First interview

Had an interview for a job
So excited to get the call
Nervous
Didn't sleep well
Wonderful opportunity
Don't want to get too excited ...
Waiting for the call back
Hard not to hope
Keep positive
Work on other things
Hmmm
Lalalala
Blah

Job Hunting rules

If you are mid-career, out of work and looking, you've probably already figured this one out: The tried-and-true job-hunting techniques that served you so well in the past no longer fill the bill.

While you were faithfully toiling away for the same employer, maybe for decades, a lot changed. Today it's a brave new world of social media and digital resumes and Google-ability. What's more, many extremely qualified people are willing to take positions clearly "beneath" them. Some will even work for free.

What's an experienced, qualified, truly valuable potential employee who needs a job that pays actual money like you to do? You really have only one choice: Get to know this brave new world, and conquer it.

Here are the 10 biggest differences between then and now:

1. You can no longer depend on a resume to get an interview. Simply mailing out resumes and then sitting back and waiting for responses was never that effective, and today it just doesn't cut it. It's a waste of time, paper, postage, and psychic energy.

2. Your experience matters less than it used to. This is unfair, even counter-intuitive, but people don't want to hear about everything you did way back when. They want to hear about everything you can do, specifically, to help them today. And tomorrow.

3. You shouldn't expect to hear back. Unfortunately, this little courtesy has gone the way of the vinyl record. Keep on networking, interviewing, and researching right up until the moment you have a firm job offer in your hot little hands. Maybe even a little after.

4. A resume is no longer a comprehensive summary of your work and education history. Don't bother to list jobs more than 15 years old. Emphasize recent accomplishments, certifications, and training.

5. More about resumes: You need a digital-friendly one that is easily uploadable, downloadable, and scannable (i.e., no bullets, boxes, boldface, unusual fonts, indenting). It should be rich in the "keywords" that employers in your field are looking for.

6. In fact, overall computer literacy is a must. Get comfortable with applying for jobs online and learn how to research on the Internet. If all this is new to you, your public library is a good place to start. Oh, and have a professional-sounding E-mail address.

7. A good idea is to go one step further and establish a lively Internet presence. Explore LinkedIn (get some stellar endorsements), Twitter, and Facebook. Become active in your field's social media sites. Consider building your own Web site (with a career-oriented blog, professional photo, and resume).

8. One of the first things a potential employer will do is Google you. That means you need to find out if there's anything negative about you online. If there is something bad, try to get it removed. Your best bet may be to "bury" it with more recent, more favorable, links (see No. 7).

9. More than ever it's about who you know, and who knows you. This is important: Finding employment nowadays is less a matter of applying for existing open positions and more about identifying needs potential employers have and demonstrating to them that you can fill these needs. Fortunately, there are more networking venues (real life and virtual) than ever before.

10. Many interviewers/hiring managers/recruiters may be younger than you. Get used to it. Treat them with respect and learn how to speak their language. Do not say "You remind me of my son/daughter," or "When I was your age... !"

written by Karen Burns

Cinco De Mayo

So we celebrated Cinco De Mayo yesterday.

Cooked some wonderful mexican food while listening to mexican music.

Stuffed shells, guacamole, salsa, margaritas, beer, and fun !

looking for another job

So I just got laid off from my new job.
The company lost thier biggest customer (losing 50% of their revenue) and had to let over 20 people go.
I'm the newest employee with just me in my area, so I was called this morning.
Unless I can generate enough revenue to cover at least my pay, I won't be getting called back.
So out go 20 resumes today to see what I can find.
I do hope to secure a job soon. I really liked this company and the people there. It was my comfort zone.
The money was already getting tight with just my husband's income. I was out of work for 17 months and back to work for only 2.
Wish and hope and pray I find something soon. I feel bad for the company.
I feel bad for all the people with no jobs. It's hard out there.

I am such a hard working and loyal employee. I wish there was some test to measure this and show companies this.
I am so many valuable things .... when do I get 'mine' ?!?

Balanced Brained

After filling out a quiz on which side of the brain I use, I got these results;

Balanced-brained people are mentally ambidextrous. They know how to rely on the right or left hemisphere of their brain depending upon the situation.
However, because balanced-brained people have so many options available to them when solving problems, they often have a hard time coming up with one clear solution. Sometimes, the obvious answer isn't always there.

This is so true.

I am quite ambidextrous with several things that I do. I used to be able to write with both sides, but I am definitely out of practice. when it comes to crafts and sports, I use both. Same with calculators and cutting. It helps a lot to be able to use both hands at once.

I was just talking to my husband the other day about how I see both sides of any issue. I can see why both seem to be right from each point of view. I may feel towards one side over the other, but it is hard to choose because I can put myself in both sets of shoes and understand the realms.

I often have a hard time making decisions.

My feelings do get in the way of my brain. I feel too much and it clouds my judgement at times.

The brain is a magnificent thing; an amazing organ. The human brain is unique.

House Chores

Laundry

Dishes

Sweep

Dust

Make the bed

Clean

Tidy up

Put away

Mail

Food

Shop

Cook

Groom

Wash car

Weed garden

Mow lawn

Dry cleaning

Fertilize

Pet maintenance

Water plants

Vacuum

Garbage

~ ~ The list seems endless most days.

