The Chocolate Chip Country

I went in and filled out some more paperwork, with the expectation of going to orientation on Monday. However, while I was walking back in the house, I got a call from one of the staffing agencies. They have a possible temp-to-hire data entry job.

So, um, if that comes through, then maybe I won't have to work at Wal-Mart.

This is the kind of dilemma I like having.

Job interview today at 4 pm

So many listings I see when I go looking say "high energy, outgoing, loves people"! Even for folks who will mostly be sitting at a computer, doing admin work, there's those tags.

Might as well just say, "Extraverts only!"

*headdesk*

After a chat with collinsmom yesterday and getting some suggestions from her on my resume, I've updated it. I think it's a lot better now, and I hope that'll help in my job hunting.

I called one of the Gamestops I applied at, and the guy said, "Look, why don't you just bring in a new application and we can schedule an interview." It seems they get tons of applications, but not that many people calling back to check. Squeaky wheel FTW! Interview is 4 pm on Thursday.

I got the printer set up as a shareable on our network, so I'm able to print Word docs from my computer now, even though the printer's connected to the little lappy in the front room. Ain't technology wonderful?

Well, it looks like Casper will finally be retired. It's been a good car, but to get it fixed up enough to pass Virginia's State Inspection laws costs more than a grand.

So, we're trying to figure out what to do. I need a car to look for (and go to) a job. I need a job to pay for a car. The usual transportation Catch-22. I really need a job so we can start socking away savings again- our margin of error is dwindling away.

The job hunt has been discouraging.

I filled out a seven page (front and back) application today. Seven pages.

Why? *whimper*

Filling out the same information over and over again is getting to me. Worse, they want you to write it down on the application every stinking time, even if you have all of the information already arranged on a resume.

My throat was a little scratchy yesterday. Today it's a little more. I did get four applications turned in today - one to one store, and three perfectly identical ones to three different stores in a chain.

I hope I'm not coming down with something.

Emails worked. I'm scheduled for some job shadowing tomorrow at 2pm to see if this is a good assignment for me. And when the contact person called, the phone even behaved. Good news!

I'd appreciate prayers for me tomorrow. I've never actually worked the phones at a call center- my last job was technically at one, but I did filing and other admin things instead. It's new territory for me, so I'm nervous.

I've been sweating over the revision of my resume. The book I have to help me isn't quite as helpful as I'd like, but something did break over me while looking at the jobs I've had.

Every single job I have had besides one temp assignment involved working with people. Most of them involved a lot of active time teaching or assisting others.

I have taught people about leather working, wood carving, basketry, dutch-oven cooking, roping, branding, and historical ranching- and that's just what was required by my jobs!

I have assisted people in creating publications, organizing large events, and understanding and using computer equipment.

I have led several volunteer events that I had previously planned, interviewed people for articles and research, and moderated discussion forums.

In all of this, I have had to learn networking and cooperative skills as well as hone my decision making and problem solving abilities. At times, I have led, while other times, I have allowed others to develop their own leadership.

And here I was wondering what I had to offer people who wanted to hire me. It's taken quite a bit of wandering in the wilderness for this ray of sunshine to break through. Now, how do I work that into my resume?

I signed up on the flylady mailing list. Emails, ahoy!

I am also trying to apply a little of what she says about cleaning to the panic I feel about going job hunting.

There are a couple of problems that she addresses. The first, of course, is that of having no idea where or how to start- you just get overwhelmed by the immensity of the task. The FlyLady constantly exhorts, "Baby steps, baby steps." Do one thing to get started. Then do the next.

The second problem is that once we start, we want it all to be done as soon as possible. We'll plunge in and work as hard as we can, and then burn out and give up and let things slide until they're worse than before. I recognize that feeling. I want to be able to just rush out, fill out an application or go through an interview, and have the job. I want it over with.

It's an odd kind of patience to develop. No rushing. Just one step at a time. Not too many steps at once, either. Pace yourself, but make sure to do a little something each day.

With that in mind, once I got over my first feeling of being overwhelmed, I sat down and thought about what I need to do to find a job. This is my list of things I need to have ready while hunting:

1. An updated resume.
2. A list of references. Three to five names, with addresses and phone numbers.
3. A list of where I've lived for the last five years. (Much easier than in the past! I've lived here and also across the street over the last five years.)
4. A pen for filling out forms.

So, tomorrow, I will sit down with a book we have that has step-by-step instructions to writing a good resume. That's my baby step for tomorrow. In the meantime, if anybody who knows me personally wants to volunteer to be a reference, I'd appreciate the help. ;)

Also, if I forgot anything on the list, please let me know.