Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board
Voicelessness and Emotional Survival => Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board => Topic started by: October on October 26, 2006, 01:07:46 PM
-
Don't faint, anyone, but I saw this job advert, and I have sent for an application form.
I have not worked for 6 years, and am no nearer being healed, but I know 100% that staying so isolated from people, and from life, is making me worse, and hindering any recovery which comes along. So I am going to see what happens.
The job is easily within my capability, is near enough to home, will double our income, and will enable me to regain a great deal of self respect.
Even if this goes nowhere, it is a big step to even look and find something, and email for the application form. So this is already a victory, whatever happens now.
So, champagne all round, I think. Cheers!!!
-
Wow, October, that is so great. :D
It is so good to hear you say that the isolation is hindering your recovery. That is a huge step for you, imo.
I wish you all the best, no matter how it turns out. As you said, just getting the courage to look into it, ask for the application, etc., is cause for celebration.
I hope you got the good stuff (champagne that is), the cheap stuff always gives me a headache. :(
Cheers,
Brigid
-
I hope you got the good stuff (champagne that is), the cheap stuff always gives me a headache. :(
Cheers,
Brigid
Only the very best, and most expensive, bubbly is good enough for my friends. :D
£3,000 per bottle? Take that rubbish away and bring me the decent stuff!!! :lol:
-
October Blessings
to
October!!!
This is wonderful news...so glad you're calling on your inner bravery like this.
Strength and courage and JOY to you!
love,
Hops
-
Hooray!!!!!!!!!!
Go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!
-
This is great October! Go for it!
One only has to read this board to confirm that most people in the workplace are not one tenth as healed as you are. So stride right in there and take your rightful place.
Plucky
-
Yee haw October!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am so proud of you! What an awesome step... no matter what you decide to do and no matter what the outcome!!!!!!!!!
I think October's move should be a challenge to all of us! What will you do that would be a great step forward???? I need to go think and check back in :)
Love, Beth
-
Thanks, Brigid, Hops, Stormy, Plucky and Gratitude, and everyone else too.
I am feeling rather scared this morning, but that is normal for mornings, and there is nothing I need to do at present. Wait for the form, that is all.
I rang one friend last night, and she said not to get my hopes too high, and I told her, don't worry, I don't need bringing down, I am happy for what I have done today, and tomorrow can take care of itself. :)
So, today, need to collect new prescription, maybe do some final tidying of the garden before the winter, and do some thinking and sorting. Maybe even look out my CV, which is so old it is written in Latin. :lol:
The job is museums marketing assistant for this town. And I suspect I know practically all there is to know about its history, and I have a background of 15 years in jobs relating to marketing. So not underqualified. And the council claims to be positive about disabled people, which I qualify as because of my ptsd, so maybe I have an even chance of at least being heard. It would take a very strong candidate to offer more than I can, but who knows? Maybe someone is already in post, and this is a formality before giving them the job. Sadly, it happens.
However, thanks again, all, and you are right about people out there, earning good wages, not being healed, Plucky. When did they ever get 6 years to focus on their own lives, and find out what is true? :D
Thanks for the blessings, Hops. (((((((((hugs to all)))))))))
-
October! :D :D :D
I read your post late last night and yes, picked myself up off the floor, dusted off all those nasty little carpet-hairs, sprayed myself with decontamination mist, washed my hands and then read again. Wowser!
Is it a full-time or part-time role? I’ve applied for full-time jobs recently and (obviously) haven’t got them. Thinking of applying for a training assistant job now, with primary children, about which I know zero, but only part-time (couldn’t face full-time I don’t think, not in a school). But museums marketing sounds great for you!
Maybe someone is already in post, and this is a formality before giving them the job. Sadly, it happens.
All the time I’m afraid and it really annoys me. They advertise because they have to and then the job goes internally. It’s a waste of time to everyone who applies and it gets my goat. Ridiculous application of (swear word) equal opportunities and political correctness. Nobody wins from this fudging and rubber-stamping. It treats people like objects…ah…now I can see why it gets me annoyed! :?
But I hope you get an interview at the very least and the job at the very most! The interviews I’ve been going to have been eye-opening. People at work sure are getting stranger and that’s not just my opinion. My other half works (contracts) and what he tells me about people he works with…well, let’s just say what is considered ‘normal’ is not what was ‘normal’ a decade ago, no way. Six years isn’t so long. It would have been if it was the six years between say 94 and 2000 because of the huge changes in computer technology. Imagine not knowing how to approach Word or Excel etc. I’m wittering on now. So: good news October! The hard work of applying starts next and boy, those council forms don’t half wind me up when I do them. But do them we must! :D(((((((((((((October))))))))))))
-
October! :D :D :D
I read your post late last night and yes, picked myself up off the floor, dusted off all those nasty little carpet-hairs, sprayed myself with decontamination mist, washed my hands and then read again. Wowser!
