Blog 5: Starting the Job Search

I wanted to start this blog off with a personal experience of mine that pertains to our topic. I have been working at Chesterfields restaurant for about seven months. Unfortunately CVS bought the building, and we, the staff, we’re given two weeks notice about losing our jobs. As soon as I found this out, I went searching for a new one. The first place I went to was Crescent City Grill. Every Tuesday morning you can go and apply there, along with getting an interview with a manager that day.
I applied for the server job at Crescent City last week. Since I have been working at restaurants all of my life, I had a variety of experience to jot down on my application. During the interview, the manager told me the kind of things he looks for before he hires someone. Of course experience is always good, but managers need employees who are dedicated, friendly, and will work hard to be good at what they do. I explained to him that I have been working in restaurants all my life and I know what it takes to help make a restaurant successful. I also told him I am always willing to put forth the effort to be good at what I do. About three days later, I was called back in for my second interview. This time a different manager explained some duties I would have to perform, the type of employees he wants for his restaurant, and how it’s important to be serious about this job before I can become a part of the Crescent City “family”. We had a good talk, and two days later I was called for job! To find out more information about employment at this restaurant, you can visit the website at http://www.nsrg.com.

With that being said, another job I could have applied for is Assistant Social Studies teacher in Stonewall, Mississippi. Some of the basic qualifications for this job are knowledge of the Instructional Process. This includes the context, curriculum, methods, and materials of the specialty to which assigned, which in this case would be Social Studies. One must have the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with students, peers, administrators and parents, along with having skill in oral and written communication.
I found this job opening at http://www.indeed.com. This is definitely a job that is right up my alley, being that I am an Education major. I truly believe I have the ability to build strong and trustworthy relationships with most people I meet. I am personable and enjoying helping people with their problems. I am also currently in the Elementary Education program; therefore, I am learning the basic steps to being a good teacher.

Another job opening is at the University of Southern Miss as a Social Worker. Some duties of this job are providing services for individuals with disabilities who are homeless or at risk, provide information/referrals for homeless individuals with disabilities and families, work with project coordinators to collect and report required data in a homeless management system and internal reporting system, and etc. The job requires experience in providing case management services for individuals with disabilities or families who are homeless or at risk.
I found this job under USM career services. I can not say that I have ever helped disabled people before, but I have volunteered at a homeless shelter multiple times in my life. I believe in hard work and making right choices; however, I do know I have experienced first hand people who have tried and tried to do right in life yet did not succeed. With this job, I feel I could help people get back on track with their life. I know I wouldn’t be a counselor, but I still feel like I could help persuade them to never give up and always to always look forward. I found this job opening at http://www.jobs.usm.edu.

The final job opening I could apply for is as a Human Resource Assistant. Some requirements for this job are excellent written and verbal communication and computer skills, such as Microsoft Works and Excel. Also, you must pass a criminal background check. I’m pretty sure I’ll be okay in that department.
I found this job at www.human-resources.jobs.net, under the Mississippi job outlook section. One of the responsibilities to this job that caught my eye was regularly interfacing with a variety of internal customers in a professional manner utilizing clean, concise, and accurate verbal communication. I believe I could do this job well because I like to think I have very good people skills. Over the years while working in my restaurant jobs, I have trained myself to stay calm in crazy situations, and I’ve built up the ability to have patience with all kinds of people. Also, I recently passed the BTLE (Basic Technology of Literacy Exam). This is an exam that tests your computer skills from different sections of Microsoft Office. I passed with flying colors.

If I had the choice of choosing one of these jobs it would have to be the Assistant Social Studies teacher. I can not wait until I am done with my program here at USM and am able to teach full time. Mentoring young children and giving them the skills to succeed is why I am working hard in college and getting my education degree. Social Studies is not my favorite subject, but I would be willing to take this job in a heart beat and eventually work my way up to the head teaching position.
My resume would not be full of experience in this field; however, I would definitely include my managers from previous jobs in hopes they could explain my work ethics to my possible future bosses. I would also give my education back ground, and what my goals are in life.