This is the mantra for 2013...it is appropriate in that I always thought being fair would get me somewhere-it doesn't.  At least on earth-my prize is in heaven and it will be greater than anything that could be given me here.  The job search continues.  Have a 'physical ability' test on 4/9 for the Crossing Guard position...so much to do for a 'sub' job.  Applied for yet another Customer Representative job for a health care provider. The questions asked on the assessment test (taken on line after completing the application) are generic...same questions/self evaluation asked by many other potential employers.  They make no sense to me other than you can see the pattern they are trying to establish.  I'd bet the farm were I to get an oral interview with the health care facility,  the same questions would be asked of me as were asked by others that have interviewed me.  Whenever I'm in those interviews, I think of Red, the character Morgan Freeman played in Shawshank Redemption when he is up for parole for the umpteenth time-sick of trying to figure out the 'right' answers that will finally result in his freedom, he just tells it like it is...he's old and he did a stupid thing.  He got his parole and freedom.  I just want to say that I'm ready, able and willing to work, that I will work to be the best at whatever, that I will be on time, that I like to work!  I think back when I was working and how people would say they were so tired at the end of their work day-this is after sitting at a desk for 8 hours!  I would feel so rejuvenated when I walked out that door.  My body wasn't tired but my mind might have been.  It was so exhilarating to know that I'd done what I loved doing and got paid to do it!  It made the commute (if there was one) worth it.  It made the typical BS that happens on any job doable.  I think about those who complain about going to work, about having to work (if you are richy rich you work even harder) and all I do is envy they have a job.  I went into a Tuesday Morning the other day as my cousin said they were hiring-the woman behind the counter pointed to a 'kiosk' and said I should apply there as the application was on line (duh, they all are lady).  When I asked if I could apply from home, she said my application would go through one of the on-line job finders and it would get lost and they would never, ever see it.  She also said they have hundreds upon hundreds of applications to go through and that I should come back into the store when the manager was there as it would be better to talk with her.  This lady was so off-putting I swear.  I haven't made it back into the store.  I don't have gas nor money to buy gas.  Sucks.  I will find a job.  Someday.

A beautiful Friday morning here at the ranch. Spring has arrived, along with things that make my eyes water!

What  a week it has been.  A very sick family pet who kept fooling all of us with her strength and being such a stoic dog.  Turns out she had a tumor on her spleen so surgery had to be done and it went well and she is recovering.  I love this dog-she is such an amazing dog/human and so gentle.  Prayers that she heals 100%.  

On the job search front.  Had an interview for Crossing Guard/City of Riverside-that went well I guess.  Questions they asked were similar to those asked for 'any' kind of job.  The job is for the position of 'sub' and the pay is great, 4 hours a day, accrued vacation time and 401k.  Once they have interviewed all applicants that passed the test, then they call those they want to proceed through the process-If I'm called, then I move onto the 'physical abilities' testing.   I'm hoping I have a chance.  That was on Wednesday, then on Thursday, drove to the OC to test for their county position of Office Service Professional.  Wow!  So many people showed for that one.  We were told they were anticipating various openings county-wide, but no definite number.  If you pass the test, your name goes on the list and then you just wait for the call.  If you get the call, then you schedule an interview.  I gave myself plenty of time by leaving way early for my appointment at 1:30pm which I purposely scheduled so as to avoid the early AM commute into OC (being all to familiar with that madness).  One woman who showed for testing rode a bus!  There are so many of us who are seeking meaningful work.  Am going to be checking into an opening at Tuesday Morning later today-they have a store just down the hill from where I live.

Got to do something totally silly yesterday, spur of the moment and had fun!  Since this weekend is the Nascar race in Fontana, the cars arrived yesterday so they have a parade of Haulers (the trucks that haul the cars) in Rancho Cucamonga.  Hightailed it back from OC to Amy's, rode to the corner of Milliken and Church with her and the boys, met up with Andy (who came from work) and my friend Kathy and members of her family and we cheered the trucks (which are beautiful) as they made the drive to the track.  Only a handful of the haulers participate which is probably a good thing as this event stops traffic at many intersections.  It was a nice diversion and free! 

