A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

Job hunt

“How do you feel about dogs?”

A friend and I were discussing jobs recently – more him asking me how the job was being I was a year in. For those of you who read here, you know I love where I’m at and happy how things worked out.

But …

There was that 2.5-year span where I wasn’t employed, sans a summer gig at a local baseball park for one summer. And, for the record, that was a whole heap of fun.

Needless to say, that span was tough. Over that long gap in employment, I had a bunch of interviews, some of which were the phone variety, others in person. And, as always, there’s going to be some that are way funnier or entertaining than others, right?

He reminded me of one interview I had that was mind-blowing in how it was done. I say this only because I expected much more. You see, this was with a national company and one that I had hoped was progressive in its thinking. It was for a position that was very heavy on public relations (at least in the description) and, to be honest, with everything I had done I was a near perfect fit, or so I thought.

  • I had impeccable references.
  • I had the qualities and experiences they needed.
  • I was a member of their organization
  • And I had ideas that, I believed, would help the organization.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t go in confident. I don’t think I was cocky, rather hopeful and willing to remain confident in hopes of being a better interviewee.

Because the job was many states away, it was a phone interview. There were certain cuts of the process. The final 10, the final five (if I remember right) and then they brought in the final two or three for face-to-face interviews.

The final 10 was an e-mail-style interview. They asked you a bunch of questions and you responded. I didn’t wait on it and finished it that day and sent it back. This is where it all started, though. The e-mail I got was an obvious cut-and-paste as it had the semi-arrows on the left side at each sentence.

So it looked like this all the way down the e-mail:

> I am pleased to inform you that you’ve been selected to move on to the next
> round of the search process. At this point, I have identified ten
> promising candidates for the position and I am pleased to have you as one
> of that number. In order to proceed, I would like you to please provide
> responses to the questions that appear below.

I was given about a week to fill this out, which was plenty of time. The questions were basic interview questions. Some of the questions were about the organization; some were asking me about reactions or situations etc. Basically, the items people expect to see at an interview. So it was nice they were getting these out of the way.

I sent it in a few days before the deadline and waited. At the beginning, they had given a tentative schedule. Usually, that’s good to follow. But I didn’t receive notice about this until a week after that deadline. That wasn’t anything to worry about, though, as I was selected to be part of the final five, which meant a phone interview with three people.

The phone interview was … well, odd.

This is the part where I really wondered about things. It never seemed to get a flow to it. Some of the questions were off-the-wall. Many of the questions made me wonder if the description of the job was actually what one would be doing.

I actually felt a bit deflated by it.

Then there was one point … one question … where I shook my head and couldn’t help but smirk. It was at that point that I knew there wasn’t any way getting the job. Not that I couldn’t do it, but … because this just threw me off.

The question?

How do you feel about dogs?

I was silent for a moment and stumbled for a second. How does one answer this? Was this one of those trick questions designed to see how you react? Was it something else that I was missing?

I responded: “Um.. I guess I like them? As long as they aren’t barking all the time?”

I made sure my voice sounded more like a question … and then I had to do it. I had to ask why that question was pertinent.

Turns out one of the employees sometimes brought dogs to the office and they wanted to know if people had allergies.

Now, I’m pretty sure it would be illegal to not hire somebody because they have animal allergies, especially when the job is not related to anything with animals.

How do you feel about dogs?

That really was asked to me. To this day I still shake my head. I wonder how the others reacted when asked this question. I also wonder if my response had any part of the decision, but who knows.

So in a professional environment, a question was asked my feelings about dogs because somebody brings their pets into work with them.

One day later, I received the e-mail saying I wasn’t moving on to the next round of interviews. And this was midway through my unemployment span, so I really wanted a job. But I almost breathed a sigh of relief because the job seemed to be different than advertised and …

Well, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about sharing an office with a dog.

I’d like to note two other things.

First, this was the second time I applied to this organization because I once believed in what they did. I still think, given the right spot, they can be an amazing organization. I’ll be honest that I’ve kind of fallen away from some of the things it is involved in, so I haven’t watched as closely as I once did.

Anyway…

The first time was for a position, honestly, I would have had no business having. That’s not the point here, though. What is the point is that everybody was supposed to get a response. I had friends who applied and didn’t get to the first cut and got e-mails. Not me. So, of course, I think I’m going to make it go through. Weeks go by and I hear nothing. So I finally contacted the office (via phone). I got an e-mail a few days later saying the e-mail had been sent to me about three weeks earlier, so they pasted it again. The odd part? It came to an e-mail I didn’t use with the organization for my job items.

