job search

NaNoWriMo Week 3

NaNoWriMo 2016 week 3 update goals word count novel writing
Source: Screen grab from 10000hoursleft’s NaNoWriMo account

Another week. I am holding on to that line with all my might. I found the tail end of week 3 particularly difficult, but am pleased that I persevered. The greatest challenge I am facing from now till the end of November is the curve ball that life has thrown, with my non-permanent role at work being advertised as permanent as of Thursday, along with many non-permanent roles in the branch of the organisation for which I work. The deadline for applications is December 1, coinciding a little too neatly with the remainder of NaNoWriMo. Just when I thought my main challenge was boredom with my story, having established that time wasn’t a barrier to hitting the daily target. Continue reading →

Job Seeker’s Sonnet 2

An application for a senior role in the Sustainability Department of Acme Corporation,  world leader in widget design & manufacturing, a subsidiary of W.E Coyote & Sons.

Dear sir, madame or whom it may concern,

I write in search of gainful employment.

Reading your ad tells me what I can earn,

Perhaps stall foreclosure with a payment!

A vibrant culture and staff engagement

conjures up thoughts of a monthly meeting,

where rather than yawns of disagreement,

there’ll be laughter, hugs, fine wine and singing!

Recycling and sustainable living,

my focus shown right here, in this letter,

up-cycled words I am delivering,

savvy, resourceful lateral thinker.

Adjectives that best fit? I give you three:

qualified, skilled and expert, yeah- hire me!

Following an earlier cover letter I wrote (Job Seeker Sonnet 1), I was advised by Robert Okaji to revise the Shakespearean sonnet into a Spenserian sonnet, to improve my chances of securing a job. Fingers crossed! This post is a prime example of why I shouldn’t hit “publish” too soon- I have since revised for the umpteenth time! I’m happier with it now, particularly the fact that I no longer rhyme “me” with “me” – I also made other changes post- publishing for a better flow.

Job Seeker’s Sonnet 1

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To whom it may concern

I am in search of employment

From what I can discern

It may help with my mortgage payment

Your vibrant workplace culture

Conjures up thoughts of a monthly brief

Where in place of monotonous torture

We’d be led in song by none other than the chief

A focus on sustainability

I can say we match there too

I’d like to sustain a livability

That affords the occasional Jimmy Choo

To close I’ll leave you with a blurb containing an adjective or three

A hard working, expert, team playing professional, you’d do well to hire me.

I had fun with this and learnt a little about poetry and rhyme schemes. The subject was inspired by This Post where poet Robert Okaji is interviewed and mentions his foray into editing and proof reading resumes and cover letters. No high heels were worn in writing this poem or ever, where the author can avoid it.