Job Search Update

Yesterday I had my second interview with a company out of Edmonton. This interview, again, involved quite a bit of discussion around the position, my responsibilities in the position, and how I would behave as a leader in various hypothetical situations. The interview also included the Executive Director, who was absent from the first interview. She definitely has a different personality than the other 2 women, a lot more serious and direct, but as a executive that I would have to report to, that is probably a good thing. I have dealt with so many passive, 'let's NOT communicate' managers that it will be a nice change to have someone tell me like it is.

Again, the interview was long - 2 hours. We did discuss possible start dates - essentially they wanted someone to start yesterday. We also talked a bit about compensation. I got the goods on a pay range and an amazing benefits plan.

They are currently checking my references and then making a decision regarding my employment. They advised me I would know by the end of the week.

It looks promising, but I am trying not to be too excited, as I will be dissappointed if I don't get the job. This would be an amazing opportunity that will allow me quite a bit of freedom in developing, designing, and creating a training and development plan for the organization. It is a relatively new position, so there are many new initiatives that need to be introduced and implemented. However, I am still a bit apprehensive about moving to Edmonton. I think I got too many things going on in my brain right now to be overly excited about moving in the dead of winter, selling one house, trying to buy another, and trying to get rid of household junk. Especially since I will be going ahead of Jeff, leaving him to take care of everything back in S'toon.

Anywho, I am sure it will all work out. If I don't get the job, it will be back to the grind of looking for something. Blak!

Comments

I am not sure if I mentioned this before, but the '# comments' link does not work. Don't use it.

If you want to post a comment and/or read other comments please select 'Post a Comment.' I haven't gotten around to fixing this problem as I have been busy being lazy and playing way to much computer gaming.

I see what I can do about fixing this issue over the next few days. I will keep you posted.

Thanks for your patience.

The Upside

Even though I did not advance with Telus, I seem to be making quite an impression with the job in Edmonton.

They called yesterday to set up an interview with the Executive Director for next week. They are flying me up next Wednesday.

It is going to be one hell of a day, with flying out at 630 in the morning and not returning until 830 that night. But it will all be worth it if I can get this job.

I know that there will be lots of people sad to see us go, but happy to see us come to Edmonton. It is hard when friends move away. I am not doing that great as it is with most of my close friends far away.

Boo-Urns

Well, I just heard back from Telus. And it looks as though they will be considering other candidates for the position I interviewed for.

That sucks!

Ah well, maybe it is for the best.

Like I said earlier, I really didn't get that good of a vibe from the interview, so perhaps it wasn't something that was a good fit for me anyways. Here's hoping something comes out of this Edmonton job.

Hmm...I wonder if there is anything else I can tell myself that will make me feel better regarding my latest rejection.

Home Sweet Home

T-ass and I made it safely home last night. After a 10 days away from home it was a good feeling to sleep in my own bed. I think that I am still tired and will likely need a couple more days to fully recover from the trip.

My time in Edmonton was lazy yet enjoyable. I stayed with my friends A&K in their new home, and had some good quality girl time with Andrea.

My interview went quite well in Edmonton. The job seems like a good fit for me. A combination of training, development, and management. Although it will be similar to the job that I held at Fed Co-op, it appears to be a lot more proactive and progressive. The company definitely seemed to have its shit together. As part of the next stage of the interview process I am to prepare some learning materials for a small area of their business. I guess this will along them an opportuntiy to look at the work I am capable of. They have given me some topical information that I need to transform into learning. This involves a small presentation of the information and methods that will ensure the comprehension and retention of the information. Also, I need to create a 'job aid.' Some sort of quick reference material that an employee can access when asked questions or clarifications from customers. I have been able to put together a brief powerpoint presentation outlining the information, however I have hit a wall in trying to formulate some sort of FUN activity to ensure the group will retain the information. I think I could use some more relevant or background information. That might help.

As for my job search, it has pretty much stalled with me focusing on these interviews. However I really shouldn't let that stop me. I think I need a day to get back into the swing of things around the house. Working on this presentation and doing laundry seems to be my limit today. I didn't even really enjoy the hour I put into WoW this morning. That was a little surprising.

Best Road Trip Ever

Well, my road trip is almost over.

Even though it rained the entire time, I had a fantastic time in Vancouver and was sad to leave. Other than my interview, I did nothing of significance to report. Just spent some good quality time with a good friend.

The drive to Edmonton was long. We encountered some bad road conditions south of Jasper and had a bit of a spin-out. Luckily there was no one behind us, and the semi in front of us was a good distant away, giving us enough time to get us back on the right side of the road. After our slip we ended up travelling behind a huge convoy of semis and other vehicles, only going 20 km/hr. I guess it was better to be following a line of vehicles then be alone on the highway. But it only last about 15 km and then it was smooth sailing from there.

