The End of an Era!

It's unreal how quickly today came and went!
Today was my last day in my first real job.

I remember my first day in the Registrar's Office. I got up super early knowing that my outfit choice that morning was especially important. It was a fairly chilly November day, and I arrived in the parking lot of my new office around 7:40AM. Little did I know, most people don't come in until right at 8:00, so instead of being greeted with the smiling faces of new co-workers, it was a locked door and office suites with the lights still off from the night before that met me…definitely a snap back to reality! I can also remember attending my first staff meeting, getting my first glowing customer service review and receiving my first set of business cards. Though at the time these things seemed so trivial, these are the moments and the memories, that made this job what it was, amazing.

It's also these experiences that make leaving this office so hard, but as of this coming Monday, I'll be taking on a whole new adventure! I'm packing up my things and moving across the street to the Chancellor's Office to work as an Executive Assistant. As many of you know, my passion lies in events, and doing anything from weddings to commencement ceremonies is right up my alley. In this new position, I'll be working hands on with the events that the Chancellor's Office hosts and is involved in on a daily basis, as well as an assortment of other things! I am so so excited! With a new job comes new people, places, and all types of things to learn, so I absolutely can't wait!

I've even been working on my new desk!

In honor of my move, my sweet co-workers put together a little party this afternoon. I am so thankful for these amazing friendships!

 Beautiful flowers from the office!

 

 

With all this in mind, though I'm only going across the street, it seems as though it's the end of an era! The end of my very first "big girl" job, and the start of something completely new! Cheers to 2014 and this amazing adventure!

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As always, Have a Sweet Day!

Five things you should know about interviewing!

As of this morning, I've been working in the Registrar's Office for three months! Though it hasn't been that long, I feel like I've learned so much about the 8-5 life! 

With people always looking and applying for new jobs, I thought I'd share a few things that I've learned about the interview process from the side of the interviewee and the employer!

1. Pre-interview communication is important

Any communication that you have with a potential employer matters, whether you're sending an email or answering a phone call. The way you handle yourself shows in your voice and the way you type. When setting up interviews, I take a candidate much more seriously if they send me an email that's clear, personal and sincere. In the same way, if I call a potential employee and they can't remember what job they applied for, that is a big problem! 

2. Add the finishing touches

Things like painting your nails, matching your purse to your outfit, or for men, taming facial hair is a big deal. Though you want to be chosen for your skills in the desired position, this interview is a look into what you would be like as a potential employee. Don't get carried away with your content and forget to clean yourself up!

3. Be confident

I'm sure you've heard this before, but be confident and show enthusiasm! If you don't believe what you're saying, it's a safe bet that no one else will either. Speak confidently, and even if you don't have experience in something you're asked about, use that as an opportunity to mention another way that you can benefit their company.

4. Dress for the job you want

I saw a quote a while back and it's stuck with me ever since...

"Dress for the job you want, not the job you have."

Even if the position you're applying for isn't your absolute dream job, dress like it is! Though my office is a bit more casual, I dressed like I was interviewing for a CEO position for my interview because I wanted them to know I was the real deal.

5. Show your personality

Two of the most important things in my life are my family and my Doodle Paisley, and I let them know that during the interview! I knew that I was looking for an office where I felt at home and for co-workers that would become my family. This struck close to home with them, because this office is just that, a family.

I remember leaving the Registrar's Office that day, and telling my Dad that I thought they'd fallen in love with me.

The truth is, I'd fallen in love with them too. 

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

New Job Prep Through Instagram!

I start my job in less than one week...six days to be exact!

The beautiful cake at my going away dinner:)

Still, there are days when it doesn't seem real that I'm moving to a new place to start a "real" job! This coming Sunday afternoon, my parents are driving their car (full of clothes & shoes), and I'm driving mine up to Boone to move me in.

My new apartment won't be ready until the middle of December since I'm picking up another girl's lease. So in the meantime, I'm living with my old boss, from the job I had when I was a student. She is just wonderful, and I feel so lucky to be staying with such a great friend/mentor during my first few weeks on the job. She works for Appalachian as well, and I'm sure will be able to answer any questions I have.

In my last few weeks living at home, I've been trying my best to take care of any new job preparations that I can! It's a real task picking up your life in one place and moving somewhere completely different!

New Job Prep:

Finding a place to live: After so much stress and worrying, I finally have a place to live! Praise the Lord! I'll be moving in around the 19th of December!

It's not a huge apartment, but I think it'll be perfect for Paisley and me!

Getting a staff parking permit: One really nice thing about being a staff member at a university, is being able to drive my car to campus and park right behind where I work! This is going to be a such a luxury, especially during the blizzards that we're known to experience in Boone.

Getting a staff ID card: By having a staff AppCard (what we call it at Appalachian) I can get into the parking area, buy supplies in the bookstore, grab lunch, whatever I need, and it all comes out of my check each month. I also LOVE that since I'm staff, I can get into any gym on campus for $4.00/month! This is probably what I'm most looking forward to!

Getting my hair cut: I have been going to the same hairdresser for ten years! That's a long time! When my job's start date was set, I made sure to give Lisa a call. I wanted my hair/color to look really good for my first day. My appointment was yesterday, and I think my hair turned out the best it's ever looked! Go Lisa:)

Switching Banks: I love the bank that I've been using for years, but since there was no branch in Boone, I had to make a change. My Dad and I spent one day a couple of weeks ago closing out old accounts and opening new ones. I also decided to cash in my piggy bank that I'd been saving up for few months!


I'm sure getting all this out of the way will make my transition into a new place and job go much more smoothly. I'm so excited and nervous!

As always, Have a Sweet Day!