What with my last paycheck having arrived two weeks ago and my immediate prospects looking slim, I decided to go ahead and apply for unemployment benefits today. It was a pretty simple process, all things considered, and with any luck, I should start receiving benefits in a couple of weeks. When one signs up for benefits, California requires one to register with CalJobs. So I did. There wasn't much, but I saw a position for a concierge post at one of the top hotels in the city and decided to apply. They have an extensive online application, which I began on right away; when I got about half of the way through, I decided to break for lunch and fill out the rest later.
Fast forward a couple of hours: I just got an e-mail from the hotel saying:
Thank you for your interest in [Name Hidden] Hotels and Resorts. We have received your application for the position of Concierge (Job ########) at The [Name of Hotel] and regret to inform you that we are not able to offer you a position at this time.
What the heck? I hadn't even completed the application. I thought that meant that it hadn't been submitted and that, therefore, no one would look at it. I don't understand. Do you?
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
What do you make of this?
I saw this job posting on Craigslist today and I'm really curious about the part I bolded. I have no idea what this company does, so it could mean a lot of different things.
Immediate opening for an Operations / Administrative Assistant.
Join a fast paced, online network of media related web properties, including a top 300 global image host. Your role will be to take ownership over a wide range of tasks, including but not limited to:
- Content Review (Please note: Must be comfortable with "not safe for work" content.)
- Time Sensitive Requests
- Website Support Emails
Requirements:
- Ability to follow instructions, be pro-active with a "can-do" attitude
- Strong common sense and the ability to work independently
- Detail-oriented (a must!)
- Must be able to multi-task and be a team player
- Positive and flexible attitude and the ability to shift gears quickly
- Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, Email, etc.
- Professional and strong communication skills
To be considered for this position, please send your resume and cover letter in Word format with "Operations / Administrative Assistant" in the subject line. Please no attachments.
Immediate opening for an Operations / Administrative Assistant.
Join a fast paced, online network of media related web properties, including a top 300 global image host. Your role will be to take ownership over a wide range of tasks, including but not limited to:
- Content Review (Please note: Must be comfortable with "not safe for work" content.)
- Time Sensitive Requests
- Website Support Emails
Requirements:
- Ability to follow instructions, be pro-active with a "can-do" attitude
- Strong common sense and the ability to work independently
- Detail-oriented (a must!)
- Must be able to multi-task and be a team player
- Positive and flexible attitude and the ability to shift gears quickly
- Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, Email, etc.
- Professional and strong communication skills
To be considered for this position, please send your resume and cover letter in Word format with "Operations / Administrative Assistant" in the subject line. Please no attachments.
Monday, September 14, 2009
No Mo' FSO
First off, I want to apologize to *Ily and Lanafactrix who have both left some great comments on my blog. You see, blogger is supposed to e-mail me when somebody comments on a post and it didn't. I just discovered your wonderful bits of advice and wish that I'd read them earlier.
Now, I have one potentially big piece of bad news: my current application to the Foreign Service will go no further. I got an e-mail today from the State Department saying that I will not be interviewing with them for a job. The reason I say potentially bad news is that I'm not sure I'm upset about it. Sure, I would have loved to have the honor of having a job with the State Department, but I don't want to do something for which I'm unprepared.
In other news, I applied for a completely different kind of job: a sales associate position at a national chain of cooking stores. It's part-time, so even if I did get it, it wouldn't be ideal; however, with the holiday season coming up, there's probably the potential for a significant number of hours.
Also, I saw my manager from my last retail job on Friday. After telling her my current situation, she told me that if I'm still looking for a job come October/November, she might hire me for extra help during the holiday season. She and I both hope that I have a "real" job before then, but if I need it, it's nice to know that's a possibility.
Off to apply for more jobs!
Now, I have one potentially big piece of bad news: my current application to the Foreign Service will go no further. I got an e-mail today from the State Department saying that I will not be interviewing with them for a job. The reason I say potentially bad news is that I'm not sure I'm upset about it. Sure, I would have loved to have the honor of having a job with the State Department, but I don't want to do something for which I'm unprepared.
In other news, I applied for a completely different kind of job: a sales associate position at a national chain of cooking stores. It's part-time, so even if I did get it, it wouldn't be ideal; however, with the holiday season coming up, there's probably the potential for a significant number of hours.
Also, I saw my manager from my last retail job on Friday. After telling her my current situation, she told me that if I'm still looking for a job come October/November, she might hire me for extra help during the holiday season. She and I both hope that I have a "real" job before then, but if I need it, it's nice to know that's a possibility.
