Has it really been this long???

Ooops!

Thank you all for your encouraging comments!  Yes, it is SO relaxing to be away from that atmosphere, I must admit.  ;)

I'm on LinkedIn, with my resume posted on Indeed and what looks like an abbreviated version on Workopolis (I really should look into that).  Making connections, sending out my resume (there's about 16 of them out there at last count, not including the ones where the positions are now filled), and calling old favours *lol*  That last one is the hardest for this introverted personality to do, but when it comes to finding gainful employment, I'll happily push myself out of my comfort zone and hustle with the best of them!

It can be difficult sometimes to keep the energy up, after all I'm only human and do get a little depressed from time to time (who doesn't during periods of unemployment?), but it's also been a fun and educational experience  getting out there and dancing like there's no tomorrow - which is what the job hunt can feel like occasionally *lol*  I joined a group on LinkedIn (paid membership, actually) called "Job Seeker", and it's been a real help.  Go digging through all of the comments, questions, and advice and you can learn quite a bit about what the search can be like, what mistakes to avoid, what other people's opinion on subjects like "Thank you letter or no thank you letter?" (I'm in favour of them, it's only polite to thank both the interviewer AND whomever the receptionist / admin person that was at the desk that day and helped you).  And definitely ask the interviewer what a good time would be to follow up - do this during the interview, not after it's finished or you could forget to ask.  Always follow up, you're not bothering them if you do it once during the time advised, and it'll show you're genuinely interested in the position and the company.

The purple in my hair has pretty much grown out - so much for "washes out in 28 washings".  My hairdresser says it's due to the purple being part of the red colour spectrum, which can stay in your hair forever.  Duh on me for not thinking of that! *lol*  In any case, when I finally post my pic on LinkedIn I'll look a little more professional with normal-coloured hair, for sure ;).  Thinking of posting a short video there as well, kind of a "getting to know me a bit" sort of thing...perhaps a "pre-interview"?  Not sure.  What do you think?  I'm looking for an Administrative Assistant position with an eye to working my way up to Office Manager (or even starting as an Office Manager, why not?).  A video would certainly be different for someone looking for that sort of job!  Not that I'm limiting myself to the positions previously mentioned.  I'd say that the important thing is that I have the opportunity to learn new things within the company, be it training, a lateral move to a different position, or moving up in the company. 

The difficult part is researching companies that I'm applying to.  While I'm not being picky, I need to be able to look in the mirror every morning and say "I like my job and the company I work for".  At the very least, I can live with what the company is.  Does that make sense?  I don't want to work for someone or something that's bent on the destruction of our planet, I don't think I could unless I figured there was some way of instituting change of some sort from the inside.  Perhaps I AM being picky, but I need to be able to live with the choices I've made in life, and career is one of those choices we all have to make.

Sheesh, what a downer there at the end of this post! *lol*

Anywho, courage to those of you out there looking.  It's difficult, frustrating, educational, sometimes fun, and a great way of kicking open doors within yourself and airing out the cobwebby bits! ;)

TTFN

I've been bad... :)

Lack of pics, lack of blog posts...my goodness I'm a really bad blogger!

From last weekend (Sept 26 - 27) on I was sick with the stomach flu - consider yourself warned that this flu is out there, so take good care of yourself!

The previous weekend, I was trying to clean up a calculator from the office - technology and apple juice do NOT mix well, please be careful with liquids, especially ones that get sticky as they dry (Ewww!) *lol*

I've been trying (and failing) at not spending money - damn you Etsy! :)  Investment time is slowly coming and I need to build up as much as I can.  And yes, I DO consider myself lucky that I actually have money invested (RRSP, TFSA, my "I need a home of my own" money) rather than living from paycheque to paycheque.  It's a great habit to get into, if you can manage it at all I definitely recommend it.  Even $10 per month put away in an account that's hard to take money out of adds up over time.  Everyone needs an emergency fund in case of life happening while you were making other plans...

Still looking for work in the same company I'm currently working for - 10 years is a lot of seniority to throw away - but not much is coming up.  I do have a meeting booked with the hiring officer in a department that I'm VERY interested in, so we'll see what happens.  networking.  A life-saver in the office world, or any work-world for that matter.  Make those connections, keep them going, and use them when you need to.  That last step is so hard, but everyone needs help of some sort, and it's not weakness to ask.  It may look like a "friend of a friend of a friend" kind of chain, but perhaps your co-worker or whomever just might know someone that knows someone in another area of your workplace that might be able to help you get a foot in the door...so-to-speak.  One thing to remember...always be ready to try and help someone else the same way if you can.  Pay it forward, return the favour, whatever, just don't be stupid enough to think that you can use people and not give something back!  Reputaions are broken that way, you know...  ;)

TTFN, must get back into the job hunt...

Blogs and shopping and job hunting

Oh my! *lol*

Looking for a new position within the company...not being given a choice as I have an end-of-October deadline. Knew this was coming, but it's still a kick in the head when it does, am I right? Watching my back for knives... ;)

Been looking up smoothie recipes on my fave site AllRecipes A totally fun place to hang out and make yourself hungry! Considering the switch from solid-food lunch (or would dinner be better?) to semi-liquid...not just for dieting (and I could stand to lose about 20lbs give or take), but from a health factor. Slowly trying to cut back on my obvious sugar intake and incorporate more "real foods" into my diet. The less procesed the better to my thinking, so this should be interesting. Trying to get a little more exercise in my day as well. I'm pretty good about taking stairs as opposed to escalators (sometimes even elevators), walking instead of transit, and getting enough wlaking time while at work (broken up into small intervals), but I certainly ned more. I'm going to try and get back into my weight routine - just basics with hand weights at home - and more walking. Due to being an arthritic old fart I need more low-impact routines than anything else, so I'm also thinking of trying some form of yoga as well. Flexibility is a good thing! *lol* I wonder if my eventual goal should be belly-dancing? Meh, let's just fit in more exercise and move on from there, shall we? Anyone familiar with my sewing promises and picture posting promises knows how much of a procrastinator I can be! :)

Shopping too much on Etsy...however, any of you with a leaning towards 1950s hats should take a look at a shop run by a friend of mine in New Jersey, Jan, at Briony Lodge Vintage on Etsy. She does sell from other eras (mainly the 1930s to the 1940s), but she is currently holding a "Closeout" sale of her more modern hats from the 1950s and 1960s, so hurry in and take a look around before the sale ends - and it will by the end of the month (July), if not before. Use her coupon code "TAKE10" (without the quotes) for an extra 10% off your purchase, and tell her I sent you! :)

Must get back to work now - I'd hate to get caught blogging in the office, especially now *lol* Have a terrific day y'all!!

TTFN