Job Search

Taking It Personal

This last week is what I would call… shitty. It started out with the promise of a new job and other great life changing things and ended with a whole bunch of rejection.

On Thursday I had my much anticipated interview with SmartPak Equine. I woke up early, got ready for my interview which lasted about 30 minutes on the phone. I thought I did well! I was confident in my answers, I felt completely qualified for the position with limited training. I was ready for a new adventure. Not even 24 hours later at 8:08 EST I received a rejection email stating that SmartPak was looking at other candidates because even though my experience and educated was “impressive” they didn’t feel it matched the position. I politely emailed back and asked what I could work on for the future, if anything in particular prevented me from going further in the interview process. The response was:

We evaluate candidates on their equine hands-on experience and knowledge, customer service and sales background, office experience and professionalism and overall personal demeanor.

After spending countless hours researching the company policies from recycling to charity to employee benefits and being rejected because apparently someone took offense to my existence is a leaving me very disappointed. Especially, since they couldn’t even give me the courtesy of telling me what exactly I did wrong. I have the qualifications and more than enough experience to hit the ground running. SmartPak just missed out on the best employee they will never have.

Friday I got sick. Throat hurting, nasal congestion, I have no voice sick. Sunday, I was dumped. TRIFECTA!

So what am I doing about it? Selling family heirlooms and furniture to make sure my horses get fed and new shoes this month. And paying pesky things like my student loan and credit car ($150 over limit I might add).

Excuse the tone of this entry, but I’m 10 lbs of angry and disappointed in a 5lb sack.

Jobs I’ve Applied to in the last 2 weeks: (P.S. Way too lazy to link to the jobs)

Author name:: Natalie
Discussion:: 3 Comments

Change is good

I’m a Taurus, a steadfast loyal creature of habit. I go to bed around the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning. I’m a “nester.” I believe in making spaces my own and nothing throws me off more than sterile rooms and waking up at the wrong time or other variations from the routine.

Which is why just as I seem to get comfortable in a routine life throws me a curve ball. This past week I got a few really awesome curve balls right to the head.

First, was a surprisingly good opportunity. In October, I decided there wasn’t any reason at all why I couldn’t find my dream job. So I went directly to the source and applied for positions at SmartPak, Ariat, and other equine related companies. No matter what position I applied to at SmartPak my resume seemed to be bounced back within moments of submission, telling me I wasn’t using the right format, keywords, or other criteria and the system was rejecting it. So I called HR <<< Me being proactive. Damnit I deserve good things! I spoke with someone in HR who looked over my resume, suggested some changes and passed it on. Next thing I know, I was asked if I was able to do a phone interview. Um, yes. OF COURSE I’m able to do a phone interview. It’s scheduled for March 22. (Prayers, good/positive thoughts, Interpretive dances and other forms of luck accepted at this time). SmartPak is of course, based in Massachusetts and I’m a California girl. I’d be moving 3000+ miles away from the only home I’ve ever known, away from my horses, friends, and glorious sunshine, to an expensive area near Cape Cod and Boston where I don’t know anyone, it gets really cold in the winter, and it snows. Of course I’ve never wanted anything more in my entire life (except to win the lotto and start a horse rescue… that’s still #1). Off I went researching the area, tax rates, living situations etc. I believe in being informed. I also believe in seeing myself where I want to be. So, I now see myself in Plymouth, MA in a studio apartment with my dog dressed in everything I own because it’s effin’ cold and snowing. Life make that happen please. Positive thinking like this often leads to disappointment as my visions often go up in smoke, but it only takes once for it to work. I’m still hopeful.

The second curve ball was less awesome. My trainer of 10+ years and I had a disagreement about what should happen with my horses. She wanted to use them for her clients and if her clients didn’t want them I should find people to lease them who wanted to be her clients. Basically, she wanted to use my awesome well trained horses for her gain which meant, I was still paying most of their expenses and unable to ride them at all. Say what? I don’t think so. I told her I felt bullied (which I did, I think those types of power moves are bullying at its finest), and she asked me to GTFO of her barn. At which point Gibbs’ former owner tried to reclaim him (Um what?). Saturday was stressful to say the least. However, I know have CC leased (from my house now), and I can see both horses out my window when I wake up in the morning.

Moral of the story: Change is good and everything happens for a reason. It’s uncomfortable, it’s scary, you never know if you’ll come out on top or hanging onto the edge of a cliff with your fingernails, but in the end what’s meant to be is.

Author name:: Natalie
Discussion:: 2 Comments

The Well Is Running Dry

2011 was a year of self improvement. After graduating and being unemployed for a year I decided to focus and work on myself, thinking if I improved who I was, I could find employment. I was wrong of course, there’s no replacing a bad economy with a perfect perky person. However, I did learn a lot about who I was, who I wanted to be, and what I was capable of.

This included what I defined as rock bottom. I thought college was rock bottom and I was so wrong. I though being unemployed for two years was rock bottom, again I was so wrong. I sold my car, maxed out my credit cards, defaulted on a loan, and the difference is I know I haven’t hit bottom yet. Every day feels like I’m swimming against the current but I know it could be worse.

