KISSING FROGS - I HAVE A NEW JOB!

sometimes you have to kiss a few frogs before you find the perfect job - www.crestingthehill.com.au

FROG KISSING

I'm so excited - frog kissing has paid off! After being first runner up at my last job interview, I took the plunge and kept applying for jobs that looked interesting. I hadn't reached the borderlines of desperation so I was still being fairly choosy about what I wanted to do - not ready for shelf stacking at the supermarket just yet.....

I answered an advertisement from a medical specialist for a two days a week receptionist job - another one of those jobs that every woman in Christendom applies for. I certainly didn't hold high hopes, but you've got to be in it to win it. 

INTERVIEW

Much to my surprise, I received a phone call offering me an interview and so I readied my heart for the job/beauty pageant circuit of high hopes and pitting myself against other worthy contestants. Fortunately there wasn't a long wait between the call and the interview so I didn't have too long to agonize over all the pointless questions that would be asked......"give an example of *when you worked as part of a team, *when you made an innovative improvement to the workplace, *how you resolved an issue of conflict etc etc.

This interview turned out to be a breath of fresh air! I met the very normal receptionist - slightly older than me and not primped and preened - just a normal, cheery, friendly person who sat me down and chatted about the job. I kept waiting for the trick questions but there was nothing like that at all. Then there was a chat with the boss - also very friendly and "normal" and that was it. He said he'd talk to the receptionist and let me know.

THE JOB'S MINE!

A rather disturbed night of sleep where I swung from making plans to unmaking them. Where hope battled with practicality. Then the phone rang and they offered me the job and are really pleased to have me and can't wait for me to start. It was all so positive and such a refreshing change to the usual job application process. 

The other lovely pluses are that the days suit me, the pay is better than my last job, the work looks straightforward and manageable (less busy than the last job) and best of all there is an air of friendliness and no detectable drama. It's almost too good to be true - the only drawback is that it's a bit of a drive each day but no further than my last job so I'm happy to take that on board for all the other bonuses. I'm just so excited to be getting the balance right with work and life! I guess I finally won the crown!
#midlifeblog cresting the hill
Miss Congeniality??

NEVER GIVE UP

Frog kissing has shown me never to say "never" and to not underestimate what I bring to the table as an employee. I was so sure that being over 50 meant the end of my employability - and I was SO wrong! Don't assume your value is less because you're older - in the right career, with the right employer, you can do just about anything!



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15 comments

  1. Sounds like you are doing great! The only reason I took the retail job is to keep me active, getting out, and learning about how women shop. It isn't desperation, but a project. The jury is still out about how long I will do this...the employee discount is very nice...but I do have to be able to continue to send in applications. I also can continue to bring in some much needed additional income while I look for a full time position. The manager know my situation and that I plan for it to be temporary. I am only taking it one day at a time.

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  2. Hi Pam - I thought your job sounded rather nice - it gets you out and about and talking to people and keeping the cash flowing in while you hunt for your dream job. I was happy to settle for a job that is somewhere within my realm of experience and seems to be with friendly people - no more toxic workplaces for me! Keep updating us on your journey - it's been interesting so far :)

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  3. Congratulations on your new job! I have been thinking a lot lately about working part-time once my last chick leaves the nest in just a few years. It's always wonderful to hear women in my age say they have found a great place to work! Encouraging!

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    1. Thanks Taunya - the trouble with getting a bit older is you start to doubt your worth in comparison with all the young blood coming up through the ranks. It's nice to know that employers still value us and working part-time is the best!

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  4. Ummm . . . do you have to wear the crown when you work . . .?
    P.S. Congratulations! :)

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  5. Congratulations! After having been in my job for 25 years, I can't imagine interviewing for new employment again. Thanks for sharing your journey at the #AnythingGoes Link Party.

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    1. It's a big scary world out there Sandy - stay put if you're happy :)

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  6. Wow!, That's amazing! I'm so happy for you Leanne:) I mean that's just the best news ever. It all sounds so positive and you certainly deserve a crown for that:)))

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    1. Thanks Abby! I am starting today so I hope it lives up to the introduction :)

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  7. My pleasure Marilyn - lovely to link up and share my news :)

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  8. Congratulations Leanne!! You must be thrilled. Good luck with your first day and thank you for sharing this great news with us at #WednesdaysWisdom

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    1. Thanks for the encouragement Sue - it's a fresh new start and quite overwhelming but I hope to get my head around it all :)

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  9. Congratulations Leanne! I'm so glad that you found something that will hopefully make you very happy without working you to death. Sounds like it's just perfect for you!

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  10. Dropped in here from your "U" post (A-Z). So glad you had such a positive job application / hiring process. I am an HR person, and I don't like to ask trick question. Why make people uncomfortable and "force" them to come up with innovative answers when all you want is to get to know them?
    So i't been almost two years, was there a catch or is everything as great as it sounded?

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Thanks so much for your comment - it's where the connection begins.