Narratives of the Disengaged: The Job Search

10 Things that Scream 'I Sincerely Don't Want Work For You'

I am a stickler when it comes to time management, and regard such as a very precious commodity. If I feel I'm wasting time on repetitous things, I get perplexed. Ok, cranky. I especially find it irritating when other people take advantage of my time, as if I have nothing better to do. The truth is, I really don't, but others don't really have to know that.

Another thing that chafes me is arrogance. An attitude that exults superiority. What happens if you mix 'arrogance' and 'time-waster' together? An ostentatious work environment. No thanks, I'll pass.

It's funny to me how there are enormous amounts of articles written online and in print about what turns off hiring managers and recruiters during a job interview. Jobseekers are reminded constantly about the ruler to the hand if you dare say or do the wrong things during an interview. Hiring managers take full advantage of the ball being in their court, and with that, comes pompous attitudes in some cases. Where are articles on that, I wonder? Are jobseekers to believe that interviewees are masters of perfection and they should be viewed separately from the company as a whole? Are we to believe that their actions should not reflect the opinions of the company?

One of the major pet peeves from hiring managers during interviews is arrogance. I can agree with that, but here lies a shocker: it works both ways.

Below are ten warning signals that I take into account as far as potential employment with a company. Please note: these elements are based on ACTUAL events that took place during past interviews:

Blame Fido for the recession. It's all the rage!

Before you start reading the world's longest blog post, let me just begin by stating I do not have children of my own. Many will argue that if I had children, my stance on my position would change. I regret to inform you that my position would NOT change, because I am NOT a wishy washy kind of girl. Everyone, including the four-legged variety, has blood running through their veins, they have feelings, and they communicate. Just because an animal does not manipulate words and sentences in the same manner humans can, that doesn't make them less worthy. If you think otherwise, stop reading NOW and go back to your internet porn....or whatever you were doing previously. Meanwhile start chanting....

...repeat after me: unemployment is not my pet's fault. Unemployment is not my pet's fault. Keep chanting that until it finally settles deep inside your brain.

I know the economy is bad. I am well aware that people, including myself, have lost jobs due to the disparity that is the recession. We all have to make due with what we have, fix what is broke as opposed to buying new, clip coupons, and eliminate frivolous spending. I do not consider any type of care for your pet as "frivolous." It saddens me greatly to hear about people giving up their pets, as they don't have the money to care for them any longer. After all, as far as our society is concerned, it's easier to dump your pet to a place where they will receive "better" care. What our society doesn't realize, "better care" equates to eternal peace. Is it really fair to take your supposed once-loved four-legged friend to a strange animal shelter, and cut the pet's life short? To the people who have given up their pets because they could no longer afford them: can you HONESTLY say you have exhausted all measures of money-saving methods? Did you make the switch from Merrick's dog food to Purina? Did you eliminate the bonus treats from your pet's diet? Most importantly...did you take the time to speak with the veterinarian for advice on the care and well being of your pet during these rough economic times? Have you even thought about/discussed arrangement of a payment plan with the veterinarian so that the pet can get the care it deserves? That's not possible, you say? I say that is BULLSHIT. I am willing to bet that most people did not go the extra mile. That just infuriates me, because the mentioned alternatives are indeed POSSIBLE. Here is my story....

In April of 2007, my cat (Pookie) was diagnosed with feline diabetes. At that time, I had an advantage, as I was working for the animal clinic at the time of his diagnoses. That meant I got all exams, treatments, and medications half-price as an employee discount. At first, he was put on Glipizide, but that didn't seem to do much as far as regulation. After a month of very little progress, I decided to go full force and go the insulin route. Naturally, my veterinarian was elated over my decision, and immediately prescribed a beef/pork insulin at $40 a pop. With insulin, syringes are needed, which is $30 for a box of 100. Then comes the frequent initial glucose screenings (glucose screenings are mandatory to adjust the dosage). By the way, all mentioned costs include the employee discount.

How To Achieve World Peace by Firing Yourself

All throughout my career I've overheard numerous comments from colleagues relating to disdain and inconvenience relating to their job. People choose to whine, bitch, complain about the little details, because that's the easy way out rather than focusing on doing what they were hired to do to begin with. The phrase, "if you don't like your job....quit" is nothing further from the truth. That is exactly what I did in the summer of 2004.

