Kontan Jou

We had a great trip that I consider rather productive. It was a nice introduction to the area, even if we spent most of the time working the job market. For me, Friday was a small county job fair that was rather relaxed. Jem spent the morning in the opposite direction talking to his people. When we met for lunch things were looking pretty good. IMO in the working world there is little worse than spending an entire morning speaking with possible employers and feeling like you have wasted your time. We spent the afternoon just getting to know the area.

Saturday was the big day. Up early and down to the convention center for the cattle call, which they chose to call a job fair. Me, and 4999 of my closest NC teacher buddies, met with representatives from all across the county. I had researched and mapped out who to visit and who not. Sorry, a $3000 bonus is not enough for me to sign a year of my life away just to have a job and be miserable at a failing school. Nope. First, I waited in line to be sent to the out of state licensure line, mistake #1. After thirty minutes of my life was wasted I went on to another line as instructed (mistake #2), but didn’t spend much time there before being sent downstairs. There were people EVERYWHERE. Fortunately the floor was divided by regional learning communities. I went straight to #1 on my list and stood in line to talk to their people. Mistake #3. There is over an hour of my life that I will never get back. I interviewed and then moved on. Two positions available there, I’m not even that hopeful. I roamed the room and dropped resumes with several schools on my list. Interviewed with a couple. Deciding for one last school before giving up the madness and heading back to the hotel I stopped at one last booth. This is a school I would not mind being a part of. I was very fortunate to be placed on the interview list. In fact, they stopped adding to the list just after me. When she scanned my resume and talked for a moment my name was literally squeezed in to the side of all the others. Unfortunately, it involved more waiting. I’m here, might as well. After an hour I sat down with a representative and had a rather positive interview. The rep ended the interview by saying I should hear from someone this week. I don’t think he was just being nice, but in these situations you never know.

After leaving the job fair I headed back to the hotel. Jem was kind enough to meet me halfway and bringing my comfy shoes. Now, that ladies and gentlemen is a good man. LOL. My feet were killing me! Ugh. I hate professional shoes. I could have worn the comfy dress shoes but they didn’t look nearly as good. Guys are now thinking about the fact that they have need for only one set of dress shoes. Sorry, it doesn’t work that way for us. Do shoes really matter? Yes. Women notice these things. Your shoes matter, your clothing matters, your nylons matter, your nails matter, and your hair matters. Skirt or pants…matters. Judgments will be made on your appearance. If you think I’m wrong then by all means tell me in the comments. BTW, your kidding yourself if you think it doesn’t matter and prospective employers do not notice. I’m not saying it will be a no hire if you aren’t dressed professionally, but you have limited your chances somewhat.

So back at the hotel I crashed. I’m not talking I curled up and watched TV. I mean I slept so hard I probably did the little snore thing. Five hours. SO TIRED. Physically and emotionally worn out.

After that we had a nice dinner and walk around town.

I hope it turns out to be a productive weekend. I also realize that I can’t control everything. I keep trying, but lately am realizing that the effort is futile. Things will happen when they are supposed to happen and I can’t make everything go my way.