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Monday, May 4, 2009

Looking for jobs?




If you are reading this blog, you are adventurous and curious. You have looked at the description, the title and the images, and didn't take flight. I guess you love your grandmother and expect a tidy sum when she passes on. Or you are desperate, and any title with the word Jobs looks attractive. I could have put, girls, girls... or boys, boys... and you would pay attention.



Jobs may have titles that are convenient for that organization, but do not identify what the person actually does. So, if you are a new graduate, or in between professions, you want to concentrate on finding a place where your passion is appreciated. Even if they don't pay you much, you'll have a good time anyway.


Look for industries that appeal to your sense of community, fun, involvement. Knock at their doors and ask if they have internships. It's like dating. You both check each other out. Why, Barack Obama had an internship and look where he is today.

Or ask if they could use volunteers. Volunteering is a great way to get experience.


Look at the brochures that the company is producing. Why? Because brochures distill the company's identity. If they are too slick, too clever, too glittery, the company's identity may be untouchable. They are selling you a fantasy. Ask yourself if that's the life you want too.


Talk to the lowest paid people, the janitors, the errant boy, the security. Ask them about the company, ask them who is retiring, who is transfering. They might know of an opportunity coming up.


Find someone that knows someone. Tell everybody that you'd like to work in.....Go to industry conferences. Read industry's publications. Research and know everything about that industry. Your knowledge may not get you the job, but it will make you more knowledgeable and self assured.


Now, don't forget what got you to this blog in the first place. Your grandmother. Be sure to send her flowers on Mother's Day. (Don't forget your mother, either.) And if you are lucky enough to know other seniors, pal with them. They know a thing or two about work.


30 comments:

Sniffles and Smiles said...

I came for your writing!!!! And to hobnob with another educator...so there!!!! Great post! ~Janine

Kikit said...

I find the title very attractive in a time of recession.

Job hunting likened to dating is sweet. I should have read this post after my graduation. :)

Advance Happy Mother's Day!

Valerie said...

What a good post. I'll go with the volunteering any day, it's the best job I ever had, barring headaches of course!

forever lost said...

I was attract to the "65...what now" LOL
would love to keep up with you on your travels.

Carol Murdock said...

No Job....been there, done that. I came to see what holes you got dug!
HA! That's a job, huh?
My grandmother's and Mother have passed, my kids won't be visiting, but they'll call and I will be in Flat Rock, NC on MD, touring the Carl Sandburg Home!
Carol

An English Shepherd said...

Nice post, volunteering sounds interesting.

Wizz :-)

Helen said...

How wise!

I come to your blog for intelligent, sensitive, entertaining and insightful writing!

I do volunteer (love it) and at almost 68 have taken a part time job (need it.)

angela recada said...

This is good advice to anyone of any age who's looking for a job. And a sense of humor never hurts!

I hope you have a great week and a wonderful Mother's Day.

Paul Costopoulos said...

At 78, my grandmothers and mother are long gone nor did they leave any money behind. I'm not looking for a job and I volunteer as a peer learning grooup moderator at the McGill Institute for Learning in Retirement, so is my 72 years old wife of the last 43 years.
Love reading your prose and will keep visiting.

Eddie Bluelights said...

I could have done with that very useful advice 20 years ago to assist me in getting a top job. After 5 redundancies - none in any way attributable to my fault I went from management to self employment and then into the ambulance service.
Oh well life's cross roads and all that!

Sheila said...

My most pressing job just now has to do with a bucket full of bare root roses, several pots of baby clematis and peonies and two bags of manure.
my front step looks a lot like your deck.

Woman in a Window said...

I'm sorry. I thought this might lead me to a big bag of money. I'm sure that's what I set out looking for.

Anonymous said...

You are so right - Volunteering taught me more lessons in life than I have ever learned at a job.

Renee said...

Have you always had it all together Rosaria?

I think you have.

Brilliant post.

Love Renee xoxox

Shadow said...

aaah, the passion for a job. that's so often overlooked. the first question these days seems to be 'what's the salary?'

Unknown said...

I came here, sans grandmother, to get my regular dose of Lakeviewing!
The funny thing about looking for jobs is that when we're looking for them we often forget that we can create them for ourselves! ;-)

Saretta said...

I thank all the powers that be that I am not looking for a job! :-)

Renee said...

I have been reading a lot on different blogs about this feast. I had never heard of it before.

Rosaria I have to warn you that if you are going over to see Maithri, be prepared to fall in love with a 28 year old.

Unbelievable human being.

Love Renee xoxo

xxx said...

I would love to have both my mother and grandmother in my life, but unfortunately for me they reside in heaven and I'm just not ready to go there yet :-)

best wishes always
Ribbon

Eleonora Baldwin said...

You are one cheeky, brilliant, fun teenager up there.

Evviva il volontariato!

Ciao amica mia

Chairman Bill said...

You forgot the bit about asking for a raise after the first week, and the second, and the third...

Jinksy said...

I think there must be different kinds of volunteering. The kind which has you syaing 'No trouble, I can do that for you!' is not quite the same as 'Can I help?'...

Unknown said...

Volunteering in various cities and countries has enriched my life more that almost any other experience!

Rob-bear said...

Great job tips. I'm not looking for work, but I love volunteering at things. Keeps the ol' Bear young and active.

Sadly, both mom and grandmas are no longer with us. But i can still think fondly of them.

Renee said...

Rosaria:

It was subtitled in English.

I am very lucky, I know it. But they were lucky too. I have been very good to them.

Yesterday I was as sick as a dog with some stomach thing, but what was cute was Nathan sat the whole day in the computer room (across from my bedroom) in case I needed anything. And you know what it seriously made me feel better.

Love to you my dear friend.

xoxoxo

Fire Byrd said...

Can't send the flowers don't have the relatives left.And are Mothers Day is in March, and I hate it.

Do the voluntering though as a school governor and wouldn't swop that at all.
xx

Pyzahn said...

I come here because there is always something delightful to read...or see.

This was a very wise commentary. I'm not a teen, but I'm looking for a job...so I will take advantage of your insights.

Hopefully the sun is shining where you are.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Congrats on POTD! This was a terrific post and the commendation is so well-deserved! Bravo!

Eddie Bluelights said...

Congratulations on POTD - I enjoyed this post very much as well, as I commented earlier. Great writing! ~ Eddie

Elizabeth Bradley said...

I came, I read, I learned. Alas, all my mother figures have passed, but my daughter just became a mother for the first time which is cause for much celebration.
Happy Mother's Day to you, Elizabeth