Looking for a Job

So last week, prior to quitting my short-term, hell on earth, job I found Career Builder. Unlike Monster, Career Builder has mostly corporate entities posting. It's interesting, as a person on the job hunt, the things that you find yourself looking at.

For example, job postings with the title misspelled. My husband, bless him, has a job posted on Career Builder. However, his second in line for the throne failed to proof read her work, and therefore the title of the position is misspelled. I don't know if I would apply for a position where there are misspellings. I mean, if they are going to critique my resume, shouldn't I critique this - their first foray into finding someone suitable?

Secondly, if the job says small business or is asking for a dependable person (for which I am - unless I hate you - then it becomes a chore) be aware. The person hiring may be a micromanager. I didn't understand truly what a micromanager was until my short-term position. Having someone stand over my shoulder while I am waiting for a program to load is annoying. Having someone breathe down my neck while waiting for something while I am on the phone getting answers to questions that the manager can't answer because they don't know either is doubly annoying...but I digress...my month in hell, was truly just that - I'm working to throw off the negativity.

Some other things that the candidate should look into is the relationship with their placement agencies. I'm working with one, and I don't get along particularly well with the recruiter. I find her to be "fake." I don't know why - I don't know her well enough to be able to place this label upon her, but there's just something about her that I don't like. Maybe part of it is that she calls me before 9 a.m. When a person is out of work, they may not be out of bed at 7 a.m. Especially if they have a husband and child that aren't out of bed at 7 a.m. This is just a pet peeve, but it adds to the sensation of dislike.

I find that it is important to ask questions - so as you are reading the job description, write down questions that you may have and if you're lucky, and the place is posted as to whom is doing the hiring (rather than reading "Confidential Company" or a placement agency, research that company. Find out information about it and do your work - you want to know the culture of the place, what their business dress is and how comfortable are you working for a small, medium or large company or corporation.

So, overall, it is important to do one's research in looking for a job. It also helps to look smart, even though we all know you are smart. By doing your research, you are showing that you are truly interested. And also, follow your gut. I didn't do that and well, I gave up a month of my time in hell. But you know what else? If you do what I did and took a job that you hated, learn from that experience. Make sure you do. I know that I am not a good candidate for a one-on-one kind of office...in other words where there is just me and him and rules or regulations. In these kinds of situations, make sure that you feel comfortable speaking up for yourself. I did.

Also, ask lots of questions. If the person interviewing you appears to not be listening, stop talking. If you want, ask questions reiterating what you just said to see if they were listening - don't ask them if they were listening to you though - unless you know you don't want the job :) I did that, and guaranteed myself out of the running. Ask about the culture. If the manager doesn't know the term, you don't want work there.

Remember, interviewing isn't only about finding a job, it's about making sure that you'll be happy there too.

Rules of the Interview

If you've ever gone to a career website (Monster.com or CareerBuilder.com, for example) there are two things that you will undoubtedly run into. One is the resume writing button - which will eventually will cost an arm and a leg to have them write it, with "guaranteed results" and secondly, the article on "what to do and NOT to do in an interview".

It is the latter that I will be discussing rather than the former.

OK - now people, I've read articles on body language, how to dress, how to bathe (yes, people still refrain from this activity on occasion - can we say - GROSS!), and what to say and not to say. I mean they've had psychologists analyze people going through job interviews. It's really rather fascinating. However, after going through many different interviews, it is more how to answer the questions that is to me the most interesting.

See - I'm interviewing. I'm unemployed. I was laid off in December, but after a regrettable lapse in good decision making, I'm back to being unemployed. My choice. So, the interview itself should not provide a great deal of nervousness if you have any confidence within yourself whatsoever. Bathe, light fragrance (if you wear perfume - don't drench yourself in Shalimar) and if you're a gal, a pant suit (yes a coat and slacks that are sold together as an outfit) or a traditional business skirt suit do a remarkable job. Please make sure that this is in fashion and not something your mother would have worn in 1976. You can get these suits at reasonable prices at TJ Maxx, and Marshalls and for the plus size woman try Catherine's or Ann Taylor Woman. You can also find plus size clothing at reasonable prices at Bloomingdales. They're always having a sale at Bloomies. Macy's has great sales too - so if you don't find what you want at the true budget friendly shops, let me know and I'll try to lead you in the right direction.

So, now that we've established what a woman wears to a job interview, let me tell you that confidence can either make or break an interview. I am a confident woman. This means that I know that I am capable of doing a great job. However, there are those out there who will interview a confident person and not be confident within themselves. They can feel intimidated by you or find you aggressive. I've come across usually with recruiters. Unfortunately, they then tell you that you need to back down in regard to your personality. This is unfortunate because you want to "sell yourself" during the interview.

Now, you don't want to come across as arrogant. This can happen. It's a delicate balance.

So, my learnings today - after a phone interview - is to balance your personality with your desire for the position. Make sure that you really want the job, and be confident and ladylike as well as use good body posture and body language.

Good luck - and I wish myself good luck too as I've got quite a few interviews set up for the next few days. I'll keep you informed, and let you know how things go.

Unemployed - By Choice

So, it's been quite some time, but let me tell you - what a ride it has been. To recap, in December I was laid off by Fannie Mae due to our department being termed "unnecessary". After all, why is an equity Investor Relations department necessary when the U.S. government is your largest shareholder?

So anyway, it took me a bit of time to realize thaa I no longer was a "Fannie Mae'er" and I was rather upset by it...I still haven't taken my parking sticker off my windshield, but I digress...

So - December was recovery and dealing with home improvement stuff (new carpeting and tile in the upstairs region of our home and bathrooms), Christmas, travel to New York City and in general - relaxation.

January was about getting the word out that I was looking for a job. Things were moving upward and onward when I got offered a job in February - February 14th actually. It was a very good day for me...However, after the second interview I did with the guy, I should have listened to my gut...It never fails me.

So I went to work for a small "IRA - or Independent Registered Agent" - this is a guy who works for a life insurance company and is a sales man - of not just life and health insurance, but also annutities and financial management...Only the more commissions he can make, the happier he is. He also doesn't take his client's risk appetite into account which concerned me - but the worst thing of all is the way he talks about people.

He's a "good old boy." Small business is the only way he'll be able to make it - he can't work for a large institution because he can't manage others well at all. Everyone was "an a-hole", a "moron" or a "brainless wonder". Other words came into play, but this is a family friendly blog - or so I try to keep it that way...suffice to say, that last Monday (March 16th) he called me "stupid".

Now, I'm not stupid, and in my house, stupid is a bad word. Like wash your mouth out with soap kind of bad word. It's not kind and it's actually rather harsh - and to me, I kind of lost my temper - I know I scared him when I got up in his face and told him in no uncertain terms that "I was not stupid" and "no one ever called me stupid" - he apologized but it was not accepted. To me, that was almost the straw that broke the camels back...later that afternoon he called me stupid to one of his clients. That was the beginning of the end. After a great deal of insight, meditation and conferring with friends, family and recent colleagues, I determined that it was best to leave his employ "effective immediately". I did that this morning. He hung up the phone on me and then promptly called my colleague, with whom I was sharing office space, and called me a "fkin' btch" and that he knew that I was going to quit. So - I did a little happy dance right out the door.

So, now reality sets in and I've got to find a new job. I've got interviews set up - I hate interviews, but it's absolutely necessary.

So onward and upward I go! I did learn a great deal from this experience though. I do have self worth, I am good at what I do, and no job is worth being that unhappy for...Money, while necessary, does not make one happy...So for now, I'm happy - and poor...

All the best,

Amy