Temp or Full time?

So I've been at my job for almost three months now. I've thought about the holidays I want to take where I can go travel with family and friends. Working in a contract position covering for someone in an office really isn't the greatest, I can't make any big plans to go on a week or two vacation because someone always needs to be in the office. I'm alright with taking a day off but I really can't go anywhere. It got me thinking that maybe I should have tried temporary assignments where you work for a month or a few weeks because that way I could still job hunt but still take a vacation after or before an assignment. But then again it wouldn't work out for finances as much... I need. Fl time position that would allow me to take time off without me having to worry that no one will cover for me. I'm really hoping my next position isn't office admin because from my experience its really hard to get coverage for that. If I have to take up contract work again then it will either be for a weekly thing or a job that isn't an office admin. That's my only requirement to take on any future contract assignments. 

I've been applying to jobs and still need to apply for more. Really dislike office admin work.

I'm glad I have connections. There's this one hr job I will be applying to and I have a friend who brought it to my attention. It has similar duties to what I do now, so hopefully my experience will help my candidacy :) I also applied for an hr intern position at my friend's company, it hasn't been a week yet so ill follow up on Monday. 

I applied to some marketing positions and an unpaid internship. It'd be nice if I can get both the internship and a new job. Gotta keep applying this weekend!! 

Ideal

Sooooo it's been a while!

I managed to get my website up and running, but right now I'm not satisfied with the design so I've been conjuring up different graphics and such~ For now I have a really simple design that is clean... but I want it to be eye-catching and scream that I can offer graphic design and what not.

I haven't ordered my business cards yet. Still not satisfied with the design, but I might just go ahead with it. Need to use coupons for sure though, these can get pricey! I want glossy cards :3

I managed to get a phone interview from that one company I applied to. Waiting to hear back from them... the phone call was spontaneous, I didn't really have any time to prepare, they said the call would be 5 - 7 minutes, and it was, but I didn't expect it to be so detailed. They want to fill the position immediately too.

I applied for a few more jobs. One job was a job my friend told me about, but it's another contract, however, I'd get to work alongside others, so I applied. Hoping I can get the interview and job!

I'm currently overwhelmed by my video side project, but that's because I am inexperienced and have no idea how to research or where to go to get the supplies I need... but it's a good experience for my resume and portfolio!

Also got a new networking contact during the weekend, so yay, prospects :)

There's this one part-time job I'd like to apply for, as well as an unpaid intern job that looks very interesting, but I'm not too sure... it's hard to balance a part-time job with a full-time job, unless it's something that is casual or can be done in the evenings and weekends. The unpaid internship would be good experience and has very short work hours, so I might apply for it to gain experience. Hmm, what to do...

Lots to do

A month later and I'm back in the blogging routine again.

Work has been really slow lately. I had to ask for more things to do and then today I got a rush of work to do. At least it's easy to ask for more work... I really rather not be cleaning the cupboards/office... I did that waaaaay too often at my old job and that's why it wasn't the right fit for me. I wanted to do more meaningful work and tasks. In my current job I am doing that... but lately it's been a lot of data entry. Crazy amounts of data entry! Also, a lot of follow-up... I think I'm starting to get a feel that I don't really like doing these things much in a job. :(

I applied to a job the other day. Not sure when the last day to apply is, but I'm hoping to get an interview. It'd be nice to have an interview at a good timing that corresponds with my contract position, we'll have to see. The job I applied for was actually a job I applied to back in January. This time they changed the job requirements a little and the job title as well. A bit of the work is in my field and the other part of it is the type of work I am looking to do. I should start applying to more jobs soon, but it's really a challenge to get back into the habit of formatting and tweaking my application to showcase my abilities. Ahh.

My freelancing is starting to take off again. I've taken a volunteer position doing video editing/producing and I'm starting to send out messages to companies I'm interested in helping provide video services for. In order to fully showcase my digital media talents, I'm starting to look into purchasing web hosting and a domain for my portfolio/services. I'm hoping to make that purchase soon, as I've been researching a bit for the last few days and I've narrowed it down to one web host as of now that I'd like to go with... It was so hard at first to decide because a lot of web hosts have promotional deals, but after those deals are over, you end up having to pay the regular renewal rate if you decide to stay with the host after your term. The web host I'm fixated on right now has a lifetime discount, so that means I will pay the discount price each time I need to renew... basically the same price I would pay now, would be the same price I'd pay when I'd renew. It has all the features I'd want, so I think I'll go with them. My only curiosity is if I can still refuse not to renew after my term is up. I think I'll have to ask that question before I make my purchase...

After getting my website all worked out I plan to get new business cards as well. I'm debating whether I want the cards to say I'm a Freelance Video Editor, or if I want it to say Digital Media Specalist or something along those lines, so that I'm not just limited to working with video only... I'd like to provide services in social media, graphic design and video production/editing... I just need to build a portfolio in all the other media stuff before I can really decide. Well, I could decide the title for my cards now, but if I choose the more broad one then I would really need to showcase that afterwards. I plan on designing my business cards and then getting them printed by vistaprint.ca. I always get emails with coupons, so might as well use them. XD

So yeah... I've been keeping pretty busy lately.

