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Nick Messina
Chevy Chase, MD
Operations Assistant, SOS International Ltd
International Affairs
Fans (28)
Groups (6)

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Ryan Paugh Hey all you Washington D.C. people!!! I want to start creating some Twitter Lists by city to help Brazen members connect w/ each other locally. I'm starting w/ Washington D.C. because I know that you all are an engaged bunch. So leave your Twitter ID as a reply below and we will make sure to add you to the Official Brazen D.C. Twitter List.

100 weeks ago from Washington D.C.

Thien-Kim: I'm @thienkim
55 weeks ago
yifei: @yifeiliu
54 weeks ago
 
TOP IDEA: Hannah Kane The craze in career advice is that the job market is all about job CREATION-- job postings are a thing of the past. Then why have my networking and info interview efforts led to dead ends, while responding to job postings have led to dozens of interviews and a job offer? Am I doing something wrong-- or is it that job creation has worked for a minority of people, but isn't the way of the future?

96 weeks ago from Entry-Level Young Professionals, Ask A Coach, Career Rocketeer and The Career Hot Seat!2 more

Kristine Fetalco: What are specific ways to learn how to present your value to the prospective employer? How do you make the case when you're a recent grad?
75 weeks ago
Mike Ambassador Bruny: Very cool discussion. My thoughts...get job first and create later. I look at job creation as creating from where you are. It sounds like there ...MoreVery cool discussion. My thoughts...get job first and create later. I look at job creation as creating from where you are. It sounds like there is an opportunity to gain some experience while discovering more about yourself. With a little bit of experience and self discovery, you can work on "creating" the type of work you do within your current job.

Your Ambassador,
Bruny

74 weeks ago
 
Nick Messina Announcing OPERATION CV, an amazing initiative where YPFP volunteers partner up with veterans to assist with resume reviews, job searches, networking, transition assistance and etc. Sign up here and spread the word! http://spreadsheets.google.com/a/ypfp.org/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dDl2S3N...

77 weeks ago from Young Professionals in Foreign Policy

 
Brett Kunsch Is there a point where you have to stop when you have enough information? There is just SO much of it out there that it all competes for my attention and the limited hard drive space I have in my brain. When new information comes in, it can synthesize with the old, but many times I find it just hurts my memory and deludes my knowledge. So, is there a stopping point?

77 weeks ago from Entrepreneurs, Ask A Coach, GenYJourney: Tips, Insights, Experiences For Young Professionals, Professional Development and Personal Development3 more

Dana K. Dwyer: Always pay attention to that point where information gathering is keeping you from taking action. Ere on the side of action.
76 weeks ago
Brett Kunsch: @Ben - I'm finding that my greatest asset is Google. I can let go of the need to hoard information, especially that which is not actionable NOW. ...More@Ben - I'm finding that my greatest asset is Google. I can let go of the need to hoard information, especially that which is not actionable NOW. Google is always there for me, as is Delicious.

Right now, the only info I have written down are my action items for the day on a 3x5 index card next to my keyboard :)

I know the information will be there when I need it.The highly contributive internet community doubles the amount of information every two years. Extraordinary!

76 weeks ago
 
 
Rebecca Thorman I was in DC this wkend and was struck by how cool/important the jobs were of those I met - two people worked for the FBI in top-secret positions, many were in the Coast Guard, one girl sold weapons to other countries, several lawyers/finance, another sold jets, and yet another sold helicopters. The quality of conversation as a result seemed better than in other cities. Have you found this to be true in DC? Does a strong gov't sector create strong jobs? Are smart people concentrated there?

