Interview # 47: I love Adventures!

Okay, so I had applied for a job that was the same pay as my current job. I got a call, and at first, I brushed it off. Why would I go for a job that is the same pay rate? Not to mention, it's Tuesday-Saturday! I like my Saturdays! I asked a bunch of people, 2 people said don't go for it, but 5 people said go for it. My one friend said, since I'm so miserable in retail, I might as well try this, because if I have a chance to be happy, I should go for it!

So I call back the lady a day later, and she gets back to me... Usually companies don't get back to me, so I was surprised. She asks me some questions, she tells me that the job is Tuesday-Saturday. I paused for a moment, because I wanted to ask her about this fair I go to every year, that is on a Saturday.. but I didn't, and then she went "You paused once I said Saturday", and I said I was just writing what the hours were down (Which was true, but a good save by me.)
She asks me to come in for an interview, but she requests that she emails me the information.. so since I was at work, and my phone service sucks... I couldn't view it until I got home. I completed all the information at home.. etc.. She sends me an email about an interview on Thursday at 10am! Which is great and all, until I realized I was closing the day before, and wasn't' getting home until 12am.

I somehow got enough sleep, and I get to the place. Now in the email, it says to go past a security booth, and then go to the other side of the building (With car). But I got confused with the instructions, and so I ended up going through the building, and walking through the whole thing, until I found it.

I meet up with the lady, and she tells me that I am going to do a testing assessment. I do the assessment, which was supposed to take 15 minutes, but  I finished it in around 8-10 minutes. It was basically just doing data entry tests, which were rather easy, and kind of fun. I only got one wrong, and on the last one, which bothered me. But other than that, I got a 99% right.

The interviewer, ends up being another lady. She's this nice grandma like lady, and she was telling me about how much she loves data entry, and typing. She was clearly nervous herself, while I'm just normally awkward. She said it was great that I did so well in the assessment.
She went over the job, about how it's Tuesday-Saturday. She had moments where she couldn't think of what else to tell me about the job.
She told me about how she works retail too, at Kmart. I told her that I'm very detail oriented, because at my job, they told me to just throw the merchandise wherever.. she said at Kmart, they want perfection, and that she should get a job at my store. I told her, I could give her a good reference!

She seemed to really like me, she said that I seem like a nice person, and that she believed me when I said I was detail oriented, or I get along with everyone.. etc..

I asked her these questions:

• What's an average day like
• What's your favorite thing about this company?
• What is the competitive scene like? Who am I up against, and what would I have to do, to show I am the right choice?

At once point, I felt like I was interviewing her. lol

I did forget to tell her my three adjectives, that I'm Friendly, Ambitious and Optimistic. But I think she thought that about me.

So, before I did the assessment, the first lady gave me a water bottle, as she asked If I wanted anything.
Now, a cool interview trick is.. to ask for water.... or whatever. Because when you don't know what to say, you take a sip of the drink, and it gives you more time to think about what you're going to say. I did this a few times with the water bottle,

She asked me to describe a time I had to face a challenge. I took a sip of water, and I thought of a time.. where I dealt with this very nasty customer. The customers coupon didn't work, so I got the supervisor to override it. Now, what really happened was... the lady was a bitch from the start, and a bitch to the end.. she was by far, the nastiest person I've ever had to deal with.
However, the lie is, that after we got the "coupon" to work, the lady became very happy, and nice.
So that's my challenge, even though it's half a lie.

At times, I did however come off rather awkward, but the lady seemed a little awkward too, so I don't think it was a  big deal.
Of course, my dumb ass parked in the wrong direction. So I was trying to find the stairs for the way I didn't go through, and the first lady saw me kind of looking around, confused. She showed me the way, I told her I wanted to walk, because I love adventures (I said the same thing twice like an idiot).
I found the way..
But my problem is, if I've never been somewhere, or if I've never done something.. I'll get really confused and just get the directions wrong somehow. (Such as, now that I know where to go, the directions to the building in the email, is rather easy and I understand it now.)

So the interview, I think went very well. We'll just see what happens next!

Edit: As of May/01/2018. I found out that they liked me, and I will be working for this company, starting the 22nd of May.

Interview #39: I want you to RELAX!

