Let's recap:
In 4 days, I have my last final
In 10 days, I am walking at my long awaited college graduation
In 14 days, I will be without a job and a place to live (as of now)
I am stressing out... a LOT
I have yet to pack and clean.
My supervisors are toying with my resume to give it a little more BANG. The content it is there, just needs some jazzing up a bit. I've gotten an email back from Target in Biltmore saying that the positions have all been filled but I applied to two Target stores. I'm submitted two more apps last week and I plan on calling them later this week. Tomorrow, my boyfriend and I are looking at an apartment in Mesa, near the Light Rail, with cheap rent. There is also a place near him that has an opening. He is calling later tonight to talk to them.
It's stressful to say the least. I also have estranged family coming in and I have no idea how that is going to turn out. I'm really hoping that my brother will be helpful and help me move into my new place. If I have one by then.
In addition to all of this, I also have closing to do for my residents.
The next 10 days are gonna be interesting to say the least.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Career Services Event #2: STAR Interview
Disclaimer: I've had rotten experiences with Career services. I feel that they really don't care about the students and some of their advice is kinda crap. I went to this event because I thought it would prepare me for an eventually interview that I may get...soon.
On April 30th, I went to a career services event called the STAR Interview. It was advertised to be a good interview prep "You will learn how to inventory your marketable skills and effectively communicate your qualifications to the interviewer. You will also practice using the STAR technique to answer behavioral interview questions."
I had high hopes. I came prepared. I got there on time. We had packets of information about interview questions and interview skills. The session was only an hour long so I thought we would get down to the nitty gritty stuff. I was wrong.
We went over why interviews have gone wrong like not coming prepared for the position and not having questions. Okay, I thought that was valid topic to go over. Then we went over having a cheat sheet with name, addresses of references and supervisors. I thought that this was really good, I was planning on making one myself with the butt load of applications I've been filing out lately.
Then we got to how we should dress for the interview. This took up most of the time. Granted, I know that dress is important for an interview and different industries and positions require different types of dress. The presenter advocated, to the nth degree, about wearing a skirted business suit with a jacket. For EVERYTHING. Now, I've been applying for entry-level positions. I highly doubt that a formal business jacket is required. I can understand for middle management or anything higher. But for a position at Smashburger, a business jacket is a little over the top. I'm all for a nice blouse, slacks or a skirt. Just the jacket makes it over the top. But the presenter said that we could put a power pin on it but we can't deviate from the jacket cause it gives an impression of power. This debate went on for quite some time. It got annoying to say the least.
In the last ten minutes of the session, we actually got to the interview questions. We went over how to answer "about yourself" questions and practiced with a partner. Sadly, we couldn't do more cause the session started to run late.
Overall, I was disappointed with the session. I was expecting something more or at least something redeeming from Career Services.
On April 30th, I went to a career services event called the STAR Interview. It was advertised to be a good interview prep "You will learn how to inventory your marketable skills and effectively communicate your qualifications to the interviewer. You will also practice using the STAR technique to answer behavioral interview questions."
I had high hopes. I came prepared. I got there on time. We had packets of information about interview questions and interview skills. The session was only an hour long so I thought we would get down to the nitty gritty stuff. I was wrong.
We went over why interviews have gone wrong like not coming prepared for the position and not having questions. Okay, I thought that was valid topic to go over. Then we went over having a cheat sheet with name, addresses of references and supervisors. I thought that this was really good, I was planning on making one myself with the butt load of applications I've been filing out lately.
Then we got to how we should dress for the interview. This took up most of the time. Granted, I know that dress is important for an interview and different industries and positions require different types of dress. The presenter advocated, to the nth degree, about wearing a skirted business suit with a jacket. For EVERYTHING. Now, I've been applying for entry-level positions. I highly doubt that a formal business jacket is required. I can understand for middle management or anything higher. But for a position at Smashburger, a business jacket is a little over the top. I'm all for a nice blouse, slacks or a skirt. Just the jacket makes it over the top. But the presenter said that we could put a power pin on it but we can't deviate from the jacket cause it gives an impression of power. This debate went on for quite some time. It got annoying to say the least.