102 weeks ago from Government and Public-Sector, Washington D.C., Travel for Business, Military and Networking Tips3 more

Jay Hepner: Arguably the BEST thing about DC, and MoCo compared to any other county in MD, is the incredible diversity. People from virtually every country ...MoreArguably the BEST thing about DC, and MoCo compared to any other county in MD, is the incredible diversity. People from virtually every country in the world, every state in the country. That's the real romance of DC and MoCo. NoVa, too.
101 weeks ago
Ken: @Kathleeen Kurke--ditto. Lived in NOVA 3 years and now live in Tampa area. I slugged in/out of the district the whole time and by and large had ...More@Kathleeen Kurke--ditto. Lived in NOVA 3 years and now live in Tampa area. I slugged in/out of the district the whole time and by and large had better conversations with paralegals than I did with some with "important" job titles.
100 weeks ago
 
JenG The A-List Blogging Bootcamp with Leo Babauta & Mary Jaksch is about to start up again, and to drum up interest, they have released a free e-book called "201 A-List Tips to Rock Your Blog." This condenses several previous bootcamps into one 39-page book (extremely handy). The trick is you can only get a copy from a current A-list Blogging member. If any of my Brazen buddies would like a copy, just PM me.

96 weeks ago from Brazen Bloggers and Blogging Ideas

Steve Campbell: Sounds really interesting. Would love a copy. Thanks!
96 weeks ago
Sara Gallagher: I'd love a copy!
96 weeks ago
 
Carlita Pitts Long distance job hunting - How do I crack the code? I have read numerous blogs that talk about how it's impossible find a job from a remote location. I am trying to relocate from Ohio to the DC area. I have been applying for jobs a while and nothing has happened. Most sites say that you have to move to the city first and then get a job. With the economy and the shaky job market, this is not an option for me. Can anyone provide any advice on successful long distance job hunt strategies?

100 weeks ago from Washington D.C.

Carlita Pitts: @ Ken.. thank you. I guess I will need to start applying the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to each of those KSA's. It's a lot of ...More@ Ken.. thank you. I guess I will need to start applying the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to each of those KSA's. It's a lot of work. Hopefully, it will be worth it. :)
100 weeks ago
Nick Messina: I can empathize with your situation directly. Graduated May 2009 in Boston and tried to do the long distance job application process to DC. Had 1 ...MoreI can empathize with your situation directly. Graduated May 2009 in Boston and tried to do the long distance job application process to DC. Had 1 interview in 6 months and ultimately decided to move down in November of last year. Although I havent seized the right position yet, there are some great temp agencies and I've been working part-time at a restaurant to complement my income. I have used usajobs extensively, applying to 100+ positions and never received an preliminary email or interview off of it, even when applying to GS-4 and 5 positions. I consider it a worthless, archaic system. Use indeed.com and even craigslist, many agencies post listings on there. If you know you want to come here, you should move to DC. It has really opened my eyes to networking opportunities and small companies that are hard to spot when your that far away. Exactly what kind of jobs are you looking for?
96 weeks ago
 
Jessica Bahr Can anyone suggest a good Russian restaurant in D.C.?

99 weeks ago from Washington D.C.

K. Alexander Ashe: I've heard good things about Russia House in Dupont Circle.
99 weeks ago
Nick Messina: Had an excellent time at the Russian house, but didn't have any food. Great for drinks though!
96 weeks ago
 
Jason H. Parker I am working with a potential business partner to create a young professional development program. Right now, we are in a research phase--I would like to ask the Brazen Community where I could/should start looking. We are targeting a market of young professionals and entrepreneurs. Where could we start looking? Any tips would be appreciated!

97 weeks ago from Social Entrepreneurs, Nonprofiteers, Entry-Level Young Professionals and Young Professional Men (YPM)2 more

Stephen Alred: No problem, I hope it helped. The forum is full of people with experiences you can use for your case studies.
96 weeks ago
Nick Messina: Jason, I would check out Young Professionals in Foreign Policy at ypfp.org. It's a terrific organization and focuses on networking, discussions, ...MoreJason, I would check out Young Professionals in Foreign Policy at ypfp.org. It's a terrific organization and focuses on networking, discussions, and lectures from experts in the foreign policy arena.
96 weeks ago
 
Hannah Kane I've had a lot of interviews this summer! Most of them have gone really well. A few emailed to say they'd filled the position. Most just disappeared without a trace-- even after setting a date when they'd get back to me, and after I followed up, I didn't even have the pleasure of a rejection email. They just didn't bother to tell me the position was filled. Not bothering to send a quick rejection note to someone you took the time to interview seems really rude. Has this happened to anyone else?

