Dr. Oz

I had off of work today and had a bunch of errands to run and things to do. I'm not usually home during the day and have a distaste for daytime television. I had the TV on today for background noise and caught the newest Oprah Spin off show called Dr. Oz.

I remember seeing the Oprah promos for the Dr. Oz specials where he'd talk about and show the effects of smoking, types for a healthy life, blah, blah, blah, I'd heard it all before. But I tuned in today when he started giving real solutions to things I encounter. Like putting vitamin A cream under your eyes helps to eliminate those dark circles, and when you don't get enough sleep you crave carbs, I was amazed and immediately ran to the living room to see what other wisdom this Dr. could offer.

Now if only there was a doctor for our careers that could offer magic advice on how to exactly get the job we want, the promotion, that raise. It seems like we're taught every other theory in college but how to sell ourselves to potential employers.

I took an account planning class last term where we took on the role as account planners for the Nestle Purina Brand. I learned a lot about Millenials and their job seeking and career preferences. I also found some internet sites that I continue to recommend to people who are on the prowl for their perfect career.

http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/

http://www.idealist.org/

http://andrewhudsonsjobslist.com/

http://pac.org/

http://www.97-job-search-tips.com/

Rejection

I got another rejection letter today, this one from Christopher Newport University. Trying to find a job in this economy is really difficult. I have applied for countless jobs and who knows if my resume even has been viewed. My job at ITT was recently posted and within one day they had over 50 applications. My boss never did make it through the resumes. He did interview three people. The first was one of the first resumes that he came across and a friend of the girl who holds my position in Arnold. The second was a family friend of the district manager and the third was a classmate of mine from grad school that had applied for another position in the past.

I'm no sure the total number of people who eventually applied for my position by the time it was all said and done. My point is that unless you network or know someone within an organization you could be the most perfect candidate for a job and never get the opportunity to interview for the position.

I've read just about everything I've come across in the past year as it relates to job hunting, landing that perfect job, top interview skills etc. There are tons of ideas our there from creating your own web site, to having an online resume, making sure your Linked In profile is complete, and so much more. There is so much advice out there but how does one know what to follow and what's a waste of time. Some things seems like common sense but what REALLY works? I think that's why some many college grads find the job search SO frustrating, is because there is no exact formula on getting a job.

Allow me to introduce myself...

I am a 27 year old female and it seems as if my life is in a state of in between.

I currently live in Saint Louis, MO with my two, four legged children Leroy and Princess. I got married a couple of months ago but my husband is in the military and lives in another state about 2 1/2 hours north of Saint Louis. People are constantly asking me how married life is and I feel like I'm letting them down when I tell them, I don't know...my husband lives in a different state.

Erick has two children from a previous marriage, Jillian is 8 going on 16 and Zack is 3. I'm adjusting to being a step mom, even if it is only part time. We have them every other weekend but for the past month it has been every weekend which becomes a little frustrating since it is the only time Erick and I have together.

Erick is in the Navy and recently got selected for a job in Portsmouth, Virginia, so it looks like we'll be moving. I was raised in New Jersey and plucked into a new high school in a Saint Louis suburb in tenth grade so I've had experience with drastic moves. My sophomore year of college I moved away from Saint Louis to attend Mizzou in a town where I knew no one. Again, another drastic move. Except there is more at stake now and I am feeling the pressure of trying to work full time, attend grad school, buy our first home...14 hours away, and find a new job that I won't hate.

The job search has proven to be frustrating, draining, depressing, horrible....you get the point. Constant rejection without even the courtesy rejection notice. I have become a stalker of my email and voice mails and constantly checking online for open positions.

One of the problems I keep running into is timing. Nobody really seems to want to talk to me about positions until closer to the time Erick will be relocating, even though I've made it clear I'm willing to relocate earlier than him. I like for things to be organized and planned. Call me anal retentive but I want to know what job I'm going to have, how much I'm going to be payed, and when I will start so that I can plan accordingly.

I've reached out for a lot of help and advice over the past couple of months and hopefully I will see the payoff of all my efforts very soon!