A Month of (mostly) Small Victories

[lapacifidora]

A year after graduating from university, I've realized the only reason I used to like September was because it was the first month of school. As a non-school-attending adult, September kind of sucks.

And yet, this last month did, in its way, present me with a series of small victories. In an effort not to behave like an ungrateful bitca, I've decided to inventory these victories. They are as follows:

• Sent out at least 10-12 cover letters & resumes (Previous total for period from August 2009 to August 2010: About 5. ::is lazy/scared of rejection::)
• Got a call back from a company regarding my submission of cover letter & resume; is charming/articulate during phone call & secures an interview
• Bought a portfolio so I have something in which to stick several examples of my journalistic writing
• Actually put stuff into portfolio, which is more that I thought I would
• Got job with company I interviewed with
• Made some fun new LJ icons for myself (see current icon)
• Posted *8* whole chapters of my "Community" fic to Milady/Milord, which considering I've been unhappy and exhausted is pretty good
• Got a couple of awesome new work-appropriate shirts (OK, so the parentals bought them for me, but I'm counting it as a win)
• Have put up with assholes at new job, despite being told to basically plagairize press releases :::facepalm:::
• Learned how to write a press release (I think this is less a victory than a neutral event, but it's not a completely wasted skill, so I'll put it in the win category.)
• Met a lovely Welsh lady who works at the Public Library downtown and had a lovely chat with her
• Not completely sure, but I think I've lost some weight
• Am thisclose to getting a new, awesome job, which even though it's only going to start as part-time, I'm still super excited about (But in case I don't get it, I'm going to continue to treat it as a goldfish that I don't know will live or die. If it does die, I haven't named it and given it a personality so I'll not be too upset. If it lives, I'll give it a name and make a funny little hat that I'll pretend it wear.)
• My sister-in-law is finally pregnant after four years with her first child (This one is not so much a personal victory or a small one - it's actually pretty huge for her. But I'm genuinely excited for her and my brother, and I only hope everything goes well, considering she has existing health problems.)
• Finally finished reading Stieg Larsson's "The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo." (OK, this actually happened yesterday, Oct. 2, but I'm counting it as a September thing because it hasn't been a full week in October yet. And it only took me two months to read it - normally it would've taken less, but between work and exhaustion, I didn't want to read something as intense and depressing as this every night and I didn't always have time.)
• Am about half-way through Rhys Bowen's fourth installment in the "Royal Spyness" series, "Royal Blood," where in Lady Georgiana travels to Romania/Transylvannia to represent HRMs at a wedding only to stumble across an old school friends' apparent vampiracy, a dead Bulgarian field marshall and Darcy O'Mara's continued "is he a spy or isn't he?" shtick. (Again, also mostly something I've managed in the last two days, but I did read the first chapter a couple of weeks ago, so technically I started it in September. Also: How much do I love these books? Too much. And how frustrated am I that they have not yet been made into a "Mystery!" series, a la The Mrs. Bradley Mysteries or something from Agatha Christie? These books are ripe for being dramatized.)

So, all in all, September didn't totally suck. Some good things did happen. However, in the spirit of assessing what I could've done better, here's what sucked monkey balls:

• The new job: Plagairism + arrogant, humorless bitch executive director + inefficiently organized company = unhappy, miserable, stressed me
• The weather. OK, so it's Cleveland, and we have three seasons: Frozen, Sauna and Road construction. But now it's turned into autumn, and I'm trying not to catch a cold.
• Driving downtown and back five days a week
• Paying $5 a day for parking - and not getting paid all month because a) I wasn't in the system and they couldn't add me for two weeks, b) I was told as soon as I was in the system, I would be eligible for all pay to date (WRONG), and c) No one could tell me why I wasn't getting paid until nearly the end of the next pay period. So now I won't get paid until the end of this week.
• Somehow getting the release date for Gail Carriger's third novel, "Blameless" wrong (It comes out in November, though I could've sworn that it was due out September. Meh.)
• Not having time to hang out with my friends
• My friend's grandmother dying, and me deciding it'd be a good idea for me to go to the funeral for moral support (well, the going to the funeral wasn't a bad idea, but it's only the second one I've ever been to, and she was a wreck, which I'm not used to dealing with)
• Not knowing if I'd have a shot at the awesome new job I now have a shot at
• Not having time/inclination to start knitting the socks I was given yarn for
• Having to decide if I value my personal/professional ethics more than I do money.

