International Job Search Websites

With today's tough job market, I plan on using several different tactics as I conduct my job search. Today, I want to focus on one of the traditional tactics--searching for jobs using the internet. I found several helpful websites, specifically geared towards finding jobs abroad and I wanted to share those with you. I will plan on adding to this list as I find more websites.

MBA-Exchange.com
Jobs in Paris.fr
Jobs In Brussels.com

The Jobs in Paris and Jobs in Brussels sites are both "aimed" towards English-speaking professionals. However, many of the jobs I found required you to speak both English and German/French/Dutch fluently. Unfortunately, I've forgotten most of my German from 10 years ago and would have a tough time ordering more than just bratwurst and bier in a pub.

The MBA-Exchange site has some really cool postings. I just applied to a internship I found on there so cross your fingers!

Going Global!

After taking a brief--or rather long--hiatus from blogging, I've returned with a vengeance. It's go time, baby! I have approximately two months before I graduate and the student loan payments will kick in by the end of the year. Who wants to hire an MBA?!?!

I should probably update you on what I've what been doing with myself for the last few months. Fall semester proved to be a horrendous one (which explains my disappearance). From September to December, I was interning, going to class, working part-time at school, and serving as a teaching assistant for the Winter Intersession study tour to the Middle East. I don't think I saw the light of day for 4 months. Not that it mattered anyway because the weather has been very temperamental this season (thank you El Nino!).

In January, I spent two weeks on a study tour to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Istanbul. I had an amazing time visiting companies, riding camels, and swimming in the Persian Gulf. I've always had an affinity for travelling but the trip confirmed my desire to work abroad after graduation, which is what I am currently focusing my efforts on. I submitted my resume to two of the companies we visited but it doesn't sound like either has any positions open. Regardless, the focus of my blog over the next several weeks will be on finding international work. Stay tuned and follow me on my journey as "Hire an MBA" goes global!

Temping Tricks of the Trade

Following Sharon's advice, I registered with most of the temp companies she listed in her post on June 25, 2009. Within a week or two, Innovations already had two separate assignments for me: I had to turn down one due to a scheduling conflict but I was able to accept the other. They placed me for a week at a life science VC firm in downtown San Francisco. The position itself is nothing fabulous as I'm filling in for a receptionist who went on vacation. However, the job has put me in the vicinity of some of the most powerful life science entrepreneurs in the world. For example, one of the partners has a meeting this week with the president...as in, the president of the UNITED STATES!

Although I'm not interested in working for a VC firm or in the life sciences industry, I scheduled a brief 15 minute informational interview with the Director of Marketing and Communications--a field I am interested in.

Which brings me to Courtney's Temping Tip #1: when you're on an assignment, look around and see who works in a position that you are interested in. Then schedule a very brief informational interview. Offer to buy them coffee. Then pick their brain. You never know where it might lead.

I think temping is a great way to go when you're struggling to find a job. It's actually how I got my first job out of college. It gave me a chance to check out an organization without having to commit to it. It also gave me a chance to build a great relationship with the staff so when a position opened up...VOILA! I already had one foot in the door.

Here's a list of additional Courtney Temping Tips:

#2 - Always show up on time. If the company already knows you have a problem getting to work on time, why would they hire you?
#3 - Be super friendly to everyone.
#4 - Dress appropriately. In fact, dress a little nicer than everyone there. Otherwise, you really will just look like the temp.
#5 - Try to drop the hint (subtly) that you're a student, looking for a job after graduation.
#6 - Offer to help out with anything. No matter how trivial of a job it is.
#7 - Go the extra mile. Stay late if they need help getting a project done (but remind them that you are on overtime, if that is your agency's policy).
#8 - Do all of the above, even if the job sucks. The best part is, it's only temporary. You can get through anything knowing there's an end in sight.

I'll keep adding to this list as I think of more helpful ideas.

Passing the Blog Baton

Since Sharon has officially left the ranks of the unemployed (congrats to her!), I decided to pick up where she left off. Sharon's blog has been incredibly helpful as I navigate through my own job search and I wanted to pass on the knowledge to others.

I am currently in between my first and second years of business school at USF. After a handful of summer job/internship opportunities fell through, I found myself halfway through June with no internship prospects (I spent the first half of the summer taking classes to get a few units out of the way). I ran into Sharon at a classmate's going-away party and she told me about her arduous job search and the blog she created to document the process. Her advice was just what I needed to kick-start my summer job search. After all, it's very easy to get discouraged in this economy.

I hope this blog helps others as much as it has helped me. Thanks Sharon!

Temp Agencies and Placement Companies

After many trials, I believe the job search requires different approaches. For starters, think of a dream company. Imagine if a project comes up and they use an agency to do the leg work for them and hire contractors. This is one way to get into companies. It's like getting in through the back door. This contract could lead into an employee position if you're a fit. This is how I interviewed for SalesForce the other week.

So who are these agencies? Well, some can do temp assignments (which are cool too), direct hires, temp to perm etc. So use my name if you contact these people. Also, remember they have leads at top companies, but they won't give you their best foot forward unless you're clear on what you want (bring a list of companies to target)

Step 1: visit their website
Step 2: fill in an online profile
Step 3: try to set up an in person meeting so they can personalize your services
Step 4: stay on top of mind and email/call weekly.

