Got two more job offers yesterday!!!!! WOOT!!! UPDATE!!!! Government Jobs

Yesterday, I receive two more job offers for employment at the two various companies. I am still waiting for my background check results however I think I am going to take the job offer that I first received. I am not going to do days anymore since I officially have a job but I will continue to update this blog on a regular basis. I am still working to find some people who are going through some struggles with looking for a job so I will be posting stories on here on a regular basis......

I have a tip that some people can consider, I noticed that their is a huge influx of jobs for the government. If you are open to other options and you can pass a couple of tests, then you should consider a position in government. I was considered for a couple of positions myself, however since I am considered for other positions, I will but these government jobs on hold. However, I want to suggest a site to you that you can apply for various open positions for the government in various states. Some of these positions are two year contract terms so it is a great addition to your resume.

Here is your site for your reference www.usajobs.gov

I will be back in a few for some more tips on looking for a job!!!!!

JOB OFFER TODAY HOORRAAYYY!!!! 07/15/2009 TIP: Look at other options even though it is not within your degree field.....

Wow!!! What a great day!!!! I got an amazing job offer from a telecommunication company for their retail development management program. I am happy that I am finally getting something that I could learn from. This program will be great for me as I will continue to move around in my career. Even though this position is outside of my degree (food service management), I was willing to look at other options that were available due to the weak economy.

My advice to all graduating college students is to shop around for options even though you may think you may not qualify for the position due to your degree or your experience. A lot of companies are looking for people who have the education are looking to work from the ground up.


I am REALLY excited about this new career and hopefully I can work up from here. I feel that I am given a second chance from my screw ups for the past couple of years and this time I am not making the same mistakes twice.

So..... What does that means for this blog..... Nothing..... I am going to continue to provide tips and I am also going to post a couple of stories from some of the people that submitted their stories about their job search.


So thanks to everyone who read my story and gave me encouraging words. During the rough times your comments made me feel that I am not the only one going through the struggle. Hopefully somebody out there is reading my blog and are feeling the edge off them when it comes to looking for a career. Even though I was one of the many news stories about college graduates not finding a job right out of college, I feel that I worked harder now for a job which normally would have been handed to me. I will also appreciate things more from this experience then I did ever before.......



Thank you and keep on searching........

Antonya


PS I forgot to mention that I will be doing a blogspot radio about this blog..... I receive a call from a wonderful lady who saw my blog and wanted me to be a guest on a online radio show. I accepted (even though it is no pay) in order to spread the word about my struggles to people who are looking for a job. More details will be coming in a couple of days.....



HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY TO ME
WWWWWOOOOOOTTTTT!!!!

Day 14: Waiting for final job status Rant Why dont companies call you back when they say they will!!!!

So, I am waiting for the final job acceptance for a couple of companies. It is very nerve racking at times because you are waiting for a long time up to a week in some sorts. I am currently waiting due to background checks and employment references. I also went on a second interview with a Hotel in which the interviewer wore sunglasses throughout the entire interview! It was a very wired experience for me at this interview. I am still hoping by the end of the month I should begin working somewhere!!!!

I have a personal rant that I want to get off my chest. I am noticing an increasing amount of companies that claim that they will call you by the end of the week when you are a finalist of a position and you do not hear from them again. I can understand if it was an initial interview and they do not return the call since there is a large amount of applicants. However, if you are a final applicant I am assuming maybe two or three other candidates I do not think that a company should have a major issue in calling the two other applicants and telling them that they were passed on a position. I personally think that it is unprofessional since I had this happen to me twice. Even sending a self-generated letter will show the company that they consider your interest in the position. I think that these major corporations are losing there own touch when it comes to professional interviews and I hope that corporations can have the common respect in informing finalist of the position that they were passed or they decided to go in a different direction. What do you think about this when it comes to companies not calling back potential applicant when the company say that they will call you..... Sigh: Well that is my rant for tonight...

See you tomorrow

Day 12 and 13: Many more interveiews!!!! Volunteer a networking tool!!!!

Wow, I can honestly say that all of these interviews are slowly getting tiring. For the past two days I went on over 4 interviews and the calls will not stop calling. I am still waiting some final decisions on some and I got an acceptance from two companies. I think what I am going to do is weigh out my options and see what is best for me at the moment.

I also been busy at my temp place which they have now put me on a part-time schedule which is good since I am slowly bringing money in. I also been working really hard on my mystery shopping which kills a lot of time when it comes to making the day go faster.

I would suggest to anyone who is looking for a job and is presently unemployed is to pick up a volunteer or a second hobby or go to work classes to horn your skills, that way the mental anguish when it comes with job search will not come to you and you will find a job in no time......


Here are some sites to help you get started with volunteering, it is a good addition to your resume as well as an excellent research tool when it comes to networking for a position.

http://www.volunteerfloridafoundation.org/ (if you are in the state of FL!)