That being said, at that point, I was still at the newspaper, so I didn’t worry too much. It was just mind-boggling that things like that happened.

The second thing is about the same time I was going for my current job (which I love – and for the record had an amazing interview process etc.), the same organization had a spot for – once again – a PR-type person. I went through the qualifications and was thinking “me, me, me, me.” I figured, what the heck, let’s try it again.

It didn’t reach that far.

I got the letter reach, my resume, and I really sold myself. I showed why I would be the perfect match. Then I got this interview and it looked promising. The package had to be sent the day before I was offered this job (or the day after, I can’t remember).

That package was never sent, though part of me wishes I had – just to see if I could have made it through a few rounds again.

In the end, it all worked out for me. But I need to end with one question to all the readers out there…

How do you feel about dogs?

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Ten Things of Thankful: Moving on with high spirits

I figured this week is probably a good one to do my second go at the Ten Things of Thankful. To say I have a lot of things to be thankful for is probably an understatement.

With that in mind, I’m going to find my 10 things and take part in Lizzi’s weekly challenge.

Realize, some of these will be about the same sort of topic — the job. And, of course, I’ll be throwing some other things in there as well.

So, without blabbing any further, here’s my 10 things.

1. Opportunity

This goes without saying. If you read my Friday post (and if you didn’t, I would highly encourage you to do so!), you know I’m gainfully employed again. Words can’t express enough how appreciative I am for this opportunity.

2. Timing

This is one of those jobs that moved fast. I got my stuff in a couple of days before the deadline, had the interview a handful of days later and then had the offer the next day. Talk about things working together in strong timing!

3. Interview

OK, I’m not always the best interview. Sometimes I think I do well and others I don’t. It hasn’t mattered much in recent years as it’s all ended with the same result. In fact, a couple of weeks ago I had an interview. I walked out figuring I wouldn’t get an offer and didn’t. But this one? Yeah. I rocked it and thought that. I left with cautious optimism and, in the end, it turns out the interview was solid.

4. Friends and family

The past three years have been tough. Without friends and family, I’d have been fully lost. I opened my guard up a little on this situation and, after I got the chance, I posted about it on Facebook (after contacting some people). The outpouring of comments was extremely humbling and words can’t describe how thankful I am.

5. Being well-rounded

OK, this is the last thankful that will go with the job stuff. But one think I learned at a few past stops on the job train was being well-rounded is important. I think it really helped me here as I showed confidence in every aspect that will be needed for this gig.

6. The Blogging World

I can’t express how important blogging has become to me. What a great community. It has been such an important part of my life and hopefully, it will continue. I find surprises every day and I want that to continue. I have some ideas I am going to start working on for my blog and it’s my hope it will entertain readers!

7. Podcasts

OK, I’m a little behind the time here. But I am really starting to get into podcasts. Some are really awesome. I’ll be blogging about one or two of them in the near future, but I want to keep finding high-quality podcasts to listen to. As much as I love driving to music, being able to listen to a quality podcast makes drives much faster!

8. Milk

A few weeks back, I stepped on a nail. I had to go to the ER and, then, a second time. At that point, I got an antibiotic I needed to take for 10 days. Dairy could only be had at certain times when taking this, so I basically avoided it. When the 10 days came and went, I had a big glass of milk. I really do love milk and it’s nice to be able to have a glass whenever I want!

9. Championship weekend

I’m also thankful that, for the second straight year, my niece is playing for a state championship in girls soccer. She’s but just a junior, and she starts on the squad this year. Last year, they lost in the final. Here’s hoping that changes this year.

10. Challenges

I really do enjoy challenges. I need to keep on top of them a bit more, but I do love ’em. Whether writing, photo or whatever else, they are a bit of fun. And with that, here’s another Ten Things of Thankful.

Ten Things of Thankful

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The tunnel opens and I finally walk through to the light

1,007 days.

That’s how long it’s been since the fateful day when my position was cut at the newspaper. That’s how long of a journey I’ve been through in search of a full-time, career-oriented job.

Unemployment.

Hundreds of applications.

Many interviews that ended with nothing.

Do you know how long 1,007 days is? No? Allow me to share.

Two years, nine months, three days.

Time to walk through to the light at the end of the tunnel. Finally.

During that time, I’ve watched friends start and/or add family members. I’ve seen people move on from job to job. I’ve watched a national election closer than I have ever done so before. I’ve started a niche blog on disc golf, I’ve grown my personal blog and I’ve been through thick and thin. I’ve revamped my resume more times than I care to think about and I’ve written so many cover letters, I could wallpaper a room.

All that time, I’ve done everything I can to keep an upbeat attitude. Something had to happen, right? Something good. I couldn’t have messed with karma that bad, could I?

