I just got turned down for another job. I am at a complete loss. I know I've mentioned this before, but I have been looking since January. I have applied for over 70 jobs and only got a handful of interviews and not one job offer. I keep getting told that there were a lot of applicants and although I was a good applicant I wasn't good enough. I give up!!!
Showing posts with label jobs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jobs. Show all posts
27 July 2009
6 April 2009
Looking ahead....
Well it's Monday and I'm looking at the beginning of a new job search week. I want to thank everyone with there encourage comments and emails. I really appreciate all of you! I need that encouragement for later in the week as it seems believe it or not i have a new interview. This time a totally different job. all the other interviews have ended empty and in the trash bin. This on will be on Thursday and it's with the the Department of Health and Human Services Disability Services division. It's a position for a project coordinator which is right up my alley. So I'm not going to say anymore and I've probably already said to much but here's to Thursday and until then I keep filling out these selection criterion.
21 March 2009
Interview completed and now we wait...
I had my interview on Thursday. I think it went well. You know how you just get a gut feeling about something. I talked with the lady doing the interview for 45 minutes. They say that the longer the interview the better the chances. I said all the right things. At one point she said that she thought I would be perfect for their store. I didn't persue that as I didn't want to look overly wanton. She ended the interview by telling me that she would be making up her mind by Monday and that she would be calling all the successful applicants. I say all because there are two positions. I told her that I would really love to work for their company and that I looked forward to hearing from her on Monday.
So, now I wait. I hate waiting. Until I her from her I must continue my search because you never know. Some of these interviewers are very good at what they do. They can have you believing that you are the best applicant they've seen all day and at the same time they really think you're a loser. I hope she wasn't one of those. Monday seems such a long way off.
So, now I wait. I hate waiting. Until I her from her I must continue my search because you never know. Some of these interviewers are very good at what they do. They can have you believing that you are the best applicant they've seen all day and at the same time they really think you're a loser. I hope she wasn't one of those. Monday seems such a long way off.
17 March 2009
That was a winner...
Well I'm back from my every third month trip to Sydney. As usual I went to see my neurologist to see how things are going with my peripheral neuropathy. My check-up went well. I'm not any worse but I'm also not any better. Although I have to clarify one point. When I say I've not gotten any worse I mean that the damage that has been done to my nerves has not spread. The damage that has been done to my nerves can not be fixed at this time as there is not cure. So what we keep checking is to make sure no new damage occurs and that the current damaged cells don't some how affect something else in my body. For instance, I have been having trouble going to the bathroom (No. 1 for those that really need to know) for several months. Since my back surgery that problem has gotten better because the surgery opened some nerve pathways that cut off by the obstructed nerves unfortunately the surgery couldn't fix it completely and it's not 100% but we keep moving forward. I'm not sure if that made sense but it's hard enough for me to understand much less explain.
I have had an increase in pain and the specialist believes it's one of three or a combination of three things. Those things are, 1) I'm stressed about finding a job and the stress is affecting my damaged nerve cells making them act up more, 2) because I have been getting the feeling back in my legs ever since the back surgery which was meant to do just that, give me back the feelings in my legs, however the reconnection of these nerves may serve as a new venue (pathways) for the damaged cells to send out even more incorrect impulses then they already send out. The biggest problem with that is those impulses happen to be pain impulses, and 3) it may just be a case that my current pain medication is being metabolised by my liver quicker and so we will have to raise the pain medicine levels. The specialist is erring on the side of caution and he has raised my pain medicine and we will review it in three months at which time I hopefully will have a job which will reduce the stress.
Oh and before I forget it, when I said that was a winner I was referring to my 12 of 12. It seemed to have gotten a lot of people's attention and I'm glad. I will continue to do the 12 of 12 and who knows what we shall see. You'll just have to stick around and check in, at least every 12th day of the month. Other than the visit to Sydney the only other news is 1) my mum seems to have come through the surgery fine and it looks like they got all of the cancer. They will have to monitor from here on but it looks good and 2) I have a second interview with a company I had a 30 minute telephone interview last week. The second interview is this Thursday at noon and unless I totally f&%k this interview up I believe I should be able to get an offer from this place. I will let you know what happens as soon as I know. Until then take care and stay safe...
24 February 2009
I'm so over looking for a job!!!
