It's almost the end
of the month. I have two companies
interested in me, although I think one company's interest is higher than the
other at this moment.
The one I've been
working with, has asked for my references and required me to take Office
tests. Three tests: Word, Powerpoint,
and Excel. I wasn't really nervous about
the tests, but my work and school schedule has been all over the place these
last few weeks, including weekends.
Jobs and classes
have been cancelled, only to be crammed into make up dates. I've had to finagle interviews, tests, work
schedules, homework, and life into small time fragments; not an easy task.
The three tests I
took were something. I aced the Word and
the Powerpoint. My weakness I knew, was
going to be Excel. Even though I use all
the programs everyday at work, which I consider myself a pro user, I don't use
all the functions that some companies may require.
I was a bit nervous
but I passed Excel quite well. I did a
little refresher course from online videos to make sure I knew what everything
was used for in the program. You can't
go from one window to another to figure out how to do things while you take the test. It stops cheating on the same computer,
although I could have used another computer to look up answers. I didn't.
I plan to take some
classes to update my Office skills.
I e-mailed the
recruiter after I completed the tests and she said I did very well.
Thank goodness.
Now for the
references.
I had to really look
for some very close friends. It's one of
my weaknesses because I moved a lot and my last 3 jobs were with one person
each as the owner or boss. I don't even
know if the last two are still alive because they were caregiving jobs. The ideal references would be a boss, a
former boss, and someone I've known for a long time. I contacted the three people I felt I could
trust. For anyone who asked me to be a
reference, I always ask if I say yes, then it has to go both ways...if I am
your reference, I get to use you as a reference, too. I built up my references quickly.
One of my best
friends who was a former boss and mentor, was my first choice. If I could choose one person to represent me
in anything, it would be him. He's just
amazing and I know he would do what he could to help me out. I spent a lot of time and energy helping him
out when he worked with me. He has
integrity. He is very helpful and
kind.
He text me this
morning to tell me that he already got the call from one company about me. I asked how it went, and he said that the
person on the other line said that he was a good reference and asked about my
talents. Whew! That's really a lot to ask.
I've never gone
through references before. I've had them
on applications for other jobs when I started college. I don't know if the other two will be called,
but if they are not called, I'm good because of this first guy. I'm sure the other two would contact me if
they were called.
I promised a steak
dinner to my friend if I get one of the two jobs. See? I
show appreciation.
Although I am
excited about this job opportunity, I'm not holding my breath. I am still going to another interview with
the IT company next week. Whew! Timing is going to be tricky this week and
next. I have been put on a schedule in
less than 24 hour notice today. That's
how good I am with multi-tasking. You
can never be sure.
I'd like to have
something by September. I need a break
from searching for a new job. It's been
tiring. I'd like to know that my efforts
since last year (well, since I attained my bachelors, although I was looking
two and a half years before I started working for the current job) have not
gone in vain.
I think it's going
to go well either way.
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