Well, damn. After reading the first article about cover letters I must admit I am a bit bummed. Not that it is very surprising that employers scan resumes first, then perhaps read them if they're interested, and do not even read cover letters until after that.
But, it is hopeful to learn that by simply being aggressive and following up on a company that you have applied for can really open doors. I like the idea of seeing yourself as a product and the company as the consumer. This way, you are marketing yourself to a company. They need to know how and why your product (you) stand out from all the rest, and how the consumer (company) will benefit from you.
I think that this is a great way to think of yourself when applying for a job. It makes one focus more on the company than their self, which is good. If you show knowledge and interest in a company, then it will give you ethos that support the idea that they should hire you.
My favorite piece of advice from this whole article is to hand write a P.S. at the end of your cover letter. I think that this is an awesome way to stick out and to gain a prospective employer's attention. This is definitely something I want to do.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Interview Strategy: Telling Stories
My favorite theme that I learned from this article is that an interview should be more like a conversation than an interrogation. I think that this is an important concept for interviewees to recognize because people tend to get nervous during interviews. They may end up saying something they didn't mean or not putting their thoughts into words correctly because they are focusing too much on what the interviewer wants to hear.
If people focused more on interesting stories about themselves and their accomplishments that could build their ethos, then perhaps they wouldn't get mental blocks when asked simple questions. In my case, I have plenty of great answers to offer, but I tend to think too much about the question, that sometimes I can't find the answer I want to use.
I tend to react in interview questions the same as I do for exam questions. I think that if I got the opportunity to decide what topics I wanted to discuss before the interview/exam, then I would be much more secure in my answers and feel better prepared. As long as I find example stories that could answer multiple questions, then I would be prepared for much more.
This article made me stop and think about a few stories that might be beneficial to me in a job interview and it has really made me reflect on what I experience I really do have in the work force. It turns out that I have many crisis situations that I underwent while working as a full time nanny. It kinda makes me excited for the opportunity to talk about these situations in a future job interview.
If people focused more on interesting stories about themselves and their accomplishments that could build their ethos, then perhaps they wouldn't get mental blocks when asked simple questions. In my case, I have plenty of great answers to offer, but I tend to think too much about the question, that sometimes I can't find the answer I want to use.
I tend to react in interview questions the same as I do for exam questions. I think that if I got the opportunity to decide what topics I wanted to discuss before the interview/exam, then I would be much more secure in my answers and feel better prepared. As long as I find example stories that could answer multiple questions, then I would be prepared for much more.
This article made me stop and think about a few stories that might be beneficial to me in a job interview and it has really made me reflect on what I experience I really do have in the work force. It turns out that I have many crisis situations that I underwent while working as a full time nanny. It kinda makes me excited for the opportunity to talk about these situations in a future job interview.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
10 yrs from now
Though I can tell you exactly where I want to be for the next month, almost hour for hour, I am finding it quite difficult to decide where I want to be ten years from now. For starters, I want to have graduated from Clemson University with a masters in Sociology, and perhaps a bachelors in Psychology. From there, I hope to be in a profession with some type of drug counseling. Hopefully this will be a good paying job, but if not, it won’t make much of a difference to me.
One thing I do know is that I am not planning on having kids in the next ten years. Though I do want kids, I am in no hurry and would like to get settled on my own two feet before I bring another life into this world. I would like to think that in ten years I will be married, but then again, there are a lot of things I want to accomplish and places I want to go before I tie myself down to any one person.
I would like to learn sign language fluently by then, and perhaps Braille. I know for sure that I want to travel to Brazil at some point to learn Portuguese. I think it would also be nice to go to Africa and be in the Peace-Core for a few years before I find a real job, i.e. actually grow up.
Before I graduate from Clemson University, however, there are some things I would like to accomplish. Above all, I want to make at least a 3.0 my graduating year. I would also like to become more involved in student organizations. I am currently a member of both Roots for Shoots and Solid Green. I would like to be a part of student government and do something to leave my print on Clemson University, in a positive way.
I would also like to get an internship at a hospital, rehab center, or even with SLED. From there I hope to find the exact direction to suit me, so that I might follow it. I at least know that I want to end up in Oregon to start my family. I love Oregon because it’s not so hot, they have very liberal laws, and also because the scenery is so magnificent.
