I remember feeling like 2011 would never end. It was a hard year for me. There were many times I felt I could lose nothing more and still retain my sanity. Needless to say, I'm hoping for a better 2012.
In 2011, I had six jobs. Six. I'm sure some people don't have that many jobs in their entire lifetime. The year started out looking good. I left my job in retail for a 2-in-1 position that I thought would really boost my career and give me coveted PR experience. First, one side of the equation tanked, right before our vacation to Florida, then the other, just before my trip to NYC. I was back in retail before I knew what hit me. I went to New York City to visit The Writer during his internship not knowing how I would survive financially when I got back. I'd been applying for jobs almost all year. Applying, applying, applying and never the right offer. I'd been out of school for nearly a year and a half and all I had to show for it was the same shopping mall job that had barely paid my credit card bills in college. I. Was. Stressed.
Finally, at the end of September, I started my first "real" job. "Real" as in: 401k real, health insurance real, 40 hours/week real, pay off my debt real. I have hopes for this job. Granted, it isn't my passion, but I can pay my bills and then some, which I'm very thankful for. The financial strides I'm taking, along with the industry I've broken into give me hope that 2012 will be a great year and that my hope will become a reality. I'm hoping that this will be my last Midwest winter and that next Christmas I'll be taking NJ Transit down from New York City to spend Christmas with my family in New Jersey and meeting The Writer for snowy walks through Central Park.
In the meantime, I'm going to start making some of my own clothes. I'll be posting about them with my new camera The Writer gave me for Christmas this year. Have I mentioned he's pretty awesome? I don't know how I would've made it through 2011 without him. He's incredibly supportive and tons of other positive adjectives.
Oh, yes, and we're joining a gym together. How's that for a new year?
Showing posts with label Job Hunting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Job Hunting. Show all posts
Monday, January 2, 2012
Friday, July 29, 2011
That Time I Walked Out of a Job "Interview"
Since I am in desperate need of a new job, I'm not in a position to turn down interviews. Jenna first started calling me about an interview while I was in NYC. She told me that her company worked in the health and wellness field and had many opportunities available. It was clear that she didn't have my resume since she knew nothing of my work history or education and didn't disclose the name of her company, rendering a Google search impossible. It was also clear that she was calling me from her personal cell phone when my calls, which she never answered, only returned, went straight to an at capacity voice mailbox. We played phone tag over several weeks and darn if she wasn't as persistent as she was vague.
I agreed to meet with her one evening, since the "Wellness Center" office was fairly close and I had the time in my schedule. When I entered the office, I was greeted by fairly loud, upbeat music and a small crowd of what I could only assume to be fellow job seekers. Great, I thought, a group interview. A small woman came up to me to ask who I had an appointment with. As it turns out, this was Jenna. She asked again about my work history and I gave her a resume. We had a pleasant get-to-know-you conversation in the midst of all the other would-be candidates. When I asked more specific questions about the company, she told me that there was going to be a group presentation to explain the details which would be followed by a one on one interview. There was also some training being held later that night. Whoa?! Training?! I knew I wasn't in the position to accept an offer that night, especially since it wasn't my only interview of the week and could already smell something fishy about the situation.
The presentation began with a powerpoint slide show. Several slides in, I glanced the phrase "direct marketing" and started to look for an escape route. Of course, I had to be sitting front and center. The presenter went on to talk about the products their company sells, mainly a diet pill. Strike two. I have several friends who work in direct marketing as Arbonne consultants and even tried my luck with Mary Kay right out of high school. My Arbonne friends love their work and products and, if I were to venture into direct marketing, it would probably be with Arbonne. Secondly, I don't believe in diet pills. They tempt me every once in a while, but as someone who struggled with eating disorders for years, I consider them dangerous and psychologically addicting no matter how effective they are or aren't.
I had to get out. I may have audibly let out a sigh of relief when, about twenty minutes in, the presenter dimmed the lights for a brief video. I grabbed my bag and scooted for the door. I looked for Jenna, as I intended to politely excuse myself. She was nowhere to be found, but the presenter noticed me and asked if I wanted to go home. Like I had a boo-boo, or something. I informed him that I wasn't interested in direct marketing. He thanked me and we went our separate ways.
