The Dating Game: Handling Love, Like, and Fit on the Job Search

It's January now, and as the higher education administration job search season rolls around again, I always start to get really interested in people's stories about their job search processes. My own job search just after I graduated from my master's program was rather unique and VERY long, and I love trading "war stories" with friends and colleagues to compare and contrast experiences on the search.

As I reflect, though, "war stories" isn't necessarily the best description of the job search (although I'm sure some of my colleagues can attest to some interviews that felt like battles!). Rather, the most appropriate metaphor I have ever heard, and the one I usually share with people, is that the higher ed job search is like dating. 

So, how did you two meet?

The job search begins with precisely that - a search. Some of us sign up for an "online dating website," i.e. HigherEdJobs.com or Chronicle.com. We carefully craft our profile (resume, cover letter), and start to search for certain criteria for that "special one" - location, job duties, salary. Another route some of us take is to use friends and colleagues to see if that "special one" is on the market without resorting to online methods. We ask mentors, supervisors, friends to pass along that one opportunity that may seem like a good fit ("Oh my goodness, you two would be perfect for each other!").

Sometimes this blind date method can yield amazing results because of the networking connection; sometimes the online dating method is best because you can pick and choose the criteria you're looking for in a position before you meet or talk for the first time. Whatever your methods, much like dating, the key is to get yourself out there, and to know what you're looking for.

Speed-Dating / Going Out on the Town

For many in the dating game, an ideal situation is to go where the "fish" are plentiful, such as out in the community, going to a bar or restaurant, or attending a speed-dating or networking event. This way, you can get to meet potential dates or mates in person first to WOW them with your rugged good looks and sparkling social skills. (Don't we all have those qualities?) In higher education, these social events are placement exchanges, such as NASPA's TPE or ACPA's C3. While not necessarily critical to your job search, these job placement conferences can be an amazing place to meet new people, practice your interviewing skills, and get feedback on your resume and cover letter.

Although my job didn't come from my attending TPE, several of my on-campus interviews did, and I was incredibly thankful for the chance to get to meet employers in person and practice my interviewing skills. The other benefit of these placement exchanges is much the same as your benefit from going out or attending a speed-dating event - you get to see what's out there, and you get to see what qualities or traits a potential job match has that make your heart beat a little faster. Is it the job itself that drew your eye? Is it the conveyed personality of the office or institution? Placement exchanges are a great place to figure out what YOU'RE on the market for, as well as being on the market yourself. Beyond the placement exchange, conferences too can be perfect opportunities to meet with potential employers to feel out open positions.

First Date - the Jitters, being Grilled, and Sparks Flying

Ahhh, the phone interview, or in our job search dating terms, the first date. A time to get to know your potential partner - the institution, the co-workers - but also to impress. You feel the obligation to be your authentic self but ALSO be on your best behavior; you try to strike the right balance of humor and sincerity; of asking questions and answering them. You do your best to read who you're interacting with to gauge their level of interest, all while doing your best to honestly express your interest. Your stomach often shakes with butterflies; you can't tell if there will be another call after or whether just this first interaction is all you'll have... sound nerve-wracking?

I don't mean to make it seem intimidating; in fact, once you get the hang of phone interviews, they can be quite enjoyable, a chance to get a read on the institution for which you're interested in working. But there are always questions. Will they grill you, or make it more like a conversation? How long do you talk in order to express yourself best without droning on and on? How do you honestly talk about yourself without exposing your flaws too quickly? What are the best questions to ask to find out about the culture of the institution and office? Phone interviews, much like first dates, are crap-shoots: they can be duds, or sparks can fly. The best advice I can give is to be prepared - reflect on your stories and your values, and do your due diligence to research the office and the position - and to be yourself.

