I'm feeling like a contestant on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?"

Okay, so a bit of an update first. As many of you regular readers know, I have an "official" (yeah, that's right) plan for the ol' job search. The move will probably happen August-ish, and in the meantime I'll be doing two things. First, I'll be looking for a part-time job where we're moving--this part is pretty flexible. I'm really not going to turn my nose up at anything that pays around what I'm making at the part-time jobs now. But secondly, and more importantly, I'm going to be building up my freelance writing to a legitimate part-time workload. It's a bit crazy right now because I'm obviously working 40 hours a week, aaand applying for writing jobs, aaand finding time to write for the jobs I'm getting. However, the most challenging part of it all is the sheer amount of rejections I receive. It's hard when you're writing online because you find your leads on job boards that are...well...online (and available to the whole wide world). Each rejection feels like wasted time--it takes a while to find leads and create writing samples if I don't already have a sample laying around that's appropriate for the client.

 

However, I know that this is all part of the nature of all things freelance. Yeah, I'll be able to find a "niche" someday where I'm more likely to get jobs, but I don't have that yet. I'm kinda just applying to anything that I know I could deliver on. In a weird way it reminds me of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?"...

 

Oh yeah, you know the show. All I'm saying is that starting a new career isn't all that different than being on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" Here's what I mean...

 

1. It's all made out to be very scary--perhaps scarier than necessary. 

 

You remember the dark studio with the eerie bluish lighting. The audience seated around a small circular stage with only a remarkably exposed desk-thing for the contestant to sit at. You get "life lines" which implies that it's so darn hard you won't be able to do it alone...and then Regis would always ask, very dramatically, "Is that your final answer?" I guess I liken the eerie lighting and the this-is-a-life-or-death-situation mood of the show with the whole dog-eat-dog way we talk about starting a new career. There are countless blogs out there about how to shake an interviewer's hand correctly, and what color lipstick is appropriate for a job interview, you'd think that if you wear the wrong underwear while you edit your resume you're doomed to lifelong unemployment. Weird, I know--it's just the vibe I'm getting.

 

2. It's pretty easy to feel like you've lost it all. 

 

Remember those people...they'd be crazy high up on the list of questions, maybe even at the million dollar question, without any lifelines left...and they'd screw it up! Remember what would happen then? They'd leave with like $500,000, or some benchmark amount far less than what they were going for, but still A LOT of money. However, some of those guys would straight up cry at the end of the episode, Regis looking on with perfect TV compassion. While the majority of Americans don't like their jobs, the majority of Americans still have houses, food, and pretty okay lives. All I'm saying is that sometimes it's hard for me to get another rejection email from a potential freelance client...but then again I have gotten a couple jobs, and have two part-time jobs that really aren't so bad. It's hard when you get thisclose to the million, but $500,000 really aint too shabby. 

 

3. The lifelines really can make you...or break you.

 

Okay, so if a question comes up about Major League Baseball, and Uncle Joey (just noticed the subconscious Full House reference after I typed that...) happens to be a sports buff extrordinaire, use your phone a friend! But if it's a question about fashion design, maybe Uncle Joey isn't your guy this time around. Career experts are always talking about utilizing your network...which is great...unless Pricilla, your 3rd cousin twice removed, thinks she knows a perfect solution to your predicament. You get the idea.

 

Just a thought in my odd little mind--Have a great night!

 

Don't forget to comment if you have thoughts to share! Feel free to share this link with anyone you think might be interested. Oh, and if you're feeling ready for some new TSA horror stories, check out this article I wrote: TSA = Totally Senseless Acts

How you're probably putting yourself in a box

I guess we can't avoid it. Don't we all have some sort of mechanism for defining ourselves? How else would we pretend to know ourselves as well as society demands us to? Being self-aware is a highly regarded quality, and people assume that you can describe yourself (jeez, especially in job interviews).

But isn't that kind of dangerous sometimes? Have you ever had someone oversimplify your personality? It happens to hubby and I all the time. He's Mr. Musician, and comes across as an artistic, intellectual, somewhat flighty type of person...whereas I come across as a little more pragmatic, people-oriented and structured. People love to assume that we're a classic case of "opposites attract," when really we're a lot more alike than people think. That whole intellectualism thing is a shared trait, and the hubby is actually pretty grounded most of the time (although I will admit he has his moments), while the "structured" vibe I guess I give off is a lot more relaxed than people typically think. Plus, we've both got that first-born headstrong pioneer thing goin' on. And besides, we change every day--we grow with each other.

Despite my frustration with oversimplifications, I do it to people all the time. How can we avoid it? In order to talk about a person, or anything really, don't we have to simplify it to fit within the constraints of language?

