Archive for the ‘Job Hunting’ Category
career, employment, job hunt, Job Hunting, jobless, laid off, Life, Unemployment
In Job Hunting, Life, Unemployment on July 29, 2009 at 11:24 pm
nataliedee.com
As of today, I’ve reached a new milestone – I have officially been employed for over a year by a single company. Since joining the workforce three/four years ago, I have jumped around like you would not believe….most of the time, the “jumping” was not by choice. Let’s recap, shall we?
- Company 1 (6 months): After starting my first full time job after college, my employer (one of the little guys) decided to merge with a big company (that’s part of an international conglomerate of companies).
- Company 2 (12 months): Since I had only six months of full-time work experience under my belt, I decided to stick with my new employer (the big company that bought company 1) and give it a try.
- Company 3 (7 months): After a year, I decided that the big company was not for me and so I found a new employer. Little did I know, I boarded a sinking ship and was laid off a few months later.
- Company 4 (12 months and counting): After three months of unemployment, I landed my current gig and have been happily employed since. No complaints here – let’s just hope that it stays this way and that I didn’t just horribly jinx myself with this post.
While I was unemployed, I felt like my resume sure looked spotty with all of these employers. I felt it made me look like I couldn’t hold a job or something, which I didn’t like. So my career goal for now is to stay put and bolster my experience and expertise in every way possible. I don’t know about you, but I think that I’ve switched things up enough for the last three years and that some consistency will do me some good.
"personal branding for business people", blog, Blogging, chris brogan, personal branding
In Job Hunting, Life on September 12, 2008 at 12:40 am
nataliedee.com
Just recently rediscovered my first blog (circa 2002), which I had long believed to be obsolete as the blogging platform no longer exists. But it goes to show that whatever you post on the Internet will stay there forever, especially if you were a fool and signed up blog with a “we do not allow you to delete or edit anything” policy.
What surprised me the most is that I have only been blogging since 2003 (fyi: I started the account in 2002 but didn’t actually write anything until 2003). I could have sworn that I started earlier…..but I suppose that I am mixing up my blogging history with that simpleton Web site building phase in my life (i.e. Homestead, anyone?). I suppose then, if you count that former obsession, then I’ve been trying to build a Web presence for awhile.
So why all the thoughts on my online footprint? Well, I just finished a free e-book called, “Personal Branding for Business Professionals” by Chris Brogan. It’s has some pretty good suggestions on how to develop your “brand” online through blogs, social networks, twitter, etc. It got me thinking about my own personal brand before I made a conscious effort to build one and after. Thankfully, those two identities are very unlikely to ever be matched together, which means that I am still empowered to control who I am online. And with only 15 pages, its a quick and simple read. I would recommend this for anyone trying to get a job related to the internet or Web 2.0 in some way shape or form. I myself liked it so much that I just might be applying some of these tips to my professional online persona.
agency life, employment, first day, Job Hunting, jobless, new job, pr agency, Unemployment
In Job Hunting, Life on July 29, 2008 at 7:00 am
nataliedee.com
Today, I make my fatefully, yet strangely ironic, return to agency life. Ready or not, here I come!
What this also means, boys and girls is that I will be renaming my blog. Obviously, “Life After The Agency ” is just a tad bit inappropriate now. Don’t worry, this will not be some ridiculously long overhaul of the site, just a new name and updated layout. Thanks for baring with me.
accepting offer, job hunt, Job Hunting, job offer, job security, laid off, negotiations, unemployed, Unemployment
In Job Hunting, Life on July 26, 2008 at 10:49 am
So for the past few days, I have been without Internet and time to update. But in case you have not heard already, I have decided to return to agency life and accept the offer (after some negotiations, of course).
While I initially had a lot of hesitations about agencies in general when I first began my job hunt, I feel very good about this agency, the people that I will be working with and the work that I will be doing. So I’m going to trust my gut on this one and go for it.
It will be nice to get my life and career back on track. Unemployment, while great for getting more sleep, has been slowly but surely reverting my sleeping schedule back to the 11am to 3am lifestyle of my college years.
