One of my internship is coming to a close next week. I've worked hard, taken on as much as I can, and learned a large amount. My supervisor and I have talked several times about job possibilities at the institution. I will ask her for a letter of recommendation and am sure she will oblige beecuse she indicated that she would give me great one.
During the course of this internship I have been applying for jobs within the institution. All kinds of positions from clerical staff to clinical study coordinator. The only jobs I haven't applied to were the housekeeping jobs. I've been a janitor/maintenance engineer before and I've got to stay focused on where I want to go, not where I've been. Not only that, but I make more money doing what I currently do. I need something closer to what I am making now if not better.
[ I have to insert here that after I posted this, my wife noted that it was my turn to clean the shower and bathroom. Talk about the humor of the universe!!!]
I've can't count the number of jobs I've posted for. Every week it's been about 15 at a variety of sites. I've gotten over not applying for jobs where I don't meet every requirement. I know that I can learn anything and pick up the smaller requirements quickly. I have to make sure that my cover-letter and resume' reflect that. I've made sure that my resume' is updated almost weekly with the new responsibilities I've taken on in the internships.
So then IT happened. I received an interview email for the one job I thought was the ultimate! My cover letter was passionate about the position and how I could help them succeed. I think my resume' presented a very good fit. I can't begin to describe how excited I am. This job is not just 'a job'; but an awesome job and a great fit! It's almost beyond belief to me that after NINE months of looking that the one (so far) opportunity for a paying job is such an amazing opportunity. I have the interview tomorrow and I've been on a mission since I first received that email.
To prepare for the interview I've not only researched the doctor who's interviewing me, I've looked up the entire department. I've researched what this doctor is working on and what his past projects have been. I've been looking up the terminology so that I can drop it into the interview where appropriate. I asked a buddy of mine who's an hospital VP to do a mock interview with me. He was gracious and got me into his schedule. I've been working on his feedback ever since and doing more background work. I am even more passionate about this job than before now that I have a bigger picture of the potential work.
One final thought: It's important to me to help others succeed. I receive a lot in doing so. I don't think it's just me. People in my network really enjoy helping each other succeed. It's a natural collaboration. We will naturally gravitate toward like-minded people.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Saturday, May 1, 2010
In the internships
I've learned over the years that managers all have different styles. Now that I am starting two positions almost simultaneously it really comes through. I've had to become a little dual-personality like ;-) So the take home lesson is to be flexible. I am alway looking to learn new aspects and take on challenges in my jobs, yet sometimes it's nice to just do something you are good at and enjoy doing a great job with it.
One job is purely an internship and it was stated up front that the actual possibility of getting a paid position was very low. They offered to give me experience wherever I wanted to apply myself and they had an opportunity. Wow - here's awesome resume' building potential! The other has the potential for future employment; but, I learned, not necessarily in that particular area. S'okay. Learn what I can and make connections - network - and get to know the culture so I can know if it is a great fit (it is).
In both cases the jobs required a LOT of extra home time learning new skills and dusting off old ones. But what about that is unusual for starting a new job? Just that I was doing it times two.
The big thing is to get to know your managers' style and have a plan. Sometimes you may have to take charge of your direction; other times your manager is a mentor too and will help guide you along. All the time you have to have a plan for your goals.
One job is purely an internship and it was stated up front that the actual possibility of getting a paid position was very low. They offered to give me experience wherever I wanted to apply myself and they had an opportunity. Wow - here's awesome resume' building potential! The other has the potential for future employment; but, I learned, not necessarily in that particular area. S'okay. Learn what I can and make connections - network - and get to know the culture so I can know if it is a great fit (it is).
In both cases the jobs required a LOT of extra home time learning new skills and dusting off old ones. But what about that is unusual for starting a new job? Just that I was doing it times two.
The big thing is to get to know your managers' style and have a plan. Sometimes you may have to take charge of your direction; other times your manager is a mentor too and will help guide you along. All the time you have to have a plan for your goals.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Catch-up time - Starting Internships
Let me catch up on what's happened over the last few months. (Thanks to Michelle for prompting me to continue) I've been really busy. Foremost three great job events happened:
I interviewed for the internship program through my university. I am really embarrassed to even post that I was late to the interview, but my goal is to let people know what really happened in my process so that hopefully they can learn from my successes as well as my mistakes. The interview itself went okay, but I knew that arriving late killed it for me. Being late threw me off as well in the interview. So now I am committed to giving myself an extra hour to arrive at the appointment. In this instance I thought that 1.5 hours to get from Santa Cruz to Santa Clara would be sufficient. It wasn't. It rained earlier and there were accidents. I got turned around because I was flustered as time was ticking down and ended up making mistakes in my directions. I'd visited the office once before, but the path wasn't solid in my mind.
Lesson for you: Print a map even if you have a GPS. Plan to get there an hour early. Once you've actually parked in the lot and you have more than 10 minutes to wait, go hit a local coffee shop and relax and review notes about your interviewer.