My 39th interview was for a law firm company, that apparently has been around since 1937. I had played phone tag with them for a few days. Lately I have been calling companies back, and they never get back to me, so I was surprised when they called me back! On my way to the interview, I hit some traffic,the GPS and the directions online, had two different ways to go, and two different destination times. When I got to the building, I was worried I went to the wrong place. But eventually found out that I was at the right place, and I may have actually been there two years ago! I think a staffing agency is also there.
 When I got to the building, I was there maybe two minutes late, and they asked if I found the place okay. I told them what happened. After I got into the interview room, the interviewer told me to relax, and that her and the other lady interviewing me, just wanted to know me.

This was, by far, one of my better interviews.. which is strange, as I never heard anything back! This was back in October, and I was just lazy and didn't finish it (Until now, since I'm about to go on my 41st interview in a few days, and I need to catch up!)
I had never been on an interview, for 40 minutes, this was a new record! I really thought something was going to come from it, but I was aware that I was their first interview, so I must have seemed cool at first, but was blown out of the park by others.
The position was a file clerk, who would also do some reception.

I was interviewed by two ladies, who were both very nice, and down to earth. We discussed various topics, such as what I did at my current job. Which was funny, as one of them said they liked the store, and the other didn't go there, because it was messy, and they just couldn't deal with the mess.
Later I realized, it was probably bad to complain about my current job, as it will look bad.. even though this was a first hand experience by the interviewer.
The one lady kept asking me to relax, and that they just wanted to know me. Which really made me feel better, but at the same time, I'm still shy and uncomfortable around new people!
I showed them some print outs of awards I have from my current company, such as an employee of the month certificate, and getting a "Smile" award for being pleasant on register.. they wanted to hold onto the papers, but I told them I needed them. Mainly because my printer sucks, and it took a year to print out... so making a new one would be obnoxious, but it's not like I got the job anyway, so it would have been a waste of my time, and my printer ink, that stuff is expensive!
Another mistake I made, was saying that I wasn't a people person, that's why I wanted an office job. They told me that I would be a partial receptionist, and still have to deal with people.
But working in retail, and being surrounded by people, and being a receptionist in a law firm, are two very different things,  I would not have had a problem with it!
Next time, I just have to say that I LOVE working with people, and just wanted a clerical environment.
They said they wanted someone who was going to be with the company for a long time. They asked about my Graphic Design background, and wanted to know if I was going to pursue this. In the past, people asked because they liked this skill, but this time (  and for the 37th interview) it was not a skill they needed, they were just concerned I might leave for a graphic design job. I simply told them that I attempted a Graphic Design job, but no one would hire me because I needed experience, so I told them that I wanted to pursue more clerical positions instead. The one lady even made a note about how people want experience, but you can't get experience if no one will hire you.

It was just very interesting how down to earth, and real these ladies were, it was a very pleasant experience.

Lesson Learned: I have to stop complaining about my job to people, I've done this before, they just think I'm going to complain about their company, if I were to work for them.
Which is untrue, retail is just evil!!! I wish they'd understand that at least.

Interview #38: Market your life better witch!

I just wanted a Halloween-y title.

This interview was a pleasant experience, it was for a marketing company, not too far from my current job in retail. They apparently help out solar companies, as well as medical offices. I believe it would be helping out with appointments, when it comes to the medical offices, and trying to get people to switch to environmental friendly lights, for the solar companies.

I was sat down into a room, where there was a big meeting room, that had similar phones/ gadgets to my 36th interview, so while I was waiting, I was reminiscing.

The lady sat down with me, she was more relaxed than most interviewers in the past, (Except the last one, that guy was relaxed too).
The lady asked me to fill out a form, so I was filling it out quickly, because I didn't want to use up all of her time trying to make artistic letters. I fill out the paper, and the lady tells me about the company.  So this is the third time, this year, that I didn't get asked what I knew about the company. All three places were smaller, so maybe that's why... but I'm so used to writing down three facts about a company, that when they automatically tell me about the company, it's like I remembered those things for nothing! But hey, at least I don't have to remember those things afterwards. There are two sides of the company, they either help try to sell customers energy efficient lighting, which they will eventually need, as everyone is using LED lights now. The other side, is, I believe appointment setting for various doctor's offices... so it's two sides of a coin, and she specified that some people might like/do better with one, or the other.
The lady asked me about my Graphic Design degree, I told her that I had gone to school for GD, but there were no jobs for it. She asked me if I wanted to pursue a job in Graphic Design, and I said that if anything, I'd do something on the side. She asked if I wanted to go back to school, I said yes, but a long time from now, once I'm financially stable.
She asked me how my friends would describe me, in three words. I'm glad for my 36th interview, as they asked me to describe myself with three adjectives, so now I'm always prepared! I just told her that I was out-going, creative, and Goal-Oriented.
She asked me about how I won the donation drive at my job, this was because I would always ask for donations, while on register. I explained later, that I didn't get as many donations, once I started working on the floor.. but I still get many, when I have to ring, such as yesterday, I got 25! Which now that I'm thinking about it, was 15, but I did get 28 the other day. I explained to her, that I'm a bit competitive, and I like to get donations.
As she was talking about the positions available, I told her about how I was taking two calls at work, and how I felt so alive being in an office.
She asked me how I deal with customers, I told her that I deal with them, as you would with anyone else, and you smile!

