"Why You No More Teach?" ....And Where We are Now! Life Updates In the Past Few Weeks

Occasionally I wonder what my life would be like if I were still teaching.  And then those thoughts quickly go away as I reach a new milestone at work or in life.  I thought I would do a more personal post that sort of relates to job searching, recruiting and interviewing, but that also encompasses some more about my life!

So along with the new job came a new job for my husband, Jon.  And because it was a move away from property management and he gave short notice, our lease came to an end.  We ended up moving about 45 minutes away, but still in the metro area.   I haven't had the internet for a week!  Hence the really late post.  

Here's our new place!  

Our new 2-story apartment- albiet cluttered.

I'm sure Wally, our dog, was unsure if he was also accompanying us to our new house with all the chaos going on around him, but he is happy to be at home with us.

Now I've been at my job for about a month.  Although it is super varied, fast-paced and interesting, I cannot escape my teacher past.  And it is really interesting being out of it because people are almost too honest how they actually feel about teachers...until they find you have been one and then they back-track and apologize for what they have said.

The other day, I was interviewing a guy for a position and had to give him a skill test that a client wanted.  I happened to mention a few tips that are good to know about testing - the test is meant as a screener, usually go with your gut instinct, etc.  I then happened to tell him I had been a teacher, and he gave me the dirtiest look in the world.  I realized then that I shouldn't probably share that fact since most of the people I interview barely graduated high school and/or probably didn't have the best educational background-- not to say that's a big determiner for what kind of job you'll end up looking for, but if you end up hating to read, you probably aren't looking for something in an office setting. 

If looks could kill, his would have peeled my skin back like an acid wash.  I still will place him on a job, but it's interesting to see how many people can't hide their disgust for the teaching profession.... and just so you know, when you're in an interview, a lot of things don't get past your interviewer....the fact you haven't showered, dirty looks, hate for your past employer.  It all shows.

As it was said to me early on in my job search, "Job searching is definitely not an ego boost."  And so true.  During my unemployment, I literally put every hobby I had on hold, including writing, because I felt so zapped of direction and positive self-concept.  It's amazing what happens when a part of your identity is stripped from you.  In our culture, the tie to career as self-definition is very strong.  I'm learning to define myself in other ways-- writing, childish sketching, practicing the dance to Michael Jackson's Thriller in my living room, and volunteering with kids.  Here is one illustration I have made in my free time.

One of my illustrations of what my dog would look like with glasses. 

Another big hobby is playing with my 1 1/2 year old dog, Wally.  This is what he looks like every morning- ball in mouth, ready to play. I taught him to to sneeze, dance and army crawl during my months of unemployment.  

Who can resist this face in the morning?  Would you look at him and say to his face, "I can't throw that ball for you;  I don't have time"?
 Neither can I.

Besides the Crappy Job Market and my New Recruiting Job,  Why I'm Not Teaching.

I used to be very defined by my teaching career.  I loved saying I was one because I felt I was on my way to being what I thought a teacher should be: creative, lifelong learner, understanding, flexible, thoughtful, detailed, compassionate, and think beyond the traditional curriculum. 

http://www.andertoons.com/cartoon/3320/

Since I quit my teaching job last summer to follow my husband's career track, I sometimes still feel plagued by thoughts I failed:

1. I could have kept teaching had my school or subject area been varied a bit.
2. I may have still been a teacher if I had found a job in our new area...and found a good school.

But I'm not...and in reflection, I needed a break for my sanity.

I feel as if all the characteristics that made me a great teacher are gone with the job-  that maybe people don't see me as any of those things anymore and when I talk about going back someday, the fear of my last year repeating itself that arises causes some unfortunate physiological reactions.  When teaching is brought up now, I avoid the topic, get clammy, and my heart races.  Filling out applications actually made me nauseous (and I did about 15 - 4 hour applications and 2 face-to-face interviews!)  And it makes me really sad because I know I was good at it because of who I am and what I know.  I haven't talked about it a lot on this blog-- but the short answer why I'm not teaching: teaching is a solo career during most of the day, but then to be in a specialization that has very little political support is very discouraging and incredibly isolating- (I taught ESL).  I felt alone even while I was with peers 95% of my day.  My only consolation was those sweet faces I saw all day and the few coworkers I connected with who were dedicated to improving education.  If teaching is like being on an island, then I felt I was on the tippy top of the mountain across a desert on that island like this...

EHHHH.... sorry for getting sappy on you.

And so, I am happy for this change in direction. It's something new and I'm slowly finding success in it day by day.  

From all of this, it just goes to show that no job is perfect, working in another field is gaining experience and broadening your knowledge, and just because I don't get the job I planned on in the field I thought I'd be in permanently, it doesn't mean that I did something wrong or am not who I used to be when I was in that job.  Most people work outside their degree and I can still exhibit teacher qualities in my new job.  It just might make me a better recruiter!  I'm where I need to be right now.  

Do you have any past regrets or "what if's" pertaining to choices you've made or directions you've gone?  What are your hobbies?

How to Make A Winning Resume: Resume Mistakes (Issue#2)

Another issue complete with excerpts of resumes I have received recently.  *Some entries have been slightly modified to protect the innocent but are as true to meaning and grammar as I have received them.  I enjoy reading resumes.  Even more than reading resumes, I enjoy fixing them because I'm sort of a grammar geek.  So in my decidedly undiagnosed ADHD brain of mine today while interviewing, filling jobs and looking at resumes, I brainstormed which resume bloopers to include in this post and what kinds of illustrations they warranted.  I had too many ideas so I pared it down to two.  This is a follow up to Resume Mistakes(Version 1).