Tips: Go into the bathroom immediately upon arrival and make sure your collar and clothes are correct. Take the time to urinate as you don't want a full bladder during the interview. After the interview send at a thank you note. I send both an written and email note. There's lots of advice online as to what to say. I was advised to add some additional selling point that wasn't brought out in the interview itself.
So I'd given up on that prospect because when I've interviewed people myself I really don't care why they are late - its a big BIG negative. Later on I called up one of the interviewers and asked if she would de-brief me on my performance. She did and it was very helpful. Yes being late was a big negative.
After that unfortunate performance I kept asking my network about other internship possibilities. Almost immediately one of my contacts mentioned one at a non-profit company and set me up for an interview. I showed up very early and waited at near-by coffee shop. The interview was so easy that after 10 minutes max I knew I had the position! I started the next week.
Two days after that I received a call from the previous internship interview that they wanted me to come in the next day and start the internship process! I must have done at least something right! While I didn't make the first cut, I was still on their list and something opened up for me. I was very excited! While this meant two new jobs, I could flex my schedule to accommodate them as they were ultimate goal and I was willing to sacrifice my personal time to make it happen.
I interviewed for the internship program through my university. I am really embarrassed to even post that I was late to the interview, but my goal is to let people know what really happened in my process so that hopefully they can learn from my successes as well as my mistakes. The interview itself went okay, but I knew that arriving late killed it for me. Being late threw me off as well in the interview. So now I am committed to giving myself an extra hour to arrive at the appointment. In this instance I thought that 1.5 hours to get from Santa Cruz to Santa Clara would be sufficient. It wasn't. It rained earlier and there were accidents. I got turned around because I was flustered as time was ticking down and ended up making mistakes in my directions. I'd visited the office once before, but the path wasn't solid in my mind.
Lesson for you: Print a map even if you have a GPS. Plan to get there an hour early. Once you've actually parked in the lot and you have more than 10 minutes to wait, go hit a local coffee shop and relax and review notes about your interviewer.
Tips: Go into the bathroom immediately upon arrival and make sure your collar and clothes are correct. Take the time to urinate as you don't want a full bladder during the interview. After the interview send at a thank you note. I send both an written and email note. There's lots of advice online as to what to say. I was advised to add some additional selling point that wasn't brought out in the interview itself.
So I'd given up on that prospect because when I've interviewed people myself I really don't care why they are late - its a big BIG negative. Later on I called up one of the interviewers and asked if she would de-brief me on my performance. She did and it was very helpful. Yes being late was a big negative.
After that unfortunate performance I kept asking my network about other internship possibilities. Almost immediately one of my contacts mentioned one at a non-profit company and set me up for an interview. I showed up very early and waited at near-by coffee shop. The interview was so easy that after 10 minutes max I knew I had the position! I started the next week.
Two days after that I received a call from the previous internship interview that they wanted me to come in the next day and start the internship process! I must have done at least something right! While I didn't make the first cut, I was still on their list and something opened up for me. I was very excited! While this meant two new jobs, I could flex my schedule to accommodate them as they were ultimate goal and I was willing to sacrifice my personal time to make it happen.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
After the Holi-daze
Well well. It was a really busy month, but only mildly so on the job front. I observe that many more senior opportunities in the CRA world have been posted in the last month or two, but I've only seen one for an entry level position. Of course this budding of job postings for senior level positions eventually bodes well for people like me looking for a entry-level job.
The most exciting thing to happen was that in mid-December UCSC Extension posted a request for applications to it's revived internship program. YEA! I put a lot of hours in on my application letter and lined up two great referrals to write a letter each for me. Finally got it all together and submitted. Now its wait and see who they select. Yet overall it's very exciting and I think my potential is good. I did very well at the school and with a very high GPA. My recommendation letters were fantastic and I wrote a great application letter. I am feeling really good about my prospects here.
One of the things I have been doing in my job search is to ask my network of people if they have any internships at their company or could they refer me to their HR person so that I might inquire directly. Had a couple of good contacts that way too! I sent in my resume' and cover letter to two HR people after that.
Things are still plodding along at the entry level job searches but this new-year I am optimistic that persistence will generate a job in the next few months. Keep at it!
The most exciting thing to happen was that in mid-December UCSC Extension posted a request for applications to it's revived internship program. YEA! I put a lot of hours in on my application letter and lined up two great referrals to write a letter each for me. Finally got it all together and submitted. Now its wait and see who they select. Yet overall it's very exciting and I think my potential is good. I did very well at the school and with a very high GPA. My recommendation letters were fantastic and I wrote a great application letter. I am feeling really good about my prospects here.
One of the things I have been doing in my job search is to ask my network of people if they have any internships at their company or could they refer me to their HR person so that I might inquire directly. Had a couple of good contacts that way too! I sent in my resume' and cover letter to two HR people after that.
Things are still plodding along at the entry level job searches but this new-year I am optimistic that persistence will generate a job in the next few months. Keep at it!
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