the 100% directionless thread

What kind of oil do you use in your Harley?
 
I've completed 2 job applications, 1 more almost done. I'm not as charismatic as my sister is, but what I lack in charm, I make up for in grit and honesty.

I hope I can convey my value as a future employee to the right folks once I get an interview.
 
DragonClaw said:
I've completed 2 job applications, 1 more almost done. I'm not as charismatic as my sister is, but what I lack in charm, I make up for in grit and honesty.

I hope I can convey my value as a future employee to the right folks once I get an interview.
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Have you practiced interviewing with anyone? Some of this may help you if you're lacking in the charisma department.

www.themuse.com

Your Ultimate Guide to Answering the Most Common Interview Questions

Consider this your interview question prep manual.
www.themuse.com www.themuse.com
 
NomadicMedic said:
Have you practiced interviewing with anyone? Some of this may help you if you're lacking in the charisma department.

www.themuse.com

Your Ultimate Guide to Answering the Most Common Interview Questions

Consider this your interview question prep manual.
www.themuse.com www.themuse.com
Click to expand...

I feel like I can answer those questions honestly and quickly enough (though I'll need to take a breath and not rush).

But as far as face to face?

This is pretty important for me to get a job, I know I'm going to be nervous and that's the kicker.

I still feel like I do when I got my first job at 16 at wendy's.

But these aren't French fries.
 
DragonClaw said:
I feel like I can answer those questions honestly and quickly enough (though I'll need to take a breath and not rush).

But as far as face to face?

This is pretty important for me to get a job, I know I'm going to be nervous and that's the kicker.

I still feel like I do when I got my first job at 16 at wendy's.

But these aren't French fries.
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Believe it or not, but charisma is a pretty important characteristic when your applying in a job market thats quite frankly oversaturated.
 
CALEMT said:
Believe it or not, but charisma is a pretty important characteristic when your applying in a job market thats quite frankly oversaturated.
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I know it is.

That's my concern.

My sister can get jobs on the spot, but leaves then within a week or two and does it all over again. She's had to had more than 50 jobs by now. Meanwhile, I'm at one she couldn't tough fire coming up on 2 years (not a whole lot of time you'd think, but it's high turnover).

I dunno. I just want to be convincing enough they'll give me a chance.
 
Oh, um, is it bad if I have things I want to do before getting hired?

Like, I have a concert early october, bought tickets in may.

I'd like to go to a friend's wedding, but haven't RSVPd because I don't know if I can go.

I also need to go trapping for another bird.

What's reasonable for a prospective employer to say about things I've already got scheduled?
 
Most of us are pretty understanding if you tell us up front about dates you're unavailable. Obviously within reason. If it's awhile slew of days you can't work within your introductory period, you'll be a hard pass.

And practice interviewing with someone. You say you can answer questions easily and truthfully. From reading your posts, you seem pretty clueless on social interaction. A little prep work will help immensely.

Don't take the personal interaction comment personally. .. It's just that with 200+ interviews for EMTs and EMT candidates under my belt, it's pretty telling. I not only hire to fill the hole, I hire to fit the culture.
 
NomadicMedic said:
Most of us are pretty understanding if you tell us up front about dates you're unavailable. Obviously within reason. If it's awhile slew of days you can't work within your introductory period, you'll be a hard pass.

And practice interviewing with someone. You say you can answer questions easily and truthfully. From reading your posts, you seem pretty clueless on social interaction. A little prep work will help immensely.

Don't take the personal interaction comment personally. .. It's just that with 200+ interviews for EMTs and EMT candidates under my belt, it's pretty telling. I not only hire to fill the hole, I hire to fit the culture.
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Yeah, I'm afraid I'll look like I'm asking for too much up front.

I'll ask and see if a friend can help me practice.

I'm not the /worst/ on social situations, but I will admit, it needs polishing.