I try to look for the good. The 'thumbs-up' vs. the *sigh*.



I remember the days when I had to drive my laundry to the nearest mat and wait there with strangers. Waiting for machines; making sure you have enough coins; going out in the cold miserable weather.
~ Now I can throw a load in and get back to work on other things in the meantime.

We have a dishwasher. I personally prefer to wash by hand, but that is time consuming. The dish washer is a great friend to have on hand. For the dishes that must be hand-washed I catch up on some TV while doing them and the time flies by.

As for house cleaning; music makes me move and enjoy it more. I put on something that I really love listening to and sing along or dance my way through the chores.

These are things that we will have to do for the rest of our days (unless you strike it rich and want to pay someone to do it for you). You may as well try to enjoy it and make the best of it all. Look at the upside and be happy that you are able to do these things that some people are unable to. It's the small things in life that count the most.

As I look around my home and work on the chores I am thankful for all that I have. Thankful that I get to live in such a beautiful house and have such nice things to dust. I am very lucky and I take pride in being able to clean and dust and make my house a wonderful home.

POEM 'Your Mother is Always With You'

Your mother is always with you...
She's the whisper of the leaves
as you walk down the street.

She's the smell of bleach in
your freshly laundered socks.

She's the cool hand on your
brow when you're not well.

Your mother lives inside
your laughter. She's crystallized
in every tear drop...

She's the place you came from,
your first home.. She's the map you
follow with every step that you take.

She's your first love and your first heart
break....and nothing on earth can separate you.

Not time, Not space...
Not even death....
will ever separate you
from your mother....

You carry her inside of you....

- Author Unknown.

POEM 'In Memory of You'

I find an old photograph
and see your smile.
As I feel your presence anew,
I am filled with warmth
and my heart remembers love.

I read an old card
sent many years ago
during a time of turmoil and confusion.
The soothing words written then
still caress my spirit
and bring me peace.

I remember who you used to be
the laughter we shared
and wonder what you have become.
Where are you now,
Where did you go,
When the body is left behind
and the spirit is released to fly?

Perhaps you are the morning bird
singing joyfully at sunrise,
or the butterfly that dances
so carelessly on the breeze
or the rainbow of colors
that brightens a stormy sky
or the fingers of afternoon mist
delicately reaching over the mountains
or the final few rays of the setting sun
lighting up the skies
edging the clouds with a magical glow.

I miss your being
but I feel your presence,
In whatever form you choose to take,
however you now choose to be.

Your spirit has become for me
a guardian angel on high
guiding, advising, and watching over me.

I remember you.
You are with me
and I am not afraid.


written by Kirsti A. Dyer, MD, MS

A Tale; A Story; A Life

Chapter 1: the Beginning

Once upon a time there was a girl who left her home on an adventure. She travelled quite a distance and was looking forward to some new things. The need for a job arose, in order to pay for food and rent, so she ventured into an offer where she met an incredible boy. The feelings were strong and unexpected; she tried her hardest to push them aside. Eventually the girl and boy got closer and enjoyed each others company immensely. Much time was spent together, and they were happy.

Chapter 2: the Sadness

After a time, things became difficult for the girl and boy. People were talking behind their backs, saying mean things. Some were mis-treating the girl. She did not understand. She wanted to leave her job and venture somewhere else for financial support. Big trouble was brewing for the couple, so they decided to part. There was much sadness and confusion. People still talked and treated the girl with dis-respect. She was very dis-heartened.

Chapter 3: the Parting

After some more time, the boy was sent away. The girl carried on, but she was very unhappy in her position. She decided to return to the home that she loved and was familiar with. She packed up her belongings and started her trek back to her family and friends. She was feeling much happier than she had for some time.

Chapter 4: the Rekindling

After more time passed, the girl really missed the boy. The boy had remained in contact with the girl. They both realized that they still cared deeply for one another and decided to try being together again. After much discussion the girl decided to go to the boy to start a new life together. She left home for another adventure.

Chapter 5: the Happiness

More time passed, as it often does, and the girl and boy became wife and husband. They were very happy and made a life for one another that they could've never imagined. They think back to the hard times they had and are glad that they could overcome the obstacles and be more happy than they ever thought possible.

The End

My body is changing

So I'm in my 30's now and my life has changed so much thoughout the years. Wasn't sure of where I would be or what I would be doing. I just kind of go with the flow and see what comes.

My jeans don't fit me anymore.
My weight is more than I would like it to be.
I miss going to yoga class. I need to walk more.

My face is changing. I can see the aging process working it's magic. I'm not sad. It's just a change that I have to get used to. It's almost kind of interesting. I look the same, but different.
My hair feels different.
My skin is also different than it was.
The wonders of life and the human body.

I can't eat some of the foods that I used to.
But I suppose my mind has also changed over the years. The way I think about things. The way I react. The way I feel.
Learning. Growing. Knowing.

It's quite extra-ordinary. I like being a witness to my life.