I know that my plans for the next ten years are broad and iffy, but I simply am not sure what exactly I want to do right now. My biggest hope is that with in the next ten years, I really want to find this out!
One thing I do know is that I am not planning on having kids in the next ten years. Though I do want kids, I am in no hurry and would like to get settled on my own two feet before I bring another life into this world. I would like to think that in ten years I will be married, but then again, there are a lot of things I want to accomplish and places I want to go before I tie myself down to any one person.
I would like to learn sign language fluently by then, and perhaps Braille. I know for sure that I want to travel to Brazil at some point to learn Portuguese. I think it would also be nice to go to Africa and be in the Peace-Core for a few years before I find a real job, i.e. actually grow up.
Before I graduate from Clemson University, however, there are some things I would like to accomplish. Above all, I want to make at least a 3.0 my graduating year. I would also like to become more involved in student organizations. I am currently a member of both Roots for Shoots and Solid Green. I would like to be a part of student government and do something to leave my print on Clemson University, in a positive way.
I would also like to get an internship at a hospital, rehab center, or even with SLED. From there I hope to find the exact direction to suit me, so that I might follow it. I at least know that I want to end up in Oregon to start my family. I love Oregon because it’s not so hot, they have very liberal laws, and also because the scenery is so magnificent.
I know that my plans for the next ten years are broad and iffy, but I simply am not sure what exactly I want to do right now. My biggest hope is that with in the next ten years, I really want to find this out!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Web 2.0
The title of this video suggests that people feel they are inferior to animals because of our technology, but recommends that there is something inferior to humans, the technology itself. We feel that we are in control with these extra powers technology gives us. But perhaps this same friend that we rely so much on is beginning to control us.
This video is suggesting that society may be getting sucked into the web in more ways than one would think. We see the Internet and all of this technology as steps in the right direction, or as improvements. But perhaps humanity is getting lost some where in between cyber space and reality.
Web 2.0 sounds so wonderful from the outside. It instantly connects us to the entire world. We can share pictures, documents, and thoughts with virtually whoever, where ever. But one of the draw backs of such availability is that these same things can be traced. We love to share pictures from a wild party last weekend. But now we must worry about them making their way into the wrong person's hands.... i.e. our employers, professors, parents, boyfriends, girlfriends, and future employers. This results in a world where nothing is a secret, everything can be found out.
It's a scary thought. Yet very true. We must think now about what we say and do over the Internet because it could come back to bite us in the @$$ later. This is crucial from both those who are employed and those who look for a job.
It really can make one hesitate before they post their next blog, ext.
This video is suggesting that society may be getting sucked into the web in more ways than one would think. We see the Internet and all of this technology as steps in the right direction, or as improvements. But perhaps humanity is getting lost some where in between cyber space and reality.
Web 2.0 sounds so wonderful from the outside. It instantly connects us to the entire world. We can share pictures, documents, and thoughts with virtually whoever, where ever. But one of the draw backs of such availability is that these same things can be traced. We love to share pictures from a wild party last weekend. But now we must worry about them making their way into the wrong person's hands.... i.e. our employers, professors, parents, boyfriends, girlfriends, and future employers. This results in a world where nothing is a secret, everything can be found out.
It's a scary thought. Yet very true. We must think now about what we say and do over the Internet because it could come back to bite us in the @$$ later. This is crucial from both those who are employed and those who look for a job.
It really can make one hesitate before they post their next blog, ext.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
All about me
Hi,
My name is Adrienn. My major is sociology. I have no real idea what it is that I plan on doing with such a degree. For now I am riding where ever the wind takes me looking for where I should go. I love the out doors. I am big on the environment and nature. I come from a pretty liberal family so my views are the like. My favorite thing to do is spend time with the people I love, while enjoying Mother Earth. I wish I was a funnier person, or perhaps a better speller. But I try to take it easy and not be in a rush to get things done in life. I am hardworking and fun-loving.
I hope this is a good introduction.
My name is Adrienn. My major is sociology. I have no real idea what it is that I plan on doing with such a degree. For now I am riding where ever the wind takes me looking for where I should go. I love the out doors. I am big on the environment and nature. I come from a pretty liberal family so my views are the like. My favorite thing to do is spend time with the people I love, while enjoying Mother Earth. I wish I was a funnier person, or perhaps a better speller. But I try to take it easy and not be in a rush to get things done in life. I am hardworking and fun-loving.
I hope this is a good introduction.
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