But the real problem arises when we do it to ourselves. Sometimes we get so caught up in defining ourselves with language, that it's easy to forget that we're much more complex than we're able to express. I think that it's easy to miss opportunities this way. I remember in college, for example, thinking about majoring in writing, but assuming that I was too much of an extrovert for something like that, even though writing remained one of my favorite pastimes throughout my college career. I know people who have turned down leadership opportunities because they have labeled themselves "helpers"--even though they end up taking charge during the process naturally anyway.

Just a thought for today. How do you define yourself? Is it limiting? Is it accurate? How do others define you? Are they accurate? Do you feel a little put in a box?

Something to think about.

Comments? Anecdotes? Put 'em below please! And have a great day :-)

Why your job should be like sex

Happy Monday, and Happy May! Maybe it's finally spring after all...

So, I've talked to a few friends lately who have questioned the concept of "making it" with your career. I've questioned that whole idea as well, especially recently. Do we ever truly arrive in a career or in life in general? I don't know too many people who are completely satisfied in either of these areas. However, I do think that we can be satisfied enough. We can reach a point where we think, things could be better, and perhaps I'll still strive for that, but really I'm doing pretty darn well and I wouldn't be too torn up if things stayed this way.

But that raises the question of creating a way to tell when you're there...or even close to there. I'm the kind of person who is always hesitant to just sit back and enjoy, because what if there's something better for those willing to work a little harder? I'll never know unless I try...

You can see the problem unfolding. Ironically enough, by assuming that I can be "satisfied enough," I automatically feel the need to simultaneously reach the point of "enough" and exceed it, just in case there's something better to be had. Yeah, I have a hard time with the concept of enough. But I did some thinking this morning and came up with an analogy that helps me out--if you're even half as neurotic as me, perhaps you'll appreciate it too :-)

A good career situation is like good sex. Go with me here...

1.  You're finding ways to keep it fresh. 


Like good sex, you need ways to jazz up your job every now and ten. I think if your career has room for innovation and fresh ideas, you've got a pretty good gig. If you feel like there are no opportunities to freshen your routine, you're probably not going to be happy with your job for very long.

2. It captivates you.


While you're working, you're in "the zone." You're not thinking about everything you have to do after work (or that you wish you were doing instead). You're focused, in the moment, and enjoying yourself--at least a good majority of the time. You might even think about it when you're not at work...

3. You are regularly rewarded. 


Ahem. Like sex, your job should, erm, satisfy you. You should be recognized for your work in one way or another and have some kind of reward you deem appropriate. Whether that's monetary, or respect and accolade amongst colleagues, it needs to be something that works for you.

4. You see the importance in the routine. 


Obviously there are times in your career where things will get a little rote or dull. You'll find slumps. The important thing is that you still see the value in doing your work and are able to work through and eventually move out of your slumps. Sometimes things will get routine, but it's still important to, umm, "do it."

5. It enhances your life goals and who you want to be.


Just like sex has the ability to enhance a relationship, your career should enhance who you are. It should be something that draws out qualities that you like to see in yourself, and that challenges you to be who you want to be. It should be a good thing for your development as a person...just like sex should be good for the development of your relationship.

Hopefully, those little analogies weren't as awkward for you as they were for me (hi, mom ;-) ). As always, have a great night!

You know you want to comment on this one. And don't forget to share this link for extra brownie points! 

So, I've been thinking about Bandura lately...

What? I have an Education major and a Psychology minor, and from time to time I ponder the work of major theorists. So get over it ;-).

The reason I've been sitting around pondering social cognitive theory lies, once again, in my obsession with somehow conquering the world of the 9-5 "typical" job. I think it's pretty safe to say that I think 9-5 jobs, especially those that actually are more like 8-6 or 7, are not so practical, or appealing, for the younger workforce. That said, more flexible jobs with less typical schedules or jobs that allow working from home are still in the minority...so it takes a little ingenuity to find what you're looking for.

I've heard some bloggers refer to those who can be successful at a career on their own terms as some kind of superstar, a go-getter, or even as "entitled" (yeah, I'm looking at you Generation Y haters). I think what they're actually referring to was coined by Bandura in the '70s--a little thing called self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is essentially the belief that you can overcome obstacles by setting and reaching goals. Basically, you believe you can get stuff done. Bandura found that people with a high sense of self-efficacy view problems as challenges to master, develop deeper interest in tasks, have higher levels of commitment to tasks and activities, and recover quickly from setbacks and disappointments. I don't know about you, but that sounds like the kind of person who can take control of their career and create a rockin' work-life balance along with an adequate paycheck.

Some tips? People with high self-efficacy generally got that way because of...

1. Precedence. Believe it or not, to believe in your ability to succeed, you typically need to have succeeded before.

2. Seeing it done. Witnessing success helps you believe that you can do it, too. I guess all those career experts telling you to talk to people you admire about how they achieved success are not only on to something practically, but also psychologically.

