The ol' switcheroo!

Sorry Blogger...you've done me a great deal of good and I'll forever be grateful but it's time to move on. I've found a new,cleaner, more professional look.

My new blog is at http://hirebri.wordpress.com.

Please come check it out and let me know what you think of the layout/posts/whatever as I try to navigate around the new platform! I am new at WordPress so any advice along the way would also be appreciated.

Here's hoping it finds me a job! At least it allows me to highlight a bit of work. Fingers crossed!

See you there...!

Day 655! Wishing, waiting, anticipating

I remember when I wrote my blog on day 600. I was thinking surely I would not have to be sounding like a broken record by day 650.

But here it is, day 655, and still waiting! Oh, not just waiting. I don't just sit around and hope a job comes to me because of this blog. This blog is to just highlight the problems job seekers face. And although I am waiting to hear back from a couple positions I am really keen on, I am not depending on them (obviously history has showed me not to), and I am still job searching and applying left, right and centre.

I have finished my editing job though that I have mentioned before. I enjoyed it! Sadly, it was a one-off, but it is something I would be happy to do again. I cannot depend on something like that to be the steady income I need right now, but it is certainly something to consider in the future! It was something that took a lot of self-discipline and personal deadlines (because the author was in no rush to get it done but I wanted to complete it in a timely manner), but I am very proud of the work I undertook.

Sadly now that means I am without anything to do again! This week I will attend a meeting about a volunteering role and hope that something comes form that to keep me busy and out and about in the community, as well as a potential to continue to develop skills. It's an exciting project, one that I have had experience in before, but I will talk more about it when it is up and running.

I mentioned before that I had applied for a couple positions that I am anxious to hear back on. One I know for sure I would absolutely excel in: working on creating content for the website, assisting in marketing and working with the public. That deadline closed Friday, so I hope right now HR is looking at my CV saying, "She's perfect! Let's get her in for an interview now!" Haha, if only! Perhaps I should send them the Ten Reasons Why I Should Be Hired post, just in case!

In addition to that, I have made my CV available for "temporary" work on some of the recruitment sites. I am happy to undertake temp work as long as it adds to my experience!

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Before I sign off before going back to job searching, I want to say a big THANK YOU to those who have "liked", "shared", or "retweeted" my blog on social media. others have sent me links to potential jobs, and I really am thankful for it. I may not have found that job yet, but it has helped spread my message and exposed the blog to potential employers. I appreciate all of it! You never know...it might actually lead to that elusive job one day!

Don't forget: e-mail me, follow me on Twitter or connect with me on LinkedIn!

Day 644: A stressful two weeks!

Here I am on Day 644 without so much another job interview or news to report on! But it has been two weeks since my last post (oops!), because I have been staying as busy as possible and not because I have a job yet. So here's a little update...

Last week, I was so frustrated and feeling down and out that I actually went to the job centre for some advice! I didn't want to have to go there, but I am glad I did. They were not able to help me there, as it is only for people receiving benefits and whatnot, but they gave me information on Universal Job Search. It seems to be a very comprehensive list of local jobs of all sorts! I have found a position I am very interested in from that search. The cutoff is next week so I a keeping my fingers crossed that I get an interview (wish me luck, please)!

I have also been doing the one-off editing work. It is the first time I have done something like this, apart from editing my own thesis, so I am taking my time. I also wanted to do some reading first so I knew what I was working with first and talk about what the author is looking for in terms of direction. I will probably finish it this weekend, so that's good although I will be bored again.

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I've been looking into local volunteering roles as well. There are some exciting projects coming soon to the area which I would love to help out on. I am so anxious to get a job though that I can't commit myself to a long term role, so I am looking ore for support roles here and there, and possibly something I can continue even after I get a job (if that day ever comes...sigh). I do love volunteering and giving back. If everyone could do a little bit, even a one-off one weekend, it could make a huge difference to your community or even in someone's life, so I very much advocate getting involved when possible!

Something I have noticed this past week as well I just want to mention: my spam inbox has exploded. I don't understand where all this spam is suddenly coming from! But I have also noticed that I get A LOT of "Job Alerts" from companies I have never signed up with. Because it's from companies I have never even heard of, it makes me apprehensive about having a look or signing up. Should I be?

Job searching is stressful. It really is. Sending in countless amounts of CV's and application forms is very daunting and can make someone feel really down. I want to work! And I want to give all my energy into my career and using all these skills I have learned in all the education I went onto do. I know I would be a great employee for the right company. If that company can be yours, send me an e-mail, and we can chat! I am friendly, really! So please do get in touch.