In the next few days, I will be preparing myself for war (i.e. work). To quote my quotable friend, YYC, “I’m off to fight the good fight.”
nataliedee.com
Of course, I can’t help but hold on to some sinking feeling (like anyone who has ever been laid off) that maybe, just maybe, this all might be too good to be true. JHG calls it job security anxiety and it may be a while before I’ll feel secure enough to take my job for granted again.
interview, job interview, job offer, jobless, laid off, Unemployment
In Job Hunting, Life on July 18, 2008 at 10:26 am
nataliedee.com
It is true. I got a job offer this morning (and yes, from the company that interviewed me for 5 hours and gave me a take home writing test). Right now I am waiting on the formal written letter to review before I formally accept. More on my tips of offer reviews later…..
What a great morning it is today! No more cover letters and no more resumes and no more interviews….I can’t wait to just enjoy the rest of my “vacation” without a worry in the world.
……however, this company is a public relations agency ( a good one that I might add, but more on that later), which means that it might be a good idea to rename my blog……I’ll need to sit on that one…..
interview, job interview, PR Job, Professional References, Public Relations Position, References, writing test
In Job Hunting, Life on July 16, 2008 at 7:17 pm
In the past two days, I jumped through some major hoops in what must have been THE LONGEST JOB INTERVIEW EVER!
How long could it be, you ask? I was there from 1pm to sometime after 5:30pm. Not only did I meet with like seven different people, I also had to complete a writing test (part 1) and fill out a job application. After I left the building, I scurried on home to work on writing test (part 2), which was due the next day. On top of that, I had 7 thank you e-mails to write as well.
Needless to say, I went to bed last night very, very tired.
I suspect that once they review my tests and speak to my professional reference(s), I just might hear back on next steps if all goes well. And after what was practically a 24 hour interview (I finished and turned in writing test 2 at 1pm the following day), I sure hope that I will level-up on the interview process for this company.
Special Thanks to TT, CK, MT and BL for helping me catch all my grammar, punctuation and spelling errors on my second writing test. I owe you all lunch. Please contact me directly to collect. :p
nataliedee.com
On another note, for those of you newbies who have never applied to a public relations job before, be prepare to either (1) provide writing samples or (2) take a writing test. These writing tests usually consists of reviewing a document for obvious grammar, punctuation and spelling mistakes and/or writing a PR document like a media pitch or press release. Why you ask? You can’t be a communications person if you can’t communicate properly, so you better drop those bad habits, you l33t sp34k people.
California May 2008 unemployment rate, California unemployment rate, increase in unemployment, job application, job hunt, Job Hunting, jobless rate, May 2008 unemployment rate, resume, resumes, unemployment rate
In Job Hunting, Life on June 20, 2008 at 12:45 pm
claim form, claiming unemployment, employment development department, government aid, paycheck, UI, Unemployment, unemployment check, unemployment insurance, unemployment insurance check, unemployment insurance claim, welfare
In Job Hunting, Life on June 17, 2008 at 7:59 pm
nataliedee.com
My first unemployment insurance check came in the mail this week. I am officially on welfare…..and it’s not that exciting (especially when you look at the number on the check).
To do some quick math, I was laid off on May 15th and I filed for unemployment on May 22nd (my last day at work). I filled out that form to show that I am actively looking for work for the first two weeks and mailed it back on June 8th. I got my first check on June 14th for only one week’s worth of job hunting. Apparently, the first week is a filing period and does not count as a pay period. So exactly one month of on-going paper work to the State of California’s Employment Development Department (EDD), I am officially in the system.
What this means is that if you were living paycheck-to-paycheck before you were laid off, you are royally screwed.
And by the way, that paycheck was no where near the maximum $450 that you could possibly receive (this amount is determined by how much you made at the company that you were with the longest in the past 18 months).
