MORE JUMPING

I just want a job! I have lost track of the depressing number of resumes/applications that I have sent and the numerous interviews...

Questionnaire from a potential employer:
1) Describe your experience with computers, including entering and locating information in databases.
I have experience with Microsoft Suite and a variety of databases including Access, FileMaker Pro, and Excel. Currently, I utilize an Access-based database for the Program. I enter data and create a variety of reports for our program.

2) Describe your experience obtaining information from a variety of people over the telephone or in person. Include a situation where you were effective in talking with an angry, demanding, and/or upset community person (customer).
Telephone skills are imperative for customer service. I worked as a Telephone Research Assistant. I would conduct a variety of telephone interviews depending upon the project. The most intensive was a 2 to 2.5 hour interview with childcare providers. Currently, I converse with clients and others contacting our Program. Occasionally, a client will call with a complaint. It is important for the person to know that they are being listened to and that their complaint will be responded to in a timely manner. We have the policy of documenting complaints and seeking a resolution within 24 hours. Usually, this is possible and the client is satisfied. If we are not able to locate a solution, I make certain that the client is informed of the progress. As a result, we have a very high satisfaction level from the people that we serve.

3) Describe your experience balancing conflicting job demands.
It is not unusual to have conflicting job demands when there are several projects that need to be completed. It is important to speak with the supervisor to determine which project is the highest priority. It is also important to let people know the status of their project. They may also be under a deadline and sometimes the projects need to shift. I have a lot of experience with disaster response and can manage the stress very well.

4) Describe how you have contributed to a positive work culture and team environment.
Relationship building is an asset to a positive work culture and team environment. It is important to get to know your co-workers, eat with them, and participate in office special activities (such as birthday celebrations). A positive environment begins with a smile and "hello" and I also like to have a dish of sweets at my desk.

5) Describe your experience with facilities providing services to vulnerable adults and/or children.
I currently work with clients, many of who are considered to be vulnerable adult. I also worked for five years with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness clients, which provided housing units for clients.

Thank you for your time and consideration of my responses.
Sincerely,
Ima B. Musing

Hire me!
Copyright © 2014 by Ima B. Musing; All rights reserved

JOB SEARCH HOOPS

It is becoming more common to have a pre-interview telephone or emailed questionnaire screening. Here is an example of one which I received. I have abbreviated some responses and changed the name of one organization where I worked.

Management Assistant Qualifications Review:
Please complete the following questions as part of the selection process for the Management Assistant position. Please limit your answers to each question to no more than 500 words.

1. Describe relevant experience, education, training and coursework that prepared you for the position of management assistant. Include any seminars or workshops attended and specify the number of credits and length of time for training courses.
I have a Master of Education degree. My education has been supplemented with coursework (sic, et al). Learning is lifelong and I continuously seek more opportunities to expand my knowledge base.

2. Describe the largest and most important work related project which you have managed. Describe the purpose of the project, your specific role, your duties or responsibilities and outcome of the project.
I coordinated the first Immigrant Women’s Conference while serving as the Assistant Director of the Council of Immigrant Women [pseudonym]. I originated the idea, worked with the staff and board to create a mission with accomplishable goals, procured funding, and assembled a committee to facilitate the conference. We focused on success in the American workplace. I organized our deadlines and made certain that committee members had the resources they needed to accomplish tasks. Over three hundred people attended the event and one third were men. The conference was given a positive review and we organized a series of smaller follow up meetings to help women work on leadership skills. Subsequently, immigrant women have organized several groups to network and support leadership development.

3. Describe your experience and proficiency with various computer software packages including word processing, database and presentation packages. Indicate your level of proficiency from 1 - 5 (i.e. 1= no proficiency; 5 = extremely proficient). Be specific. In addition, provide a specific example of a work product/project and which program(s) were used in the creation/development of the product/project.
Microsoft Suite:
Word, typing speed of 50 with level 5 proficiency
Excel level 4 proficiency
PowerPoint level 5 proficiency
Access level 4 proficiency

4. Describe how you would handle a situation in which the customer is asking for something that is not in the best interest of the organization or would violate some policy of the organization.
When a customer requests something that either does not serve the interest or violates an organizational policy it is important to educate the customer. Respectfully decline their request and explain why. Specifically site the policy or mission statement which would be violated, oftentimes the customer is unaware of the established protocol. However, if the request is a legal violation then it is best to consult with the supervisor for the next steps. Document the request for future reference.