Anyways...there's the "excitement" of the last two weeks. I'm off to do another job search!

Day 630: Where is my Fairy Jobmother?

Well today I am feeling a little bit defeated over it all. I've just got back from a casual interview, and I am starting to wonder if I am a bit too hopeful in getting the job that I really enjoy.

I went into this interview without knowing too much about what was wanted. Don't get me wrong, I am very, very grateful. It was my first interview in about a year! I was there to discuss some one-off work to be done, but knew there could be more opportunities ahead. There are...BUT it is project work that I may or may not get paid for, depending on the project and revenue it generates. As exciting as the projects are, unfortunately I am not in a position where I can do that.

So for that, I am feeling a bit defeated, wondering where I will fit in in the work force! Am I aiming too high? What sort of places should I be applying for? Should I be looking outside the media/marketing sector and go for something else, anything really, to get me into the work force again? My head's spinning!

I know I would be an awesome addition to a team! I love working with the public and being able to give something back into the community as well. I'm highly organised and have managed long-term projects and events in the community. In addition to work experiences, my studies have included intense research into digital media and how it is being used today by football clubs to connect with their fans and partners (although the theories could be applied to companies and their customers/target audiences). I am very proud of my studies and the thesis I produced as part of my M.Phil degree, and if you would like to read more about it, you can do so here.

I'd love a position working with people again, either digitally through social media and creating awesome content that engages the target audience, fan engagement or in project delivery and event management.

Have I mentioned that I love to bake, and I have been known to bring in cupcakes into the workplace often? Bonus! And if you're still not convinced, here are ten reasons why you should hire me!

Even though I feel a bit beaten over 630 days of full time job searching, I still managed to muster up the confidence to turn on the good ol' laptop and do some more job searching (and applied for three more jobs).

But where is that Fairy Jobmother?! 

If you would like to discuss further about what I can bring to your company, or would like copy of my CV, please do e-mail me!

Don't forget you can also connect with me on LinkedIn or follow me on Twitter.

Day 627: Training, editing and possible ugly Christmas socks!

So we're on day 627 now. I wish I could say during this time I have been busy! I have tried to be but the biggest reason for my absence has been coming down with sinusitis and labryinthitis (a lovely condition of the inner ear that leaves one feeling dizzy for days on end)! I couldn't even read e-mails or anything, let alone job search. The condition leaves you almost feeling hungover, and it would not have been a great impression at any interview I may have been lucky to land! I'm definitely on the mend now though so it's back to the traditional job search, but here is what I have been up to in the meantime:

Last week I attended a training session with Sporting Memories Network at Lancashire County Cricket Ground. This included how to start and successfully deliver reminiscence groups using sport as the driving force for the older community. This is essentially what I have done during my time at Everton, which you can read more about the programme and my role here! While this is just for a possible volunteering opportunity, it was great to network with people from different backgrounds all together for the purpose of bringing joy to the elderly community.

I have also reached the halfway point in the last course of the Social Media Marketing specialization course by Northwestern University I have been taken via Coursera. This course so far, The Business of Social, has been about data and analytics, and how to understand your campaign's strengths and weaknesses. This specialization has consisted of five courses (and an optional Capstone Project which I will undertake), and I have obtained four certificates so far from it. It's been really insightful, and I recommend Coursera to anyone who wants to learn a new skill, ether related to your field or just for fun (because classes can be taken for free, or if paid for if you want the official certification).

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I also have been asked to do a bit of side work editing a play! I have a meeting about it this week and to be fair, I am really excited! It is not related to digital media, but it's about effective content, and I still enjoy that whether digital or print. I will keep you all updated how that goes. It just may open the door to more opportunities...

And as a side note, I have also been learning new knitting techniques and have been knitting away on an awesome scarf. Yes, it is just about summer, but it has been an enjoyable and even stress-relieving pastime.

However, if I don't get a job, then it will be knitted scarves and socks for everyone this Christmas! Haha! I'm sure the family would much prefer it if someone would Hire Me instead!

Day 603: "You're just overqualified."

Day 603 of the job hunt. I feel like it has been a slow start in the job hunt since my "break", but it will start to pick up steam soon (I hope!).

I actually got my first rejection this week since re-starting the job hunt. It was the wonderful "You're just too overqualified for this position" rejection. I didn't want to come back and say "I've been job searching for over 600 days, so please reconsider!" Although I understand the reasoning, I hate getting that reply. Jobs were hard to come by when I finished my Bachelor's degree. I somehow thought doing a Postgraduate degree would help my employability, along with some part-time work for experience. This is proving not to be the case though! Basically though, I would take any opportunity available to me that I know I would do exceptionally well in, so please still consider me!

