As many of you already know, I have been quite disgruntled about my work for the past number of months. There have been little things (perhaps, medium) that have come up over the course of the year that have been bothersome, as I feel there are some bad business practices occurring and definitely poor management.
I consider myself a fairly knowledgeable individual, especially when it comes to business. I am also a fairly strong individual who likes to work in an environment that is open (for the most part), honest, trusting, and values the contributions of their employees. It was becoming apparent at work, that this was not the case. It has caused me a lot of grief, stress and anxiety. More than I actually realized. I guess stress does that to you sometimes. But, I digress more than I would have liked.
So, I have been job hunting for the past few months. It must have been good timing, as when I starting looking there were lots of jobs in 'Learning & Development' advertised.
I have since had a number of interviews, all very promising and strong. However, due to the holiday season there have been delays that could not be prevented. I still think 'they' were quick considering.
I start my new job on January 14th with the Government of Alberta. I am elated, excited, thrilled, ecstatic....etc. It is a job in my field, with an organization that can provide endless opportunities for advancement, and something that will help create some stability in my life/career.
So far, the New Year has been very, very good to me. I have no specific resolutions this year. I will continue with my standard MO - take care of myself, eat well, exercise, always challenge myself, give/help to others, and spend time with family and friends.
Showing posts with label Career. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Career. Show all posts
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Monday, December 04, 2006
Just Moving; Not Dead
So...
Apparently my last post didn't impress too many of my friends. They figured it was a little stale and unfeeling and that I should re-post concerning my new news.
Well, on Friday I received a job offer from an insurance company serving educators in Alberta. I have verbally accepted the position and I am extremely excited about starting work with an amazing group of people. Well, at least the three people that were involved in the interviews. I am sure the rest of the employees are great too. From the observations and conclusions I have drawn, it appears that they look for warm, friendly, outgoing, happy individuals - like me - to fill their organization. I think I am in good hands.
I start work on December 11th - only one week from today. I am excited, nervous, and apprehensive all in one. I haven't worked for 15 months, so it will be good to get back to the grind and start learning and challenging myself once again. However, any new job is a little scary at the beginning because you do want to make a good impression and solidify in their minds that they made a good choice in hiring you. Plus, this whole temporary move thing puts me outta my comfort zone a bit. I was saying to Jeff this morning, 'I really do like change in life because it challenges me and helps me grow as a person, however there is just something about being surrounded by the comforts of your own home and things that makes this feel a little bit better.' I guess I will have to make do with with the comforts of my friends home for awhile. I should be fine, just feeling a little out of place.
As for moving, everthing is still up in the air about when and how. I will contacting our mortgage company and bank today to find out if they will approve us for another mortgage, as we really want to buy a house in Edmonton. That is exciting because we really didn't think we would be able to afford a whole house, especially if we moved somewhere like Calgary or Vancouver. But the housing market in Edmonton isn't too outta whack for us to purchase a home. Although it will be a heck of a lot more expensive than here, it is doable. So once I find out from the bank, our real estate agent will get moving on listing our house. How fast it sells will determine how fast we can get ourselves settled in Edmonton. I am hoping for a quick turn around, but you never know. It is December and Christmas time - not real great time to be looking to sell. However, our real estate agent seems optimistic, so I will keep my hopes up.
It looks like I will be able to get a good solid 2 weeks in at work before I am home again for Christmas. This will be a good way for me to get settled in the new job and start learning about the organization and the people that work there. Come January, I should be able to dive right into things. I think it will be a good way to start out in this job. I am still not certain how long I will be home for at Christmas, but I get 3 days off for sure (not including weekends). One extra stat at Christmas time for me - Sweet!
As for moving away, I am sadden that I will be leaving a group of close friends behind. This is hard because I really do love all my friends and thrive being around them. But it isn't all bad. First of all, we are only moving to Edmonton. It is a fairly short distance, and trips by friends are made quite often. So I hope to see everyone often, just not as often as I am used to. Secondly, one of my close girlfriends from high school lives in Edmonton. It will be great to spend more time with her and her husband. Thirdly, my other 3 close girlfriends from high school (Biggar) are scattered through Alberta and have lived there for many years. I have been the lonely Saskatchewanite for awhile, so it will be nice to be able to see them more often than I am used to. Fourthly, Bne - 'nough said.
Overall, Jeff & I are very, very excited about the new opportunities that have been presented for us. I knew I wouldn't stay in Saskatchewan for ever, and I think the move is quite timely. I really don't think I could take anymore people moving away.
