sgraver

Here are a few suggestions on how to make yourself stand out (in a good way) at the job fair:
Look the part. Go with a full suit (I personally prefer a pantsuit so you don't have to worry about skirt length). If you're going into a conservative industry, go for a more traditional look: traditionally cut blouse of a more traditional color, sensible (polished) shoes, minimal accessories, professional hair, more buttons closed, neutral makeup, well-trimmed/manicured nails. If you're going into a more creative industry, you can get away with a more fashionably cut suit (just nothing skin tight and no cleavage), or a brighter color (maybe even a patterned) shirt, maybe 1-2 bold accessories to make a statement -- but remember less is more, and you should only do 1-2 of these things, max. It's better to err on the side of caution for your clothing choices; they'll remember you for your personality, but they often only remember the clothing if it sends the wrong message. Research the companies in advance. Instead of talking to every single company, pick the few that you really want to meet. See what openings/programs they have. Where do you think you'd fit? Why do you want to work there? How can you help them? What do you want to know about them? Find the easy answers for yourself, and hopefully your research will lead you to the "hard" questions that will show you really understand the challenges the company faces. This is what can really make you stand out. Get your resumé ready. If you're looking at several different types of jobs, try to tailor a resumé for each one. Focus on results, not just your duties. For example, maybe while working in a restaurant's kitchen, you developed a way of tracking the ingredients that resulted in 20% less waste of expired ingredients. Use percentages or straight $ amounts, whichever sounds more impressive. If you're not sure, make your best estimate -- but don't overstate anything, in case they contact your old employer and verify. Look for transferable skills. Waitressing requires you to work well with others, handle multiple tasks at the same time, and have great customer interaction skills. Line up a reference from your old job. (I presume your old boss may not be the best, but is there someone else on his/her level that you're 99.99% sure would give you a good recommendation? Or at least a coworker?) And do you have any other prior bosses to use as a reference? Prepare your elevator speech, along with answers to the most likely questions. Your elevator speech is your brief (20-30 second) self-introduction to the recruiter. It should make them think "Aha, this person sounds like a good match for position X," and then they'll ask you some questions, hopefully. There are lots of practice questions (you can find lists easily), but some really common ones are: describe a strength, describe a weakness (you want to describe something you honestly struggle with, but also how you cope with it and have worked to improve it -- e.g., I realized I wasn't very good about recognizing when I need assistance, but I've learned to set a reasonable time limit to try it on my own, and then ask for help if I've made no progress), describe a difficulty you've had with a coworker and how you overcame it (be very careful with this one... never speak negatively of an old job experience; always try to put a positive spin on it). What to bring: a padfolio containing paper, 10-20 copies of your resumé (be stingy with these; you don't want to run out, so only give them to companies you're genuinely interested in), business cards (for the companies not worth a resumé), 2-3 pens (make sure they work and don't smudge). Do not bring a bookbag. Keep your phone off and away. Before going, print out the map of the fair (if available). Circle the locations of your target companies, and plan the order of your visit. I recommend warming up on 2-3 other companies first (ones you might be interested in, but aren't at the top of your list). Then go to your targets. After you've talked to all your targets, then you can wander and see what else is available, but you want to make sure you hit your targets while you're fresh. Ask for business cards of everyone you talk to and want to follow up with (definitely everyone you give a resumé to!). As soon as you've stepped away from their booth (and I mean far enough away they can't see you), write on the back of the card a few facts you remember about them. Include personal as well as professional facts (dog - Millie - chews shoes). When you get home, start writing thank-you cards (or e-mails, if you don't have a street address), being as personal as you can (that's where those notes come in -- e.g., "I just saw that they have product X that is supposed to keep dogs from chewing shoes. I hope you're able to get Millie to leave your shoes alone!"). (Okay, the dog-chewing thing is a horrible example, actually, but you get the general idea...) Thank them for taking the time to talk with you, ask any follow up questions you've come up with, let them know you're applying for a position they mentioned, etc. A little known recruiting fact: timing is everything. If possible, get there when the fair first opens (but don't bug anyone who's still setting things up; come back later). If it's an all-day fair, avoid going right before lunch, or too close to the end of the day (when they just want to get home). Most importantly, relax and try to just be yourself. Let your personality shine through. People want to hire people they think they'd get along with, so the more relaxed, confident, and nice you are, the more they'll want to hire you. Good luck at the career fair!