What do you mean telling? That you can tell I'm not the most charismatic person? I hope I'm the right culture, I don't expect you to tell me if I am or not, but I want to be good at my job, I want to feel good about what I do and not regret not going "out there".
 
DragonClaw said:
What do you mean telling? That you can tell I'm not the most charismatic person? I hope I'm the right culture, I don't expect you to tell me if I am or not, but I want to be good at my job, I want to feel good about what I do and not regret not going "out there".
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After spending some time in this career field you can tell just by body language and personality whose fit/ right for this job.
 
CALEMT said:
After spending some time in this career field you can tell just by body language and personality whose fit/ right for this job.
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Hmm, well the sup I did the ride out and a few medics told me that, and they thought I had what it takes.

I'm confident in my ability to learn what's needed, but it's more than just quoting drug dosage and protocols. I just want to help people.

We'll see.
 
They are probably talking out of their behind, lol.
 
DragonClaw said:
Yeah, I'm afraid I'll look like I'm asking for too much up front.

I'll ask and see if a friend can help me practice.

I'm not the /worst/ on social situations, but I will admit, it needs polishing.

What do you mean telling? That you can tell I'm not the most charismatic person? I hope I'm the right culture, I don't expect you to tell me if I am or not, but I want to be good at my job, I want to feel good about what I do and not regret not going "out there".
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I would not stress about it too much. "Charismatic" is not a word anyone has ever used to describe me, I am sure. I am definitely not a people person. Small talk is annoying for me, and meeting new people is pretty much the last thing I ever feel like doing. I'm a classic introvert with the additional blessings of being a big, stocky guy with resting ***** face who is naturally quiet and naturally sarcastic and naturally does a lot of eye contact. People who don't know me sometimes find me physically intimidating or think I'm just a jerk if I don't constantly go out of my way to smile and act friendly and act like I actually want to be there and not make too much eye contact and do it all without being awkward and weird. I feel like Shrek sometimes. It's all very exhausting and aggravating.

In spite of all that, I had a great career is EMS and so far in anesthesia, even though those are both rathe social occupations. The key is to be aware of how you come off to others, but not so aware that you become really self conscious about it. Once you get to know people and earn a rapport and then build a reputation, you don't have to worry nearly as much how you come off. At that point, it's just about faking it for the public when you briefly interact with them, and also developing a way of conveying competence and empathy to you patients. It all gets much easier with some experience.

As for the interview, I would definitely practice, as has been suggested. As for the social part, don't try to come off as someone totally different from who you are, but be cognizant of smiling when you look at people in the face and other basic gestures and body language cues. If the opportunity arises, don't hesitate to do make a little self-deprecating joke about being nervous and a little socially awkward. You'll do fine. Stressing about it too much will only make it worse.
 
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Remi said:
I would not stress about it too much. "Charismatic" is not a word anyone has ever used to describe me, I am sure. I am definitely not a people person. Small talk is annoying for me, and meeting new people is pretty much the last thing I ever feel like doing. I'm a classic introvert with the additional blessings of being a big, stocky guy with resting ***** face who is naturally quiet and naturally sarcastic and naturally does a lot of eye contact. People who don't know me sometimes find me physically intimidating or think I'm just a jerk if I don't constantly go out of my way to smile and act friendly and act like I actually want to be there and not make too much eye contact and do it all without being awkward and weird. I feel like Shrek sometimes. It's all very exhausting and aggravating.

In spite of all that, I had a great career is EMS and so far in anesthesia, even though those are both rathe social occupations. The key is to be aware of how you come off to others, but not so aware that you become really self conscious about it. Once you get to know people and earn a rapport and then build a reputation, you don't have to worry nearly as much how you come off. At that point, it's just about faking it for the public when you briefly interact with them, and also developing a way of conveying competence and empathy to you patients. It all gets much easier with some experience.

