Thursday, October 23, 2008

Administrative Assistant

Hello Again!

Well, I find myself back here almost exactly a week ago from my last post.
I've been back here to type quite a few times and then been distracted by something and left.

So news??? YES!! Approximately 7 hours after I posted that last blog I listened to a message on my voicemail that went something like this: (names changed so I could write "Names changed" in my blog)

"Hi! This is Kayla from Island Print Group and I just wanted to call to say that we would love to offer you the job! So if you want to come in today to go over the job description and make sure that you're happy with it, we'd be glad to hear from you!"

I was ecstatic! For my whole lunch break I just bounced around... calling people and texting people. I felt like screaming, crying, laughing hysterically, and EVERY SINGLE EMOTION you could think of, ALL at the same time.

Of course I called my mom first. Haha... who wouldn't? Then i called my new employer back and said YES. My mom told me that she would make me some chili for dinner in celebration... things couldn't be better.

So after work, I go to IPG (Island Print Group) and I talk it up with Kayla and one of the owners, I meet all the staff... I also got to read over my job description, sign this lovely paper that says "Dear Nikki, we'd love for you to work with us...etc" and then got a tour.
On this tour, they say "Oh, let's show you your desk! We start walking towards this dinky little desk in the corner of an open file room and I just KNEW that would be it. NOPE! We walked right past it!!
We stop at the most gigantic office desk one could ever imagine. I seriously don't know what I'd do with all that space (hopefully not make it super dirty.. haha).
Anywho... so they gave me the introductry wattle bottle in the colour of my choice (Pink...of course) and then told me a little more about the company.
I'm seriously just super excited. OH MY GOODNESS!!!
I start on Monday November 3rd.

Now onto my next dilemma. WAL-MART.
I had always thought that i would stay there and work the weekends or something parttime. Just until I knew I was comfortable at the new job.... So I still figured that, told IPG that and went over to my mom's house with that in mind.

So I walk into my Parents' house to the smell of chili... OH, it smelled so wonderful. I get closer to the top of the stairs and smell CAKE. My mom baked me a "Congrats Nikki" cake with PINK icing. My mom is way too good to me.
I just ramble on and on to my mother about my new job, how wonderful its going to be and how excited I am.
My mom told me several times that day how proud of me she was... and man, did I ever feel special. Then came the question (or more of a statement)
"So you're quitting Wal-mart?" She said all proudly, which I could only reply with "No, I think i'll stay there for Friday nights and Saturday days."
She got this look on her face like are you crazy!?! "Well, I can't really leave Wal-mart around Christmas time mom" "Its not your problem what time of year it is Nikki"
So then started the debate. My sister came home and talked about it too. They both told me to "Grow some balls."

Now we've been trying to get Renee to quit Wal-mart for a while now. She is going to school full-time and working part-time. She went to quit one day and then got talked into just cutting down her hours. So I jokingly said to her "Well, I'll quit if you quit." and she looked at me, smiled and said "Ok!" and walked right over to the computer and printed off her resignation letter.
So, I went right after her and printed off mine.


Now, I can't tell you how much strength it took to actually go through with this. Wal-Mart is BURNED into my sub-cranium. I know Wal-mart like the back of my hand. I am totally into it. haha. I know the culture. I know how people are affected just by one person's actions. I just don't have the function "Quit Wal-Mart" downloaded in my brain. However, I'm doing it.

Friday is my last day. This friday. Like... I have two shifts left at Wal-Mart kinda of friday.
I have almost cried at work approx. 3 times over saying goodbye to people and tomorrow (well today, due to the time...) should be my hardest day.
I have to tell my safety team that this is my last meeting--- EVER with them. I'm getting teary eyed just thinking about it.
This is *my* team. We're a TEAM... like, we don't function without all our parts.
I'm going to miss them all so much and PLEAD with them to continue our work.
I already know of one person who isn't remaining with the team because I'm leaving.... and I hope that's not a trend. This team is my baby. I've worked to develop *us* for 2 years. We work... in our own quirky little way. *sigh*

ANYWAY... I always go on for WAY too long on these posts. I'll make one much smaller one of these days. haha.