Meeting the Parents (and Friends, and Exes, and the Whole Darn Family), or the On-Campus Interview
So things went well on your first date - er, interview. So well, in fact, that your date - er, institution - is thinking about making this a permanent arrangement. It's time for that moment, the one that every singleton/job searcher dreads - it's time to meet the parents. In terms of our job searching process, this means the on-campus interview. This is the big one - your opportunity to impress, to sell yourself and what you're about so that the institution can decide if you'll be a fit for them. You want to look your best, feel your best, and interview your best, so prepare, prepare, prepare. Much like dating though, and similarly to the rest of the job-search process, the on-campus interview isn't just a question of whether the employer likes you: it's ALSO a question of whether you can see yourself making that long-term commitment to your potential employer. The "big question" must be answered in a resounding YES by BOTH parties, and the on-campus interview is your prime time to make sure that you're going to find room to grow, to learn, and to become your best self in this "relationship."

While you're preparing to answer questions, prepare to ask lots of them too - what is the office culture like? How does your office interact with its students? What kind of support will you get from supervisors? Where does your office fit in the grand cultural & political scheme of campus? What is it like to live in the city or town? Will your transition be an easy one or a hard one? These are all questions that should be answered before you decide to make a serious step toward that "long-term commitment" of taking a job. And remember, institutions are made up of people, and people are inevitably messy. No one is perfect; even your "perfect" institution probably has its share of skeletons in their closet. So the question to ask is - much like in a long-term relationship - does their baggage match yours?

Will you say YES to the Big Question?
The final step in any job search process is the big one, THE question, the one we all hope for and dream of: the job offer. When your phone lights up with your potential employer's number, your heart starts beating faster, the butterflies in your stomach get to flying... and it's happening! They've picked YOU! This institution wants to make a commitment to YOU!!!

Of course, much like big steps in any relationship - moving in together, getting married, having/adopting children, etc - MUCH thought and preparation should be put into the answer to this question. Did you truly feel a fit with this institution - e.g., are the job duties what you're looking for? Is the office culture supportive of what you need? Do the salary and benefits work for you? Geographically, is this institution in the right place? Mission-wise, does this institution value what you value? If you're able to answer all of these questions in the affirmative, then lucky you - it's time to say YES to your "one." (Or at least, your next "one.")

But once you give that answer, the work is not over. Much like any relationship, expectations must be clarified and set. For anyone who's committed to a long term partner, you know what these questions include - who is handling the finances? Are we combining bank accounts, or keeping them separate? Do we want to have kids, and if so, how many? Is our family going to be spiritual, and if so, what does that look like? (and so on.)

In the same way, you must ask questions of your soon-to-be employer (and negotiate, negotiate, negotiate). Although I'm no expert on negotiation, I can give you a starting list, based on my own experience, of what conversation topics should include with your new employer (and colleagues):

• Start date
• Salary (is there room to negotiate, and does it make sense to do so? When is payday each month, and how often? What benefits get taken out automatically?)
• Benefits (what is covered by the university, and how much? If you're switching institutions, can the retirement fund you've already started be carried over? Can health benefits be carried over? If you have a partner and/or other dependents, how much are they covered under your benefits?)
• Moving assistance (Is there any extra money in the budget to get moving expenses covered?)
• The town/city/area (Where is a good place to live, if you get to live off-campus? How far away should you live, based on your work hours? What are fun things to do near the institution, and far away from it? How far are you from a major airport?)
• University amenities, especially parking & recreational centers (How much is parking per month, and what does faculty/staff parking look like near your building? Do faculty/staff get free membership to campus rec centers, or do you have to pay? If you have to pay, can it be deducted from your paycheck?)
• Time off (How much vacation/sick time is included in your initial benefits package? What is your supervisor's/the institution's approach to flex time vs. vacation time?)
• Professional development (Are you provided any funds by your office, department, or the institution? Is participation in regional, state, and/or national associations encouraged? Are there any conferences that you are expected to attend, based on your functional area? Are there any additional campus grants or funds for which you can apply if you want to attend more than one conference?)
• General day-to-day expectations (What are your hours? What is the office "dress code"? Do your colleagues stop in each other's offices and chat for a short time each day, or does everyone keep to themselves? How full should your calendar be? What are your regular weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly meetings? How does your supervisor expect you to keep him/her informed about your progress?)

Although not an exhaustive list, hopefully these questions spark good and healthy conversation with your new institution and supervisor. Again, healthy communication is the key - it's important to talk about important issues as soon as possible so you can make sure that you and your new employers are on the same page before you begin work.

