August already?

Wow, I can't believe it's August. School starts 3 weeks from today! This is the last week of camp and next week we're going to see Grandma and Pop in Fort Lauderdale. It will be the first time we go to their new place! The kids are excited for the beach, and so am I!

Sooooo, still job hunting. I got one call from the staffing agency, where they submitted me as a candidate and the client chose someone else, and have not heard from them since then! I did go on an interview last week that I think went really well, so we shall see. Afterwards I realized that I haven't actually been on a real job interview since about 1998. Glad I didn't realize that before!

I'm about to take Dominic to the doctor for the 3rd time in 10 days. He sounds horrible. I understand docs not wanting to overprescribe meds, but for God's sake, can we please get something?! Did I mention he hasn't slept through the night in those last 10 days!! Maybe they could prescribe something for me!

The Job Search Continues

Ooh, it's been too long between posts! So I completed the Strengthsfinder assessment, and my top 5 strengths are:

Learner - has a great desire to learn and wants to continuously improve.
Harmony - looks for consensus, doesn't enjoy conflict, seeks areas of agreement.
Input - has a craving to know more, likes to collect and archive all kinds of information.
Individualization - intrigued with the unique qualities in each person, has a gift for figuring out how people who are different can work together productively.
Intellection - characterized by their intellectual activity, introspective and appreciate intellectual discussions.

I think those are pretty accurate. I highly recommend Strengthsfinder 2.0 if you're trying to figure out what makes you tick!

So right after I last wrote, I went to a staffing company and had a great meeting with them. They have many connections at the hotels and said they could definitely use me for high-level admin work. I haven't had any work from them yet, but I think they might be my best bet. I have filled out probably 10 online applications and have not heard a thing on any one of them! It's frustrating! At least with a recruiter, some one is somewhat advocating for me rather than just being one of hundreds applying online. Unemployment is higher here than the national average so I know it will take time. In the meantime, I'm trying to "let go" and enjoy the summer. I'm certainly keeping up on my TV shows! Well, I'm off to watch a recorded Royal Pains while Dominic naps!

What are my Strengths?

Recently, I've heard several people recommend Strengths Finder. Since I'm job hunting, I thought it would be the perfect time to figure out or reassure myself what my strengths actually are. I was not sure if this was a book, a website, or what exactly. I found out is is a book, and went to look for it in Borders. I typed Strengths Finder in to the computer and kept getting a book on Frieda Kahlo, the painter. This was puzzling. So I went over to the business section and just happened up on it. It is called Strengthsfinder 2.0 - one word - which is why it didn't show up! The book breaks down 34 Strengths and what they mean, and contains a code to use online to take an assessment to uncover your 5 strengths. I'm going to read the book some more before I do the assessment and will let you know how I come out!

At Least Someone in the Family Remembers Things

So when the kids got in the car that day when I picked them up from school, I asked my 8 year old, Elizabeth, if she knew where I had put that shirt. She replied, yes, she did. I asked....where...did...I....put....it? as I clenched the steering wheel. She said, she wanted it to be a surprise. I told her it surely would be. When we got home, she climbed up on a kitchen chair to the top of the wall hanging Pottery Barn mail organizer, reached in to the top bin, and voila! Of course, I remembered putting it in there, once she climbed up there. Where Dominic of course, wouldn't reach it!! When I relayed this story to my mother she reminded my that Elizabeth's kindergarten teacher had told her she stopped looking for things in her room, she just asked Elizabeth. I love that kid!

Since my last post, I have been job hunting at a very minimal level. I have a few things in the works, and I am going to be picky. It certainly is a dragged out prospect. I have been in touch with two companies since May 11 regarding jobs, and neither have had me interview yet. Yeesh! I have been reading What Color is Your Parachute? (2009) It is a great book for job seekers and career changers. One of the sites recommended for self assessment was www.truecolorscareer.com It classified me as Gold, and I thought the description was pretty accurate. Golds are organized, detail-oriented, responsible, and self-motivated. Jobs suited to Golds include administrative assistant, budget analyst, teacher, financial planner, hotel/restaurant manager, and statistician. I have held several of those jobs! I am not in too much of a hurry on the job search, since summer vacation is now upon us! The last day of school was June 4. Camp starts tomorrow! I hope the kids like it.