Also, I have to BE AT work in 4 hours... so I'd best be getting to sleep.
Thanks for reading! (renee.... c'mon, I know you're the only one. haha)

♥Nikki

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs.

Hello All.

My name is Nikki. Some know me as Nicole. Some call me Cole, Nik, Kiks...etc. Feel free to pick one that's comfortable.
I don't lead a very interesting life, although it keeps me busy. I currently work at a Wal-Mart, and have for over 6 years. 6 YEARS!?! I know, its been a long time, but I'm on the search for a new job. Why?
Well... the fact that a kid still in highschool could do my job isn't very rewarding for my self-esteem. I've worked there since I was 15 and it has been my one and only job. I think I picked an awesome place to work for my age. When I started... MAN, it was awesome. I had responsibility, respect from my boss and money in my pocket.
However, now there's really no where to go for me. I want to do something in the Clerical/Office field. I've always loved being on computers, answering phones and filing. I don't know why, I'm just weird like that.


So far, I've had 4 interviews. One, out in Langford for a job which I was offered. I turned it down because there were no benefits.
Second interview was with Sprott Shaw Community College. Who I never heard back from, eventhough I felt the interview went without a hitch.
Third interview was with Team Sales. Wow, this was an experience. I was interviewed by two people who just seemed desperate. They needed someone ASAP, and were disagreeing on answers to my questions right in front of me. I left, feeling like I had wasted both my time and theirs, and also heard nothing back from them.
Fourth and certainly the best, Island Print group. This interview was this past Tuesday.
Now let's start with the back story... I got the call from them on Friday that they were interested in interviewing me. I had just stepped out of the car in front of WalMart, ready to work. I was taken aback by the friendliness that I could feel over the phone. When I hung up, I was super excited--- and promptly forgot what time she said to come in tuesday morning.

I had no idea what to do in that situation. I didn't want to call back right away, because that would already be something against me... and with not really any clerical experience behind me... I don't need any extra things riding against me.

So that night at work I talked it over with my co-workers, and it was my sister that gave me the BRILLIANT idea of just calling monday to confirm the interview. Problem- Monday was a holiday. So I called anyway, hoping with all hope that someone would be in the office and be able to tell me what time my interview was at.
*ring ring* Hello Island Print Group! YES! Someone is there! Oh no... they don't have access to when my interview is. So he left her a message for me. Here was the problem. I guessed that it was for 9am. Now, I had to bus there but I didn't want to bus there for 9am and it be for 11! She was getting into the office at 8:30am... and if she called right before 8:37am and the interview WAS for 9am, I could still hop on the bus and make it there. If she called anytime after that, It wouldn't have mattered, I would have hopped that bus and had to wait.

No kidding, 8:36am she calls and confirms a time of 10am. So I walk back home, and eat some breakfast, then head on my way.
I could seriously go on and on about my adventure to get there and the awesome interview I had.
All I'll say is this: I was interviewed by three people at the same time. Not only did it not feel like some sort of grilling session, it honestly felt like a conversation between 4 people. 1 person, who was new and I told them a little about me, they told me a little about them... and it was REALLY cool.

On top of all this, they mentioned that one of my co-workers cleans their building. So when i mentioned to my co-worker today that they had dropped his name, he VOLUNTEERED to call and give me a reference! Now this was suprising on two levels. ONE, Sure, I've known this guy for years, I see him on a regular basis and we smile and say hi, see eachother work..etc, but we aren't buddy buddy. SECOND: He simply just offered to give me a reference! How sweet is that!?!

Anyway... I've rambled on for FAR too long and I doubt anyone will find this interesting... so with that, I bid you adieu!


♥Nikki