Happily Ever After?

No job is permanent in this world, especially in an ever-evolving field like student affairs. So while I wish for all of my readers healthy, LONG-lasting long-term relationships (if that's what you're looking for), what I wish for you in the job search is fit. 

I hope that you are taking time, being patient, and making sure to prioritize your values. I hope that you are looking into the future, and applying for jobs that will help you learn and grow and continually become better. I hope that you are applying at institutions whose missions and actions show them to be principled employers who care about student well-being. 

Most of all, even though it might not be an "ever-after," I do wish you a HAPPY job searching, and a GOOD job that will enable you to do your BEST work.

Obsession (not a Calvin Klein fragrance)

I find it so funny that my brain likes to go through periods of deep fascination - dare I call it, obsession? - with different people, places, things, and ideas. There's got to be some epistemological approach to looking at why people become fascinated or fixated on different things... what is it about songs, tv shows, movies, travel plans, recipes, whatever, that captivates us so? What is our brain trying to tell us when we become obsessed with certain things over others?

Regardless of the deeper meaning, I though it'd be fun to blog about the things I'm currently obsessed with and obsessing over:

1. Ellie Goulding - If you haven't listened to her music (and I bet you have; "Lights," "Anything Could Happen," and "Burn" have gotten BIG radio play in the past year or two), I highly recommend it. She is a wildly talented female DJ, musician, and singer. She's got an unusual soprano voice, but it's absolutely captivating. Her newer album, Halcyon, is currently on repeat on Spotify for me.

2. "The Wire" - No thanks to my older brother, I have been binge-watching HBO's hit show "The Wire" until all I think about is The Game, my main man Omar, and the city of Body-More (Murdaland central). Have no idea what I'm talking about? It's okay. I wasn't sold until about halfway through Season 1 of the show, but thanks to the urging of my brother, Alan Seppinwall's genius show recaps (spoilers abound; don't read unless you're watching the show!), and the brilliant writing of showrunner David Simon, I am currently halfway through Season 4 and horribly depressed that the show ended in five seasons. I'm nearing the end, but the show still has me hooked every moment. If you have HBO on-demand, or can borrow a friend or loved one's login to HBOGo, do it. You will not regret the watch (only 5 seasons, and only 12 episodes per season), and you will be in love with Baltimore by the end. 

3. Conference & Job Search Season - Okay, this is a weird one, I'll admit. But it's that time of year in higher education - professional conferences abound, and many people are out on the job search. I myself will be attending 1 professional conference this spring, but I love reading and writing posts about how to make the most out of your conference experience. Then, there's job searching, something I have written about ad nauseam on this blog. I myself am not currently job searching, but I AM taking time to keep my resume updated, to keep myself updated on the latest job trends and availabilities, and to support my friends and colleagues who are searching. I'll be part of mock interviews for IU's Higher Ed program tomorrow; I can't wait to visit with up-and-coming professionals about their resumes, cover letters, and interview tips! Call me a nerd; I embrace it fully. I love this season!

What are you currently obsessing over? What has captivated your mind on this fine day?

The Best Advice I Ever Received: Cover Letter Edition

Writing twice in a week? (almost) Unprecedented! But, per my commitment to do some personal reflection and some professional development, I come to you now with a topic fresh on my mind: the oft-dreaded cover letter.

(cue dramatic music. and yes, that link goes to exactly where you think it goes to.)

As you may remember, about a year and half ago I wrote one of the most dramatic and, in retrospect, silliest blog posts about how much I hate writing cover letters. But it was true then, and if I were applying for jobs now, it would probably still be true - I really, really don't like writing cover letters. Honestly, the first one is the hardest; by the time I was applying for my umpteenth jobs in May, June, and July, I had my structure and writing process down pat. But those first few were rough, in more ways than one: not only was it difficult to write the letters, but the content was definitely a rough draft.

Thankfully, I had the advice and oversight of wonderful friends, colleagues, and mentors, who gave me great feedback and helped me craft my perfect cover letter. And because I know there are quite a few recent grads out there who are still job searching (which is TOTALLY OKAY, you are NOT ALONE, you will NOT BE UNEMPLOYED, JUST BREATHE!!!), I wanted to pass along some of the best cover letter-writing advice that I got from my colleagues on to you.

