Lowlights

I've had these questions saved on my computer for a while - I think I got them through Kim's blog, but I'm not entirely sure. Regardless, they've also been occupying my mind for a couple of months.

• What am I freakishly good at?
• What do I geek out about?
• If I was a horrifically superficial and shallow person, what would I really want?
• What do I want to be known for?
• If I had a full year off, and a stipend, how would I spend it?
• What’s going to be carved on my hypothetical tombstone?

I've been in my job for over a year now, and I'm thinking about the next step. Don't worry, this won't be of great surprise to anyone - I'm in an entry-level role in my organisation, and my colleagues are students or recent university graduates gaining some experience on their way to their ultimate career goals, so it's not a job most people go into for the long term. That's not to say I don't enjoy it - I do, it's a great working environment, and the work itself involves typing, TV, radio, and the internet, so what's not to love? But I know I won't be there in five years time.

Anyway, my problem is that despite having gained a ton of experience in the working world (compared to peers who did go to university, at least), I'm still just as overwhelmed and indecisive as I was nearing the end of high school.

There's another, almost conflicting problem I'm faced with, before you rush in with reassurances that I'm only 22 and have my whole life in front of me. Right now, my health is pretty good and I'm perfectly capable of working a 40 hour week at an office desk. I get sick a fair bit due to my shitty immune system, and I'm often pretty tired and sore by the end of the day, but overall that doesn't impact too severely on my job. But because of my AS, I have absolutely no idea how long this good fortune will last.

Over the past five years since leaving school, I kind of figured I'd take what comes, and see where my working life ends up. But the longer I spend living like that, the less I enjoy it. I feel like I need an ultimate goal or dream to work towards, to keep me sane in this paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle. I just don't know what I want.

I don't want to go wild living out fun jobs, and being left middle aged and able bodied, but without valuable experience and qualifications. I also don't want to work my butt off climbing a corporate-or-any-other-kind-of ladder to be left crippled and exhausted.

I don't want to feel like I've wasted this indefinite healthy period I've been given. I also don't want to work myself into exhaustion and stress to be left unable to complete a career goal.

This post has been saved in my drafts for a couple of weeks, without any kind of conclusion because it's an ongoing dilemma. I had a discussion about it with Charlie's friend who has Crohn's disease - and, like me, is taking the prescription medication Humira - and he's feeling the same way. The career he studied for and started working in is something he cannot live out in the foreseeable future due to his illness, and a similar situation is something I fear. I already have a student loan from the flight attending training I couldn't complete, and I don't want to add to it without an achievable outcome. He also brought up the fact that the prospect of living overseas is far more difficult for us - in New Zealand the $2000 cost of the drug is almost entirely paid for by the Government, but that's not the case overseas, at least not long term. For as long as Humira continues to suppress my AS symptoms, I can't go without it.

More frequently I think about working enough hours to pay the bills, and spending the rest of my time improving my painting skills, and blogging. But what kind of a long-term plan is that? I know it's a modern-youth cliche and supports Michael Laws' theory of bloggers suffering from mental illness, but I have been depressed in the past, and going forward happiness is my number one priority. But I know from experience that living on the bones of your ass ain't much chop either.

Gettin' Paper

I was inspired to write about this topic yesterday after titling my post 'shift'. The word always brings back a terribly embarrassing memory for me, which I will share with you shortly.

In my most recent three jobs, I've worked in offices, and have periodically been called upon to cast an eye over job applications when superiors have been recruiting new staff. I've also held several different roles myself over the five years since I left high school, so I'm sharing with you a few little tips I've learned about applying for jobs.

Use your own judgement when applying for particular roles of course, and don't hold me responsible if these things don't help you gain a job! These tips are really targeted towards entry level-type jobs like I've worked in, particularly in offices, and are just some things I've noticed many people do that I wouldn't do myself (or my own mistakes I've learned from).

Creating your CV

First up is your CV (curriculum vitae/resume) itself. I imagine the majority of employers are going to do exactly what my bosses have done when recruiting- print out a stack of applications in black and white to sort through. This means the beautiful colour scheme and backgrounds you worked on will be boring and monochrome... and often quite ugly. Solid black text on a white background is going to look crisp and clean even on the dodgiest printer.

Keep it simple

Keep the number of fonts you use to a maximum of two, and the same with font sizes (although I've usually put my name slightly larger at the top with my contact information underneath). I usually have a bold heading for each section of my CV, and then simply underline the company name for each previous employer and training establishment. Keep it simple, and easy to read. And list your previous jobs and education in reverse chronological order, with the most recent places at the top.

