lessons you've learned through experience

[Steph]

So, as some of my Pixie buds know . . . I was geared up for a job interview downtown today. I left with loads of time and my SO's directions written down (I have no sense of direction). I got off the street car with almost 30 minutes to spare and crossed the street to take the bus but quckly noticed the buses only run during rush hour! I hobbled as fast as I could the six blocks but alas, was late for the interview and didn't get a chance to plead my case to them.

I'm pretty disappointed but shit happens. So! My lessons learned today:

1. ALWAYS do a dry run of the route for the interview.
2. ALWAYS carry some cash (if I had a few bucks on me I could have hailed a cab but my money was in one of my other purses).

To get me out of my funk, anyone else have some disappointing experiences, silver lining type stories?

Or better yet, anyone want to hire me to work at a nonprofit as a communications asst./web writer? ;)

[Lilith]

I am soooo sorry Steph! Must be a better job coming up!

I once took a job that I was entirely unqualified for and in shock that I had been offerred. The money was great too considering it was teaching. Well it was for a new emerging charter school and they were supposed to get portables etc. 2 weeks into school we had 12 teachers, 300 kids, 1 toilet, no furniture at all, no books, and none ordered, no paper, and most of the staff was less qualified than I was. It was awful. All but 3 teachers left, including 2 principals. I learned to never take a job based on what the company's goals are, wait til you see it in action.

[WildIrish]

I had a dentist appointment at 5:45 last Wednesday, and the receptionist called to remind me of my 6:00 appointment. I assumed (because it was a new dentist) that they wanted me there 15 minutes early to fill out paperwork. Now, I had already filled out paperwork and sent it in, so naturally I assumed the my cleaning was to take place at 6:00.

I rushed out of my office with ten minutes to spare and made the trip in 9 minutes flat. I jumped out of my car and ran up to the building to discover in horror that I was at the wrong building! I was at the opposite end of town. Not the worst thing in the world, as we live in a tiny, podunk, cow town. But running late sucks. I screached up to the correct building at 6:06 and ran inside, looking like a stark raving lunatic I'm sure, to find out that my appointment actually was for 5:45 and that I was SOL. Whoopie! Now I have to take time off from work to go, because the next after work opening is in October of 2065 or something. Grrrrrrrr!

So, I hope you feel better cause now I'm all aggravated!

[Lilith]

I must be the queen of learning from her mistakes... When you have to install 800 sq feet of flooring in your house, buy it all at one time. It's bad when you have to rip up 2 rooms/ $1500 worth of flooring because they no longer make the kind you need to finish the last room:o

[Steph]

Thanks, Lilith ~ I consoled myself with the "it wasn't meant to be" pep talk . . .

I hope to stay out of the flooring discussion ~ laying carpet, flooring ~ those headaches are scary! :)

[LixyChick]

Oh Steph! Hope I'm not rehashing your "damn it, this day sucked" mood......but I'm so sorry to hear about your lousy day! Sounds like a typical Monday to me......but then...that's me!

Speaking of shitty days.......I was off to an interview once (many moons ago) and it was a job that I wasn't all that qualified for but I really wanted......so I did the dry run the day before.....and the day of the interview I dressed to the nines (all business like) and, knowing I won't be on time for my own funeral, I left the house a half hour earlier than I truly needed to......and as I was walking across the grass to get to the walk to go up to the entrance.......I stepped in a wad of dog shit (on a hot summer day) and nearly fell on my ass as I slid to the walk. My shoes had those teeny, tiny ridges on the bottom (to prevent slipping) and I couldn't, for the life of me, find a stick that wouldn't keep from breaking as I tried to scrape the poop from between the ridges! I finally scraped and rubbed the shoe on the grass to my satisfaction (not really, but I had to go) and I went to the interview. I left early enough to get there on time (with time to spare, even) and I was still late by the time I got the poop off my shoe! Some people told me (as I didn't know if I got the job after the late interview) that stepping in dog shit was good luck. I said, "Yeah, good luck that people don't keep elephants for pets"! BTW.....I didn't get the job! Blahhhhh!

I agree with Lil.....that there must be another (better) job just around the corner that you need to be available for! Life's Lesson? Watch out for the poop!

[Steph]

LOL Leave it to Lixy to put in in poospective, er perspective! :D

[LixyChick]

LOL! I hope that's a smile I'm imagining on ya!

[Steph]

If there's anyone I can count on to make me smile, it's you! :)

group grope/hug!!

[mcjim623]

Sadly, I have learned that people tend to get what they deserve, if it is bad, and they don't get what they should, if it is good.

Of course, I could fix all of this once they elect me Emperor of the World.

I would be a lovable, benign dick-tator...


Jim

[dancingrugger]

Ever run into someone you're sure you know, but can't for the life of you remember why? Yeah it sucks when that person is the interviewer and at the end of the interview he has the courtsey to tell you that he was a one-night stand at a drunken high school party that you proceeded to get sick all over (too much beer) & then leave him there in the laundry room w/his clothes in a pile of puke ... yeah didn't get that job ... Granted this situation was probably much more my own fault than any of your stories but come on, teenagers do crazy things right? lol, can't we just forgive & forget.

Lesson of the day: don't vomit on naked strangers.

[Lilith]

<~~~~ is writing that one down in her little book of things to avoid:p

[LixyChick]

Yikes!

Poop and puke in the same thread!

I'm thinkin.....this is stinkin!

LOL!

*heading off to the shower!*

[Oldfart]

steph

Tough luck.

Doors open, doors close, all all that ......

[Bilbo]

Steph

Really soory to hear that but if you wish use my mentality, (Debatable as it is), If they did not want you it is their loose,

Although I feel the worst that can happen is when you get a rejection like one I got saying that I was over Qualified for the position!

DUH!

[Belial]

Never trust a person's credentials or experience as proof that they're competent.

When in an inquisitorial or otherwise confrontational setting, do not allow a compliment to penetrate your ego.

When diagnosing problems, the cause involving the most stupidity, incompetence or carelessness is the most likely.

Job interviewers do not like people who sound as if they might be smarter than they are. The survival instinct comes into play here.

If you can elicit an emotional response from someone, your opportunities for making them look like an idiot increase multifold.

[Cobalt]

Originally posted by Steph

Or better yet, anyone want to hire me to work at a nonprofit as a communications asst./web writer? ;)

I am nonprofit, or atleast I don't have any, the bill collectors and the tax people make sure of that.

I have some ideas as to what you could do!
But remember I have no profit, would have to be volunteer. LOL

[WildIrish]

Never squeeze the toothpaste from the middle of the tube.

Don't rob a small bank.

Every poker game has a pigeon...if you look around and can't figure out who it is, it's you.

And my favorite... Don't poke the bear!

[cowgirltease]

Add...... don't get married to the list too Steph!;) :p :D

[Steph]

I still don't know the poker/pigeon phrase, WI.

I've been married once, CGT. I know I won't get married twice in my 20s is all I'll say. :)

[cowgirltease]

Smart girl!!!! I was partying hard in my twenties and thirties!!!;) :D Loved every minute of it!:) :p