I also find that people do not quite understand my qualifications. I thought I would take today to explain more in-depth about my education.

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Straight out of High School in Florida, I started taking classes at St. Petersburg College. I have to say that I loved it. The staff were always really nice and approachable, there was a wide array of classes and the campus in Clearwater is lovely. I started with a basic degree (Associate in Arts), where you study several subjects such as English Composition, Ethics, Humanities, Mathematics (Algebra and Statistics in my case) and Science (I chose Earth Science). I also took classes towards an Associate in Science degree, this included Hospitality and Tourism Management classes, however I went back to an AA degree after deciding I wanted to study abroad and the AA path would be best.

This proved to be true as I got accepted to Liverpool Hope University's Media Studies. I chose this course because I wanted to learn more about the ever-changing ways sports are using media. I was a fan in America of a Premier League team in England and depended on many media sources to keep me up to date with my team. This was my chance to learn more and hopefully be part of that process. Unlike other American students I came across, I did the whole course (three years) at Hope University, which was an experience being so far away from home! I started working at the university though, and I made a lot of friends through my course and work. They made it easier for me! The course covered many aspects of media including journalism (print and broadcast) and public relations. I graduated with a 2:1 in 2012.

I felt like I still had a lot of opportunity in front of me in England. I was convinced by my tutors to go for a Master of Philosophy degree in Media. I also considered a Master's programme at another University, but Hope gave me the opportunity to go further and had faith in me to go for the Postgraduate Research. I went for it, and with that help of a fabulous tutor I obtained my MPhil degree in Football, Media and Fan Relationships in December 2015. This degree included writing a thesis that looked at the history of football and media's relationships and how a symbiotic relationship helped the two sectors grow. However things have changed dramatically in the digital age. Clubs are now keeping tighter control on their brand, deciding what news goes out to what source, and using their own media to connect with the fans. Supporters no longer need to depend on the newspaper the next morning to get news on the game form the night before and clubs no longer exclusively need the newspapers to connect with fans. My research used different case studies to show the change in relationships and what tactics are being used now to connect with their fans and market their brand.

Although my research specifically looked at football, the same concepts can be applied to many companies who are wishing to connect with audiences. To strengthen my position, I enrolled with Coursera's Social Media Marketing Specialization through Northwestern University. This has included lessons in analytics, listening to your audience via social networks, different marketing strategies, the importance of keywords, and blogging. There is also a Capstone Project that I will undertake after the fifth and final course, which will finish in June. This will give me the opportunity to showcase the skills I have learned in this specialization. I have obtained four out of the five certificates you can earn in the specialization so far, and I am loving the course!

During my studies, I have also worked part-time and volunteered, doing everything I can to keep learning and gain more opportunities. If you think you could give me my next opportunity, please send me an e-mail, tweet me or connect with me on LinkedIn.

Day 600! Yes, really!

The title is sadly right.

I started my job search for full-time work 600 days ago. SIX HUNDRED DAYS. Ugh.

Am I feeling a bit defeated? A bit, but now that I have ore freedom as to who I can work for and at what salary, I am hoping that this job comes soon! In fact, I am a bit confident that it will do.

So what have I been doing in these last 600 days? In the beginning I was working part-time for both my university and a football club in the community sector, as well as in the middle of my Master of Philosophy degree. You can find out more in detail about my research and education here.

In October 2015, I decided to focus on my research, and after a few years of hard work and dedication, I was granted the award of MPhil in December (graduated January 2016), and what an accomplishment it was! I am in the process of seeing how to get my work published as well, but in the meantime, there is a copy available in the university's library!

What else have I been doing to keep me busy? Well, as we all know, social media and new media are constantly changing. I have been taking courses through Coursera for a certification in Social Media Marketing, so I can stay up-to-date on the latest techniques being used. So far the course has been quite enlightening, and we have been asked to create a blog, and identify key influencers on social media platforms where our target markets would be the most active. I have really enjoyed it and hope to complete the last course in this certification in June!

I have also been staying busy being very crafty! I have discovered a love for knitting (yes, knitting!) and have also learned that blackboard paint is amazing (I painted champagne glasses for my wedding where guests could write their names on the and keep. It was a great hit!).

However, I am needing that perfect job that will allow me to utilise all these skills (ok, maybe not the knitting) and allow me to prove to be an asset to your company. Think your company can give e that chance? Why don't you send me an e-mail and we can get discussing how I can do just that!