Should probably start now...

It's been an interesting four weeks on the job. What I like about the job is that it's busy and not too slow (although this week has been a bit slow) but at least I got a sense of what each month is like while working there. I like how there's always a lot to do, but I think I need to ask for more work, although I found out that when I do ask for that, it happens lol so I need to be prepared to take on lots of work. The middle two weeks of the month are pretty busy, lots of reports need to be done and lots of requests need to be taken care of promptly. The last week is pretty busy too with invoicing and accruals too. I think the first week of the month is probably the slowest, but I think for this job it really depends on the requests coming in.

What I wish could improve at the job is having other people in the office with me. I think I've gotten to used to working in solitude in my last few jobs, but I've always had people around me. When I was job hunting, I was looking for a job that would allow me to work in an area that was surrounded by cubicle mates or office mates beside me, etc. I accepted this job because I needed it, but I also knew already that it wasn't what I was looking for in an environment... It's ben a challenge for me to get used to calling my co-workers on the phone every day throughout the day. I'm so used to having my emails replied to quickly, or just being able to get up and walk over to the person that I need to speak with. I need that again. I feel lonely.

Also, I'm getting a little concerned about company procedures. I wasn't presented with an employee handbook or anything because I'm a contractor and I'm employed by my recruiting company. I mean don't they have policies they'd like me to know about? :S I had to ask about casual fridays and I had to ask about which days they recognized as a holiday... it really irks me when I need to ask every single little thing. Sometimes I don't know what to ask about unless I'm told something, then I will ask more about it.

The point of these thoughts is well.. I think I'm not afraid to job hunt right now. My main goal was to secure a FT position. That means no contracts, no temp to perm Just perm, direct hire, that's what I would like. Also, my goal four months ago wasn't to get an admin job. And here I am... working in an admin job. Well, I guess it's not too admin-y, but I'm still doing reception work and taking care of office essentials, so it's still administrative work. I'm going to find a job in a field I want and doing the work I want to do. Time to start writing up cover letters and resumes again. If I can land an interview and get a new job, that's great.

What was holding me back was the fear that employers would cringe if they saw that I've been working only for a month for my current employer. But I would let them know I'm trying to secure FT employment, and do the best I can to wow them. Also, I wish I had gone to that interview I turned down three weeks ago... but oh well, I learned my lesson. And what's starting to make me hesitant now is that my company is starting to let requesters know my position... so I'd feel really bad if I took another position, they would have to start all over again. :S

But I now know that it's a contract and I'm not held back by anything. I need to apply to places and get that job that I know I'm capable of and that's FT.

There's the risk of bridges burning with this company, which I understand. But if I can land the job and do well, it'll be worth it.

Oh and it'd be really nice to be able to go on vacation too. Woring on contracts and in office admin jobs in particular, I've found that there's really no opportunity to go on a one week - two week vacation. Mainly because it's hard to find coverage for the role during a short time for a contract position, and also because it's office admin... and for this company in particular, I can't get coverage for my role in person, because there is no one else. o_o

What to do...

Lately I've been looking at volunteer and part-time opportunities in social media or marketing. I also want to look at graphic design opportunities as well, but I need to build a portfolio first.

There's a part-time job posting that would be perfect for me, but it requires 3 years of experience... and it's a day job. I would be able to go for an interview but if I got the job then I'd have to quit my contract. I don't think that would look good, but that's only on the notion that I do apply and do get an offer...

I'm still iffy about the job after my first week. I think I'll keep looking for other opportunities though. I just need to focus and remember the experience is essential to what I want to do in the future.

Hopefully I can find a volunteer opportunity soon, I want to build my skills and experience so it will be easier to transition to a new, full time job in the future. I really dislike admin work and I feel like I'm not learning a lot... I want to venture into full time into a realm where I find the work engaging and enjoyable.

I'd only do another contract if it was directly related in the field I want to be in (I think I've lost my passion for HR, but maybe later it will rekindle? :S), which is in film and video, communications, marketing, or digital media...

I'm hoping I can also find a good company to work with. A company that really values it's employees, the environment they work in, and provides incentives and assistance at all times. A company where there is structure, and organization. A company that will always listen and improve. I also want to work with people in the same department. I need to develop my people skills.

So grateful for blogs... can keep talking as much as I need to.

The New Job

I've been delaying this post for a while.

Mainly because my experience at my new job wasn't what I thought it'd be. Could be more of my lack of initiative to press on issues, but maybe it's them.

My first day... in a nutshell, was chaotic. In the morning, my manager briefly gave me a rundown of what I needed to do that day. WHAT I NEEDED TO DO THAT DAY!! It was obsurd, usually on the first day you're told to read a bunch of stuff and do a little filing, stuff that is easy... Okay, yes, the tasks I was given were menile. However... they became chaotic because I didn't have enough supplies/information to complete them until near the end of the day. Also, my manager left the office and won't be back until tomorrow. I managed somehow.

