Moving in a Few Weeks? Where Did the Time Go?

Somehow it became September already and now I'm scrambling to find out what I have to get done before I move. Of course moving to an entirely different state, almost 1000 mi away is a lot different than moving down the street or across town. Here are some of the things I need to take care of before I hit the road: (And don't worry, I've been applying to jobs left and right).

1) Packing: Well the most dreaded thing on the entire list. I was hoping when I moved home to Boston, it would be for a while (find a job, make money for a couple years etc etc). I am NOT looking forward to that...

2) Address Change: I think I should maybe wait until I get there to actually do the address change. I would hope my parents would hold onto my mail for me. Plus my dad loves opening my mail anyways.

3) Bank Change: My current bank is only found in suburbs of Boston, so it wouldn't be very useful in Atlanta. I'm going to have to maybe go to Bank of America. Of course I also need to look at more options...

4) Car Insurance: Ok this is one change I am SO looking forward to do. I really feel like my insurance is ripping me off, but I'm gonna wait for the policy to expire for the year. That way I'll still be covered in GA. I think I'll also wait until then to

5) New License/New plates: I think the correct order I have to do this is license first, then plates/registration and then insurance? I'm not really sure.

6) Medical Insurance: I'm still covered under my dad's plan until I'm 25, but I'm not sure how it would work if I move out. Plus if I get a job and claim myself independent on taxes does that mean I'm not dependent on my dad's insurance?

As you can see, I still have a lot of questions to get answered before I move down there. The problem is that my dad is not very happy that I'm moving out and feels that it's not a good decision on my part. And when dad isn't happy, no one's happy. I just wish I could sit down and ask him these questions and not have to worry about him judging me or saying some smart remark about me being poor...he wasn't exactly rich when he was my age either. Plus I won't be entirely alone. My boyfriend's mom moved back into the area, so I'll still have someone who can give me advice or help if I need it.

I am open to suggestions, my readers! I need help figuring this stuff out. Am I going in the right direction? I just feel like I can get more help from Clemson if I'm closer to the network (regarding finding a job). Let me know what you think!

Still signing off as...

FUN-EMPLOYED!!

P.S.

I've been doing some updates on my portfolio page if you haven't checked it out yet. I just finished a logo for and independent film co. "astropiano films" if you haven't checked it out already! The logo will be featured at their first film premier for "Sunblocked" opening October 1, 2010 in Harvard Square!

Update: Part-Time To Pass The Time

Hey Bloggers!

Well it's been a busy few days. Today I had orientation for the restaurant that I'll be working at and I start working working on Thursday...yaaay. I am still looking for another job and I'm planning on moving to Atlanta in September/October.

I am using my cousin to help me find a job in Atlanta. (The headhunter) Just asking her advice on who to contact, what to say, etc.

So here's hoping to not be

FUN-EMPLOYED!!

(sorry for the short post--my lil cousin, well not so little she's 17, is coming into town tonight. I'm going to take her in town to visit schools)

A Not So Helpful Job Site

Hello Blogger World. Haven't been up to a whole lot, other than diligently sending out resumes and anticipating ANY response. One job that I applied for, I can't stop thinking about. I really feel like I have a chance at getting this job. Entry-level, pre-press job I mean that's pretty much what GC has prepared me for!! I've started following them on LinkedIn and I feel like the next step would be to make connections with people at the company. However, I don't want to come off as desperate or arrogant. I really REALLY want this job.

I have an interview for a restaurant job today, no big deal. Just need to make some quick cash to pay some bills and start saving to move down to Atlanta. So I'm still going to say that I am "Fun-Employed." I hope that doesn't offend anyone haha. Times are tough and a job is a job.

As for the topic of the day. Job sites (as I previously posted) can be very helpful. However, one job site that I had joined is really not working for me. The site is called "JobFox."

This is what my public profile looks like to employers:





Since my most recent job was working at chili's too on campus, apparently the site classifies me as a food service worker. There's nothing WRONG with working in food service, but that is NOT what I want employers to see when I'm trying to apply for jobs in graphics. Plus I can't change it because I would have to take it off of my resume so that the site wouldn't read it off the resume. They also keep sending me jobs for hotel and food service that I DON'T WANT! And the actual graphics jobs they do send me are for people with 4+ years of experience when the job site CLEARLY lists me as less than a year experience (thanks--I guess all my class work doesn't count either).