It's never too late, my friends, to jazz up your cover letter and really make it sing. (I don't know where those music metaphors came from, but there you go). For me, making my cover letter really shine came down to a few top tips:

1) Make the cover letter sound like you wrote it. Thanks to my dear friend Amma (her blog is linked here, READ IT for reals) for this piece of advice and for a few others on this list... your cover letter needs to sounds like YOU. It is quite possibly the first impression an employer will get of who you are, and so it needs to sound like you! Now, I'm not saying you should go full-on informal prose for this tip ("Yo, whaddup search committee?" is probably a big no-no), but there should definitely be elements of YOU in your cover letter (as opposed to your letter sounding like you ripped it off of a "how to write a cover letter" website or Word template). This may take some tweaking, but eventually you can strike a good balance of professional and personally reflective.
My example: my cover letter always started with a "Hello!" It was friendly, open, and reflects me and my personality.

2) Don't be apologetic for your mad skills. This GORGEOUS piece of advice came down from my awesome theory prof (shoutout to you, Brad Cox) through my friend, colleague, and mentor Mackenzie (mad props for her counsel and advice always). I'm gonna get real here: one of the hardest parts of the job search is seemingly bragging about yourself, or, in more normal terms, "self-promotion." It's something I'm not super comfortable with or something I'm very good at (Amma wrote a great blog post about it earlier this year).  But it's a reality of the job search - you need to try to represent how AMAZING a candidate you are. With that, one of the easiest traps to fall into as you're writing a cover letter are the following phrases (see if you recognize any in your cover letter):
"I have had the opportunity to..."
"I am privileged to..."
"I have the chance to..."
Sound familiar? Here's the truth that Brad and Mackenzie passed on to me: while it may seem in your head that you're being honest (let's get real, some days it's a real privilege and honor to do what we do in student affairs), on paper, it seems like you're apologizing for the skills, experiences, and jobs that you've had and accomplished. As Brad put it, "No. You didn't 'have the chance' to do this, you DID IT. You didn't 'have the opportunity' to do this, YOU DID IT."
When you think about it, that makes sense, huh?
And let's be real in another aspect - writing cover letters can be hard because you can't waste or mince words. So don't waste any words apologizing or downplaying your skills and experience, OWN THEM. You DID plan that event. You DID advise those students. It doesn't sound arrogant, it sounds confident and that you have taken ownership of your abilities!

Last but not least...
3) Tell the employer why you're interested in their position. This is another gem passed on to me through Amma, and I can't tell you how meaningful this piece of advice is. Again, I know that you don't want to mince or waste words in your cover letter. But here's the deal - if you spend the whole cover letter talking about why you're qualified for a position, and never touch on WHY you want that position or WHY you want to work at that institution or in that office, it stops being confident and starts reading like you send the same cover letter to every single employer.
And listen, it's FINE if you use the same basic words and structure for your cover letters; I certainly did! But there should be some unique piece in each of your cover letters that addresses one particular institution alone, and tells them why you're even interested in the position.
I promise you, adding this piece to your cover letter, especially as an entry-level professional, can set you MILES above other candidates. The job search is a two-way recruitment process; not only are you trying to sell yourself to your potential employer, but the employer is also trying to get you interested in working at their institution! So if you don't indicate that there's at least a modicum of interest in an institution or office - it could be in their mission statement, in a specific program or model of operation that they have, in their student population or departmental philosophy, whatever - the employer will wonder why you even want the job in the first place! (And I know that there's more to it than just being employed :). )

So there you have it. Those are the 3 best pieces of advice that I received about cover letter writing for student affairs positions.

Have you received any stellar advice? What would you pass on to new generations of student affairs professionals?

Life's a Banquet

Well, hi there.

I know that I promised to keep you updated vis-a-vis my life changes on this blog... but that's the problem with social media today. You can update "all your friends" via the quick-and-easy outlets, and neglect the medium that really makes you think. For me, that's been this blog. If you look through past posts, you'll see that I've taken to blogging when I really need to process--most of the time I just need to set my words down "on paper" (so to speak) in order to make sense of the world. It's both a blessing and a curse, I think, that I do my processing via writing; it's a weird, half-internal and half-external way of regarding life.

