Short post

I haven't received the best of news. I received an email from Harris/BMO; I didn't get the position. The day of my surgery, I received a letter from UIC; I wasn't accepted into the program. So far, as my count goes: Jobs-0, Grad Apps-0, Me: -100. I am trying to stay positive and resolute, and I am determined to find a job and a school. Good news though, I am not in pain from my surgery. Recovery is taking a bit long though. Maybe I need to sleep more, or eat a very healthy diet or something.

Joblessness Redux

I started applying to more positions. Actually, I started applying to teller positions. In the span of two hours, I applied to 3 teller positions at BOA, 3 teller positions at Citi, 1 teller position at JPMorgan, and 3 teller positions at US Bank. I also augmented my resume to reflect only cash handling, retail, and banking experience. I also removed my education from my resume and only included my stint in community college.

I think this is something that may help me. I didn't finish my degree at the community college and instead transferred to my alma mater. I don't know if they really care that I didn't put my full educational experience. I guess I am trying to appeal to recruiters and showing something that may benefit more. Hopefully, they see that I am willing to work. I just hope it comes across. I have my fingers crossed because I need a job real soon. (I only have $1 in my bank account) If that doesn't light a fire on my butt, I don't know what will. Wish me luck people. I need it.

Week of waiting

I am still looking for that ever elusive employer that would give me a chance. On top of that, I am waiting to hear back from the applications I submitted for graduate programs. I don't usually do well with waiting. Waiting brings stress, and anxiety. I tend to think of bad and absurd situations while waiting. For example, I think of lost mail, mail mix-ups, transcripts not sent out. After interviews, I tend to think how badly I did. I guess I just have insecurities to get over. Being unemployed for such a long time, I have a lot of insecurities. I never thought I would be in this situation when I graduated, or when I was going to school. I didn't think everything would come up roses, but I did think things would have been better. On to other things though.

I do not have the ability to speed the process up. I can't. I do have the ability to concentrate on other things. I can look for other jobs, submit applications, and start even more waiting. I can watch television. I shouldn't watch television, but I have the ability to watch television. I can read, although, I do not want to. I can walk around the great city of Chicago and explore the vast cityscape. I can walk to a local Starbucks and do nothing. Actually, I am at a Starbucks. Oh well, I guess, I should start doing more exciting things.

I do have a predicament. I have limited funds, which results in stress to find a job fast. I should stop thinking about this. My friend once told me love happens when you least expect it to. I believe opportunity happens when you least expect it to. I guess it has something to do with Grace or the Divine. I just have to be optimistic, work on other things to keep my mind off of having to wait, and submit more applications. Doesn't hurt, right?

Follow-ups

I am having writer's block. I'm trying to write a follow-up email for an interview I had. I hope I can write it before the weekend.

Interview

I had my interview today. I can't really say I did excellent. I can only hope that my skill set and personality match what the position needs. I was fortunate and happy enough to have the interview.

I watched "Every Little Step" yesterday, and I really connected with the actors auditioning for their respective parts. I especially liked what an actor said, "You get 100 nos before you get 1 yes." I think, even if I don't get this job, I am one step closer to getting the job I deserve and need. I really appreciate my friends and family, and their kind words of encouragement. I hope I can do them proud. I hope to end my unemployment soon.

Starbucks Conversation as Interview Case Studies Part 2: Non-Formal Conversations

The latest installment. More to come soon. (I hope)

Leaders are usually present in non-formal conversations. The leader(s) usually direct the conversation through segues and personal interest. Some examples include rumors, news, or anything important pertaining to the sphere of influence. Each conversation is different, based on the leader(s), and the conversation can change quite rapidly. The leader(s) may start on the earthquake in Haiti and the conversation could end on shoes.

Maintaining hierarchy is usually the most important observed rule in non-formal conversations. People usually maintain this by implying how rude a person is for interrupting. Etiquette is another observed rule. Etiquette rules apply to bridging conversations, maintaining conversations for an ideal amount of time, and abruptly stopping conversations. Most people detest having to wait for someone to finish a phone conversation in the middle of a conversation. Also, many believe politely asking to leave would be the best response. Of course, etiquette and rules change between circles. Sometimes, groups include phone calls to conversations by way of speaker phone or texting.

Interview Anxiety

I apologize in advance for not finishing the last blog post, but I should finish the next installment soon. Most likely, I will be stopping by Starbucks later this afternoon.

I received a call for an interview Tuesday. I am a little anxious, and I am excited. I haven't had an interview in a long time, but I do have some things I need to be sure to be aware of. I tend to make myself notes of what I say after the interview is over. I remember one interview, I kept saying "so" to end the sentence. That was a horrible interview experience.

