Monday was a rough day.
It was my first staff meeting at work, and oh my goodness was it overwhelming. Over 6,000 employees in one auditorium for over 2 hours? Yikes.
After that, we had an all trainers meeting followed by a team meeting. Let's just say, there were a lot of meetings today. And as an employee still fully engrossed in training, and desperately trying to learn the lingo of the land, I had to think really hard... all day long.
I know that sounds silly, but it is so true.
This company runs on acronyms, and I don't know any of them. I am trying to learn the names of each application, and I haven't even attempted to learn what each app does! I don't know computer stuff. I don't get Star Wars jokes. Basically, I don't speak dork yet.
Now, don't get me wrong, I am not judging dork at all! Dork is what created a job for me! But, I don't understand what is being said! Therefore, in my 5 hours of meetings yesterday, I had to listen really hard. I had to think about what the acronym might be referring to. Or, what the Yoda reference may have meant. Then I would quickly think about how I need to buy Star Wars to watch, before I was struggling to keep up with which app was being discussed.
Needless to say, I left work with a pounding headache. I thought too much. I looked at too many screens. I didn't drink enough water. I was beginning to stress about upcoming deadlines.
I drove home, popped some ibuprofen, took Wilbur out for a walk, and decided to turn my day around. The day hadn't been all bad, but my headache was taking over, and I needed to end on a good note.
I called the cable company and I spoke to the nicest man named Paul. Paul helped me to pick the right cable package for me. He made sure it includes ABC, Food Network, CMT and TLC. Then he scheduled for the technician to come out Wednesday evening between 5 and 7pm. Perfect!
While I was on the cable high, I went to the mattress store. I know I need to get off my air mattress, but I have been working late, and I hate leaving Wilbur alone longer than he needs to be. But on Saturday even my horoscope told me to buy a new mattress, so I knew it was time.
I went into Mattress Firm where Gabe helped me to pick the perfect mattress. I awkwardly jumped around on the beds, feeling a bit like Goldilocks. As I went down the row I would barely let my head hit the pillow before saying, "oh no, toooooo soft" and moving onto the next. Gabe occasionally came back to check on me, but he left me to my bouncing, shifting, sitting, side sleeping and back sleeping.
After a good thirty minutes of bed testing, I picked my favorite, and the sales game began. Gabe tried to sell me a nicer frame, I denied him. Gabe tried to sell me a special mattress pad, and I denied him again. Gabe told me the mattress pad normally sells for $119, but he would give it to me for $69. I said no thank you. He asked me why I didn't why to buy his super special mattress pad, and I told him I already had one. Of course, that was a lie. I was just planning to go to Target to buy one for less than $69. Finally, Gabe pulled out the big guns. He would sell me the super special mattress pad/ protector for $25. Sold, fine sir. Sold. I would have paid more than that at Target, so Gabe, you win. Better yet, I win.
With my mattress protector and washing instructions in hand, I headed home. But, I took a detour. I went to Bed Bath & Beyond to buy myself new sheets for my new bed. I was able to drive from one side of town to the complete opposite side without using my GPS, and that alone put a smile on my face! At BB&B I found egyptian cotton sheets, that I think will feel wonderful. I spent almost as long shopping for sheets as I did for my bed!
I decided that while I was in the area, I should give Home Depot a shot for purchasing a kitchen trashcan. I have an awesome slide out trashcan drawer in my kitchen with a slot for a trashcan. But, I hadn't yet found a trash can that fit it! I bought one that was too tall, one too wide, and one too deep for the opening. Home Depot was my last stop before I was going to give up for a while. So, while I was in the neighborhood, I ran in, bought a trash can for $6.97 and left. On my entire drive home, I was sure the trashcan would be too big. At one stoplight I would look at it and think, yeah, it looks too tall. At the next stoplight I would look at it from another angle and think, yup, definitely too wide. I cursed myself as I brought it up to my apartment, knowing I was wasting time and energy.
I walked into the apartment and sighed with relief. Not only had Wilbur successfully spent the time I was gone out of his kennel, but he was quiet! Or he was not noisy enough to have the neighbors complain, but I'll go with quiet. I played with the pup for a few minutes, reminding him that I hadn't abandoned him yet.
Begrudgingly I went into the kitchen to test the new trashcan. And much to my surprise, it fit! I threw a little party and got Wilbur super worked up. Wilbur doesn't know what "trashcan," "it fits," or "we really live here now" mean, but he now knows that they are all good phrases.
