Bank Shot

Ok, had my interview last night...and it went VERY well. Everyone there was really nice. It was kind of like an open house...but by invite only. So there were branch managers from all over trying to fill positions all over Morris and the surrounding counties. The woman I spoke to first was from the Rockaway branch, about a 1/2 hour from me. She was hilarious...and really wanted me to come work at her branch, but she needed someone to start at 4, and I just couldn't swing it. My mom doesn't get home to watch the kids until about 5 after 4. So then I met the East Hanover manager, about 10-15 minutes away. She wanted me too, but needed someone to start at 3:30. It was looking grim. Everyone really liked me, it was just a matter of finding a branch that matched my schedule. Up until this point, they were trying to find me a job as a part-time teller. But then I met the manager from the Parsippany branch (a really nice guy) and he needed a customer service rep. Schedule fit, it's only about a 15 to 20 minute drive...and they're offering $11 an hour. That's a hell of a lot more than Treasure Island! Woohoo! So I got the job! Pending...

I had to go in and take a drug test today. That was to be expected. No biggie. However, it almost didn't happen. I went to the lab with the baby and they wouldn't let him go into the test with me. And...they wouldn't watch him for me. AND they closed at 3:30. I had to take the test within 24 hours of the job offer and i had NO ONE to watch him. Luckily a few of the people in the waiting room overheard and offered to watch him. It only took 5 minutes or so. So it was all good.

Now...I'm waiting for them to do a reference check, background check, and credit check. The only thing that might screw me is the credit check. Let's just say after living on one income for a year, our credit isn't the best. I just don't know how bad it is. I guess I'll soon find out. I should hear within about a week whether or not I officially have the job. Then I get 10 days of training and I'm off to a wonderful career in custmer service. heh At least they have tuition reimbursement soio I can go back to school. That'll be nice!

Well, I just wanted to give you an update. I have more to post, but ER is coming on now and I never miss it. Not even time for spell check, so ignore the typos. :)

Till next time...

Another New Game Plan

Man, I think I must have written at least a dozen posts detailing new career directions. The most recent were the ultrasound technician (got bounced because in order to become certified you have to go to specific schools that are really hard to get into...especially evening programs), phlebotomist (got bounced because CCM stopped this course for lack of interest and I can't find another that has an evening program), and LPN (got bounced because all the evening programs have about 500 applicants trying to get into 60 or so slots). Seems that every time I make a plan, I get screwed out of it. This time will probably be no different.

I have a job interview at Commerce Bank (not sure if this is just an NJ or East Coast bank or if they're everywhere, but they are pretty new to this area and are popping up all over the place...I bank there and the closest one is literally a 10 minute walk from my house, maybe less) tomorrow evening. This is the bank that's open 7 days a week and 5 nights a week...so I can actually put in 20 to 25 hours a week. Not sure if I want to be a teller or customer service...I'll have to see what they think I'm best suited for, if they want to hire me at all. It pays much better than Treasure Island (where I can't go back apparently, because they hired too many people and it's slow there) and has more opportunities. They have insurance, even for part-timers, which is good because Fran really wants to change jobs but we can't afford to have a lapse in medical insurance. They also offer free banking services, 401(k), tuition reimbursement, and other goodies. So now I figure, I'll let them pay for me to go back to school. Maybe I'll become a loan officer or something. Who knows. Banks aren't going away any time soon, so maybe heading in that kind of career path is wise.

You may wonder how it is that I can just switch gears every couple of months like this. Easy. Most people have a passion for something and wish more than anything to be able to do that for a living. Some people want to be doctors, lawyers, teachers, whatever. I want to be a writer. But it's IMPOSSIBLE for me to do that full-time and support my family. So whatever I do, it won't be what I truly want to do. It's strictly something to do to feed my family, so I don't really give a rat's ass what it is. It needs to be stable, able to make me good money, and work around my schedule with the baby. If it's interesting...it's a bonus...but not necessary. Being a phlebotomist would have been interesting, and so would being a nurse. So I was excited about those. But I don't have the time to screw around...if that goal can't be reached pronto it ain't gonna work. As I write this I am drawing closer and closer to moving into a cardboard box. I gotta find something feasible....FAST! So, the bank is the newest attempt to get this family outta debt and keep food on the table. Writing? Yeah, that's my passion, my dream. But it's on hold...probably for quite a while. It's next to impossible to even get a few hundred words out when I'm either feeding the baby, tending to a fussy baby, changing a baby, picking up a kid from school, helping a kid with homework, keeping the house clean (this falls by the wayside the most), staying on top of the laundry and dishes, making dinner, and attempting to bring some kind of money into the family. Oh yeah, and then there's the 4 hours a night I allow myself to get some sleep. Hell, the fact that I have time to write this is amazing. (Not really, I'm taking time that I should be working on freelance stuff).

Man, I meant this to be a quick post...but I guess I needed to rant. I don't really have any right to complain. I mean, how many people get to live their dreams? 5% of the population? 3%? Probably even less. That's just the way it goes. I'll always have my dreams...but right now survival is the only thing on my mind.