Sunday, 5 April 2009

Get a Job ...

As you may or may not know I gave notice on my job recently and am now looking for something else. My last day is on Thursday and despite having applied for about 15 jobs so far I still haven't heard anything, no interviews etc. So I'm starting to get a little bit edgy.

Mind you, some of them don't close to applications until the middle of April and others have stated that it could take up to 4 weeks from the closing date (which was end of March) to even get to interview stage. So maybe it's a little early to start worrying just yet.

What annoys me most is that they quite blatantly say that they will NOT notify you unless you are being invited to interview and that if you haven't heard anything within 4 weeks of the closing date you can just assume that you won't be hearing from them.

They also say that there is a cut-off number for applications; if your application happens to be number 101 then it's not even going to get looked at AND they won't notify you of this.

So basically I could be spending all this time filling in application forms and sending off CV's to jobs I'm not even going to be considered for. And I won't know this for sure for at least 4 weeks!

Ok ... excuse me while I whinge for a second here ...

*adopts whiny voice*

That's sooooooo unfair!!!! They wouldn't like it if they OFFERED me the job and I said "Hmm, well ok, I'll think about it. Oh and if you haven't heard back from me in say ... oh, I dunno, 4 weeks, you can go right ahead and assume I don't want it"

What a bunch of crapweasels!

*takes deep, calming breaths*

Ok. I feel much better now

So anyway, I need a job and I'm filling in all these application forms ...well I say "forms", I think they must have actually been compiled by Dostoevsky, because they seem to go on and on and on. I'm getting totally bored with it already, spewing out the same cliches that apparently every employer likes to see and therefore almost always guarantees you an interview.

But it really is nonsense, and as I was filling one in tonight I started to think about what the various terms REALLY mean:

"I am highly motivated and committed to a career in ..."
Translation: I don't really want to work at all, but I guess I have to, so I might as well work for you


"I work well as a team player"
Translation: It'll be cool to have someone to take 2 hour lunch breaks in the pub with

"I work well using my own initiative"
Translation: I like to use as much work time as possible surfing the internet

"I enjoy working with people"
Translation: I hate working with people

"I am flexible"
Translation: I have issues with time-keeping, don't expect to see me before lunchtime

"I am conscientious"
Translation: I will only steal small stuff, like pens and paper ... not computers and fax machines

"I have excellent communication skills"
Translation: I like to make personal phone calls and e-mail alot

"I have plenty of experience"
Translation: I can't hold a job down for longer than 6 months

"I am computer literate"
Translation: I know where the "On" button is

Oh well ... I'll keep applying, something has to turn up sooner or later.

Who knows! I might get that International Lounge Lizard job I've always wanted.




WTF!!!!! This has to be the most BIZARRE thing I've seen in a long while ... I was looking for the Silhouettes classic version of this song and just happened to see this. Curious as always I clicked on the link only to be visually BLUDGEONED with the most outrageous gold lamé outfits, speed-singing and the biggest bunch of misfits who are either performing some seriously dodgy dance moves or doing some kind of hyperactive workout routine!! I can't decide which. (The skinny guy in black's, leg-shaking solo towards the end nearly made me shoot milk out my nose.) Check it out and let me know what you think ...


40 comments:

Susan said...

Just found you through Dr. Zibbs... cute blog... and oh do I hear you about the work thing...I left my job of 13 years on Jan. 31st due to my territory doubling in size. Done. Now all I do is waste time filling out applications and online surveys and personality assessments and blah..blah...blah... Damn, I could so get used to not working!

Girl Interrupted said...

lol Susan ... I was going to say "Good luck with finding a job" then saw the last sentence ... so maybe good luck with NOT finding a job :P And I know what you mean, I'm actually looking forward to a bit of a break if I'm honest.

And thanks for stopping by! :)

Dr Zibbs said...

Used to love that show as a kid.

And just wrote a post about you to show my love.

Eric said...

You would be a natural in advertising or writing because of the creativity. Hope you find the good job you want.

Is it proper 'rhyming slang' to say 'Good luck, bubble gum?' Probably messed that up since I should only be trying to learn one foreign language at a time. Maybe you could do a blog post about that whole thing some time?

Tom said...

Zibbs is directing trafic your way. Nice blog. I will keep tuning in.

Speedcat Hollydale said...

I tried leaving my job once, and had to go back. Finding a new job was a wake up call to the state of the economy. To bad, cause I hate my job like a burning hole on my gut!!

LOL LOL

Found my way over from the Blue Yak ... hello from SpeedyCat

mo.stoneskin said...

You've touched on the truth there. When he was in prison Dostoevsky actually contrived most of the forms we know today, including the unbelievably cryptic baby-passport form...

Prunella Jones said...

Ugh, I feel your pain. Job hunting is the worst. Hope you won't have to do it for long.

words...words...words... said...

Hahaha you found Sha Na Na. They were pretty big for a while. They actually played at Woodstock, believe it or not.

And I think you are destined to land a job writing new employment applications that are actually effective. So let it be written, so let it be done.

Girl Interrupted said...

Dr Z ... back atcha with the blog-love :)

I can see why you loved the show


Eric ... thank you :) And now I might write a post on cockney rhyming slang ... just for you


Chaka ... thanks for stopping by


Speedcat ... you too. That description pretty much sums up my feelings for my current job


Mo ... that's what a long, cold spell in Siberia will do for you, I guess. Makes you bitter and want to make your fellow humans suffer as much as possible. That B'stard.