PR Notes: I bring this up because a rather misleading “idea” has been spread by word of mouth either by people’s own ignorance about the system or their hope to provide you with a false sense of security. I was told that I could sign up for unemployment insurance before I was no longer with the company so that I could start receiving the checks right away. Some people have suggested that it is better to be laid off so that you could collect your unemployment insurance.
This was just bad advice. A paycheck is much better than an unemployment check. (Unless, of course, that paycheck is worth less than the unemployment check. In that case, you need to find a better paying job.)
Here’s the truth……
- You may only sign up for unemployment insurance when you are no longer working.
- You will not receive your unemployment check until you have filled out the “continued claim” to show that you are working. You should note that you can not turn this in until after your first two weeks of unemployment. You should also note that you’ll be filling this form out ever two weeks until you (A) get a job or (B) run out of time and are no longer eligible.
- You will not receive a check for the first week of unemployment because this is a filing period.
My personal recommendation is that EDD needs a proper PR campaign to educate HR managers and employers about the unemployment system. ‘Cause there is some bad information being circulated to shattered people who have just had the rug pulled out from under them. It’s just not right. But I doubt that this department actually has the funds to support such a campaign. All of their funds are probably being directed to processing unemployment claims and mailing checks to the unemployed, like myself.
accepting an offer, ageny, bad pr agencies, bad pr agency, declining an offer, good pr agencies, good pr agency, hiring process, interview, interviewer, interviews, Job Hunting, job offers, overworked pr people, pr agency, pr sweatshops, public relations agency, red flags, Unemployment, warning signs
In Job Hunting, Life on June 7, 2008 at 4:11 pm
So after two weeks of unemployment, I am coming to terms with the fact that economic conditions are encouraging me to reconsider life in an agency. However, should I go back, I know that I must choose my next PR agency with the utmost care and caution. My life and well-being are dependent on it.
Good agencies are out there. You just need to spend the time and effort to find them. Part of the process is screening each agency that you consider. Agencies should be put to the test by potential employees. It is hazardous to treat the application and interview process like a one way street.
To help PR agency hopefuls with their agency selection process, I have decided to write down my mental list of screening techniques and and agency red flags. Kindly note that this list is purely based on my own personal observations having been on the PR job market one too many times.
Screening Suggestions
- Ask Around – PR agency executives and Web sites will only give you the official message about their reputation. This reputation will undoubtedly be exceptional and outstanding. The best way to get around this is if you have friends who are already working in PR agencies. If so, then I highly recommend that you ask them for their most candid thoughts about the agencies that they have worked for, interviewed with or encountered vicariously though their other PR friends and colleagues. This will give you a more honest idea about an agency’s reputation. Are they sweatshops? Are the employees “happy employees” or are they clamouring to get out? If more than one person gives you the same answer about any one agency, then heed their words and avoid that agency.
- Internet Scan - PR agencies are very meticulous and careful about their online reputations as it effects their business and employee prospects. However, if an agency is a bad apple, then it just might be possible that their true colors will be revealed online. You just have to do a thorough search for dirty laundry being aired by extremely disgruntle employees and clients. As such, its worth taking a look to see what Google might pull up along with specific blog search engines like Google Blog Search, Technorati and Ice Rocket. But agencies being agencies, know that there is no guarantee that you’ll find anything.
Red Flags
- Fatigue - Does your interviewer show any indication that they are exhausted after a long day or are they still in high spirits and enthusiastic at 3:30pm? While it might be understandable that people will be tired at the end of the day….you may become that fatigued person one day. Besides, if you are making the effort to be up beat, then why shouldn’t they also do the same.
- Time Management - Are you interviewing with the people that you are scheduled to meet? Or are people so busy that they rearrange the interview schedule on you on the spot. Or worse, they scramble to find someone for you to talk to? Not only is this rude, but its also a bad indication that this group is way too overworked. If they treat you poorly during the interview, it makes you wonder how they’ll treat you when you are a paid employee.
