Well here it is almost Christmas... and I'm still among the unemployed. Well, almost. I've been working at said company since August as a temporary Administrative Assistant (that's the new buzzword for Secretary these days.) It's not bad. I've moved five times in four months and learned five new desks. That translates to twelve different managers - whew! I've learned four new software applications and two new phone systems. Not bad for a fifty-something without a recent office job. Still, I'd sure like that permanent position. Corporate practice now is to "try you on for size" before hiring. Makes sense. What if you don't match the personality of the manager you'll be supporting? What if?
In the old days, you learned to mesh. Sometimes it was a challenge, but you learned to put your own things aside to do the job. Maybe the way they do it now is better, I don't know. I haven't had a much of a chance to find out. One position was a temp-to-perm slot, but the female manager didn't think too much of my work ethic. It seems I was always looking for something more to do. Go figure!
On the other hand, working as a temp has its advantages. I have plenty of time to do my homework. The owner of the desk usually leaves very little to do other than answer phones. That means I sit still a lot of the time. So I read, and do my Algebra, and now I have time to write. Guess you'll be seeing a lot more of me for awhile!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Friday, August 24, 2007
Out of a job and what's my worth?
Looking for work never seemed so hard when I wasn't really looking. Funny how that works. Jobs fell in my lap. I'd just be chatting someone up and they'd say something like, "Oh, you know how to do books?" or "Oh, you're a writer?" and then they'd make some reference to needing some work done and the next thing I knew, I'd be working. Now that I'm unemployed, it's a whole different scene.
I'll bet I've filled out 50-75 job applications, submitted as many resumes, and gone on half a dozen interviews. Still out of a job. How do I feel? Well, I'm wondering what my worth is. I mean, I know my guy loves me. I know my kids love me. And my Mom. I feel great here on the docks. But in the marketplace? I'm not so sure all of a sudden. Feeling a little unsure of myself. A little wobbly on my feet. My qualifications look great on paper. But do they translate into marketable skills? Evidently not marketable enough. I'm finding out that corporate wheels move verrrry slowly.
I've interviewed three times with one large company. Great place... terrific benefits... lovely offices... happy employees... I'd love to work there. Trouble is, I've freelanced for the past twenty years. It's felt great, but it doesn't translate well on my resume. Looks like I've been sitting on my generous laurels for a long time. And it's not like I can show a portfolio to my prospective employer. They want something concrete... like references from an employer with a brick and mortar. It sure has given me a new appreciation for 50-somethings who've been laid-off and have to look for a new job. And kids fresh out of school looking for a first gig.
Job hunting is HARD work! Not to worry though. I'm going on another interview with said company today. The Human Resources Manager is a love. She has gone out of her way to hook me up with a temp-to-permanent slot possibility. Now I just have to wow the prospective managers with my skills, my moxy, and my smile. Wish me luck!
I'll bet I've filled out 50-75 job applications, submitted as many resumes, and gone on half a dozen interviews. Still out of a job. How do I feel? Well, I'm wondering what my worth is. I mean, I know my guy loves me. I know my kids love me. And my Mom. I feel great here on the docks. But in the marketplace? I'm not so sure all of a sudden. Feeling a little unsure of myself. A little wobbly on my feet. My qualifications look great on paper. But do they translate into marketable skills? Evidently not marketable enough. I'm finding out that corporate wheels move verrrry slowly.
I've interviewed three times with one large company. Great place... terrific benefits... lovely offices... happy employees... I'd love to work there. Trouble is, I've freelanced for the past twenty years. It's felt great, but it doesn't translate well on my resume. Looks like I've been sitting on my generous laurels for a long time. And it's not like I can show a portfolio to my prospective employer. They want something concrete... like references from an employer with a brick and mortar. It sure has given me a new appreciation for 50-somethings who've been laid-off and have to look for a new job. And kids fresh out of school looking for a first gig.
Job hunting is HARD work! Not to worry though. I'm going on another interview with said company today. The Human Resources Manager is a love. She has gone out of her way to hook me up with a temp-to-permanent slot possibility. Now I just have to wow the prospective managers with my skills, my moxy, and my smile. Wish me luck!
Friday, August 17, 2007
Traxxas Revo's Rock!
I've been into RC cars a long time but just recently got back into the hobby and I am glad I did as it came at a time in my life where the daily and hourly stress levels were incredible. My RC car gave me the stress relief and included a huge dose of pure fun. The Traxxas Revo 3.3 is a RC monster truck. It's a plush ride and is excellent for anything I throw at it. Need to blow off steam? RC cars could be just what you're looking for.
Joe Sansoucie
If you own a Traxxas Revo 2.5 or the new 3.3, check out the YouTube group I started for us Revo drivers. Join and share your vids with the group!
Click this link.