Note to self:
1. Refrain from filler words such as: like, um, and yeah (or anything that may sound like a filler word)
2. Answer the question
3. Make sure the answer is concise and to the point (don't ramble)
4. Be calm, but confident
5. Ask questions when appropriate
6. Research before the interview

I don't know if I'm ever fully ready for an interview. I sometimes tend to fly by the seat of my pants. Most of the time, I get to know the interviewer and have a friendly conversation.

Starbucks Conversation as Interview Case Studies

I may update this later, but for now, enjoy.

I like to sit in Starbucks and listen to conversations play out. Mostly, I listen to how people interact with each other. Listening to formal and non-formal communication is very important in understanding how either forms direct conversation.

For a formal context, people should dress in an appropriate manner and utilize words that convey the explicit conversational message. The conversation may be light or probing questions, but the conversation may actually lead to a developed monologue. For the developed monologue, the facilitator may direct the respondent in describing an event related to a sequence. The facilitator may also direct the respondent to role play or form hypothetical situation models. The facilitator usually attempts to analyze critical thinking, quick thinking, and educated responses. The respondent may form an educated response using previous experience, and understanding how the situation would perform in the real world. Educated responses are different from theory, in that educated responses are learned by previous interactions.

For non-formal, the conversation displays interaction between people. A facilitator or a definite leader may be present guiding the conversation. The group may be mixed with different respondents or interactive responses. The conversations are usually based on implicit reactions, cultural nuances and use of involvement.

http://bit.ly/aVZGgL

Post-Capitalist Society

My friend Tom let me borrow his book a couple of months ago. I feel bad because I haven't read it...yet. I have been distracted. I am on the process of opening the pages and reading the highly relevant book soon.

I also have a mock graduate MBA class today. The university has been in the news quite a lot. Students and faculty have been trying to get the Governor to give the university the money owed, but another story seemed to pop up. The university president is currently having his home renovated. The cost of the renovation is $100,000.

Very interesting. I hope I can bite my tongue long enough to hear what the admissions director has to say. I just don't want to be placed in a school where I am disappointed again.

Power of Twitter

I found some good news for people who tweet. Celebrities can find you and make you viral. Congrats Sarah Killen. May all your hopes and dreams be fulfilled.

Story Here

Be sure to tell her how I need to be featured! http://ping.fm/1g5C4

For the traveler in your life http://ping.fm/tcraJ

And it's slimming...maybe http://ping.fm/kLv3f

http://ping.fm/fvmqt

http://ping.fm/ORMT5

http://ping.fm/0iRzA

Patience

I am now officially waiting. In this age of get it done yesterday, and information at the touch of a smartphone/iPhone, I am left wanting. I want to know if I got admitted to the graduate schools; based on the GMAT I just finished, I may want to postpone admission to retake the exam. I am also waiting on a job. I've been waiting for awhile.

I haven't been working in such a long time, I don't know how I would approach work. I just need something to both occupy my time, and generate money. I would love to be financially independent and self-sufficient at this moment in my life. I feel like I am drowning at times. I just need some good news, preferably good news about a job and admissions.

I have been in steps to fix my credit and credit resolution is both an expensive and time consuming process. I find being a victim to be frustrating and exhausting. I have to call all these creditors and explain why I am a victim of identity theft. I have had some calls where I was blamed for my lack of financial responsibility. The issue is, I did not authorize someone to use my personal information to gain credit, and I do not want strangers using my information for personal gain. I do not see being a victim as something self-inflicting. I did not tell someone to use my credit, and I did not give permission to use any personal information to gain credit. I think the worse part about identity theft has to be fixing a problem I did not start. I could see how I should be responsible for my debt. I totally understand that. I do not understand how I should be responsible for another person's debt, compounded with a flag on background checks. I do not use aliases, and I refuse to let another person use my credit as a means to gain employment. I am sorry, but if you do not have the authorization to use the information for credit, you should not push your luck and use the information to gain employment. I cannot gain employment. I feel stuck, frustrated and exhausted.

Good news though, I managed to send out 12 out of the 13 credit dispute affidavits to fix the discrepancies. I still need to fax one, but I do not have the money to fax anything at the present moment. I need to fix it quick though. I did manage to send an extended credit warning to Experian. Hopefully, no new credit accounts should be opened without my authorization. I have my fingers crossed though.

Hopefully, I am in steps to redirect my life to where I should be: independent and productive member of society.

Graduate Exams

I finished the GMAT this afternoon, or this morning. The GMAT is a strange exam. Questions are written to confuse. Most the questions do not make sense. The GMAT is an indicator of how well an applicant can do in graduate school, or in this case graduate business school. I have also taken the GRE. The GRE is an indicator exam testing how respondents deal with exams. Both require the individual to create adequate strategies to manage time, and develop best means to answer the question.