Off to apply for more jobs!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Didn't get that one either
Almost two months ago, I found a job posting for an assistant director of admissions opening at my high school. It was an ideal job, so I applied immediately and kept my fingers crossed. Aside from hearing that they'd received my application, I got nothing from them. The curious part was that the ad said they wanted to hire by August 15; however, for weeks after that date, the job was still on their website.
Until today. Oh well. Another one bites the dust.
I did get a bit of hope today, though: I overheard my boss at my internship and a co-worker talking about how they're going to need to hire someone else soon, as there's simply too much work for the current staff to do. Maybe I'll be able to get a job there…
Until today. Oh well. Another one bites the dust.
I did get a bit of hope today, though: I overheard my boss at my internship and a co-worker talking about how they're going to need to hire someone else soon, as there's simply too much work for the current staff to do. Maybe I'll be able to get a job there…
Saturday, September 5, 2009
No Regrets
Three years ago this weekend, at a friend's Labor Day Weekend/Burning Man party, I promised myself that I would do whatever I could to eliminate the word 'regret' from my vocabulary. I had spent too many months, years perhaps, regretting my choice of major in college (theater) and the fact that I had gone to Europe for a month, leaving behind many open job applications.
Since that party, I've been doing a pretty good job at staying positive and living in the present. I got a great job that lasted for two years, found a wonderful boyfriend, made some wonderful new friends, and a position in an excellent women's vocal ensemble. However, my roommate moving out unexpectedly, the economy tanking, and my job ending have brought me closer to my mental state of three years ago than I care to be. Sure, I still have all of the aforementioned positive changes, but I don't have the direction/purpose that I wish I had.
I realize that there are probably millions of people like me out there. I know lots of people of all ages who still don't know what to do with their lives. Unfortunately, those things don't give me any solace. I'm finding myself once more wondering what my life would be like now had I majored in politics or history or created some combination major in college. Would I still be in San Francisco? What would I be doing? Would I have gone to grad school? If so, what would I have studied?
The first two weeks of my internship have given me more motivation than ever to go to graduate school—for international studies, demography, geography, or something of the sort—than I've ever had, and yet I still have the Foreign Service to consider. If I make it through the process, I won't be able to go to grad school, at least not yet. If I get an interview, it'll be in the next six months or so, the same time I would need to apply for schools, were I to start in Fall 2010. However, I'm not going to know if I've made it that far for at least another month, which is valuable time when one considers that I don't have any letters of recommendation, nor have I taken the GRE.
As anyone who's spent more than a few minutes around me probably knows, I like to have a plan. As I said to my roommate (the new one, who's great, by the way) last night, I like to have a plan even if all I'm going to be doing is sitting at home all evening. Therefore, this whole not having a plan for the next month let alone the next year and beyond is rather daunting. I'm trying to take it one day at a time, but now that I am officially without a paycheck and health insurance, I'm becoming more angsty by the minute. Why else would I be posting on my blog at 1:12 in the morning?
If you've read this far and have any advice, please do pass it on. Thanks.
Since that party, I've been doing a pretty good job at staying positive and living in the present. I got a great job that lasted for two years, found a wonderful boyfriend, made some wonderful new friends, and a position in an excellent women's vocal ensemble. However, my roommate moving out unexpectedly, the economy tanking, and my job ending have brought me closer to my mental state of three years ago than I care to be. Sure, I still have all of the aforementioned positive changes, but I don't have the direction/purpose that I wish I had.
I realize that there are probably millions of people like me out there. I know lots of people of all ages who still don't know what to do with their lives. Unfortunately, those things don't give me any solace. I'm finding myself once more wondering what my life would be like now had I majored in politics or history or created some combination major in college. Would I still be in San Francisco? What would I be doing? Would I have gone to grad school? If so, what would I have studied?
The first two weeks of my internship have given me more motivation than ever to go to graduate school—for international studies, demography, geography, or something of the sort—than I've ever had, and yet I still have the Foreign Service to consider. If I make it through the process, I won't be able to go to grad school, at least not yet. If I get an interview, it'll be in the next six months or so, the same time I would need to apply for schools, were I to start in Fall 2010. However, I'm not going to know if I've made it that far for at least another month, which is valuable time when one considers that I don't have any letters of recommendation, nor have I taken the GRE.
As anyone who's spent more than a few minutes around me probably knows, I like to have a plan. As I said to my roommate (the new one, who's great, by the way) last night, I like to have a plan even if all I'm going to be doing is sitting at home all evening. Therefore, this whole not having a plan for the next month let alone the next year and beyond is rather daunting. I'm trying to take it one day at a time, but now that I am officially without a paycheck and health insurance, I'm becoming more angsty by the minute. Why else would I be posting on my blog at 1:12 in the morning?
If you've read this far and have any advice, please do pass it on. Thanks.
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