Overall, it was a nice interview. But I did forget to show her these two print outs, that I have of winning a "Smile award", at my job, and getting employee of the month.

She told me that tomorrow was the last day she's having for interviews, so if I got the job, I'll know tomorrow. I told her to let me know if I got it or not, as I like to know where I am at. I told her that I promise, that I don't bite!

Lesson: I chickened out, and did not ask her to give me a task to demonstrate my abilities, or show her the papers. So I think I need to learn how to work on that!

Interview 34: Why does this look so familiar?

Okay, so my 34th interview took place later in the day after my 33rd one. My earlier interview was at 10am, while my later one was at 4pm... it was in a similar area to my 32nd interview, so I already knew how to get half way there.
 Unfortunately, the navigation system messed me up at the last second... Usually, the GPS will say when you'll be close to it, when it says 0.05 miles ahead, that means get ready to turn... when it says the location is 0.02 miles away, that means you need to turn at the next turn.. but instead, the GPS said I was 0.04 miles away, and then instantaneously says I have arrived at the address...By the time it said this, I had just passed the turn to make and OF COURSE, I could not turn around because it ended up being a very long road of just forest on both sides. I had to drive 10 minutes out of the way, just so I could turn around and go back. By the time I actually got there, I was 10 minutes late, and originally I was going to be 10 minutes early. The fun doesn't end there either, when I got to the building, it was a big square that housed about 27 different companies. So, I walked around the entire building, just to find out that the place I was supposed to go to, was right by where I had parked my car.....

When I finally got into the office, I talked to the receptionist, and told her that my GPS made a mistake, she told me that it actually happens all the time. I was seated in the waiting room; it was really all one big room. The Receptionist was at this little dainty desk thing in the corner next to the doors, and to the left were some couches, a TV and a Table, but going forward were the offices.
As I waited, I had noticed that many of their decorations were not only bhuddist themed, but also many decorations that I have seen being sold at my store! I figured maybe they go to the store I work at all the time!
I waited around 10 minutes, and I was seated. The guy asked me a few questions, the usual stuff like where do I see myself in 5 years.. Am I good with a team and alone.. etc..
While I was on the interview, I realized that I wouldn't have been a very good fit. The job was for a consultant, and I would have been consulting people or something. I didn't think I got the job, and I didn't mind because I knew it wasn't the right place for me.

Lesson Learned: GPS systems aren't always correct and can screw you up! Make sure to leave at an even earlier time than you would have normally!

Phone Interview/Convo

I had started my new job search in the end of September 2015, I had applied for a job that was up my alley. It was a job in a Mail Company, that was looking for someone to do clerical work and light Graphic Design. This job was perfect for me, and it paid 17 an hour! How could I pass that up?! I worked in a mail room for 4 months,  I worked in an Office for a year and I went to school for graphic design!
I sent my resume, and a minute later I got a call! The guy on the phone told me, he just got my resume and he asked me a few questions. He asked me if I had Microsoft Office experience, he asked me some clerical related questions and he asked if I was good with Excel. I told him I have little Excel experience, but I am a quick learner. He asked what I would be in Excel, a Novice, Medium or Intermediate, I said a Novice. He told me that he would get back to me later about more details....
A day had passed and I was telling some people at work about this job, and two people were so excited for me. The one lady was like, I'm so excited for you, you're going to get this job! I told her, that I probably wasn't, and I'm used to being let down, she told me not to think like that. But what can I say, I went on 20 interviews in a year, back in 2012 and I didn't get a single one of them!
But because she was so happy about it, she got me excited about it and she started to make me think I actually had a chance.... especially since she was telling me about her daughter's boyfriend who she thought worked for the company. (It was a different company.)
The next day, I emailed the company, just to ask what the status was. They emailed me back, saying they were reviewing all of the candidates and that they would let me know the outcome.
I never heard from them again!
But what bothered me is, It was clear I had no chance at getting this job! So why did the guy call me in the first place?! He got my hopes up! Getting someone's hopes up is not cool, and he was just baiting me the whole time! I wish I had remembered the name of the company or something, this way I could complain about it on Glassdoor or Yelp!