These exams have three sections: Quantitative, Verbal, and Analytical Writing. Each section is timed, and questions are computer adaptive responses. For example, you answer a question correctly, the next question gets progressively harder. The more correct difficult questions, the higher the score. Unfortunately, if the exams starts with multiple wrong questions, the score would not be as high. Consequently, the more the tests adapt, the more accurate the score would be without having to analyze more questions. Computer Adaptive Tests have less questions, less sections, and are more accurate.

The Quantitative sections do not test past Geometry. The section establishes how the individual processes each question. The GMAT tests differently than the GRE. For example, the GMAT gives a prompt, and two subsections that relate to the math prompt. The GMAT questions relate to how the individual interprets the question asked. Mostly, which response, if any or both would allow for the statement to test true. The GRE utilizes a more formal approach to the questions by utilizing word problems, math related imagery, and common error approaches to math problems.

The Verbal section is usually divided into reading passages and sentence structure. The GRE utilizes word associations and word relations. The questions are read as word a is to word b as the options follow. These sections are much like the ACT, the SAT and other collegiate entrance exams. For me, the GRE was easier to follow, and finding progression or regression following each question was a lot easier. Difficult questions are hard, and reversely, easy questions are relatively easy.

Standardize tests are not fully indicative of how a person will do in the future. Also, the exams are not something that can be studied. The only thing a person can do has been to prepare strategies. That's the short end of it.

#GMAT tomorrow

Olympics and Indomitable Will

Reblogged: February 14, 2010 http://chicrazy.posterous.com/olympics-and-indomitable-will
The modern Olympics have always been a feat of marvel. Athletes from around the world compete in a gesture of goodwill and sportsmanship. Every Olympic event has a fan favorite and an underdog, and every Olympic has hopefuls and dreams. My favorite Olympic story always includes the athlete with indomitable will. The true athlete always strives to push themselves harder than before, but the Olympics manage to showcase individuals whom made a life of obstacles and challenges seem insignificant.

Last night I saw the Men’s 1500m Speed Skating Event rooting for Apollo Anton Ono, but a particular athlete had shown how dangerous the winter sports could be. This particular Winter Olympics has been very emotional, and the death of the Georgian luge athlete really displayed the dangers athletes put themselves in. J.R. Celski cut himself on his own skate during a national competition. Celski barely missed his femoral artery and required several stitches. I really admired the athletes this winter games, and I congratulate all their efforts and hard work.

Congratulations to all the Olympic athletes. I am inspired and in awe.

Education versus Experience

I am frustrated. Being unemployed is frustrating and challenging. I applied to several open positions at several companies. I think the best thing I can do is wait. With an unemployment rate of 10%, I have to wait for companies to call me back. I would be lucky to get a call or even be considered for any position. Unfortunately, I have very limited experience that many companies do not want to look at. I have worked hard and I have spent time, money, and any other resources I could use.

Being educated, I can only assume certain reasons on why I am not employed. These are some reasons I feel I have not been employed: lack of experience, little to no direction in regards to previous employment, or possibly more educated than position requires/over-qualified. I'm going tackle each of these possible problems and see what I could. Unfortunately, I can't change my educational background for a manager who doesn't have any type of college degree (Associate or higher). If the manager feels that I may be problem because of my education, that may be their problem to work on. I have worked with several managers with high school or high school equivalent degrees. I have no qualms with someone has extensive experience in the industry. Now, if they can't trust me to do something, then that's a different issue.

For me, I don't care. I don't care if my boss has four degrees, or no degrees. I just want a job that would pay me money. Truly, a job that would let me live. All I really care about is being gainfully employed, and having the ability to pay for rent, for my utility bills, and for food. At this moment, I cannot do any of that. Who's fault is that? I have applied to so many jobs, and I have not heard back from any place. Being unemployed is not my fault. The only thing I can do, is try to work on what makes me unemployable.

Being unemployable, may be something that is my fault. I can only change what makes my resume be a toxic resume. Also, I may have to rely on other things, or I may have to create my own business. I can only imagine the whole new set of problems I would create for myself if I created my own business. Will stay positive though. I can't be unemployed forever. I can't afford to. Literally.

Joblessness and being picky

My mom, bless her heart, has been giving me companies to apply to. Unfortunately, she has no idea what the qualifications are. With a large pool of unemployed, businesses are benefiting way more than job applicants. I do not have the leverage she thinks I should have. Job descriptions and job qualifications are now set in stone. For example, living in Chicago, I don't need a car. Unfortunately, if the job requires or suggests that I have reliable transportation, I better have a car. I don't understand how I would need a car for a job that would not even cover the expenses for me to have a car, pay rent, and other living expenses. Chicago is not a car friendly city. I have to pay for parking. I have to rent a parking spot. In a saturated job market, having a car is something that would set me apart. But, I can't afford a car, or use the Zipcar or other like services. I just can't afford to. I have no money to afford something like that. All I can do is keep applying to jobs and hopefully get a call back. Once they find that I do not have a car, things get kind of sticky. I do not know why; most of the places I have applied for have been within walking distance from my apartment. I just need to stop and think about what is important right now. I have some time to play. I don't have that much money to play with, but hopefully, I can make it last.