As for the interview, I would definitely practice, as has been suggested. As for the social part, don't try to come off as someone totally different from who you are, but be cognizant of smiling when you look at people in the face and other basic gestures and body language cues. If the opportunity arises, don't hesitate to do make a little self-deprecating joke about being nervous and a little socially awkward. You'll do fine. Stressing about it too much will only make it worse.
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All valid. However, I’ve interviewed people that are so socially awkward that putting them in an EMS situation would be like throwing a kitten into a bath tub full of piranha. It wouldn’t be a win for anyone.

I’ve also said, “eh, they don’t seem like they fit in, but I’ll give em a try”. Almost always ends up in a disaster.

Simple social skills go along way to help you acclimatize to a new environment. EMS has a tendency to eat it’s young and if you show any weakness, it’ll be game on for the jerks.
 
Aprz said:
They are probably talking out of their behind, lol.
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@DragonClaw put another way, they’re most likely blowing smoke up your hindquarters.

Take everything people say, whom you hardly, know at face value.
NomadicMedic said:
From reading your posts, you seem pretty clueless on social interaction.
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To expand on this, it seems to me as though perhaps you’re a better talker than you are a listener at this point in your life.

That’s ok, until it isn’t. It may not go so well with older co-workers who aren’t as talkative and/ or who appreciate a little silence, especially with you being so...inexperienced.

All in all, I’m certain you’ll land a job inevitably. I can respect the enthusiasm. Most employers love that stuff, because it often fades quickly.

But, sometimes humility can be overshadowed by overzealous enthusiasm, and that’s where you will run into problems. That’s my bit anyhow.

Interview-wise? I’d listen to the two old salts above me who posted their remarks😁

And FWIW, @Remi our personalities sound a lot alike. Minus the hulking stature on my end.
 
VentMonkey said:
@DragonClaw put another way, they’re most likely blowing smoke up your hindquarters.

Take everything people say, whom you hardly, know at face value.

To expand on this, it seems to me as though perhaps you’re a better talker than you are a listener at this point in your life.

That’s ok, until it isn’t. It may not go so well with older co-workers who aren’t as talkative and/ or who appreciate a little silence, especially with you being so...inexperienced.

All in all, I’m certain you’ll land a job inevitably. I can respect the enthusiasm. Most employers love that stuff, because it often fades quickly.

But, sometimes humility can be overshadowed by overzealous enthusiasm, and that’s where you will run into problems. That’s my bit anyhow.

Interview-wise? I’d listen to the two old salts above me who posted their remarks😁

And FWIW, @Remi our personalities sound a lot alike. Minus the hulking stature on my end.
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Well, I wish they wouldn't do that, if that truly is what they're doing. It certainly wasn't all praise. Some of it felt like a kick to the gut, but it was true, so, can't be mad. Just be better.

I've been gradually learning to shut my trap and listen more. I'm better than I was before, but I can't really deny the obvious. I can definitely get the cart before the horse

Every so often I read my old posts, the answers and my replies, and then mull it all over. Try and keep things in perspective, you know?
 
Oh, how I loathe 24/48s. But every day is a day closer to the end of our lease and a day closer to the glorious UHaul of the future!
 
Man it's been over a year since I forgot to put something in my calendar, and not only did I do that but I also put another important thing in on the wrong date! And of course work falls on both of those things and if I had not screwed this all up I could have just easily taken vaca :(.
 
Hmm... so since they raised my rent to $1,600/mo starting next month, I've started browsing Zillow and whatnot for condos... and much to my surprise, an actual house, 1,00sq ft, 3 bed 2.5 bath house, pretty much in the same area I'm looking (only ads 5-10 min on my commute time...) for like $230,000

My first reaction was should I call the VA and get pre qualified today?? Second reaction is houses don't really sell that cheap here, what's wrong with it?!

Maybe I'll so a stealth drive by later lol

Sadly I doubt it'll still be available in the next few months when I'm ready to pull that trigger ...
 
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