Nitro RC Racing - Revo Group
If you are an offline or online business owner and wish you could get more interested visitors to your website, stay tuned because like Mary said, we have something for you. :-)
I've been into RC cars a long time but just recently got back into the hobby and I am glad I did as it came at a time in my life where the daily and hourly stress levels were incredible. My RC car gave me the stress relief and included a huge dose of pure fun. The Traxxas Revo 3.3 is a RC monster truck. It's a plush ride and is excellent for anything I throw at it. Need to blow off steam? RC cars could be just what you're looking for.
Joe Sansoucie
If you own a Traxxas Revo 2.5 or the new 3.3, check out the YouTube group I started for us Revo drivers. Join and share your vids with the group!
Click this link.
Nitro RC Racing - Revo Group
If you are an offline or online business owner and wish you could get more interested visitors to your website, stay tuned because like Mary said, we have something for you. :-)
Friday the 17th
Wow. I never knew there were so many bloggers out there! I've been in the dark. Thought I knew a lot about the Internet. Time to update the old thinking apparatus. I'd spend more time writing only I'm having too much fun reading posts...
See ya later!
See ya later!
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Blogging Day One
Isn't it amazing how the mind serves up its connections?
I was just trying to get a head start on my first week of school assignments at University of Phoenix Online when I tackled my 4th reading assignment, Blogs Will Change Your Business. Long article. Well written, I might add. All about blogs. It got me to thinking. My friend Joe has been talking blogs, blogs, blogs for weeks now. And I've been letting it go in one ear and out the other. You know what I mean. If I don't know much about a subject, I don't often grab the importance of it at first blush. Never mind that Joe is excited... I mean REALLY excited... about blogs. It just sounded like so much jibberish to me. Then I read this article about how blogs are sweeping the Internet world... media, marketing, personal communications. Wow! It sparked my neurons! I mean, the potential for networking is incredible! I write, you read, you write, we link... the possibilities are endless.
Take Joe for example. He's got this business idea. No, I can't tell you the details because then you'd do it and he'd be upset that I gave it away. But I can tell you that his idea is hot, and it will definitely grow faster if he makes use of blogs. I know that now because I read the article and I can see that the whole blog thing makes sense. And business isn't the only thing he's going to use blogs for. He has this hobby... racing remote control cars. He's crazy about the things. Even has a video on YouTube. Has a blog about RC cars, too. And he writes a blog for another business: http://www.themoneywave.com/ He says it grows the business faster than anything else he does. I'm not surprised. Now that I think about it, where else can you get free advertising for the price of a bit of time spent writing a few well-chosen words? Nowhere! Talk about an idea whose time has come!
You know, Joe has asked me to go in on his new business venture with him. All I have to do is write for his blog... Know what? I'll bet the silly thing takes off like a scalded ape! I'm no fool... I'm going to do it!
Want to see Joe's video? Great music!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcSz3NYJOqY
If you've been wanting to go back to school but haven't made the leap yet, check it out at http://www.phoenix.edu/
Want to read the article Blogs Will Change Your Business?
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_18/b3931001_mz001.htm
I was just trying to get a head start on my first week of school assignments at University of Phoenix Online when I tackled my 4th reading assignment, Blogs Will Change Your Business. Long article. Well written, I might add. All about blogs. It got me to thinking. My friend Joe has been talking blogs, blogs, blogs for weeks now. And I've been letting it go in one ear and out the other. You know what I mean. If I don't know much about a subject, I don't often grab the importance of it at first blush. Never mind that Joe is excited... I mean REALLY excited... about blogs. It just sounded like so much jibberish to me. Then I read this article about how blogs are sweeping the Internet world... media, marketing, personal communications. Wow! It sparked my neurons! I mean, the potential for networking is incredible! I write, you read, you write, we link... the possibilities are endless.
Take Joe for example. He's got this business idea. No, I can't tell you the details because then you'd do it and he'd be upset that I gave it away. But I can tell you that his idea is hot, and it will definitely grow faster if he makes use of blogs. I know that now because I read the article and I can see that the whole blog thing makes sense. And business isn't the only thing he's going to use blogs for. He has this hobby... racing remote control cars. He's crazy about the things. Even has a video on YouTube. Has a blog about RC cars, too. And he writes a blog for another business: http://www.themoneywave.com/ He says it grows the business faster than anything else he does. I'm not surprised. Now that I think about it, where else can you get free advertising for the price of a bit of time spent writing a few well-chosen words? Nowhere! Talk about an idea whose time has come!
You know, Joe has asked me to go in on his new business venture with him. All I have to do is write for his blog... Know what? I'll bet the silly thing takes off like a scalded ape! I'm no fool... I'm going to do it!
Want to see Joe's video? Great music!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcSz3NYJOqY
If you've been wanting to go back to school but haven't made the leap yet, check it out at http://www.phoenix.edu/
Want to read the article Blogs Will Change Your Business?
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_18/b3931001_mz001.htm
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