Another thing I learned is I can be patient. I can wait for that perfect opportunity just as long as I get a little money trickling in from somewhere. I can put in effort everyday frustrated that I’m not seeing changes, knowing 3 months from now life will look completely different.

2012 was supposed to be the year that all of these changes manifested into a wonderful person with a perfect life. HAHAHAHA. That’s hilarious. I’m still chubby, I’m still unemployed, I’m still carless, and I have $36 in my bank account and two horses to feed. Sometimes I wish I could pin point the exact decision I made in the past that led me down this path. Somedays I wish I could change that decision, others I’m thankful for my problems. Everyday it would be nice to know what needle in the haystack caused it to light on fire.

Applied to:

Customer Service Rep through Kelly Services

Customer Service Receptionist

Graphic Design Intern through Neogen Corp

Graphic Design Support Specialist

Customer Service Representative

Office Assistant

Sales Assistant/Office Manager

Author name:: Natalie
Discussion:: 3 Comments

Someone Else’s Shoes

This is the first entry of what I hope to be an ongoing project. When I started this blog I wanted to know that I wasn’t alone. That nothing was wrong with me because I couldn’t find work, that I wasn’t flawed or doing some horrible job seeking faux-pas. Now I want others to know that they aren’t alone either.

I’ve never met Kat. In fact, I hadn’t even conversed with her much on Twitter until I started looking for people to guest blog. Thanks to this project I know that she is a Californian dog person living in Oregon, she likes eating cheese, getting her booze on, and watching Flashdance (if she’s anything like me those three activities happen at the same time). She’s also a single mother with a shoe addiction (now I know why my mom has all those shoes). This is her story which has amazing parallels to my story.

I’m coming up on a one year anniversary next week. One that I never wanted or expected to have. On February 2nd, I will be unemployed for a year. One. Whole. Year. It’s been eventful. And boring. Depressing. Stressful. Lonely. Scary. I’ve probably learned more about myself than I ever wanted to. And about my friends and who they are.

When I was first laid off, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I’d stay up until 1 or 2 in the morning. Watching TV. Playing online. Doing nothing really important. I just didn’t know what to do. Sleep didn’t seem as necessary but yet it also seemed like a waste of time. I was supposed to be looking for a job. And I really did at first. I was so hopeful because there seemed to be jobs to apply to. Until they all dried up. And none of them called me. I seriously thought that I’d have a job within the first two months. That didn’t happen.

When the weather warmed up, I took advantage of my “vacation”. I was out in the sun every day. I got the best tan of my life. I still applied for jobs, I just didn’t expect anything from them. I got what I expected.

I considered moving. The reasons for me staying where I live seemed to be disappearing one by one. My family moved away a few years ago. I ended a long-term relationship. Now the job was gone. So I applied out of state. I got a call for an interview, but they wanted someone yesterday and weren’t interested in waiting for anyone to move. And then my daughter started school again and it seemed like my window of opportunity had closed.

Speaking of school, I decided to go back myself. I’m not in love with any of the jobs that I’ve done. Even the ones I was good at. Nothing really excited me, yet here I was, looking to do the same things over again. Trying desperately to get a job that I didn’t really want. I thought about the parts of my jobs that I’ve enjoyed and the things that I’m really good at. I spent a couple of months researching schools and their programs before choosing one online. It’s been the one thing to boost my self-esteem. Seeing the grades (A’s!) that I know I deserve help to foster the feeling that I’m on the right track. Finally.

Oh yeah, that self-esteem issue? That’s been the worst part of my last year. Rejection after rejection after deafening silence after rejection after crickets tends to tear down what’s left of one’s limited self esteem. There have been days where I’ve woken up and checked my phone only to find a rejection email from a job that I was really counting on. I don’t get out of bed on those days. It seems pointless. Somehow I seem pointless. I won’t even get into the depression I suffer from which is only compounded by the rejection and the lack of money and the frequent loneliness. Seriously, there are days I wouldn’t even speak out loud if I didn’t live with dogs.

What have I learned from all of this? Aside from how frugal I can be and how long I can go without buying groceries, I’ve learned how resourceful I am. I’ve learned how great my friends are and how much support I really have. I’ve learned to rely on other people. But just a little bit. I’ve learned it’s okay to break down now and then. And even when I don’t want to be strong because it’s so exhausting and I just want to give up instead, I’m really not a quitter. I get down, but I don’t stay down.

So, a year. I’m looking at filing for my unemployment extension next week but I’m also hoping for an interview. At my old job. Seems they’ve got more work than people to do it. Ironic, isn’t it?

Yeah, I’ve also learned to laugh this year. A lot. Because sometimes it’s the only thing that makes sense.

You can find Kat’s blog here or find her on twitter @Kat_Alexander

Author name:: Natalie
Discussion:: No Comments

Oh Rejections

Just a few rejections I’ve received in the last week.

Rejected from Syngenta for a marketing position.

Rejection from Ocean Mist Farms… complete with typo. Keep it classy Ocean Mist!

The one thing I hate about the automated rejection emails is there is no one to contact to ask about improvements. Generally, when I have a phone call or follow up with an interview and I don’t get the position I ask if there are things I can do to improve my chances next time.