I was also told to phone other people in our intra offices. Okay, sure. But what I wasn't prepared for is that I'd be doing it most of the time, because I am the only staff... WHAT??? It feels just like my last job, where I was always on the phone being trained. I hate it. I really do. I want face-to-face interaction, I want co-workers that sit near me and I can talk to them about work and fun stuff. Can't do that here. :( It is a 6 month contract though, so I'm staying because of the skills and experience. Hopefully in my next job, I will be working together with lots of people, and won't really have to be trained on the phone all the time.

I feel like a hermit. When people actually do come in, I'm awkward. This probably because I don't spend a lot of time with people at work. And also because it just adds to my hermit personality...

After my first day, I was seriously considering quitting. Yup... everything was just all over the place, and no one really knew where the last person put things... I told my recruiter how I felt, and she told me to give the next day a try and let her know if it doesn't work out.

That day I also got a job interview call... I missed the call twice, because I was at work, then the third time I picked up after work had finished. I had to decline though... but I think back on it now, maybe I should have accepted it, it was a FT (no contract) position...

My second day went a little better. Got some training over the phone on our content management system, and I felt productive.

Today... was pretty blase. I felt like I sat at my desk not doing much for most of the time. I took the initiative to call my manager an hour ish before closing, and was able to get some training and questions answered.

Still not sure how I feel about the job... but I think I will feel much better when I actually get more training.

There are nice perks though.

My lunch is flexible, and apparently it was only supposed to be a half hour lunch, but I asked about an hour, and my manager said I could take an hour if I don't take breaks, or if I do take breaks, I'd have to stay half an hour longer. Makes sense. Also, on Fridays we get off early if we don't have work to do for the last half hour. Pretty good.

What I don't know is, if there is a casual Friday... I will have to ask tomorrow. Next Monday is a holiday too, but there hasn't been any announcement, so I'm unsure of that as well.

It's going to take me a while to get used to picking up the phone all the time to ask for help. At my previous jobs, I've always just used email or talked in person, and I find that email was easier for them and they would respond right away.

Here... people don't respond to their emails right away...
But they do for their phone, so I need to get used to it.

I emailed my recruiter today regarding my timesheet. Yay, paycheque soon :D

Such excite!

The recruiter got back to me on Thursday and advised me I'd have an interview with the client the next day.

I attended the interview. I thought it went pretty well but I was asked a few questions I wasn't too prepared for, but the interviewer praised me and said I was well prepared. She even gave me a little tour of the office. It's pretty nice, much smaller than what I've worked in before though. I found out the position is really similar to my previous job, which I do mind a little bit, but I was advised that it'd be very busy... so as long as I'm busy, I'm happy. There may be occasional slow periods though, but I was informed there would still be lots to do during that time.

The interview asked me a lot of behavioural questions, and told me a bit about the company and position. She would ask me a few times if I had any questions for her, and I had a few, but when she would ask I may have run a little dry. However I recalled on what she mentioned and asked her to check on my resume, I can't believe I did that. But I wanted to see how my job duties would be like in real time, so why not start on my own? I felt bad afterwards because she was doing it for free for me... when I would get paid to do this in the future, but I wrote a thank you letter to explain what I was thinking at that moment.

After the interview I went to go visit some friends for lunch breaks. While waiting for my friends, I received a call from the recruiter, asking me how I thought I did. I told her I thought it went well but I could have improved. She heard from the interview I was asked some hard questions, and that they would like to extend the offer to me. I asked for some time to think about it. The position starts immediately. I talked about it with my friends for a bit and then accepted it shortly after. I asked questions about attire and vacation days... and found out that the vacation weeks would not be approved as that was near my contract finish date. The recruiter asked me if I could start on Monday, but I asked if Tuesday would be okay since I need to work things out with my current employer. She said she would ask the manager and get back to me. 

She got back to me about half an hour later, and confirmed that Tuesday would be my start date. I have a feeling I could have pushed it for Wednesday, but I know the client wanted someone to start right away. I just don't know how I feel about resigning from my current employer so soon... I talked it over with a recruiting friend and I've decided to do the resignation on Monday before I leave the office that day. It might be a bit awkward, but I need to finish up a project. I also will try to finish an upcoming project too, and then I believe after those two projects I will be done my work.

At first I was very excited to get the job and accept. After hearing all the details about a busy environment, I quickly became infatuated. However, right now I'm sort of not sure, but I haven't work in it yet, so I really don't know much enough to judge. The recruiter said we'd talk after my first day to see if it's still a good fit or if it's not a good fit. 

When the interviewer told me the ideal start date, I couldn't say I could start within two weeks notice to my employer. I said I could start within that date. They smiled really enthusiastically. I took that as she may have thought I was desperate, or she really liked my answer. If the job could start later in the month, it would work for me, and it wouldn't feel awkward handing in my resignation. But it'll be awkward, it's so sudden for me, since I'm going to be at my part-time during the evenings and weekends until my last day of work there, so I got to do my best on Monday.