Boss Does Not Always = Leader

I'm so blessed to have the job that I have now and be surrounded by leaders. My bosses value me as an employee and a person. It's sad to think that anyone else would have to deal with anything less, but so many employees around the world have upper management who may not even care who they are or what they do as long as they make them money.

From previous personal experience and that of others I've come to learn to watch for some red flags that maybe your boss might not be a leader. Starting with the interview, how often do they talk verses you? It should be a conversation so if you walk away feeling like they couldn't have gotten to know you with the amount of talking they did that typically demonstrates how they feel about themselves and their subordinates. At one of my jobs, my first day there was a shouting match which I could hear down the hallway. The hallway had a desk that just so happened to be mine and shared the same space as the bathrooms... Believe me, where you work matters! If employers want you at their company they won't freak out if you ask to see where you'll be working or spend time with the staff.

During the first few weeks, watch your bosses schedule and the time they invest in you. Great leaders give their time to developing other great leaders. Bad bosses will be absent and uninterested in your work.

If I could offer up one piece of advice when encountering bad bosses is that their bad behavior is no excuse for you to be a bad employee. Constantly be identifying ways in which you can rise above. If I decided to react to negativity with negativity, I would start to build bad workplace habits. I would not have the job I have now had I mirrored poor leadership. You know the saying "Dress for the job you want?" In the exact same way, act like the employee you want to be for the job you want.

Even today I struggle with the habits I built in the past. However, being surrounded by good leaders has made me a better person and I'm so grateful to them and God for giving me that chance.

Good luck entry-levelers and call on God because his regular business hours are all day, every day.

This First is the Worst

To all the dads out there - Happy Father's Day! One in particular, my dad, has been a huge support to me especially during this huge transition. My parents are usually the first phone call I make after a hard day at work.

After all the applications, waiting time, and interviews, I took a marketing job with a small business. I lasted 3 months almost to the date. What caused my quick exit was combination of things, but ultimately I knew I was not going in the direction I wanted to.

A huge inspiration for the creation of this blog was derived from the lessons learned at my first job out of college.

I'm still grateful all things considered. Had it not been for those three months I wouldn't be in the job I have now, understand the position many professionals are in as we speak, or be able to write this blog--and keep it up!

God really does work all things for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28).

This blog post is solely to prepare you for the upcoming posts so I'm sorry if its scant in details. I appreciate you taking the time to read and I hope you're able to take something away from my life. As always, feel free to comment or sent me questions, stories, whatever! I love to hear from you.

Death of a Fish

Today, my beta fish of six months, Wilbur, died a tragic death due to soap residue in his fish bowl... that's right - it was my fault. We didn't always have the best relationship, but I promise I didn't kill him on purpose. He was quite delightful in the end, and I felt horrible for his death. So, I dedicate this post to him.

The most important thing while job searching, interviewing, and pursuing your career are relationships. Many people will be able to relate to your situation, many will not, and some will just be down right irritating. Always keep in mind that most people are looking out for your best interest. My secret weapon was gratitude. No matter how irritating the billions of suggestions people send your way are just say thank you.

Whenever I was job searching I always had a handful of people sending me emails with a link to a company or a job search site and every time my knee jerk reactions went something like, "REALLY? Thank you soooo much for sending me this link because I was just looking at my computer screen doing nothing and wallowing in self pity when magically you sent me this link that will lead to the land of opportunities - NOT!"

Sounds harsh and it is. Luckily, none of my well-intentioned friends and family felt the wrath of my sarcasm. I always tried to respond humbly and with a sense of gratitude. If all else in this world failed I would have an awesome support system to fall back on. Get your support system in place when you start applying. Call your friends, family, and even acquaintances and let them know you are unemployed. Even if they can't connect you to the fairy HR godmother or your dream job, at least you know you have someone to call when all else fails.

Thank you parents, siblings, aunts & uncles, cousins, and friends. Without you, my job search would have been painful and slow. Instead, I enjoyed 5 weeks of encouragement, support, and love followed by a lifetime of the same. God will give you the tools you need to follow his will - just call on him.

R.I.P. Wilbur
Beloved Pet & Friend

Interviews for Beggars

After 3 weeks of hearing nothing I finally started getting calls. Not one call came in for the magical dream job I had always hoped for, but they were calls none the less and I was grateful for them. I took every single interview opportunity (with the exception of the Macy's cosmetic counter as previously mentioned). People might say I wasted time, gas money, lowered my standards, gave up on my dream job, but those people didn't owe two months worth of rent.

Beyond just needing money, taking every single interview was an opportunity to work and a chance to practice in case the dream job interview finally did come along. The reason for the title "Interviews for Beggars" is because when you start looking for a job your mindset should reflect that of a beggar, not a chooser. If you decide to be a chooser you might end up at your dream job, but you might also end up living with your parents well into your late twenties. There's nothing wrong with that, but I love working and I would not be okay with sitting at home for more than a month knowing there are opportunities out there to be taken. 

Take as many interviews as you can. Practice, practice, practice. Learn the commonly asked questions and refine your answers. Then, in a few weeks when you've been through your X amount of interviews and you have Y amount of offers on the table you become the chooser without having to wait 6 months. 

God is faithful so hang in there and don't give up. Always be trying new approaches and eventually something will work out. 

I have so much more to say so tune in because its about to get interesting... you have no idea! Feel free to comment, send me questions, or even your own post-grad/entry-level stories. Don't forget to check out my new resources tab!