This morning I had the first step in the interview process for a job at a major university located in Chicago. To be more exact, I had just over four hours of computer skills testing this morning which has lead to an interview this coming Monday morning at 10 am. It went well, really well in fact. A few questions threw me a bit of a curve ball but overall I'm confident that what they threw my way was information I know.
The kicker was that my most recent job, the one that laid me off a couple months ago that resulted in me experiencing this oh so wondrous job search, rents office space from the aforementioned university. In fact, the Human Resources department of this amazing university is located in the graduate school building exactly one floor above where I used to work. Yes, you read that correctly, I got to go for this stage of the interview process and sit literally one floor above where I used to work. Can we say awkward?!?!
I debated all morning...do I make a point to stop by and say hello or do I just cross my fingers and hope that I don't run into anyone I know in the elevator? In the end I decided to be the better person and I did stop by after my computer testing was done. And, ultimately, I'm glad I did. I got to say hi to those I wanted to see and showed that I can wish them well despite being laid off from my employment there through no fault of my own.
Of course it did help that my hair and outfit were cooperating and that I was looking rather amazing if I do say so myself. :)
Friday, September 30, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Job Search Frustration
At the end of this week I'll have been unemployed for two full months. Two full months of not working. Two full months of not collecting a paycheck. Two full months of having to pay for COBRA medical benefits. Two full months.
I know that in the grand scheme of things, two months isn't that much. Compared to other people's job searches, two months isn't that much. But really, two months is way too much in my personal opinion.
As a woman in her mid-30s who has worked since she was a freshman in high school, I don't like the thought of not working. As a woman who has a mortgage to pay, I don't like the reality of not working. As I single woman looking to find a guy, I dread the inevitable question of "what do you do for a living" and having to answer that at this point in time I'm not working.
And, no matter how well intentioned they are, having your friends and family always asking how the job search is coming along you every time you see them is very frustrating. I know they mean well and are just showing an interest in what's going on in my life but, believe you me, the moment I find a new job everyone I know will be alerted via text, phone, email, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
I promise I'll be the first to alert everyone of the impending exciting news but until then it's not only frustrating but also discouraging to have to continue to say that despite a number of great interviews I still haven't received an offer of employment. Despite doing everything I can think of from applying to a number of jobs each day to writing handwritten thank you notes after each interview to dressing professionally to keeping my nails manicured and looking nice the reality is that I just haven't gotten an offer yet.
Two full months. Not really that long but also an eternity!
I know that in the grand scheme of things, two months isn't that much. Compared to other people's job searches, two months isn't that much. But really, two months is way too much in my personal opinion.
As a woman in her mid-30s who has worked since she was a freshman in high school, I don't like the thought of not working. As a woman who has a mortgage to pay, I don't like the reality of not working. As I single woman looking to find a guy, I dread the inevitable question of "what do you do for a living" and having to answer that at this point in time I'm not working.
And, no matter how well intentioned they are, having your friends and family always asking how the job search is coming along you every time you see them is very frustrating. I know they mean well and are just showing an interest in what's going on in my life but, believe you me, the moment I find a new job everyone I know will be alerted via text, phone, email, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
I promise I'll be the first to alert everyone of the impending exciting news but until then it's not only frustrating but also discouraging to have to continue to say that despite a number of great interviews I still haven't received an offer of employment. Despite doing everything I can think of from applying to a number of jobs each day to writing handwritten thank you notes after each interview to dressing professionally to keeping my nails manicured and looking nice the reality is that I just haven't gotten an offer yet.
Two full months. Not really that long but also an eternity!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
The Passing of Common Sense
A friend of mine posted this to Facebook today and it made me chuckle.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair;
- And maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies, don't spend more than you can earn and adults, not children, are in charge. His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife Discretion, his daughter Responsibility, and his son, Reason. He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers: I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, I'm A Victim.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair;
- And maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies, don't spend more than you can earn and adults, not children, are in charge. His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife Discretion, his daughter Responsibility, and his son, Reason. He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers: I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, I'm A Victim.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Unseen, unheard, but always near
Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us everyday.
Unseen, unheard, but always near, so loved, so missed, so very dear.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Job Fairs
In my quest for a new job I've been pursuing every possible opportunity including the job fair I attended today at the Community Center in the town I grew up in which is a near suburb of Chicago.
In case you haven't been to one before, job fairs can be a great place to people watch. It's amazing the variety of people who come out to these events and I really wonder sometimes if some of these people have any idea of the first impression they're making both on others of us there as well as on those companies there to possibly hire attendees.
Today's job fair was a bit frustrating though. As a college graduate with 13+ years of professional experience who was dressed in a suit so as to make a good impression on those companies hiring, I was a bit dismayed at the impression that those companies were making on me. Many companies decided to not even show up which left for almost a third of the tables in the job fair empty. In addition, many of those who were there simply referred people back to their websites to apply online.
Grant it, I understand the importance of applying online, on the other hand, I didn't come out dressed in a suit and high heel shoes just to be told to do what I could have done at home on my couch in comfy clothes!
In case you haven't been to one before, job fairs can be a great place to people watch. It's amazing the variety of people who come out to these events and I really wonder sometimes if some of these people have any idea of the first impression they're making both on others of us there as well as on those companies there to possibly hire attendees.
