The Teeter-Totter Job Search

Today's task:  turning down a better job, feeling "ok" about it, and winding down the search.

I'm at a crossroads of post-graduation life.  I have a job, I'm going to start, it will lead to more opportunity, but it will not pay all the bills, and it is part-time.  This means I have to make the decision to be loyal to an employer that isn't really supporting me with enough hours because this will be my first opportunity to build a professional reputation for sticking with a company.

This makes the most sense to me because demonstrating loyalty to a part-time job will not take years...it will take months, and earning income the other 3 days of the week will not be impossible.  Who doesn't want to hire someone who won't qualify for full-time benefits?

Working two jobs, however, will have a series of disadvantages.  I won't receive health benefits for my family.  I will spend more on the irregular commute.  A wacky schedule may force me to work a really long day, or at the very least give me a small headache.  Finally, life just seems more hectic working 2 jobs (even if the hours don't equal 40).

So, I turned down a temp. agency recruiter who wanted to submit my application to an admin. job, which, to be honest, I probably didn't look "qualified" for anyway.

Here we go...forward...avoiding second guesses.  And please, DON'T click on the VHS ad.  It will not change your life, but you may find inspiration for you your next avante-gard doo.

Keyword: Yes, I may bite the bullet

Though much of my own research (for pleasure, in college) dealt with a horrifying but freeing Post-modern perspective on knowledge and education (get my white paper), I have bit the proverbial bullet, and here is a start to my humbling research about machines coming between humans.

"Employers' use and eventual dependence on keywords to find the job candidates they want to interview has come about in recent years because of technology " --Katharine Hansen, Ph.D.

What job's for me? An entry-level position in a respected office --in law, music copyright, or legitimate market research.  What keywords do I need in my resume? Via Job-search-engine.com I found three relevant listings.
1."Advertising and Marketing Firm is hiring Entry Level

•  Keywords: fast-paced; aggressive; highest level service; extraordinary; professionals; long-range career; stimulating; challenging;

• Comments--these keywords are focused on marketing to young people looking for a starting job.  When I pull up the website, my suspicions are confirmed, because it is geared toward acquiring workers rather than clients--a backward marketing method unless employee turn-over is rough for the company.

2. Assistant Analyst, Movie and Game Research

• Keywords:  market research; analyzing; negotiating; writing; casual; entrepreneurial; devise; design; monitoring; questionnaire; intellectual curiosity; media.

• Comments--this list is full of active verbs, real challenges for the employee, leading me to think this is a more legitimate position in a company that values employees that think and learn well.  I'll apply!

3. Sales Manager Entry Level

• Keywords:  guests; caring; attentive; service; quota; research; potential business; fast-paced

• Comments--a shorter description that is much more vague, and leaves me wondering what the actual compensation will be.  But, I'll give it a try!

My next step is rewriting my resume in order to fit the keywords I predict will spark the interest of the prospective company's hiring manager.



Here is an example (with questionable formatting) devised from keyword list #2:


PROFILE

     An entrepreneurial professional seeking to design and evaluate research in a fast-paced climate
      that values intellectual curiosity.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts Degree, Dordt College, Sioux Center, Iowa May 2010

Program: Secondary Education GPA: 3.97 on 4.0 scale
            Major: Spanish
            Minor: Kuyper Scholars Program (Independent Researcher)
            13 Semester Credits – Media/Marketing

Merit Scholarships

      Dordt College Distinguished Scholar
      Dordt College Kuyper Scholars Program Scholarship
      Dordt College Vocal Music Activities Scholarship

EXPERIENCE

     Student Teacher, Maranatha High School, Pasadena, California

Jan. 2010 to April 2010

           Designed learning experiences in a ninth grade Spanish level one
           classroom.
           Monitored student progress by devising tests and questionnaires for
           periodic student assessment.
           Communicated clearly with multi-media, presented daily instruction.

     Learning Communities Assistant, Dordt College, Sioux Center, Iowa

            Sept. 2008 to May 2009

           Modeled good study skills for academically at risk college students.
           Mentored 9 students in study-skills and goal setting through weekly
            meetings.
           Designed peer study groups and analyzed results.

     Resident Assistant, Dordt College, Sioux Center, Iowa

Sept. 2007 to May 2008

          Guided 40 students toward community living.
          Supported students with accountability and prayer.
          Designed and implemented periodic social and educational events.

     Camp Counselor, Camp Tecumseh YMCA, Brookston, Indiana

May 2007 to Aug. 2007

          Mentored campers from ages 12 to 16 during week-long camp experiences.
          Instructed ceramics and high ropes classes.
          Served as lake front lifeguard.

Additional Activities

      KITA Student Media-Video Camp                                   Feb. 2008
      Dordt College Concert Choir                                          Jan. 2007 to May 2009
      Dordt College Kantorei                                                  Aug. 2009 to Dec. 2009
      Dordt College Student Forum Representative               Aug. 2006 to May 2007
      PLIA (Putting Love Into Action) Spring Break Service Mar. 2007

I count 15 keywords in my resume.  I'll post if I get any results from the application.