Fortunately the great thing about neopets is the wide variety of games to play. There's going to be at least one that someone, anyone, can play no matter age, skill, or internet connection. It just may take some trial and error or sheer perseverance to find the ones that are just right for you to play. :)
 
And never worry about the difficulty level you have to play at! If you have to play on easy, then do it. No sense playing a game on a harder difficulty if it's too hard and you get discouraged trying to play it at that level. Playing games is supposed to be fun, not frustrating.

Good to see you are feeling better. :thumbsup:
 
It must have been tough, having to suddenly take up an adult role at age ten. Sometimes the full effect doesn't become clear until years later.
 
Pets are wonderful companions, and can really help someone who suffers from depression-- even just a furry snuggle every day is great. Take it from someone who knows: I've been through some pretty bad times, but somehow life just gets so much better with Errol (my cat) next to me.
 
That said, though, you may be able to find some affordable (maybe even subsidized?) support services. Use them if you can!
 
Join a group, get involved, anything-- just don't hide away by yourself: build a social network of supportive friends that you can talk to.

Thank you all so very much! I am feeling better than i was. I'm hoping this seriously depressive funk I'm in goes away soon. In the meantime, I have my pets to keep me company, and I've managed to calm down and get rid of some of my anxiety. I appreciate you all putting up with me on here. <3

First of all, I want to say that I'm terribly sorry for the hand that you've been dealt. It's definitely not fair and it sucks that all of that happened to you.
Second: unfortunately you cannot make anyone be appreciative of what you've done for them, even if you've sacrificed a lot. I wish that people knew when to be appreciative and they knew to show it, but that's sadly not the case most times.
Finally: I know that it's hard he's not around, but think of it this way- you now have more time for yourself! You have more time to do things that you didn't have a chance to do when you were taking care of him! Maybe look at enrolling in some classes at a local college (even community colleges have great programs) and see where that can take you!
 
I hope you finally get to a place where you're feeling better, and I hope that your brother realizes all that you've done for him!

I've been there too! It's hard to be in the arts- especially in school when there's plenty of opportunity to compare yourself to your class mates.
It was hard for me to go to art school- even though I was good, it was hard not to handle being the best in my class, and I thought I wasn't cut out for it.
But I stuck it out and now I'm a full-time illustrator! I understand it can be tough to give yourself enough credit for your work, and be comfortable with the future.
Fashion designers, or anyone successful in that field have probably been exactly where you are now, so you've just got to keep at it!
This could just be a rough patch that you persevered though in order to achieve your goals :)

You might also want to consider taking vitamin D, I'm not sure if it's winter/cold where you are but people can suffer from a vitamin deficiency that lowers their mood and energy.
More physical activity will help you sleep better and increase your mood too! And treat yourself to the things you like doing too, the better you feel the easier it will be to do the things you need to.

^^ I agree, it might also be wise to see a doctor if you're concerned about depression, you do sound like you have the symptoms.

Hopefully this was helpful, and good luck to you!

I've been there. I go to a really hard school and it seemed like no matter how much work I put into my studies I didn't feel like I accomplishing anything. I had friends to talk to someone to do homework with me and that really helped me to get my motivation back. My suggestion is to do the same. Find someone to do the work with and it won't feel as oppressive and also give yourself time to do something you love or be with someone you love. Also get some exercize that always gives me more energy.
 
If these don't work then a doctor might be needed, but I know how hard it is to go to a doctor.
 
Good luck, God bless, and hope you feel better soon.