Job Hunting
The job hunting is well under way. I've been logging on to the library computer every morning and applying for evening work, also getting the Burlington County Times and going through the classified each day.
I'm focusing on evening work so that when my class starts next month, I can go to school during the day and continue an evening/night job. This just seemed the best course of action.
This is the last hurtle in my journey, other than the class itself (which I'm not worried about). And this wouldn't be such a big deal if I'd gotten into the class that started this month - for that I can only blame myself. Believe me, I've been kicking myself all week over that!
posted by Rothar at 11:41 AM
8 Comments:
Ah the best laid plans of mice and men... ;-)
Good luck on your job hunt.
I am currently reading 3 books, yeah, 3 regarding finding the perfect job.
What Color is Your Parachute? Discusses many things about job searching and making transitions. I wish I were able to do what you are doing, but I can't afford to start fresh and can't afford to step down in pay scale. Not too many financial commitments, just big ones.
Do What You Are This is personality based. My current job has made this difficult to figure out because it has forced me over the years to be someone I'm not, so now I'm trying to scrape off the confusing layer.
and
I Don't Know What I Want, but I Know It's Not This: A Step-By-Step Guide to Finding Gratifying Work
I haven't read this last one too much so haven't really gotten a vibe from it. It had mixed reviews, but mostly good.
The amazon readers ratings are extremely high for the first two of the three books. Many of the folks who have read them have suggested one or both of the other titles on the above list.
So we'll see what I come up with. I think I am going to have to do a transitional job shift and work my way toward whatever I choose. I just have to accept the fact that it isn't going to be a fast one.
Those last two books sound really interesting, I may have to browse them sometime.
Being stuck in a job you hate really does weird things to your thought process. Maybe it's part of a confidence breakdown, but I felt like everything I wanted to do was insurmountable. Resume building, job hunting, interviewing, as well as every other aspect of my life including simple stuff like taking care of errands or household chores.
Too often the easier choice was just to sit back and do nothing, burying myself in video games or movies...fluff entertainment. That's the main reason I stayed in that sucky job for over 5 years, also why I stayed in the same apartment even though the rent would take a tremendous jump every couple of years (the worst was a $70 increase in one year).
In one of the books, since I am reading three, the concepts blend - in a good way, one of the authors talks about the confidence/self esteem issue which causes the self-inflicted suffering of resisting change (you know, now that I think about it, I think it's the I don't know book that covers this issue at the very beginning). So, I'm going through the various excercises and I'll let you know what I come up with.
I definitely know I am an Introvert. By that I mean I tend to internalize my thinking process rather than do the brainstorming thought stream that extraverts do. When an extrovert asks a question, they expect an quick answer and many times don't give the introvert a chance to respond (teachers can apparently be guilty of this with introverted children), introverts don't do things that way, they like to consider everything before they speak.
Now don't get me wrong, an introvert can make a snap decision with the best of them, it's just not our normal way of doing business. Probably one of the reasons I have issues with my manager at times. My boss does this. He doesn't want the thoughtful answer. He wants the initial gut reaction. I get stressed/flustered over it if I'm not allowed to internalize it for a few moments. *grumble*
So, the next time you come up, you can go through them or check them out at B&N in the careers section.
Amazon has some of the books in "Look Inside" form.
Snap decisions - that's all too true. Although in some ways I strike a balance between intro- and extrovert, at my core I'm an introvert. When decisions need to be made, I usually need a little time to consider the possible consequences. Come to think about it, that's probably why I'm so bad at getting dates, I hesitate or walk away to think before getting a phone number - LOL
My last manager was a definite extrovert, he wouldn't think anything through and relied on his own snap decisions. Even when I'd confront him with the facts, say that we'd have to do the work over again later, he'd always stick with his initial snap decision. By the time I left my coworkers would hardly speak out anymore, because whenever there was a group decision his mind was always already made up.
Everyone has aspects of both. We just lean more toward one than the other.
There are three other pieces to the equation. ;)
Monday I did what I should have done in the beginning - went to an employment agency. I applied for 2nd shift office work (if available) or warehouse/light industrial. I've already gotten a call back, there's a forklift operator position that suits my needs.
Today I'm calling Kinkos and see if they've decided on hiring anyone.
I also got a call back from Papa John's, whom I delivered for once before. They're willing to bring me on starting Tuesday of next week.
So by Tuesday I'll either be delivering pizzas, or have a better paying gig.
Bon Chance!
It's settled, tonight I start at Papa John's (the pizza place). This will be a full time (or nearly full time) gig.
The great news is that, to safely survive, I calculated that I need to make $2 in tips an hour. I stopped in yesterday to pick up some paperwork and would up talking to the workers. They tell me that basically the amount made in tips equals what you make an hour, which is well above what I need. So no worries.
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