Thursday, August 11, 2011

New Job, New Adventure


As I hinted in my last post, some pretty cool things have been happening in my life related to the job search. But first, let me clarify – by “job search” I mean “another-internship-search-because-one-internship-still-isn’t-enough-to-actually-get-me-a-real-job search.” However, because I’ve graduated from college and passed through the obligatory “summer internship” phase, it is no longer socially acceptable to admit that I am STILL an intern, so I will from now on be referring to my internship as my “job.” 

[Note: when I get a real job, I will refer to it as my “job-job” so as to avoid confusion.]

Let me warn you: searching for internships, ahem, I mean, jobs, requires a lot of research.  I spent countless hours on the Internet, wading through what seemed like endless pages of foreign policy think tanks, non-profit job boards, and various magazines and journals.  I solicited advice and contacts from friends and relatives. I sent out emails. I tweaked my resume about 3,004 times. I wrote cover letters like it was my own personal superpower.  Step back, Superman! CoverLetter Lady is here!

Eh, just doesn’t sound the same.

Anyways.  To my shock, I actually heard back from several organizations within a couple days. And then, BAM WOW, I had interviews set up.  In no time at all, I was going to those interviews.  And I was professional, articulate, and (surprisingly) not a bit nervous. [Harassment from random and determined creepers tends to take your mind off things, as I discovered near Farragut West.] I was actually proud of how I represented myself.

That’s not to say each interview was a total success.  When the interviewer asks a question (while her partner sits in stoic silence just watching you), allows you to answer, and then just says “Interesting” in a very un-interested voice and jots a note down – is that a good thing? She said “interesting” a lot.  I don’t think it’s a good thing.  Monty Python might disagree, as they seem to appreciate unconventional interview habits.

So I went to a total of about five interviews for three different companies.  Of those three, two have offered me positions.  [This is my blog, this is my chance to brag.] I’m still waiting to hear back on the third (the one with the “Interesting” interviewer and her verbally challenged assistant), but I know I won’t take it.  I know I won’t take it because I just accepted a position with the second company.

The best part? The second company is the job I really wanted.  I mean, I really really wanted it. Very badly.  As in, I called everybody and their mom to tell them I wanted it. And then I called everybody and their dad to tell them the good news when I got it…meaning, I posted it on Facebook.

So, new adventures to come! I don’t know about you, but I’m excited.

3 comments:

  1. AHHHHH!!! AFTAN I am soooo stinkin excited for you!!! Congrats x1098309283012938 my dear! Keep it up and keep livin' the dream! Love you and I'm so happy for you! :)

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  2. Congrats on the job that you really, really wanted!!! I'm glad to hear that you spent countless hours looking up different organizations- I feel like I'm doing the exact same thing with the grad school search!

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