My Day

Usually I wouldn’t write a post as uneventful or without any other meaning than to simply share my day, however it has been a good day for one very simple reason.

I got an interview for my absolute dream job today. I know in writing this next statement, there is a possibility that I will get some ‘think positive’ statements in return, but I am going to write it anyway. I know I won’t get this job. This job is way to much of a dream and even the interviewer mentioned that I am the underdog. But to tell you the truth, I am much more comfortable being the underdog. I don’t feel any pressure or any nerves despite the fact that I could not think of a job I wanted more and it has been the first time ever that I have jumped up and down cheering in a busy public street after getting the call. Without this pressure I can go in and be myself and show him just how interested in social research I am.

It certainly takes the ache out of lots of past rejection and just to get the interview, is a huge win in my books. And how doesn’t love backing the underdog. It’s very Auuustrallliannn (thats my attempts at a written Aussie accent, incase you couldn’t work it out)

Dealing with Unemployment Depression.

Right now I am unemployed and have been for a while. I have been actively searching for a job since about a week before christmas (great time to start ay) until now. I am 2 and a half months into my job search and I have read that 4 months is the average amount of time that graduates take to find work. The problem is that I don’t have casual work either, starting to look for work now, to do whilst I look for a job, so now I have 2 lots of job searches going at the same time. Whilst I realise it is silly, I have money to live of, I have a place to live and I don’t really need a job for anything else other than to give my life some direction and something to do. I realise that I am very blessed to be in this boat and whilst there is no real hurry, unemployment depression is really starting to hit. No matter how busy I keep myself, it is still a hard situation to deal with. I have also noticed my unemployment depression gets worse the minute I finish a television series that I have got myself addicted to.

But for those in the same situation as me, graduates trying to forge a career path with no clue as to how and no one giving you much of a chance (though I have had plenty of phone interviews, interviews, second interviews and never hear back from jobs again. But it is depressing. But in this desperate time I have realise a few essential rules.

It’s only depressing if you let it get to you. Try and enjoy the free time. It’s bloody impossible to. But at least try. And surround yourself with positive people that understand that it takes time to get where you really want to go. To do or get yourself an ‘in’ which will later see you forge a path where you want to head.

Am I a Commitment Phob?

Recently I came back from overseas, in which I committed to working at a Ski Resort in Park City Utah. But I didn’t end up going through with it. Whilst this wasn’t all my own doing, or entirely my choice to not go through with it, I’m glad I didn’t.

But since coming back I have noticed that I can’t commit to anything. Anything at all. I mean I knew after my relationship break down that I wouldn’t be commiting to a man any time soon, but I can’t commit to anything.

I want a job, a lot of my days efforts I spent looking for one in my industry, yet they excite me if they are just 6 month contracts. The ones that say a 2 year commitment get closed immediately. 2 years sounds like a painfully long time. I also dread answer my phone to calls from jobs I’ve applied for that are a big down on the list. What if I take this one and then the one I want comes through? In the end I end up with nothing, but even more fear to commit and a backpack filled and ready to go overseas.

Why can’t I commit. I don’t like the idea of renting, cause thats a commitment. I realise these are all parts of life, but it kind of worries me sometimes how commited I see my friends are to there jobs, careers, partners and growing up plans, I still end up remaining stuck

Am I the female peter pan?

Anyone else out there finding they can’t commit to anything?

My One Year Without Customer Service

Tomorrow will mark one year since I have worked in a Customer Service role. Through high school and University I worked in various customer services roles.

Firstly I worked at Kmart when I was in high school. During the christmas period it was a nightmare. Between bitchy co workers, price checks that never seemed to happen, rude christmas shoppers, arrogant wankers and management that though they were in the most prestige position in the world (you still work at kmart, get off your high horse) This job welcomed me to what would be the next 5 years of my life.

During my first year of University, I worked at Darrell Lea chocolate shop, but it really wasn’t for me. It had some great perks, lots of chocolate, good discount. There was way to much ‘girlyness’ for me. Wrapping presents, making things pretty, spending way to much time putting fake ribbons on this and living in rainbow land where everything is sunshine and smiles was exhausting. So it was time to find another job. Seeing as I still had plenty of University left, part-time customer service work seemed like it would still be on the cards.

So my next job was at Woolworths Supermarket, where I stayed for the next 3 plus years. Working in customer service makes your brain numb and this job was mindnumblingly boring. It involved serving customers ham and chicken and other lunch meats, cutting lunch meats, cooking chickens, serving raw chicken and other general gross activities. I would always end the day with chicken fat on my shoes, chicken blood on my clothes and smelling like a bbq chicken. Not to mention the million times I came to work hung over and having to be only feet away from the seafood department, who routinely on Sunday mornings would be cooking some kind of seafood sample. There were a few times where I almost vomited into bins. Charming ay.

But looking back, I don’t think I would have had it any other way. Customer service has in a way, made me kind of how I am today. As sappy as that sounds. It has taught me to study hard so I won’t be there forever, dream big, that what I want to do with my life is important but most importantly it has taught me the value or money and some humility. Through working at this job, I know how hard it is to make money and save it, and what work has to go into that. So everything I have spent this money on, I can say I have well and truly earnt.

Whilst travelling in america I went and visited my then boyfriends old university town where he went on student exchange. These guys have all the freedom and no responsiblity as they party hard and have lots of free time. We don’t do that in Australia. We party hard don’t get me wrong, but we earn that right and don’t abuse it. We do humble jobs to support ourselves and learn that everyone has to do these at some stage so to always treat those people nicely, since that at one point was you as well. It makes Australia seem less classless than I found america. But as much as I hated them, I am grateful for all my customer service jobs for what they have taught me and even more grateful that I am at a stage of my life where I never have to go back. Happy one year away from customer service to me.

The Joys Of Finding A Job

So right now, I am meant to be finding a job, having just come back from overseas. It seems I forgot just how hard it is to find that dreaded job. It’s not like I need a job for the money, I live at home and have enough money to cover my expenses for a while, its more I need one in terms of a career, so any old job won’t do right now. I need the right job. But finding that ‘right’ job can be a royal pain in the ‘you know what’ and has left me feeling like this

There is a lot more to applying for a job then simply just mailing out your CV. You need to tailor each resume to sound like your life experiences up to this point have all lead you to this defining moment, and this job is your calling. You need to address the ‘selection criteria’

There are certain things in the Selection Criteria that makes sense. You need a ‘Social Science degree’, you either have it or you don’t. But I can’t stand when you get the ones like, ‘ a good attitude’ Oh damn, I forgot I have a bad attitude, I best not apply. Good written and communication skills, well turns out your going to test me on this by asking me to write over 2000 words as to why I would be good for this job as a ‘admin assistant’, is that really nessicary? Or then you have the job ad’s that are so specific and anal that you would never apply for those jobs, because if someone can make themselves sound like an anal prick in just a job ad, they would be the worlds worst boss.

So the joys of finding a job continue. And if worst comes to worst, I’m going to India or Vietnam. Escape for a while.