I also have been wondering if the only reason I was ever interested in Hot Photographer was because I recognized that he'd never look at me. It'd kind of fit with my existing behavior patterns.

Still, I think there were some significant, if tiny, victories this last month. That said, I still kind of wish September had been unfairly sent to federal prison so it could've been fucked in the ass like I feel it did to me.

Comments

[jheaton.livejournal.com]

Speaking as someone who was out of work for ten months, getting a job, even one you don't like, is anything but a minor victory.

[lapacifidora.livejournal.com]

I hear you: I was out of work for about 13 months. I know finding a job isn't a minor victory - it's a huge deal. (Even though I still haven't gotten paid yet because their system is f-ed up.)

But I think I'd be more excited if they weren't asking me to do something unethical. (I'm not sure if it's illegal.)

[ravenecho.livejournal.com]

I have to say I am kind of in the same boat as you.

I graduated from university about six or so months ago now and trying to actually find full time work is really hard.

Admittedly I've only just started looking, but it is finding the right job that I am qualified for that is the hard part for me.

Oh and I hate my job too. I've been working there since I was 15 and it has become really tedious. I kinda need the money though, so that's why I don't tell them to get stuffed (yet).

I guess what I'm trying to say is growing up and having responsibilities kinda sucks.

[lapacifidora.livejournal.com]

Yep: It's the old thing of, 'You don't have enough experience, so we can't hire you.' 'Then how am I supposed to get experience?'

That said, I like to think that a better opportunity fell into my lap because I at least found this job that I loathe. So maybe it takes the shit jobs to find something better? Eh. All I know is 'Saved By the Bell' lied when it seemed like it'd be super fun to go to college & find a job.

Also: What's your industry, and where have you been looking online? I've gotten pretty good at reading job descriptions & resumes in the last year. :)

[ravenecho.livejournal.com]

I did a Bachelor of International Relations. I was going to do journalism, which I was all psyched for, but then I ended up changing before I started.

Worst. Mistake. Ever.

I just don't know what to do with my degree, when you do nursing or law or whatever, you know what you are going to be doing at the end of it, with International Relations, I don't know where it leads.

I want to work for the federal government in some aspect, but I also don't want to move from where I am (civilisation) to the tiny country town that likes to call itself Australia's capital city.

My dream job would be to work at an embassy (preferably in L.A., NYC or London) but lots of other people far more experienced and qualified also want to do that, so I really would never get looked at.

I've kind of kept it old school and just flipped through the paper when looking, but I am gonna have to get a move on and start using sites like seek.com.au and really try and find full time work, because financial independence would be nice.

Oh and I just read your latest journal entry (I know, stalker much) and congrats on getting offered a new job! :)

[lapacifidora.livejournal.com]

Worst. Mistake. Ever.

Um, not really. The Journalism industry is pretty much screwed unless they seriously change their thinking in the next year or two.

I just don't know what to do with my degree, when you do nursing or law or whatever, you know what you are going to be doing at the end of it, with International Relations, I don't know where it leads.

I know exactly what you mean. I was all, "I'm gonna work for a magazine or newspaper!" And then half-way through university, the bottom fell out and I'm like, "I'm gonna ask if you want fries with that?"

I want to work for the federal government in some aspect, but I also don't want to move from where I am (civilisation) to the tiny country town that likes to call itself Australia's capital city.

Weelll. OK. On the one hand: Sometimes you have to put up with being stuck in BFE in order to get a plum gig. On the other hand: Are the federal government offices located only in BFE? There's absolutely nothing, not even an entry level job, anywhere near you?

My dream job would be to work at an embassy (preferably in L.A., NYC or London) but lots of other people far more experienced and qualified also want to do that, so I really would never get looked at.

OK. Are there any other cities that have embassies that are maybe less competitive? Is there anyway you could swing an internship, and work PT on the side till you prove yourself indispensable? Have you looked at internships at all? (I hate them, and I hate that most are unpaid, but sometimes it's where you have to start looking. And if you're qualified, they might be like, "Oh, hai. We don't need an intern: We have Raven, and he's already got all the stuff we need an intern for." Also: Just because YOU think you're not as qualified doesn't mean you shouldn't still apply. The reason job ads call it the "ideal candidate" is because they're hoping for the Easter Bunny, but willing to take the hairy hoppy person who isn't a Bunny but plays one on TV. OK, that didn't make much sense, but still: Will they think you're qualified for the job you're applying for? Maybe not. Does getting your resume in front of them still matter? Yes. Why? Because they may look at it and go, "Well, he's lacking the experience for job X, but he might be perfect for job F." Savvy?

