Working in the Big City :101

Welcome to "working in the city : 101".

In this webinar we will navigate our way through the job search, as we examine all the possible barriers that come with seeking employment in THE BIG CITY. If you are coming from a small, wanna-be city, such as West Palm Beach, Florida, then you are the ideal candidate for this course work.

Today's Topic: You're not the only candidate

You might be a bit disillusioned if you, such as myself, are coming from a region of the country where education and job skills are not valued as highly as, say, going to the same nail salon or singing in the choir with a potential employers cousin's -Father's- second Wife.***

In The Big City employers are looking for someone who can actually get the job done. This is a wonderful concept that, although slightly foreign to me, I can appreciate and learn to understand. The downfall? The number of candidates that are considered for a job.
Recent experiences have taught me that although you might look great on paper, have a tight resume and engaging cover letter, there will most likely be someone else who looks equally good.

For example, I recently sat in on a group interview with eight other candidates who had all been selected from a pool of 70! 70 inquires had been received in a period of one week for a position that pays less than a teacher's salary^^^^.

Today, I was fortunate enough to be the first to interview for a position that is really appealing to me. The interview went well. There was a great repore and I felt very confident in my presentation skills. At the end of our meeting I inquired about their timeline for the selection process. "Well", said the manager, "we have received 30 resumes and I would like to give everyone at least a first interview. I feel confident that you will be invited back for our second round". So now I have to wait only 30 peoples worth of time to hear if I am what they want.

I share these experiences with you, my fellow job seekers, to remind you that other people exist, besides you. The days of "We've had this position posted for weeks but couldn't find anyone with a college degree" are over. You are now floating in a sea of educated professionals. You have been demoted!

Welcome to THE BIG CITY.


***there are some exceptions to this generality. Certain corporations and institutions still value getting a job done. Sadly, there are countless others that couldn't spell PROFESSIONAL if it was written in front of them***

^^^^ Teachers salary = BUPKUS!

I've been thinking about my own blog for a minute now. thinking about it. talking about it. intending to do it. Too. Long.

Well, you're here which means that I finally broke down and did it. I have things to say and I intend to speak them LOUD and PROUD.

Together we'll chronicle my move to Atlanta and the job search and anything else I feel like sharing....because it's MY BLOG and I make the rules

: O