5. In this position you will be required to take direction from various individuals and respond to requests from a variety of sources. Describe how you would prioritize requests and how you would prepare a system to help you answer questions and request information efficiently and effectively. Describe what systems you would develop to provide information quickly.
Prioritization of requests is determined by the goals of the department and in consultation with my supervisor. Clear communication is essential and it is helpful to create a calendar listing deadlines. Frequently Asked Questions informational sheet is an ideal reference source. It will ensure consistency in response to similar questions. Flexibility is key.

6. Describe your approach to providing customer service. Provide an example of a difficult customer service situation you were involved in and the specific steps you took to resolve it.
My approach to customer service focuses on communication. Listening is imperative to understand what the customer is seeking. I have worked in both retail and human service positions and encountered numerous difficult customer service situations. On one occasion a customer was upset because an item broke and they needed an immediate replacement but we did not have any at the store. The sales associate was not amenable and made the customer very agitated. As the Assistant Manager, I calmed the customer and asked if I could contact other stores to see if they had the item in stock. The customer agreed and I called eight of nine stores before I located the item. The customer was delighted and decided to travel directly to the store to procure the replacement. The next week she returned with a thank you note for me.

Thank you for your time and consideration of my responses.
Sincerely,
Ima B. Musing

NOTE: Made it past this essay examine. I showed up for the interview to learn that it had been cancelled. The person coordinating the meeting sent an email and didn’t bother to call. I never applied there again.

Still searching after all these years.
Copyright © 2014 by Ima B. Musing; All rights reserved

CANDY COATING

My job search can be humorous at times. This is a real job description. I’ve changed a few items so that the name of the store is not apparent. It made me laugh.

***** GUEST GURU DESCRIPTION *****
THE MISSION OF A GURU (the function):
Gurus at our business do just that! They inform! Their main role is to effectively educate our in-store students about our product, our culture and communities. By educating guests we empower them to make decisions for themselves based on the facts that we offer them. By doing this, the guesswork is taken out of shopping for customers, and a ‘Cool, for me!’ guest experience is created, leaving customers with the knowledge to educate others on behalf of our business. Authentic conversations are key to delivering the ultimate guest experience by relaying your experiences with our products to the guest. Involvement in teamwork is highly emphasized and the focus is placed on turning a ‘no’ into a ‘yes’ whenever possible.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A GURU (the responsibilities):
Education and Guest Experience:
• Provides guests with world-class ‘education’ and guest experience in the areas of product, culture, and community by speaking authentically about product use through their own experiences
• Product Education: communicates special features, benefits, fabric properties, usage, and best care instructions
• Culture Education: ‘demonstrates’, the culture held within the company, including: attitude of fun, respect, support, empowerment, encouragement, passion, interaction with other staff, and in-store discussion of lifestyle (i.e. fitness)
• Community Education: ensures guest is aware of in-store community bulletin board – for information and resources regarding health, fitness and related community information

Floor Duties:
• Creates excitement and FUN for our guests on the retail floor
• Receives/processes stock received from warehouse, involving: unpacking, counting, tagging as required, folding, sizing and placing on the floor, with overflow stock in back room and stored areas
• Assists in preparing the store for the day including: replenishing garment styles and other merchandise by color, size, and quantity requirements; folding, sizing, and merchandising as required
• Answers phone inquiries as required
• Ensures stock replenishment in work areas
• Ensures items from change rooms are returned to appropriate area - sized and tagged
• Prepares clothing for alterations; and educating guests regarding timelines for completion
• Arranges for mail and/or delivery, as required, to other locations and/or warehouse
• Completes assigned clean up evening duty
• Utilizes the Point of Sale cash system, processes payments, refunds and exchanges and issues gift cards
• Prepares alterations for pick up the next day
• Unpacks boxes for inventory as required. Boxes can weigh 10 - 30 lbs
• Under the direction of the Store/Assistant Manager performs/completes other additional project, duties, and assignments as required and/or by request

GURU MUST HAVE’S (the Knowledge, Skills and Qualifications):
• Passion, knowledge and involvement in physical exercise activities required. We expect that you will be enrolled in participating in weekly fitness activities in and out of the store with the store team
• Strong personal sense of style and athletically minded
• Upbeat, optimistic, passionate, friendly and authentic
• Excellent team player and ability to work independently
• Responsible and dependable
• Proactive and solution-oriented
• Excellent communication skills – verbal and written
• Extraordinary guest interaction, organizational and time management skills
• Ability and willingness to accept and provide feedback
• Completion of grade 12 education – preferred
• Strong problem solving and decision-making skills.
• General computer knowledge.