The next evening, Jenna called again. She called to find out why I left and to see if I wanted to come back for a second "interview". I told her the same thing I told the gentleman the night before, that I was not interested in direct marketing. I also added that I was not in favor of diet pills, but was rather an advocate of natural wellness. She claimed their product was all natural. I hadn't stayed long enough to get an actual ingredients list, so I can't say for sure, but I doubt that their pills fit anywhere into the healthy, organic, vegan, or natural categories. I also asked her how she'd gotten my number in the first place. She couldn't give me a name, but told me it was probably a friend who'd referred me, since they work mainly through referrals.
Moral of the story: anytime you are called by an interviewer on their personal cell phone, any and all days of the week, wanting to set up an interview through a vague company at 7 pm on a Tuesday is probably not worth your time if you are seeking professional employment.
I agreed to meet with her one evening, since the "Wellness Center" office was fairly close and I had the time in my schedule. When I entered the office, I was greeted by fairly loud, upbeat music and a small crowd of what I could only assume to be fellow job seekers. Great, I thought, a group interview. A small woman came up to me to ask who I had an appointment with. As it turns out, this was Jenna. She asked again about my work history and I gave her a resume. We had a pleasant get-to-know-you conversation in the midst of all the other would-be candidates. When I asked more specific questions about the company, she told me that there was going to be a group presentation to explain the details which would be followed by a one on one interview. There was also some training being held later that night. Whoa?! Training?! I knew I wasn't in the position to accept an offer that night, especially since it wasn't my only interview of the week and could already smell something fishy about the situation.
The presentation began with a powerpoint slide show. Several slides in, I glanced the phrase "direct marketing" and started to look for an escape route. Of course, I had to be sitting front and center. The presenter went on to talk about the products their company sells, mainly a diet pill. Strike two. I have several friends who work in direct marketing as Arbonne consultants and even tried my luck with Mary Kay right out of high school. My Arbonne friends love their work and products and, if I were to venture into direct marketing, it would probably be with Arbonne. Secondly, I don't believe in diet pills. They tempt me every once in a while, but as someone who struggled with eating disorders for years, I consider them dangerous and psychologically addicting no matter how effective they are or aren't.
I had to get out. I may have audibly let out a sigh of relief when, about twenty minutes in, the presenter dimmed the lights for a brief video. I grabbed my bag and scooted for the door. I looked for Jenna, as I intended to politely excuse myself. She was nowhere to be found, but the presenter noticed me and asked if I wanted to go home. Like I had a boo-boo, or something. I informed him that I wasn't interested in direct marketing. He thanked me and we went our separate ways.
The next evening, Jenna called again. She called to find out why I left and to see if I wanted to come back for a second "interview". I told her the same thing I told the gentleman the night before, that I was not interested in direct marketing. I also added that I was not in favor of diet pills, but was rather an advocate of natural wellness. She claimed their product was all natural. I hadn't stayed long enough to get an actual ingredients list, so I can't say for sure, but I doubt that their pills fit anywhere into the healthy, organic, vegan, or natural categories. I also asked her how she'd gotten my number in the first place. She couldn't give me a name, but told me it was probably a friend who'd referred me, since they work mainly through referrals.
Moral of the story: anytime you are called by an interviewer on their personal cell phone, any and all days of the week, wanting to set up an interview through a vague company at 7 pm on a Tuesday is probably not worth your time if you are seeking professional employment.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Style and the Unemployed
Yesterday, I had the unique experience of attending a job fair. I'm actively looking for my new job and/or career, so going to a place that held over 40 perspective employers seemed like a good idea. Apparently it seemed like a good idea to thousands of other people, as well. I kid you not...thousands. The line to get in wrapped around the building. The people at the front of the line had gotten there over two hours ahead of time.