In the last ten minutes of the session, we actually got to the interview questions. We went over how to answer "about yourself" questions and practiced with a partner. Sadly, we couldn't do more cause the session started to run late.
Overall, I was disappointed with the session. I was expecting something more or at least something redeeming from Career Services.
That Time of Year Again
It's that time of year again. School is winding down, the weather is getting warmer, students are getting more antsy to get away from school... Oh, what's that? You need to get out of the dorm 24 hours after your last final?
Oh. Crap.
There are two busy times of the year for ResLife. Opening and closing. For opening, we frantically try to get everyone checked in and settled while allowing them to experience a variety of fall welcome activities. For closing, we get to boot you out. And fast too. In addition to finals, you have to pack and clean your room to high standards and move out.
I got very good at packing and moving out very quickly.
At the end of the year, all CAs get a huge folder full of materials relating to closing: a bulletin board full of closing info, signs that say where to put your trash, take back your microfridge, be out 24 hours after your last final, clean clean CLEAN your room AND bathroom.. etc. It's a lot of info that we have to go over with our prostaff and then go over with our residents in the last floor meeting.
But that is only the beginning. After they are done with finals and cleaning, we have to check them out. We go in and inspect their rooms, document any damages or trash, take their keys, swipe them out of the system and they are gone. Each check out appointment can last between 10-30 minutes. We have to look everywhere and document anything. Residents have to sign up for times that they want to check out. We have discretion to stop all check outs if they room is dirty or the floor is trashed. In order for check outs to resume, they have to clean up. We can also refuse their check out if they are still packing. We just ask they sign up for a later time.
Once they are all gone and the halls are close, all the CAs have appointments with their direct supervisor. We walk the floor and all the room, documenting anything that we have missed, tearing down all the posters and door dec, submit work orders and JAMS if we spot anything illegal... etc. We are exhausted by the end. And after our walkthroughs are done, we are then asked to leave the hall. You see, during our finals and packing, we have to check out residents, work the desk, be on duty and study. It's a lot. But somehow, we do it; each and every year.
This is my last year. I hope it's a good closing.
Oh. Crap.
There are two busy times of the year for ResLife. Opening and closing. For opening, we frantically try to get everyone checked in and settled while allowing them to experience a variety of fall welcome activities. For closing, we get to boot you out. And fast too. In addition to finals, you have to pack and clean your room to high standards and move out.
I got very good at packing and moving out very quickly.
At the end of the year, all CAs get a huge folder full of materials relating to closing: a bulletin board full of closing info, signs that say where to put your trash, take back your microfridge, be out 24 hours after your last final, clean clean CLEAN your room AND bathroom.. etc. It's a lot of info that we have to go over with our prostaff and then go over with our residents in the last floor meeting.
But that is only the beginning. After they are done with finals and cleaning, we have to check them out. We go in and inspect their rooms, document any damages or trash, take their keys, swipe them out of the system and they are gone. Each check out appointment can last between 10-30 minutes. We have to look everywhere and document anything. Residents have to sign up for times that they want to check out. We have discretion to stop all check outs if they room is dirty or the floor is trashed. In order for check outs to resume, they have to clean up. We can also refuse their check out if they are still packing. We just ask they sign up for a later time.
Once they are all gone and the halls are close, all the CAs have appointments with their direct supervisor. We walk the floor and all the room, documenting anything that we have missed, tearing down all the posters and door dec, submit work orders and JAMS if we spot anything illegal... etc. We are exhausted by the end. And after our walkthroughs are done, we are then asked to leave the hall. You see, during our finals and packing, we have to check out residents, work the desk, be on duty and study. It's a lot. But somehow, we do it; each and every year.
This is my last year. I hope it's a good closing.
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