(no subject)

[marta_bee]

The last few weeks I've been updating my resume, following various job boards and applying that some that look interesting. I'm not fired or anything, but with some things going on at work, it's wise to see what's out there. It's also pretty stressful and time-consuming because I don't fit 100% in any of the job classifications I'm aware of. It can be a big job. And I felt a bit like I was holding back from you all, not having mentioned it, so I wanted to do that.

Aside from that, I've been obsessing a bit about politics especially with the Democrat convention. Watching a lot of speeches and panel discussions on YouTube, texting with my brother (who's much more MAGA than me), video chatting with the Kid who's been hit a bit hard by some of the rhetoric (first generation American and of the non-white variety so, you can imagine), and generally trying hard not to let my own anxieties and biases get the better of me. It can also be a big job to stay a person I like and support the people in my life through all this. Not that people who disagree with me are necessarily wrong; we're all complex, and the situation can be messy. But I have to stay the kind of person I would be proud of through it all. That's the tricky part.

I feel a bit like Peeta on the roof of the Capitol training center just before the Hunger Games, actually. Not letting the Games turn me into someone I'm not. Not that the stakes are the same; but that challenge resonates.

And that's honestly the most geekish thing I've got going on these days. The junk-food that is Tumblr reblogging, a bit. I bought a few of the Discworld books on an ebook site sale a few weeks ago and I've been wanting to read them, mainly because every bit I've read from those books, the quoted passages and the like, I've loved; but I've honestly a bit worn out just navigating life and don't feel like I really have room for something new just now. The irony is now is when I could really use a new story. But that's always been my way.

Anywho. Big holiday weekend coming up in the US. I hope you all have big plans, or at least something nice to enjoy if you're not American.

Comments

[mrowe]

Applying for jobs is inherently stressful, but keep in mind that no one is a 100% fit for the job profile/classification!

Ooh, Discworld! Which ones did you get?

[marta_bee]

A good reminder on job searching!

Discworld- I think all of them? Or at least 20-30 titles? An ebook website had a sale a few months back where they had big discounts if you bought multiple titles by the same author and I ended up buying them all because at a certain point they were nearly free.

I'm thinking of starting with Guards! Guards! just because I've always enjoyed the passages I've seen people post on Tumblr about Sam Vimes, he seems like a fun character. But reading up about recommended reading order, Death seems like a good match for me too, so Mort is high on the list as well.

[mrowe]

Guards! Guards! is a good one to start with (and saves me having to warn you against starting with the first or the second one, they're fun enough, but not the best introduction to the series, even if they have Rincewind). Mort is also a good one to read early, and you may also like the Witches books in the series (starting with Equal Rites).

And now I'm thinking it's time for me to start a re-read.

[shirebound]

with some things going on at work, it's wise to see what's out there.

Good call. I'm often reminded about James Michener's quote in Hawaii: "Be courageous about guessing. Be on top of the wheel as it turns, not dragging along at the botom."

*encouraging hugs*

[marta_bee]

Oooh, good quote! It's nice to think of with all the changes. *hugs back*

[cairistiona]

Good luck with the job search--I know that 99% of the jobs I've had in my life, I've been only about 50% qualified for when applying, but showing intelligence and a good work ethic took care of the other half. Same has been true for my sister and my daughter. Even hubby, who's trained in his field, was only partly qualified for the more specialized job he landed. All that to say, I wouldn't worry too much about being an exact fit on paper, especially these days when employers are having a hard time finding good employees.

Long ago, I made it a choice not to get into political discussions with people, online or off. I'm *not* a good off-the-cuff debater, and a lot of times my political decisions are made not based on hard facts about policies but rather gut feelings and an examination of the personal ethics and morals of the person campaigning for an office. That sort of thing doesn't usually get me very far in a debate, but it does help me sleep at night.

[marta_bee]

I really respect your choices on how to approach politics. I envy them actually. This election particularly, character and gut feelings matter. This is less about convincing people rationally as it is checking in on the people in my life the only way I know how given my personality and the situation. But at its most basic trying to love and understand them the best I can. Which admittedly doesn't always work well and doesn't help me sleep at night.

On the job search, it's weird- I do know I won't fit every job description to a T, but I've really struggled even on what kind of job to search for. Partly because so much of my work has been with small companies where you wear a lot of hats, and partly because my strengths are sort of all over the map. I've got a lot of technical skills and the logical mindset to do small-a analysis, but not really the training to do big-a Analysis (like, data analytics). I'm good with words and have decades doing powerpoint presentations for when I taught, but I don't have the business degree that means I know what all the specific communications methodologies mean, let alone how to do them. And on down the list. It makes me a good employee because I see connections others wouldn't, but not such an obvious job *candidate*. More to the point, when I'm spending so much time looking for jobs it drives home the idea that I just don't fit in anywhere. I'm trying to keep it all in perspective -- work is not all that I am! -- but not entirely succeeding.

Thanks or the reminder though about being only 50% qualified on paper. It helps to see someone else say those words.

[hhimring]

Good luck with the job search!
I think job descriptions for applications often ask for more than employers realistically hope to get, just so that they stand a chance of getting a reasonable selection of that.