Category: Work Stuff

I’ve been sitting on pins and needles all day – waiting for THAT call.

The call that would hopefully tell me that I got the job that I sat on three grueling interviews for.

However, I have not received THE call.

And I just checked the job status online – it’s now showing “closed.”

I have no idea what that means, but I’m assuming it means they picked someone for the job and since I haven’t heard anything, I’m assuming they picked the other person.

I lost.

Game over.

At least, this particular game.

I’m disappointed, of course, but there is a small part of me that is relieved – I’m not sure the job was a good fit for me, quite frankly. Maybe it wasn’t meant to be. Maybe this means there is a better job out there waiting for me, I don’t know.

If nothing else, it was good practice, to get back out there and interview. I was honest – maybe that was my downfall. Maybe I should have stuck with more “bottled” responses. But dang it, it sure seemed like they appreciated my honesty. I left those interviews feeling pretty good .. maybe my people perception is off. Maybe I can’t read people as well as I think I can.

*sigh*

Now what. It’s back to the listings, I suppose. I have my application in for three other positions within the industry – the recruiter I interviewed with was supposed to forward my application to another department – the other positions are likely in other departments, which means I’ll likely have to interview with the recruiters responsible for those departments.

I may end up being a professional interviewer before this is all over.

In the meantime, I need to focus my energies on other things – I’m working on a template for a school website now in the hopes that I can persuade them to buy it from me and then use me to maintain it after it goes live. I’m also focusing on my writing again. I’ve been trying to post short fiction pieces as a warm up, if you will, for a novel I’ve had in the back of my mind (I’m thinking of doing the NaNoWriMo exercise only next month), and a writing contest that I’ve wanted to enter for only … forever.

I can’t dwell on my disappointment (though I could still get a call, I guess. I may be jumping the gun a bit), so I’ll move on and focus on other things.

It’s just, now that I’m ready to get back out into the working world, I want it to happen NOW. I’m mentally prepared to get back out there.

I’ll just have to be patient for a bit longer, I guess.

UPDATE: It’s now been a week since my last interview and I haven’t heard anything. *sigh* The glimmer of hope dims with each passing day. But you know? I’m confident there is something out there for me and apparently, this wasn’t it. I’m not giving up – I have more applications out there so we’ll see where this journey takes me.

That was the question I asked Kevin the other day.

“Because if I get this job, I will no longer be flexible. I won’t be able to drop what I’m doing and pick up a sick kid. Or run a kid to the orthodontist. Or run a saxophone up to the school on a Monday morning because a kid forgot to take it. Are you sure you’re willing to take on that role?”

He says he is. I hope he will step up and do what needs to be done if/when the situation arises. He’s been rather spoiled, if that’s even the right way to say it, all of these years when it came to the kids. I’ve been the buffer – I’ve been the one to take care of all things kid related leaving him free to concentrate on his job, on his career. He hasn’t once had to worry about whether the kids were all right, or if they were getting to school, or if they had their lunches … and that’s okay. We each had our own role to play when the boys were growing up – I was perfectly okay with it.

(Though I did sort of resent him a few times – he would get to get dressed up and go work in his fancy office and have adult conversations leaving me at home in sweats and elbow deep in diapers … but then I would think of the stress he had to manage on a daily basis and look at my sweet children’s faces and know in the back of my mind that it wouldn’t always be this way, that I would someday have the opportunity to get back out into the working world and do … whatever the heck I wanted to do with my life and LOOK. Here we are).

If I get this job, I will be unavailable to my family from 8:30 to 5:00, Monday through Friday. I told the company that I would be available, that my family didn’t really need me anymore. I know they will still need me, just not as much as years past.

If I get this job …

I can’t finish that sentence … I don’t have an answer yet.

I went on my THIRD interview yesterday.

I have to say, this has been THE most grueling process I’ve ever encountered in my working life. I’ve been pretty fortunate in that almost every interview (and I can only think of one interview I went on and didn’t get the job), I’ve landed the job. I don’t know if it’s my charming personality, or my ability to BS my way through the answers, but there you have it.

I’ve had it pretty easy.

But this go-around … wow. It’s been, and continues to be, quite a process.

The job I’m applying for doesn’t pay that great. But that’s not the reason I’m going through all of this. I’m doing this because I want to get my foot in the industry door. Maybe, a few years down the pipeline, I’ll find another position that is more in line with what I want to do (and I have no idea what that might be at this point, I’m keeping my options open – though I’m thinking it could possibly have something to do with technical writing if I’m reading the signs correctly), and since most companies hire within first before going to the public, I would have a good chance of landing this fictitious position.