Great News!  I did get a response from the City (via email) that my test score was in the 90's which places me in the top tier for being contacted should an opening come up.  I was under the impression though, based on what we were told at the time of the test was there were 33 openings at the particular location where this job exists...what happened?  Tomorrow is a big day as I have my oral interview for the Crossing Guard position for the City.  This one is kind of iffy-YES, the job sounds perfect as it is only 4 hours a day, but the big question is, WHERE will I be working?  There are parts of this city that I'm not too keen about being in, much less in the middle of a crosswalk!  We shall see.  The idea of having a job-whew!  

People just don't care-a sad thought to have, but in my opinion I think it is why things just don't work.  I've got this OCD about checking my e-mail(s) for responses to not only job bids, but results from tests that I've taken.  So far, I've not yet heard from the City about a test I took on 2/19/13-usual and customary wait for test results is 2 weeks and I've sent two e-mails to the recruiter and still no response.  Called her office and was told she was out of the office for lunch and would not return until two, would I like to leave a voice-mail to which I said 'no' because I'd already reached out to her twice and still no response.  Was told she was out of the office all last week...STOP....this is where things make no sense...if someone is out of the office, no one is there to maintain a continuity of work?  Of course not-job cuts, budget cuts, this is a county operation-not to be confused with one that operates in the best interest(s) of anyone.  That's my spin. I'm stuck to it until   I'm proven wrong.  I was asked if I'd like to leave my name and a call back, which I did.  
I have long junked any thought that I could be an asset to any operation, my ego has been shredded and any sense of self-worth has been destroyed by this process. I had applied nearly 3 months ago for a call center job with my former employer (the wireless branch) and was just notified today that while I possess remarkable qualifications, they were moving forward with the process, thank you very much, please browse our website for available jobs we're sure you are qualified for.  WTF?  It is obviously not my time and given my faith (which is sorely being tested) only God knows.

My focus today was on, naturally, the job search and trying to find out why it takes 5 days to electronically transfer money from one institution to another!  No one knows, the rules/regs I've read from the FDIC say nothing about a 5-day hold.  I'm sure it follows the way things were done back in the day of using 'checks' and the wait for them to clear, but if the bank knows I can't make a purchase because funds are not available then they immediately let you know..how come a customer can't  immediately get their money? I know, I'm on a rant, need to get a life!  or at least a job!

