Patient: What's the good news?
Doctor: Your tests showed that you have 24 hours to live.
Patient: That's the good news? What's the bad news?
Doctor: I forgot to call you yesterday.
[drums: ba-dum-bum-ching]
It's an old joke, I know, but appropriate today because I have some good news and some bad news. First the good news: I got a job. Now the bad news: I got a job.
This is good news because it means a little extra money to help pay for college, it gets me off of Green Acres and into the real world where I can interact with others (hermit-age nearly to the point of agoraphobia can easily become an issue for me), and it's only part-time so I can still sew, read, visit children, etc.
This is bad news because I have to leave Green Acres and venture into the real world, which has scheduled hours and dress codes. If you will recall, my last job was a dream job - library, books, flexible hours, book shopping, working basically unsupervised, book discussions, and books -- I'm still in mourning. My hours were 9:00 to 5:00, but if I showed up at 9:15 no one cared as long as my work got done. Taking lunch at 2:30 so I can get my hair colored? No problem. The dress code was pretty flexible as well - my summer work wardrobe consisted of capri-length pants, simple blouses and sandals. The new job requires "business casual", which means no capris, no jeans, no sandals that are not "affixed to the foot". In other words - new wardrobe! I went clothes shopping yesterday, which ended in tears - not an unusual reaction when I meet up with a three-way mirror.
Lest this become one of those stories where an employee gets fired for posting something negative about their employer - there's nothing wrong with dressing professionally and keeping regular business hours. It's just been a long time since I did.
However, I think I can handle returning to the world of rules and propriety. After all, one of the questions I was asked at the interview concerned my "career goals" and I DIDN'T say "I'm 50-years-old and applying for a part-time reception position for which I am waaaaaaay over-qualified. Do I LOOK like I have career goals?"
I'm not sure if I should say "congratulations" or "that's too bad". Oh well, how bad can part-time be? I'm sure you'll tell us. As usual, I love your funny posts.
ReplyDeleteThat is so funny that they asked you about your career goals! We have a very casual dress code at my office and an extremely flexible schedule. I'm not sure I could go back to regular hours and even "business casual" would be tough! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteCareer goals? My answer would have to be "no", or perhaps "continue to avoid". And, I feel your pain about the shopping. No capris, no sandals, what the heck does that leave? I hope the new job works out and you enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteTami, I laughed and nodded in agreement as I read this post. As a 50+ woman working full time strictly for health insurance benefits (I call myself a Benefits slut), I can say I have "no career goals". I've been there, done that with 20 years as an HR director, and I tell my friends and relatives that I was a "bad hire" for my current employer...I want to be home, even though the work environment is nice.
ReplyDeleteGood luck and vent to me when you feel the need:)
Well, perhaps your reception job will come with gaps of downtime where you can sneak in some reading.
ReplyDeleteThe more I do interviewing with my students, the more absurd the process seems. Good luck with the job. I think you'll be OK, but that stinks about the dress code.
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS!!! Is this new job in the KC area? I would definitely love to meet up sometime.
ReplyDeleteI'm just catching up on some posts I missed. Congratulations on the job! Hopefully your adjustment period won't be too long.
ReplyDelete