Today's job fair was a bit frustrating though. As a college graduate with 13+ years of professional experience who was dressed in a suit so as to make a good impression on those companies hiring, I was a bit dismayed at the impression that those companies were making on me. Many companies decided to not even show up which left for almost a third of the tables in the job fair empty. In addition, many of those who were there simply referred people back to their websites to apply online.
Grant it, I understand the importance of applying online, on the other hand, I didn't come out dressed in a suit and high heel shoes just to be told to do what I could have done at home on my couch in comfy clothes!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
September 11th Tenth Anniversary
It's been inspiring to see what everyone has posted on FaceBook and spoken about in church and on the radio in relation to today being the tenth anniversary of the September 11th tragedy.
Earlier today though one of my Facebook friends made the comment "Is it unpatriotic that I am really tired of getting choked up at the 9/11 coverage?" and one of her friends responded that "It's called emotional overload. Take a break."
That really got me thinking though...how much is too much and at what point does it become overload? I agree that it's patriotic to remember those who innocently lost their lives as well as those brave first responders who acted so courageously in the face of danger. But at the same time, at what point is it acceptable to start looking towards the future instead of just remembering the past?
It's common to hear "Do you remember where you were and what you were doing when XX happened?" The assassination of JFK, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and man's first steps on the moon occurred before I was born however I was in elementary school when the Challenger shuttle exploded. While I actively remember that event, I was young enough to have a certain childish ignorance and was able to look forward easier.
I'd be curious to hear how the general public responded in the decade(s) after Pearl Harbor. That was another attack on American soil where many lost their lives that resulted in the US entering a state of war. Was it different then because it resulted in the US entering World War II instead of the current US lead war on terror? Is it different with September 11th because it was an attack on two office buildings instead of an attack on a military base?
I don't think there is any one right way to look at this situation and it'll be different for everyone. We should always look back with reverence on those events that have helped shape where we are today but we should also look forward to what tomorrow may bring.
Earlier today though one of my Facebook friends made the comment "Is it unpatriotic that I am really tired of getting choked up at the 9/11 coverage?" and one of her friends responded that "It's called emotional overload. Take a break."
That really got me thinking though...how much is too much and at what point does it become overload? I agree that it's patriotic to remember those who innocently lost their lives as well as those brave first responders who acted so courageously in the face of danger. But at the same time, at what point is it acceptable to start looking towards the future instead of just remembering the past?
It's common to hear "Do you remember where you were and what you were doing when XX happened?" The assassination of JFK, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and man's first steps on the moon occurred before I was born however I was in elementary school when the Challenger shuttle exploded. While I actively remember that event, I was young enough to have a certain childish ignorance and was able to look forward easier.
I'd be curious to hear how the general public responded in the decade(s) after Pearl Harbor. That was another attack on American soil where many lost their lives that resulted in the US entering a state of war. Was it different then because it resulted in the US entering World War II instead of the current US lead war on terror? Is it different with September 11th because it was an attack on two office buildings instead of an attack on a military base?
I don't think there is any one right way to look at this situation and it'll be different for everyone. We should always look back with reverence on those events that have helped shape where we are today but we should also look forward to what tomorrow may bring.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
The age of the matter
To get to the heart of the matter is, in my opinion, also to get to the age of the matter.
Earlier today my mom, aunt, and grandma were asking if I've ever tried online dating. One of my aunt's first questions was is regards to what age range I have listed in my profile as far as men I'd be willing to date. My rule of thumb has always been that I prefer guys who are at least my age and not younger but that I have no upper age limit. My thought being that I'd hate to cut off at say age 45 in case a great guy who happens to be 46 might be right around the corner.
My aunt thought I was a little loopy and that I should be going for younger guys instead. At 34 I'm hesitant to go for younger guys mainly because most of my friends are between five and ten plus years older than I am so one fear I have is that a younger guy might not be able to relate with my friends who are that much older than he is.
Should age really make a difference? And if it shouldn't matter, are there guys in their late 20s and early 30s interested in a woman in her mid-30s who has friends in their late 30s to mid-40s?
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Happy wireless moment
So I've finally entered the 21st century and gone wireless at home.
When I first moved into my condo eight and a half years ago I was truly old school and used dial-up through a land line. A few years ago, I finally up-graded to DSL for my internet connection still through that same land line. And now, courtesy of a router from Target, I am officially wireless via that DSL connection. Still a bit old school but at least early 21st century old school instead of late 20th century old school!
And the funny part is that, despite using the same land line all these years for my internet connection, since I use my cell phone for everything phone wise I couldn't even tell you my home phone number since I never use it other than for my internet connection!
When I first moved into my condo eight and a half years ago I was truly old school and used dial-up through a land line. A few years ago, I finally up-graded to DSL for my internet connection still through that same land line. And now, courtesy of a router from Target, I am officially wireless via that DSL connection. Still a bit old school but at least early 21st century old school instead of late 20th century old school!
And the funny part is that, despite using the same land line all these years for my internet connection, since I use my cell phone for everything phone wise I couldn't even tell you my home phone number since I never use it other than for my internet connection!
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