99 Problems and a Job Ain't One...

So... a week ago, exactly, I accepted a job offer at a high fashion corporation as a Sales Representative.  I was pretty excited and optimistic about the position, and I've always had good luck with my jobs in the past.  This one turned out to be quite different from the jobs I've held in the past (or possibly, it's my situation that's deviated)... either way, it's a week later and I've already quit.

Here's the scoop:
My job duties were pretty simple: answer the phones and emails regarding sales orders, place the orders, and be friendly.  That was it.  It was really easy, and I picked it up in no time.  So it wasn't my job duties that bothered me, rather, the particularities that accompanied this job.  [I should also note that the pay was decent, but not overly generous, and I shouldn't have trouble finding a job that pays just as good or better.]
1. My boss, Jen, was a first class bitch.  Picture an overweight Meryl Streep character from the Devil Wears Prada, who uses the f-word a lot and takes a $1,000 dog with her wherever she goes (including the office), but never personally takes care of the dog.  She also yelled and cursed at customers over the phone, and she even got snippy with me on my first day!  This is completely unprofessional (although I have had my share of horrible bosses in the past... queue 7 month pregnant manager who physically assaulted a customer).  In addition, my boss was treating another sales rep. as her personal assistant, but she wasn't getting paid any extra to perform these duties, which included: getting Jen Starbucks every morning, getting Jen lunch every afternoon (when she didn't even have her own lunch break), and taking the $1,000 mut out to pee intermittently.  If she would have asked me to do any of these things, I probably would have said yes I would have told her it wasn't in my job description and to fire me if she wanted.
2. This particular company is extremely busy this time of year because it's prom and wedding season, so the phones are constantly ringing off the hook.  Accordingly (and unlawfully), this means that Sales Representatives (like my former self) do not get a lunch break.  We could either eat at our desk, while on the phone with customers, or we could eat very quickly in the breakroom (in 15 minutes or less).  This part was awful to me - I never thought breaks mattered so much, but when you want to kill your boss's dog (and vice versa), even a 30 minute lunch break would be greatly appreciated, especially when working a full 8hr day.
3. When I was interviewed, I was told the position was 9-5, Monday - Friday, which sounded perfect!  After I already accepted the job, I found out I would also be required to work "some" Saturdays for 6 hours.  "Some" was unspecified because there was no existing schedule in place.  And even though I'd be working over 40 hours, I would not receive over time or any kind of compensation at all.  (Another unlawful act)
4. My grad school interviews are approaching more quickly than I thought, and I had a fairly strong feeling Jen was not going to let me off for them.  Of course, my plan was to lie and tell her I had a prior obligation, like a family wedding or a doctor's appointment.  But I know I'm going to be stressing out to the max about these interviews, and getting home at 5:30pm and then waking up before 5am the next day does not sound like a plan to me, Stan.  And since all of my interviews (that I know of so far) are grouped really close together, it makes more sense for me to be off work right now (and looking for a job) anyway.  And if I do happen to find a job this week or the next, I will inform them when I'll be available, and I won't have to lie!

So all in all, I think it was a good decision to quit this job, and I really hope I do not regret it in the future.  Besides, I've already got 2 job interviews lined up for this week, plus a few more job prospects and a grad school interview.  "One door closes and another opens..."

The Dreaded Job Search Continues...

Seemingly, a lot of things have happened in regards to my job search, so I'm going to start with the most recent events and back track a bit.