But I digress; I'll wax philosophical on blogging at a later date--for now, I figured that the promised update was indeed in order. 

Although, knowing the nature of social media, I figure pretty much all of you who read this blog know about my amazing, wonderful, joyous, glorious life news and life change--I am now living in the beautiful city of Bloomington, Indiana, working at Indiana University-Bloomington. I persevered and persevered with my job search, pushing my hardest, trying my best, and agonized and worried every step of the way... and inevitably and ultimately, God blessed me immeasurably with a wonderful job, co-workers, students, and institution. 

And, despite some of the day-to-day challenges (choosing a retirement plan is NOT as easy as it sounds), I am happy.

I'm living on my own, TRULY on my own, for the very first time, and the introverted side of me LOVES coming home to the peace and quiet of my own space. 

I'm getting a grown-up paycheck, which I won't go too much into detail about, but which I'm sure MOST of you understand is one of the single greatest joys of having a job.

I'm making new friends and building relationships with new colleagues, which is intimidating at first, but which I know will prove to be a smart move over the next few years.

I'm exploring my new city, from the local eateries (listen, you don't really know breakfast joy 'til you've eaten at The Village Deli) to the local breweries (one word: Upland) to the local events and festivals. And I'm hoping to expand outward as the weather gets cooler, hiking in some of the nearby state parks. By the way, in case you didn't know, I have REAL FALL to look forward to in a few weeks.

More than anything, I'm enjoying each day's joys, mistakes, and lessons, storing it all up in my head and in my heart--this is the stuff that Job One is built on. I'll take each day one day at a time, and I'll do my best to make each day count (yes, that was a Titanic reference). 

And finally, for anyone who is still on the job search, or who will embark on it soon--you've got a friend and a sympathetic ear in me. Call/email/Facebook/Tweet at me anytime. You WILL get through this, and you WILL find a job. You ARE a competent and intelligent individual, and you CAN do this.

For everyone else, I must thank you for your kind words, thoughts, and prayers--my perseverance through the job search was due in large part to knowing I had a wonderful cheering section behind me. Whatever I can do to return the favor, you just let me know.

Now, it's time to get out there and live. 

As one of my favorite literary/cinematic characters, Auntie Mame says, "Life's a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death! Live!"

My banquet--and yours--awaits. Let's make today count.

Just call me Goodyear.

Well, it's summer once again. The days are hot (literally), the nights are hot (literally), the humidity is humid (Florida. I shouldn't expect anything else).

So far, my good ol' summertime has consisted of getting my Master's degree from THE Florida State University (MASTER SANSONE!) and continuing to work part-time with the Student Activities Center here at FSU. I've been saying goodbye to my cohort buddies as they go off to start their new jobs, wishing them the BEST (because I know they'll be amazing!). I've been taking my weekends easy, catching up on some good books and great TV shows. I've also gotten to go back to the great state of Texas to celebrate a cousin's wedding, which was a perfect vacation.

But what my summer has not yet consisted of is getting a job. I promise this post won't be a whiny paean to how sad I am about not being gainfully (a.k.a. full-time) employed, so bear with me! :)

You remember rightly, I've been on this job search since January, steadily and faithfully writing more cover letters than I would have ever imagined, filling out applications, talking on phone interviews, and going to visit prospective schools. More than anything else in this process, I have LOVED meeting people--all of these interviews, whether they work out or not, have given me a great introduction to some of the amazing people who work in my field with me. And I'm reassured that, even when I don't get a "yes" from a school, I'm still building some great connections with my colleagues, doing that whole "networking" thing.

I've also been afforded some awesome introspection time during my job search. As I talk with each of these schools, and discuss with them how I might fit with their students, office, department, and institution, I must know myself as best I can, represent myself genuinely, and be open and ready for ANYTHING. I've been doing a LOT of reflection, and I can tell you that I have a lot better idea now than I did a few months ago about who I am, what I need and want out of a first job, and where I might want to be (literally and figuratively) in the coming year and in the future.

