Review: Life after College: the Complete Guide to Getting What You Want

About a month ago I wrote a post about this book that I was starting to read.  I have to say I initially really could not get into this book.  I don't know what I didn't find appealing about the book but lately I haven't been able to put it down.  I think I needed the reassurance that I'm not the only person feeling this way.  

When I was preparing for my second interview, I picked this book up and started doing the exercises in the back of the book.  I didn't really want to do the exercises at first but they actually helped!  In one section of the book it asked you to write down what your goals are for the next 6 months, 1 year and 3 years.  I found myself writing down a lot of things and hope to go back to that exercise in a few months and see if I've accomplished what I set out to do.  The books chapters include lessons on work, money, home, organization, friends and family, dating and relationships, health, fun and relaxation, and personal growth.  

I really liked this book and I think it is a must read for people who are afraid of what life is like outside of college.  It provides helpful tips from recent college grads and gives Jenny's advice and helpful exercises.

Hopefully, this book will help me land that job that I've dreamed of and wrote down in this book!

Oh and p.s. I've applied for a new job that could be the change I've been looking for!

Scooter Cruising

So today I spent a lovely day out with my father and brother.  For some strange reason, my dad decided  it would be interesting to go to a local scooter store just to look at them.  I had no idea that when we walked in there we would be leaving with a scooter.  Ok, well we didn't leave with the scooter because apparently it has to be prepped and tested before we can get it (which is fine by me).  But we did purchase it, so technically it is all ours!

My new baby!  She needs a name, I'm thinking something french?

Funny story about my scooter obsession.  Ever since I was maybe 15 I've been obsessed with Vespa's.  True story, my parents considered getting me a scooter instead of a car for my 17th birthday because they thought it was a safer and cheaper alternative to a car.  Unfortunately, my mother being the nurse that she is, thought getting a scooter for a teenager may not be a good idea (smart thinking mom).  Another issue with getting a Vespa is I would have needed to get a motorcycle license and that was something I didn't want to do.  So my dreams of getting a Vespa were crushed until today!  Recently, NJ passed a law that stated you don't need to get a motorcycle license if you purchase a scooter that does not exceed 50 mph, which this scooter clocks in at 40 mph (which is fine by me).  This is a BMS Federal 50cc.  It's not a vespa but through research I've discovered Vespa's are overrated and over priced.  This cute scooter was still a little pricey but a good investment for someone like myself who lives in a small town.     

 This little beauty is suppose to be delivered on either Saturday or Tuesday so hopefully I'll get someone to videotape me learning how to ride it (because let's be honest, it should be pretty funny.)  I think this bike is going to be perfect for my mom to ride to work and for me to ride it around town!  I said I needed a change, who knew it was going to be a new form a transportation!

Life Sucks Sometimes. I Need a Change Stat!!!!

Hello all...

As you can probably already tell this post is not going to be all sunshine and rainbows.  After my last post about unfortunately not receiving a job offer, I've been in a funk.  I've realized that I can no longer work in retail (at least not in the position I'm currently in).  I need something more, I need a management position or a real job, I just need a change.  I need something that will provide me the financial security I am looking for.

So, where does that leave me.  Hopeless, frustrated, tired, optimistic? How about all of the above.  I keep telling myself that I'm giving myself the summer to kind of figure out what I want to do but in reality there aren't really jobs out there (at least the jobs that are there are not entry level positions).  I'm just confused. I've been reading the book Life After College and the information in the book is actually helping me figure out what my goals are, what motivates me, and is helping me develop a life plan.  While the book is helping me, it is making me semi depressed as well.  I know a lot of college students are struggling to find a job but I don't hear them complaining.  I cannot stress it enough, I'm begging someone to give me a chance.

I guess the rejection email I received from my last interview is taunting me.  I should probably just delete it but I keep looking at it hoping some how it will say what I want it to say.  It's not going to happen but I can dream!  What got me was that the email said "You are extremely qualified for the position and come highly recommended, but we've decided to go with someone with more experience."  There's that word again, experience, it's almost taunting me now.  How do employers expect recent grads to gain this experience if they are not willing to give someone a chance.  I wish I used my college experience a little more efficiently and done more internships to gain that experience but I don't have a time machine so that isn't really possible.  I guess I'll just hope some employer will remember the feeling and take a chance on me.

Sorry for my rant about jobs, I think the fact that I was so close to getting this position it made me re-evaluate my life and has frustrated me.  My one friend asked me if I actually wanted this position or was I just excited to have a job? What's interesting is I couldn't really answer the question.  I think I was more interested in making a decent amount of money and being able to say I'm employed rather then doing the actual job.  Oh well, no sense in wondering what could have been.

My week improved slightly over the next couple of days.  I was able to FINALLY get a haircut, which was long overdue!

Unfortunately, my hair only looked this good for a few hours because the Jersey humidity and rain caused my naturally wavy hair to frizz and poof up.  I am grateful that my hair is healthy and shiny and just so soft.  I'm thinking come September I may try something extreme with my hair.  I've done the short bob or the long shapeless hair.  The only thing I haven't done is dye my hair yet.  My hair stylist as well as the manager of the salon I go to told me to not even think about dying my hair but I want something different.  I want to add definition and color to my hair.  What I'm thinking is something like this in terms of the cut and maybe even the color....

from Pinterest

I don't think I'd go as blonde, but maybe go a light brown at my ends.  I wish I could have my hair look this good everyday but my waves are not as disciplined.  I tend to wake up with one side looking a mess while the other looks nice and pulled together.  

