How Many Ways Do I Have to Say NO?!

I find it hard to deal with people that ask a question, I respond "no, thank you" and they keep asking the same question over and over. My answer won't change, no matter which way you phrase the question. It's still NO.

There's a placement service that I've been in contact with for a little over a month now. They found my resume on Careerbuilder. The first time I talked to the recruiter guy, he had a help desk position with a law firm in San Francisco. Intriguing, to say the very least. Then, once he had me hooked, he told me the bad news: it was a 6:00 AM to 3:00 pm shift. Umm, no thanks. I'm not a morning person, so I can't imagine me being polite to someone with computer problems at 6:00 am. Besides, there isn't a lot of public transit options to get me to downtown San Francisco in time to make a 6:00 am start time.

About a week after that conversation, he called again. Same law firm. Same helpdesk position. Different hours. 2 pm to 11 pm. Oh, and it was a Wednesday - Sunday shift. I thought about it for about 2 seconds. No, thanks. I'm not interested in doing shift work. I really want to work "normal" days and hours. His argument? "Well, you said you're not a morning person so I thought this would be perfect for you." Dude, you thought wrong, but thank you for calling.

Another week goes by and I get another call. Same law firm. Same helpdesk position. New hours! 10 am to 7 pm. And it's Monday through Friday. "Since you're not a morning person and this is close to 'normal' hours, this should be perfect for you." Thank you for calling and thinking of me, but no, it's not close enough to normal hours for me.

This week, his colleague called me. Same law firm. Same helpdesk position. 11 am to 8 pm. Tuesday - Saturday. "My colleague said that you're not a morning person, so we're offering you this opportunity first before any of our other candidates."

If I could have reached through the phone and ripped out this guy's tonsils, I would have. Then I would have asked for his colleague and done the same.

Seems the only point they picked up on in the numerous conversations we've had about what kind job I'm looking for is the fact that I'm not a morning person. HELLO????? What about the fact that public transit to and from SF in off hours makes it difficult for me to get to and from work? And driving and parking isn't an option - not when parking is in the $30 a day range. Don't you remember that I mentioned that for nearly 30 years, I've been working 8-5, Monday through Friday and have built a life around that schedule? I have commitments in the evenings because that's what normal working people do.

But they've zeroed in on "I'm not a morning person." (Shaking my head furiously)

Maybe that's why they only call me in the afternoon. Wise choice, guys.

Until Next Time,

Kel

Boot Camp - Again!

Well, it's not called Boot Camp any more. It's called Jump Start. And another session started this past Monday morning.

For three weeks, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:00 a.m. sharp, myself and 4 other brave women face the challenges that Denise dishes out for 45 minutes. Just like every other time I've done this, my mind wanders over to the big question: what was I thinking?

This group seems to be the best so far. Everybody shows up on time! And everybody (with one exception) is pretty friendly this go-round. We all laugh and grunt and groan before, during and after each class.

I'm pleasantly surprised at myself, too. I'm actually keeping up pretty well and my knee has held up fairly well in the first week.

Aero doesn't like getting up before the chickens, but I'm sure he's enjoying me being out of the house in the mornings!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Friday Fill-Ins

And...here we go!

1. My car was rear-ended a week ago (luckily very little damage!).

2. A ScrapShare retreat is coming up next.

3. Lately, things seem to be looking up.

4. My scrapping/crafting workshop is one of my favorite 'hiding' places.

5. What happened to common courtesy and respect?

6. Finding a job is not impossible!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to maybe getting some scrapping done, tomorrow my plans include working at the gym and Sunday, I want to visit my friend Angela and my little boyfriend Max!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Step One: The Phone Interview

So, I didn't sleep much last night because I was slightly tense about this morning's phone interview. Okay, not slightly. Very tense. Okay, I was wound up tighter than a fat woman's fist around a donut.

Let's face it. I'm old, cranky and haven't interviewed in just over 9 years. It took every ounce of strength I had last night to close my eyes and think of of pleasant things like bunnies, and rainbows, and marshmallowy clouds, and mounds of chocolate and and and.... Ahem. You get the picture. I was trying to NOT think about having to chat with a total stranger and be totally charming and witty and not sound like a total boob. I don't remember what time it was when I finally went to sleep, but let's just say Aero was snoring.

I got up this morning and immediately jumped in the shower and got dressed, curled my hair and even put on makeup! I figured being dressed would help me feel more 'professional' even if the guy couldn't see me. That and I was having lunch with my friend and partner-in-crime Angela.

