The Job Hunt & New Beginnings

Hello kittens!

So it has been a week since I got back to being the New Girl in the City. Chi-town gave me a warm welcome. The fall temperatures have ensured that my snow coat is tucked away in the corner of my closet. I stepped out in my sweatshirt yesterday - Basically, it can't get any better.
I started this blog to mark beginnings and change in my life. 
The beginning then was Grad-school. 
This year's beginning has marked: Living Alone/Job Hunting. 
For the very first time in my life, I am living by myself. I was petrified by the thought of it. 
Here's a confession:
I'd probably be lying if I were to say that I am not enjoying it. While it is amazing to have someone live with you, this has been a welcome change. 

However,  today I wanted to focus on the Job-hunt aspect because that's been a toughie. International students don't have it easy. With competent skills, a list of talents and funny, sassy and fabulous personalities there is a visa that hovers above the resume. There's so much going on - Good interviews and ho-hum interviews, encouraging emails and mild let-downs and great conversations and not so great conversations. Often they materialize into offers but sometimes, Bam! You're back to square one. But what I've come to realize is that if you look at all from a perspective of 'experience', I'd say it's an enjoyable one. There is a certain rush that you feel when you interview - it's a great feeling trying to persuade someone to place their trust in your abilities. It's fun to fill an exciting form that actually makes you think. There was one agency for which I wrote a creative test and it was the highlight of my week! 

However there are bouts of frustration, sometimes resulting in hanger, tears and insomnia. In all of this madness it is so important to keep your cool and keep your sanity intact. I have made a conscious effort to establish a routine, to take care of myself and to be positive. 8 days hence, I see it working in my sanity's favour. It's tough but worth it. 
Here's what I'm trying and if you're in the same boat you might want to try to! :)

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Meditate: Newly taken up & proving to be the highlight of my day, this 30 minute beginning of my day leaves me feeling absolutely fabulous and ready to take on the craziness. Self confidence is key during this period and this my-time makes me believe like I can do anything I wish to do (Kinda works like the secret). Of course it's difficult to train your mind not to think, and so an easy way out is to make your mind think about the right things. Guided meditation has worked wonders for me. If you are in your job hunt it's definitely something worth experiencing. If you're interested, send me a note and I'm happy to send you my favorite videos!

Exercise: You don't want to be stuck on the couch clicking away all day! I find it so liberating to be active. Apart from the fact that I have kinda reached stomach-goals that I can't flaunt thanks to the weather, it makes me feel amazing. I have taken to Surya Namaskars  and Tibetan Yoga but of course if the weather is good then nothing like a good ol' run. Exercising releases the happy hormone, it really does.

Eat well: I cannot even explain how important this is. During grad-school this is something that I did not pay attention to and my body hated me for it - Eating well and eating on time. I felt lethargic when I had to finish presentations, acidic in class and sometimes I felt like a mini death after a night of drinking. Food has a direct correlation to your productivity and mood. I'm not skipping breakfast, eating lots of fruits and vegetables and drinking more water than I have in my past life. I'm actually being a little anal about this - I have water alarms set on my phone. But the good side to this, I'm cooking a lot. I'm soon going to post a recipe of my Spinach Risotto - which by the way was a hit!

Entertain yourself: Sing in the shower, watch cat videos, pick up a new (non-binge-worthy) show, paint, get a couple of drinks with someone who makes you laugh, go a little crazy. It's re-energising because change is so important. Sometimes the break helps you focus better. I have gotten back to singing, sketching and wine hours. I'm not complaining!  

Learn a new skill: See this time as tons of free time. Learn something that might help you do your next job better. I brushed up on my Web design, went through my Social Analytics softwares and I'm currently learning SEO because why not?  

Work on your Personal Brand: Ah, this one is what makes all the difference. When somebody interviews you, they want to remember you as an experience. They want to have a good time, be intrigued, be impressed. They want you to be different than the 74895736384 other coffees they've set up, and the 5956936593865938 interviews they've conducted. Make it worth it for them. Go that extra mile, do something crazy, show them that you've researched what you're saying and show them who you are. Apart from the interview prep, make a website, write a kickass cover letter, make a quirky visiting card. I made my own website and it's helping so much! Efforts always have an outcome and remember they're hiring a brand for their brand.

Social Media Productivity: Harnessing the power of Social Media works wonders in the Job hunt. I've been trying to understand what is it that my potential employers read, what does the industry dance to and what are the conversations people are having. Send in-mails, ask for advice, join groups, be a part of conversations - Somewhere something may click, and if it doesn't then you're learning anyway!