I realize that was a very dumb move. I can't help but ponder had I decided to stay and suck it up, would I even still be there today? The answer to that would most likely have been 'no.' My last employer recently undergone major staff cuts and did not exclude employees that have been there for fifteen or more years. I was just shy of my four year anniversary with the company.

This post dedicated to Cosmo

I've applied to six different places last week, and at least 4 out of 6 perfectly match my qualifications. The other two, well, not so sure. It's in my nature to take a chance, provided that there are no spelling and grammar errors in my documents.

One job posting seemed out of the ordinary, but because I have a secret desire to work in veterinary medicine along with previous experience, I applied for a receptionist/vet assistant position at a nearby animal hospital. There is something about drawing blood, SQ fluid therapy, processing fecals, along with the rest of the science and protocols, draws me to this profession. Of course, I'm also a huge animal lover, and coming up with an end result that is positive makes it worthwhile to suffer through the bad elements. During my brief tenure at my last veterinary-related gig (I ended up leaving for personal reasons, but still retain a very good relationship with them), I learned a lot. I'm not just referring to the science aspect, but also emotional. You learn in a hurry, not neccessarily instituted by choice, about emotional obstacles. You learn huge lessons about acceptance. You have to learn control your anger towards someone who wants to put their cat down because of a urinary tract infection (and the doctor who agrees with her). And this reminds of a story. I will never forget Cosmo....

Cosmo was a 6-8 week old kitten who was a longtime patient at the hospital where I previously worked. He was something fierce. He was a little thing but was all attitude. If he had the ability to talk, he would say, "Come on! I DARE you! I triple dare you! You can't outplay me! Lookit...I'm chasing my tail. Awesome!!" Cosmo didn't care if you didn't like him. If you even look at him, he will try with all his might to steal your heart. Dogs are certainly no exception. One day, Cosmo was extending his paw outside his kennel. He extended his paw low enough where the neighboring dog from below bit Cosmo. We had to clean the wound and apply the dressing. Do you think Cosmo cared? Hell no! I think he was glad that he provoked the dog just enough to bring out the dog's weakness. Cosmo certainly enjoyed the company of anyone and everyone, and loved to challenge you. At the end of a long day, he succombs to his kitten mode and purrs loudly as you're petting him. Cosmo loved everyone.

Unfortuantley, Cosmo was very sick. He had ringworm. During my shift, I took over as his caretaker. Fed him, medicated him, kept him company. This is one of the many challenges about working at an animal hospital because it's too easy to become emotionally attached. I couldn't help it. As sick as he was, he was a real fighter. I admired that about him. With admiration, comes observation. I noticed that he was wheezing a lot. I notified the doctor right away. He seemed to have taken genuine interest for a few minutes. Checked his heart, his lungs. He didn't seem to concerned after the brief check-up. I figured he knew what he was doing. After all, he has the all-important, almighty initials after his last name. Clearly he must know what he's talking about.

One day, Cosmo's "guardians" decided they wanted to conduct a declawing surgical procedure...on ALL FOUR PAWS. This is an issue that I'm very strongly and adamently against, but it's not my place, nor my business, to question their motives. The declawing procedure is scheduled.

On the day of the procedure, I told the surgery tech (who is also a very good friend) to inform me how it went, and what I should be expecting (I was scheduled to work later on that afternoon). That day I was very anxious, like a mom sending her kid to school for the first time. Then I realized I was over over-reacting. Cosmo's too stubborn, and too much of a fighter.

My pal called. She was crying. Cosmo didn't make it through the procedure. His little heart gave out.

That was the biggest lesson I learned during my short stint at the animal hospital. For a little furball, he had a colossal amount of bravery. He taught me a lot about love, fighting for everything you believe in, and acceptance. That was two years ago. I still remember and cry over Cosmo to this day. I suppose that is why I secretly desire to enter the profession once again. You just don't get those kind of lessons anywhere else.