JobFox also keeps sending me emails for upgrading my resume (for a mere $100). Gee thanks but no thanks. I've said no MULTIPLE times, yet they keep sending me emails about it. They're almost as annoying as the Mary Kay lady!!

Well I must go get ready for my face to face interview. I just wish it was for a full-time real job position.
So I am still considering myself

FUN-EMPLOYED!!

Online Job Searching Part Deux

Ok so I just got the runaround from a couple of sites today. This is what happened when I attempted to apply to just ONE job:

1) went to Indeed.com -- searched "Production Artist"

2) saw a job posting that I liked -- clicked on it, read the description, wanted to apply

3) clicked on "apply now" button

4) was redirected to ANOTHER job site that required registration to that site in order to apply

5) registered, had to wait for email with password reset

6) clicked on the reset link, ok I'm registered...wait, where did the job go?

7) went BACK to Indeed.com to find the job, clicked on the "apply now" logged in etc.

8) job site tells me WAIT!!! you can't apply to the job unless you post your resume!!

9) filled in the skills, education, contact info fields; click confirm ok done...o wait...where did the job go again?

10) AGAIN went BACK to Indeed.com to find the job (by now I'm doubting if I even want this job)

11) I am finally!! allowed to apply. Writing a note to the employer, only 300 characters? Not enough room to even tell them about my internships! (which the resume website omitted)

So I really don't think I am getting any call/email back for this job. Although I feel like I put in a LOT of work just to apply. I have a feeling that I'm going to have to make a move to Atlanta if want to be even considered for a position. I just don't like the idea of moving down there with no job prospects. If I move I want it to be for good; I don't want to have to move back to my parents' house, defeated.

But, I digress...must get back to the job boards!

Signing off (I have ONE reader!)

FUN-EMPLOYED!!

The Wild World of Online Job Searching

So as you know, I am currently searching for a job. I have my resume on several sites. I really don't know how on earth people found a job without online job sites, but of course people weren't moving from job to job as quickly as they do now. The downside to ease of use is the mass influx of resumes and cover letters that employers have to read. Therefore, employers are quick to overlook those that don't stand out. There are many job search sites out there, you just have to sort out which ones will work for you and put your resume at the top of that huge stack.

Here are just some of the job sites that I am on:

LinkedIn: the Holy Grail of Networking

According to my cousin (who is a headhunter in NYC) the key is to NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK!! Her advice was to get a recommendation from a previous employer (check) and to join some graphic design groups (check). I even joined some new grad groups and job searching groups. She also advised me to find a company I wanted to work for--but I just don't know what companies to look at yet. I feel like networking is much better if you have more experience and have actually started a CAREER and not a JOB.

(and yes that picture is me with my sweet purple Clemson diploma)

Monster.com: Probably the biggest job search engine out there, but Monster has the probably the pick of the crop. They always have new jobs (even though I have yet to hear from ANY of the ones that I've applied for). On this site you can enter in your job and career goals and they will automatically match up jobs in your area or in any area you wish to browse. It's also helped me to focus on the kind of job that I want and what I want to work towards.

CareerBuilder: Also a very big job search engine and it was the only one where I heard back from a job (the interview that I had a couple weeks ago). CareerBuilder actually matched my resume to them when they looked for potential employers--pretty neat! However their job search leaves something to be desired. Most of the entry level jobs that show up are sketchy marketing schemes that look almost as bad as Mary Kay...

(No picture, all business)

Job.com: Ok this was a random find...even though the website was kind of a "duh" moment...This website seems pretty legit (I'm from Boston we say that). I do need to explore this site a little bit more. I tend to favor Monster because I have the password saved (I'm SO bad at remembering passwords, it is ridiculous). Job.com usually sends me job matches every week via email, but they also tend to send me "supplemental education" emails. No, I do NOT want my Associates' Degree...I have a B.S. (Not that there's anything wrong with an Associates' Degree!)

(see all the crazy education ads??)