New job posting for So Cal Edison Call Center Rep in Long Beach in my inbox this morning and of course, I applied for the position, although Long Beach is a helluva long drive and who knows what part of Long Beach...but seeing as how I wasn't qualified to work at the RC Call Center for Edison, I doubt things will be different this go-round.
I was thinking that for those 1 or 2 folks that read my blog(s) they may think my blog(s) are some sort of narcissistic, self-indulgent way of promoting myself and the rejections I get for work.  Yes, I'm getting rejected but so are millions of others.  Self-indulgence in my bitterness and the indignities-nah, because all things considered, I have been tremendously blessed by God in that I have a wonderful, beautiful, peaceful place to live during my efforts to regain not only my self-worth, but my independence.  Narcissistic-anyone who knows me knows nothing could be further from any kind of defining word about me or my psyche.
Do I have something to say?  Hell YES!  I don't know everything, but I know what I know and while it took me from 1971 until 1976 to get hired onto the phone company, I knew where I stood during the process.  I knew there was a 'place' and a 'person' I could reach out to for the sake of knowing if possibilities existed for employment.  I had and Aunt and Uncle working for the phone company at that time and my Aunt was encouraging me to keep checking during late 1975 and early 1976.  Amy was born January 1976 and in May, I got a call from the gentlemen in the personnel office wondering why I hadn't shown up for my interview.  "I was never called!" was my answer.  We scheduled an appointment which I showed up, on time for and it became evident why this gentleman was confused about me not showing up for a supposed appointment as it was clear he'd just returned from lunch; in those days it was not uncommon to have a 'liquid lunch' and let me tell you, the fumes nearly knocked me off my 'interviewee' chair!  The rest is history.
In today's world of job-searching, it is all in the 'air'.  Computers have first access to your resume and if the right words are 'seen' you move through the process.  I've taken the assessment test for the large cable company so many times I know the names, telephone numbers and account numbers of the 'fake' customers that are used during the testing scenarios.  I've taken the assessment tests for large bargain retail stores as well as large clothing stores.  As I've mentioned before, I applied for and was denied a job as a dishwasher at an upscale clothing store cafe!
There is no reassurance of even being considered for a job unless you have an 'inside scoop' I suppose.  The part I object to the most is that by having to use the internet for not only the means to search, but the application as well just opens the individual up to all kinds of 'hacking' from those types who do such a thing. If you sign up for job updates from an employment agency forget your privacy being protected as they all share the same search engines.  Daily emails of promise that employers have seen my resume are not only scary (I don't share my resume unknowingly) but in many cases, the employer doesn't exist nor does the job.  Countless (fake) opportunities for 'work from home' emails, which, when investigated are scams to bilk folks out of money they think they are going to earn as opposed to 'lose'.
Got an email today from Linkedin suggesting I join four chat groups, 3 of which are related to my current education-health information technology/management and one for telecommunications.  I joined all four and was sad to see the posts from recent graduates of health tech classes that are unable to find jobs due to lack of experience.  This really, really pisses me off because #1 the universities have the most current data regarding job trends and they promote themselves using that information in order to get enrollment.  The health industry is known to be one of the fastest growing in the nation because of all the changes, be the technological or political in etiology.  #2 It is absolute BULLSH*T when an employer will not hire someone because they have 'lack of experience' when the job itself hasn't been around long enough for a college graduate to get the experience!  Furthermore, most employers are in the habit of wanting you to forget what you learned and re-learn according to their practices and policies.  Codes are always going to be the same, across the board (depending on the coders interpretation) but no one can go into a job knowing everything there is to know right at first jump.  #3 If I can't find a job within 6 months in the field for which I've racked up quite the educational DEBT, I think I'll just, oh, I don't know, be freaked!
I don't know why I can't get a job, nor do I know why millions of others can't get a job.  I don't have an arrest record, haven't had a moving violation in like 15+ years, I'm a citizen, can prove it otherwise in case they don't believe it, am willing to work on holidays and weekends and able to relocate.  I don't freakin' get it!
This is where God's plans come into play and I, rather than stress and increase the cortisol in my system which in turn, raises my blood pressure, I just look out at this fabulous view of pine trees and blue skies and be thankful and focus on the goodness.

Okay folks (well, so far maybe it is just a 'folk' out there reading my blog) but I have an actual 'oral test' for the job of Crossing Guard with the City of Riverside next week!  Now, you may ask, how exactly do they test 'orally' for this position?  The nearest I figure is that maybe you have to say, with a certain amount of assertiveness, STOP! and/or GO! while holding a sign with one hand, giving a 'mime' direction with the other hand and hold a whistle in your mouth!  Just kidding!  But it is something to have fun with.  When I tested for this position I was told my results fell in the B grade category so my application would be put on file for future openings...well, something must have happened to those in the A category because I'm getting my chance!  YAY!  Still haven'g gotten the results back from the Utilities Customer Representative Position with the City of Riverside and when I called their offices today I was told the recruiter for that position was out of the office so I sent of an email as inquiring minds do want to know.  While searching Riverside County website/careers I came upon a job that encompasses what I am learning in school-Health Information Technology/Management and while I do not have the qualifications I thought it might work if I send an email to this particular recruiter asking about entry level jobs for coding/billing.  She responded by asking for my resume and said she would forward my information to that particular recruiter.  This is the exact same response I've gotten from the County recruiters each and every time I have made an attempt to seek information.  I've still not been placed in a position since being hired as part of their TAP, but then again, I understand their system of re-hiring those who have been laid off before going to any kind of (new) list.  What I don't care for nor think ethical is this business of saying they will forward my information to someone who could answer my questions and never get a response.  Why not just be honest and say, we're too busy! Of course, I sincerely do not want to piss off the people who can hire me, but how easy it must be for them to 'lie' while having a job to someone who 'honestly' wants to work?  Pretty easy from the results I've gotten.

Got notification from County of Orange that I have the necessary qualifications to be tested for a position-will be taking a test on 3/21 in Santa Ana...hey I remember commuting!  No worries as I'm prepared to go where the job is-I'm an upwardly mobile senior!  Just me and my dog/girl Missy!
I'm sure the test is along the same lines as the ones I've taken.  Just hope the gas prices don't get so high that I can't afford to get there!