And I’ll be honest. The more I learn about this job, the more I want it. It sounds challenging and interesting and I’m quite certain I would learn a lot working there. It’s in an industry I’m not familiar with, but I’m a fast learner and I always enjoy a challenge.

I wish I could be more specific with you all, but you know the first blogging rule of thumb – don’t write about work. So, I’ll have to keep it pretty generic.

For even if I don’t land THIS particular job, I have applications for other positions within the industry so it’s just a matter of time before I land SOMETHING.

Anyway … in case you’re just tuning in (Hi!), I went on my first interview a few weeks ago. I met with a recruiter whose job was to screen me to see if I was even a plausible candidate not only for the job I was applying for, but for the company in general. I was nervous, but held my ground (even though the questions she threw at me were from left field and I was left dodging and fumbling for a smooth recovery). I could tell she liked me (well honestly, WHO doesn’t? *wink*) and I charmed my way past the gate.

I was in. But where would I end up?

My second interview was with the supervisor and manager of the department I was applying for. Again, I was nervous but I went in with the attitude, “oh well. If it doesn’t work out this time, it’ll work out the next time” and I think that actually helped me. In fact, a little advice for those people out there looking for a job –

You have to CARE, but NOT care at the same time.

How’s that for cryptic?

In other words, be nervous, it’s okay to be a little nervous, it ramps up the adrenaline and keeps you sharp, but if you’re TOO nervous, then you’re likely to flub up and come off as a blubbering idiot. So in some ways, you have to sort of shrug it off and think, “Meh.”

Does that make sense?

At any rate, the second interview went really well. At least, I thought so. I felt like I did a good job answering the questions and I even found some common ground with the two women interviewing me (teenage/grown kids, kids who not only played in band but also played the saxophone, etc). And I left the interview feeling pretty confident – not confident that I had the job, but confident that I was honest with them and that I did my best.

I thought that was it. I thought the next time I heard from them it would be either to say yay or nay.

Not quite.

I got a call Tuesday. When I returned the call, “K”, my potential boss, wanted me to come in for a THIRD interview on Wednesday only this time, to meet and talk with the team – the other women I would be working with if I got the job.

*GULP*

Tuesday night, I AGONIZED over what I was going to wear. I didn’t want to dress too formally because then I might come off as too “good” for them, or a business snob, or whatever. I wanted to fit in. Make it seem like I would be a good fit with the rest of them. Thank God I noticed what other women were wearing at my second interview – smart, business attire. Nothing too formal, but it wasn’t too casual, either.

I went back to the mall.

(Have I mentioned how much I LOATHE the mall??)

I found another pair of slacks (they’re wide legs, which, I’m not sure how I feel about simply because they’ll likely be out of fashion in a few years, but *pfft* since when have I cared about fashion trends – but I bought them because they were super comfy) and tried on several business oxford shirts. I liked one top in particular, but …. $60?!? FOR A SHIRT?? I. Don’t. Think. So.

I ended up finding the same thing (only with french cuffs! I love french cuffs), at JCPenney’s for 1/3 of the price (they were on sale). I bought a black one, a white one, and a tangerine one (thinking that would look killer with tanned skin and black slacks. *snap*).

And when it came to dress for my interview yesterday, I didn’t end up wearing anything I had bought. I wore my same black slacks, and a french blue oxford top that I bought from Old Navy a while back and a white t-shirt underneath it. (Actually, I don’t want to wear any of the new stuff until after I land a job. That way, if it doesn’t work out, I can take everything back. See? Always thinking). I was afraid it was a little too casual, but I went with it.

I arrived right on time (actually, I arrived about twenty minutes early, but I stayed in my car and listened to the radio until about five minutes till) and “K” met me. She took me back to a conference room and had me sit on one side of the table while four women, plus “K” came in and sat on the other side.

I was in the hot seat.

And I said that out loud. Which made them laugh.

Whew. They had a sense of humor.

Each of them asked me a question. Which I sort of fumbled through, and then one of them asked me …

“What goals do you have for your life?”

