Discouraged

Last Wednesday I had an interview that I really hoped would be my ticket out of my current job situation. In the two years  that I've been looking for a new job, I've never had an  interview quite like this one, in that when I left I had absolutely no idea how it had gone or what my chances were. You may recall that it was a bookkeeper/secretary position at an elementary school.

The principal who interviewed me was a middle aged woman, conservatively dressed, polite, and careful. I liked her well enough. She was clearly doing a lot of interviews because one woman was leaving when I got there and another was waiting to go in to her as I left. Also, the people in the office asked me if I was "Sarah" and when I said no, they checked a schedule and said that "Sarah" was someone who would interview later that afternoon. So just like I had feared, there were probably dozens of other applicants. The principal asked me about 10 questions, most of which were pure useless drivel. Here's a good example: "What does professionalism mean to you?"  Even she looked bored by the whole process. I don't think I did badly, but I don't think I stood out in any way, either. And seeing as how she said I would hear by the beginning of this week if they were going to make me an offer, and it's Wednesday afternoon, I'm pretty sure I didn't get it.

I'm trying not to be too disappointed. Even if I had been offered the job, the base salary was too low and I would have had to talk them into more money to be able to accept it. Without a couple more dollars an hour I would be forced to stay on part time at the bookstore, and I really don't want to do that. And it would be a 30 minute drive each way as opposed to the 10 or 15 now. But damn, I'm tired of looking for a new job! It's been a small second job in itself: checking job postings almost daily, sending out letters of interest and resumes, interviewing (if I'm lucky),  and then all the waiting, which for me is the worst part. All the while, I continue to plod along at a job that I've actively disliked for years now. When will it all end?!

I'm feeling kind of fed up with the whole process, to be honest. How do you all cope when you feel stuck and discouraged in life?

Hopeful

This past Friday, on the day of the blue moon, I had a job interview with the principal of a school where I'm hoping to get a job! It's a clerical position with a very low salary, but I'm hoping that since I'm more educated and have more experience than the job requires I can get enough money over the base salary to make it possible to accept the job. That is if I get offered the job!

I think the interview went well. My friend who's a teacher at the school thinks very highly of the principal and has recommended me highly to him. He seemed like a very nice guy--young, passionate about his job, and invested in making a difference in the lives of the kids at his school. I felt very comfortable during the interview--there was also a lady there but I can't remember what, exactly, her job title is. They were both easy to talk to and asked fairly standard questions. I hope I made a good impression.

Speaking of making an impression......I'm not a girly-girl kind of woman. When I'm not at work, my typical attire consists almost entirely of jeans, t-shirts, comfortable walking shoes, and little or no make up. Even at my job as one of the managers at a bookstore, I try to lean towards the "casual" side of "business casual" as hard as possible. So getting extra dressed up is a big deal for me. For the interview, I wore a business suit with a skirt and low heels, and I had to go out and buy new hose. (I hate wearing hose and tend to make runs in them after just one wearing). So I bought a pair of thigh-highs thinking they would be cooler in the summer heat than full-on pantyhose. Well, after the interview was over and I stood up and shook hands with the principal, I felt the top of the hose on the left leg start to roll down a little bit. I just barely made it out the door before they rooooolllllllled past the bottom of my skirt, and by the time I made it to my car the entire left side was flapping at my ankle! Thank goodness it didn't happen until I was out of sight! Smooth, huh? LOL!! I guess I'll never manage to be very ladylike!

Yes!!! A bit of luck!

I'm so excited folks.....after months of looking for a job, I finally have an interview this week!

This is the first "bite" I've gotten, and it's for a job that I would dearly love to get.

It's for a position as Director of Volunteer Services with our county branch of the Senior Citizens Association. I would be in charge of recruiting, placing, and scheduling elderly/retired folks in volunteer positions around the county that match their skills and interests. Some of the agencies that accept volunteers from the SCA are hospitals, the literacy council, the domestic violence/child abuse coalition, the humane society, and there are many, many more. I would also get the opportunity to write grants for new programs for the SCA.  I would finally be using my degree in Human Services, and making a real difference in the lives of people in need as well as in the quality of life of our area seniors. It sounds wonderful, and I think I would be very, very happy with it.

Although I've barely used my degree since falling in to retail management over the last several years, I've kept a toe in the field by doing volunteer work. The thought of finally getting a paid job in the helping field thrills me. And best of all, it's a Monday through Friday, 9-5, salaried position. It would mean no more weekend, night, and holiday work, and no more being forced to sell things for a living. And never having to see my current (hateful) co-workers again? That's would be the icing on the cake!

My interview is at 3pm on Thursday. Please, everyone, wish me luck! I'll take any and all good thoughts, wishes, prayers, etc!

A shiny new year!

Happy New Year everyone! It's been difficult getting time to sit down and blog, but I hope that with the holidays over and done, life will settle down a bit. Did you make any resolutions for 2014? I resolve to renew my job hunt and to find a new job before the holidays roll around again! That is my biggest hope for the year. Besides making a new job happen, I'm not being overly ambitious with making resolutions. I plan to continue trying to take one day at a time when it comes to healthy habits...going for walks, drinking water instead of soda more often, eating breakfast, etc. etc. I would love to end 2014 in better shape (and healthier) than I was at the start!

The past few weeks have been rainy and messy outside, and it's made life difficult with our new dog, George. He's apparently younger than they thought at the shelter, and has so much pent-up energy that long daily walks are a necessity. When it's raining and we can't go, George becomes destructive. He chews through all the toys, rawhides, and treats we give him and then goes on to look for other things to destroy! He also hates getting wet, so instead of doing his business in the backyard when it's raining, he goes to the far side of the garage (next to the driver's door of my car) and poops and pees there! I am happy to report, however, that when we get to go for walks, he's doing much better walking on the leash. Despite being hyperactive and full of mischief, he seems intelligent and eager to please us. He's also a total love-bug. He will lick you all over and attempt to climb onto your lap, and generally just soaks up any ounce of affection you will give him. The best thing about George, though, is how quickly he has become devoted to Ginger, and she really seems to like him back. It's such a relief to us that Ginger seems mostly happy with the new addition to our family.


  Now that January is here, I'll finally have time to sit down and catch up with everyone's blogs. I hope you all had a great holiday season, and I wish for you a wonderful new year!

Job hunting

Another Monday morning is here, and the job search continues. I made some good progress over the weekend: found my last resume buried in some documents on the computer (it needs updated, but at least I don't have to do a whole new one!), reconnected via LinkedIn to an old boss of mine (the one who awarded me "store manager of the year" at my last job, so she's a great reference!), and made some new contacts through a current coworker that should be helpful at some of the places I'm interested in working.

My husband is meeting today with an aquarium client who happens to be a school principal and on the school board in this area, and he's going to ask if I can meet with him later this week to discuss some possible district office administrative jobs that I'm interested in. Gregg has a good relationship with this man, so hopefully he will be willing to help me out, as a reference if nothing else. I have a feeling that personal contacts will be the key to success in my search.

Now if I could only find that perfect job! I'm combing the want ads every other day, asking around, and doing anything I can think of to get my name "out there". I would dearly love to be out of the retail scene before the holiday season. Surely if I keep applying myself something good will eventually come my way!