Wash ,'Serenity'
[NAFDA] Spike-centric discussion. Lusty, lewd (only occasionally crude), risqué (and frisqué), bawdy (Oh, lawdy!), flirty ('cuz we're purty), raunchy talk inside. Caveat lector.
I would recommend looking for jobs that don't involve dealing with the public, but I suspect you are just applying to what's open since there's not much out there.
Unfortunately, the job I have the most experience with is Receptionist. I never had any complaints from the clients and employers in KC, but that doesn't carry much weight in CR. Being friendly is very important in Iowa. Grrrrrrrr.
I would argue that friendly and bubbly are not necessarily the same things.
I would argue that friendly and bubbly are not necessarily the same things.
Right! But, I'm not unfriendly! So what am I doing wrong?
I think I am friendly...with my friends. Or, you know, friend prospects. But it is hard for me to turn on that blanket sunniness that seems to be regarded as Generic American Female. If I am having an awesome day, I might say hello or wave, but we all know there are those people who think "She Said Hello, She Must Want To Know The Story of My Life," which, because I am me, generally involves a near-death experience or gruesome medical procedure. You know, I'd really rather not. And as far as my sense of humor, most generic hooples DO NOT WANT. I've found that most strangers think I have an awesome sense of humor if I can wrest out a chuckle at "Working hard or hardly working?" or "Have you got a license for that thing?" for the eleventh-millionth time.
Right! But, I'm not unfriendly! So what am I doing wrong?
This is where you need honest feedback from a job coach or the like. Maybe a "fake it till you make it" situation? Figure out what specific behaviors they're looking for and practice them, and incorporate them into your interviews. I don't see anything wrong with having a work persona, as long as it's not too much of a drain on you.
A good start might be asking people questions. People* like to talk about themselves and feel that someone cares. A compliment on a piece of clothing, and yes, even comments on the weather are good places to start. Uggh, I hope I'm not saying super obvious stuff. Apologies if you just wanted to vent and I'm problem-solving. It does seem ridiculous to me that they don't seem to want a calm, professional person, and would value perkiness above those qualities.
Okay, must get back to work.
* vast overgeneralization ahoy
Being friendly is very important in Iowa. Grrrrrrrr.Somehow, my Fathers favorite phrase seems to work right now. "Fuck them if they can't take a joke". I was trying to think of something with cornholing, but apparently it's not in my repertoire this morning. Good luck!! Vibing for ya!
ION - today is the day of meetings. Started at 8:30, ends at 6. Off to meeting #2 of 5. :: sigh ::
Gah, Nora. I'm sorry the landlording has gone all pear-shaped. I wish I had been able to swing that mortgage, so that it was out of your hands, although it also sounds like I wouldn't be very happy with the neighbors. I hate to think of that place being trashed.
Thanks for the advice, smonster. I think I needed to vent and get advice.
"It's a cult. A perky cult."--Julia Sugarbaker. I got bad evals from every boss but one for not being perky enough. One, severely ADD and an outgoing charmer who had 87 plates spinning at all times and never followed through on 85 of them, discounted every bit of plate-rescue and resolve I did for him because I didn't puppy over every volunteer who came through the door.
I did have a former boss call me out of the blue one day to thank me profusely for doing my job for her. She'd been kicked upstairs and had walked into an office situation nearly exactly like the one I took on at hiring and straightened out in six months. My "rigid" procedures insured our office never went that way again. I don't know what happened after I left. I never looked back. Ptui. I agree with smonster--fake it till you make it is probably your best bet. It's unfortunate, but true.
Vortex, I hope the new job gives you a respite from all the bumps and bruises you're suffering now, and also opens up avenues for an even newer and betterer job.
shrift, I'm sorry to hear your news. Good luck with relative-herding.
Nora, I'm wishing you a good resolution on this situation. It's been hanging over you long enough. I hope a good solution comes out of this.
I'm funny- bubbly and outgoing at home but down-to-business at work. I rarely make friends at work. Why can't we all just do our jobs?