Job Title: Professional Job Applier

While in college I was hell-bent on graduating in 4 years. I'm the type of person who gets something in their mind and it HAS to get done a certain way. Looking back, I would have been a professional student since I graduated in 2008 in the awful economy decline. Postponing adulthood would have been a much better choice- living the college life and maybe getting another degree. But, no, I HAD to graduate in the "normal" 4-year plan. And, let's face it, I am a kick-ass person with a lot to give an employer! Well, so does every other person who graduated at the same time and I and individuals before me. Ugh. So, I ended up going to graduate school but it was a mainly online program and so not as fun as on campus.

I love being in an education setting and I loved psychology so I got into School Counseling which is a lot of fun and I love it! All the love! I got an opportunity to get paid for my internship hours in Grand Junction, CO so I moved out on my own for the first time 4 hours from home. The interview was a breeze! Very relaxed and the other Counselors seemed really cool! I left to make he drive back to Denver and got the call and was offered the job! Great start to my School Counseling career! How great is this! What bad economy?? Ha! Stupid me!

A year later I moved back home eager to find a job! I mean, I have experience now, my internship advisor was known in the CO School Counseling world, and I easily got my internship position so this will be a breeze... Oh, Delaine, you fool! I struggled and cried and threw things (yes, I need a better outlet). Anyway, I graduated in 2011 and it took me a few times to get licensed (I truly am a horrible test taker!) but I was on my way. I had a few interviews but afterwards they would always say I wasn't experienced enough for he position. "But, wait, you saw my resume and experience before the interview. Why even interview me when you already know my experience?" The worst was when I was offered an interview at a school I previous worked at and where I did my practicum. I was on vacation in San Francisco at the time I received the offer so I asked to meet a day after the interview but that wasn't an option but I was positive I was going to get this job so Dave and I spent money to change our flight so I could make that interview. Needless to say, I didn't get that job. I was crushed! I made sacrifices and was a previous employee of the school. Moving on... (I'm getting interview experience, right? Silver lining!). Beginning of 2012 (mid school year) I interviewed for a position for a high school about 45 min from me. I rarely feel confident leaving an interview and this was no exception. However, the next day I was offered the job!! Yay!! It was a great job but budget cuts in CO education and seniority in the district screwed me out of my job. I did get a semester of experience though. (Silver lining, again. Trying to stay positive).

And, on the search again...

I kept track of every job I applied to after this. Holy depressing!! I wasn't even picky either. I applied to any and all jobs. Nothing. I was not in a good place. Knowing my personality you would know why. I NEED to be doing something I got my degree in. I'm too hard on myself and I'm working on it.

Fine! I'll do a fun job. New brewery opening in Denver? I like beer. It's a German brewery? I' German! Lovely. Needless to say I got that job. It was fun! And, the best part is that I didn't have to apply day-after-day for jobs!

Fast-forward...

My husband's company wanted to move him to D.C. and I thought "what a great new adventure" so we moved! It was only a year long position with the possibility of staying longer but have you lived in D.C. after living in CO?? It's rough for me. So. Many. People! So, we decided to move back to CO because it's awesome! (I didn't even mention the jobs I applied for out here but there were a lot and a few interviews but no job offer and not even rejection phone calls or emails. Bad form!) On the search again... I frantically applied for these School Counselor positions around April and May and started getting phone calls for interviews! Six interviews in fact! I haven't figured out why because I was a Nanny in D.C.- no school experience but a D.C. address so maybe that's why??

First job interview was for a College and Career Advisor for a Charter School In Colorado Springs and hour commute from home. Well, since I'm not in CO I had to ask for Skype or phone interviews but being in the technology age that didn't seem to be an issue. Great! During the interview my cat jumped into the screen (the drawbacks of Skype interviews from your home) but they loved it! Thanks, Cat! I didn't really feel confident about the interview so I at least had the weekend to enjoy before the rejection call. I got a call the next day though and  I was offered the job! And I quote "We had more qualified applicants for the position but we loved your enthusiasm." I'll take it! YAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!

But, I kept getting calls for other interviews! I'm an in demand girl! Annnnddd... reality kicked back in and I was rejected and rejected and rejected. But, it was ok because I already have an awesome job! However, I interviewed for a position with my old school district with my Alma Mater working under the same grant as the first job in Grand Junction so I thought I was a shoe-in! Right? Right?? Nope :( What?! Why?! How?! Well, I asked and the huge panel said I gave one statement that they deemed didn't show the maturity they were looking for. Still a little bitter but students and parents really do like what I do.

The point of this post is that I have learned that it's pretty much just luck when getting a job. I showed my personality in all of my interviews and some people liked it and some people didn't. I did learn how to word my answers differently to show the more serious side of me (they'll get my awesome, fun side later. Ha!). I'm entering the professional world a little later than I planned but I learned lessons from all the steps and adventures I've had to get here.

Back to CO I go...  

Job title: Assistant Director for College and Career :)