Now, I COULD have said something smart about wanting to make a career out of the industry I was applying for, but I didn’t. I decided to just keep it honest. I knew they would be able to tell a “bottled” and insincere response, so I simply said …

“I’d like to be published someday. I’m a writer. So it would be fun to see my writing out there. Also? I just want to grow old with my husband, play with my grandbabies.” I shrugged. “I’m a pretty simple woman.”

They seemed to like that answer. For truly, it was an honest answer. I figured, what do I have to lose?

This is me, ladies, take it or leave it.

Even though that interview was by far the hardest and most nerve wracking interview I’ve had to date, I felt like it went okay. I made them laugh several times and I felt like we formed a precarious connection. “K” wanted to see if I would gel with the group as it was very important to her that her team work well together and get along.

“K” told me it was between me and one other person. I had made the top two, hence the reason I was even there to begin with – most people didn’t make it to that stage.

So now I wait. She’s pretty anxious to get the position filled, so I’m hoping for a fast turn around. IF I get the job, then I will have to go through two days of industry orientation before I actually start working at the facility where I applied.

I have mixed feelings about all of this, quite frankly. One part of me is pretty excited because I’m starting a new chapter in my life. I’m looking forward to getting back out into the working world once again and financially contributing to the family.

But one part of me is sad. I’m also closing a chapter in my life. Though I feel very fortunate and blessed that I was able to stay home with the boys while they grew up into young men, they don’t need me around as much. In fact, this will be GOOD for them because they will be forced to take care of themselves. It will also set a good example to them – mom got a job. It’s good for them to see, and hear, me go through this process. The very same process they will be going through very soon.

I think Kevin has mixed feelings about this, too. He would prefer that I stick around the office and grow my website business (which I still plan on maintaining, it’ll just be more of a part-time gig now), but I’m just not disciplined, or motivated enough, to make that happen. And the money is unpredictable. It ebbs and flows and I would prefer to work somewhere where the money is a constant source of income.

This industry has some pretty spectacular benefits, one of which is a tuition reimbursement plan. If/when I land a job with the company, I’d like to take advantage of that and maybe go back to college and work on my Masters degree. Just typing that makes my heart pump faster.

I wasn’t sure I should have even written about this journey. I mean, if I don’t get the job, then … AWKWARD. But you know? It’s going to happen. If not THIS job, then SOME job because now that I’ve walked through the door? I’m ready to find a seat and stay a while.

So remember when I mentioned, a while back, that I have been submitting applications?

I got a call.

When I returned the call today (actually, I returned it yesterday, but the recruiter didn’t call me back, so I called again today because I WANT A JOB!), she had a cancellation later today and asked if I would be interested in coming in.

YES!

She asked if I knew how to work a certain program, which I do, but I’m rusty, so I’ve been doing some exercises with the program to reacquaint myself with it.

Thank goodness for YouTube. No really. I’ve picked up quite a few tricks that I didn’t know beforehand.

Am I nervous?

Yes. And no.

On one hand, it’s been FIFTEEN years since I’ve been on a job interview. I’m definitely out of practice. But then again, I’m more mature (I AM! Most days), so I feel more confident simply because I’m older and wiser. In addition, if I don’t get THIS job, it’s highly likely I’ll be interviewing with this same recruiter for future jobs with this same company, so I NEED to do well.

On the other hand, this is my first interview and though I would love to have this job, there will be other opportunities. So getting myself all worked up will only shoot myself in the foot.

I had planned on going out and buying a nice suit for when this day arrived, but the day is HERE and I don’t have time to go buy new clothes before my appointment. So I’m wearing something that would be appropriate for an office (I went home and changed at lunch) – I hope that’s okay. It’s not like I’m interviewing for a professional-level job, just a clerical job. (My thoughts being, I’ll have my foot in the door of this particular industry and can hopefully make some linear moves in the future). So, we’ll see.

If you don’t hear anything more about this interview, then you’ll know I didn’t get the job. I tend to just sweep disappointing things under the rug. But if anything happens, trust me, you’ll be the first to know about it.

Wish me luck!!!!!!

UPDATE: Interview over. Questions threw me for a loop. Nerve Wracking!! I think the recruiter is going to forward my information to my potential boss so I’m hoping (crossing fingers) that I get a second interview. We’ll see what happens!!

Woohoo!

Ain’t it purty!

We’ve had a time with this sign, let me tell ya. We’ve been going back and forth with the maintenance guy that works at the office center and either it’s been too cold to put the sign up, or he’s just been too busy to fool with it.

Finally, Kevin offered him an out and the poor guy was relieved.

