Resumes and Interviews and Voicemails...Oh my!

I am on the hunt.  This is the kind of hunt that is not aided by camoflouge, whistles, or guns, even.  Believe me, it is much more challenging and requires more innovation, cunning, and charm.

The dreaded post-grad job hunt.

I have been employed in one way or another since I was 16 years old.  Subway, JCPenney, work-study, retail, waitressing, babysitting. You name it. I've always done my best to be independent and have never been unemployed more than a few weeks. I found the replacement job before I gave up the current one. Until now.  I graduated college, and work-study had no choice but to give me the boot. So right now my field of work is, well, finding work.  I'll be making an 8-5 of it until I reach my goal-- full-time, fulfilling employment.

I've learned several things in the past 2 days of job searching.:

• That important person who is capable of hiring you is RARELY available to speak to you. Despite your many efforts to make phone calls, email, or meet them in person, they are unlikely to be responsive.  It's like this Wizard of Oz epidemic. Just when you think you've reached your destination, they will send you back into the forest for one final task.
• Applications printed on paper no longer exist.  You will make the effort to go in-person, and you will be sent home to complete the application online. But make the effort, anyway.
• Make friends with the receptionist. Ask how her day has been, get her name, and thank her for her time. She is the equivalent of the gatekeeper at the entrance to Emerald City. She will grant or deny your access to that-important-person-who-is-capable-of-hiring-you.
• Be persistent. Be persistent. Be persistent.
• Be aggressive. Ask the questions you want to know.  Make your interest known.  Leave no doubt that you want, need, and will be the best for______________ job.

I guess that's all I've got for now. I'm headed back to hit the pavement, and persist. Wish me luck!