Surprise two posts back to back, but I needed to do this one just to vent. I am so over looking for a job and having to do everything that it involves. You have to of course actually look for the jobs. So you search the newspaper, the Internet, you check out signs in retail storefronts (yes I'm that desperate) I will say there is nothing wrong with retail. I worked in that field for ten years and did everything from stock rooms to area manager. I loved retail but at some point I decided to branch out and when I did I liked what happened. Anyway, that's not the point of this little rant I just wanted to make sure that all of you in retail understand that I think that what you do is not worthless and some how beneath me, far from it, I've just changed directions that's all.
So as I was saying, you have to first find a job that's advertised. Next you have to actually make an application for the job. Now in some cases all you have to do is submit a resume or as they like to use here your CV (Curriculum Vitae) Now CV is not incorrect it just sounds a bit old fashioned and a bit snobbish to me but hey what ever makes the employer happy. Sending in a CV and then waiting for a reply is the easy one. However, I don't know if things have changed in the states since I moved from there ten years ago but there is something they do over here that I had never done before in terms of looking or applying for a job. They have this thing called a selection criteria. I may have written about this before and if I have to bad because as I said I need this little rant and if you are reading this and have read something to the effect previously I apologise even though I don't have to because it's my blog and I'll rant if I want to but I apologise because that's the kind of guy I am.
Back to selection criteria, they are these statements, usually 5-7 of them, that ask you or state things that the employer wants you to respond to in a way as to tell them and show by example how in your previous work you are now capable to do what they are asking of you. Here is an example of one of the criteria I recently worked on, without my response as it would make a long boring post, and I can make it boring without all of that. Anyway, here is an example:
1. Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in project management practices including stakeholder liaison and resource management.
2. Demonstrated planning, organisation and coordination skills, together with the ability to assist with the development, analysis and review of policy and planning initiatives.
3. Well developed personal communication skills including conflict prevention and resolution skills, and the ability to consult and liaise in a manner which is clear, fluent and makes a positive impression on others.
4. Demonstrated experience in using word processing, spreadsheets, data base computer software packages and web based information and knowledge systems.
5. Ability to collate data and interpret and analyse information, and to prepare written, oral and other communication formats in a logical sequence and which is readily understood by the intended audience.
6. Well developed ability to work individually and as a member of a team and proven ability to be adaptable and flexible to achieve the best results in an environment of change, ambiguity and reports.
7. Demonstrated research ability to support the development of strategies including literature searches and web based investigation.
Now some of this may sound straight forward and it is, but when you have to do two or three of these at a time it can sometimes be overwhelming. It does come in handy when some of the same question/statements show up on different jobs selection criteria. You can then do a bit of good old cut and paste and then tweak it to the specific job. I just feel like I am better at pleading my case in person than I am in written form. It's not that I can't do it in written form but I don't see how an employer can really judge you without really getting to see you, hear you, and overall getting a view of the whole package. The selection criteria is just a bunch of words, even if your responses are very well thought out and strategically versed words they are still just words and I believe I am more than just a bunch of words.
So, after you fill in the selection criteria and along with that you send in your CV, you then wait to see if you are short-listed for an interview. If you get an interview you are then interviewed by a panel of at least three people usually made up of the direct supervisor, someone else in the organisation that has knowledge of what is required for the position you are applying, and finally someone from outside the organisation that knows something of what the job entails. Usually this person is a stakeholder with common interests with that organisation. When you go into the interview there is a set group of questions that they are going to ask you. Most organisations will let you look at the questions about 15 minutes before you go in for the interview. You sit for the interview with the panel on one side of the table and you on the other which is very intimidating setting up a power setting making them definitely in charge and then after the interview you wait.
I know this all seems probably pretty normal to a lot of people but for me right now it is exhausting. Oh and let's not forget that I also have to maintain my job diary book in which I have to list all the jobs I've applied for and or made some attempt to seek employment with an employer. The book that shows that I made at least ten job contacts per fortnight (every two weeks) so I can prove to the unemployment agency that I am actually looking and that they will continue to pay me a bit of financially assistance while I look.
I don't know maybe I'm just having a bad day. It is raining maybe that's why I'm so down. It's just so very frustrating and overwhelming sometimes. It also doesn't help that the world is in an economic slump thus taking jobs away. All I can do is to keep trying and hope that something will come along and even though they say don't just jump at the first offer you get I'll have to admit it will be really hard for me not to do so. At the same time I have to get an interview first. I'm sure it will happen. Anyway, thanks for letting me rant and thanks even more for continuing to read down this far into this post. You either like me or like what I've written or you have way to much time on your hands. See ya' around soon...
