get a part-time job

Applied for a job as a “Food and Beverage Attendant”, as opposed to a waitress… It’s really close to where I am, would pretty much just have to jump on the bus, very good for me considering I don’t drive! :P

confirming that I didn’t get the job. It’s a pity but it’s okay – only one person can be offered it and I’m sure the right choice was made.

I was nonplussed though – and not a little bit angry by the tone of the rejection. I very rarely get angry. Here is the relevant quote from the letter:

“Further to your recent interview ... I regret to advise you that we will not be taking your application any further as your skills and experience do not closely match our current requirements.”

What bugs me is this: my skills and experience were clearly articulated in my original application. It should have been obvious then that they “did not closely match…” I had an interview in which they were discussed further. Then I was called and told it was between me and one other and would I mind giving up an afternoon to spend time in the shop so I could get a feel for the place and the manageress could get more of a feel for me. That afternoon was spent in the backroom – with her trying to make the computer work and talking at me all the while. I kept waiting for a chance to show what I could do; it was never offered.

I have no problem with the other person being a better fit for the job than me. But if my skills and experience didn’t ”closely” match what they wanted, why did they bother going so far down the road? Why interview me at all, let alone shortlist me in a list of two? I feel it was a waste of my time and theirs.

What frustrates me is that it’s left me with a negative feeling towards the hospice itself and I really don’t want to feel like that. (The job was in one of the hospice shops.) Surely the rejection could have been worded more sensitively?

I’m not yet sufficiently well-versed in the nuances of non-violent communication to be able to use it effectively but I think I can draw on parts of it in this instance.

I’m planning to write to the hospice: copies to the writer of the letter and also to the chairman of the hospice trust. I shall stress it is not a letter of complaint: my intention is to convey the negative impact resulting from the choice of words in their letter and request that in future they consider adopting a more constructive stance. I don’t need a reply: once I’ve made known my feelings and my needs the frustration will fade :)

As for finding a job – onward and upward!

It’s two weeks since I had the interview. I was really pleased when they phoned early the following week and told me I had made the final two. They wanted each of us to spend time in the shop so we could see the place and how it works and so that the manageress – who had been one of the interviewers – could get more of a feel for us. I was happy to do that and spent last Friday afternoon there.

The manageress told me I would hear on Monday – the Monday just gone. So far I have heard nothing. There could be many reasons for that but it’s been something of a waiting game which hasn’t added to what has been a tiresome week.

I’m more or less assuming now that I haven’t got it. It would have been perfect in so many ways (and something I could have crossed off my goals lists) so I am feeling rather disappointed. But I don’t know for sure yet; it may still happen.

If I hear nothing today I shall call them tomorrow.

I’m so happy and excited! I’m about 99% sure I got the job. I will know for sure on Tuesday :)

So yesterday, before I made my last entry on this goal, I called the theater on campus because I had seen a job listing for an usher. Well, the woman at the box office told me that she didn’t think they were hiring anymore, but reluctantly she gave me this man’s number. She was like “I’m just warning you…but I’ll give it to you anyway.”

So I called the number: no answer. Left a message. Had doubts that I would ever get a call back. Planned on calling again.

But he called back today! And you know what he said? “I DO actually have an opening…would you be able to come in for an interview?”

:)!!!!

So of course we scheduled one. He told me the job was weekend work, which is on a sign-up basis. And there are usually about 3 events per weekend, all ending around 11 pm.

But when he scheduled it, he was trying to schedule it AROUND an event so that he could show me how everything works. That kind of makes me think I already have the job.

Would he do that if he wasn’t sure he’d hire me?

The summer job thing didn’t work out. I did fill in temporarily at my old job for a week, and that helped. But I never found anything more permanent.

Now that I’m in college, I’m looking for a part-time job on campus. The money would help with transportation costs, clothes, recreation, and other expenses.

Also, I need to save up for trips that I’ll be taking in the near future!

So…no more beating around the bush. There are only a few listings online, but I will fight for them!

After all, I do have quite a bit of free time still. So. Why not?

Today someone in personnel from a certain national supermarket phoned to ask if I was still looking for a part-time job. I’d applied there a few weeks back without success.

I explained that I’m waiting on another job at the moment. We agreed that I’d call back if the hospice job doesn’t work out.

It’s nice to have a plan B :)

I’ve just had my first job interview in almost exactly 14 years!

What makes me come across to the world as calm and organised? Why is planning and preparation so important to me when I so rarely end up properly planned and organised? (Rhetorical questions!) Why – when it really comes to it – are my time-management skills totally crap? :D

Despite having all the time in the world to prepare, I still found myself rushing around the house and leaving with just minutes to spare. AND getting as far as switching on the ignition and setting up the sat nav before realising I’d forgotten the one thing they’s asked me to bring!

But all was well; I got there in time.

The interview was good: my kind of interview. The people were great; I liked them very much. I want the job more now they’ve told me all the downsides than I did when I set out to apply for it.

How do I think I fared? I don’t know. I was honest and genuine; I don’t think I made any dreadful gaffs. I’m not sure that I came across as well as I wanted to and there were questions I could now answer brilliantly but didn’t do them justice at the time. (Pity I couldn’t just pop back in having had time to consider).

I should hear early next week. I very much hope I get it. I KNOW I could do it – and do it well – but the same could be said by many people and there was a large response. We shall see.

If I don’t get it there are still positives. I’ll be better prepared for the next interview. (Those questions will come up again!) I’ve learned loads more about the hospice and can see lots of ways of getting involved irrespective of the job.

But I do hope that I get it :)

Heard this morning that I have an interview next week :) Fingers crossed.

spent ages preparing a new application – will post it off tomorrow.

heard back from one of my existing applications but we keep missing each other’s messages – hopefully catch up tomorrow.