Thursday, September 25, 2008

Progress #2

I have my second interview on Monday. This time it's in Newtown, CT (one hour away from the CIA) with Fine Cooking magazine. It's a bit funny - last year when applying for externships, I sent out my resume to Fine Cooking, but the timing didn't work out, and I went to Des Moines. The Fine Cooking magazine did however remember my resume - apparently working for the Federal Reserve prior to joining the CIA stands out :)

I'm looking forward to drive to CT and seeing the test kitchen of the magazine and meeting with the editorial team. And this time around I actually have appropriate business casual attire to wear to the interview. Erica is so proud :)

Progress

I'm getting somewhere - or at least Springfield, MO. Last week I flew to Springfield for a job interview with Noble - a food marketing company. It was an experience, to say the least. There's something about me and the small midwestern towns. One of my friends remarked that Springfield will make Des Moines seem like Chicago - that says something.

Anyway, it was a good practice for future interviews. The company made me an offer for a job. They are working on a job description, and we have agreed to talk in a few weeks when I'll be done with school to schedule a second visit to Springfield to allow me to see the town.

Stay tuned.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Recent Developments

I am happy to say that I have been productive in applying for jobs.

I sent out quite a few resumes and cover letters to the perspective employers, and followed up with emails. Also, I have sent my information to some of the CIA alumns in the food publishing industry in hope of finding out job opportunities. I also sent my information to the externship/internship contacts thinking that if they offer externships to the CIA students, they might also have full time positions.

And now we wait.

Imagine It, and It Will Come

Or at least that's what I'm hoping. A few weeks ago I created a vision board (so Oprah!). I had some magazines that were collecting dust on top of my dresser and rather than tossing them out (or better yet leaving them there to collect even most dust) I decided to go through the magazines and cut out words of inspiration for my new job search.

I've got to say, it was a very productive exercise. In a way, it has forced me to really think about what it is I am looking for in my new job. I decided to do a strictly word vision board - no photos. I organized the words by categories:
*Job Search
*Job Characteristics - physical, emotional, etc.
*Job Benefits
*Job Satisfaction

Some of the words/phrases included are:
*Freedom of Expression (from the Botox advertisement)
*The Cool Factor (from the Wine Cooler advertisement)
*Search
*Start
*Financial Freedom
*Something Delicious
*World Travel
*Global Cuisine

and many more - I may try to take a photo and post it here.

It looks great, and my hope is that by looking at the board on regular basis, I will be reminded of what I am looking for in a job and be inspired to search, search, search.