:lol: I do love taking people by surprise. In the nicest ways, I hope.
Is it a full-time or part-time role? I’ve applied for full-time jobs recently and (obviously) haven’t got them. Thinking of applying for a training assistant job now, with primary children, about which I know zero, but only part-time (couldn’t face full-time I don’t think, not in a school). But museums marketing sounds great for you!
It is a full time job. I have so many commitments, that I can't survive on a part time job. But even if the money is low, I should then be eligible for working tax credit, so that might make it much better, but even as it stands, our present income is so low that any improvement will make such a difference.
My d goes into school for half a day a week, to her old infant school, to help the children with reading. I don't know if you are already doing this, but it might be a way into being a t/a. D wants to be a teacher one day, and she just loves going in, and the children calling her 'Miss October'. :lol: I hope something good comes along soon, Portia. You really deserve it.
But I hope you get an interview at the very least and the job at the very most! The interviews I’ve been going to have been eye-opening. People at work sure are getting stranger and that’s not just my opinion. My other half works (contracts) and what he tells me about people he works with…well, let’s just say what is considered ‘normal’ is not what was ‘normal’ a decade ago, no way.
How are things different? I feel so out of touch!!
You are right about the computers, though. I have kept up to date with them through having one at home, and I have done one day a week voluntary typing and admin for a church nearby, so that might be good.
I should get an interview, because of my disability - the good thing about councils is that they have to follow some very good guidelines on this, and all people with disability have to be offered an interview. So that gets me past the first hurdle, I think. And then it is me and my vast knowledge and experience 8) versus the oik who has been doing the job for six months, and thinks the Romans are aliens from Star Trek. :lol: :lol:
-
Hi October!!
-
October, :D that’s great news about your D! She’s an inspiration to me…I make so many excuses and reasons up as to why I don’t volunteer….and it’s all nonsense: so thank you for the push too. I must get realistic about this.
How are things different. Maybe it’s just our/my perception but it does feel so very much more competitive, yes, even more so, even in the public sector: although as a female and yes being in your ‘position’, that may well help: use the system to help you! I don’t know: people I see, talk to, in a work setting, many seem more pressurised and less in touch with the human things. But then I’ve been seeing and talking to people very much in the private and traditionally ‘nasty’ sectors so what do I expect?! :?
You’ve been doing the voluntary admin job too, a huge plus to your CV (in Latin or not!).
the oik who has been doing the job for six months, and thinks the Romans are aliens from Star Trek
What’s a vervlamivm again, some kind of intergalactic ship? :P
Lupine
I'm with nice people and learning new stuff and, most importantly, no longer satisfied with staying home being scared.
What could be better right now? I’m happy for you and again…inspired. There are nice people to work with! There are 8)
-
Hi October!!
Congratulations! I went out a got a job 6 months after leaving my husband and 15 years after not working at all. It was scary but then it's scary for anyone applying for a new job. That job only lasted 6 months but it set me in a forward motion and I got another which I still have. Don't make much money but I'm with nice people and learning new stuff and, most importantly, no longer satisfied with staying home being scared. Don't listen to that person who said not to get your hopes up. Always keep your hopes up. I'm excited for you.
Thanks, Lupine. I will take inspiration from you, and your strength, in doing this. And thanks about telling me to keep my hopes up - after bouncing along the bottom for so long, it is difficult to be told not to get too excited, when all you really want is a bit of a chance.
(((((hugs))))))
-
October, :D that’s great news about your D! She’s an inspiration to me…I make so many excuses and reasons up as to why I don’t volunteer….and it’s all nonsense: so thank you for the push too. I must get realistic about this.
If I were a headteacher, with a chance to have you come into school half a day or a day a week, I would be so grateful to have you offering, and bringing your wisdom and compassion into the building. It is very easy to expect not to be wanted, but that is only because they don't know what they are missing. It took four months from first writing to d's old head teacher to her actually starting, because she is only 13, and they were not sure of the procedure for this, but since then she has not missed a single week, and she absolutely loves it.
How are things different. Maybe it’s just our/my perception but it does feel so very much more competitive, yes, even more so, even in the public sector: although as a female and yes being in your ‘position’, that may well help: use the system to help you! I don’t know: people I see, talk to, in a work setting, many seem more pressurised and less in touch with the human things. But then I’ve been seeing and talking to people very much in the private and traditionally ‘nasty’ sectors so what do I expect?! :?
I remember private sector nasties, who would stick a knife in your back as soon as look at you. I remember their complete lack of compassion, in their ambition. Thanks for the heads up on this.
