I currently find myself in the midst of the quest for employment, as do about 26 million other Americans. I graduated from college in May 2009 after 7 years of higher education, and have been trying to figure out how to manage in the "real world" ever since. Six interviews and zero job offers later, I've decided to begin documenting some of my experiences, the lessons I've learned, and the advice I've gleaned from mentors and friends. My hope is that this blog will be more than just an outlet for my frustration and a productive use for my overabundance of free time. I hope it will encourage others who also find themselves unemployed, students who are about to graduate, and friends who do have jobs (both those who enjoy what they do and those who don't). I'd also love to include a diversity of perspectives and thoughts on this topic, so if you'd like to add something, feel free to post a comment or send me a blog entry to add to the discussion.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
The Quest for a Profession...
Webster defines a profession as "a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation." I agree with that definition, however, I would also add a footnote: "after requiring long and intensive academic preparation, the process of finding a job within your profession will most likely be extremely challenging and arduous and will necessitate persistence and resolute confidence tested by innumerable rejections."
I currently find myself in the midst of the quest for employment, as do about 26 million other Americans. I graduated from college in May 2009 after 7 years of higher education, and have been trying to figure out how to manage in the "real world" ever since. Six interviews and zero job offers later, I've decided to begin documenting some of my experiences, the lessons I've learned, and the advice I've gleaned from mentors and friends. My hope is that this blog will be more than just an outlet for my frustration and a productive use for my overabundance of free time. I hope it will encourage others who also find themselves unemployed, students who are about to graduate, and friends who do have jobs (both those who enjoy what they do and those who don't). I'd also love to include a diversity of perspectives and thoughts on this topic, so if you'd like to add something, feel free to post a comment or send me a blog entry to add to the discussion.
I currently find myself in the midst of the quest for employment, as do about 26 million other Americans. I graduated from college in May 2009 after 7 years of higher education, and have been trying to figure out how to manage in the "real world" ever since. Six interviews and zero job offers later, I've decided to begin documenting some of my experiences, the lessons I've learned, and the advice I've gleaned from mentors and friends. My hope is that this blog will be more than just an outlet for my frustration and a productive use for my overabundance of free time. I hope it will encourage others who also find themselves unemployed, students who are about to graduate, and friends who do have jobs (both those who enjoy what they do and those who don't). I'd also love to include a diversity of perspectives and thoughts on this topic, so if you'd like to add something, feel free to post a comment or send me a blog entry to add to the discussion.
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Any thoughts on setting up informational interviews? What do you say in the email to get their attention? How do you convince them to take time out of their schedules to meet with you? What are good things to say when you actually do meet? What are definite No-No's?
ReplyDeleteWhat's your philosophy on informational interviews? Is it for networking, mentorship, job opportunities? How does that inform the process?
Enough with the questions. Point is, I'm planning to pursue a few informational interviews myself, and I know I could use your good advice on the subject!