<p>You might want to get more comfortable with those “formal” types of interviews. They are very common. Being at ease helps!</p>
<p>It has never occurred to me being encouraged or discouraged. I am at my 9th palce of employment. I needed the job, and I got it, 9 times, in one of the worst economic regions of the country, at some of the worst periods of downturns. I was just ready to take any job, driving whole hour one way, cut of about 50%, it did not matter. If you need a job, they you will continue looking. If you can afford being discouraged, then you will get discouraged. There is nothing else you could do. I simply did not have any choices. I would be mentally disabled if I stopped working, I would be a great burden to my family. I was sending applications . resumes at the rate of about 5 / day, as far as I remember. The only thing I absolutely could not do is to relocate. I also was NOT pursuing anything outside of my field - IT. Networking has never ever worked for me. Also, agencies - I had used them one time with the very negative results. I found most of my jobs from the ads in the local newspaper (now it is much easier with the various on-line sites, but newspaper continued produce the best results for me, including my best position - my current job).</p>
<p>Miami…did you read this thread? The OP is looking for her first job after grad school. She is being very flexible, but like many other new grads, has not yet landed her first job. Your switching jobs NINE times really has NO bearing on this discussion. NONE.</p>
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<p>Well, I was going to stop searching tomorrow and just resign myself to being homeless for the rest of my life, but after that amazing pep talk my view has completely shifted!</p>
<p>Seriously…you’ve never ONCE, in searching for NINE separate jobs, thought “This is really difficult?” “I am really frustrated and discouraged with this whole process?”</p>
<p>Well, good for you. Unfortunately for me, I’m in a little bit of a different place.</p>
<p>A couple of things. First, look at the job hunting as entirely up to you, i.e. that you cannot be passive - sending resumes out - but instead must get yourself in a situation where you can show people what you have to offer. You must never stop, but fill your days full time in the search for a full time position. </p>
<p>Second, try to look at it as a learning game. This is attitude and can be fun in spite of the negative results. </p>
<p>Best of luck, in many ways getting the first job is by far the hardest.</p>
<p>HGFM - it IS a frustrating and discouraging process at times, because you are not really in control. You network, you apply, you search, you get your hopes up - but much of the decision-making/evaluation process is not within your control. Other people are evaluating resumes and candidates, and often you are at the mercy of their timetables and their schedules.</p>
<p>I’m looking for a new job, too, in a new field, and it can be frustrating! It’s easy to say “keep plugging away and it will work out,” but really, that’s the way it works. It sounds like you’re on the right track since you’re getting interviews, so I’m sure something will work out for you.</p>
<p>Thanks to both of you! 
I recently started reading a book which is about the job search and transitioning into your first job, and it is SPECIFICALLY targeted for Student Affairs. I’ve found a lot of good wisdom there and I’m definitely in a better place.</p>
<p>And it is definitely a learning experience! If nothing else, I’ve learned a lot about how to interview, what types of answers to give to whom, how to prepare for interviews, etc. I’m really excited about my interview tomorrow morning; I was THRILLED that they offered me an interview. Fingers crossed!</p>
<p>Good luck today HGFM!</p>
<p>Good luck! </p>
<p>It went GREAT! I felt like I really connected with them and that the department’s values are really on par with mine. I should hear back about next steps Wednesday-Friday of next week. Fingers crossed! I am really excited about this one.</p>
<p>Seems like these processes are all moving pretty quickly; I should be hearing some things next week either way.</p>
<p>That’s awesome! </p>
<p>Another update!</p>
<p>I just got an interview with Saint Mary’s College in Northern California, AND Colorado Mesa called!</p>
<p>They really enjoyed our conversation and are very interested in me. They’ve hit a bit of a roadblock because their director is leaving for another institution (which was apparently not expected) so they don’t know for sure when they can have people to campus, but they really want to have me on campus and should have an update by the end of the week.</p>
<p>AND they cover travel expenses! :D</p>
<p>Fingers still crossed for you!!</p>
<p>Very encouraging news.</p>
<p>Today’s update:I am going to Western Oregon from the xx-xx. The school is paying for the flight and will only ask for that money back should they make me an offer and I reject it.</p>
<p>Of course, about 45 minutes after I made the arrangements with Oregon, Colorado Mesa called and wanted me to come those same days. After a little while, they were able to make arrangements for me to come the yy-yy. I’ll have to do a couple of extra interviews on the phone/over Skype either before or after my campus visit because certain people will be out of the office.</p>
<p>Colorado will cover the flight as well it’s going to be a very busy, but hopefully fun and exciting two weeks!</p>
<p>Things are looking up. Good luck with those interviews.</p>
<p>That is definitely good news. Fingers crossed! </p>
<p>This is all good news but it’s probably not the best idea to share all of this specific information on a public forum. You might not want potential employers to see everything you’re planning with other potential employers.</p>
<p>What Marilyn said. You might just say School A called me and so on. </p>
<p>good luck!!</p>