Way to go, Robyn Alana Engel! Her book, Woman on the Verge of Paradise, won Acorn Publishing's Memoir of the Year Award for 2016.
You can purchase Woman on the Verge of Paradise by clicking on this link to Amazon: https://goo.gl/8lc8DP
Robyn would like to sell a million copies of her book, and I say ain't nothin' wrong with ambition.
You can also read Robyn's blog, Life by Chocolate, by clicking here: Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com
Now I want to thank you for your support as I begin my job search. Thursday was quite productive. I applied for my first job, using my killer résumé and a frabjous cover letter I wrote specifically for the job.
I've also taken your advice on getting started with learning more of the Microsoft Office components. I started with Excel by watching an MS Office training video. Then I created a log of my charitable giving for the year. Next, I'm going to track my medical expenses for 2017, of which there are many.
Even if I don't find a job in which I use Excel, I'm happy I can use it to log certain expenses that I have.
I realize Excel has far more advanced features than I've learned so far, but I needed to start somewhere.
When I requested your assistance in this post on Monday, your encouragement and suggestions lifted my spirits. My favorite comment of the day came from Joanne Noragon of Cup on the Bus fame, who told me
I am the past master of instant learning. I once took a job that required shorthand. I knew nothing. I stopped at the library on the way home to get a book. My mother's shorthand was daunting, and not doable in one night. I eventually took a book called High Speed Longhand, and was a dab hand the next morning.
I learned office pretty much the same way--from internet courses and instruction. It's like jumping into deep water, but what the hell. It's interesting to save yourself. Follow the lesson plans for excel and power point, and pay especial attention to all the little tabs at the top. All the secrets are buried there. Try every one. All will be revealed.
Yesterday I helped the woman who is replacing me at the township. I have twenty some years on her, and know more about excel and power point than she can learn in a year. There's only one thing between you and learning how to do something: Attitude.
Joanne is recovering from some serious injury-related/health issues, but she never ceases to be a rock. Joanne, I have the attitude, and it's a good one. I'm on my way.
Infinities of love,
Janie Junebug
My blogging and blog reading will probably be sporadic for a while as I job hunt and update my skills. I'll miss you, but I'm never gone for good.
This video is for all of you, but especially for Robyn and Joanne:
Hi Janie - thanks for the link over to Robyn's ... she's done so well - an inspiration for us all. Good luck with the job search - and that learning curve is easy when you're in the deep end - but good for you for having some ideas for spread-sheet practise ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI have nowhere to go except up.
DeleteRobin's book sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing the details. Your friend Joanne is amazing; learning shorthand overnight! I agree - it's all about the attitude. More power to you, Janie. Go get 'em!
ReplyDeleteJoanne is great, and I'm happy for Robyn. My attitude is good.
DeleteCongrats to Robyn, I'm thrilled for her! And wishing you all the best in your job hunt, Janie!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debra. You're great.
DeleteYes. Debra is great. Janie is great. I'm great too most of the time. So much greatness here.
DeleteGo get'em, Girl!!!
ReplyDeleteI have to ask--is this song actually from a movie?
I had to look it up: it was featured in a movie called Mystery Men (never heard of it), so the stars made cameo appearances in the video. Letter on the way to you yesterday.
DeleteFun video. Take care.
ReplyDeleteWill do.
DeleteI send you the very best of wishes for your search for employment! Be good to yourself! xo Nellie
ReplyDeleteThank you. I shall.
DeleteHey now! You got this, babe. You do.
ReplyDeleteI love you for many reasons. This post is one of them. Thank you so much.
Onward to that job of your dreams, my million sales, and some good lovin' for us both.
Thanks so much!
Love you.
Gimme gimme good lovin'!
DeleteYeah congrats to Robyn for a job well done
ReplyDeleteIsn't it nice that we're all happy for Robyn?
DeleteIt means a lot.
DeleteI'm smiling over here.
Robyn is the best! I'm so happy for her. And good luck with that job!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about our Robyn, Martha.
DeleteAw shucks. Cheers and love to you, my Martha and Janie.
DeleteWhat a heartwarming and insightful post. Wishing you all the best wish your pursuit. Greetings!
ReplyDeleteThank you, and welcome to my blog.
Delete**clapping for Janie**
ReplyDeleteGood job getting the first application out. I'm glad you got helpful advice on learning Microsoft Office, and your approach is smart - to use it for real things you really want to do. Jumping in and playing around is the best way to learn.
Hey Jane, My part time gig is career coaching for people over 50. I specialize in this stuff.
ReplyDeleteMake sure that you study the job listing for job requirements and duties and make sure you use those same "Key Words" in your resume. If you get called for an interview, do the same thing. Look at the listing and think of how you would answer a question if they ask, "Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer..." or whatever the listing says you'd be doing in the new job.
Volunteer work counts. Make sure you LInkedin profile has all you "Stuff" on it.
R
Congrats to Robyn.
ReplyDeleteWishing you much success with your job hunt.
Even though I only do the basics, I love excel. It's like infinity software, like there's nothing it can't do. It's much smarter than I. grin.
Have a great Sunday.
Good luck in your job hunt! Pretty much every single job I've ever got I wasn't truly qualified for. Or knew anything about. And now I manage a pop star. It's all about the ability to assure them you can learn to do it. And by learn I mean Google it.
ReplyDeleteAnd yay, if anyone's deserving of an award, it's Robyn!
Good luck with the job search. I can only imagine it's stressful but someone will recognize how fabulous you are soon.
ReplyDeleteJanie, because of you, I have replaced all 33 of my "alrights" with "all rights." Don't check yet, though, I need to upload/download or whatever the mother load terminology, the new doc. (I also single spaced it, so it's much shorter.)
ReplyDeleteLove you bunches. Keep us posted on the job search.
Gratitude.
Great job, Robyn! Congratulations to you!
ReplyDeleteAnd Janie, there's not much that can't be learned by one (or six) Google searches, so go for it! You'll be a pro in no time.
Thank you, Lynda.
DeleteJanie's smarts are on par with her humor. She's got this.
Hi, Janie,
ReplyDeleteKeep going. You'll get there. Time, patience, and determination. I know you have all three. ALL the best in your job search!
All the best with your job search, Janie. Wherever you wind up will be lucky to have you.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Robyn. Wishing her a ton of sales.
ReplyDeleteGood-luck with the job-hunt, Janie. I hope you find a job you like and where you will be appreciated. I'm a little selfish though. I can't help but cry about you possibly not being available for editing. Because you are brilliant. But, your needs are far more important. So, fingers crossed that you find that dream job;)
Thank you, Murees.
DeleteAnd I feel the same - I want to use Janie's services (editing that is, nothing inappropriate)for the book I'm working on. She's so good, she can handle multiple jobs. =)
I have found you again... your now on my sidebar.
ReplyDeleteA very Good Luck with your job search.
You are so fabulous that I think you will find a job soon !
Fabulous Janie ! ! !
cheers, parsnip and thehamish
Hey hope the job search is going well. I have put the last of my pictures up. They will be up until Monday morning.
ReplyDeleteHave a fab weekend.
I can't access your blog. It says I don't have permission. Maybe the invitation only lasted a certain number of days (?).
DeleteRobyn's the coolest.
ReplyDeleteAnd not just because she sent me chocolate.