Sleep - Obviously. Get your 8 hours, rise and shine like a Daffodil!




Yes, I have my days when I'm umm-errr-never-mind too but we all need some self motivating don't we? Let's hope I keep going on with this.
No, I haven't landed my dream job yet, but let's pray that I will real soon, Will ya? 
Remember they're as lucky to have you, as you are to have them! 

And soak up the sun in this time, You're going to be working ALLLL your life.

Oh also, I better get a job real quick - because Beyonce, Coldplay and Rihanna need me in their concerts this summer ;) 

The smell of your dreams coming true

This was something I had written right before embarking on my journey to Chicago. There was a lot of excitement, dreams and a little bit of idealism.

"

I've always associated different things in my life with different smells. 

There is a smell you know? When you know that your dreams are about to come true? When you know things are on your way and the aroma is faint but nearing ?

It is the smell of fall; the smell of a new country and new roads; new people and new emotions; a new studio apartment and leather winter boots; crisp grocery lists and good cooking days; the smell of being alone and missing people back home; the smell of roads and maple trees; of new friends and new struggles; the smell of newly gained knowledge and new textbooks; the smell of the stage and a lot of  good old library books; of a new comforter and a new bed; The smell of a new peculiar wine; the smell that my clothes will absorb being in a new wardrobe; smell of not having the mother around so falling asleep covered in her old soft cotton saree that smells like home; the smell of growing, learning and dreaming all by yourself; the smell of being scared to death and still facing the sunlight; the smell of being out of your comfort zone; 


The smell of getting to know yourself.


Also, the smell of a big bowl of homesick-khichdi you have proudly made for yourself.

Someday you'll smell a similar smell too,
Juie 

                                                                              "

Today, as I was browsing through my old blog, a lot has changed. I have replaced the word 'Dreams' with the word 'Goals'. I'm a lot more focused, calm and organized in my writing and I'm surprisingly realistic with a sprinkle of idealism. But you know what? When I went through this post, nothing has changed. As I am embarking to go back to Chicago on a new journey I feel the same. Though it won't be an all new atmosphere, it's a new beginning. I smell the anticipation of finding my dream job, the excitement of doing worthwhile things and the sweet anxiety of not knowing what's next.

2016 is my Oyster, ya'llllllll.

Lots of dreams turning into goals and lots of goals turning into reality,

Juie

December Diaries

It has been a December to remember!
I'll tell you why,

Hardwork -  It started with a lot of Hardwork. Tons of final submissions, presentations, last few group meetings, all-nighters, some incredibly satisfying and some marginally disappointing. Last few classes in the classrooms. Not realizing that it's the end of school. Suddenly being overwhelmed that it's the end of school.

Achievement - Hey! I graduated. After the intense 15 months of sharpening strengths, discovering new strengths and facing weaknesses it does feel like an achievement!

Finish point - Life is full of start points and Finish points. This one was a very memorable finish point. When I looked back I saw my growth, the places I'd been, the people I'd met and the great times that went by.

Celebration -   I came back home! Attended Big Fat Indian weddings, had a birthday party, celebrated my graduation and celebrated my time away from home!

23 - I turned 23. I'd say it's a milestone year for me and if you ask why: My entire blog enlists my journey through 23!

Under the covers - Too much of a good thing is bad. This time it was 11 days worth of wedding food. A bout of fever was troublesome but the rest helped me think, the sleepless nights helped me plot and plan my next year and the pain I was in reminded me of the value of good health :)

Well, that's just a summary.

All in all, it's been a great year folks!

A little something I wrote in the new year spirit:

Happy 2016 to all you lovely people! Thank you for reading and thank you for being with me through my journey as a New Girl in the City! I promise to keep you  entertained, a little enthralled, sometimes inspired but mostly smiling :)

Love and snowflakes,
Juie

Tad Bit of Panic

pan·ic¹

ˈpanik/

noun

1. 1.

   sudden uncontrollable fear or anxiety, often causing wildly unthinking behavior.

^

Well, the oxford is on point.

This post is written in pure panic caused due to sudden transition.

Reasons: 

1) I haven't posted all November. The minute I realized it was November 30 (Also, a very special day) I jumped wondering about how unfortunate my blog calendar will end up looking if it says November(0). However, Panic is irrational so it followed a million other thoughts. 

2) I'm graduating in 12 days. That's right! What happens next? I have it all figured out. 

JUST KIDDING. 

