Consistency, focus, and change

Being an unemployed college graduate, I am in constant search of advice on how to land a job. From interview tips to resume ideas to what to wear, everything is a crucial part of the process. There are many things out there that can help, but one thing that I have come to read on a regular has been the New Grad Blog, which gives tips that range from interviewing to networking. It has been a great help so far, and has lead to a better sounding resume. It's most recent post "3 Golden Keys to Job Hunting for New Grads" has reinforced what I have been doing.

I get up, grab a snack to start my metabolism, and off I go. I have a list of sites that I tend to go to and search for jobs. These sites are:
Media Bistro, Indeed, iHispano, One day One Job, idealist, Craigslist, Tweet my Jobs

On top of all those sites, I use my twitter account. For those of you familiar with twitter, there are third party programs which allow you to better organize what is going on on your feeds. I use tweetdeck, which allows for search columns to be laid next to each other. My columns are All Friends because you never know who is going to say something that will lead you to success. My next one is my marketing column, this one allows me to hear what people are talking about in relation to marketing. This may include trends, techniques, new things going on, etc. Most job posts on twitter will have a location name to allow for anyone listening to know where the job is. That's why I have a couple other columns designed to locations. I have New York, NY - Chicago, IL - Greenwich, CT - Stamford, CT.

I'm still trying to work on the networking part of it, but I have confidence I will make some connections. Anyone reading this that would like to connect, let me know. Here is my LinkedIn.

The second part of it was finding something that you want to do. It talks about being picky so you go where you want to go, but with the small job market there currently is. This although very smart for you to enjoy your job, is something that I can't accept. There are already a limited number of jobs out there, so being picky isn't really an option, for me at least. I tend to apply to jobs that would allow me to learn, grow as well as challenge me because if I am not challenged, I don't feel I am doing my best work. With that being said, the second part also talks about tailoring resumes, something I've been doing for a while. After tailoring the resume, I tailor the cover letter to the resume/job posting. I address what I have done in a manor that allows the person reading to see why I would be a great fit for the position. I don't lie, I don't stretch the truth, I just explain what I have done and the results it has had.

The last part is the change part, which pretty much explains that you need to see what your doing and relate it to the results. The only problem with that right now is that the time it takes for the companies to get back to you is at least a month at best. So I play the waiting game.

If you are in the same situation as me I would recommend staying tuned to the blog. It does provide insightful posts. It has definitely helped me along the way so if you're in my situation, take some of the tips I gave you and see if anything works for you.

Summer Coming to a Close

What have I been up to you say? Well, I have been working at the golf course while looking for a full time position related to Marketing and/or Advertising. Here are some pictures from the course. First and last are from different times in the season but same location.

It ain't much, but it's all I got

I am still looking for that full time marketing position but while I find it, I will continue to work where I am now. If you have read Temporary Tempness you know I work at the public golf course here in town. It's not a bad job at all; you get to be outside, meet new people, deal with people should problems arise and best of all get paid.

With little money to spend I have to be wise as to what I use it on. As it turns out my computer bit the dust and I have been using my laptop to do just about everything. The computer was overdue for a breaking so I am kind of surprised that it lasted the 5.5 years it did. I have saved some money and worked some overtime in order to get a new one in the works.

I try and have pictures with as many posts as I can so here are some pictures from the time I was not able to write something on here.

Picturs from work: Griff Golf Course, Greenwich, CT
Who said Golf wasn't a dangerous sport.



The pond on 8 has lots of frogs.


Before the golfers the morning looks amazing.



I went to Illinois for July forth. Here are some shots.





The parade




Random



Greenwich Beach: Tod's Point




I only recently started taking my camera to work so I am sure more things will happen, so stay tuned.

Temporary Tempness

So I have a job. It's not a job I want, but a job I need. With loans starting soon, I needed to find something that would cover the costs I am the new employee of public golf course here in town. I am one of the maintenance guys that takes care of the yard work that needs to be done. It pays well, but not something I want to do be doing for long. In the mean time, I will be looking for more opportunities should they come my way.

On another hand, my desktop computer has died on me. I am on my laptop but with minimal power I am unable to take advantage of Photoshop and other such programs. Hopefully I can upgrade soon.

I have started to build my mini studio and will be showing what I done soon.

Stay tuned.

Porfolio. Almost Done!