Writer's Block: Educated Guess

How has your education prepared you for your current or intended career? Do you wish you had taken a different path academically? Would you consider transferring or going back to school?

Submitted By feodora

View 920 Answers

Education is important. School branding has been more important than the education itself. I am proud to have worked my way through a Bachelor of Business Administration, but many businesses are looking at the school name just as much or more than the degree earned. For example, many businesses would throw obscene amounts of money for a graduate from the elite ivy league or patronize their own alma mater. The recently graduated are placed in levels where school name plays a significant role in determining skill sets.

Schools have attempted to gain leverage in the job market by creating boutique education by increasing tuition and offering specialized degrees. Unfortunately, some of these degrees have no purpose. University branding has been very important to all institutions. In order to gain the best education for the money, universities have invested in gaining specific accreditation. For business, universities tend to gravitate toward an AACSB accreditation. An AACSB accreditation is important for applying for license exams for Accounting or Finance. This accreditation also states that the university works to keep their status as a discerning degree issuing institution, rather than a degree mill. The best universities are accredited, and the best business schools have the AACSB accreditation.

Businesses are also looking at experience. Ridiculous to say, but in order to get an entry-level position, you need prior work experience. My experience had been really rough. I haven't had the luck in getting called for an interview. Going into the workforce in this economy has been really crazy. I was a very involved student, and I participated in internships. Unfortunately, I lack the experience needed to get a job or a career. Going back to school doesn't solve the issue. Graduate school is something that I feel I should accomplish for myself and not for a job. Although, I would be a better candidate for many positions with a MBA, or a Master of Science in Accounting, Information Systems, Finance, Hospitality Management or Marketing Communications, many places still want experience. On top of that, many graduate schools won't take students without adequate experience. I am caught in a cycle.

Internships and Jobs

I've been feeling disappointed lately. Statistically, I should be on the rebound soon. Unfortunately, I feel like several things are coming down all at once. Explanation as follows:

First, I had to drop my graduate program. I had to give up for several reasons. Graduate school is very expensive, and I dropped the program because I did not feel it was worth the money. $13,000 for one semester is a lot to pay. I would not have minded paying if the school had a curriculum I felt was worth $13,000. Unfortunately, I paid a lot of money for an education I felt was geared for undergraduates. The professors had ample time, but I believe the students did not provide the level needed for an adequate exchange of ideas and stimulation. The students came from all over the planet, and I was one of three people with English proficiency. The school actually forces the students to enroll in another creditless class to boost their English skills. What surprises me the most, the same students graduated with a degree in English. If that was the only concern, I would be fine enough to continue. The amount of students that cheated, and plagiarized was overwhelming. The university had a very relaxed system that allowed students to continue. Maybe, I am looking for something not possible in the current US educational system. If I am going to have to pay for my tuition again by myself, I want to be able to get a degree that I would be proud of.

Second, I have not had much luck with finding a job. I graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration but I cannot find a job. I applied to entry level, hourly and internships. I get the same response. Here is a sample of a rejection from an INTERNSHIP application:
Good afternoon Carlo,
I apologize if I misled you over the phone. We finalized interview process this afternoon instead of last Friday.
However, after reviewing your interview responses and exam materials, we have unfortunately decided not to continue with the intern selection process. I am not at completely available to explain exactly why you were not selected, however I can tell you that it involved other candidates having increased and extensive background experience in the field.
I would certainly not become discouraged, it is an extremely difficult time and I appreciate the effort and time you put into our intern selection process.
Please let me know if you have any additional questions or comments. We will certainly keep your resume on file if anything opens up in the future.
I do feel discouraged. How can other candidates have more experience in Marketing for an INTERNSHIP? I thought the purpose for an internship was to gain experience. Obviously, I have no idea what an internship means. I wish the company the best of luck. They didn't think I fit, but they don't know me. They don't know what I can bring. All they saw was a piece a paper, or had a brief conversation on the phone. I cannot condense what I can do in a subjective way.

Third, I have been trying to apply to new GSBs and I have to study for the GMAT. I have to start the process all over again. I have to search for programs, go to open houses, go to classes, and look for programs. Better second time around, I guess.

Fourth, I have been dealing with Identity Theft. I hate this experience, and I have been postponing have to deal with it. At least, I found something that makes it easier. I just need to do a lot more. Maybe this will help with the second thing. I need a job. I need money. I need to do something.