Interview #30: Free meds for everyone!!

Except for Bob! He doesn't get any! Curse you Bob!!!!!!

So my 30th interview was in November 25th, Thanksgiving week! It was for a Pharmaceutical company (With less than positive reviews on Glassdoor.com, but you didn't hear it from me! *Wink* *Wink**Wink* *Wink**Wink* *Wink**Wink* *Wink**Wink* *Wink**Wink* *Wink**Wink* )

This was actually an interview that I got via Randstad, so I guess they aren't as useless as I had thought! (They'restillprettyuselessbutyoudidn'thearitfrommeagain*Wink* *Wink**Wink*)

Unfortunately, I was 12 minutes late for this interview because I didn't think there would be traffic at 11am. I wasn't sure if they had noticed or not..... ( I left 30 minutes before, and the map said it would take that long.)
Funny enough, the Randstad representative called me while I was on the interview, to ask if I was going to the interview.

When I got to the front desk, I had found out that I was in the wrong building. They were next door (Same company, but for some reason they had two sectors.), I get there and everything seemed fine, I didn't think they noticed I was late because of traffic. I had to wait in the waiting room for like 10 minutes, and eventually they took me.
The interviewer was very nice and down to earth, this was actually the first interview I had where I was more outgoing and friendly. I thought I did a pretty good job, I was more interactive than I used to be in the past! It was clear to me when I asked her "What's it like to work here?", she had this look on her face... It was easy to tell that it was hectic and crazy to work there. Like, I thought maybe it's a good idea not to work there? But the place I work at now, is pretty crazy, I mentioned to her that I work in a crazy environment already.. or did I say busy? Well, something like that. The interview, I thought went well. Maybe to me, it was well because in the past I was more shy and quiet.
I emailed the Randstad representative and asked her if I could send a thank you letter to the company for interviewing me. It took her two days to respond to me, and then she gave me a sob story about how "She's sorry, but she can't give out information like that and that the company decided to choose another candidate". I was like really? It took you two days to respond to me? But other times she responded very quickly? She had some sort of ulterior motive or something.
I was like, whatever, I don't need them anyways! I also thought to look onto the website of the company and apply directly instead, but I couldn't find any ads for it...

Lesson Learned: Make sure to leave much earlier! If it takes 30 minutes to get there, leave an extra 20 minutes, or something.. this way you have extra time to get there, and chances are, they'll take you right away anyways, sometimes they may ask you to fill out forms.

Interview # 29: Well, that was pointless.

So this interview was interesting, and by far the most pointless interview I have ever been on in my life!
I was at work, and I got a call from some lady named Lin. She was telling me she worked for a company called National something..later on I found out the name.
But, I had applied for another job that had the name National in it, so I thought it was them calling me back.  I made the mistake of putting my resume for employers to see on Monster, which I have taken down again. The lady said that they were looking for a Consultant and she asked me what I was interested in doing, I said I was interested in Clerical or Graphic Design, she said I should come on an interview anyways. The place is actually a 40 minute to an hour drive from my house, but she said that they give you local jobs anyways. So despite the fact that I'm a newer driver and I lived far away from the place, I went anyways.
The drive there was annoying and I'm realizing I don't like to drive for a long time, but I kept getting lost because I wouldn't understand the navigation system. The system would tell me to make a left and then when I made a left, it would have to find another route. I was also bad at understanding it too, I wouldn't understand when to turn, because I need it to be very specific for me to really get it.
The previous interview I went on, 28, I had taken the bus in the area so I was more familiar with the surroundings.
When I got there, I got lost because the number for the building was not there, it went from 200, to 1650.. I then found out it was hidden inside of a different numbered building, as it went from 1650, 200 to 80.
When I got in, there were two doors, and I didn't know which one to go in. There was a door and then another door with a glass window and a lady at a desk, I didn't think it was the door with the lady because there was a sign that said the company name in abbreviation and it didn't register with me that was the place! XD
The lady knocked on the window and I went over, she asked if I was there for an interview and I was seated with a clipboard and a sheet.
The sheet said some strange things like "What do you avoid in a career", which I replied long travel distances. Another question was "How competitive are you?" I put 5-8 because I can get competitive.
It all sounded fishy, like a sales job!
A guy came over and asked for my name and I was seated next to another guy who also worked there, they introduced themselves. They asked me very little questions and didn't really talk about the job, but more about the company. They said they wanted to know the face of the people applying and then they asked what position I was more interested in, they said something I forgot and Human resources, which I said I would prefer human resources.
They told me, if I hear from them by 5pm, then I would go onto the next step, and if not that they found someone more suitable.
It was the shortest interview I had ever been on, and the whole thing smelled like a scam and a sales type of job, which is not what I was looking for. I thought, what a waste of time to drive an hour there, just for a 5 minute interview! I didn't want them to call me back, and they didn't!
The funny part is, a week later, I got an email by them. They said that they've tried to contact me several times, but still didn't get an interview with me yet, which was a lie, as I already did and they didn't want me, which was fine because it was sketchy.
I had to make sure that I didn't get anymore unwanted invites for jobs I wouldn't want to do, so I made sure to block employers from viewing my resume online.

