How I did it: I wanted to find a job I loved again and so commenced a degree in an area where I have volunteered my time for free for many years. I am now in my second year of the the degree and had decided this year to study full time so I could get to the job I love quicker. That wasn't quick enough for the universe and an email arrived from a friend asking if I knew anyone who would be interested in this job..hello...me!!! I was plagued with doubt, am I experienced enough, I am such a left field candidate with my experience. I took a deep breath and just did one bit at a time. Filled in the forms found out how best to present my resume. I heard I was up against stiff competition so instead of feeling defeated I focused on, if I get an interview I have learnt allot about how to present my experience to get that far but if I don't I tried. I got an interview and spent some time savouring that feeling. Then i went to work thinking of every awful question they could ask me and having an answer for it. I rehearsed what I would say if a question stumped me completely. I practiced key information I wanted to make sure I said and prepared several questions to ask. When I got to the interview it all went to plan with my answers and I felt they liked my questions but to my horror when I got out I saw the interview had only taken 15 minutes! I was amazed when my referees called to say they had been contacted and then they called to say I GOT THE JOB!!! I have been there 3 weeks and it is a huge new project which will impact on peoples lives in a positive way and I am keeping my thoughts and plans to one  step at a time and loving my job. I am proud to be doing something like this and I am proud and still slightly amazed that I was able to get to this point way faster than I had thought!

Lessons & tips:

• Be prepared, the boy Scouts are spot on on this point. 
• Plan your application and interview. 
• Be yourself and be clear about what you want.
• Seek advice, take what you like and leave the rest. 
• Believe in yourself, you really can do it and if you can't do it yet you can learn how to. 

Resources:

• Talk to people involved in human resourses, search the net to see how current applications and interviews are conducted.
• search job adds in papers.    
• network. 
• search positions vacant in institutions you want to work for. 

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May 05, 2009, 05:08AM PDT | 2 comments | 7 cheers