With my new trashcan in place and my puppy tired from the trashcan party, I continued on my productive streak. I unpacked the rest of my clothing, hanging and folding, and placing each item in its new home.
And as if that weren't enough, I started one of my many picture projects! I have tons of framed photos but many have old photos in them, and all have dirty glass. So, one by one, I opened the frames, took out the photos and cleaned the glass. I only sliced two of my fingers, and I still have frames to fill, but it was a good evening's work.
After my super long and rough day at work, I was able to turn it around.
The moral of the story: With the help of an adorable dog, a credit card and ibuprofen, anything can get better!
Showing posts with label application. Show all posts
Showing posts with label application. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Rejection Stings
I don't care how you slice it, what spin you put on it, or how much you sugar coat it, rejection stings.
For as long as I can remember I have had an unhealthy fear of rejection. I say unhealthy because it has limited me. My fear has kept me from doing things, saying things, and trying things. I have only recently accepted this fear as just that. In the past I wouldn't have known how to classify or describe it, but now, I can confidently say that rejection scares the bejesus out of me.
At the risk of sounding as though I am bragging, I think a big part of the reason I am petrified of rejection is because I haven't had much experience with it. When I think back through the years, I see a consistent pattern of not being rejected. I was accepted to honors classes. I was a top rower during high school and recruited by multiple universities. I was accepted to the two universities I applied to. I was hired by all the jobs I applied to after I graduated. I was accepted by CIEE to teach in Thailand. It felt easy.
Fast forward to the real world in the USA.
I am applying to jobs left and right. And, while I know that unemployment is currently at 8.3%, I really thought I wouldn't be in that percentage. Yes, I have a part time job driving, but it is not paying the bills. I need a full- time, dependable job with a consistent paycheck. Heck, I sent in an application to Whole Foods in hopes of being hired! And, no, I haven't heard back from them yet.
In January I wrote a blog post about not receiving an interview for a position I was very interested in. It stung. I was new to the job search, and hoped things would get better. With more practice and more time, I thought I would eventually find the right job. Well, it doesn't work that way. Yesterday I received another email that went something like, "after careful consideration we have decided not to move forward with your candidacy." And another one bites the dust.
Shoot.
Even after multiple rejections and failed attempts at being hired, it still stings.
Gosh, and I didn't even get into being rejected by men! That's for another post.
For as long as I can remember I have had an unhealthy fear of rejection. I say unhealthy because it has limited me. My fear has kept me from doing things, saying things, and trying things. I have only recently accepted this fear as just that. In the past I wouldn't have known how to classify or describe it, but now, I can confidently say that rejection scares the bejesus out of me.
At the risk of sounding as though I am bragging, I think a big part of the reason I am petrified of rejection is because I haven't had much experience with it. When I think back through the years, I see a consistent pattern of not being rejected. I was accepted to honors classes. I was a top rower during high school and recruited by multiple universities. I was accepted to the two universities I applied to. I was hired by all the jobs I applied to after I graduated. I was accepted by CIEE to teach in Thailand. It felt easy.
Fast forward to the real world in the USA.
I am applying to jobs left and right. And, while I know that unemployment is currently at 8.3%, I really thought I wouldn't be in that percentage. Yes, I have a part time job driving, but it is not paying the bills. I need a full- time, dependable job with a consistent paycheck. Heck, I sent in an application to Whole Foods in hopes of being hired! And, no, I haven't heard back from them yet.
In January I wrote a blog post about not receiving an interview for a position I was very interested in. It stung. I was new to the job search, and hoped things would get better. With more practice and more time, I thought I would eventually find the right job. Well, it doesn't work that way. Yesterday I received another email that went something like, "after careful consideration we have decided not to move forward with your candidacy." And another one bites the dust.
Shoot.
Even after multiple rejections and failed attempts at being hired, it still stings.
Gosh, and I didn't even get into being rejected by men! That's for another post.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
An Interview
I applied on a whim. My parents were at a party, talking to another couple and discussing their children. When my parents spoke of me and my ongoing search for a job the man chimed in. He mentioned his daughter, a medical software company, an interview, and the rest was history.
As I did my online research I discovered that despite my mother's assumptions, there are not offices located throughout the country. Instead, there is one office. That office happens to be located pretty much smack dab in the middle of the country, and not in NYC. I continued with the application process, unconcerned with the location. Any interview, or application for that matter, is a learning experience, so I forged on. Updating the resume, writing a new cover letter, saving in non-Mac formats and submitting online took me hours. I answered the questions with slight disbelief. They asked for my SAT scores and final GPA from university. How was I to remember my SAT score? I took that test 8 years ago... Wow, I feel old. I answered to the best of my memory, made a little wish, and pushed submit.