If you're interested in work in the States or a country other than Australia, jump on LinkedIn or Facebook, find the people who have the kind of job you want, and then either cyber-stalk them or just e-mail them. Especially on LinkedIn, you might find someone who is like, "Oh, my: You think *my* job is awesome and you want to be like me? Sure. Here's how I did it."

And thanks: I still haven't told the current place that I'm leaving. I think I need to do it before the end of the day though.

[ravenecho.livejournal.com]

I think you’re right. If I have to move from Melbourne to Canberra for a job, then I am just going to have deal with it, because that’s the reality of finding a full time job, in that you have to make sacrifices. I should also look more at state government level too, because I think that would be just as interesting and more and more state governments have international offices around the world.

It’s funny you mention internships because I actually did one at Amnesty International Australia last year as part of my degree requirements, so I like your idea of me applying for more internships, because as you said, at least you get your foot in the door and might be lucky enough to score a full time position once the internship ends. You’re right though; I have to start getting my resume out there if I actually ever want to land a job somewhere. Even just getting to the interview stage would be nice. Although I’m sure I would be a nervous wreck in the interview, the practice would be good.

Admittedly I’ve been lazy the last couple of months, it’s really only recently that I’ve decided I’ve had enough of my post-graduation holiday and that it is time to get a move on and look for work. I guess it is really getting started that is the daunting part for me. Makes me feel so mature and old lol.

I’m definitely going to give LinkedIn a look into, because it sounds like you are really onto something there. It’s all about networking and finding the right contacts now a days as well, I think.

I now know this weekend is essentially going to be job hunting, should be heaps of fun lol.

Seriously though, thanks for all your help! It’s been great to talk to another post-grad that is/has been in a similar situation to mine.

P.S. good luck with telling the other job that you’re outta there.

[lapacifidora.livejournal.com]

because that’s the reality of finding a full time job, in that you have to make sacrifices.

Annoying as hell, but true. And it's rarely a forever-sort-of thing.

I have to start getting my resume out there if I actually ever want to land a job somewhere. Even just getting to the interview stage would be nice.

Yep. I'd use the whole 'have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find a prince' thing, but I had an English teacher who'd fail students who relied on cliches, so let's not and say I did.

Although I’m sure I would be a nervous wreck in the interview, the practice would be good.

Two options: One, create an interview persona - funny, charming, awesome, etc. Two, tell the interviewer, 'Sorry. I'm terribly nervous about this, and I'm normally much more articulate/thoughtful/etc. Can I take another shot at answering that last question?'

Makes me feel so mature and old lol.

I know. Adulthood sucks so bad.

It’s all about networking and finding the right contacts now a days as well, I think.

The new good job? Thanks to a friend of my mum's. Never underestimate the power of family friends.

I now know this weekend is essentially going to be job hunting, should be heaps of fun lol.

Well, I've got about half the next chapter written, and I should be able to churn out another one this weekend, so: reward? :)

It’s been great to talk to another post-grad that is/has been in a similar situation to mine.

Not at all. Glad to be of help. (Also, have you checked with your school's alumni association? Another source for networking.)

P.S. Thanks. I told them, and it was awkward, but less so than I was expecting.

[ravenecho.livejournal.com]

New chapters sounds like excellent motivation!

I'm kind of addicted to reading it lol.

How many more chapters do you reckon it has left?

[lapacifidora.livejournal.com]

Um. I'm working on no. 39 now, and I can't see it going for very much longer. Maybe 45 total? Depends on how quickly I'm able to get the story across. It is winding down in my head, although in my timeline, it's Nov. 27, 2010 and the final chapter of the story proper will be just before Christmas 2010. And then the Abed in my head has been bugging me for the last 10 chapters that he wants an epilogue narrated by him, and I decided that will be a New Year's Eve thing. So, maybe 46 if you count the epilogue?

[ravenecho.livejournal.com]

Wow.

That is commitment. I can hardly sit still long enough to reply to emails lol, let alone write multi-chapter fanfic like what you've done.

I look forward to reading the rest of it. :)

[lapacifidora.livejournal.com]

That is commitment. I can hardly sit still long enough to reply to emails lol, let alone write multi-chapter fanfic like what you've done

Um. Or it's the fact that my family called me 'Little Miss Chatterbox' after the character in the book because apparently I talk too much. :7