SC1 - Demonstrated ability to update blog in a timely manner

The process of looking for a job is a full time job in itself. It is almost impossible to find the time to find one if you already have a job. Lucky for me I don't currently have one.

I've addressed selection criteria after selection criteria and written cover letter after cover letter. Well maybe about four or five in actual fact but because addressing selection criteria can sometimes take an entire day it feels like I've addressed millions of them. And why do they all have to be so ridiculously stupid? "Demonstrated ability to multi-task in a deadline driven environment while remaining calm under pressure". Of course you can't write something like "I have been a mother for 15 years and multi-tasking is my second name. I am able to successfuly use the bathroom while taking a call and peeling a banana for my toddler son whose deadlines are non-negotiable. I have however, well developed negotiating skills when dealing with more reasonable and mature minded people such as my husband and 15 year old daughter who have learned that patience always pays off. I am able to calmly explain to them that requests from the Managing Director take priority because he is easily able to make life unbearable for the rest of the team if his needs are not met".

No, one must sell oneself when addressing selection criteria and although I would consider the above example to be perfect, a potential money paying employer doesn't want to hear it. They want to know that you're familiar with job hunting buzz words like "team player", "implement", "Executive decision making skills", "effective communication skills", "exceeding sales expectations". Things that at the end of the day just show that you know how to use buzz words but don't say that you in any way can do the job.

So obviously I've managed to address some selection criterias reasonably well in the past week because I've been out of a job only one week and already had two very positive interviews. While I need the money I kind of wish it had been a little harder. Some more time to dwell on my own much needed mind rest would have been nice.

Never mind, there are plenty of people looking for jobs and I should just be grateful. But all those Gen Y'ers out there looking to change careers so frequently are turning the tides with employers. They're looking now for people who want to commit and are offering great working incentives to keep them. Lucky for me I guess.

Will keep you all posted on my progress

Love and Dusters

Why is it that men look sexy when they're pushing a vacuum cleaner and weilding a duster but women just look tired and frumpy?

I know the answer to that and it's probably worthy of even further psychoanalysis but I'm not sure if I have the energy to go into that right now. Oh stuff it, I will.

It's because it's so rare for men to be seen doing anything other than lying on the couch with a beer in one hand and a remote control in the other. They're out of their comfort zone but when they do deign to pick up the duster they do a damn good job. That makes them hotter than hell. It makes us want to remind ourselves of why we married them in the first place. Sadly that's when we have to make the effort to wash our best flannelette pyjamas and dig in our drawers for the "love" undies - the only pair we own without a hole in them - and show them how much we appreciate the fact that they appreciate us enough to pick up the duster.

Crappiest Week Ever.

Since the only joy I've had this week was hearing Henry ask the cafe waitress if she knew the Spider Pig song I'm not going to write about it (my week that is). I am going to say that I'd love to run away to a deserted island that has a refrigerator stocked full of tequila, lemons and sea salt.

Anyone want to join me?

Bamboo Energy

This morning, just when I was wondering what I could do to entertain Henry, I got a text message from Carla. She was heading to the Botanical Gardens to entertain her own children there. She invited us along. Perfect! My brain was able to relax because it had been given an answer my other brain did not have to seek out.

As always Carla and I discuss the difficulties of parenting small children. She has two small children and I only have one small child but still the difficulties are the same. We sometimes remember to say how nice they are too. She's decided that the only way to get any peace for part of the day is to take her children out and tire them out. I'm the same. If Henry is bored for even two minutes my life is hell. Sometimes I am already sick of hearing the word "Mum" by 6AM. The word is usually accompanied by a bored sounding groan. It's similar to a cat who hasn't been fed for a few hours. It's "Muuuummmm" followed by leg hanging. It's nice to be so loved but not so nice when you're trying to take care of morning ablutions - the time when EVERYONE deserves privacy.

Charli and Henry greated each other with the biggest of hugs as though they hadn't seen each other for almost a century. Henry, whose energy is never depleted, had climbed several rocks, swung from some bamboo and swum across the lake by the time Charli warmed up. By then Zie was getting ready to sleep so we had to leave.

On the way home we stopped by the local barber to have Henry's hair trimmed. Despite my telling the guy that I didn't want short back and sides that's what he got. He looks like an army sergeant now. I won't be taking orders from him.