Immediately I received an email. I hesitantly clicked on the link to find a form message, thanking me for the submission. I should have known. I let out a sigh and stepped away from the screen.
Three days later I received another email. It asked me to take an online test to continue with the application process. I followed the prompts and began my exam which was slated to take between 20 and 40 minutes. I started with the questions, which seemed surprisingly similar to what I could remember as SAT questions. The questions, however, were interspersed with statements regarding my personality. I was forced to choose between four statements, which would be the most true about me. Even if all of the statements sounded nothing like me, I had to choose. The next screen showed me the remaining three options, forcing me to choose between them, and so on. When the test was completed I was relieved. But I was also intrigued.
Two days later, another email. This time it was a request for a phone interview. I scheduled the interview for the following week and set a reminder on my calendar.
The telephone conversation felt like just that: a conversation. The woman I spoke to was engaging, kind and wonderful to talk to. She verified scores, GPAs, and dates, but mostly, we spoke. She asked about Thailand. I asked about living in the middle of the country. She asked about my strengths, weaknesses and dreams. I asked about the available jobs.
Two days later I received another phone call. It was a new woman. She said, "your resume came across my desk, and since you will be coming out for a live interview I was wondering if you would be interested in also considering a second position. While you are here you will be able to hear and learn more about it and also interview for it." Stay calm, Meaghan. You didn't know you got the live interview, but this is great. Accept. I kindly thanked the woman, told her I would be more than happy to interview for a second position, and walked back into the restaurant to finish my glass of wine with Heather.
Monday I received another phone call. Another woman. Another resume-came-across-my-desk-would-you-consider-another-position conversation. I stayed calm, cool and collected, and gladly accepted. I had yet to receive a phone call or email asking me to go out for a live interview, but after the second phone call, it seemed to be more of a technicality.
Within a few days, my flights were booked. The only problem, was my flights were booked for the Sunday after the bachelorette party. I was forced to take the midnight bus to Chinatown.
In a way, it was a blessing in disguise. I arrived to NYC just after 6 am on Sunday morning. I was able to enjoy a few hours and a delicious breakfast with Kiki, my mom, and Erin before I jumped on the shuttle to the airport.
I had a direct flight and arrived before 5 pm on Sunday evening. I went out to dinner with a friend from college and a friend from Thailand, Cait, who was kind enough to drive 3 1/2 hours for dinner! It was a great night, but an early one, because I had an interview to rest up for.
I left the hotel at 7:45 Monday and spent the day interviewing, until I was in a cab at 4 pm for my flight back to New York. It was an excruciatingly long day, but it was great! I had three different position overviews, three different interviews, made one presentation, and took multiple assessments, but I made it through. And, I think I did an okay job, if I do say so myself.
I am currently waiting to hear back from the company, but I should hear by the end of the week. Fingers crossed!
As I did my online research I discovered that despite my mother's assumptions, there are not offices located throughout the country. Instead, there is one office. That office happens to be located pretty much smack dab in the middle of the country, and not in NYC. I continued with the application process, unconcerned with the location. Any interview, or application for that matter, is a learning experience, so I forged on. Updating the resume, writing a new cover letter, saving in non-Mac formats and submitting online took me hours. I answered the questions with slight disbelief. They asked for my SAT scores and final GPA from university. How was I to remember my SAT score? I took that test 8 years ago... Wow, I feel old. I answered to the best of my memory, made a little wish, and pushed submit.
Immediately I received an email. I hesitantly clicked on the link to find a form message, thanking me for the submission. I should have known. I let out a sigh and stepped away from the screen.
Three days later I received another email. It asked me to take an online test to continue with the application process. I followed the prompts and began my exam which was slated to take between 20 and 40 minutes. I started with the questions, which seemed surprisingly similar to what I could remember as SAT questions. The questions, however, were interspersed with statements regarding my personality. I was forced to choose between four statements, which would be the most true about me. Even if all of the statements sounded nothing like me, I had to choose. The next screen showed me the remaining three options, forcing me to choose between them, and so on. When the test was completed I was relieved. But I was also intrigued.
Two days later, another email. This time it was a request for a phone interview. I scheduled the interview for the following week and set a reminder on my calendar.