- Office Energy - Is there a buzz and magnetic vibe in the office? Or is it dead silent because people are too busy and stressed with their own work? Also, look and see if there is actual life – empty cubicles are an indication that this office might be short-staffed and desperate to hire. Don’t be fooled by offices with a lot of toys (i.e. Wii, a Rock Band set, Pool table). Just because its there doesn’t mean that people are actually able to enjoy them.
- Team Work – Are you interviewing with a cross-sectional representation of the team? (i.e. are you meeting with both senior and junior level people). If you are, then that’s a good sign that that agency values everyone’s opinion in the hiring process. It also means that that agency wants to hire people that click with their employees. If you don’t meet with everyone, then that’s a possible sign that that office has a very top-down structure and culture. Also, it could be a sign that the junior people are way too over worked/billable that they can not spare even a few minutes to say hello. Careful, that may be you one day.
- Specifics – Is your interviewer (i.e. the person who would be your direct supervisor) able to tell you specifically what type of clients, number of clients, team size, hours will be, if you are hired? It is perfectly legitimate to know what are the interviewer’s expectations and why they are hiring for that position. If they are replacing, then there could be high turnover. If its a new position, then they are growing. If they can’t give you a straight answer on they number and type of clients that you’ll be working on, then take it as a bad sign. It means that if hired, you will be assigned ad-hoc to any number of clients. It also means that this agency works on a lot of projects as opposed to retainer work, hence they really don’t know. If you don’t know already, projects suck—its a rush job with high expectations. Also, the average number of clients per person is also very important piece of information. A good number is 3. Remember that!
- Quality of Life - The only way to really determine an agency employee’s quality of life is to ask someone already in the position that you are applying for. This is difficult however because you may not have a chance to meet with such a person and you cannot ask this question directly. Just know that anyone senior will not know what they are talking about or they may be inadvertently leading you astray.
- Receptionist - Do they have one? If not, it means that they also do not have an on-site office manager/administrative assistant to take care of the office. This means that you or another account person needs to fill that role in addition to client work. Don’t be fooled by the account person sitting in what looks like a receptionist’s position. This is easy to determine if they are on the phone pitching journalists or working on a media list/pitch in plain site on their computers.
That’s all I have right now and I hope it helps you sort your thoughts about an agency after the interview. Feel free to shoot me an e-mail or leave a comment to offer any additional thoughts or insights.
dot com, dot coms, job hunt, jobless, looking for a job, resume, resume blogs, resume samples, resume templates, resumes, unempolyment, web sites, website
In Job Hunting, Life on May 30, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Last week, as I was facing eminent unemployment, it dawned on me that it just might be a good idea to start a “resume blog” where I could post my resume and supplement my one-page resume with a showcase my “knowledge” on consumer trends, PR, marketing, etc.
nataliedee.com
And so, in the ultimate act of shameless self-promotion, I bought my own dot com with my namesake. Its still very much a work in progress, but I have a few posts up if you are interested in reading. Special thanks to my dear cousin (and professional graphic designer) for the design and layout advice and to CK for all of the great examples and suggestions.
I think once I workout all the kinks, I will be able to add an “expertise” in SEO and SEM to my resume…..(i.e. expert in driving traffic to a web site).
Other Resume Blogs:
Just know that this wasn’t entirely on a whim, I did a bit of research to see who in my industry would do such a thing. What I found is that there are a number of PR pros who do have their own blogs where they are able to showcase their knowledge of social media tools and industry knowledge, though these blogs are not necessarily named after the author. It should be noted that most “resume blogs” are used by web developers, graphic designers, artists and photographers (which makes sense).
LATA vs. My Dot Com
So what’s the difference between Life After The Agency (LATA) and my dot com? Just as an FYI, LATA will be more about me (not too personal though) and a little less about public relations (though I’ll keep the intrigue and gossip stories here), while my dot com will be a little more topic focused specifically on consumer trends in Asian and Asian Americans.
jobless, laid off, last day at work, no job, office, unemployed, Unemployment
In Job Hunting, Life on May 23, 2008 at 9:28 am
So that’s it. As of Thursday, May 22, 2008, I am jobless.
