Moving Forward

Since my last blog entry, life continues to move forward. I am in week 5 of my online learning session and currently hold a 97% grade average. The session ends on 12/16. The next session begins 1/11.

I have started to devote more effort towards my job search endeavors. I'm not exactly performing the steps in the order as defined by LHH, (the outplacement service of which I spoke in previous posts), but I have modified the steps to better comply with the demands of the EDD office, which is to apply to "x" number of jobs each week.

Not surprisingly so, the EDD office apparently focuses more on quantity than quality. As such, I have yet to finalize one of the first steps recommended by LHH, which is to develop a marketing plan. Such a plan identifies prospective employers with which I have an interest in working. The plan focuses on: type of industry, location, number of employees, and salary desired to name but a few criteria. The criteria are then used to search for job opportunities.

Step 1, preparation of my resume and cover letter, has been completed. I feel I am now better prepared to contact potential employers and distribute my resume to interested parties.

Now for Step 2 of the modified process, preparing for an interview. I have found several sources to help me prepare for typical questions that might be asked during an interview. After I compose my replies to these various questions, I need to store said replies in my long-term memory and learn to communicate them in a relaxed and natural manner.

I am fortunate in that, between the databases offered by LHH and those offered by the online learning institution in which I am enrolled, I am able to locate several possibilities for future employment. I am not necessarily applying to my first choices, however, due to the fact that before a candidate is hired, (s)he must repeatedly go through the process of interviewing before an offer is usually provided. Statistics show that first-time interviews---unless you know someone who already works for the company and can recommend you---rarely result in an offer. As a result, I might consider first contacting some lesser desirable companies for the sake of practice.

That being said, I did apply for a job opportunity for which I think I would be perfect. I'm very excited about the opportunity and, as a result, plan on focusing on Step 2 noted above. My long-term memory might not be up to the task, but I'm hopeful my short-term memory will be up for the challenge.