Also has promised here a couple of pictures from the Coke Cola 400 4th of July weekend!!!!

Day 10 and 11: Still getting interviews and interesting drug test!

Wow... the past couple of days have been really busy for me. On Saturday, I went to the Coke Cola 400 in Daytona Beach, (for all you NASCAR heads). The ending was great and I was actually able to see (and have pictures) of the final lap when Kyle Busch Spun out LOL!!!!! On Sunday and Monday I was bascially running around and completing as many as 50 shops this week. It is a good thing I am busy this week since today I had a OTJ (on the job) for a management position with a Quick Service restaurant. For those who do not know what a OTJ is, a OTJ is a great way for quick service restaurants to see if you are a great fit to the company. The OTJ is also great since you will have a better idea of the day to day functions of the restaurant, and to see if you can take the work on a daily basis. The staff and the manager were great and at the end I got a conditional employement offer pending my drug test. If this is not getting better, I also recieved a a couple of phone calls, one for a Food Service company whom I was previously employed with for a third final interview for a shift manager position. I also have a initial interview tomorrow with a hotel, as well as intereview tomorrow morning for a security office for light collections. I am also waiting on a phone call with the major telecommuncations company to find out if I will get the position for Retail Manager with in turn will offer relocation to an another city. All in all, I feel that I am moving forward and I will continue to look for positions in various areas in order to feel my right fit.

Now today I recieve and interesting drug test were I had to spit into a stick in order to determing if I am using drugs. It was a very interesting test, and a big difference from the typical pee in the cup test.

I am working this week with my temp position. I am hoping to get some more stories from other college graduates who are going through the same process like I am. IF you are a recent college graduate and you are or where having problems looking for a job or you had to take a lesser position that you may not want then please feel to email me.

I also want to recommend www.indeed.com. This website is great since it complies all of the online websites into one database. This is great as I recently use this site as a one stop shop for all of the job listings.

That is it for now.... I will blog back tomorrow to talk about my two interviews tomorrow and my temp position. (maybe I can get the pictures up of the race this past weekend!)

Antonya

Day nine : OTJ and interview tips!!!!

Day nine was a very quiet day for me, I went to the workforce center and talked to an assistant who help me with my interviewing skills. I believe that I am a little bit afraid of interviews since, I can admit I can get a little nervous when the interviewer is asking me questions. I would say from the lesson that I learned on today is to always take a deep breath and relax when you are answering their questions. The assistant mentioned about a site that will help you when it come to the basic interview questions.


Here is the site for interview tips: http://www.careercc.com/interv3.shtml

Next week, I have a OTJ (On the Job) Interview with a quick service company. I have the feeling with this I can land a job by the next two weeks. I also have a second telephone interview with a telephone communication company so hopefully I will hear something with next week. I am going to relax this weekend with the NASCAR race tomorrow. I will be back on Tuesday with some updates from my OTJ and additional information( and maybe some pictures from the race!)

Have a happy fourth of July!

Antonya

Day eight: Closer to finding a job but not a career....

Today I have two more interviews with two separate companies. My first interview was for a non-profit clothing store, which the interviewer locked me in the room for 30 minutes ( I did not realize I was locked in). I think the interviewer was more focused on the fax machine then the interview. I asked about the benefits, and I got of an unheard of six months to receive benefits. After this, I would not think I would like this position to much.......

My second interview, was an open job fair for a small chain breakfast shop which I met with the store manager. The good thing about this interview was that I had met with the owner a few weeks back, and he seem interested into hiring me. After this interview the GM mentioned what position would I like and I mentioned that I was really interested in the Assistant Manager position since I already have the experience. I am hoping to hear from this company by Friday at the latest.

So, basically I am going to hear from several companies by the end of the week so hopefully I will have an idea on a job so I can start on Monday. I also have two more interviews, one for second telephone screen interview with the telecommunications company, in which I was in line for a retail management program.

However the most funniest call was from the Quick Service company that I mentioned in a older posting about the guy stealing the drinks. I was invited to have a second interview first thing Friday morning.

I think I am going to take a break for the rest of the week, however if I do not hear anything I will definetly be on the look out on Monday morning. Until then I am excited that I am going to the Coca Cola 400 in Daytona this weekend. This will be my first Sprint Cup race and I will add some pictures on Monday. I also have a lot of shops to do this week in order to make some additional cash. I know the rest of the week will be busy, however I am still looking for other college graduates who are going through the same struggles like I am.... If you are a recent college graduate and you are going through your job search struggle, then please feel free to emal me and I will be happy to post your story on my blog.


I will be starting a group on Facebook for college graduate in order to network and hopefully gain some connection with companies that are actually hiring right now.


Til then Happy fourth... and if no updates I will post on Monday

GO KASEY !!!!