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here's what I've read lately on getting a job

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Happy Wednesday 📰  These are a couple of the most recent books I've read on job hunting. I'm Gen X so I'm not sure if it's good news or bad news that I've already been doing most of what these books suggest and am still looking... Obviously, no one has all the secrets to getting hired and people can really only speak for themselves on what works and what doesn't, what's liked and what's not (for every "do this" post by a recruiter or hiring manager, I usually see at least one post stating "don't do this", it's definitely confusing). As job seekers, it's up to us to be our authentic selves and do what's comfortable for us. Getting advice is fine but in the end, we're the ones applying for the jobs and sitting through the interviews, if we act like someone we're not, we're not being fair to ourselves or employers. Hang in there job seekers. May better days be ahead for all of us. #JobHuntingChronicles ...
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be open to possibilities

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Happy Tuesday 📰 Recently I've had two friends send me information on potential jobs. Unfortunately neither one panned out but I do appreciate them thinking of me. Be open to possibilities, you never know where your next job may come from. #freelancer #FreelanceWork #FreelanceLife #WorkFromHome #RemoteWork #CatSitting #CatSitter #WorkLifeBalance #JobHuntingChronicles
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sometimes "support" isn't supportive

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#MerryMonday  📰 This text is how my holiday weekend started. I was up because I had cat sitting jobs over the holiday but still, did this need to be sent at 6:00 a.m.? No, it did not. If you're looking for a job, hang in there. If you know someone looking for a job, please don't be this person. There's nothing helpful about this text. At all. #freelancer #FreelanceWork #FreelanceLife #WorkFromHome #RemoteWork #CatSitting #CatSitter #WorkLifeBalance #JobHuntingChronicles
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take time off when you can

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#MerryMonday  📰 OOO June has been a busy month 🗓 for freelancing and I have a few days before my 4th of July 🇺🇲 cat sitting jobs 🐈 start so I'm taking them off to enjoy some me time 🏖 The best part? 🚫 I don't have to request time off 🚫 I don't have to get permission from a manager 🚫 I don't have to do my work in advance 🚫 I don't have to get someone to cover my absence ✅️ I just get to do it Having that freedom never gets old. See you on the other side of the holiday 🎉 (picture taken on my walk yesterday) #freelancer #FreelanceWork #FreelanceLife #WorkFromHome #RemoteWork #CatSitting #CatSitter #WorkLifeBalance #JobHuntingChronicles
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until it's in writing, it's not real

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Happy Friday 📰 I really like today's calendar message because I think a lot of us looking for a job need this reminder: until it's in writing, it's not real. And if a company keeps making excuses for why they haven't gotten back to you, that's a red flag and it's time to move on (imo). I've seen a few posts this week where OP's have claimed employers said one thing then did the opposite, or said a written offer was coming by a certain day and time only to not receive it, or after verbally being told they'd be moving on to the next round, never hearing from them. I get it, it's tough. But if this is how a company is treating you when theoretically they should be trying to convince you to work for them (shocking take I know, but I firmly believe the interview process is a two way street), do you really want to work there? Job seekers, pay attention to how you're being treated during the interview process, more often than not t...
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this is not where I thought I'd be at this point in my life...

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#MerryMonday  🎉 Today is my birthday and the start of a new decade (I'm Gen X so it's a BIG one). I have to say, a decade ago I didn't see myself where I currently am - looking for work and having metaphorical doors slammed in my face. I know I've faced age discrimination ("you're overqualified"), and I've lost opportunities because I haven't used Xero (please, I'm Gen X, I can learn any software). But the biggest issue is actually one I've brought on myself, I've set boundaries and they're non-negotiable. Maybe it's because I've spent my entire career being paid a salary for working 40 hours a week but actually working 50, 60, sometimes 70 hours a week. A quick calculation tells me I've worked over 15,000 unpaid hours in my career. That's the equivalent of working for over 7 years for free and you know what? I'm done doing that. Unfortunately that doesn't land well with recruiters, hiring managers and b...
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candidates really do appreciate transparency

Happy Friday 📰 Late last night, I received an email from a recruiter who had submitted my resume to one of her clients. The email was cryptic ("I'd like to talk to you tomorrow") so I replied with when I would be available to talk. She called this morning, apologizing for the short, ominous email but felt it was important to talk to me. The role is on hold because of an emergency with the client. Unfortunately there is no time frame for when the search will continue or even IF it will continue. I said I understood and thanked her for letting me know.  Truth be told, I would have absolutely been fine with an email (or text) telling me that but I appreciate this recruiter doing what so few are doing these days: calling me to explain that it's not me, just circumstances out of our control. I'm finishing the second of two jobs today and then I'm taking a well-deserved break - from work and the job search. #freelancer #FreelanceWork #FreelanceLife #WorkFromHome #R...
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