applications done

recently applications included

1. Dunbar Armored - Graphics coordinator
2. Round 2 Communications @R2integrated.com
3. Kennedy Krieger Institute - Web Content Specialist
4. The Pomerantz Agency - Web/Interactive Manager
5. and last week Space Telescope Science Institute - Admin Assist
   
6. National Public Radio - Executive Administrative Assistant
7. WSFS Bank - Administrative Assistant, Rehoboth
8. Creative Services Traffic Coordinator - The Baltimore Sun
9. Boschel Creative - Junior Web Designer/Developer
10. Advertising.com Inc - Traffic Coordinator
    

entry levels

United rentals has a position in Delmar for a Sales Coordinator. The position requires a Bachlor's degree and I don't quite know why. I applied to this job because I truly want to know more about it. I doubt it has anything to do with graphic design and perhaps nothing to do with office administration but more like customer service. Can you see me selling tractors?

Bank of America has a position as Fraud Analyst: "reviews potential fraudulent accounts for the prevention and detection of Fraud and verifies account activity with customers over the phone. The incumbent will take appropriate action based on transaction characteristics on routine, less complex issues related to Customer accounts. Experience is gained through training and following established procedures and guidelines. The Fraud Analyst has minimal decision making ability which directly affects the customer experience and risk to Bank of America. Typically reports to Fraud Prevention/Detection Supervisor; 0 to 2 years in the field or related experience." Now why is this entry level? Yes, I applied.

Also applied to Cox cable and travel channel as an executive assistant to "Provide high-level executive administrative support for the Chief Creative Officer, Travel Channel Media and business team."

Space Telescope

I can handle complex administrative, secretarial and clerical functions. I have done so in the past with my experience as an executive officer in the position of secretary for the University Chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery. In my position I maintained weekly meeting minutes, managed a 140 member listserv, designed event flyers, and chaired a committee.

I am comfortable with both PC and Mac. Additionally, I am familiar with UNIX based systems and Adobe creative suite software. I am very familiar with Microsoft office as I am Microsoft Certified as a user specialist in Power Point.

I can perform and have experience in a variety of clerical, secretarial, and administrative duties requiring initiative and exercise of independent judgment or discretion in my experiences working at a local answering service. My job as telephone operator required that I listen carefully and be prepared for any situation. I regularly dealt with an array of situations and challenges including everything from basic routines to dire emergencies. I can say with confidence that I always did my job to the best of my ability and acted in accordance with all procedures and rules. I am proud to say I was a member of our team contributing to our status as an ATSI (Association of TeleServices International) 2006 Award of Excellence Recipient.

Birthdays come and go

Six months into my job search and I have landed a job working through the local temp agency. I didn't expect it would come to this. I had hoped to join the white collar ranks, make upwards of $30,000 plus health benefits, in a county and possibly state other than my current residence. I realize that this is a contract position and it doesn't look much better on my resume than a gap does but, seriously, I'm in a contract position: exactly where I didn't want to end up. Beggars can't be choosers and I suppose I could always be in wore straits. I really thought that in half a year I'd be in a different place. My birthday, unofficially marking the six-month adventure, was pleasant on the whole but I truly expected to be in a full-time position. Disappointment drips with dullness.

The Game Show continues

The job search process is like being a contestant on a game show. You hope you're the lucky one to score the big prize but you have to jump through these silly hoops. This is my future, it shouldn't be a gamble or a game. Networking "feels so fake to me, but I know that's the game." is quoted from Hillary Meister in Barbara Ehrenreich's book "Bait and Switch". Barbara examines and the world of white collar unemployment and has plenty of relevant things to say.

Again on networking: "...It feels 'fake' because we know it involves the deflection of our natural human sociability to an ulterior end. Normally we meet strangers in the expectation that they may truly be strange, and are drawn to the multi layered mystery that each human presents. But in networking, as in prostitution, there is no time for fascination. The networker is always, so to speak, looking over the shoulder of the person she engages in conversation, toward whatever concrete advantage can be gleaned from the interaction - a tip or a precious contact...No matter how crowded the room, the networker prowls alone, scavenging to meet his or her individual needs."

Gripe tangent

My biggest issue out of school is health insurance. As soon as I graduated in January I was no longer a "full time student" and so my parents insurance dropped me. I have temporary insurance through the Alumni association but it really doesn't pay for much of anything (including prescriptions). So I can't really afford my allergy medication at $200 a bottle and in March I got sick with strep throat twice. Then I got pink eye twice. "Pitty party for one, you're table is now available."

inconvenience

I got a call yesterday at noon regarding the Manpower job. I went out on my assignment to all ten convenience stops on my list. Everything went smoothly and I'll have to do some math to figure out if driving the hundreds of miles was really worth it. Driving all over the peninsula is a bit exhausting but actually making a transaction only takes a few minutes at most.

I have an interview this afternoon at the county building for an unpublicized cold fusion position. This is the second cold fusion programming position I've been interviewed for in Georgetown. The first one was on June 1st and I expected they'd call back by now for a second interview like they said...it looks like that won't happen as today is the 14th. Oh well. Wish me luck!

D-day B-day

Last Wednesday was my birthday. I had an interview at Manpower staffing firm at 9:30 am before I went to the baseball game and on to the beach for my birthday dinner. I was expecting a call back regarding a second interview for the Georgetown programming position but it never came. I did have a good birthday though and a nice fun yet relaxing weekend. Today I'm home and I called Georgetown back and now I'm crossing my fingers and waiting. In the mean time I will most likely apply to workBaltimore.com

Rolling along

Productivity of the day came in the form of a phone call to Maryland regarding none other than a undercover operation. This should be fun however I get the feeling the main office maybe slightly disorganized if not understaffed and I feel there must be a reason for that. This is not a state job but it will involve travel as far away as Virginia and as far north west as Denton, MD. It will require two forms of ID and pays well by the hour although it shouldn't take you an hour to walk into a location and complete the transaction. It is temp contract work and I suppose that's better than nothing. The orders come out of Colorado, where they have no concept of beach traffic. Go figure.

On another note, Friday's interview in Georgetown may yield a second interview next week. They said it was a programming position which is about the last thing I expected. It left me with mixed feelings but ultimately I'd like to see me hack it as a programmer, pardon the pun.