So these are just a few sites that I'm on. I'm also on YahooJobs, JobFox and iHirePrint to name a few more. I've also sent my resume to several graphic recruiters in the Atlanta area. IF for some crazy chance I finally get a follower (Come ON!!) let's network!

Here's hoping that SOMEONE soon will see my resume and be impressed!

And so, still signing off

FUN-EMPLOYED!!

Mary Kay Is The Only Company Willing To Hire Me...ugh

Ok so I've been in Atlanta for about a month. My boyfriend's parents are separating and he needed me...

SO after celebrating my 24th birthday, yes I know--almost a quarter of a century, it's finally June. And with June comes...The first payment of my student loans (o joy). Yes audience, it has been a whole six months since my graduation and I am still ...(f)unemployed. I tried to find a job in the Atlanta area, however, the only bite I had was a lady tricking me into going to a Mary Kay Information Session. How did she trick me? She started out by calling me cute. Then she said she worked for an internet start up company and she knew a woman who was an art director. At this point, she has my full attention. She tells me to come to a "networking session" and from what I understood it was a bunch of women from the area that networked. So after driving to the Weston Hotel in Atlanta, I discovered that the only "networking session" going on in the hotel was a Mary Kay information session. Damn. I sat through that entire thing while my poor boyfriend was forced to sit at the hotel bar and drink. I had never felt so stupid as I sat through this "session." I looked around and it was a lot of younger girls like myself. I will admit that it seemed a little too good to be true as they flashed their expensive clothes, purses and shoes. The woman who got me to come tonight kept repeating over and over again how she lived in the same neighborhood as Usher (the singer) and she told us stories about how she believed God wanted her to be a Mary Kay Lady.

Seriously...So I told this woman that I am not a permanent resident of Georgia and that I couldn't make any decisions right there without talking to my parents; she was ready to sign my name right then and there. After getting home, I was delusional--thinking "hey I could actually do this!" I talked to my mom (way past her bedtime) and she told me to think about it. I went to the blogs!

I found this interesting website: www.pinktruth.com

They talked about the deception that Mary Kay uses to bring in new people for their somehow lawful pyramid scheme. My jaw dropped. Everything, from how they acted to how they dressed, was all about getting more people into the Mary Kay System. I was insulted. I was so offended that this woman lied to get me to this session and then all the glitz and glamour faded away from the idea. To this day, she STILL emails me about training.

In other jobless news, I had an interview two weeks ago. Sounded promising, they called ME to come out for an interview. I flew back from Atlanta just for this interview. Long story short--they "decided to go in a different direction." They felt as a MARKETING CONSULTANT FIRM, that they wanted someone who was more into sales as I, they also felt, was more of an ADVERTISING focused person.

So total count: hundreds of jobs applied for, two interviews, no call backs and zero job. I'm about to lose my mind.

However, I did volunteer at my mom's schools last week to take my mind off things. It felt like I had an actual job again. I just want to be able to work, to have a job, to make some money, TO MOVE ON TO A NEW LIFE!

I'm sorry my blog, but I promise to update more. I just wish I could get some readers. I think it's time to start branching out!

Still signing off my readers, as...

FUN-EMPLOYED!

Looks like its back to Atlanta soon, folks!

Hello my readers (if you're out there)! Well it looks like I'm headed back to Atlanta at the end of next week and doing a bit of job hunting (hopefully). It's hard being a long distance relationship. It's especially hard since in the beginning of our relationship we practically lived together. And now...we're 1000 mi apart. We know that we're supposed to be together, but with the current job climate, being unemployed means home with the parents...FUN! We both wouldn't mind living in either city, but we both can't afford to move anywhere without a job first. My sister moved to Nashville for 8 months and couldn't find a job and had to come all the way back home. I just can't do that. If I leave I want it to be for GOOD. But...nothing without a job. So recently I've been using my boyfriend's address as my info when applying for jobs.

My mother suggested that I apply to be a pharmacy technician, just for the time being and to pay the bills. It doesn't sound BAD I guess...I just wish I could find a job in my field. I know I know I'm being a typical whiny 20-something...I guess when I get back I'll have to just suck it up and do it. My student loans are going to be up soon and I went to school for extra time...I just changed my major really late in the game! Not cause I'm a partier--trust me I would have rather graduated on time and gotten a job like all the other people who I would have graduated with!!