I have NO idea. Apart from the fact that I'm going home to a bunch of happy faces, I don't know. I may be teaching English in a part of India I can't pronounce (That would be nice) or I could have a fancy job in the Bay area (That would be ideal) 

3) Unknown gives peace. Half known gives stress and full known means trouble. I am hanging in the half known. After 22 years (I'm not letting it sink in that I'm very close to turning 23) I know what I really like to do. And I really really like to do it.  But its half known because even though I know what I want to do and I'm pretty damn good at it, I haven't quite figured out how to get there.

4) Financial Independence: That means something. I have suddenly reached this point in my life when I want to be responsible for everything I do and I want to take care of myself. (Mom and Dad, gifts are ALWAYS welcome) but I want to pay my bills on my own and I want to at least try saving something substantial.

5) The Job Hunt: There I said it! I was skeptical because at this point you could be a future employer reading it but hey! What’s there to hide? I have applied for tons of jobs, had several interviews but I just know about 3 that I would actually LOVE. Of course, this is what I think right now but December is a tough time because everyone is in the mood to be jolllaaaay and budgets are tight as the financial year is ending. Cherry on the cake? 97.8 % of Online resumes don't reach a human being. So, I am good, really good at what I do. But this wait is making me crazy, and the fact that a lot of my resumes don't reach a human being makes me hysterical. The known means trouble though because I know that I'm going to find a job, at a place that I love, and add immense value to where I am working. 

So yes those are my reasons to panic ^ Writing helps, Also November is not (0) anymore!

^That was a monologue. No judging  :) 

Miles to go before I sleep,

Juie

Social Media

This is rather controversial for me to speak about,

Considering:
1) I am from the field of Marketing
2) I am such an active social media user

















However, since a few days I have been dwelling about the repercussions of social media, the usage of social media in current times and the impact it has on our lives, and it's got me thinking.

Let's start with a couple of confessions:

1) I am always connected
2) I find it hard to stay away from my phone for more than 30 minutes
3) My life involves a lot of sharing
4) I only share the highlights of my life (Read: The talk-worthy moments)
5) I do not share how down I typically feel on Sunday afternoons (Read: Sunday blues)
6) I share the relationships I want to celebrate
7) I do not celebrate the relationships I am not proud of being in
8) I only upload my nicest looking pictures on facebook (probably 2 out of 100)
9) My facebook life is a  strategically selected facade of the highlights of my real life

That was difficult to accept... but that makes me think.

I wonder whether we're currently living 2 lives at one time.
One,which is raw vulnerable, real and imperfect and the other that is glossy, triumphant and picture perfect?

 Our popularity is based on the number of likes our pictures receive.
Let's face the fact, if we do not cross the 11-like mark on instagram, or the 100-like mark on our facebook profile picture  most of us feel like shit. The whole point of sharing is to get people to know. We also don't remember most birthdays anymore. Why would we? We have Social Media to remind us.

I was speaking to a friend today and I told him that I am away from home and so I find a lot of happiness in writing wall posts for close friends on my social media platform. I think it makes them feel special. He asked why? I couldn't help thinking that it was so that the whole world knew how special they were. He said, don't you think they'll feel even more special if you sent them a personal message telling them how special they were. I thought he was right but I wasn't sure whether that was the reality in society.

While it's difficult to admit, research shows that 87% of social media users (irrespective of their sharing habits) base their idea of an ideal body image, skin tone, dressing sense, personality and humor based on social media influencers in their circle. That is why "stalking" is so prevalent. We stalk those who we aspire to be, envy, want to be friends with, want to be romantically linked to, want to get to know better -  just to know the highlights of their life.

Ideal Self vs Actual Self

In my consumer insight class earlier this year, we learned about "Ideal self" and "Actual self" and this gets me thinking about Social Media. Maybe Social media is just an extension of our ideal self, the self we want to be but not necessarily are, the self we want to show the world, the humor we want to project, the contouring that pumps up the high cheek bones, the wine drinking habits and the super social group of friends.

AND THIS

immediately got me thinking about the success of Humans of New York. They were real stories from real people! Such a breath of fresh air because  they involved so many real emotions. We suddenly realized there was a world beyond our own that involved struggle, joys, relationships and meaningful sharing. There were refugees losing their children, there were people who never gave up on their dreams but still didn't succeed, there were daughters reuniting with their fathers at the age of 50 and children protecting the goat their father brought to slaughter. Suddenly we were seeing reality. These posts went viral. There was empathy, sympathy and relatability coming from every corner of the world in the form of 35000 shares per post.