A GURU’S WORKING DAY (the Hours):
We expect all full-time employees to be available to open and close, at a minimum, twice per week. We expect all part-time employees to be available to open and close a minimum of once per week. Everyone must work one weekend day. Part-time is up to 23 hours per week; full time is 24-40 hours per week. Time is spent educating on the retail floor.

SELF DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING (the expansion):
Proactively acquires knowledge/education regarding company general information, news bulletins, store policy, processes, quality control, new garments/styles, customer feedback/experiences, and staff information/communiqué.
***** END OF DESCRIPTION *****

It’s a bleeding sales associate job, wrapped in a pretty package. Don’t apply if you aren’t fit and attractive. People with disabilities and over the age of twenty-five will be ignored.

Put a bow on it.
© Copyright 2013 Ima B. Musing: all rights reserved.

DEAD TIRED

Weary. I am so sick and tired of seeking employment. I apply for jobs and attend networking events but with no positive result. I have sent out over 500 applications and been on over 20 interviews. A friend of mine told me to stop counting but I have a rough estimate of the mounting rejections. Woe is me.

I wish that there were a method to scan me in, just once. It would obtain all my skills and work preferences and then automatically match me with openings. I would then scan the openings and indicate which ones I that intrigue me. I wouldn’t have to spend hours and hours and hours looking for opportunities and hoping for a match. Filling out the same information on different forms, it is so bloody tedious. Perhaps Linked In could create this feature. I’d love it.

It makes me ask what is wrong with me? I have education and experience. I can do a lot. I can learn new skills. Yes, I am a flawed human. I just feel a bit desperate because I fear financial catastrophe. I’m gonna give up the search. I will acquiesce to temp jobs after ardently seeking employment since July 2010. I removed my Master degree from my resume since apparently it intimidates supervisors. Sad, but true.

I hate temporary work. The pay is bad, no benefits, awful training (if any), and you get treated like crap by the temp agency and the employer. I have never had a good experience while temping. One time I got to an office and another temp worker showed up, the agency had double booked us. Because he had been with the agency longer, he got the job. I was totally pissed and never worked for the agency again. There is no guarantee that any temp agency will place you in a position so you have to sign up with several and hope.

My anxiety has increased and I have had touches of depression. A very dangerous combination. My self-esteem has suffered from the myriad rebuffs. I feel fearful about the future. My optimism is drowning in doubt. Thankfully, it is springtime and I can putter in the yard. Growing my garden always makes me feel better and provides a physical outlet for the stress. Plus, I can eat the results. I feel rather guilty when going to the food-shelf. I’d much rather donate than receive.

Please hire me.
© 2012 Ima B. Musing
PS Monetary gifts can be directed to www.gofundme.com/i4ix0 account. Thanks!

END OF THE DOLE

Well, its official now, I no longer count because my Unemployment Benefits are exhausted as am I. 451 resumes, seventeen interviews, five phone interviews (does not include those which led to an in-person meeting), two tests, and eight online questionnaires have yielded no positive result. Frustratingly depressing especially since some human resources personnel are rude enough not to even send me a rejection email or letter after contact. I don’t expect communication when I mail a resume but I do when I spend the time with a questionnaire or attend an interview.

I blame the United States Congress for the horrible economy. They deregulated the banks, which caused too much financial risk. Greed sank the American economy to line the pockets of the uber wealthy aka 1%, but it extends to the top 10%* income bracket. The corporate guilty parties go unpunished and the wealthy don’t pay their fair share of taxes. Congress has not done enough to re-regulate banks or tax the rich. Big businesses control the United States, even though they are not people. Regular humans don’t matter anymore. That is why is it essential for every citizen to get involved in politics. We can take back the power aka Occupy Wall Street. Don’t elect corporate puppets. Work on behalf of candidates who actually support regular people. Donate time, money, and most importantly vote for moderate candidates who represent the bottom half of the economy aka regular people. www.nolabels.org is helpful.

I’m in the bottom tier of low-income. I have a Master degree and experience but can’t find a job. My journey began in June 2009 when my full time job was cut to part-time. Located a full-time position in April 2010 but got fired in July. Total unemployment since July 2010 is abysmal. I take responsibility for being imperfect but I did not deserve to be fired. I’m angry with myself for my flaws.

My days are consumed with job search. I continue to seek even though no longer counted by the government. I registered with temporary agencies to provide some income, will sell my stuff, not buy anything except absolute essentials, and hold my breath until I procure employment. My heart has begun to flutter and I’m sure it’s due to stress. I struggle to remain optimistic. Sorry to be bitter today but I need to be honest.