I hope this post satisfies the unsatisfied.
Apparently my last post didn't impress too many of my friends. They figured it was a little stale and unfeeling and that I should re-post concerning my new news.
Well, on Friday I received a job offer from an insurance company serving educators in Alberta. I have verbally accepted the position and I am extremely excited about starting work with an amazing group of people. Well, at least the three people that were involved in the interviews. I am sure the rest of the employees are great too. From the observations and conclusions I have drawn, it appears that they look for warm, friendly, outgoing, happy individuals - like me - to fill their organization. I think I am in good hands.
I start work on December 11th - only one week from today. I am excited, nervous, and apprehensive all in one. I haven't worked for 15 months, so it will be good to get back to the grind and start learning and challenging myself once again. However, any new job is a little scary at the beginning because you do want to make a good impression and solidify in their minds that they made a good choice in hiring you. Plus, this whole temporary move thing puts me outta my comfort zone a bit. I was saying to Jeff this morning, 'I really do like change in life because it challenges me and helps me grow as a person, however there is just something about being surrounded by the comforts of your own home and things that makes this feel a little bit better.' I guess I will have to make do with with the comforts of my friends home for awhile. I should be fine, just feeling a little out of place.
As for moving, everthing is still up in the air about when and how. I will contacting our mortgage company and bank today to find out if they will approve us for another mortgage, as we really want to buy a house in Edmonton. That is exciting because we really didn't think we would be able to afford a whole house, especially if we moved somewhere like Calgary or Vancouver. But the housing market in Edmonton isn't too outta whack for us to purchase a home. Although it will be a heck of a lot more expensive than here, it is doable. So once I find out from the bank, our real estate agent will get moving on listing our house. How fast it sells will determine how fast we can get ourselves settled in Edmonton. I am hoping for a quick turn around, but you never know. It is December and Christmas time - not real great time to be looking to sell. However, our real estate agent seems optimistic, so I will keep my hopes up.
It looks like I will be able to get a good solid 2 weeks in at work before I am home again for Christmas. This will be a good way for me to get settled in the new job and start learning about the organization and the people that work there. Come January, I should be able to dive right into things. I think it will be a good way to start out in this job. I am still not certain how long I will be home for at Christmas, but I get 3 days off for sure (not including weekends). One extra stat at Christmas time for me - Sweet!
As for moving away, I am sadden that I will be leaving a group of close friends behind. This is hard because I really do love all my friends and thrive being around them. But it isn't all bad. First of all, we are only moving to Edmonton. It is a fairly short distance, and trips by friends are made quite often. So I hope to see everyone often, just not as often as I am used to. Secondly, one of my close girlfriends from high school lives in Edmonton. It will be great to spend more time with her and her husband. Thirdly, my other 3 close girlfriends from high school (Biggar) are scattered through Alberta and have lived there for many years. I have been the lonely Saskatchewanite for awhile, so it will be nice to be able to see them more often than I am used to. Fourthly, Bne - 'nough said.
Overall, Jeff & I are very, very excited about the new opportunities that have been presented for us. I knew I wouldn't stay in Saskatchewan for ever, and I think the move is quite timely. I really don't think I could take anymore people moving away.
I hope this post satisfies the unsatisfied.
Friday, December 01, 2006
I have a job!
I got the job in Edmonton.
I start on December 11th.
We will eventually be selling our house and Jeff will be joining me in Edmonton.
Make sure you call or come see me before I leave.
I will miss you all.
I start on December 11th.
We will eventually be selling our house and Jeff will be joining me in Edmonton.
Make sure you call or come see me before I leave.
I will miss you all.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
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!
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!
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
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.
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.
Monday, November 20, 2006
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.
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.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
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.
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.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Great Interview
A week and a half ago I had an interview. Today, I had a second interview with the same organization. It was awesome. I am quite excited. I am pretty sure that it was the best interview I have ever had. For a management position with a fair amount of responsibility, I was extremely relaxed and articulate in the interview. I hope to hear back within the week.
On another note, we are officially on vacation. We are staying at my best friends in Calgary until Wednesday, and then fly to San Fran to send some time with A&R. I can't wait.
Now that the interview is over I can relax and enjoy my holiday. If I get this job, it will start right away, so I best enjoy the last little bit of my free time.
On another note, we are officially on vacation. We are staying at my best friends in Calgary until Wednesday, and then fly to San Fran to send some time with A&R. I can't wait.
Now that the interview is over I can relax and enjoy my holiday. If I get this job, it will start right away, so I best enjoy the last little bit of my free time.
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