The telephone conversation felt like just that: a conversation. The woman I spoke to was engaging, kind and wonderful to talk to. She verified scores, GPAs, and dates, but mostly, we spoke. She asked about Thailand. I asked about living in the middle of the country. She asked about my strengths, weaknesses and dreams. I asked about the available jobs.
Two days later I received another phone call. It was a new woman. She said, "your resume came across my desk, and since you will be coming out for a live interview I was wondering if you would be interested in also considering a second position. While you are here you will be able to hear and learn more about it and also interview for it." Stay calm, Meaghan. You didn't know you got the live interview, but this is great. Accept. I kindly thanked the woman, told her I would be more than happy to interview for a second position, and walked back into the restaurant to finish my glass of wine with Heather.
Monday I received another phone call. Another woman. Another resume-came-across-my-desk-would-you-consider-another-position conversation. I stayed calm, cool and collected, and gladly accepted. I had yet to receive a phone call or email asking me to go out for a live interview, but after the second phone call, it seemed to be more of a technicality.
Within a few days, my flights were booked. The only problem, was my flights were booked for the Sunday after the bachelorette party. I was forced to take the midnight bus to Chinatown.
In a way, it was a blessing in disguise. I arrived to NYC just after 6 am on Sunday morning. I was able to enjoy a few hours and a delicious breakfast with Kiki, my mom, and Erin before I jumped on the shuttle to the airport.
I had a direct flight and arrived before 5 pm on Sunday evening. I went out to dinner with a friend from college and a friend from Thailand, Cait, who was kind enough to drive 3 1/2 hours for dinner! It was a great night, but an early one, because I had an interview to rest up for.
We had to take the typical Thai photo!
I am currently waiting to hear back from the company, but I should hear by the end of the week. Fingers crossed!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Job Huntin'
Job searching. Finding a job. Looking for a job. Job seeking. Nope, I am not doing any of those things. Ladies and gentlemen, I am job huntin'. And you have to say it with a deep southern accent, when you swallow the middle part of the word. Job huntin'. That's what I'm doing.
I have officially lived in New York City for five days. Five whole days is beyond the amount of time you can count in hours, and therefore, I live here. And while Erin and I have taken part in a variety of activities and accomplishments throughout the city, unfortunately, I have spent a large amount of time in front of my computer. Bummer. Yes, I have been working on my resume, cover letters, applications, and huntin' for jobs in general. My recent google searches include: "how to write an awesome cover letter," "include in cover letter," "format resume," "jobs in nyc," and "thesaurus.com." My next searches will probably be along the lines of "free things to do in nyc" and "living in nyc on a budget." And depending on how long this unemployment lasts I may begin searching "making blogging a profession."
But, all is not lost.
Thanks to Allison and Stephen I had two phone interviews today. Score! I also just submitted an application for a position that could be pretty darn perfect, and surprisingly enough, I am qualified for!
For the time being I am going to continue applying here, there and everywhere and sending good vibes out into the universe. I'm not into all that hippy dippy stuff, but in this waiting game, sometimes there isn't a whole lot more you can do.
Now that my brief blogging break is over, I'm back to job huntin'. Anyone need an outgoing, intelligent and hardworking employee in NYC? She has a pretty rockin' blog...
I have officially lived in New York City for five days. Five whole days is beyond the amount of time you can count in hours, and therefore, I live here. And while Erin and I have taken part in a variety of activities and accomplishments throughout the city, unfortunately, I have spent a large amount of time in front of my computer. Bummer. Yes, I have been working on my resume, cover letters, applications, and huntin' for jobs in general. My recent google searches include: "how to write an awesome cover letter," "include in cover letter," "format resume," "jobs in nyc," and "thesaurus.com." My next searches will probably be along the lines of "free things to do in nyc" and "living in nyc on a budget." And depending on how long this unemployment lasts I may begin searching "making blogging a profession."
But, all is not lost.
Thanks to Allison and Stephen I had two phone interviews today. Score! I also just submitted an application for a position that could be pretty darn perfect, and surprisingly enough, I am qualified for!
For the time being I am going to continue applying here, there and everywhere and sending good vibes out into the universe. I'm not into all that hippy dippy stuff, but in this waiting game, sometimes there isn't a whole lot more you can do.
Now that my brief blogging break is over, I'm back to job huntin'. Anyone need an outgoing, intelligent and hardworking employee in NYC? She has a pretty rockin' blog...
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