Ohhhhh myyyyy gossssssssh.  Is it seriously time to start doing school stuff again?? I could’ve sworn I was just playing in the snowdrifts of Blizzard 2009!  Why is that time only flies when I’m sleeping late and eating home-cooked food, and not when I’m pulling 8 hour shifts at the library?  You fail, Time.  You FAIL.

But of course I’ll venture forth, and shine upon you my uplifting optimism by which you’ve come to know me.  No thanks needed (although there is a handy dandy “comment” option at the end of this post).

So to jump right in to my aforementioned good spiritedness, here is my latest complaint.  When the final fall semester bells tolled and I went home to the distant land of southeast Edmond, I fully expected to bask in the glory that is laziness and to not think about school for one teensy tiny moment.  And that’s exactly what I did, and it was grand.

But.

There was one thing that festered in my mind ceaselessly like that “It’s a Small World” song, and it’s something I’m sure to which any soon-to-be graduate can relate.

The job market.

Yes, we all know that it’s a tough world out there.  People with far more legitimate degrees than mine are struggling to make ends meet, and it’s no big secret that it’s hella hard to land employment right now.  But though I’ve been hearing about our horrid economy for months and months, it only just hit me when I spent an afternoon over Christmas break pursuing my future millions via Monster.com.

And found NO jobs.

I’m not even kidding you here; Monster.com is a bleak and scary place these days.  When I graduated with my undergrad in 06, Monster had a plethora of employment opportunities.  And lucky for me, landing one of those jobs proved to be no difficult feat.  But we’re living in a different world now, kids.  It seems that if I want to pay my rent come May 2010, Ima have to either forge a nursing degree or become familiar with poles and pasties.

So if you too are terrified of being a homeless vagabond in just a few short months, I suggest you start looking for jobs 2 months ago.  No seriously, we’ve already wasted too much time.  My boyfriend Hunter (remember him?) nailed down a position back in September, so unless you’re in denial you know you’ve got a lot of catching up to do.

And I’m here to help you (and myself) do just that.

Now, I’m sure Career Services has it’s own To Do list for starting your job search, but my approach is on this super cool and colorful blog.  So here goes:

1.     Stop hyperventilating.

2.     Update your resume.  (Or make a resume, whichever is more fitting.)

3.     Give said resume to every Dick and Jane you know.

4.     Become annoying.  (And by that I mean stop feeling weird about asking for help…if you have contacts, use them.)

5.     Apply for jobs that are open.

6.     Apply for jobs that aren’t open.  (Because that could change tomorrow).

7.     Hand-deliver your resumes.  (Yes, it’s easier to email them, but employers are more likely to remember you once they have a face with a name.)

8.     Don’t be overly picky when applying.  (Remember, beggars can’t be choosers.)

9.     Invest in a suit for when you interview.  (Yes girls, this means you.)

10.   And above all and most importantly, believe in yourself.  Sounds dreadfully cheesy, but if you think you can do the job chances are employers will too.

Beyond that, there’s always prayer, superstition, and witchcraft…oh, and Career Services, which seriously can help when you’ve lost your occupational way.  Call them up one of these days (ahem, RIGHT NOW), and make an appointment with a counselor.  You’ll be surprised by what they’ve got up their sleeves.

And hey, if you still don’t have a position before walking across that stage, don’t sweat it.  You can always move in with Mom and Dad and go back to working as a hostess at Red Lobster’s.  Ahh hell, what am I saying?  We’re totally screwed.

Much love.

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Career Services, job market, unemployment