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!!!!  

Life.......

Life can be so challenging sometimes.  Today, I had my yearly review with one of my managers at the retail store I work at.  The company I work for decided upon completing our reviews we are required to answer a few short questions.  What kinds of questions you ask?  Completely pointless questions that do not relate to my job.  I was asked "where do you see yourself in 5 years?" REALLY... this question is haunting my life.  My response was, "uhh not here."  The next question asked me to rate my satisfaction with my job from a scale of 1-10.  I asked if I could give negative numbers and my manager seemed less than thrilled (I found it hilarious).  I don't understand why people expect me to have a plan for my life 5 years from now... I don't even know what I'm going to be doing next week?

These question have got me thinking?  What are my career goals and aspirations?  Do I want to stay in retail or do I want to move on and explore the world?  Now is the perfect time in my life to just pick up and move for a career opportunity.  Sure, it will be completely scary not living by my family but is it worth it to have a successful career?

Hopefully, I'll have exciting news soon!!!!!!

Tori

PLEASE.... give me a chance

Ok recent grads, how many of you are frustrated that you simply can't find a job?  I think the problem isn't that there aren't jobs out there, there are tons, just not enough for recent grads.  I really would like to use my degree (Communications) for a job and not just work in retail, like I'm doing now.  Every job that I've seen somewhat interested in applying to requires some amount of prior experience.  Umm... how am I going to get any experience when no one will give me a chance.  It's actually really discouraging that no one wants to give people a chance?  Don't they remember that someone gave them a chance too.

I'm hoping that I'm not the only one who is completely lost in this job hunting process.  I've become so desperate (really I could use all the advice I could get) I bought a self-help book.  I actually recently bought a book from Target that is a guide for college students about all the things you don't learn about in college.  I haven't actually read it yet, but I plan to write a review of it once I'm done with it.

It's a scary world out there and let's hope this book helps me become more comfortable with growing up, because as of right now I'm terrified.

All the best!

Tori

Interviews

My Grandmother gave me a little booklet with the 101 Toughest Interview Questions.  I took it and never looked at it but now as I realize that in 65 days I will be graduating, I figured I would take a look at them and post which ones I think are the hardest.  Oh and by no means am I some career expert, I’m just some college student who has learned some of these lessons through trial and error.

1. The worst question in my opinion is “So, tell me a little about yourself?”

Such an easy questions right? WRONG, this is such a loaded question.  This is one of the questions I have always had a hard time with because I find that I go on and on about myself because I don’t know what I  should say and what I shouldn’t.  During my phone interview the other day I struggled with selling myself in 20 minutes (an impossible task, in my opinion).  I think my problem with this question stems from the the fact that I think it may be the most important question anyone could ask.  This is where your interviewers gets to know you, the real you!

2. What are some of your biggest weaknesses as an employee and what do you plan to do to correct them?

I think this question is difficult because you need to walk the line of being extremely honest but still have your best salesperson hat on.  You really can’t say “Oh, I’m never on time” because no one is going to want to hire you.  You need to decide if you’re going to list a “positive flaw” such as I’m a control freak or I’m obsessive.  You need to feel out the situation and see what would be the best answer for your interviewer and your situation.

3. “Would you consider yourself more team-orientated or an individual worker?”

This wasn’t one of the questions from the booklet but it was one I found extremely difficult to answer.  I was asked this very recently and struggled with my answer.  I find myself in the middle of this situation.  I knew my interviewer wanted a direct answer so I chose one, but I did the cowardly or possibly smart thing of mentioning that it didn’t mean that I wasn’t able to work in either situation.  I wanted to be as honest as possible but I knew there was a certain answer the interviewers was looking for.

When interviewing we must all remember to be ourselves.  The more comfortable we are the better we’ll do.  You need to be comfortable with where you work and the people you work with.  If you don’t get a good vibe during the interview, chances are it’s not the place for you.  Hopefully, I will get more practice while interviewing and I can share my knowledge with you all!