The Ocean

It's Friday and like any other weekday, upon awakening, I'm always thankful of the bed I have and the roof over my head, then hopeful that maybe today something in the way of a job offer will take place, then I have to get up and run to the bathroom !  Ha!  Then it is time to let the dogs out and get on about the business of taking care of business.
Being that it is Friday, I don't see much happening in the way of County notifications as they are usually closed on Fridays.  I did get a 'time running out' email in my 'junk' folder from a job website called 'bucket list' which I've never subscribed to-OR-at least not knowingly.  You see, that's what happens when you just 'google' shit...you get shit.  I've learned that if I think a particular company or I hear from someone that I should check into a particular company, then I head on over to their actual website and check their career section.  Some are easy to navigate, others take some patience and there are those that just get the bird.  The big name cable company keeps sending me job offers (because I have a job agent search activated with them as I do many legit businesses) and while I've applied many times (and had an interview) AND taken their online test, I've always been told I have impressive skills, but they are looking elsewhere (in their reject email).  A big name retail store that most of us shop at (who recently started selling groceries) has always been an interest of mine to work at; however, given that I've got a neuroma inside my right foot-a job where I'm on my feet isn't exactly what the DR ordered...as a matter of fact, he wants surgery or else I'm 'disabled and in pain for life'.  A good shot of pain killer and steroid does the trick for a few months thankfully.  Not ready for the knife yet.  Logged onto what looked like legit opportunity earlier this AM and thankfully my AVASTI internet security was on board because the site was 'harmful'.  So for those of you embarking on job searches using the only means most employers use these days; make sure you have good internet security. Oh and if you know who is hiring-let me know, wouldja?  peace to all and good weekend....DON'T FORGET TO MOVE YOUR CLOCKS FORWARD BY ONE HOUR!

Interesting emails from on line job searching

So after applying for the Merry Maid job(s) I've started getting junk mail for 'sordid' things...male enhancement products and the like and/or worse...so beware when you're out there in the 'net' nothing can stop the infiltration of crap because people just gotta do what they think is 'okay' like blowing up your email with their crap!

Staying power

Since 2009 I have been actively searching for employment.  It is now 2013 (duh) and still  no job.
Things change, yessiree bob, they sure do change.  Gone are the days of walking into an establishment and asking if they are hiring and/or filling out an application right then and there. Nepotism doesn't seem to be working either-OR-maybe I need some new 'kin'...gone are the days when you could walk in, ask about work, fill out an application and either get an (honest) answer right then and there or wait a few days for a phone call.  It's all about being on line nowadays.  I can spend hours searching, being kicked off, linked to and understanding how to go about applying for any given job.  My former employer says I am not qualified, my former employers competitors say I am not qualified, nor am I qualified to wash dishes at Nordstom Cafe!  I take suggestions from friends, family and passersby about places that are hiring and quickly log onto the computer searching for the 'opening'.  They all mean well; however, I'm not the only one looking (but my ego says they should be hiring 'me'!)  Two oddities happened today in my search-a well know healthcare provider sent me a 'thank-you for applying for the job of help desk associate along with the following:Due to the high volume of interest in this particular position, we regret to inform you we will not be moving forward with your resume.  This in no way is a reflection of your qualifications, but is due to resume volume management processes.  Okay, I might be the most bitchen of all the applicants, they've got too many to go through so mine gets tossed.  And it just keeps getting better and better.  It was mentioned to me by my cousin about looking for 'housecleaning' work.  Okay, I'm good with that-I don't need a career, I need a job-something to keep my health and car insurances going-plus some food once in a while or a new pair of shoes or hey, a pair of new glasses-anyway, I start this search for 'house keeping/cleaning' and wind up checking out a Merry Maid opening...everytime I click onto the site, it wants my user name and password?  I've never applied for a job with Merry Maid-why do they want this?  If I try to register as a new user, the  minute I plug in my email address, I'm told an account already exists.  WTF?  Come to find out, the application process for Merry Maids uses the same software program as does Michaels Craft Stores....who knew?  Yeah, I completed the job application because I need to...and yeah, I like to clean-it ain't rocket science.