tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793868153493544927.post5660751766040754450..comments2023-07-23T20:54:59.339-07:00Comments on obese petite: selling myself...short?katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08272162330202956377noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793868153493544927.post-45360881568930893832010-04-09T21:21:59.667-07:002010-04-09T21:21:59.667-07:00I have not worked in 9.5 years, and only one of th...I have not worked in 9.5 years, and only one of the companies I have ever worked for is still around...that would be the one that I got laid-off from 9.5 years ago. <br /><br />Anyway, when I started trying to create a resume recently I didn't have much to say, employment-wise. It was mentioned that I play up my education...well, I finished high school and one year of college...not so impressive. There's always a section for hobbies, but what job cares about crocheting and crossword puzzles?<br /><br />I really had to think hard on what I could state as my strengths to get perspective employers to take notice. Like you, I wasn't going to make up a bunch of fancy stuff that wasn't really who I am, and honestly, I'm a mom. I have been for over 16 years. That is definitely my greatest accomplishment, the one thing I've spent the most time doing, and the toughest, yet most rewarding, job on the planet.<br /><br />Having thought of this I decided to break it down...I can problem solve, I can multi-task, I can handle distractions, I can communicate clearly and usually effectively, I can keep my cool under the most stressful of situations, and I don't give up.<br /><br />Where mentioning boogers and diaper changing might not be what they're looking for, I bet you could write about your job as a mom, the skills you have learned, the patience and commitment you can put into a job, no matter how tough it may be, attention to detail, etc. <br /><br />Being a mom is the most important job you'll ever have and you should be proud of your accomplishments. There is no reason, that I can see, that the things you have learned through parenting wouldn't directly relate at least to some parts of most jobs. I say use it...if nothing else, the uniqueness and creativity of your answer should get their attention!Ember.Finneganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12038227427155037206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793868153493544927.post-14647538169454680182010-03-18T21:04:39.606-07:002010-03-18T21:04:39.606-07:00thanks Mike. I have a plan, but am not ready to sh...thanks Mike. I have a plan, but am not ready to share any of it just yet. I thank you for the insight, though. I never would downplay the service jobs - I think everyone in the world should wait tables once in their lives just for appreciations sake. it's just that it's been a long time since I've done those things. <br /><br />as for the adjustment, I know it will be bad - but we've lived off of one salary for long enough that I think having another will far outweigh the bad stuff. and Zoe, well, I can't say enough about Zoe's teachers at her preschool right now - she's been there since she was a baby and they are AMAZING when it comes to the food allergy stuff - plus, she's getting older and wiser and more able to be vocal about her needs. sadly, she's learned at a young age what will make her very ill. <br /><br />anyway, thank you for the note. I'll let you know what is happening when I figure it all out. I feel like I just decided for the first time what I want to be when I grow up...we'll see where it goes :)katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08272162330202956377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793868153493544927.post-54131191553592885232010-03-18T11:47:30.976-07:002010-03-18T11:47:30.976-07:001) It sounds like you've got your priorities s...1) It sounds like you've got your priorities straight.<br /><br />2) What is it you want to do? Make more of the moolah?<br /><br />3) I really think you need to stop downplaying your restaurant and bar work. Listen, I work in IT. By nature, most of my co-workers are marginally autistic sociopaths! (I am not necessarily excluding myself from that group.) If I could teach them the value of being on the other side of the table (like people who have worked in service industries have) that would be invaluable! I'll even go on and say, that given the right opportunity, I'd take somebody who knew and had the skills to defuse conflict, reach compromise, and keep the customer happy ANY DAY over some technogeek savant!<br /><br />Point being - I don't know that I'd say you were a cocktail waitress at the Silver Slipper (or wherever) but there are employer neutral ways you can fill in perceived gaps in your resume.<br /><br />4) I do think you're going to struggle giving up some of your flexibility. Especially with the younger one's food allergies. I would be scared shitless to hand her off to somebody who might screw something up, but - sincerely - God bless you - I imagine that's something you live with every day.<br /><br />5) We use a scary effective interview method here at work to weed out the fakers from the real people. I'd be happy to e-mail it to you, or even set up some time to go over it. (Playdate!) lol. Point being, nobody is going to ask you harder questions, and if you can master that, everything else is cake. <br /><br />6) You know, you *are* qualified to do a lot of things out of your house via the power of Da' Internets ya know? What did your undergrad end up in? I know several people who are making significant income doing freelance work out of their house. And these are "real" jobs.<br /><br />Hang in there, hang in there, hang in there!MO'Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10373573976971649133noreply@blogger.com