find a job

In the interview I used the phrase “library slut”.

I shit you not. And I still got the job. You know it’s fate.

• close to home
• really nice people
• very flexible schedule
• reasonable number of hours
• potential for more hours should I want them (and fabulous health benefits if I work 30 hours)
• potentially interesting work
• gives me the time I need to work on my book, which is something I want finish before I die, even if no one publishes it.
• is few enough hours that I can keep doing it even if I have another kid.

And, much to my own delight, I’m actually excited about starting this job. I’ve been giddy all evening. I’m so relieved to be done, even if only for a while, with job hunting. I’ll keep the 10 year goal up so that I can use it to motivate myself to keep writing (the real job I want in 10 years in any case, right?)

I cannot say enough how much the encouragement I received from everyone on 43things has meant to me and helped me through this goal. really Thank you. _{if I start naming names, I’ll start missing people: catherineaq, coastalgal, maltiti, eatitorwearit, mama who writes, kc_cooker, FLIRT, rosie (gone but not forgotten) and everyone everyone else I’m forgetting. THANK YOU}

_{EDIT: SEE! I told you so. Already I’ve realized I forgot Trauma Junkie…, and I’d include Cygknit and greyskye (the Hot Librarian), but they don’t check their 43t subscriptions…}

I took it!

Called the place downtown. They were happy to hear from me, “we were going to call you this afternoon!” I’m scheduled to go in and chat with the boss tomorrow afternoon.

I just wrote another, after several days of flailing at it.

I was all proud of myself, sent it to a friend for editing, looked at it again and winced. Same old problem. Too blunt, too short. Really got to get over that cover letter problem described by that friend as: I need a job, you have a job!

My foot-in-mouth superhero power also does not help with this activity.

The job I was called about earlier this week shows a lot of promise. The basic structure (hours, flexibility, atmosphere) seems really ideal. The pay isn’t good enough, but it wasn’t clearly defined, so I may be able to negotiate it a little…?

My plan, since I think I’m supposed to meet with the boss next week, is that if it seems like I’m a good fit for them, is to offer myself (maybe cheap?) as a temp for a month to 6 weeks. If we’re happy with the situation, then I’d get a better pay rate (or maybe I’ll just stick with that from the start?) and we’ll fix me more permanently…

But again, I haven’t met the boss yet and I have to write a cover letter (this one should be informal, I think, since it’s an informal network that I’m being recruited through).

The people seem really nice and the schedule – 20 hours, 4 days at 5 hours each would make both parties happy – is really tantalizing. They’re avowedly family friendly and the person who chatted with me also emphasized that they’re very casual with a lot of camaraderie.

I would like that. _{wistful sigh}

I need another paragraph for the cover letter. I’ve got it, sort of, but I suspect I need to sort of explain why it’s pertinent to hiring me, rather than just a commentary on the position. sigh. I hate these freaking things.

I essentially got a random job offer today. 20 hours, not enough pay, but really really flexible hours in an easy going environment, right here in town. I’ll go meet them and chat them up after work on Wednesday, but I don’t think this is the ticket.

Version one done. Thanks for the encouragement and common sense.

I’m feeling less absolutely depressed about this goal today. I have a job lead that is actually local and additionally falls into my field of interest. So, despite it being full time, I’m going to pursue it. In fact, as you can tell, right this minute I’m writing the cover letter that terrifies me because it needs to be simply perfect in all ways.

Why am I seeing a career among perfectionists? Perhaps more therapy is in order.

Need to start from square one and my optimism and self confidence are at rock bottom. I thought I was starting to build a little mental momentum, but had nightmares about being in a job way over my head and enthusiasm level symbolized by having to work Halloween for a huge library celebration complete with performers.

Did some classified browsing this morning. I’d forgotten how completely awful they are.