I won't lie to you, the job search is taking its toll on me. Getting a "no" is never easy, as anyone who has ever tried out for, applied for, or attempted to do anything can tell you. Multiple "no"s? Even rougher. But, for my fellow student affairs graduates out there who are still job searching, you're not alone. Don't be discouraged. We're in this together, friends! For ANYONE job searching or applying for different opportunities right now--I feel your pain. This process has good days and bad days; highs and lows; excitement AND disappointment.

Even with the lows, the disappointments, the "nos" I've received, though. I'm still keeping the faith. I'm still believing that everything is going to work out according to the big Master Plan; that I'm going to end up exactly where I need to be. Because, even with the "no"s, all I need is that one "YES."

I'll promise you again that you'll get to read an excited "YAY I GOT A JOB!" post when that moment happens, but until then, know that it's all going to be okay. If I've heard it said once during this past semester, I've heard it said a million times--I've gotta trust the process. And cliche as it might be, I think it's true--this job search is a proving ground for me (like those awesome Goodyear commercials where the cars fly over hills and take really sharp turns between cones in the desert). I've gotta take myself on some test runs, go over some sharp obstacles and check my endurance, to show off what I'm really made of.

Time to kick the tires and light the fires.

On the Verge.

I'm graduating in a week.

*deep breath*

In one week, I will have obtained my Master's degree from The Florida State University.

I'll be honest, I'm having a lot of trouble writing this entry, because I truly don't know how to feel. I'm excited that I will have a break from 20 consecutive years of schooling (I love the learning, but the homework? Not so much). I'm excited to celebrate two years of hard work with my fellow Higher Education grads. I'm excited to see my family for the first time since Christmas, and to introduce them to everyone (it's not like I don't talk about them enough), and to meet my fellow grads' families.

I'm confident that I'll continue my job search and will end up with the right position for me (expect an excited blog post when I officially accept a position!). I'm confident that God is guiding my path and that I will be working where I'm meant to, guiding the lives of students and learning from everyone around me.

I normally try not to get sad at "goodbyes," because I believe much more in the "see you later." I firmly intend to keep a regular correspondence with students, friends, colleagues.
But, what will happen when I go somewhere new, move to a new city? Where will I be without the ability to walk downstairs and commiserate about homework with my roommate? What will I do without the immediate and present guidance and support of my supervisor, colleagues, fellow grads, friends, professors, mentors? What will I do when I can't eat Gordos on the reg? (I'm not really joking with that last one.)

Now is the time that I've quite honestly been terrified of for the past three years or so: the real world. Not that my time in Tallahassee and at Florida State has NOT been the real world; on the contrary, I feel beyond prepared to take on the challenges of being a professional and a full-time grown up. But truly, I won't have school to fall back on. I won't have the excuse, "Oh, I'm a student." For while I will continually learn, that won't be my full-time job anymore. I will be an independent adult. Which is pretty gosh darn terrifying. (And exciting. But mostly terrifying.)

For now, though, I still have a week before I'm officially done. I'm going to take my own advice and focus on being present in the present. I'm going to finish out this next week strong. I'm going to celebrate Aggie Muster Day tomorrow, and reminisce about where I come from and the people who got me here. I'm going to enjoy every minute with my friends, colleagues, and family.

Because I'm graduating in a week.
*cue Vitamin C*

The Job Search 2: Surprises Abound

The last time you checked in with me about the job search, I was struggling to write my first cover letter. I still maintain that cover letters are challenging, but thankfully, I have the support of supervisors, colleagues, and mentors who are willing to take time out of their day (heck, some even enjoy it, right Amma? :)) to revise and recommend different approaches.

Current count of jobs applied for: 2 and a half (I'm in the middle of working on an application).
Take a moment and celebrate with me--two jobs applied for is vastly preferable to no jobs applied for, where I was two weeks ago.
Watch the celebrations here. (I'm the one breakdancing.)

As I've embarked upon this process, I've discovered some things about myself and about the job search process that have surprised me. These include the following...

1. The online HR applications are not NEARLY as bad as I heard they were going to be. I'm sure I'll be fiddling a different tune in February and March when I'm applying for multiple jobs in a day, but honestly, it's just a means to an end, and it's 10 extra minutes out of my life. No biggie.