I packed up my desk, said my goodbyes, applied for unemployment and picked up my check. To my fellow colleagues who were laid off, “see you in the job market” and too my still-employed colleagues, “good luck.”
One thing though that I want to add….which only adds to the irony was that two weeks before I was laid off, I moved into my boss’ office (i.e. I was sharing an office with her, not taking over her office). This was after a six-month overdue promise to move me that began when I first started. Anyhow, it was nice while it lasted. Being the sentimental dork that I am, I couldn’t help be take a picture.
jinix, Job Hunting, jobless, lady luck, Life, lucky, Unemployment
In Job Hunting, Life on May 21, 2008 at 1:11 am
Either Lady Luck is smiling upon me once again or she’s cruelly setting me up for a really good laugh. But cross your fingers everyone, I just may have found my big break…..so hopefully I don’t jinx myself by mentioning it in code.
nataliedee.com
bad luck, good luck, job hunt, laid off, linkedin, resume, unemployed, Unemployment
In Job Hunting, Life on May 19, 2008 at 1:06 am
“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson
Call me superstitious, but I believe that life is continual cycle of good luck and bad luck. Thus, I believe that ever since my license plate was stolen, I have been in one hell of a personal recession. Now all I have to do is ride it out….one bad week at a time. May this new week be a happier week.
Over the weekend, I have spent a good chunk of lamenting (okay, more like obsessing while making multiple public announcements) about my coming unemployment this Thursday. It’s a rather dreary feeling, but what can you do, but vent and get it out of your system and get over it.
To help me “get over it,” I have devised a plan of action in true Daisy fashion (in case you didn’t know, I like to make plans…..following through all the time is a different story…heh.)
- STEP 1: Update Resume (this includes my paper resume and LinkedIn profile)
- STEP 2: Look for jobs to apply for and send out resume
- STEP 3: Build a new, more “professional” web/blog profile to support resume (I have been researching this all weekend and I think the Web 2.0 thing to do in this market is to provide a professional Google-able presence on-line)
- STEP 4: Social Networking (Ask my dear former colleague to say nice things about me on LinkedIn
Other non-job search items on my list include:
- Reconnect with old friends: Have lunch with people that I haven’t seen or heard from in 3 plus years
- Stop by and say “hello” to some old professors: Let’s just say that after “walking” two years ago, I have never walked back on campus
- Local Sightseeing: After living in the Bay Area for so long, it’s time I actually enjoyed my scenery a bit
- Join the Circus: www.circuscenter.org
- Crafts: It’s high time that I too become an indie crafter
More to come later…..once I think of other things to do.
craigslist, freelancer, job hunt, job search, lay offs, marcom, Marketing, monster, Public Relations, publicity, resume, Unemployment
In Job Hunting, Life on May 16, 2008 at 9:05 am
I can’t go to work right now, even if I wanted to…..the bridge to work has been closed due to a multiple vehicle accident. In hindsight, it was a very fortunate decision to not leave on time. Special thanks to TT for giving me the heads up before I walked out the door.
So while I am at home, preparing for my new state of gainful unemployment, Life After The Agency 2.0 is now being launched bit-by-bit with my new tag line being “Chronicles Of An Unemployed, Free Agent of Public Relations.” I thought that “Chronicles Of An Unemployed Flack” was a bit catchier but not quite the connotation that I wanted to give myself. Accordingly, I have updated my prologue to document the changes.
nataliedee.com
Last night, I kicked off my unemployment with sushi and sake. With the unbearably sunny weather and almost 100 degree temperatures, cold raw fish was an ideal dinner. My evening was later followed by some time dedicated to trying to update my resume yet again while scanning the job market on Craigslist.com and Monster.com. No comment at this time on my prospects.
This morning, I made my second attempt (the phone line was busy in my first attempt to file yesterday) for unemployment insurance, but was temporarily rejected. Contrary to what I was told by HR yesterday, I cannot file in advance. Since I will be staying until next Thursday as I was given a full week’s notice, I am technically not qualified. Guess I’ll be calling back, this time next week.