I hated being on the dole aka Unemployment. I’d much rather be working, paying taxes, and making donations to others. I haven’t been sitting on my arse waiting for someone to give me a hand out. I have been actively seeking employment. I feel angry when people assume otherwise.

*Note: There are some exceptionally generous wealthy people in America. They should be praised for their assistance to others and contributions to nonprofit organizations. However, they comprise a minority of the top 10-25% income earners.

Will work for money.
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

LAMENTING THE SEARCH

Terribly disappointed not to have been offered the job that I interviewed for on the 18th. It would have been a good match. I have an interview for a part time position later this week, position #16. Painful to be frequently rejected for such a sustained period of time.

Multitude of hours spent in front of a computer applying for 348 jobs, thus far. Numerous employers, including the federal government, have cumbersome application processes. I am willing to work for a corporation though my heart lies elsewhere. I expanded my search to include part-time and contract work. Part-time with no benefits is cruel. I should at least get pro-rated benefits at 50% of a regular full-time employee. However, I will take any job that I can procure.

My extended unemployment benefits will be ending soon. By no means did I expect to exhaust them. I have never had so much trouble locating employment. It is frustrating and rather frightening. I fear a catastrophe that would cost money. I panicked when the furnace ceased to function. My accounts are dwindling at the credit union. Many employers don’t hire from Thanksgiving until mid-January. I’ll just sign up with temporary agencies and do that for a while. I am sick and tired of searching for employment. I don’t have anyone to fall back on for financial assistance. My friends provide emotional support but I know enough not to ask for money.

Winter is a lousy time to be unemployed. Cold and cloudy days don’t improve my mood. I keep the house cool at 56 degrees to save on heating costs. Holidays add extra pressure because people expect happiness. I don’t feel happy right now. I’m worried and stressed. I don’t want a handout; I just want a full time job with benefits that pays the bills.

One bright note is the Tea Tasting Event at Mrs. Kelly’s Tea this weekend, December 3rd and 4th. It is located in the old Grain Belt Brewery Warehouse in NE Minneapolis. Social entrepreneur activity with donations benefiting charity of a $2 admission or food shelf item. Delicious and exotic teas to sample and food vendors, too. They have some of the best tea that I have ever consumed. The Green Tea Jasmine Pearls don’t taste like a swamp. More information is at www.mrskellystea.com Hope to sip with you there.

Hire me, please!
© 2011 Ima B. Musing

FALLING INTO FALL

Sorry for the belated posting. I have been so blasted busy during the past couple weeks and my schedule is fairly full for the remainder of October. I even have dates filled for November.
My schedule is more hectic while unemployed than when I was working. I do job search (unfortunately, I don't always locate positions to send in an application), physical activity (walk, clean or yardwork), tangible chore everyday (empty the dishwasher, do a load of clothes, sweep the floor, etc), and do something fun weekly (lots of free and cheap activities or else read a library book). All of a sudden the day is done and I'm too tired to accomplish anything more.
I have a lot that I want to do before I get another full-time job. Yardwork (get it cleaned up before the snow falls) and indoor chores (finish sorting some boxes, plus, cleaning and organizing closets and drawers). I need to paint but that can wait until spring.
Run, run, rush, rush, is there any time to enjoy life???
(c)2010

GOTTA HAVE GOALS

GOAL #1 JOB SEARCH: Conduct job-search related activities at least five times per week.
GOAL #2 PHYSICAL: Engage in physical movement at least five times per week.
GOAL #3 CHORE: Accomplish a chore at least five times per week.
GOAL #4 SOCIAL: Socialize at least once per week.

Obtain a full-time job before December 1st, 2010. The sooner the better! I do need enough income to pay the bills since the cats won’t work. I need benefits, such as health insurance. Most importantly, the job will occur in a positive work atmosphere where I am truly appreciated.

More details about the goals: Job searching is abstract. I send out my resume and wonder if a human ever reads it. Physical movement includes yard-work, house cleaning, or walking. I need to sweat at least a little. I admit to being rather out of shape so it will take me a while before I am ready for heavy-duty cardio-stuff. Chores are something tangible such as organizing a closet. If the chore is physically active enough it will also count as physical movement. Socializing will focus on no or low cost activity with at least one other person who I know.

I am posting these goals to help keep me accountable. However, I don’t know if anyone is reading this blog. If you are, please follow it. Thanks!
© 2010