As for my interviews:

The one in Vancouver for Telus was O.K. I didn't really get a good vibe from it, and left less than satisfied with the whole experience. It was definitely more formal and technical than I am used to.

The Edmonton interview was Super Mega Awesome Cool. I had a great discussion with the interviewers about their organization, the position and how my skills and abilities fit in with the different aspects of the position. Usually companies give you the 'we'll let you know one way or the other if you made it to the next stage of interview process' and then they call you in a week or two. I got it at the end of the interview with a tour of their office building. I guess I made a good impression. I am really excited about the possibility of getting a job - a great job, but I am a little bummed about not going to BC for the great job.

Couple more days and then it is back home to a lonely hubby.

T-ass and I arrived in Vancouver safe and sound.

The weather was the shits. After Calgary we pretty much drove 60km/hr all the way to Salmon Arm, where we decided to pull into a rest stop for a sleep. We had a strange encounter with a stranger. I won't bother telling the story, as I know T-ass will be telling it over on his blog, and will do a much better job of it.

It has been raining here since we arrived - surprise! But it feels great to be back in B.C. I haven't been in about 2 years. I really miss it. It is weird, but it feels like home here everytime I come for a visit. I certaintly hope this Telus job works out. Jeff & I have always wanted to move out to the west coast.

So far we have been pretty lazy since we arrived. We went out for sushi once we got in, it was pretty good. I even had the tuna after much pressure from Rob. It wasn't all that bad. I also had some sort of fish eggs. Not sure what they were; didn't really taste like anything, but the texture definitely wasn't to my liking. Since yesterdays lunch we have been lying around watching movies and King of the Hill.

We got T-ass off this morning to the Western Final. He is going to have a great time.

Plans for the rest of the day:
Look at cars for Rob and be lazy.

Stupid Snow

I sure hope that I get a job in another province.

Don't get me wrong, I like snow. I just don't like driving in snow.

The only reason I left the house today was because my Grandmother had a doctor's appointment and I told her I would take her. Especially in this weather. She only drives when she has to, and very short distances. And although her doctor was not that far away, she was uneasy about driving herself because of the dizzy spell she had on Monday, not to mention the snow.

So I got up early today and drove Jeff to work. It was ok, except for the time on the Idylwyld Bridge when I couldn't seen anything because my damn windshield wipers were frozen with melting snow.

Taking gramma to and from the doctor's office with a pitstop at the grocery store wasn't all that bad. Although the roads are terrible, parking lots are worse and there were no plowers out. Argh!

After dropping gramma off I decided to go and pick up my painting from the framing store. It is already for my friends to get when they are home at Christmas.

WARNING
Don't got to the Grovesnor Shopping Centre. The parking lot is a icy death trap.

No wonder I don't drive that often anymore. Driving in the winter sucks. Especially when you are driving with idiots who still feel they are in a rush and are willing to cause many car pile ups because of it. Although I didn't see any of that today, I am sure it will happen eventually.

I am hoping that the snow doesn't impede my trip to Vancouver with T-ass. He has got the Western Final game to attend, and I have second interview. Apparently the storm is coming from that direction, so I best be watching the weather over the next couple of days.

Today's Geekery

One of my favourite clips from Robot Chicken.

A weekend full of friendship and company isn't quite over yet. Friday, we had a small gathering of friends who arrived into town for his wedding.

The wedding was beautiful. The bride and groom looked lovely.

I like going to weddings. Hearing the vows and commitments that couples make to one another remind me of my own wedding. I think I got myself a pretty great guy. :)

The visiting continued at the reception. There was, perhaps too much booze, and a few innane conversations. Lets just say that my conversation argument with her about the plant made me feel like a huge retarded dolt. Ah well, at least TUO & cenobyte got a good laugh outta of it. I am sure people often wonder about my intelligence and sanity when I do such stupid things. I say, meh.

The after party at our place was also the subject of much laughter and tears. I don't think anyone will ever forget, 'that's ok gramma, she's a midget.'

I am looking forward to a more low key night over at her place with more socializing and games.

Friends are awesome! I really miss our big get-togethers.

Interview

I just had a telephone interview with Telus for there New Grad Leadership Development program. It was pretty much a screening interview. I was asked about my career objectives, a time when I displayed leadership, working with a difficult individual and a time when I was innovative.

The process is a fairly rigorous one. After this stage there is a face to face interview, or in my case, likely another telephone interview. Then a case study that will need to be presented to a senior individual within the organization and a number of aptitude tests. I will find out in a couple of weeks whether or not I move on to the next stage. Although it is unlikely I will find out before my trip to Vancouver. I did advise the interviewer that I would be in the area, so lets hope that gets me a response sooner rather than later.

I am definitely excited about the opportunity. If I can land this job, I think it would be great. But I suppose I should watch it, my horse is getting a little too far ahead of the cart.