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I wrote the above passage some months ago as part of an introduction for entry into another meet-up group. I got in the group but have not participated in any meet-ups. There haven't been many and the few, so far, have been during the workweek, lunch-time, networking meetings. Which I would do if not for the pesky "day" job.
Which may not be an issue in a couple of weeks. Before I could tender my resignation, I was let go. Officially, laid off, downsized. Wednesday was to have been my last day. Except NOW the owner / boss terminated the person who was going to assume many of my duties. I've been asked to and am expected to "hang around" to "help out" until . . .
However, all of exploits of the last couple of weeks aren't even the point of this post. The point of THIS post: my feelings of inadequacy, my lack of confidence, my overall sense that I have absolutely no idea how best to fashion my résumé prepare myself for interviews, position myself to compete against the twenty and thirty-somethings out there looking for work.
I'm trying to affect a positive attitude, a high-energy approach to the research, writing, and building toward the next life. But, it is taking everything I have and then some. The "Awkward Black Girl" is hanging about my shoulders much more than "Wonder Woman" these days.
In totally unrelated news, I've decided to go to the family picnic in spite of the tent revival meeting atmosphere alluded to in the invitation / fee request.
**I think I missed the opportunity to officially join the challenge (yet another example of being "off" my game) but I will produce 75 sketches within 75 days. I'm behind a few so some will be double, triple up days.
You know, I'm coming out of a period of really lacking confidence. And I have a great many theories around it.
ReplyDeleteBut my biggest comment around that is, there are employers who understand that you get what you pay for. Experience, knowledge and competence are huge, to me.
Hang in there, I think good things are going to come to you.
I hope, I trust you are correct. Thank you. Handing in.
DeleteUhm...hanging. sheesh.
DeletePushing one hand out of the quagmire to say that I believe I know how you are feeling. I hope good things come to all three of us.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. Trying to remain positive, upbeat and . . . yeah, all that whiz. Keeping and sending good, positive thoughts your way, and of course, poet's way as well. ♥
DeleteThank you both! Good things all the way around! Now or sooner!
DeleteYou are welcome. And yes, indeed.
DeleteIs that Pete?
ReplyDeleteYes, it is Pete.
DeleteIt is a testament to your descriptive skills that I immediately felt that was Pete. :)
ReplyDelete♥ ♥
DeleteI'm in the process of hiring a new secretary. Not your field, I know...but I am discovering that there are certain qualities that appeal to me in a applicant and certain ones that don't. I think enthusiasm (quiet enthusiasm, not rah rah) trumps experience every time. My last secretary was incredibly experienced. The main reason that I hired her was that she was familiar with all the government red tape that we have around my office. But, she was almost toxic. She was lazy and a complainer. Refused to help anyone if it wasn't in her job description. I think you radiate a lot of quiet enthusiasm. So you go! And I am anxiously awaiting the blog about your family picnic....
ReplyDeleteGoing, I am: reading, writing, editing, listening, talking--quietly radiating enthusiastically. I hope.
DeleteI had some hiring responsibilities over the years, and yes, attitude (good ones, that is) trumped experience generally in my book as well.
The family picnic...oh, joy...only one week away.
Ugh. I am so sorry that you are in this position! The only thing I can contribute is the idea of wearing your game face. You know that you have skills and experience and qualities that employers want. You may be feeling overwhelmed (or underwhelming) but stuff those feelings down and fake it til you make it. You have a lot more to offer than the 20 and 30 somethings.
ReplyDeleteI'm sending you (and Madame Tree and Poet) all the positive job vibes that I can conjure...
xoxox
I'll wear my game face, once I get my foot in the door for the interview. Thank you for the positive vibes.
DeleteAnd, I love the sketch!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU. Of course, you know I haven't drawn another line since...oh well, the weekend is here. :-)
DeleteI think you should take your termination letter and run straight to unemployment and let them steer you toward a new resume, etc...use the resources to which you are entitled! Or take this opportunity to reboot in Houston.
ReplyDeleteI will use the resources. I visited the "careers" section in our local library. One of the books offered a plethora of ideas, links, and the like.
DeleteAnd yes, unemployment.
I think you should take your termination letter and run straight to unemployment and let them steer you toward a new resume, etc...use the resources to which you are entitled! Or take this opportunity to reboot in Houston.
ReplyDeleteAh....to reboot in Houston. Were it not for some seeetuawtions anchoring me here, oh yes, oh yes. Perhaps some seeetuations will shift opening up such a portal.
DeleteThey let you go and now they want you to stick around to help out because they fucked up? And they expect this? Wow. Assholes.
ReplyDeleteI am praying to the Little Baby Jesus that you will be on a new work adventure soon. And just think, you'll be able to pray to LBJ about a job AND have some potato salad.
One must keep motivated. Yes? Positive. Yes? Whizz. Yes? Let me help you. Here is your motivational quote for the day:
"If you're going through hell, keep going."
Winston Churchill
We're thinkin' about ya.... xoxo
Yep. Yep. Yep.
DeleteThat LBJ prayin' all over the potato salad is exactly what I've been craving these past weeks. Yippee!!
Sarcasm: one more service that I offer. :-)
Heck in a hand-basket, maybe one of 'em will have a line on a job.
Rolling along.
oxoxo tanks ya'll.
I'm sorry you were laid off... and then expected to help out? (I'd be angry!)
ReplyDeleteI hope things shake out favorably for you!
Funny, the same thing happened to me about 9 years ago. It paid off, though, helping out and I've called upon the good will I created a few times since then. It's never easy starting over at our age, but if anyone can do it, Wonder Woman can. That would be you.
ReplyDelete