This is the color I'm thinking would soot my skin tone better...

Like the title states I need a change.  Whether it's a new job or a new hairstyle.  I need something that will boost my confidence and hopefully help me land a job.


I want to leave this blog with a quote that I find fitting for this blog.

"Keep on beginning and failing.  Each time you fail, start over again, and you will grow stronger until you have accomplished a purpose- not the one you began with perhaps, but you you'll be glad to remember. " Anne Sullivan

Hopefully my next post will be filled with sunshine and butterflies!!!!

The Dreaded Words... We've Decided to go With Someone Else

Is there any other phrase that is more dreaded when you're on the job hunting market?  I don't think so. Yesterday I went on a 2nd interview for a position I was really interested in, unfortunately I work up to an email stating their decision.  The email mentioned that although I'm qualified for the position that they've decided to go with someone with MORE experience.  

This second interview was difficult because it was being conducted by a board member for the company.  I thought the interview went well, but obviously the other candidate had more experience or had a better interview.  Looking back at the interview, I think I may have been more honest then needed.  I was asked which aspects of the job scared me the most, what would I expect to be the most challenging aspect of the job, and my strengths and weaknesses?   I'm one of those people who if you ask me a question, I'm going to be giving you an honest answer (which might explain why I'm still unemployed).  

Hopefully, in the near future I will hear the best words that any unemployed individual would love to hear.... Victoria, we'd love to hire you!!!!  

Happy Birthday America!!!

First, I'd like to say Happy 4th of July to everyone.  I want to take the time to thank our service men and women both past and present for all that they've done for our country, with out them we would not be able to celebrate this day!!!

With that being said I think we forget to take the time to thank those that have made this day possible and continue to make this day possible.  We're all too wrapped up in what the 4th of July sales are.  I'm fine with those people who use this day to celebrate with family and friends, but you do realize that while you're off from your job, thousands of other people have to work because you want to shop.

Ok, let me explain.  I work in retail at a very popular American clothing store that is a staple at nearly every mall.  I like what I do, by no means will I ever say I love what I do.  Retail makes me realize how appreciative I am of anyone who works in the customer service business.  Everyone should be FORCED to have to work in retail at least once in their lives.  It's a great experience and you really do learn a lot from it.  For example, I've learned that there is no way I will make retail my career.

I've also developed a hate from major holidays because of working with retail.  Well maybe hate's a strong word but because I have to work every holiday except Christmas, which is ridiculous.  I don't appreciate the fact that we are no longer observing these holidays and remembering what they really mean.  For many Thanksgiving is no longer a day to remember what we are thankful for but a day to plan what stores we want to ambush at midnight.  I have never shopped at midnight for the crazy sales and will never ever do it because I know how annoying it is to have to leave your family to go to work because there are crazy people out there who have to shop.

Let's all stop and take a moment to remember what the holidays are really about!

A Week In Review

So I've been slacking off with my posting so I figured I would update everyone on the week I had:

Monday:
On Monday I actually went on a job interview.  I wasn't initially excited about the job position but after I left the interview I realized that this position is something I wanted to do.  Although I've been on a few interviews I didn't feel like this interview went really well.  For starters, I had to drive through a crazy storm that was so bad that I actually needed to pull my car over and pray that the storm would pass.  Then once I got within a mile of the business, I sat in bumper to bumper traffic.  I pride myself on always being early.  I tend to leave myself 15-20 minutes to get places.  Well for this interview I was 5 minutes late, which actually didn't end up mattering because my interviewer was actually late too.  Because I was late I felt like I was flustered and wasn't myself.  I left the interview thankful for the opportunity but not expecting to get a call for a second interview.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday:
I worked.  Nothing too interesting.  Customers have been acting crazy because it's a holiday weekend and all the crazies come out for a good sale.

On Friday I received an email from the company I interviewed with asking to setup a 2nd interview.  I was actually really shocked because I didn't think I did that well on my first interview.  I've realized I really would like this position so I'm going to really prepare for this interview this time.  Wish me luck!!!

Thursday:
On Thursday, my brother and I went to go see Madagascar 3 in 3D.  Overall, I thought the movie was pretty cute.  I really believed that the movie was geared towards the adult crowd.  My favorite part included King Julien singing a lovely rendition of the Spice Girls "Wannabe."  I wouldn't say the movie was worth the price of the $10 ticket but it definitely was a cute movie that had me laughing.

Sunday:
Today, I went with my roommate (technically my ex-roommate but that's too depressing) to see Magic Mike.  I was extremely excited to see this movie because I love Channing Tatum, Joe Manganiello, and Alex Pettyfer, plus who wouldn't be excited to see these men stripping.  I know the movie has been on the top of the box offices but I believe it's simply because of the actors who star in this movie.  Matthew McConaughey was made for this role.  I'm sure Matthew doesn't want to be associated with a sleazy male stripper but this is exactly how I imagine him acting at home with his kids.  Overall, unless your dying to see Channing Tatum's butt, I would wait for this movie to come out on DVD.  JOe Manganiello wasn't even in the movie that much but he did reveal a little more then the rest of the characters did (if you know what I'm saying ;)

I hope everyone else had a pretty successful week!!!!!

Oh and here's a cute picture of Pierre and Tuckie in their matching bow ties!!!