1,007 days. You know what that’s equal to? 24,168 hours.

If you worked that many hours at $7.50 per hour, you would have $181, 260. I don’t have that. It’s unfortunate, but it’s OK. In fact, I’ve dwindled my savings and any bit of a retirement I had down to nearly nothing.

But at least I had it to draw from. Heaven only knows where I’d be without it!

As I’ve been searching through all this time, I’ve kept it all in perspective, several times here on the blog. I had a roof over my head, friends and family who supported me and the ability to still eat. I had enough of a savings to keep me afloat, pay my bills and survive. I’ve also found enough work — albeit temporary — to keep some income coming in at times I needed it most.

Still, when you think about it — 1,450,080 minutes is a long time! That’s 87,004,800 seconds! Think about that one for a while.

I still remember Feb. 11, 2011 like it was yesterday. So it makes it a little easier to move along. I left with no bridges burned and was professional in every way possible. If you want to look back at my thoughts about it, click here for the post I did at that time.

Now starts a new — and exciting — chapter in my life.

When I first saw this position advertised, it caught my eye. Being it was in the educational field, my brother (a teacher) forwarded it to me as well. I looked at it closer and as I looked at each skill or requirement, I said (probably out loud) “Me, me, me etc.”

To say the least, I was excited.

Then, things moved quickly. I mailed my application in and it arrived a day or so before the deadline. Two days later, I was contacted for an interview. Five days later, I had the interview.

At no point during the past three years have I ever felt so comfortable and confident during and leaving an interview. I thought my answers were honest and to the point. There were follow-up questions, which excited me. I walked out thinking there wasn’t much else I could do. I felt like it was a natural fit. In fact, I sat in my car shortly after the interview and wondered to myself if this long stretch was there for a reason. Maybe this job was meant for me?

At times I wondered where I would end up and things like this kept me grounded. Now, it’s like I am staring at this non-stop, which is a good thing.

I left with cautious optimism.

The following day, I was offered the position. It didn’t take me too long to accept, that’s for sure.

I don’t know how all of you are, but I’ve always been a believer in things happening for a reason. Whether it was my position being cut or the nearly three years of doing this or that, it all leads to some sort of an ending.

And, truthfully, things don’t always end happily.

At times, I wondered if I would be one of those people. Find a job, just to get by and then watch the years pass by. So many good jobs have passed me by. I wondered if I wasn’t meant for this field, or if I was just not somebody who was going to find that “career” position. I even considered going back to barber school (which, to be honest, I might have done if I thought financially it made sense).

All the while, I tried to stay upbeat. I watched as friends and family were successful. I supported everybody I in any way I could. I even sent out applications for work I probably was “too overqualified” for (those aren’t my words — it’s what I’ve been told more than once. I don’t think anybody is overqualified for a job. If I apply for it, there’s a reason I want it so don’t always look at the education/experience and think I won’t accept it).

Then, this job appeared — almost like a “guardian want ad.”

It’s funny how things work out. I just had this feeling. A really good one. I did something I don’t normally do — I told people I applied. I said I had an interview. I showed excitement. I let my guard down some. I allowed people to wish me luck. Usually, I’m guarded and try not to get things like that.

Maybe karma finally helped me out. Or so many positive vibes helped. I don’t know what it was, but it worked.

Basically, I was on the big table at the World Series of Poker. I had a pair of Jacks and hoped nobody else could beat it. So, I went all in. And, now, I have something to show for it.

I couldn’t be more excited and can’t wait to dive in.

To readers and those who have been along on this journey with me, thank you for everything. No matter if it was a simple comment, a pat on the back or just a smile, it all helped — more than I can ever say. Thank you a million times over.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Look kids, Big Ben … Parliament

Remember that scene from National Lampoon’s European Vacation where Clark W. Griswold and family are in the roundabout?

He can’t get left and keeps going in circles, making sure to point out Big Ben and Parliament to the kids?

Yeah, I’m hoping you know what I mean, but in case you don’t…

Anyway, this isn’t a post about National Lampoon’s European Vacation, roundabouts, Big Ben or Parliament.

It’s about feeling like Clark W. Griswold.

Last week marked my last week working at my summer gig. That was a great band aid for me and my situation of seeking long-term (career) employment, but it’s ended.

And with it making sure I covered my bills and gas money for the summer, I’m almost tapped out again.

Unfortunately, the job didn’t allow me to be able to get unemployment benefits again (which, to be fair, I hadn’t had long before taking said job). I didn’t expect that, though, so I’m not worried there.