First of all, my parents, mainly my Stepdad, are driving me crazy!  Here's what just happened: It's 4pm on a Thursday and I was laying down to take a nap (I didn't sleep much last night and had an interview this morning - more about this later...), and I get a call - it's Bill.  [Sidenote: Bill banks at the bank I used to work at in high school.]  He says that he just talked to the bank VP and asked if they had any job openings (after I had asked him NOT to do this).  The VP says they have a several new job listings that should be posted online, and Bill wants me to check RIGHT NOW (Welp, no nap for me I guess).  So I check, and they aren't posted.  I tell Bill.  He calls HR and supposedly they are faxing an application to Bill for me, and Bill wants me to immediately come over (within the next 30 minutes) and pick up the application.  Luckily, my strength arose and I gave him a firm "Not right now" answer.  Ugh, there are so many things wrong with this scenario:
1. I want to get a job because of my own efforts, not because someone else got it for me.
2. I'm not going to go out of my way for a job I think I'm over-qualified for, particularly if it is going to be a long drive from my apartment.
3. I am trying my best to find a job!  I've applied for around 20 jobs so far, been on 2 interviews, and am in the process of scheduling more.  Yes, it has been a little more difficult than I anticipated, but at the same time I am trying and not slacking around.

While I was writing this entry, I received another call from my parents.  They will not stop!  I am about to ask them to cut me off, completely.  Ugh... this stress is unnecessary.

Backtracking, my job interview this morning went seemingly well.  I looked sharp in my new skirt suit, complete with nude (granny) pantyhose, black patent heels, pearl-esque earrings, and A. Roy's pearl necklaces she graciously let me borrow.  It turned out to be a group interview, with around 10 applicants. But they interviewed us individually first.  After that, we gathered in a conference room where the boss presented to us a presentation over what the company actually does.  It's an insurance company, but they don't go door-to-door or anything.  They only work with Union and Credit Union employees who seek them out or who give them referrals.  There is a base salary, plus commission and bonuses on top of that.  It pays extremely well.  And no, I haven't been offered the position yet - I am still waiting for a call back, so I don't want to get my hopes up just yet.  But it sounds like a good opportunity.  On the video we watched, a woman was speaking about how she had initially planned to go to med school, but then landed this job.  Now she is a CEO making $3 million/year.  I could go for that... :)


My job interview last week went okay, but it may have gone worse than I thought, seeing as how they haven't called me back yet... Oh well, not a huge loss.  It was for a Case Manager position, doing social work, basically.  That's related to my field, but it's not exactly what I set out to do.  Plus, it is in a bad part of town, a far drive from my apartment, and doesn't pay too well.  I don't know that I was a right fit for the job, and I probably didn't answer some of the interview questions as well as they would have liked.  Que sera!

In addition, I received a phone call today from a local high fashion corporation who is looking for a Sales Representative.  Don't think Victoria's Secret (it's not that kind of job).  I can't stop thinking about Christina Applegate's character, Sue Ellen Crandell, in Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead.  If you haven't seen this movie, DROP EVERYTHING and watch it now.  "I'm right on top of that, Rose!"  Here's a nice CLIP for your enjoyment.

Dumps in the Down and Vice Versa...

WARNING: This is going to be somewhat of a depressing entry, so if you're feeling upbeat, it may be best to read this later.

So I don't know if it's the dreary weather, my cold and ear infections I can't seem to shake, or the fact that I've been alone 75% of the time, but lately, I've felt really futile here.  And I don't think it helps living in this somewhat small town, not so far from where I graduated high school.

I feel like I've recently lost touch with a lot of people I use to feel really close to - some of my best friends, even.  I don't know why these things happen.  Maybe it's because we've drifted apart.  Maybe it's because I'm tired of them constantly ditching me for their significant others or their other friends and not inviting me (which is a huge pet peeve of mine, and it also really hurts my feelings).  Or maybe I'm just over-exaggerating and letting small things get to my head... But still, it's the way I feel, and I think that should count for something.

If you've read my last post, you know that I graduated and am currently unemployed.  I've been job searching diligently for the past week and a half, and I finally have some prospects (2 interviews coming up, with some more jobs in mind to apply for).  This is all well and good, but I'm still just not super excited.  It's probably because Mom and Bill have been holding this job search thing over my head nonstop.  I swear, every single time I speak to that woman (which is quite often), the first thing she asks is "Have you found a job, yet?"  Even on my vacation with my brother, she called several times and mentioned the subject.  I just feel like it's my god damn vacation!  I just graduated with a degree - now give me a little break!

So with my dissolving relationships, and lack of school or a job, I just feel like I need a change.