3. Pats on the back. If you have people encouraging you along the way, your belief in your abilities skyrockets. Hooray for positive and supportive friends!

4. Your reactions to your own reactions. Meta-reactions maybe? Anyway, basically when you react to a situation by, say, experiencing anxiety, it's not so much the anxiety that counts, but your reaction to the anxiety. Do you let it run rampant? Do you back out of something because of it? If you can decrease stress levels and learn to "push through" anxiety by taking action instead of running away (fight instead of flight), your sense of self-efficacy will probably improve.

So, this is one thing I'm tackling. I haven't been 100% clear on this yet, but you could say I'm officially pursuing (read: ravenously scouring the internet for) some writing opportunities...and I'm getting some. But more often than not I'm getting rejected. That whole "bouncing back" part of my own self-efficacy is getting tested. Generally, however, I feel like I can do it. Wouldn't it be awesome if when hubby and I make the big move, all I need is one part-time job because of my writing stuff?

...yeah, its a kinda lofty goal...but I might just tuck that sense of self-efficacy in my back pocket and go for it...

Thoughts? Goals to share? Comment below. Also, don't forget to share with a friend!


P.S.- In case you haven't already, here's where you can read one of my more recent articles! If you like social commentary, this is a pretty fun site. Fukushima and Chernobyl: Are we competent enough for nuclear power?

Bullies invade the workplace, teenager style

In the last couple years I've been re-introduced to the world of the teenager. Throughout my student teaching, my actual teaching, my contact with the teens at my church, and my 16-year-old sister's group of friends, I've been a little taken aback by just how cruel young people can be. The small remarks, the occasional sarcastic facebook wall post, and the relentless talking behind each other's backs--you know what I'm talking about--it's exhausting. I find myself wondering, when will they grow out of all of this?

 

Well, the answer for some is unfortunately never. I've been hearing a lot of stories from friends, and even have some of my own (not in any of my current jobs) about grown-up mean girls and boys in the workplace. And apparently it's not just common in my circle of friends. A careerbuilder.com survey found that 34% of  adult women and 22% of adult men are being "bullied" at work. That sounds crazy! But take a look at their list of defining criteria for bullying...you might be able to check off a few yourself...

 

1. Your comments have been dismissed or not acknowledged.

2. You have been falsely accused of statements you didn't make.

3. You have been harshly criticized.

4. You have been forced into doing work that isn't really your job.

5. Different standards/policies have been used for you than other workers.

6. You have been given mean looks.

7. Others have gossiped about you.

8. Your boss yelled at you in front of other coworkers.

9. Belittling comments have been made about your work in front of others.

10. Someone else took credit for work you did.

 

...Yikes. I've definitely had 1, 4, 6, and I suspect 7 done to me at a previous job (thank goodness I haven't had any problems at my current jobs). At this previous job I was working in a high-stress environment that, instead of emphasizing teamwork let chatter about who's-mad-at-who and overly-dramatic-and-totally-stressed-out attitudes rule the roost. I can think of a face for every single criterion on this list--and that's sad. I'd like to say that I've heard so much about this happening because I know a lot of young people working in places where people are generally dissatisfied with their jobs...and that's part of it...but I can also think of professionals working in places where employees enjoy their work and are not "bored" who have definitely experienced a few of the misfortunes on this list--some several times.

 

This is one of those things that us Generation Y-ers are supposedly fed up with. I've blogged quite a bit about today's twenty and thirty-somethings' apparent dissatisfaction with the "traditional" workplace...and this is one of those things that keeps coming up. I've seen it referred to as the drama of office politics, or underhanded/unprofessional behavior in the workplace--and there are Generation Y workers seeing alternative career paths because of it. Yet, in around half of the stories of workplace bullying I've heard about, the perpetrator is a young Generation Y-er...and I hate to say that we're getting a bit of a negative reputation as gossiping, tactless individuals, especially among those older than us (35 or so and up). I'd like to see some sort of stats published on the topic--I want to know how many Gen Y bullies there are out there versus how many wonderfully professional young people--because I really want to believe that we're no meaner than past generations. I've seen workplace bullying by 20-year-olds and 50-year-olds alike.

 

Regardless, it affects how I view the workplace. I'm always careful to keep coworkers out of my circle of friends. Maybe I'm a little paranoid, but after seeing so much workplace bullying at that previous job, it's just more comfortable for me that way. I'm also that possibly pretentious coworker who will ask to change the subject when workplace gossip starts to run amuk. It's just the way I'm most comfortable dealing with it--I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut in the face of put-downs. I'm happiest, however, when I'm able to avoid the drama altogether. I get a little antsy when I realize that a coworker has pegged me as someone they're comfortable gossiping to. That's no good in my book.