Later on, I looked online and apparently the place is a scam! They make you pay to get some sort of insurance license and then many times the job doesn't work out since it's a commission type of job.

Lesson Learned: Some interviews are a total waste of time! And don't bother putting your resume out for anyone to see, otherwise you get a boatload of commission and sales based jobs looking to hound you down. I mean, unless you want a commission based job, then it's easy.

Interview #28, We'll get you a job, lol just kidding, we don't give a fu..

This post is going to be about my 28th job interview and it's also going to be a warning, because this company is nothing but a scam anyways!!

Okay, so my 28th interview was for the staffing agency known as "Randstad". This is one of those occasions where fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
Apparently, I've never talked about the company before. But around three years ago from the date posted in this blog post... 11/12/2015..I went on an interview with a staffing agency called Randstad.. omg I think I've heard that before, oh yeah, I just mentioned it seconds ago.... anyways. I had went on an interview for whatever it was I applied for, and the guy said that they were getting many jobs in and that they would contact me. It was either a week or a few weeks later, I heard nothing from them, so I was like, well  I guess he was a liar liar pants on fire now wasn't he!

So a half of a month ago to around two weeks... I was on the website Indeed and I found job adds for clerical positions, which is what I was looking for, and it was supplied by Randstad. I figured that since I wasn't applying for the company itself, maybe it would be different this time? Well, I was wrong! First off, they didn't contact me until a week later, but I didn't think anything of it. We played phone tag a little bit and then I finally set up an interview, the lady was telling me they really needed to get this position filled and actually asked if I could come in before work. Where as I was going in at 9:15 that day, she wanted me in at 8am, I told her I had work at nine.
Funny enough, I was running late and they called me, I said I got lost, because that's what you say, instead of sounding like a bum. Anyways, I got there like 15 minutes later. I hadn't been on an interview for a bit of a year, so I was out of the loop. The interview was for a File Clerk  at a University or a Hospital, (Both places are associated with each other), apparently there was also an office assistant position as well. I was a little awkward, but I think I did pretty well, the lady seemed down to earth and friendly. She was asking me questions about how experienced I was with certain things and she asked me to do a skills test online. Everything seemed okay and I just thought it was different this time, especially since it was a different person and a different building. Although, there were certain things that stuck out in my mind. Such as at the end of the interview, she said if she didn't get back to me, to call or email her, but email is preferred. Which is fishy, because wouldn't phone be better?
I waited a week and I emailed her and I got nothing, a waited a few days and realized that she was just as useless as the first time! WASTE OF TIME!! The only good thing is that I got re-familiar with interviews and the area, since it was a 30 minute drive, I got some experience of the surroundings.
I was telling my aunt about the interview and she said, I should look online on the university's website and see if I could get the same job through them, and I would get paid more since staffing agency's take some of the cut.

I had told some people I work with about the company Randstad, and in fact, one girl has tried them and they were no use to her at all. Another woman, who is also a Donna, which is a tag on this blog. Had told me about how her job, actually supplies people from another staffing agency called Aerotek and that I should try them out instead, she couldn't recommend Randstad either!
I do however know two people who did get jobs through Randstad, but they're weird jobs and they don't allow you to have references for the company that they loan you out to. So if you work for a company through Randstad for two years, you can't use a supervisor or whoever as a reference, you're not allowed to!

