quote:

Originally posted by cobismom:
Jobs and Careers, what does one do, when on the outside they look fully capable of holding down a job or having a career, but because of disability can't work? What do those people do?

I have been disabled for over 15 years, I am seeing a point now, that I won't be in my chosen profession ever again, so where does that leave me? I do volunteer work, when I can. I help out at schools when I can. But in my situation, I can't hold down a day to day 8 - 5 job, because there are days I find it very hard just getting up, and moving around. So what do those people like me do? How do we combat the discrimination towards us about not working? In America, work is life, and if you don't work, it appears, at least where I live, that you don't deserve to live. How very sad.

Any ideas?

Cathy, that is a very tough situation to be in. Can you work part-time? Do you have any passions that you could turn into your own business? That way you can set your own hours and work when YOU feel like working.

I think if I remember correctly, you have some sort of background in education? Can you substitute teach? That way if you are having a day when you feel like you just can't get out of bed you can say "NO" if they call? My parents are both retired teachers, but they keep their name on the sub list. My mom subs quite a lot, but my dad says no most of the time. He only goes in when he really wants to.

Dawn

Jobs and Careers, what does one do, when on the outside they look fully capable of holding down a job or having a career, but because of disability can't work? What do those people do?

I have been disabled for over 15 years, I am seeing a point now, that I won't be in my chosen profession ever again, so where does that leave me? I do volunteer work, when I can. I help out at schools when I can. But in my situation, I can't hold down a day to day 8 - 5 job, because there are days I find it very hard just getting up, and moving around. So what do those people like me do? How do we combat the discrimination towards us about not working? In America, work is life, and if you don't work, it appears, at least where I live, that you don't deserve to live. How very sad.

Any ideas?

Great news Lynn! It sound fun and challenging.

Dawn

Thumbs up to you Lynne. What exciting news!!!

quote:

Originally posted by mountaingirl:
Yahoo, I got a new job And I start today! It is one of the positions I told you about that I've been interviewing for in the last two weeks for a photography studio. I went on a real roller-coaster with this one, emotionally. Each time I learned more about the position, and new facts emerged, I judged them thumbs up or thumbs down. It is just so wild how what you think determines your entire perspective! On Friday at the final interview, the whole situation gelled for me: like the big picture was complete (ha, picture - get it?). And yesterday when the offer came it was better than Friday's interviewer had said.
I'll be doing sales, scheduling and all-around customer service with a team of photographers, graphic artists, and administrators. It is going to be busy because this is when senior pictures begin for the high school juniors - and I have one of those, so I'm the perfect person to help people do it.
So, all is not lost, afterall. Here I go!

Incidently, life turns on a dime, so whatever is ripping you apart today, will change. Just remember that.

Thanks for all your support you guys.

Lynne

CONGRATULATIONS LYNNE!!!!! : )
Enjoy the new job!

Yahoo, I got a new job And I start today! It is one of the positions I told you about that I've been interviewing for in the last two weeks for a photography studio. I went on a real roller-coaster with this one, emotionally. Each time I learned more about the position, and new facts emerged, I judged them thumbs up or thumbs down. It is just so wild how what you think determines your entire perspective! On Friday at the final interview, the whole situation gelled for me: like the big picture was complete (ha, picture - get it?). And yesterday when the offer came it was better than Friday's interviewer had said.
I'll be doing sales, scheduling and all-around customer service with a team of photographers, graphic artists, and administrators. It is going to be busy because this is when senior pictures begin for the high school juniors - and I have one of those, so I'm the perfect person to help people do it.
So, all is not lost, afterall. Here I go!

Incidently, life turns on a dime, so whatever is ripping you apart today, will change. Just remember that.

Thanks for all your support you guys.

Lynne

quote:

Originally posted by mountaingirl:
Well, I did not get the job I was ready to accept and I have a second interview for the one I don't want (tomorrow). *sigh* Think I'll just feel bad tonight and get it out of my system.

Atleast Greys isn't a repeat.

Oh Lynn, I'm sorry to hear that.

Dawn

quote:

Originally posted by mountaingirl:
Well, I did not get the job I was ready to accept and I have a second interview for the one I don't want (tomorrow). *sigh* Think I'll just feel bad tonight and get it out of my system.

Atleast Greys isn't a repeat.

Sorry to hear that, Lynne. I'm glad you're turning your disappointment over to Dr. McDreamy instead of smothering it with Panera. I know you'll get up tomorrow with the resolve to jump back into the search.

Well, I did not get the job I was ready to accept and I have a second interview for the one I don't want (tomorrow). *sigh* Think I'll just feel bad tonight and get it out of my system.

Atleast Greys isn't a repeat.

quote:

Originally posted by mountaingirl:


I hope no one took offense to my seeming to disregard the retail industry! Now I feel like Imus...