We called “Fast Signs.

WOW! We called Fast Signs today, told them what we wanted, they sent us a draft to approve and they came over within a FEW HOURS and put it up.

When they say FAST, they mean FAST!

At any rate, we’re thrilled and I’m so proud of Kevin – he has his own business, in his own office and now he has his own sign advertising his services.

He’s official!

Woohoo!

I know this seems like a silly thing to write about, but I just love my mousepad. I enjoy alternating the above photos and it comforts me to have my boys close. 🙂

If you’re interested in buying one for your desk, you can order it here.

(This is NOT a sponsored post. I dig the mousepad, that’s all).

My new ‘do.

I went to the salon yesterday and the gal touched-up my roots (which is really nice talk for “covered my gray because I’m old”) and whacked four inches off my length.

I love it. I was so ready to get rid of my long hair. When Kevin saw it he nodded in approval and said, “It looks better.”

Which of course prompted me to immediately get defensive and shoot back, “Why? Did it look bad before?”

He responded with, “Of course not. But it looks better now. Less frizzy.”

Frizzy?!?

He’s right, of course. It was getting frizzy. And it was quite out of control. This shorter ‘do will save me time and I love that I can blow it dry with a round brush and then sort of push it behind my ears. I still need to experiment with it – use some mousse and make it poofy, but I can already tell I’m going to really like this length. I think I’ll keep it this way. Of course, that means I’ll have to go to the salon more often, but those are the sacrifices.

I love this new salon I’ve been going to. It’s called “Latter Rain Salon and Spa” and their prices are very reasonable. (This root touch up and color cost me THIRTY dollars less than it has in the past with my old salon). The gals are really friendly, too. In addition, the salon is Christian-based, which I wholly support.

While I was getting my cut, I explained to my stylist that I was getting a new, more professional ‘do, to prepare for my upcoming interviews. (Of course, I didn’t tell her I’ve yet to land a job interview but … Pfft, details). That prompted a discussion about what I wanted to do, what I’m doing now and how I’ve been helping Kevin get his business up and running.

When I told her that Kevin was starting his own accounting firm, she perked right up. Apparently, she manages (owns?) the shop in Springfield (there’s another salon in Nixa), and she is looking for a reasonably-priced accountant.

*ding-ding-ding!*

So of course, I gave her Kevin’s business card and we’ll see if this leads anywhere.

I hope it does – I REALLY like this gal (she’s the sweetest person) and I hope we can help her out.

Speaking of Kevin’s business: the conference table came in. Kevin picked the boys up from school yesterday and they went to Springfield Office Supply (highly recommend them, by the way) so they could help him load it up in his truck. Kevin put it together and though it’s not exactly the same color as my desk, it’s pretty close. It looks great in that space! (Shoot. I thought I took a picture of it, but I didn’t). I feel REALLY guilty for taking the prime office space away from Kevin. I have been BEGGING him to take the front office and I’ll take the back office over. I’m not giving up, he really needs to be in that front office because it’s the space that clients see first when they walk in the door.

Speaking of walking in the door…

We had two visitors yesterday – one came in while I was getting my haircut – he wanted a tax form. And our neighbor came in to introduce himself to us. When he found out that I was a website designer, he mentioned he needed someone to update his website and I offered my maintenance services. We’ll see if anything comes from that contact.

It felt really weird, but cool, to give my business card out. That also motivates me to get off my butt and get my professional website back up and running.

Oh, I almost forgot. The maintenance guy came by and put up Kevin’s business sign on the fascia. It looks really good! I’ll take some pictures once we thaw out from this blizzard. He also had the lettering for his door, but it was too cold and the letters curled and refused to stick to the glass. So we’ll have to wait until it warms up to add that. But at least people know where to find him now!

This starting our own business thing is EXCITING! Especially after talking to prospective clients.

I feel so PROFESSIONAL!

Woot!

So, I’ve been busy at work.

What? Yes I have.

(Do I need to explain this photo? Fine. Kevin and I stayed at the office for lunch [actually, we do that most days to save on gas driving home] and we locked the door, turned off the lights, put our “will be back at 1:00 sign” and had lunch. After lunch, I got sleepy, so I put on my coat [because I was cold, duh], propped my feet up on my new desk and took a twenty minute snooze. It’s my office, I’ll take a snooze at lunch if I want to).

So you’re wondering how the job hunting is going, right?

Well, I’ll tell ya.

