Category: jobs

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Entrepreneurial Journey jobs life marketing

Nothing lyrical this time; purely updates.

My mind is spinning right now. Clearly, my usual Wednesday post has been moved off to today, Thursday.

Yes, I suppose I have reached a slight writer’s block for this week’s post, but there also have been many ideas whirling around in my mind.

One thing I would like to mention for the time being: I am the queen of winning conference passes via Twitter this year. Folks, you’d be surprised at how you, too, can also win opportunities like that, just by being more aware of who you are following.

Also, the past couple weeks I have been able to finally figure out my asking price for my writing services. Stay tuned for updates on those services, and please spread the word to your friends.

Finally, I am offering some “Pick My Brain” sessions for anyone interested. You can read more about that on a new page soon.

Off to finish the first full week of June. I can’t believe it is already June!

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jobs

Daily Post Day 33: Worst Job Ever Had

I read the listing on Craig’s List, noticing the key phrase “move up [the ranks] in less than one month!”

Only the day after applying, I got a phone call to go in for an interview. I was ecstatic that I was chosen and wore my sleekest business outfit.

The interview was very short. And then they invited me back in for a trial run with an elder representative.

So the next day, I was there at the office again. And then, we were suddenly in one of the representative’s cars. “Can you tell me what exactly we’ll be doing?”

“We are going out on the field,” said the elder representative as she drove us and two others along. The other job candidate was sitting in the back seat with her elder, squirming a bit from the strange situation.

Lunch was innocent outside of the city, and I thought I could enjoy such a flexible work schedule. But then the real work began.

We drove into a neighborhood. My elder dropped off her comrade and the other job candidate in one part of the neighborhood. “You guys cover this side, and I’ll cover the other with Helene,” said my elder. I followed her and we made small talk. She was genuinely friendly and open, but I felt my heart beating faster as we approached each door, telling potential clients how we would help them cut costs on their cable bill if they signed up with so-and-so company.

I kept up my smile and politeness around my elder that day. The job seemed only comfortable because she was being so generous.

We went back to the office, and we parted ways for the day. I looked forward to going out with her again “into the field” the next day.

But then, I was reassigned to another elder, and this one talked my head off and our assignment the next day was borderline illegal, soliciting businesses with office supplies. I saw how the receptionists eyed us when we approached them. As the day wore on, I became more and more uncomfortable.

At the end of the day, we returned to our home base. The boss invited me into his office to talk.

“Helene, if you are going to survive in this job, you will need to be more assertive,” he said to me.

That was the ticket I needed to exit. His feigned encouragement was enough steam for me to call in and resign the next day.

I definitely was not cut out to be a door-to-door salesperson.

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Business Musings jobs memories

Daily Post Day 7: Memorable Job Interviews

Bulletin Boards

During 2007 – 2008, went through a lot of interviews. Many were less-than-stellar (I was fresh out on the job market after all), and some were just plain strange. But, throughout all the interviews, I learned a few things:

– Do your research as thoroughly as possible

– Show enthusiasm!

– If the job doesn’t look like it’ll be fun, be honest (yet polite) about it and bow out gracefully.

I once had a prospective employer ask me point-blank, “Do you really want this job? Do you see yourself working in this little office day-in, day-out? If not, you won’t hurt my feelings.” She probably had interviewed many others before so she was well-seasoned with facial expressions and such. I probably looked scared and not so thrilled about the position.

I had a very short interview once because the computer system was down in the office. However, I was immediately hired; later on my manager told me how I just emanated positivity from just the brief encounter. Good to know.

My most recent interview (in late 2008) that got me my previous job was memorable for the mere fact that my note-taking skills sure got me the job position. The owner of the business was impressed with my attention to their responses and how I came prepared with questions. I remember feeling so nervous about this job though, since I had to go through three different interviews before I finally got the phone call to go in and start working.

Well, we all go through this motions in our lives. I’m glad I got to learn so much from the interviews I have received.

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jobs life Life Decisions Work Diaries

Which path?

Which path is best for me?

Time spent inside an office toiling away with filing/typing/etc.

or

Time spent outside at a hot dog cart talking with people, enjoying the weather, etc.?

An office job generally pays more in terms of hourly rate, but I get pretty good tips at the hot dog cart, too.

Why does everyone keep on insisting that a “cushy” job is the way to go? Why is working at a hot dog stand so “unfavorable”?

I am stuck with looking at two paths that I am asked to choose between. Why do these things continually happen?

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Hot Dog Days jobs observation rant tourists

I’m pushing a heavy cart…yes, I am busy.

I am amazed at how oblivious people can be towards others. Not once, but twice (possibly three times!) I have had people ask me for information/directions to stores while I am pushing along the heavy hot dog cart. I just can’t believe people think I have the time to stop and tell them where they should go! My co-workers tell me that I should not feel obliged to give directions since the other people are just being plain rude for not noticing the obvious.

Oh yes, I can tell you information while I push this heavy cart. Oh no, obviously I am not busy at all! That’s why I am pushing this cart.

Next time I should just tell people to help push the cart if they want to ask me or my co-workers for information. We are not an information booth, and we are not so kind to give away so much information freely.