In order to speed up getting an interview, consider the following:

• Address your materials to the proper department. 

This is Kaaren's (remember the spelling of my name... you'll need to recall it later)....Start over:  This is Kaaren's interpretation of what a "Personal Department" could provide.  While a "Personnel Department" provides hiring, benefits, payroll and access to hiring managers, A personal department may be something like this:

 You may also be able to hire people: to make you a personal agenda to bring to a board meeting and even perhaps help you formulate a personal vendetta against an unsuspecting former coworker or "frenemy". 

(A few Facebook friends helped with the rest of these.)

An additional hired psychiatrist can help with your "personal-ity disorder" (Thanks, Michael).

In the Personal Department, you can also order:

A Personal Pan Pizza (Thanks, Trina)

And you can give your personal opinion freely, keep your personal property without the risk of someone violating it, etc.   

(Thanks to Becky, Leslee, David, Michael, Fran, my sister Jenna, Andrea and Amber for the help brainstorming)  

• Another thing you can do to make your resume a winner?  Feign familiarity with recruiters by addressing them by a well-spelled first name and THEN bribe them with money to hire you.  

At first I thought it was a Nigerian Prince asking for money, however, I then saw that it was in response to an ad I posted.  I figured that Nigerian Princes probably get enough money from other people and don't offer to give it out freely since it takes so much time to wire it to them in Africa.  Also I figured that since he was offering to give me money and not take any from me that he was legitimate.  So then I deduced further that it truly was a legitimate job seeker with a really nice, though unknowingly unlawful, intentions.  :)

These tactics and others will surely give you the edge for a job you truly desire by making your resume "stand out" from the crowd.  Hope you have enjoyed my Resume Mistakes!  May the power of Spell Check be with you!  

Ruff Crowd: Dumb Jokes and Wisdom for Dog Lovers: Issue #2

I had to post another... despite the warnings of my husband....   He saw the preview and his exact words were, "You have a wonderful career ahead of you writing Bazooka Joe Bubble Gum Wrappers." :)

Back story: Our dog loves the bathroom and I caught him sitting on the toilet one day.  So I thought I could think of a funny caption if I took the picture.

Well, I enjoy doing this sort of thing.  ... And I usually find that things that people enjoy doing usually are amusing.  Enjoy.

Woo hoo and Un Woo hoo: Extreme Aspects of My New Temp Job!

I have big news.. And by big news, I mean a small change.  Because when you have nothing big going on, a small change is big news!  I got a temporary job as a recruiter through a referral. It’s not permanent and I don’t get vacation or sick days.  But it’s work … And I’m definitely going to continue with the blog because technically I don’t have a “career” job (What is a career anyway?)  and I’ll definitely still have funny stories to share from recruiting and from the permanent job search...

The Good, Bad and Bleh

But, some money is better than no money, and I am very grateful for the opportunity, even if it is never guaranteed to continue and is only going for about 4 months.  

So about the new job....There are parts of it that are awesome to which I say, "Woo hoo!" and then jump up, sing and optimistically fist pumping the air like a I'm on Jersey Shore.

I look like this:

...and there are some parts that are are times to "Un Woo hoo!" in which I slink into my chair, deflated and less confident, want to say "Bleh"

and I look like this.                                      

         

I would like to share these with you now.


The Woo Hoos and Un Woo Hoos as a Temporary Recruiter

Out o' Da Pump, Not Down the Dwain.

Woo Hoo for a paycheck!  No public assistance for this girl, and no more draining the savings!

Un Woo Hoo for helping people find positions that are much more well-paid than mine with way less required training.  Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for them...but it's still rough.  There are many days I wish I had gotten a technical degree in Pizza Consumption, a certificate in The Science of Being Random and Zany or a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Karaoke.  I could go on the road singing karaoke with choreography and eating gluten free pizza in eating contests.  That would be the life for me!

Daily Rituals

Woo Hoo for getting out of the house, having goals and taking daily showers!

Un Woo-Hoo for 40 mile commutes in heavy traffic.

Moola, Moola

Woo Hoo for steps toward financial stability and rebuilding the savings account!

Un Woo Hoo for paying for gas out the wazoongamunga (or butt- the short version is wazoo).  (Would you like your bonus in cash or gas cards? Gas cards, Puh-leeze!)

Prestige is the Name of a Car by Kia

Woo Hoo for experience in a field I'm trying to learn a lot in.  (Former teachers like to learn?  Unheard of!  :)  )

Un Woo Hoo for trying to explain my job history in one sentence why I am out of work again for my 10 year high school reunion and why I quit a full-time permanent teaching job with "summers off" (yeah right- more like I lived in my classroom and/or was taking college classes).

Talky, Talky

Woo Hoo for a job that lets me be outgoing and talk to people around the country.

Un Woo for being able to exhibit very little creativity in how I interview.  This just comes with the job. If I had my pick of questions, however, I would add this one to the list: "Tell me about your first pet.  How did you treat him and how do you know he loved you?"  You could tell a lot about a person by this question!  I might also ask, "Without feeding me B.S., why do you feel you are qualified for this position." It would show how many people actually read the job description before they apply.  But alas, I'm not allowed that freedom yet.  A girl can dream though.

TaDa!  My list of Woo Hoo's and Un Woo Hoo's and a bit of an update on the job transition from public to corporate steward.   I think for my next post, I'm going to make up a list of interview questions that I'd LOVE to ask, but know I probably cant.


Can you relate to any of these?  What are pros and cons to your field or job or just life right now?  I'm curious to know more about how other people feel about work, being unemployed, giving up a career for kids, etc.