Once inside, I had no choice but to wander through the masses. It was an eye opening experience. I know that Ohio is certainly not the fashion capital of the country, but this was a whole new level of awful. Here are these countless human beings who are trying to improve their lives by getting a better job, who have shown up to meet potential future bosses wearing jeans, t-shirts, athletic shoes, one-shoulder jumpsuits, shorts, and loads of bling. It was almost tragic. Had they never been told to "dress for the job you want"?
I understand that times are tough and not everyone can go out an buy a new suit. I can't. However, if I were an employer looking to fill any type of professional position and an applicant showed up to an interview looking ready for yard work, I wouldn't be interested in hiring them. If they showed up in an awful, yet clean and professional, outfit, we could talk. It wouldn't be so much about the end product, but if I could see they put effort into looking the part, it would speak volumes for how they would fare as an employee.
Professional attire isn't about fashion. *gasp!* It can be. Perhaps it should be, but that is not necessarily my angle on this post. Dressing professionally on a small to non-existant budget is about resourcefulness. For me, being stylish, fashionable and resourceful go hand in hand. So, maybe it is about fashion? As a girl on a budget who wants to look her best, I have to put thought into every piece I purchase. A casual tank top is suddenly office acceptable when tucked into a pencil skirt with a blazer or cardigan on top.
Don't have basic professional wardrobe items? I'm guessing a lot of these people didn't. How you make it to adulthood without them, I don't know, but there is still hope. Get them. Don't use not having them as an excuse. Go to the Goodwill stores in the area until you find what you need. Still too expensive? No problem. Talk to your friends. Does Friend A have a black skirt she's not using? Borrow it. Too big? Pin it. Does Friend B have a button down shirt or a blazer? Yes? Borrow it. No? Ask if their kid has one. Seriously. Especially for average to small sized women, the boy's clothing racks are a great place to grab an unexpected bargain. If the sleeves are too short, cuff them and rock the 3/4 sleeve look. Find some unobtrusive shoes and you've got an outfit fit for an interview. It's resourceful.
Maybe, just maybe, resourcefulness can turn into style, and goodness knows, what the world needs now is style...or love, sweet love.
Once inside, I had no choice but to wander through the masses. It was an eye opening experience. I know that Ohio is certainly not the fashion capital of the country, but this was a whole new level of awful. Here are these countless human beings who are trying to improve their lives by getting a better job, who have shown up to meet potential future bosses wearing jeans, t-shirts, athletic shoes, one-shoulder jumpsuits, shorts, and loads of bling. It was almost tragic. Had they never been told to "dress for the job you want"?
I understand that times are tough and not everyone can go out an buy a new suit. I can't. However, if I were an employer looking to fill any type of professional position and an applicant showed up to an interview looking ready for yard work, I wouldn't be interested in hiring them. If they showed up in an awful, yet clean and professional, outfit, we could talk. It wouldn't be so much about the end product, but if I could see they put effort into looking the part, it would speak volumes for how they would fare as an employee.
Professional attire isn't about fashion. *gasp!* It can be. Perhaps it should be, but that is not necessarily my angle on this post. Dressing professionally on a small to non-existant budget is about resourcefulness. For me, being stylish, fashionable and resourceful go hand in hand. So, maybe it is about fashion? As a girl on a budget who wants to look her best, I have to put thought into every piece I purchase. A casual tank top is suddenly office acceptable when tucked into a pencil skirt with a blazer or cardigan on top.
Don't have basic professional wardrobe items? I'm guessing a lot of these people didn't. How you make it to adulthood without them, I don't know, but there is still hope. Get them. Don't use not having them as an excuse. Go to the Goodwill stores in the area until you find what you need. Still too expensive? No problem. Talk to your friends. Does Friend A have a black skirt she's not using? Borrow it. Too big? Pin it. Does Friend B have a button down shirt or a blazer? Yes? Borrow it. No? Ask if their kid has one. Seriously. Especially for average to small sized women, the boy's clothing racks are a great place to grab an unexpected bargain. If the sleeves are too short, cuff them and rock the 3/4 sleeve look. Find some unobtrusive shoes and you've got an outfit fit for an interview. It's resourceful.
Maybe, just maybe, resourcefulness can turn into style, and goodness knows, what the world needs now is style...or love, sweet love.
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