Check your spelling and grammar

Proof read, oh my god, proof read. And then get everyone you know to proof read as well. Remember the terribly embarrassing moment mentioned earlier? When I applied for my previous role as a receptionist, I landed an interview and went along dressed up and enthusiastic. My interviewer talked with me a while, and then pulled the rug out from under my feet by pointing out a spelling error on my CV. Alongside each of my previous roles, I'd written the type of contract I'd held there- full time, fixed term etc. Alongside my waitressing job, I'd accurately but unintentionally labelled it 'shit work'. To this day I quadruple check the spelling every time I type the word 'shift'! I was very fortunate in that instance that the interviewer had worked in hospitality herself so we were able to joke about it- many people would have put my CV in the shredder upon noticing that error (or, perhaps in some cases, passed it around a few people for a giggle) and I wouldn't have got an interview let alone the role itself.

Photo

A sometimes-risky move is to include a self-portrait on your CV. Some employers will think this makes you stand out, while others will hate it, so it can be a bit of a gamble. If you decide to include one, make sure it's clear and nicely cropped... and don't pile on too much make up.

Cover letters

No matter how you're applying for a job, even in a question/answer application online, if there's an opportunity for you to send a cover letter with your CV then take it. It's fine to have a basic cover letter saved when applying for multiple jobs, but make sure you tailor it for each role. You're definitely going to have a better chance at progressing in the hiring process if you've shown knowledge about the company or role you're applying for, and highlighted your unique qualities that will make you suitable for it. Employers can definitely tell when you're sending in a cut-and-paste letter, and I've personally had the most success when I've started from scratch and written every word with the job I'm applying for in mind.

Sending your application

Something I always do is send both my cover letter and CV as a PDF, rather than a Word document or similar. It ensures your application will display on the recipients screen/print out as you intended. For my last two roles I applied with a full one page cover letter and one page CV. Obviously for some jobs this won't be enough, but I personally think less is more; provided the 'less' is relevant information that will make employers want to know more about you.

The online you

I'm sure even the most amateur of job applicant knows this, but make sure your Facebook profile presents you as employable. Obviously the best thing to do is make sure your profile is set to private if you have some potentially embarrassing party photos floating around, but don't forget to also check your 'friends-of-friends' settings too- especially in my city, there are so many 'mutual friends' among my peers that a prospective employee's profile can sometimes be viewed by their potential colleagues, or even the employer themselves.

It's also valuable to set up a LinkedIn account if you don't already have one, and connect with people you already know- especially if you're trying to break into an office role without previous experience.

Gaining an interview

If you have been fortunate enough to land an interview, when you go to appointment make sure you are super sweet to other staff there. Particularly in an office environment, smile at and greet the receptionist before asking after your interviewer. Always assume they will have some input into the hiring process, because chances are the interviewer will ask the receptionist for the their 'first impression' thoughts. My predecessor at a previous reception job became a good friend of mine, and she told me that of all the people interviewed for my role, I was the only one to stop, greet her, and ask her how she was- and in that case and she passed this information on to the interviewer. It seems obvious, but having worked as a receptionist myself you would be amazed at how many people charge in and respond to your welcome with a blunt "I have an interview with ___".

Never be late, but don't be too early either- I'd say five minutes max. You don't want to make the interviewer flustered if they are not quite ready to see you yet. If you're super early, hang out down the road or in the lobby until it's time- and remember that anyone walking past is a potential future colleague.

I can't really offer you much advice for once you're in the interview itself... I've tended to babble nervously and it seems to work! Just remember the basics- dress nicely, be friendly, be honest, don't bad mouth previous employers, and be enthusiastic.

I heart Google

Above all? Google is your very best friend when job hunting. If you're unsure of how to best layout your cover letter and CV, Google some templates. Google the company you're applying for, and if you're fortunate enough to score an interview, Google some more!

Let me know if you have any embarrassing or interesting job application stories, and feel free to share any other advice you have!

Image source.

Janvier

I am happy to tell you that after four days I am loving my new job! I am working as a broadcast monitor now, summarising news bulletins, talkback, and other current events-related broadcasts. Lots to learn, but I feel I'm doing pretty well.

The big news story at the moment is the Queensland floods. It's crazy that so many of the places affected are where Charlie and I were having an amazing holiday at the start of last month. Incredibly sad.

Nothing much to report I'm afraid! Just getting used to getting up early (my work day starts at 6am) which is so far so good. It's amazing being finished work mid-afternoon!  I've also been reading a lot- working my way through the Wally Lamb book I bought, and I also picked up the fourth Tomorrow book yesterday. I'm in serious need of ANOTHER bookshelf!

Please forgive me for the grainy webcam photos on this post- I haven't charged my digicam batteries. I tried to get Wallace to pose for me, but the first shot was the only slight success. Wiggly little critter.