I wasn't at all offended, I was just saying it hasn't been my experience. If your position is going to deal with the public at all, then I think many employers see it as a bonus.

I can see where a lot of computer people might dismiss it, just as a lot of retail (fashion) people would dismiss their abilty to dress. I'm not saying either perceptions are accurate, just that they have them.

Dawn

Susan, that is so exciting!

quote:

Originally posted by susanrows:
Haven't been around much to report about my interview last week -- it went really well, and they've asked me to come back to take a writing test. Now of course I'm having all my usual "oh-no-now-I-have-to-make-a-decision" anxiety, but I'm feeling pretty good about it. I'm thinking that the onsite employee gym at the new company might be a tipping factor

Good for you Susan! Hopefully the next step will go well.

Haven't been around much to report about my interview last week -- it went really well, and they've asked me to come back to take a writing test. Now of course I'm having all my usual "oh-no-now-I-have-to-make-a-decision" anxiety, but I'm feeling pretty good about it. I'm thinking that the onsite employee gym at the new company might be a tipping factor

Anyone heard anything new? I'm still looking for something next year. I joked to my husband that maybe I'll be a SAHKM (stay at home kitty mom).

I do have the option of continuing my grad assistantship through December, but that isn't what I really want to do.

fortune 500 top 100 companies to work for 2007

I got curious, so I thought someone else would too!

I certainly didn't take offense Some retail companies DEFINITELY have higher standards than others. I've got this year's "Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For" issue (the company I work for is in it), and numbers 3, 4, and 5 are all retailers (Wegman's, Container Store, and Whole Foods, respectively. Nordstrom's, long my "dream" retail place to work, is 26).

All true, D. I worked at the Body Shop several Christmases and loved it. I love helping people get more than they came for. And I'm really fed by working with the public, so retail ends up being a nice fit. In this position,because this company is huge, there are set standards and pay codes, standards of conduct and clear management and I really like that. Because the pay scale is high, they retain staff well, which is why I have never seen them hiring before. In fact, all of my experience has been in retail to some degree, even at the salon. I was thinking that I would have to leave that category to get more stability, but what I'm seeing is that the category of retail is really huge, and there are some company cultures that have high standards. Perhaps the difference between 9-5's and other jobs is more about the company culture than the category.

One of the interviews I had this week was for a position doing triage calls for a counselling service. Sounds like a relatively professional title, right? The doctor screened me so carefully on the phone before asking me in, I expected a lot. It turned out that the 3 people doing the job sit in a basement room with no windows, take crisis calls and appointments and call insurance companies and the pay was insulting.

I hope no one took offense to my seeming to disregard the retail industry! Now I feel like Imus...

Since you asked...

It's very easy to dismiss retail work as easy, and I think a lot of people do. Yes, it is easy to stand behind a register and be surly and unhelpful.

It is infinitely more difficult to know everything about your product, your customer, what your customer wants vs what s/he needs, how to market your product, how to sell to different types of people. All of those are required to be "successful." On top of that, you also need to be pleasant and helpful all time, regardless of the customer's attitude (with rare exception--no good manager expects a salesperson to deal with abusive behavior from a customer). Then, you're responsible for money, which is HUGE in this day and age, and for meeting the sales goals for the day/week/month/year as set by management. The area you work in, whether an auto parts store or a makeup counter, has to be kept neat and restocked.

You have to be brilliant with managing multiple tasks at once and helping more than one person at a time.

Customer service for a retail store will see you with a LOT of upset people. If you can handle them and turn their experience into a positive one, that's HUGE on a resume. There are some outstanding books on conflict resolution out there...anything about that and/or body language and even sales (since, really, you're selling the company's service) would be great reading for a position that deals with the public.

I'd also do some research on the retailer. How are they rated as a company?

It never failed to amaze me how many people thought I was dumb or a loser because I worked in retail. You know what? I really enjoyed that work. Every day, I made someone feel better about themselves. When I was with Bath & Body Works, I was routinely assigned to the "gift" area during Christmas, and I LOVED sending people away with the *perfect* gift for a loved one (or a hopeful loved one!). At the Clinique counter, I saw how dramatically what we think about ourselves affects how we feel. It taught me to see beauty in everyone. It sounds cheesey, but it's true. There are certainly people who take retail jobs just because, but there are also true professionals who take their jobs seriously and work very, very hard at making sure every customer is a happy customer.

*hops off the soapbox so someone else can use it*

Thank you for that information! I didn't know that! OK I live in computer country, and was raised in that culture. Maybe I got my perspective from those people and it's really off! Tell me more

Ditto what Dawn said. I worked retail for several years, and it requires a lot more strength and composure to do WELL than many people think--but managers tend to see good performance in retail as the ability to work with all kinds of people and the ability to work under pressure.