This leaves me with a parting thought: I am not a cynic and I certainly do not disapprove of social media. But maybe it's time to step back and regroup our energies. Maybe it's time to use social media not to be insecure or spread insecurity, to judge your popularity or body image but to use its potential to provide a greater good to our social circle. A platform to boost egos, better body images, celebrate triumphs and obviously be in touch. I haven't figured that out yet but when I put my marketing cap back on I know the power of Social Media and I know its possible. And while we do all of that, maybe live a real life without being consumed by social media, without being connected all the time and without feeling the urge to check our phones all the time (Read: Guilty) 

Maybe live a life where we are consumed in the real present and not the digital present, where we click pictures to save memories and not see if it's share worthy and where life does not depend on what others think about it.



I am still confused about how I feel about this phenomenon. But I do feel something strong and I know it has to do with a  huge change in the way we use this platform.

Tonight, I will sleep without worrying about the number of likes/views/comments this post receives but about the amount of lives it affects.

I'm going home

Someday I'll have something to say, and it shall be simple. Today feels like one of those days.

Today, I booked my flight to go back to Mumbai.

For the first time, I know what it feels like to go home. 

On 28th August, 2014, as I sat in the car on my way to the airport there was a whirlwind of thoughts in my mind. 

Today, when I think back to that day, I remember convincing myself to not go back for 15 months. I told myself that in every vacation that I have I will travel to places I have never been, meet people who I've never seen, learn skills that make me a better version of myself, discover tastes that my taste buds don't recognize and spend every minute of my 15 months trying to discover myself. I can say that I pretty much stuck to the plan. 

It's fifth quarter, and when I think back so much has changed. 

I'm not a New Girl in the City anymore. I can go from Quartino to Big Bowl without using Google Maps, I know the entire sequence of 18 stops from my house to downtown and I can tell you exactly what you should eat at my favorite 19 restaurants in Chicago. Also, I can call a cab and come back home fearlessly at 4 AM (My mother isn't too happy about this one). It feels familiar today, it feels like home. 

I survived the winter, the snowstorm, the terrible pangs of homesickness, the silly roommate troubles, softwares that scare the living hell out of me, a stalker, a 911 phone call, being stranded on top of a mountain in a mountain lion area. Basically, I survived this whole new life. 

And after all that, I thoroughly enjoyed the people, the food, the road trips, the mountains, the lake, my school, the drunken nights. 

Today, I cherish the new friends I've made, a couple that I will cherish for life, I cherish my house that I've made efforts to decorate, I cherish the food I make after a long day working, I cherish the long Facetime calls with people back home. When I look back, I cherish the sense of achievement I feel. 

And so, as December is approaching and I am getting ready for my one and a half month long vacation, I feel an intense sense of belonging. 

Today, I feel like I belong to two places: 

 A place with my favorite black and yellow Rikshaws and a place with the most interesting conversations with Cab drivers. A place where I was served hot food on the dining table three times a day and a place where I heated food that I made three days ago. A place where my mother took care of me and a place where I realized how important it was to take care of myself. A place where my best friends are, a place where I made new friends for life. A place where I'm most comfortable and a place where I created my sense of comfort.

A place where I grew up and the place that helped me grow up.

And like I said, I didn't know what it feels like to be going home. Today I do, and it feels beautiful. 

TOMS #withoutshoes

Between May 5 and May 21, 2015, TOMS a California based footwear and eyewear company did something pretty legendary on Instagram. They had an initiative called “One day without shoes” where they encouraged instagrammers to upload a picture of themselves barefoot with the hashtag #withoutshoes. With each picture uploaded they would donate a pair of shoes to a child in need. Their goal was to give out a Million Shoes.

Tom’s is a company that is known for its philanthropy as every pair of shoes that the company sells, a new pair of shoes is given to a child in need. A portion of the profit in their eyewear sales is also given towards restoration of eyesight among people in developing countries. What was unique about this campaign was that TOMS was not asking their customers to purchase their shoes. It was not just a campaign, they had launched a collective movement. By the end of the period TOMS had a path breaking 296,243 entries for the initiative with each entry having a unique individual touch about each individuals support towards children’s health and educations. This big story comprised of 3 million stories.

This particular event was of interest to me because of how they harnessed Instagram as a media platform to encourage stories by tapping into a human need.  Human beings always seek identification. In this case everybody involved in the initiative identified with the larger cause that also made them feel good about themselves as well as the company. This resulted in a lot of earned media for the company as most entries also congratulated TOMS for their initiative, which resulted in a lot of positive publicity. It was a clear case of “Do good by doing good”

Link: http://www.toms.com/one-day-without-shoes

Personally TOMS, You took my heart away!

#withoutshoes: Rocking ugly feet since 1992.