Though struggling for months to find a job can be disheartening, this e-commerce business analyst explains that perseverance with networking and practice interviews helped score his dream job.
I work as an e-commerce business analyst for a major exercise equipment manufacturer. My job consists of analyzing the company’s website, sales data, etc, and using the information that I collect to evaluate the effectiveness of our marketing, guide business decisions and recommend improvements to our business methods and procedures. I landed my position through a job fair that was held in San Francisco after looking for employment for a full year. It was a satisfying end to a very grueling and exhausting journey.
I found out about the job fair from a friend on Facebook and followed up by finding information and registering on the website of the hotel that hosted the event. When I arrived, I entered my information into a laptop that was provided for the purpose of collecting job applications. The benefit of using technology is that I was aware of the job fair much faster than I would have been without it and so I had plenty of time to prepare myself. Had I not used the technology of social networking, I may not have found out about the fair at all.
In order to make myself stand out, were I applying for the exact same job tomorrow, all I would have to do is list my current job on my resume and then list all of the qualifications that I picked up as a result of having that job. I now have experience, hands-on training on several different kinds of analytical software, business reporting and marketing experience, etc. I have learned much about my job, all of which would really shine on my application for the same job.
In my field, I most often connect with others using our company e-mail system, although I did set up a Facebook user group for other e-commerce people that I know. As far as helping me find a job, I’d say that social networking is the most effective technology I’d used. As I mentioned previously, it was a Facebook post that led to my finding my job. Other than that, I connect with other professionals through other means, such as by using the telephone, by fax, Twitter, and others.
I once had an interview during which the interviewer kept asking those weird existential questions, like “If you were a tree, what kind would you be?” or “What would I find in your refrigerator right now?” I know that those kinds of questions are meant to test your personality and that usually only one or two will appear in an interview. They asked me at least six of them! I don’t know what they were looking for but I apparently didn’t have it as I didn’t get that job. The lesson that I learned from the experience is that you need to be prepared for some off-the-wall things to come up during a job interview. You can look those questions up online to find out what the company is looking for in your answer. Of course, it’s better to know ahead of time rather than having to come up with something while sitting across from the interviewer!
The most important thing I learned about the professional job search process is that you can never give up. You have to keep applying and hoping to get in the door. It can get frustrating but you have to keep at it until you find something. During my year-long job search, I applied to dozens of jobs and had two or three interviews each week until I found my current position. It was a long, difficult, and frustrating process that had me on the verge of giving up many times. I realized that I had to keep trying if I wanted to land my dream job. It is also very important to make sure you have the qualifications that your prospective employers are looking for. You must have the skill set to do the job you are applying for; otherwise you are just wasting everyone’s time.
I made extensive use of the Career Services program offered by my university, although I ultimately got my job through other means. They helped me by advising me on what my best career options were and how to prepare for them. They even told me what I should major in to get the kind of job I wanted. I think one of the best tools they offer is advice on interviewing for jobs, complete with practice interviews. They are designed to make you feel comfortable during real interviews. They really work; at least they do for me! I was able to refine my interview technique over time and make fewer mistakes until I landed my current job. As a bonus, I am also more comfortable whenever I have to make presentations on the job.
If I could redo one event from my professional past, it would be to go back and decline a job offer I once received that required a transfer to the east coast. It was a promotion within the company that I worked for at that time and at first it was great. However, taking that promotion set off a chain of events that took me to some of the lowest points of my life and caused a lot of harm to my relationship with my wife. On the other hand, if that didn’t happen I would likely still be employed with that company and I wouldn’t be where I am today.
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