"Enjoy Unemployment"

The words still haunt me. The words, "enjoy unemployment" effortlessly sashayed out of the mouth of a man in his mid-70's, who is at a point in his life where he is looking back on it. You would think that he is a very sentimental sort, and wishes more than anything in the world that a real time machine exists to fix all the wrongs in his life. It's strange because I am at that point now, and I am nowhere near 70 years of age.

Last week, I had a nice visit with a man (and his lady friend) who is also a tax client of my husband. I decided to make it a point to "network" (as much as I disagree with it) with all of his clients because it is apparently all the rage to getting a job these days. When I mentioned that I was out of work and looking for a job, he replied, "Enjoy unemployment."

"Oh. Okay." I said, and that wasn't really the answer I was looking for.

I must have given him a strange look, as I often unconsciously do whenever anyone tells me something out of the ordinary.

Then I got a little snippy; not towards him, but at my situation as a whole. I tried my best not to let him know that. Old folks don't always say or do things that coincide with the world as it is today. So I was ready to blow off his advice, until he said this:

"When I was working, I was very dedicated to my work. I had no time to do any of the other things that I've always wanted to do. My career was my hobby. You don't want to have to look back at your life regretting all the things you never got a chance to do."

There. There is where he got my attention.

Intrigued, I said, "Well yes, but all the things I've always wanted to do involves money, and having a job to pay for these things might be a big help."

Not to be outdone, the man said, "Have you always wanted to play the piano? Have you always wanted to write a book? I'm talking about teaching yourself and take it from there. It doesn't always have to be about money."

I did not have any kind of retort. It was almost as if he was fiercely shaking me and saying "Snap out of it!" I didn't say anything at all. I just gave him a blank stare. I stared into his eyes for a few seconds, but in those few seconds, they told a lifetime of stories.

"There is a book I've always wanted to write about my family tree. It was something that I've always wanted to do for a really long time, but never had the time. That will change now, and I will finally have the availability to start this project. I'm very excited." he said.

At this point, I am bedazzled. When I was younger, I didn't take advice very well, especially from older folks (I still don't, but as I get older I've become more appreciative). I always blew off the older folks, thinking that the old folk are stuck in the big band era, and things that were acceptable then are acceptable today. I never took their advice seriously. After all, the person that knows me the best is, well....me. So how can I heed their advice when they're not fully aware of what is happening in the world around them?

Lately I have been spending much of my time recollecting on things that I should have done and shouldn't. I am guilty of focusing on a lot of "what ifs" and constantly wonder had I chose a different path, if I would have spotted the gold at the end of the rainbow. There a lot of things in my life that I absolutely wish I would have done differently, or better yet -- smarter. Recollecting, for me, is very draining on the emotions. After I think about what has occurred on my life, then I become analytical, and desire to construct some sort of pie graph and analyze my life that way. Let's just say I'm just wandering through this crazy thing called life. I become discombobulated when it comes to the calling of 'by the way, life stopped by.'

Bar and pie graphs aside, nothing will change my current situation, but I can make the best of it. I suppose that it is why the man's words hit me the way they did, because I do have the power to do anything I want to do -- to change things -- to rule the world. Sometimes we need little reminders like this to make us snap out of it. Life doesn't change. Life is full of obstacles. There are still heartaches, friendships, love, good times, and bad times in any era. Senior citizens are not the exception to the life rule. Those old folks....they have already lived a lifetime. And for some fogeys, they have lived so much of a life (good, bad, otherwise) that the youngins' can only fathom. As I get older, such advice becomes appreciative more than ever. I no longer think old folks are just trying to get hip with the kids today. It's more like, 'be satisfied with your life by the time you're my age,' and 'right now you're not ready -- but someday you will be.'

I am noting this here because it has everything to do with my job search. Much of my recollections reflect to my decision-making and my career. Being unemployed can really bring a person down. Four years ago I resigned from a reputable newspaper -- it was my favorite gig. It was a job that wore many hats while learning about all aspects of the industry. Now that industry is suffering, and I feel like I'm suffering with it. On a daily basis, I briefly wonder had I not chose to resign, would I still be there today?

I can't do anything about that now, but I can use the past to guide me into the future. In following the advice from my friend, I am teaching myself certain programs and applications to further enhance my skills in the job market. After that, I'm moving on to the piano.