 

Do you percieve workplace bullying teenager-style as a real problem? How do you deal? Put it below :-). And, for all you overachievers, don't forget to share this link! Have a great night.

The most ballin' place to be a customer service rep

I always love hearing those stories about Google headquarters and their gym/rock-climbing wall/free lunches/free massages/in-house doctor/pool filled with chocolate pudding (okay, I made that last one up). How cool would that be? Can you imagine a free, hot, restaurant-quality lunch daily, not to mention all those other perks (SO many of which I haven't even listed), all in the name of employee retention, productivity, and happiness? That's a company that works hard to create satisfied, valued workers.

Of course Google is the one we always hear about, but I've noticed some less expected companies are starting to take a cue from Google and are reportedly reaping the rewards. I love this kind of thing because it just goes to show how much people will give to a task (in this case, a career) if the person asking them to do it also takes pride in catering to their needs and wants. I think I might blog about this every now and then, whenever I hear about an unlikely company going the extra mile for their employees. So, here goes the first one in what will hopefully be a pretty interesting series...

...the best place to work as a Customer Service Representative: Zappos.com

Yeah, you know the job. A Customer Service Representative is that person who answers the phone when you call in, foaming at the mouth, because the website has lost your order yet claims it was shipped. You generally don't call these guys just to say "good job." They deal with a lot of angry people...yet Zappos.com (yeah, that shoe website) has a much higher retention rate for the position than the national average. Let's take a look at some of the ways they choose to do things differently:

1. They have spontaneous parades through the call center/ cubicles.

2. One of the company's core values is to "create fun and a little weirdness."

3. Interviews take place in "themed" rooms like, say, Cher's dressing room or a mock up of a talk show, Oprah style (these are real examples).

4. An interview question they ask everyone: "On a scale from 1 to 10, how weird would you say you are?"

5. Free lunch :-)

6. 25-cent vending machines, where all proceeds go to charity.

7. They have a rule that all new hires have to work in a call center for one month, regardless of their position, as part of their customer service training.

8. Senior employees receive the same benefits as those at the very bottom of the totem pole--no extras.

9. HR actively seeks out people who say they enjoy socializing with colleagues.

10. The company maintained all these perks/values even when they were bought by Amazon.com in 2009.

Okay, so while "Customer Service Rep" might not be at the top of my list of potential careers, the corporate culture at Zappos intrigues me, and I've only really covered the tip of the iceberg with this list. Oh, and if you go to the careers section of their website, you're greeted with a music video, made by current employees, describing the company. And don't send them a cover letter--they want a YouTube video instead :-).

Comments/suggestions of other companies to talk about can go below. Have a friend who might be interested (or maybe you're just a blog-reading overachiever)? Share the link! Have a great night! 

My debut as a philosophizer

So, here I am, sitting on the couch after an evening shift at human services job, stuffing my face with leftover Easter ham, feeling a little brain dead because I just got home from work. Hubby jumps on this opportunity to talk to me about some philosophy...perfect timing. I was having a pretty hard time being interested, not gonna lie. But then he said something that struck me as pretty relevant to the way I've been feeling about human services job and my job preferences in particular.In Eastern countries, thinking of the good of the whole above the good of the individual is apparently a pretty common thing, whereas over here we're much more concerned with the good of the individual, assuming that the whole will take care of itself.

Immediately I thought of the brave workers at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. I read an interview with one of those workers and he said he didn't even think twice about staying there to work throughout the disaster. I can't find the exact interview again, but he said something along the lines of, even though he's aware that continuing to work in the power plant after the tsunami will probably cause his death sooner or later, he feels honored to be doing so for the good of the Japanese people. I couldn't help but wonder if we would have the same attitude in the U.S.?

Then I started thinking about my human services job. I've hinted in other posts about how much I'm enjoying my time at this job. I come home very tired, but with a sense of satisfaction with how I spent my day. I love the people I work with, and overall it's really a lot of fun. Tonight, however, as hubby was philosophizing at the other end of the couch, I realized that there's another reason why I enjoy this job so much. It's the feeling that I'm working toward the good of everyone I work with, and that generally that's how other staff I've worked alongside have treated the job as well. It's the feeling of working as a team to achieve good for other people that leaves me so satisfied at the end of my shift. It's a much different mindset than a lot of the other places I've worked, even other places that claim to be striving for good in other people's lives.

So, that said, I think this is something that might need to make it on my list of "career must-haves." It makes things a heck of a lot more fun :-)

Got comments? Down below, please. Got friends? Share this blog! Have a great night!

P.S.- Easter week was a little rocky with the blogging, I know, but I'm back to a more regular schedule this week!