I sat here waiting and at exactly 10:00 a.m., the phone rang and it was the HR guy from the law firm in San Francisco. He was very nice, but boy, did he speak softly (and quickly). I only hope he doesn't carry a big stick! His questions were quick, direct and to the point, so I got a cue that I shouldn't get all wordy like I tend to do. He asked about why I left my last job (umm, duh, I was laid off!), how do I handle difficult people when they have computer problems, how do I work with subordinates, do I like being on a team, how do I feel about overtime, why am I interested in working there.... There were more, but those were the highlights. But, I answered thoughtfully, tried not to make too many jokes (do you realize how hard that is for me?) and thanked him politely for his time when it was over.

Whew. I was really kinda excited when it was over, not because I was done, but because I felt like I handled it much better than I thought I would. Yay for me. And yay to Julie, the career coach I worked with earlier this summer who prepared me for just such an event. I think if I hadn't worked with her, I'd have been stumbling and mumbling like a babbling idiot.

So now, we wait. We wait for the HR guy to go over his notes from the call. We wait for the HR guy to decide if he wants to pass on my resume to the west coast IT manager. We wait for them to decide if they want to "extend an invitation" for me to meet them at their offices for the next step in the process.

I hope they hurry 'cause I don't wait well.....

Until Next Time,

Kel

Another Round of Hope!

Things haven't been going so well in the job search arena. I apply. I either never hear anything back or get excited because I do hear something back and either the hours are crazy or it's not local enough or the pay is ridiculously low for the position. It's making me nuts.

Well, today there's progress and a new round of hope! There's a 5-month contract job with a law firm in San Francisco for a user support supervisor. Booo-yah!!! 3 things in it's favor: law firm, user support and a step up to a supervisory position! Luckily, the placement firm working on this job is the one that I'm currently working with.

I have a first-round phone interview tomorrow morning with the HR manager of the firm. Double booo-yah!! That's the closest thing to a real chance at a job that I've seen so far. If I make a great impression on this guy, I'll move on to round 2 with the IT manager and current support manager (she's going out on maternity leave, hence the short-term contract).

The recruiter said that what I have in my favor is my 372 years of support experience. Well, okay, maybe not 372 years, but it sure feels like it. She said that so far, the candidates they've sent all have managerial experience but no law firm/front line support experience. I'm just the opposite and she thinks they will favor that. We'll see.

I also applied for a great position at Stanford Hospital today. That would be a permanent job (it's a training position) with great benefits. And my buddy and partner-in-crime, Angela, works there so that's an added bonus!

Keep your fingers and toes crossed for me friends. Aero needs me to go back to work soon.

Until Next Time,

Kel

Thunderstorms!!

I was awakened around 5:30 this morning - not by the of thunder, but by the feeling of the little dog pouncing on me and barking at the thunder.

Yes, Aero thought the thunder was attacking us or something. I found it rather amusing that he felt the need to stand on top of me and bark into the air like he was protecting me from the oncoming nemesis. It really was very sweet of him.

After a few minutes, I got him to calm down and curl up next to me so I could enjoy the rumbling and the gentle sound of raindrops that fell on the sky lights. Before too long, we were both relaxed and snoozing again.

I love my dog.

Until Next Time,

Kel

Friday Fill-Ins

I can't believe I forgot last week...

And...here we go!

1. That's a great place to be.

2. Aero - what are you looking for; I'm over here!

3. The possibilities include: being happy and healthy.

4. A tomato sandwich is one of my favorite cool day recipes.

5. How will you know me if you don't say hello.

6. A glass of wine and a stormy sky.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to continuring to relax after my massage, tomorrow my plans include working at the gym and Sunday, I want to finish organizing my workshop so I can scrapbook!

Until Next Time,

Kel

It's Not an Indulgence!

I was so glad at the beginning of the month when my gym announced that personal training sessions would be discounted! I know that it's kind of an indulgence and when you're unemployed, you give up those indulgences for more basic things like food and rent. But, I had saved my Reno winnings and the money I made on my garage sale last month and decided that working out keeps me healthy so training with Denise again isn't an indulgence. It's a necessity.

Of course, when I made my appointment with her for today, she looked me in the eye and pronounced "Oh good. I'm going to kick your ass." Lucky me. But that's why I love her and realize how much I miss working out with her one-on-one.

So I made it through the dreaded wall sit, through triceps and biceps, cardio and dead lifts. I even survived what seemed like 1000 crunches. And the best part: I enjoyed it all!!

Sick, isn't it?

Until Next Time,

Kel

Sleepless Nights...