Later on, I looked up Randstad and I found reviews upon reviews. Looks like "Randstad" likes to pull a fast one on people all of the time, there were so many people that went on interviews and Randstad did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING FOR THEM! Apparently the company has a monthly quota, they HAVE to have a certain amount of people for interviews, but they don't have to hire them for anything, so they waste people's time and money just so they don't get fired from their own job! They pretty much prey on the unemployed, or people searching for something new. But what about that person that has no money?  You just screwed them out of gas money! This company is just a bad company! I don't recommend at all!

This is not only a post about an interview experience, but also a WARNING! Try another staffing agency, I know Robert Half is better, because they actually tried to get me something three years ago.
But for the love of everything, don't go to Randstad!

I was applying for jobs the other day, and I was actually very inclined to put that lady's phone number and email in for a job search engine, so people would call her.. but I didn't. Karma can be a ho' sometimes and I hope it gets her.

Lesson Learned: Sometimes a new dog has the same old tricks! You have to be cautious of applying for a company you've applied for before!

Interview number.. I forgot.. what was I up to??

So, today 8/28/2014 I went on another interview... Interview 27..You know what they say, third time is a charm.. I don't know what they say about the fourth time.. but I went on my fourth interview with Macy's.
I decided to go and apply for Macy's... even though I had been on an interview with them three times in the past 2 years ago... last time was 10/00/2012.
I really want to get an office job, but I have to get my driver's license first.. I thought I would apply for Macy's for reasons.. even though it was a retail position I clearly applied for.
I filled out their survey, which I thought I had failed because the other times I applied, I got an email about an interview the next day.. but this one I got the email two days later.

I was really nervous as I hadn't been on an interview for a year... I just kept writing down possible questions they would ask me.
I was sitting in the waiting room for a while.. maybe 5-10 minutes.
The interviewer was actually the manager that interviewed me the last time I went on an interview, I don't know if she recognized me or not though.
The weird thing is she did not ask me any questions that I had saved.. not even the one that I was asked previously at another time with a different interviewer (Describe a time you used teamwork)..
The questions she asked were pretty simple, such as if I work well with a team and alone.. which department I would be interested.. what do I do at my current job.. simple things. There were even things that she filled out for me without even asking me..
It was so weird, when I didn't have retail experience, it was really trivial.. but after working in another retail industry (That I cannot name).. half of the stuff I didn't even need to mention... I almost felt like I was overqualified.
What I wanted to do was work at my current job and Macy's, both part time; but they said I could only choose one or the other.
My current job I am full time and get paid 8.25.. Macy's wanted to hire me.. I said part time before I knew I could not work both jobs... and they would pay me 8.00 an hour.
I started to realize that me applying for Macy's was just kind of silly... I already work in retail.. and the store I work at is a bit more laid back than Macy's from what the manager was describing it. I started having flash backs about how my current job is.. and even though it's stressful, I feel like I am supposed to be there.. like Macy's may just not be the place for me.
My original plan was to get my license and an office job..but getting a job at Macy's would just be a detour.
I told the interviewer I would get back to her if I still want the job... But I don't think I will take it.
I was having problems at my current job.. so that's why I thought of going to Macy's.. but to be honest.. It's better to rough it out than run away.. and then go with the original plan of an office job!
So, my first three interviews with Macy's, they didn't want meh.. but now they want meh.. but I don't really want them... weird how things work.

On the plus side, since I do want to get a new job soon, of the clerical kind.. this interview gets me a little toasty for interviews.. and ready for the big boys.

Lesson Learned: You may realize that, the job isn't the right job for you.

Orientation # 1

I've never been to an orientation before!!! OR have I...... *Flash back to two insurance companies I went to once...*

I have great news and bad news!

The great news is, I have a job!
The bad news is, it's in retail and the pay is 7.25 an hour (Wah wah wah)

It wasn't an interview, but a meeting; With about 8 other people. We all had to fill out a bunch of work papers. There was a whole lot of down time; so we all got to know each other. One girl was convinced she knew me, but once we found out we went to the same middle school, high school and college, we must have crossed paths at some point in time.

The meeting went well, we mostly filled out papers and the guy who was there told us about the store policies and all of that stuff.

