Time for Something Different

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.

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!

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.

Bummed out

As you may have guessed, from the lack of posting any new and exciting news, I still don't have a job. I still applying for jobs fairly aggressively, putting out approximately 5 per day. There seems to be a fair amount of jobs to apply for within Sask, Alberta, and BC, however no one seems to be calling my number.

So, today I went out with lunch with my school friends. It was great to see them and visit. The handful of us that were unemployed at the end of school are pretty much still looking for working, however the ball seems to have finally got rolling for a few of them, with interviews and job offers. Something that I have yet to see. Well, I suppose you can count the UofC interview, but that was way back in August when I was still in school.

Since I have returned from holidays (mid-Sept), I have put out 63 applications to specific job postings. And nothing! But, I guess I can't get a call for everything. Pauly thinks I am averaging pretty much the same as him, as he has had 5 job interviews for 150 applications/resumes sent out.

Everyone I talk to keeps saying that it will 'just hit', and I am hoping it will. It is just frustrating to see your friends luck begin to turn around while I am still sitting here jobless.

My 'mother-daughter caring thoughts calender' seemed to bring back the optimisim in me, for a moment anyways. Todays thought:

When you get into a tight place and it seems you can't go on, hold on, for that's just the place and the time that the tide will turn.
*Harriet Beecher Stowe*

The job search continues...

After an exciting 5 days in Calgary and a fabulous wedding, I am back to the grind (if you can really call it that) of searching for employment.

I spent the first to days of this week volunteering for bio-logical futures III. I didn't get much of a chance to network with anyone who was attending, as they were pretty busy networking with other national and international organizations. However, I did meet some great people from Ag-West Bio.

It was a nice change of scenery. It actually felt like I was employed. I got up early, dressed myself in some nice professional clothes, and returned home after a long, tiring day. Kinda funny how I miss that.

I am really hoping that something turns up soon. If nothing has surfaced by November I have decided to make a few temporary moves. Andrea in Edmonton has offered her place, and I am sure Jen wouldn't mind me staying with her in Calgary for awhile. But I would rather not bother the newly-weds. I might even make my way to BC and crash with the West-Coaster.

Right now, I pretty much will take anything. It isn't so much the money as it is the boredom.