I always complain when Aero has his little bouts of insomnia. Seriously! A dog having trouble sleeping? What's up with that?

Right now, I'm guessing that in his own little doggy way he's complaining about me. It's a little after 3:00 a.m. and I'm still wide awake, which means I'm disturbing his highness.

After the layoff, I was having many sleepless nights. I was told that that's pretty normal in the cycle of emotions that follow a layoff. But it seemed like they happening less and less. But suddenly, it's happening again and I can't figure out what's triggering it.

I've done the usual no caffiene after 4:00 pm, no tv on in the bedroom, nothing exciting in the evening routine (not that there's ever anything exciting in my life anyway!). And tonight I even had 2 glasses of wine with dinner at my friend Marie's house - that should have put me to sleep by 7! But, here I sit in the dark, with only the glow from the computer screen illuminating the room. And yes, I did go to bed around 11:30, but I just laid there tossing and turning until I got so aggravated that I got up. And took the snoozing pup with me into the living room.

The more I'm awake, the more annoyed I get and the longer I'm up. I don't know what to do any more. I guess it's a good thing I'm not working 'cause I'm gonna be very cranky tomorrow...

Sigh.

Until Next Time,

Kel

Happy and Jealous...

Today I've got mixed emotions - happiness and jealousy.

I'm happy because I know my friends Linda and Tim are on their way to the happiest place on Earth. Yep, they took off this morning at 8:00 EST for Disneyworld!!! I think one of the reasons we're such good friends is our mutual love of the Mouse. They go to the World every year - some years, they make it down there more than once! They're adding an indoor skydiving simulation to their itinerary for some non-Disney fun on this trip. I can't wait to hear about that!

And the jealousy? Yep, you guessed it. I'm jealous that Linda and Tim are on their way to the World. I WANT TO GO!!!!!! Danged economy. Aunt Loretta and I planned 2 different trips earlier this year, and I cancelled both times because I was nervous about my job. Hmmm. Too bad that premonition came true...

But, I'm more happy than jealous. I love hearing the stories about their adventures and seeing pictures of them having fun. It's almost like I'm there.

So, all I have to say is: HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME AT THE WORLD, LINDA AND TIM! And give Mickey a hug for me!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Day 111: Finally - Some Hope!!

Don't fall off your chair, but while I was at the gym this afternoon (shocking, isn't it?!), gathering my things in the locker room after my workout, my phone rang. It was a number that I didn't recognize, but since I've listed my cell as my primary contact number on my resume and on the applications I've filled out, I've been answering all calls.

It was a recruiter who had seen my resume on monster.com and was interested in talking to me. I felt kinda weird talking to someone about my career from the locker room of the gym, but hey, it's not the kind of call you want to miss!

We chatted for about 15 minutes about my previous job, the software I know, my experiences, how I'd feel about working in San Francisco again and the usual job stuff. As it turns out, he has a listing with a law firm looking for a "Service Desk Analyst" with heavy software and network support skills. When he read the description to me, I did a little dance because it sounded pretty much like my resume.

So tonight, I forwarded him a copy of my resume in Word format; we have a pre-screening call set for tomorrow morning at 9:00; I have an appointment to meet him in his office Friday morning at 9:00. If all that goes well, he'll set me up with an interview at the law firm next Wednesday morning.

While I'm thrilled and excited, I'm also sitting here in total panic mode. It's the day I've kinda been dreading since May: having to interview. Holy moley!!!! My last interview was in 2000! And of course, there's the whole what to wear/will my hair look okay/will they look past my body to see that my skills are why they'd want to hire me?

I think I'm going shopping after the conference call tomorrow.

Until Next Time,

Kel

Milestones at the Gym

I've been going back to the gym for the last 2 weeks. It's a big move toward taking control of my life once again!

Of course, my workouts weren't all they could be nor were they as intense as they should be. But, September is upon us, and there's no better time to 'start over' than the beginning of a new month.

Last night (okay, it was still August, but I'm counting it!) I was able to walk on the dreadmill for 30 minutes without any pain in the knee! Woo-hoo!! My speed isn't back up to where it was before the injury, but that's okay with me. I'm happy to be doing some endurance for a change!

And then tonight, I attended my first class since the beginning of June! I started a strength training class with a trainer that I've never worked with (Donna), but have seen her classes from the sidelines. It was tough, mostly upper body work, but manageable. And my knee didn't hurt!!!!

Hmmm, maybe my self-imposed gym exile over the last few months was a good thing and the knee has been healing....

Next up: returning to Yo'lates Saturday morning. I'm sweating just thinking about it!

Until Next Time,

Kel