You’ve been doing the voluntary admin job too, a huge plus to your CV (in Latin or not!).
the oik who has been doing the job for six months, and thinks the Romans are aliens from Star Trek
What’s a vervlamivm again, some kind of intergalactic ship? :P
:lol: Thanks, P. Maybe one of these fine days we can wander around the Verv theatre, or have coffee in the Refectory. My treat, if you ever feel up to it. No pressure. Nice to dream. ((((((((hugs))))))
-
October, if you get this job, let's celebrate exactly like that before you start! hug ((((((october))))))
-
Dear October ,
Best wishes for the new job Wow this is a cool move 8)
((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))
moonlight
-
October, if you get this job, let's celebrate exactly like that before you start! hug ((((((october))))))
That would be fine. But only if it is safe for you. ((((((((hugs)))))))
Actually, it would be more than fine. It would be wonderful!!!!
-
Dear October ,
Best wishes for the new job Wow this is a cool move 8)
((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))
moonlight
Thanks, Moonllight. Feeling more scared than anything else at present, but there is plenty of time before I need to do anything more. Just wait. :)
((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))
-
Hey you Limeys,
Wot's council forms?
Wot's vervlaivm?
Wot's Verv?
huff, puff, tryin' to keep up...
Hops
-
Hey you Limeys,
Wot's council forms?
Wot's vervlaivm?
Wot's Verv?
huff, puff, tryin' to keep up...
Hops
Hehehehee
Verulamium is the name of a Roman town not a million miles away from here. There are superb remains there, including bits of the old town wall, and a complete theatre. Portia wrote it vervlamivm because the Romans used v for u. :lol:
UK government is divided into central (Westminster) and local (town hall/county hall) government. The central stuff is regulated by Parliament, and administered by civil servants in Government departments.
The local stuff is regulated by elected local councils, on either borough (town) or county (bigger than town) basis and administered by local authority employees, reporting to the councils. The job I am applying for is a local authority job, working for the local borough council. :)
-
October :D
Would it be safe for me? Oooo there’s a thought. Well, I don’t give out my address to people for fear that someone somewhere might turn up on my doorstep and be my long-departed step-father! And also because I value my cave of privacy deeply. I still view the mail coming through the letterbox as an intrusion (Hops 8), we generally don’t have the mail boxes, we have holes in our front doors), and the telephone is just about tolerable. But apart from that, oh and being ex-directory (Hops :D, not listed in the phone book) and not giving out my phone number, I’m quite sociable! Haha.
Seriously, we could meet in a certain bookshop (which I don’t want to name here), and I’ll be standing with my head on one side, scanning the psychology and philosophy titles. I have that plan in mind because I’m hoping you get this job :D. Yes it would be safe because I like arranging to go out and it doesn’t invade my home – it’s the neighbours that are my problem. It would be good wouldn’t it? If a little tiny bit scary. You might not want to, you might not like the look of me….we might both be struck dumb, anything’s possible... anyway, I hope it’s an encouragement for the job process – I like an encouraging objective!
Lupine
You’re encouraging me, thank you. It’s similar here in the UK, teachers aren’t well-paid and there’s a dearth of new teachers. There are a variety of teaching assistant type jobs and unlike the teachers, they don’t have to complete pages and pages of paperwork to prove what they’ve taught in a particular lesson (bureaucracy is stifling the profession). You sound as though you’re really enjoying your work now. There is hope 8)
-
Seriously, we could meet in a certain bookshop (which I don’t want to name here), and I’ll be standing with my head on one side, scanning the psychology and philosophy titles. I have that plan in mind because I’m hoping you get this job :D. Yes it would be safe because I like arranging to go out and it doesn’t invade my home – it’s the neighbours that are my problem. It would be good wouldn’t it? If a little tiny bit scary. You might not want to, you might not like the look of me….we might both be struck dumb, anything’s possible... anyway, I hope it’s an encouragement for the job process – I like an encouraging objective!
I think I know the bookshop you mean, but won't speculate out loud. But if not, I am willing to tour them all to find the right one, accosting anyone looking even vaguely interested in philosophy. :lol:
I know we talked of this a while back and it was not the right time, so I am not going to try to push anything. But I am very good at honouring other people's boundaries, and protecting whatever they need protecting. And I don't think I am scarey. :)
The application form arrived today, and I did my usual trick of procrastinating. But that is ok, because I have two weeks to fill them in, and one day with the envelope stuffed out of sight will do no harm. I will maybe have a glance at them tomorrow, and then make plans to filll them in bit by bit between now and next Monday, and then post them back. Or perhaps I will do them before Saturday, and have the firework display with d as a reward.
Bonfire night coming up, for anyone not in the UK. November 5 or nearby - big excuse for fireworks, bonfires etc all over the country. Very mild autumn at present so will seem very unseasonal - usually freezing cold by bonfire night, but not this year. :D
-
Awww. I wanna come.