The meeting was nice and everyone was nice as well, although the pay is just deplorable... I mean 7.25 and hour? A gallon of milk costs 5 dollars!
But at least it is a stepping stone in the start of anything for me; even if it sucks... you just have to hold on tightly (And look for something better on the side)

Oddly enough, I can't reveal the name of the company because the person we spoke to said not to talk about the store in a good or bad way.. and he said no blogging! I was like... really.. I was thinking about this blog when he said that.
The only thing I can say is that it's a big retail store much like Kohl's, which the store was compared to.

Training starts tomorrow the 27th, not looking forward to that since I didn't want to work on Saturdays; alternatively I could go on Sunday, but I'll choose it earlier.
Good thing though, the orientation was a paid meeting!

I think this will be an interesting experience for me, as I've never had a retail job before and I am interested in the experience, hopefully it will turn out okay for me.

I'm still going to look for something else in the mean time though...

I am however really sad in a way, cause this means it is time to say good bye to all of the great people at my volunteer work..
It's funny cause I am upgrading and downgrading at the same time.
It's an upgrade because I am getting paid; but it's also a downgrade since office work is so much better than retail.

Clue # 1:  If they ask for two forms of I.D, 99% of the chance it means they are hiring you.
This has happened to me twice before, once for a staffing company and another time for a trip to NYC.
Technically, my first employer is a staffing agency. But they have been as useful as a dead cat.

Interview # 23: Who ordered 50 awards for Mr. Sparkly butt? Who is that?!

My 23rd interview was at a familiar place, I went on my 5th interview.

http://transcendingintojobs.blogspot.com/2012/09/interview-5.html

This position was for a "Production Artist", apparently it was about adding lettering and text to customizable items for customers.

Despite it being a place I've been to, I was late by an hour because I got lost. I think it's because my mother was driving (Who always gets lost).
I told her I think we should have went one way, but then we went another way. We kept going down this one road and then we were practically in another town and then there was a roadblock so traffic was heavy.

By the time I got there, I told them why I was late and about 10 minutes later they saw me. I think the interview went nicely, I also went on to say that I also have an online portfolio that has newer things. Since the last Graphic Design position I went on an interview went badly, and one reason was because I had older things on my physical portfolio.

I think the interview went well... but three hours after I got home. I received an email saying this...

We certainly enjoyed speaking with you and appreciate your patience throughout our search process.

While we were very impressed with your qualifications, we were faced with a difficult decision of continuing our search for candidates who we believe are more closely matched with what we are looking for in this position. 

Please accept our best wishes and thank you for your interest in Positive Promotions.

One thing I'm not doing, is accepting their best wishes...It's useless.. It;s just like saying "We didn't like you.. but have a nice day!"


Lesson Learned: Really, make sure you know where you're going. Also, if they say they'll contact you within a week, they may just send you an email or call you as little as three hours later saying they are looking for a different kind of person.

Interview # 20: Hello? Yes, I'd like to buy a llama please.

My 20th interview was another phone interview... It was for Raymour & Flannigan.

There's not much to say about this one... The only thing is that they called me at a bad time, so they told me to call them at a good time, in which they were busy! It was back and forth of being unavailable.... Until FINALLY we were able to talk on a Friday at like 11:00 Am. they were going to call me, but they actually didn't call me until like 11:20 AM.
The phone call was nice, I think I presented myself very well and I was very alert for someone who literally woke up at 10:55 AM.

I got an email a week later saying I did not get the job and my first thought was "All of that and for nothing!".
I'm happy I didn't get it though, because on the job you'd have to wear a suit, and me with no money does not have a suit...Well, I have this old one... but it doesn't fit very well anymore.

Lesson Learned: Phone interviews can be a pain in the butt, there can be lot's of times when the time just isn't right. It can take forever to have a proper phone interview.

Interview #16: Hello? Are you there?

Interview # 16 was literally on June 1st, I remember because Alan Scott, the original Green Arrow was announced as the newest homosexual superhero.
While reading stuff about Alan Scott, I was also waiting for my very first phone interview! I remember it was either 9 or 10 am.

The position was for a receptionist, and I spoke with a woman at a call center. She interviewed me and asked me about my previous job duties and mostly anything else an interviewer would ask.
It was like a physical interview, but you don't have to go anywhere... you could have the interview in your birthday suit if you wanted! (Not Recommended though.)
I was well presented, confident and I think I did good. The lady said they'd call again if they were interested in me, for a physical interview.
I was never contacted again, but it helped me learn about other kinds of interviews.