My resume is DONE.

Yep. I finally wrote the sucker. And it was like pulling teeth because OH MY GOSH, that was tough trying to wax poetic about my past work experience.

And I have experience, just not a lot of experience in ONE field. My experience stems from Restaurant, Banking, Retail, to Web Management. I’m experienced in diversified environments. (That’s an actual line from my resume). I can also offer solid writing, editing, and business skills, too. (Another line from my resume).

My resume turned out well; I’m happy with it. In fact, Kevin was so impressed with my format he wants me to re-do his resume as well. Not that he will need his resume any time soon (*ahem*), but it’s nice to have one handy just in case, don’t you know.

Now, I need to write a cover letter.

Just shoot me now. Thank God I have some examples to look at.

The job I have my eye on is still listed. I’m pretty sure I’m sabotaging myself – dragging my feet so I can say “Oh no! Why did I wait so long!” when the listing is taken off and I haven’t applied.

I do that – sabotage myself. That way, I can’t fail because I never tried.

You had no idea I was such a chicken sh*t, did you.

But even if I wait too long and the listing is removed, I’m still going to send in my information … just in case they need someone in the near future. I’m also going to tweak my resume so I can submit it to Cox Hospitals as well. I’d still really like to find some sort of clerical job in the health care field, too.

I dream high, I know.

In addition to finishing my resume and writing my cover letter, I’m going to redesign my professional website as well. I’m hoping that by providing a link to my website it will give me an edge over my competitors. (Told you I dream big). But I need to redesign it because it’s too cutesy and it looks dated. I want something that’s a little more professional, still fun, but more professional. Don’t believe me? Take a gander:

See? Cute. Not professional. Redesigning my work site shouldn’t take me too long – I found a graphic on istockphoto.com that I plan on using. Now that I have an idea, it’s just a matter of making the graphics, which I’m pretty fast at. I have all of the content compiled and ready to go, I just need to insert everything in the right place.

I”m loving my office, but I must confess, I’ve been spending more time watching people outside my window than I have been actually working. I took care of that temptation by shutting my blinds. I thought having a window would be cool, and it is, but it’s also really distracting – so I have an office with a window that I never use.

I got my business cards the other day. I emptied out my business card holder to put my new cards in and what do I find tucked inside?? THREE gift cards that I totally forgot I had!! One to Starbucks, one to Barnes and Noble and one to JCPenney. I checked the balances on all of these cards and YIPPEE! Free money!

Kevin and I will use the Starbucks gift card today when we go to lunch (we always go to lunch every Wednesday and then treat ourselves to Starbucks afterwards) and I’ll hold off using the Barnes and Noble one (I’ll probably end up buying the new Dreamweaver “Classroom in a book” book), but I can use the JCPenney one right away.

I’ll need an interview outfit, you see.

Since I’ve been out of the working world for so long, I got rid of all of my work clothes – I mean, I have some nice casual clothes, but definitely nothing I can wear on an interview. I’ll need to go shopping very soon because I’m totally convinced I’m going to be called for interviews now that I have a snazzy new resume and a killer cover letter (that I have yet to write but I’m sure will be killer when I get done with it).

Also? Hair. As in, I seriously need to get a new ‘do. I bought a hair magazine the other day (and why exactly do I do that? I buy these hair magazines about once every two years and every time I buy them I think, “these hairdos look like the ones in the last magazine I bought”. This time was no exception) and I found a style that I think will look flattering on me and professional at the same time.

My criteria for ‘dos? It must have bangs. My forehead is not attractive. It’s high, wrinkly and I have a three-inch scar running up into it from my left eye (car accident, long story). It’s just not sexy. I’ve had styles where I didn’t really have bangs (like now, actually) and I hate it. Bangs soften my face. I would LOVE to go short, like bob short, but the older I get, the more my face is sagging and I am definitely developing a tendency toward jowls. I think a bob cut would only accentuate my jowls.

Sexy, right?

I’ve made an appointment to get my haircut on Friday. I’ll try and remember to take before and after pictures.

The bottom line? I want to be ready WHEN (notice I’m staying optimistic here) I get called for an interview. I’ll be honest, (when am I not?), I’m scared to put myself back out into the working world. But at the same time, I’m really excited to start a new chapter in my life.

And think of the blogging material! It’s a win-win situation, don’t you think? 😀

Thanks for indulging me as I chronicle this new chapter. Hopefully, this story will have a happy ending.