But it’s put me back to square one. Thankfully, I have this month’s bills all paid. I should be able to get by with my dwindling “retirement” to get by for a couple of more months, if absolutely needed. Hopefully it won’t be.

All this makes me laugh when politicians are talking about how everything is getting better. Yeah, right.

So that means I’m back to square one. I submitted my resumes to a few sites today. I’m trying some non-traditional ways of finding jobs. I’m going to try and dig a little deeper on LinkedIn, for example. Or check the job sites a little deeper and see what else I can do to get my resume seen and noticed.

I’ll be submitting applications to places around here. Maybe I can stock some shelves overnight. That would still allow me daytime stuff to do the job hunt and things like that.

This is tough, though.

For a long time, I thought it built character. I was confident. Now, I don’t know. I have a piece of paper that shows I have a master’s degree, which, is apparently quite worthless. My field is tough as can be and it makes me wonder about going back to school.

Then there’s this question — how would I pay for it?

I keep looking at the fact that I have family and friends who have supported and helped me when possible. I have a roof over my head, a car that (for the most part) works and, I guess, my health.

But it’s back to the grind for me.

I wonder at times what kind of things I did to have this sort of karma on me. It’s so frustrating at times to watch as people switch jobs, get raises, have good things happen and, sometimes, they aren’t always the nicest of people. Maybe that’s the issue. Maybe, at times, I’m too nice and not aggressive enough.

Maybe that should change.

In the end, I’m looking for a change of scenery, a change of everything and a chance to actually try and get ahead in life. I know it is going to be an uphill climb and I’m ready to start the climb.

I just need the chance.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Learning to change sleep patterns isn’t easy

I’m a bit of a night owl.

I always have been. I don’t know why, but I dig sleeping in and staying up late.It’s not that I don’t like being up during the day, but the evening is a great time to get some things — such as a job hunt, writing or whatever.

That all started back several years ago when I worked for a local weekly paper.I did most of my work at night and several of us used to hang out late into the night, chatting, chilling or doing whatever else.

When I went back to college, I was a bit of a night owl, too. That being said, I purposely made sure I had 8 a.m. classes. In fact, most of the time, I was done by noon. Then I’d usually do whatever work needed to be done, take a power nap and be ready for whatever shenanigans the night had in store for me.

In graduate school, all my classes were after 5 p.m. The night owl continued.

Finally, my last stop, at a daily paper required later hours. The standard shift was 4 p.m.-midnight — or later. Coming home from work, most people don’t go right to bed. That’s no different when you work silly hours. So a 3 a.m. bedtime was never strange for me.

When I lost that job because of my position being cut, I kept those hours. I found writing cover letters, researching jobs and going through the application process worked better at night. Why? It was quiet. No kids, animals or any other noises from the neighborhood to alter my attention.

Then I got a summer gig.

This job, which is a photography job at a local camp that attracts people from around the country and beyond, is a 13-week deal. It’s not bad and there are some really good people there. I’ve enjoyed it so far and expect that to continue.

But holy cow are the hours something to get used to.

See, the job runs, for the most part, from 8 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. In theory, that’s excellent. It gives you normal hours and with the summer as it is, you still have plenty of daylight to do whatever — such as geocaching, or disc golf, or whatever.

And softball, which is something I’m quite happy about.

But that also means my recent bedtime of, oh, 2 a.m. or so is out the door. I have to get up at about 6 a.m., which allows time for a shower, breakfast and travel time to get there on time. It’s about 45 minutes from me, so I have to plan accordingly.

I’ve noticed so far that those hours have wiped me. After work, I’m more likely to fall asleep than go on a hike to find some geocaches.

Part of it I blame on my body not being used to the early wake-up call, which I’m sure will eventually adjust. My sleep pattern is something I’ve had for years, so it’s not easy to change it right away. As the summer wears on, I have a feeling I’ll be OK. And, hopefully, it will help me prepare for something beyond the summer — something I keep working on in hopes of finding the career gig.

The other is the weather. When you are out all day in the elements (so far, hot) and carrying around a camera with a massive zoom, it catches up to you. For the eight or so hours I’m working, I’d guess I’m on my feet for 7-7.5 of them. That works the body over.

In the first two days of outside work (the first day was studio work), I’ve logged 4.6 miles on the pedometer.

Eventually, I expect my body to catch up with things soon, too. And that is something I’ll be quite happy about. Then I can start taking advantage of being done with work with several hours of daylight remaining.

In the end, I’ll take the all the results of having this new job. Sleep, a sore body and whatever else. Being back in the workforce — if even just for 13 weeks — is a good thing.

But those sleep patterns… they aren’t easy to change!

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