Search Wright ****** best to start
Kelli Thompson or Lauren Green
kthompson@searchwright.com
LGreen@searchwright.com
415-538-1500

The Job Shop - just $12/hr temp assignments
Michelle Mamerto
michelle@jobshopsf.com
415-227-8612

Aquent - places people at Clorox for contract positions
Gretchen Stanford
gstanford@aquent.com
952.851.3176

TSS
Hayley Chan no longer works here, but don't know who to refer you to
415-543-4545

Premier Staffing
Bridgette Loyd Corridan
bridgettel@pstaffing.com
415-362-2211 X 3505

Greggory Lawson - financial positions (USF alum undergrad)
glawson@innovpsi.com

The MBA has gotten HIRED!!!

After job searching since October, I've applied to over 500 job positions all across the nation. I took networking to a literal level and did every little thing that I could do to reach out to my networks.

This was a long scary process and I think the key successes were:

• Staying in contact with everyone and anyone.
• Letting people know that I'm looking and could use help.
• Being specific on what type of job or industry that I'm looking for.
• Follow up Follow up Follow up!
• Attend conferences, attend events, and ask for business cards.
• Send my resume to people to forward along.
• Ask for opening at companies that are new - to beat the massive competition.
• Accept part time jobs to keep busy and money coming in.
• STAY POSITIVE and not get caught up in the frustration, it's much easier to stay positive then negative.
• Try different jobs that you wouldn't normally entertain. You might surprise yourself.

So the secret to my most recent job offer. A friend from my former beverage industry got me interviews at her company in February. Didn't work out but she kept me in mind for when she heard of an opening at her friend's company. So Jenn referred me to Sarah who is also a member of a common association (DELTA SIGMA PI). She forwarded along my resume for the position. 1 week later I received notice that my resume was referred by Sarah an internal employee. The next day I received a request to set up a phone interview. The phone interview went well. It turned out that one of my very dear friend's cousin works for the company and had prepped me and filled me in on the company. So props to Monica as well. I owe you tons of babysitting.

Then there was a phone interview with the hiring manager, the marketing manager later that week. Since that went well, I was excited for the next step. Much much later I had the all the interview. 9 people within 6 hours, plus a computer test. I rocked it!

A week and a half afterward a background check and reference check was completed and verbal offer was made over the phone.

Some things that helped me during the interview:

• Sample of recent and relevant writing - brought in an abstract of Health Information Technology - Remote Monitoring Devices
  
• Not only had my resume, but a comprehensive resume that elaborated on my classwork projects and all my part time jobs. So if it came up, I could offer the comprehensive resume with the details
• I had a list of good questions to ask the interviewers like:

1. What makes an unique employee
2. What brought you to the company and why do you stay?
3. What are the challenges of the position?
4. What training and mentoring is available?
5. In 5-10 years from now what is your legacy that you will leave behind here?
   

• I sent thank you cards to the women and some of the more senior men and thank you emails to the other men
• I also spoke of a 30-60-90 day plan that I would create once I got started. This is to demonstrate that I can plug and play and don't need my hand held.
  

So thank you for reading my trials and tribulations and best of luck to you!

What an OFFICE can tell you about a Company

I have walked through the doors of several companies in the past several months and have made many mental notes on what I saw.

1. One place had a shabby building with an elevator that didn't arrive at the floor and stairs were required to reach the office. Then the moment I walked in I wanted to head for the hills and make a run for it. It looked like a REALLY BAD bachelor's pad with dark blue poorly painted walls. Black leather chairs in the reception along with a flat screen tv playing some cheesy stoner movie. This was a bad sign and unfortunately I waited too long to actually find out. This reception area was a clear sign and reflection of the poor company. This was a lesson that this place isn't a fit nor offers quality. This place was in Emeryville and is a pyramid scheme. The red flags were obvious here.

2. Another place that I had went to for an interview was located in the heart of the Financial District. When I walked into this nice high rise, I recall it for having a very nice roof top seating area. I thought BONUS! But as I walked into the suite, there was no one to greet me but a mere ding ding bell on the receptionist desk. Once it was dinged, some disheveled person came out and I was waiting for nearly 20 minutes for the person who I was supposed to see me. I was sweating bullet on my parking meter as I only put in enough for 1 hour. Oh but no need to worry, his interview was brief. But oddly passed me off to his co-workers to drill me on an employer of mine as they are current investors. This has nothing to do with my interest in the position nor was relevant. And by the way, he forgot to mention on the phone that this was a NON PAID marketing internship at a Hedge Fund.

But back to the intention of this blog, they had no one to greet me which was a sign that they are too busy to care and possibly wouldn't welcome me with open arms for their FREE LABOR. Also the decorum was very nautical and masculine. I felt that I was in a yacht. I interpreted this as a sign that this was fast paced environment that demands a lot and maybe I'll go unappreciated.

3. Not to knock the lovely state of California, BUT I didn't like their bathrooms and sort of judged that the same way as I would judge a busy bar's bathroom. Dirty bathroom, dirty work environment. Not for me. I went to a beautifully kept private school, I don't want to face the unkeptness of public buildings.

4. Oh and when a company has offices in the same city but the hiring manager who flies in decides to meet you at a hotel is sketchy and weird not cool protocol. I feel that the hiring manager should offer to meet at the HQ offices not the hotel lobby.