Well my readers, I am getting very very sleepy--enjoy the night and I'll be back tomorrow (I promise!) and I'll still sign off--

FUN-EMPLOYED!!

I'm getting lazy!

Sorry sorry internet, I need to keep up on this blog writing! Well today I spiced up my usual walk around the pond with actually running for a bit! It was hard, I honestly haven't really ran since high school, on the tennis team, but it really felt great afterwards. The pond has lots of landmarks that I would run between. It felt great to establish a goal and achieve it. Albeit a small goal, but at least I accomplished something..for once. I sent my resume out to a recruiter in Atlanta for some "creative" jobs. As proud as I am to finally get back on the job-apping horse, I know I'll never hear from them. Just like all the other jobs that I haven't heard from. I just want to get going on my life as a grown up. I want to get out of my parents' house and create my own home.

I was thinking of contacting my alma mater or my department head to see if they had any suggestions. I just don't want to look desperate or stupid or get back an "Everyone else you graduated got a job already, why haven't you?" email. NO STOP--POSITIVE THOUGHTS FROM HERE ON OUT!! I need to stop being so negative. Positive things happen to positive people or at least that's what I'm going to tell myself...

So Internet with great smiles (some forced...) I sign off still yours and...

FUN-EMPLOYED!!

I mean its not like I'm busy or anything...

Since my return from Atlanta, I feel that my life is just blah. NO responses, NO emails, NOTHING!! ugh I am getting really depressed. I applied to a part time job this weekend and I haven't even heard anything from them! I've thrown myself into exercising--walking the pond, eating better, not eating as MUCH. And I still just feel like I'm never going to get a job. However, I am going to Atlanta again actually pretty soon! So hopefully this time I can get more interviews scheduled while I'm down there. I just want to be settled somewhere; with a job, my bf and our cat (I really miss that fuzzbutt!) ugh this whole job thing is just really bumming me out. The days are starting to blend together and I can't sleep at night. I just need something to come in...ANYTHING!! PLEAAASE EMPLOYERS OUT THERE!! Seriously I think it wouldn't be that hard just to send out a NO email to people who applied, just so people, like me, won't be hanging on for your job posting!! SO my readers, on that note...I am still (un)happily

FUN-EMPLOYED!!!

Whoa Long Time, No Blog!

Hello my (non-existent) readers! I am so sorry I've been so busy! I just got back from Atlanta yesterday and I came back with a great sinus infection from the pollen...gross. BUT I think I'm pretty much sold on the idea of living down there. I feel like if I stay in Boston, I'll be stuck at my parents' house forever and that doesn't sound like fun. Plus all my friends, my boyfriend live in the south. I'm DYING of boredom here. I really need a job soon. I've actually agreed to clean my aunt's house in return for money. First things first, I have to get over this sinus infection thing before I start hitting the part time job scene so I don't look like I'm diseased. I also got a little networking done while I was down in Atlanta. Networking is really big now--using your contacts to your advantage was pretty much hammered into my head by one of my (least favorite) professors. But my boyfriend's friend works at a recruiting agency--uh hello? Why didn't I know of this earlier?? I gotta send her my resume! I'm still scarred from that last company that just up and changed their mind and I still can't believe I still haven't heard from any of the companies I've applied to. It really sucks because I've only applied to jobs I thought I was well qualified if not more than qualified for. What am I doing wrong? I feel like everyone else in my graduating class has found a job except me. I feel like a failure sometimes. And when June comes around and my loans start pouring in, I'll have nothing saved...The fun is starting to run out and I really need to get a job soon. But so far...I'll still be...

FUN-EMPLOYED!!

bad day, good day

So today, I sent off my design test to the company I was going to interview with next week. I was so nervous about sending it, I decided to go to the pond to take a walk. When I got back, I saw that I had received an email from the HR guy. Apparently the guy who currently held the position that I was going to interview for decided to stay and that they didn't need me to come in and do the interview. I was so sad. I can't believe the company let the guy just change his mind when they already started reaching out to potential replacements. SO I tried to get back in the job search game today, but I just couldn't do it. I worked so hard on this test and I felt like it was really good. The good news however, I got money from a missing account that my late grandfather left for me! The state of Florida recently contacted me, telling me that I had an unclaimed bank account and I got the check today! Unfortunately, it pretty much went to all my bills...BUT that meant I didn't have to use my savings...again. I also plan on giving some to my alma mater!

