Fun and Games

One of the things that I see a lot of when it comes to filling out applications and applying for jobs is the indirect questioning of ideas that may or may not have anything to do with the job.

Today, I had one of those applications.

As someone who has been writing essays after essays for the last 2+ years, it wasn't much of a challenge.  But I still think, well I don't know what to think.

The first question was making up a new word and defining it.  That for me, was the hardest one because I feel  words are really good with people who have language skills or English skills or write poetry.  It's not one of my strengths, yet that's not one of my weaknesses.

The second question was directly about the job and the definition of the job.  That was easy as all I had to do was an Internet search.

The final question asked what color crayon would you be?  Now, I love the color pink but I don't know if I would want to be the color pink.  I went with blue.  I had fun reasons why I wanted to be blue.  I mentioned that blue is one of the colors that is well used the box.  Blue is the color of blue jeans, oceans, and skies.

There were also some of the questions before that that were multiple-choice.  I guess I did well because I would not have been able to get to the next part if the questions were answered incorrectly.  Some of the questions didn't really have right answers, such as one about favorite types of movies.  One was Lord of the rings and those kind of films.  Another one was romantic films.  And then, one mentioned the film 300.  And as much as I love that film I had to choose that set of films.

I took screenshots of the questions and the answers.  Most of those questions were pretty easy except for the Boolean search questions.  I know how to look for things using the Boolean search.  But my experience is mainly with commas, and dashes, and the words except or and.  The question was a little bit more detailed than those kind of items I know about.

The job is with the technology company and it's for a recruiting coordinator which seems to be what I'm am really looking for.

Every once in a while, I get excited about a job.  I haven't heard anything from the public utilities job that is out there.  I'm beginning to see advertisements for that job in other websites.  I don't know exactly what to expect from it.  I'm hoping by March that I will have something in line because I really need some extra money.

I have one day to study for my test next week.  I didn't realize that I would have two interviews next week and work on Sunday without days off.  I need to work because I need to be able to pay my bills but I need the time off to get stuff done.

I crossed my fingers that I can at least get one of those jobs.

Looking Up Part 2

I have some pretty good news.  I have two interviews next week for staffing companies.  Even if I don't get the job, I'm going to try to work on making an impression for them to keep my information so that they can find me another job.

One company sounded really interested in me which I'm really excited.  The other company was curious about my work but wanted someone who has more sales experience.

I was very impressed with the fact that I had all these phone calls today while I was at work.  I had to somehow maneuver my phone calls after my hiring session today before anyone from work came into the office.  It's not an easy thing to do.

I feel like things are looking up.  I love what I do and I try to show that passion in my interviews.

The second company that wasn't really interested in what I had to offer, the recruiter was kind enough to offer me an informational interview.  I'll be able to ask questions about what I need to do to be a better recruiter.

I knew that there are some sales involved with being a recruiter as I've seen some of the job descriptions requiring that information.  And anybody who needs to work with other people and try to sell what they have, needs marketing or sales.

My resume does not show that I had sales because it was so long ago.  I only have the last 10 years of my experience.  But my very first job was a salesperson at JCPenney.  I can't say was the best salesperson, but I came up with some very ingenious ways to sell products and I learned how to talk to people.  My best sales job was working for a CD and video store part-time.  Since I'm passionate about music I was able to sell all kinds of music.  If that job was a type of job that required me to work on sales and bonuses and stuff like that, I would have done pretty well.  I remember selling all kinds of music to all kinds of people because music was and is a passion of mine.

So, I don't know if I want to put that on my resume.  Also, there are a couple jobs that have been requiring experience in banking, finances, and bookkeeping.  My last job had me working with bookkeeping and banking for the company.  But I have extensive experience in banking for my first 10 years of employment experience.

I don't know.  I don't want to seem to experienced in work and I want to keep my chances up.  But I don't mind telling recruiters that hey, I have this experience I just I'm not sure that's something I want to pursue. 

Tomorrow, I finish hiring.  Hiring is been tough this week.  Lesson half of my appointments have shown that which is not good.  My goal is 5 to 6 but I pushed for 10 to 12 so that I can make sure I make the goals.  This week I will have five already and if the people arrive tomorrow then I'll have extra hires.

The Successes of this Year's Hiring

Our office had meetings last month to go over some of the good and the 'need to improve' areas. 

One of the highlights was how proud our managers are and our boss is with the new recruits.  My boss is constantly saying how happy he is with our group of employees.

To highlight the success, our daily, quantity associates are the 3rd best in the nation.  Amazing!  Thanks to the managers and the employees for working as a team to get the job done. 

I can take some of the credit.  I hired half the group last year. 

Our newer teams, as in employees hired since December, are becoming some of the best in the business.  We started a little slow, weeding out those who couldn't handle the requirements of the job, and now our production numbers are going up.  We are achieving daily production goals and our boss is very happy. 

There are still some kinks to work out and people who need to find their niche.

December and January usually involve hiring for numbers.  Plus, my new assistant was doing some of the hiring work for me.  I notice that it does take experience to figure out what to say and how to present the right information.  Now, I can take my time to hire and really think about who sits on the other side of the desk.

I am back to full time hiring, which means a lot of time in the office.  I have completed one of my major goals, which is to make sure we have enough special assignment associates.  I have them ready to go, they just need to meet with the boss.  It's in his hands now.  I've done all the paperwork, forms, tests, and etc,.

As happy as I am with my job, which I love doing, I am still looking for another part-time or contract job.  Or even full-time work if the pay is worth it. 

I spent my day today filling out applications, sending resumes and cover letters.  I'm excited about some of the prospects out there.  I would love to work with a new, up and coming company. 

This month, I have to make the decision on where I am going to start my Master's program so I can start next month. I can't believe it is already that time.  Sheesh!  Time flew by. 

Looking Up

Hey all,

January is done and I'm ready for my next phase.

This month already, I have a local test for a job with our local city as a recruiter and human resource generalist.  I have been looking online helps to help me study for this test.  I have no idea what is expected of me, but I don't want to be left in the cold, unknowing what is expected for me.

I have taken tests for government jobs twice in my life.  One time, I applied for a postal worker position.  The other time, I took a test for bookkeeping.  It was the hardest test I ever took.  It amazes me how much stuff the tests cover and how much one really knows.

I think that at times, it is really luck of the draw.

A good job searcher as I am, I am not putting all my eggs in that basked.  I've done that before and it gave me nothing.  Just because I have an opportunity with the local government, I am still filling out applications. 

Today, I got in contact with a recruiter who e-mailed me about an opportunity with a public utility company.  The offers the recruiter is going to put in for me sounds very exciting.  The opportunities are contract, which seems to be the way I'm going to either get my foot in, or get more experience.

I have a few other companies that have contacted me through e-mail and I will be contacting them tomorrow on my day off. 

And while all this is happening, I am back to recruiting and hiring for the company I currently work.  Just because I'm looking for more opportunity, doesn't mean I drop the ball at my job.  No burning bridges for me.  I need every connection I can get.