97 weeks ago from Young Professional Women (YPW), Entry-Level Young Professionals, Career Rocketeer, Nonprofiteers and Immigration Professionals3 more

chris cottrell: Happened to me, too. I e-mailed the interviewer to find to follow-up on the interview and she said they had already hired someone but "would keep ...MoreHappened to me, too. I e-mailed the interviewer to find to follow-up on the interview and she said they had already hired someone but "would keep my resume on file."
97 weeks ago
Jean-Victor Côté: This is what happens to me most of the time. Count yourself lucky if it is the other way around for you.
97 weeks ago
 
TOP IDEA: Cassandra Jowett I think I was able to somewhat skip the "entry-level track" by starting my career with a start-up. I went from intern to "upper management" or whatever you want to call it -- one level below the boss and managing entry-level employees, interns and volunteers -- within less than a year. I like a lot of responsibility and I love managing people (ahem, control freak), so it's been a great experience. I think I would have floundered in a traditional "entry-level" job.

98 weeks ago from Entry-Level Young Professionals

Dr. Woody: I think it's great that you parlayed an internship into a career opportunity! This is often missed!
97 weeks ago
Nick Messina: Cassandra that is an amazing achievement and you should be proud. As an entry-level candidate languishing in the online job search, I am leaning ...MoreCassandra that is an amazing achievement and you should be proud. As an entry-level candidate languishing in the online job search, I am leaning more towards launching my own business and/or locating a small firm to join.
97 weeks ago
 

97 weeks ago

 
Farida Neralwala Hello Everyone. I have updated my resume recently and would like some feedback on it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Please find the link for my resume : http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0Ad8PIYxniIq4ZGQ1dDljaGNfMTJjeDVxNmdmcw...

105 weeks ago from Resume Feedback

Frank Tirone: Farida,

I had the same problem. When uploading to Google Docs, uncheck "Convert documents, presentations, and spreadsheets to the corresponding ...More
Farida,

I had the same problem. When uploading to Google Docs, uncheck "Convert documents, presentations, and spreadsheets to the corresponding Google Docs formats".

Thanks,

Frank

104 weeks ago
Farida Neralwala: I am sorry about that.

I have uploaded a PDF copy here is the LInk :

More
I am sorry about that.

I have uploaded a PDF copy here is the LInk :

https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B98PIYxniIq4MjE0Y2YyNDMtOTEyNi00ZmE...

Nick Thanks for pointing out to me

Frank , Thank you for your suggestion, It worked.

Regards

Farida

104 weeks ago
 
Nick Messina As I was drifting off to sleep last night I came to a startling realization...in my job search in the past 4 months the only interviews I secured were through recruiters emailing me through Linkedin and monster about my posted resume! My countless online applications have led to no concrete advances in my job search. Should I switch gears and focus 100% on networking through Linkedin and maybe even cold calling? Has anyone come up with concrete online strategies in this terrible job market?

105 weeks ago

 
Nick Messina Hey everyone, I was wondering if anyone knows of any really good foreign policy job sites? Ones I've come across include Foreign Policy Association Job Board, Foreign Affairs Magazine Job Board and Young Professionals in Foreign Policy. Anyone know of any gems?

114 weeks ago from Foreign Policy Bloggers

Goals
  1. Fluency in Arabic
  2. Masters Degree in 5 years

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Fans (28)

Philippe Nassif
Whitney May Parker
Meredith Fender
Mayuri Saxena
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Jay Hepner
Matt Hornung
Christina Mestre
Ryan Paugh
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Following (10)

Christina Mestre
marco
Jason H. Parker
JenG
Rebecca Thorman
Ty Unglebower
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Shana Ross
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