Lesson Learned: Some interviews are conducted via phone or even skype. These are usually used to test people and see who is more suitable, usually second interviews in person are involved.

Interview # 11: Have seat please...

My 11th interview was a total disaster, it was in the second or first week in February of 2012.
I found the ad online, it was for a graphic design paid internship; the company was a company that makes seats for stadiums and similar things. The company also mentioned they were hiring numerous people for the graphics department.

My supervisor from my volunteer job was nice enough to drive me there, on the way we talked about interviews and many things relating to jobs.
When I got to the place, I went inside and I waited for like 5 minutes. I noticed the place looked a bit run down, the chair I was sitting on was very sporty.. but it was all torn up.
When I finally got into the interview room, the interviewer asks me how I was doing. Then he breaks it to me... "We're sorry, we had to cut back on people and we already chose our candidate, I tried to contact you but I wasn't able to reach you."
So, I said. "Okay, thanks for your time" Or something like that."
I got back to the car and told my supervisor what had happened, she was surprised that I had came back so soon. I said that I was sorry that it turned out like this and that we had came here for nothing, wasting her gas... in which she replied "Well, you can worry about it for 10 minutes, but then forget about it." she was very pleasant about it, and on the car ride back to work. She was telling me about how the company was looking for a new logo, and how she thinks we should have called them to make sure the interview was still on.

I was very angry at this company, the thing was... they told me they were unable to contact me... But I had given them my phone number over the phone when I called their company, my number was also on my resume. They did contact me one way, and that was to EMAIL ME TWO HOURS BEFORE THE INTERVIEW!!!
I do not go on the computer when I have to go to work, so I wouldn't have looked at it... and we can't look at our emails while on the work computers either.

This company was lousy, they took the cowards way out and screwed me over.

Lesson Learned: Not all employers are created equally, there are plenty of lousy ones that don't do their job right. Some may not notify you that the position you were going on an interview for is no longer available, with their lousy skills they may not tell you and then you'll go on the interview for them to tell you the position was taken already; giving you a HUGE waste of time! Sometimes it's good to call ahead of time to make sure you're still on for the interview.

Tip: Sometimes it's a good idea to call the company to make sure you're still on for the interview, there's only a slight chance they've changed their plans, but you never know.

Interview #6: Buses and Chores

Interview #6 was another volunteer job, I was let go from the Mail room for reasons unknown to me. A good tip though, is if you do not know why you were let go from a job.. you can use this as to why you left.
For example, the last day I was at the mailroom... there wasn't any work left for us to do. So, someone suggested for me to say "Lack of work" was the reason why I was let go. One could even say it was a temporary position... or maybe just because you wanted to find an opportunity somewhere else for growth and advancement. All helpful tips for explaining why you left or were terminated..

It took me forever to get to this place, It was a nightmare. Apparently the bus only stops at this particular building the interview was in... it only goes there every TWO HOURS! I was dropped off at this complex where there was all sorts of companies... and I was stuck walking around trying to figure out where to go... At first I thought I was in the right place... but I wasn't. I waited two hours and got the next bus and got to the place after a little walking.
 I found the right place and entered, in which I asked someone if I was in the right place, they told me I was in the wrong place. Since I was apparently at the wrong place, I figured "Where do I go? Which place is the right place?" Fortunately the workers at the interview place questioned what I was doing... since I was pacing and not sure where I was supposed to go. They told me I WAS in the right place, unlike their other worker.
The interview went well, it sounded like a nice job. Although, the hours were 6am-2pm.. kind of early for me.. who was going to bed at 4am!!!
I told them that I wouldn't have been able to get there at that specific time.. but they said they would work something out with me.
Oddly enough, I never got in contact with them.. .they told me they would call but I never heard anything.
So, I tried my place at another volunteer position at a town next to mine. That would be interview #7.
When I left, I took a connecting bus that would allow me to get back to the complex..where I could take that weird bus that only goes to a specific area every two hours... Fortunately I learned of this other bus because of someone else at the bus stop.

Funny enough, a few months later I was informed that this place I went on an interview that I had all of the trouble getting to... was actually a methadone clinic! I was un-aware of what kind of work they did.

Lesson Learned: It's good to make sure you know exactly where to go.