Author name:: Natalie
Discussion:: 2 Comments

Finally a Rainy Day!

Most people wouldn’t be happy about waking up to a rainy Monday, but for an Ag Girl it’s a beautiful sight!

Northern California is finally getting some much needed rain and snow and I get to curl up on the couch and scour the internet for jobs without feeling like a lazy bum. It also allows me to blog and catch up on my internets and I’m pleased to say Aggirl.com has some AMAZING things in the woodworks for next week!

Now down to business

Rejections:

Senior Content Writer- this company is reevaluating its growth strategy and the position has been put on the back burner. Freelance work is available and I think I’ll take it.

Newly Applied:

Administrative Receptionist Local Position

Receptionist Local Position

Web Marketer for Drysdales

Marketing Communications Lead for Syngenta

Author name:: Natalie
Discussion:: 1 Comment

Monday Blues

In an effort to keep myself on a schedule, I spend my weeks doing “work” and my weekends doing housework. And even though I’m mostly unemployed I still have nightmares about going to work on a Monday. I’d much rather sip coffee and watch Doctor Who than write a blog post, catch up on all three of my twitter feeds, and be out the door by 9AM to run multiple errands and shovel horse poo. Life is filled with things we don’t want to do, but I’d still prefer if the week started on Tuesday.

Job Search Update

Last week’s entries —– Nothing, no word, no rejection, just sending my information out into cyberspace. It’s a lovely feeling.

Applied today

Sales Representative Fruit Distributing Corp of California

Sales Representative x2 Harris Moran

Marketing Assistant Virtus Nutrition

Still waiting to hear back from the local Senior Content Writer position for Environmental Services. Apparently, the office has had the plague. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Author name:: Natalie
Discussion:: No Comments

New Year Same Goals

I begin every year with the same goals: lose weight, be a better person, let go of things that don’t matter, keep a tidy house, etc. The last few years I’ve added “find a job.”

More about resolutions and goals later. For the past two years I’ve successfully failed at the job hunt. Why? I have no idea. I have marketable abilities, I’m friendly, I have a nice personality and attitude, and yet there seems to always be someone better than I am that is getting the job. Or perhaps, it’s just not meant to be. What is the difference though, between meant to be and making things happen?

A few weeks ago, I had an interview with an environmental services company. I was supposed to hear before Christmas and now two weeks into January I still haven’t heard anything. I’ve sent an email and called twice. No word. I also have not heard from any other jobs I have applied to before the holidays either. So, I suppose it’s time to begin again.

Job Applied to:

Office Administrator I

Administrative Assistant

Social Media and Graphic Design Assistant

Sales Assistant

Author name:: Natalie
Discussion:: No Comments

Pre Holiday Job Update

This will probably the final job search update before the new year. As it is, I’m incredibly behind in Christmas decorating and I’m planning on traveling between Christmas and New Years… or staying in bed for the whole week, I’m not sure which. Either way I will not be looking for jobs and most companies get the whole week off/are not going to be hiring and/or scheduling interviews because of the holidays. Sound logic I has it. Or excuses… I has them too.

I haven’t applied anywhere lately. I’ve been too busy battling the Christmas lights of death (seriously, they keep going out), trying to find time to decorate the naked tree that’s been in the house for nearly 10 days, trying to get donations to feed Gibbs (donate if you can please), and working two temp/side jobs so that I’m not destitute when the new year begins. All in all, it’s the holidays, survival of the fittest and considering I just found my first gray hair (cue a complete 25 year old tantrum) I’m not sure if I’m winning or not. Holidays 1 Natalie 0.

Job Search:

The only job I’ve heard from is this one Senior Content Writer. I had a “skills” test a few weeks ago, which I’m assuming I passed, since I received a formal interview request. The interview was last Thursday and I think it went well. Since I knew where the office was (had some difficulty finding it the first time) I was a little early and had a nice chat with the receptionist. I was then called into my interview which I expected to be 1 or 2 people. WRONG. I walked into an office with a panel of interviewers. Nothing says HAHAHA like a surprise panel interview. Thankfully, they all had copies of my resume already, because I only brought two extras. I wasn’t incredibly nervous because I felt qualified for the position. Insert panel interview, insert butterflies. When I get nervous I ramble. What could have been a 15 minute interview turned into 45 because when I’m nervous I talk like I write. I blurt out 5 minutes of crap before I realize what my main point is, then I answer the question. Of course on the drive home I thought of much better, more concise answers to some of the questions. This is why I write instead of public speak. I need time to let things percolate. Side Note: I should hear back before or shortly after Christmas. Pray, think happy thoughts, do a job dance, whatever your faith permits you to do. I need this job like the desert needs rain and Forks, WA needs less sparkly vampires.

On a much more serious note: Gibbs has already eaten all the food I bought him last week and needs more. He’s also scheduled to get his feet trimmed tomorrow. I need at least $35 by tomorrow to pay the farrier.

Donate $35 to help Gibbs get his feet trimmed tomorrow.

Author name:: Natalie
Discussion:: No Comments