So as I was saying, you have to first find a job that's advertised. Next you have to actually make an application for the job. Now in some cases all you have to do is submit a resume or as they like to use here your CV (Curriculum Vitae) Now CV is not incorrect it just sounds a bit old fashioned and a bit snobbish to me but hey what ever makes the employer happy. Sending in a CV and then waiting for a reply is the easy one. However, I don't know if things have changed in the states since I moved from there ten years ago but there is something they do over here that I had never done before in terms of looking or applying for a job. They have this thing called a selection criteria. I may have written about this before and if I have to bad because as I said I need this little rant and if you are reading this and have read something to the effect previously I apologise even though I don't have to because it's my blog and I'll rant if I want to but I apologise because that's the kind of guy I am.
Back to selection criteria, they are these statements, usually 5-7 of them, that ask you or state things that the employer wants you to respond to in a way as to tell them and show by example how in your previous work you are now capable to do what they are asking of you. Here is an example of one of the criteria I recently worked on, without my response as it would make a long boring post, and I can make it boring without all of that. Anyway, here is an example:
1. Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in project management practices including stakeholder liaison and resource management.
2. Demonstrated planning, organisation and coordination skills, together with the ability to assist with the development, analysis and review of policy and planning initiatives.
3. Well developed personal communication skills including conflict prevention and resolution skills, and the ability to consult and liaise in a manner which is clear, fluent and makes a positive impression on others.
4. Demonstrated experience in using word processing, spreadsheets, data base computer software packages and web based information and knowledge systems.
5. Ability to collate data and interpret and analyse information, and to prepare written, oral and other communication formats in a logical sequence and which is readily understood by the intended audience.
6. Well developed ability to work individually and as a member of a team and proven ability to be adaptable and flexible to achieve the best results in an environment of change, ambiguity and reports.
7. Demonstrated research ability to support the development of strategies including literature searches and web based investigation.
Now some of this may sound straight forward and it is, but when you have to do two or three of these at a time it can sometimes be overwhelming. It does come in handy when some of the same question/statements show up on different jobs selection criteria. You can then do a bit of good old cut and paste and then tweak it to the specific job. I just feel like I am better at pleading my case in person than I am in written form. It's not that I can't do it in written form but I don't see how an employer can really judge you without really getting to see you, hear you, and overall getting a view of the whole package. The selection criteria is just a bunch of words, even if your responses are very well thought out and strategically versed words they are still just words and I believe I am more than just a bunch of words.
So, after you fill in the selection criteria and along with that you send in your CV, you then wait to see if you are short-listed for an interview. If you get an interview you are then interviewed by a panel of at least three people usually made up of the direct supervisor, someone else in the organisation that has knowledge of what is required for the position you are applying, and finally someone from outside the organisation that knows something of what the job entails. Usually this person is a stakeholder with common interests with that organisation. When you go into the interview there is a set group of questions that they are going to ask you. Most organisations will let you look at the questions about 15 minutes before you go in for the interview. You sit for the interview with the panel on one side of the table and you on the other which is very intimidating setting up a power setting making them definitely in charge and then after the interview you wait.
I know this all seems probably pretty normal to a lot of people but for me right now it is exhausting. Oh and let's not forget that I also have to maintain my job diary book in which I have to list all the jobs I've applied for and or made some attempt to seek employment with an employer. The book that shows that I made at least ten job contacts per fortnight (every two weeks) so I can prove to the unemployment agency that I am actually looking and that they will continue to pay me a bit of financially assistance while I look.
I don't know maybe I'm just having a bad day. It is raining maybe that's why I'm so down. It's just so very frustrating and overwhelming sometimes. It also doesn't help that the world is in an economic slump thus taking jobs away. All I can do is to keep trying and hope that something will come along and even though they say don't just jump at the first offer you get I'll have to admit it will be really hard for me not to do so. At the same time I have to get an interview first. I'm sure it will happen. Anyway, thanks for letting me rant and thanks even more for continuing to read down this far into this post. You either like me or like what I've written or you have way to much time on your hands. See ya' around soon...
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