Hello,

I have been spending every waking moment that I am not going to the gym, running errands, applying to random jobs that will give me some sort of income working on my portfolio. My website www.aceduo.com has been in need of a face lift for a while now and since I have been at school I haven't had much time to do it. So, with that said, I am no longer in school and have had a decent amount of time to work on it because of my unemployment situation. If you go to the website now you will see 3 images which lead you to the photo gallery, and 3 links directing you to my resume/linkedin account, and blog (Here). If you want to take a look at what it will look like when I am done check it out(Link). Now the only thing I have left to work on is the advertising work part.I have to upload my work which will include my business card/logos/ads I have done during school.

Also, I have finished my business card. Would you like to take a looksy?




Full size Here

Also, I have bought a replacement power cord for my laptop and have been able to get the other pictures from Mexico. More on that later.

So it's been a while...

It has been a while since I've updated anything on here so I figured it would be a good time to start. Things that have been taking up my time as of late are: Finding a full time job, Editing photos which are taking a lot longer then expected, doing some volunteer web marketing work for Know Your Source, chores around the house, little siblings, holidays, and my workout routine which I start today.

Finding a job is proving to be a lot more annoying then originally expected. The only way to keep up the morale is to stay positive and being a positive person, it's not that hard. You think positive, and positive things will happen!

So last month as a going away present to people at my school and myself in a way, I hosted a photo shoot where people could come and get their picture taken. They could come and get their picture taken for any reason whether it be for a family member, linkedin, facebook, myspace, or just for fun. I had a good 45 people come but since I didn't have the photography lighting, I had to make do with video lighting, which has resulted in a lot of shadow editing. At this point I am just about done, I just need to go ahead and send them to the people who came.

I interned for Know Your Source from Sept. until December when I graduated. It was a great experience and I learned a lot about web marketing. I got to work hands on with an adwords campaign and made it my own. Since I have graduated, I am now doing some volenteer work and staying along with them to further my web marketing knowledge.

Since the parents are at work, and things need to get done around the house, I am the one that is left with those duties. But I am not one to complain, it's a free room and I get to enjoy the delicious food my mother has always made.

The siblings... what can I say, I was in that stage once. 16 and 17 year old high school kids, thinking they know everything.

The holidays were good, Christmas was spent at home with the family. I never ask for anything because I don't want my parents wasting money on me due to a holiday. So I just accept the little things they give me and am always happy. New Years was spent in Illinios, visiting places and getting to know new people. Pictures to come when I get around to those.

The work out routine: I will work my way up to running 20 miles but as of now 5 will do. My goal is to run from my house to the beach which is 8 miles to get there. Walk around for 4 miles so 2 times around the beach, and then run back home for the additional 8. My plan is to alternate every other day, and on the opposite days go to the gym and build muscle so the running doesn't eat away at the muscle I have already. That way I can eat what I like and not get fat, which is essentially the goal.

Things coming up:
1.Studio Party with the photographer I know/Company I worked for last summer
2.Photo project: Picture display of my Shot glass Collection
3.Update the website (http://www.aceduo.com/)

Summer. So far, so good.

Well it has been a while since I have written anything, but that is just because I have been busy. I have found a job! That is one thing that has been keeping me busy, the other being staying in shape. But first the internship.I work two days a week unless they need me more, which is the case this week. I am interning for The On 3 Group here in Greenwich, and so far its been interesting. They do every aspect of an Ad. From the photography all the way to the layout. We are currently working on the bridal showcase so I have been working with the photographer to get things ready for the photo shoot day, such as do test shots of the scene, prep the product, place the product, lighting, even model a bit. This is all essential in the look and feel of what we would like to portray. More on this later in the week.

Staying in shape! This has been taking more time just because it's what I do after work and on weekends. My friend Spencer and I have been biking to the beach, which we found out was 8 miles one way. That a total of 16 miles + what ever we bike around Tod's point (the main beach here in town). We have been going to the gym as well which helps a but more with the trouble area of the body (the mid region). Toning is the name of the game, and so far it has been paying off. Speaking of biking and working out. I was painting my bike to get rid of some of the rust as well as protect it from the environment a little more, and here is the end result. Decided to go with the flat black and cardinal red as the accent. Came out looking good.




Things coming up:
Photo project - Greenwich from an animals perspective.
Photo project - Night Photos
Hiking - Still unsure where
Camping - Still unsure where
Finding a fall internship - Still unsure where


Thanks for reading and check out the website. I have been updating recently.

Alberto Aviles
www.AceDuo.com