Pru ... thank you! I still want to come and do a stint at the Boobie Barn

Girl Interrupted said...

words ... OMG! Woodstock!! Seriously??

*blank look*

They sure are ... different

And I like the sound of that job!! I could help millions (and raise the unemployment figures) :P

Nice to see you, hope all is well

Ps: The new pic is WAY cool :)

Greta said...

Mmm. I love you list of favorite things.

Girl Interrupted said...

Thanks Greta :) Me too

Thanks for stopping by

PrincessImp. said...

Life hands you lemons..and you go and make another great blog post out of it! :)
Good luck with the job hunt!

Laura said...

Amen sista! Found your blog thru dr z.

Mr London Street said...

Other interview lies:

"My greatest weakness? Oh, I'm just too much of a perfectionist. I struggle to give other people stuff to do and, of course, I'm my own worst critic."

My favourite job interview story is one of my friends. She was asked in an interview what her greatest weakness was and she said - no word of a lie - "Well, I do have a soft spot for a chocolate chip muffin."

MJenks said...

Yep, you've pretty much deciphered every line of my resume/C.V.

Except for the "master's degree in chemistry" part, which should really mean "was too lazy to get Ph.D., knocked up wife, had to get job".

diane said...

First things first: The time to put in applications is when you have not given notice yet, being gainfully employed is like some kind of a magnet or something. Soooo, too late for that, moving on. Never stop pestering for that job, even if they tell you a thousand times to stop calling; they will hire you just to get you to stop bugging them. Loved your translated list, genius.

To truly appreciate Sha Na Na, you have to see their early stuff and know that their later stuff is really an embellishment on that. They "nailed" the 50's in America.

Kelly said...

Good luck with the joby job. I for one refuse to work! I'm getting laid off in six weeks and I'm just saying no to the corporate world! I'm going to beg for money in the streets. I hear it's quite lucrative (sp?)

Girl Interrupted said...

PrincessImp ... thank you! :) My Grandmother always said "If life gives you lemons, stick them in your bra and make it look like you have bigger boobs" ... she was so wise. Thanks for dropping by again.

Florida Girl ... thanks for stopping by :)

Mr S ... we should get together and revolutionise the whole application system. And you have the coolest friends!

mjenks ... hahahaha :P

Diane ... I know :( I really am starting to feel very irresponsible about the whole thing. I'll persevere though. Sha Na Na seem totally bonkers ... but I think I could get addicted :P

Girl Interrupted said...

lol thanks Kelly ... and good luck with that! Nice to see someone rebelling. :) Thanks for stopping by

Mr London Street said...

Actually GI, all my friends have an even cooler friend. Even if I do say so myself.

Girl Interrupted said...

Oh, I say it too! ... I'm a big fan of Kelly's

Dr Zibbs said...

Whoa - look at all the traffic I sent over. I guess I am powerful.

Girl Interrupted said...

Dr. Z ... you sir, are an internet GOD! You know it, we all know it ... why deny it.

And thank you ... if we ever meet you are SO getting that snog :)

Mr London Street said...

Harsh, GI, harsh...

Anyway, what was your job exactly?

Girl Interrupted said...

Mr S ... :P

I'm an ... brace yourself ... administrator/PA for the Financial Director of a solicitors firm

Fancy, huh? lol

Don't know anybody looking for an administrator/PA do you?

Mr London Street said...

There's your first mistake. If you are the PA to the FD you are an "Executive Assistant". Time to crack open the Tippex and go to work on your cv.

I used to be a legal secretary - great days. Must tell some of those stories in the blog at some point.

Sadly I'm no expert on the job market in Norfolk mind you.

Girl Interrupted said...

Mr S ... you really must! I know what a bunch of yahoo weirdos solicitors are, you probably have some great tales to tell.

Randa said...

I do believe your translations are exactly what EVERYONE means when they fill out job applications. One day, somebody will write the TRUTH! And, you know, not get the job . . . but at least there will be some honesty in the world!

Girl Interrupted said...

Randa ... I think the world could use a little more honesty out there. But I need a job ... so I'll let someone else be the hero.

Thanks for stopping by :)

words...words...words... said...

I hope you just woke up instead of being up all night. Don't make me come over there!

Girl Interrupted said...

Haha ... hmmm ... now that's interesting ... if you came over you could make me an awesome breakfast ...

*waggles eyebrows*

No, got up about an hour ago and now getting ready for work, just getting my morning blog-fix :P

words...words...words... said...

That's some waggle you got there ;)

Girl Interrupted said...

words ... it's a gift :P *waggle*

Greta said...

Whoa. Those guys have impressive quads.

Anonymous said...

I quit my job a year ago and will have to look for work again soonish. God, I don't look forward to it. It always takes me months to get any responses at all.

Prunella Jones said...

If you keep that waggling up you'll be employed before you know it.

At least, it'll get you loads of tips at The Boobie Barn.

Phat Mama said...

Zibbs' power is Massive! All hail him. :)

Loved the translations, made me laugh!

I love your blog too - you should write professionally.

Girl Interrupted said...

lol scary innit, Greta?


Hey J Prole ... yep, it pretty much sucks the big one. But even that is better than staying in a job that makes me totally unhappy. Nice to see you here, thanks for stopping by. And good luck with the job hunting.


lol Pru ... I'll bear that in mind and make sure to waggle at all my interviews

Amen, P Mama! And glad you enjoyed it :) I'd love to write professionally, but as you commented today in your rather fine blog, there's alot of competition and you need to be something pretty damned special to make it.