybar, Maxbar, Roscoe's...take your pick. The receptionist greeted me, asked me to fill out a form, and said management would be right with me. She swiveled around in her leather chair to ask what my passion is. Shopping? Fashion? I said, "I love food." It was either sound like a fatty or lie. I don't know a thing about fashion and I wasn't going to pretend that I idolize Vera Wang or Marc Jacobs. I watch What Not To Wear but that has not made me a fashionista. She gave me a very perplexed look and then smiled and said, "Oh, me too! I met Bobby Flay!" Then she rambled on about this cupcake place (Crumbles?) in NYC that she loves. She was very chatty for a Monday morning. Then we started talking about tapas and she asked if I knew of any Spanish restaurants. I suggested my favorite place in Naperville, Meson Sabika. So we talked about food some more and at no point during this conversation did she talk about marketing or the company. She then got on the phone with management and a woman came out of her office to interview me. The interviewer was a nice lady not as out there as the receptionist. She asked me the usual questions: about my strengths, weaknesses, career goals, where I see myself in 5 years, etc. The whole time I had Kei$ha in my head. Not a good thing. Never a good thing. This lady then asked me if I would be interested in selling popcorn and other food items at Costco or Sam's Clubs in the suburbs. I couldn't believe it. I still can't. It's not that I think working at Costco is beneath me, it's just that career builder failed to mention this in the job description. She then asked if I prefer the automotive industry instead. She gave me the option of working at gas stations selling windshield repair kits. Oy vey! I said, "No!" in the nicest way possible. She said management would consider me for the food industry position. I'd have my own stand at Costco selling popcorn or fudge. She said that within 6 months I could become an account manager and make $60,000 but to start out I'd be working on commission. I felt like I talked with the receptionist about cupcakes longer than I was interviewed. The interview was about 20 minutes long and she told me that she would call me at 5pm if I made the cut for the second round of interviews. I got that call at 5:02 and politely declined. Long story short...read the job descriptions and if you have a feeling something looks/sounds sketchy then call to get more information. I love fudge and popcorn but that's not what I signed up for when I applied.

I'm back!

I'm back in the blogosphere. Well, I guess I never left. I just took a vacation. All of the posts I have here are from my News and New Media class Junior year. I meant to keep this blog and fill it with written posts but that never happened. I guess I got "too busy". Several months ago, my friend/roomie Casey Clark bought me a beautiful journal and told me that we should all take the time to do what we love. She challenged me to write everyday. Something. Anything. That lasted for about two weeks and then I got "too busy". Yesterday, my friend/mentor Nicole Perez who is a TV producer in San Antonio, TX, told me that I should start blogging. She keeps a blog and it is hilarious! I love reading her commentary about movies, celebs, books, and current events. She got me thinking...I know, never a good thing...about this blog account I have and the whole process. Well, what to write about? Nicole suggested challenging myself and writing about something that I will commit to daily or weekly. The first thing to pop into my mind since I think about it all the time and it is such a big part of my life...job hunting. While on the phone with her, I shared a story about an awful interview I had last week and she chuckled. I laughed too (at the time, I wanted to cry). She says it's funny to look back at those experiences and laugh about them. In the spring, my fiction writing teacher said that you should write about what you know. I'm no job hunting guru but I feel like since I do it each day I'm learning a lot about it. I will divulge the do's and the dont's I've learned from my experiences. Plus, I have some funny stories to share that involve Kei$ha, uncomfortable chairs, and what not to say when asked "what are your weaknesses?". So that's what I'm going to do...share the joys of job hunting. I know a lot of people are going through this process. To all those unemployed, recent college grads don't lose hope! We will prevail!

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