2. I've applied to several small private colleges. I've surprised myself on this one. All of my past experience has been at large, public, research I institutions, and I would feel very comfortable moving to my next position at a comparable institution to FSU and A&M. However, I find myself drawn to the smaller schools that have been popping up on my job search sites; I like the idea of getting to perform LOTS of smaller duties in an office ("wearing different hats," as my colleagues have been known to say) and of interacting on a frequent basis with smaller numbers of students. I've definitely expanded my search criteria. And speaking of...

3. I'm less picky with location than I thought I'd be. Obviously, I'd love to be in a place where I'm happy to live. I'd love to be in a fun town or city, where friends and family will want to come visit me. But as much as I miss Texas (and trust me, I MISS TEXAS), I'm not limiting myself location-wise, and I'm enjoying entertaining the prospects of living in far-flung places like Massachusetts, Oregon, Missouri, Ohio, New York, and California. Oh, and Texas.

4. I'm confident in my abilities. Now that I have a good working base for a cover letter, I find that writing about why I enjoy student affairs, what skills I have, and why I'd like to work at each institution to which I'm applying is coming easier and easier. After two years in grad school, I AM ready to be a professional. I believe that I'll be able to make a meaningful contribution, wherever I end up.

I'm sure more surprises will pop up along the way, pleasant and unpleasant, but overall, I'm excited to be going through this whole job searching thing, because it means that I'm about to get to embark on a whole new chapter of my life. And that's just wonderful!

What were some of the biggest surprises of your job search process? 

The Job Search 1: Me vs. the Cover Letter

When it comes to the job search, I know what I want.

At least, I think I know what I want.

When I'm on HigherEdJobs.com, I'm easily able to cull through the possibilities, so that's a plus.

"Yeah, I think I could do that… hmm, maybe not in Alaska… 

Oh, here's one in Boston! Wait, doing development? Nope.

 MY UNDERGRAD IS HIRING—no, that's not for me either... 

THERE. Right there.  Good location, good school. Save…to…organizer. Done!"

And at this point, I have ten different jobs in my organizer. I'm on a roll, right?

Maybe not. Because, you see, there's this tiny little matter of the cover letter.

Ah, The Cover Letter, my mortal enemy.

I know can't apply for a job without a cover letter. But when I pull up that blank Word Document, and prepare to get my fingers flying over the keyboard, I just… can't… do it. *sigh*

For some reason, cover letters have always proved a roadblock for me. Need a personal statement? No problem. Resumes aren't worrisome either—I've tried to constantly edit mine over the past year and a half, so it's a cinch to update it as new responsibilities come along.  But when the words "cover" and "letter" are mentioned in succession, for some reason, my brain freezes. I don't know what it is about the cover letter that I find challenging—maybe it's the difficulty of not repeating everything in my resume; maybe it's my personal trouble with not being able to brag on myself (I use "brag" loosely, of course); maybe it's just that I know that once I write one cover letter, the rest of the job search will just entail rewriting that same letter over, and over, and over, and over… well, you get the point.

But I guess that's the beauty of the cover letter, too. The first one is the hardest to write; it's coming up with the ideal structure and content that's so hard. But with each successive job, it'll come easier—I'll know how to address each qualification the university requires; I'll know how to talk about why I want that specific position at that specific university; and most of all, I'll be able to talk about why I should be hired.

After all, I do think I should be hired. I'll have two years of quality experience at a respectable university by the time I graduate this spring, and I am confident that I've chosen the right profession. In the end, the whole job search comes back down to this one fact: I chose student affairs because I care about college students and their experiences. I choose to care every day because someone cared about me, and it's time to pay it forward.  Ultimately, this isn't about me—it’s about the students, and where an institution can use me to make the most difference. I believe that I can get through this job search successfully, and make a positive contribution to the people and place where I'm headed next. 

So take a deep breath.

Stretch, sit, flex those fingers.

Pull up that first job description… and go for it. I'm right there with you.

Do you have any suggestions for a smooth cover letter-writing process? Let me know in the comments!