I am a receptionist. I also like to add “administrative assistant” in there from time to time; but, let’s face it, I graduated college and now I answer phones. I mean I even wear a headset.

It’s slightly embarrassing; yet much more comfortable than the back of my earring jamming into my ear.

It isn’t like this is my first menial job; I’ve been working them since I was thirteen. Retail, Food Service, Nanny, Camp Counselor; I have done it all. And after I graduated college, I expected to go through a bout of menial jobs and laborious internships to get there (there being a real job with salary and benefits). I just never expected it to go on for this long.

I mean, I’m a writer, so I kind of expected this type of unemployment. But with a totally kick-ass resume and some awesome experience to back it up, a girl still can’t get a job. So I landed this, a long term temp reception gig at a pretty chill event production company.

And I actually really like it.

I know I won’t be a receptionist forever. I mean it’s what I do for now, not what I am. But so many times, talking to girls I graduated with or when meeting new people they always ask, “So… What do you do?” It took me a long time to be able to confidently say “I’m a writer and a receptionist.”

Sure, it isn’t glamorous and it sure as hell doesn’t have benefits, but I’ve learned a few things along the way. Read More »

So, it’s been about a month into the semester and you’re suddenly feeling like there’s no light at the end of the social tunnel: no cute boys on your floor or in the apartment next door, no cool new chicks to chat with in your classes.

Now what? Will your whole year end up dull, boring, and steamy romance-free? It’s college lovey, such a thing cannot be!

Sure the guy next door spends more time on his Star Wars video games than he does on his personal hygiene, and yeah, maybe the girls down the hall blast Enrique during your Monday night Bachelor viewing (so not your scene) but that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to a sucky semester.

There are plenty other places on campus to scope out the cute boys and the fun girls. Read More »

Elle Woods was way ahead of her time. Not only was she a trendsetter in the fashion sense but apparently in the working world as well. Remember her video resume to Harvard Law complete with requisite bikini shot?

Six years later, the idea finally caught on. Forget the paper resume and cover letter, the video resume is about to take its place.

Following on the heels of the trend are various video resume websites. Each has its own unique spin. One even hails itself as “job networking on steroids.” And if the working world takes its cue from pop culture, the video resume is about to blow up.

Sean Combs, the illustrious Diddy, posted a short clip on YouTube in the attempt to find an assistant to replace umbrella toting Fonzworth Bentley. His only requirements were that the video “interview” be less than three minutes and his new assistant have at least a college degree.

If you feel like being belittled by Diddy, film your own short and post it to his YouTube group.

But if you’re like the rest of us (just wanting a normal job with benefits) try filming your own video resume. You never know when the trend will start to take off. Read More »

Being that I started working like a month ago (feels like a year, actually), I thought I would be the perfect person to impart a little career advice on everyone I meet…or communicate with via collegecandy.com.

Whether you are a recent grad or a recently crowned freshman, it is never too early to start thinking about life after college. Yes, I realize that is a difficult task between heavy drinking and scouting the streets for available bachelors, but take it from me: the more prepared you are the better off you will be in the long run.

And it doesn’t matter if you know what you want to do or not; simply taking some steps to build your resume will help you out immensely. Here are a few good places to start:

1. Volunteer: Nothing looks better on a resume than a little good old fashioned unpaid work. Giving back to the community is always good for your soul, but it is also a great way to prove to employers that you are committed to making a difference. Oh, and that you can balance your time well between school and other activities. If you know what field you want to get into that’s even better. Try volunteering at a company that you would want to work for. You can get experience, meet important employees/execs and prove to everyone that you are a perfect candidate.

2. Get Involved: Remember when you joined 1,036,326 clubs in high school so you could wow the admissions committee at your dream school? Why not do it again in college? By joining student groups (and even taking on the responsibility of taking a position) you are gaining valuable skills that can be applied in the real world. It is a harsh reality, but simply spending your college days on your couch with your girls will not fill your resume. And, in case you didn’t know, an empty resume will not impress anyone. Read More »

Where did this year go??? We are just a few weeks away from summer break and you know what that means- Time to get a J. O. B.. I don’t know about you, but my days of throwing on the green schmock at Starbucks are over.

You can take your double, venti, low-fat, half-cap, light on the drizzle, frap-a-whatever and shove it up your a@%!!!

I need a real job… something that excites me… something related to my future career – know what I’m sayin’???

Well if you do, Then Katie Couric Wants YOU! Katie and CBS News are offering a once in a lifetime opportunity to work directly with Ms. Couric and the CBS News Staff through a new internship program called Springboard.

“SPRINGBOARD invites aspiring print and broadcast journalists to provide a unique local perspective to a global topic, and submit the print or video result for consideration by the journalists of CBSNews.com and CBS News. CBSNews will post the best submissions online, and award one entrant with a summer internship at CBS News in New York City.”

Sounds pretty cool, huh? Sure beats barista-ing.

Click here for more info.

What are you doing this Summer?

SPRINGBOARD invites aspiring print and broadcast journalists to provide a unique local perspective to a global topic, and submit the print or video result for consideration by the journalists of CBSNews.com and CBS News.

SPRINGBOARD invites aspiring print and broadcast journalists to provide a unique local perspective to a global topic, and submit the print or video result for consideration by the journalists of CBSNews.com and CBS News.