Right now I'm watching my fav show: Project Runway and they brought back Anthony who, I feel, was unfairly sent home last week...ugh and that ho jessica alba is a guest judge...lame.

Well readers, my quest for a job continues and I still sign off as...

FUN-EMPLOYED!!

Still Rainy Tuesday...

Well readers it's still raining today and I didn't get to work out ugh...I feel really gross. But it's not that I sat around doing nothing today! I went to volunteer at my mom's school library. Her usual volunteer couldn't make it so mom "volunteered" my services. It was ok although elementary age kids really annoy me. My mom tried to read them a story, but the whole time I just wanted to yell at them "SIT YO ASS DOWN AND STFU!!!" lol. My mother has the patience of a saint. She did send two kids to time out today. My duties today were to check out books and put back some books. So not really too much. Tomorrow she's buying me Panera to thank me for helping out around the house and for today. So it pays to do stuff for your mom sometimes :)

So Twitter, yeah still trying to figure out that thing. My sister gave me some tips last night, but I still don't get what that #thing is.

But I did create a little logo for myself:

Pretty cool I think haha. I've got the @person thing going on so I'm moving up in the Twitter world!

Tomorrow I'm going to work my ass off! I have my last Zumba class this week :( boo. I really love Zumba, but she's going to do another set in May so that means its booty boot camp for me all of April!

I get to see my boyfriend one week from today--really excited. I am also really excited for this interview next week. I have to figure out what I'm going to wear. Maybe my mom will buy me a cute pencil skirt...

Don't worry, readers, I am still signing off regrettably...

FUN-EMPLOYED!!

Fun, Fonts and Fabulous News!

Well another day has passed and well, today was actually really fun! After waking up rather earlier than usual to drop my sister off at the T (the subway/metro in Boston), I decided that since I was up, I might as well start the day. Lately I've been exercising to take my mind off not hearing from anyone about ANY of the jobs I had applied for. Today I wiped off the layer of dust on my dad's exercise bike and hopped on for 20 minutes. (While watching The Real Housewives of Atlanta).

After exercising, I felt motivated to work on my blog today. I just wanted to make it my own. So I set out to explore the wild wacky world of Fonts! Being in graphics, fonts and typography can really make or break a layout. When speaking of font, it actually refers to a specific style at one particular size (measured in points where 72 pts=1 in). Let me show you some examples of fonts I found today:

This font is called "aiiight" haha I thought it was pretty cool. Kind of funky.

This one is called "Action Jackson." Really cute. Definitely used for fun designs, not really high end designs.

This font is called Hotel Coral Essex. It's sort of like the "Impact" font, but it looks like a rubber stamp!

Well anyways you get the idea...I got a little carried away with the fonts today.

However! I did refer to some FABULOUS news--I actually had a company email me back about a job I had applied for--and they wanted to have me come in for a meeting! Exciting I know, but they would like for me to create an advertorial. I just hope I can do it--the ad is supposed to be for a high end/luxury company. I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket though and I hope that I can set up some more interviews on my trip to Atlanta coming up in April.

So don't worry my loyal followers--haha not yet but hopefully!--I am still regretfully...

FUN-EMPLOYED!

Greetings Internet World!

I'd like to welcome everyone to Project "FUN-Employment!" I'm just getting started at this blogging thing so hopefully I'll get some better looking graphics/layout by the time I get at least SOME readers.

Project "FUN-Employment" is my daily blog about putting the FUN in FUN-Employment. I am female, 20-something, recent graduate with a B.S. in Graphic Communications (sorry, shameless plug...). I live in the Boston Metro Area, but I'm trying to get a job around here or in the Atlanta Area. Applying to jobs, well pretty much LIKE it's my job, is tiring but also quite monotonous. SO, while applying to jobs, I've decided to try to make my days a little more exciting!

Follow me (Please...) and my super interesting life as I enjoy my days on ...

FUN-EMPLOYMENT!!