For Hire: Slightly Worn, Middle-Aged Blogger With Lots of Life Skills

I've been absent from the blogging world this past week because I have been attached to the computer for an entirely different reason.  Looking for jobs.

While I tell you a little bit about this very interesting/"It's so different than it used to be" experience, I thought I'd share some photos from Mr. T's and my jaunt to San Clemente today, Sunday.  It's hard to believe it's just a half an hour away (the speedy way) or a lovely 45 minute drive on the PCH, which in itself is a beautiful thing to see.

Drive to SC

Besides, you wouldn't want to see pictures of me huddled over the keyboard, red-eyed with fatigue, my brow furrowed in puzzlement, and the odd smile at the ridiculous.

Through the charming seaside "town" that is San Clemente.
More pictures of homes and area when I return with my camera.

So here we go to San Clemente and my interesting job search.

(Please forgive my iPhone pictures, I keep forgetting my camera!)

Lots of Spanish influence in the homes and businesses here.  This is a very small one compared to the ones on the beach and in the hills - wonder which one Richard Nixon retired to?

My first job out of college in 1981 was working at The Orlando Sentinel in their classified advertising department.  I left there two weeks before my son was born in December 1984.  Until this month I have not worked at traditional jobs since then.

You can imagine how creative I've been with my resume...

San Clemente pier

I wasn't laying about eating bon bons all those years (as some people seemed to think us stay at home moms did), I was busy, busy, busy.  Especially when my kids entered school.

See the train tracks?

Mr. T has had a home office a good amount of our married life and I've worked in there doing many different things to help him out or to do some telecommuting work.

Next time we are going to take the train here!

I was looking at how to put together my resume and "they" said not to discount work that was done, but was not a paying job.  I thought back to all the school fundraising projects I had been part of, the years (6!) I worked in the bookkeeper's office during my kids' middle school years and the years (8!) I worked in the records office of the high school.  These volunteer jobs gave me true skills that I can use out in the "real" world. Not to mention in-classroom volunteering, running a school store, and trying to get along with the very political parents of the PTA Board. 

So.

I put together my resume included all that I have mentioned and also added "medical care advocate" for the years I spent managing my aging parents affairs, hospitalizations, and day to day care.

And blogging.
I didn't include it in my resume, per se, but blogging has honed my writing skills, knowledge of the computer in general and various editing programs and techniques.
My kids have helped me hone my social media skills, such as Facebook and Twitter and let's not forget about texting! Oh my gosh, can I text! (Not while driving)

View from pier

And what kind of jobs have I applied for you ask?

Lots of different kinds.
  I'm looking for things that are going to get me out in the world where I can meet new people and help them too.  In fact I already landed my first job!

Lots of surfers were out waiting for that one wave!

Yes, I have!
  It was actually through Facebook.
  I logged onto the local community page and saw an advertisement for a new pet sitting business in town and I emailed the owner/operator.  She had just gotten her website up and rolling the week before and yes she was looking for people to come on board.  I met with her last week and we hit it off.  If I pass the background check (what do you think, can I?) we can move forward.  Since this is a new business it will be a gradual progression towards having a roster of clients, but we have our first consultation in a little over a week with a person who will be getting a new puppy and needs a walker M-F to take the pup out.  If we impress, it will be our first client! My new boss already has a full time job, so I will be the "boots on the ground" walker.  I hope the Bostons won't be jealous!

Pigeons perched on restroom building despite all the wire contraptions to discourage them.

I realize this is not going to bring in an enormous amount of money so I have thrown my hat into a lot of rings in the past week.  It used to be, one scanned the classified ads and circled appropriate listings, then called or went to the place of business.  Now it seems it is all done online.

Mr Tennis takes better iPhone pics than me. Another skill I can perfect!

Let's see, I've applied to two jobs as a "field merchandise rep" in this area with two different well known greeting card companies.  You've seen the people stocking the greeting card sections in stores....that could be me!  What a great way to learn the area and meet a lot of different people too.

Lovely, reasonably priced cafe on the pier. Mr. T's shot -arrrrgh!

I've also applied to a couple of marketing firms that need "field reps" to monitor their customers inventory in various retail outlets.  I'm sure most of you have seen those people with the scanners attached to their hips by a telephone cord sort of attachment scanning merchandise on the shelves.  That could be me!! Another chance at a job that is flexible, active and the scenery changes often.

View from our seats at cafe.

I have an interesting interview set up Tuesday evening with a gentleman from Japan.
Via Skype.
To teach Conversational English to Japanese students through virtual classes.  This one could easily fit into my schedule without travel time.  I will be interested to see if this is a bona fide teaching job, but if I'm not open to different opportunities, I could miss out.
Kawasaki!!!

I have applied for some more traditional type jobs, Administrative Assistant, Teaching Assistant and I even considered applying to be a parking meter reader (but they are very hated in these parts and I want people to like me, not depise me).

 I still hope to rent a space at one of the lovely antique malls found in Old Towne Orange, about 10 minutes from our condo.  My garage is full of "treasures" to stock a booth. By having a couple of smaller "gigs" I could fulfill this dream easily.

I guess we will see what this next week brings.
Next time you hear from me I could be walking a Great Dane and conversing in Japanese.

Thanks for listening to me ramble on about this new adventure.  If you have absolutely nothing to do for 55 seconds, please take a look at the little, pathetic video below shot on my iPhone of the train that runs along the Pacific Coast.

(Again shot on my iPhone.  When will I learn to shoot videos and pictures in the "portrait" framing. Click on it to see it better in full screen....sigh)



 Have a great week!