I could charge into a bookshop going HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII! IT'S MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, Hops!
YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
If anybody answered that, I'd figure they are definitely brave enough to have a cuppa with.
:D
Hops
-
hi October,
what happened? Did you post it somewhere else? Give us an update if you feel like it.
Plucky
-
hi October,
what happened? Did you post it somewhere else? Give us an update if you feel like it.
Plucky
:? Well, here is the update.
The closing date is the 13th. So I thought, Sunday is a good day to aim for, and then post on Monday (ie today). However, woke yesterday feeling terrible. Nothing you can really specify, but generally tired, lethargic, depressed, nauseous, and with a general pain in my tummy. Looked it up on the internet and found it was the wrong side for appendicitis, and in my travels through the world of internet medicine, came across anemia again and thought, oh yes, that is probably it. 20% of women have it; seems likely.
Two years ago I had a blood test which showed mild anemia, and did nothing about it. Then a couple of months ago, with this same kind of exhaustion, remembered and started taking iron and multivits, and felt better, and then stopped taking them again because it is too easy to forget to look after myself. So took another yesterday, and spent the day slobbing around, trying not to think of the form that is not filled in.
Then had a chat with a friend in the evening, who gave me lots of encouragement, and so today I have emailed my last work to get iin touch with someone who is a referee on my CV, but who I want to talk to before just putting her there again. So that is today's first achievement.
I also sent an email to the hospital that I am meant to be being referred to, but have not heard from almost a month later. I said that in my experience doctors do not have follow up systems for referral letters, so could they check this has arrived. It may achieve nothing, or it may achieve something. But at least I am not letting the NHS carry on its incompetent way unchecked. :?
And if anyone is wondering which I would choose, if both suddenly appear, it would be the job. I am fed up being poor and a job could help towards that. I am also equally, or perhaps more, fed up being unwell, but recovery is more uncertain than a wage slip would be.
And at some point during the day, I must get that form out of the envelope and start to fill it in. This is the very worst part for me. The anxiety goes through the roof with all that potential rejection in every line. However, it can all be done, in time. :) And that terrible dragging tiredness is much less, so the iron must be the answer.
Thanks for asking, Plucky.
-
This is the very worst part for me. The anxiety goes through the roof with all that potential rejection in every line. However, it can all be done, in time.
yes it can. I hate the forms and feeling like a sitting duck too, but it gets easier. All those symptoms you describe are how I get with big anxiety, like a cortisol overload: high energy first then a shut-down.
RE NHS people are always telling me you have to push to get things done and receive a good service, when I lived in England I found the same, and I wrote to the hospital so much they asked me to be a patient representative on the planning committee! I did feel like Victor Meldrew sometimes, but it was more positive than the alternative of doing and saying nothing!
Good luck with the form, hope you got it done today.
I find it easier now doing a rough draft of any detailed answers, also I keep a chronological rsume to just copy each time for the basics, make it easier.
-
I find it easier now doing a rough draft of any detailed answers, also I keep a chronological rsume to just copy each time for the basics, make it easier.
Nope, didn't get it done. :? I think displacement activity is the term; changed the bed, did lots of washing, then went to bed exhausted for a sleep this afternoon. I must be mad thinking I can hold down a job. Still, I have done it before, and I can do it again. :D
Sent a text to a friend, asking is she has time to sit with me this week, to help out with it. No reply as yet, but loads of time. And haven't found my CV yet either, but that is because I haven't looked. It has all the stuff I need, as you say.
On the plus side, I think I know where there are two references in a file, so I can always send them plus one name, if I don't hear from Sue at my old work. And on the other plus side, I always intend to do job applications early, and then leave them until the deadline, because that seems to force my attention. Can't forget about it, because d is giving me lots of gentle reminders, which is good. :?
I have known all these years that if I can only achieve getting the job, holding it is easy. But applying, and in particular the forms, that is the impossible bit. Almost impossible bit, sorry. :lol:
-
Good for your D! She is really in your corner. (We are too!)
October, think about this. While NHS may be incompetent and scary as a bureaucratic monolith, there are some people there who are knowledgable and keen. So once you are in there, you will have access to knowledge, without the risk of having to have them practice on you if they turn out to be wrong. Or have I gotten it al wrong and you are not applying for a position in NHS?
How about breaking the whole application process down into steps and writing them down, then you will have a plan. Write down the bits you have done already too and you will then see how far along you are. Allso it will highlight any things that have a long lead time or possible delays so as to avoid a last minute stressout.
Above all, don't berate yourself. Just plug along as you have been. Do something every day. And do I need to start a 'take your iron, October' thread?
Plucky