A Concern That Requires My Attention

I have been searching for a job since I graduated with an AA degree in Accounting. One of my strengths was the ability to explain a concept, an assignment, an idea, and a task clearly and concise. I had the ability to teach my co-workers skills and knowledge such that it was easy to understand. I could summarize the highlights in good writing. My analytical thinking was a personal asset. I was good telling people from point A to point B. I was detailed and I broke down the information. I could rephrase and reword to better understand for others.

I'm losing the strengths above each day I don't work. I realized my ability to explain and to analyze has been getting weaker when I took my first online class. The topic was Introduction to Business Analysis. Explaining, analyzing, and summarizing are key skills for a Business Analyst. Each day I stay home, away from the daily grind of work, no interacting with co-workers, no work assignments . . . just not being in a work environment 40 hours a week makes me mundane. My weekly routine is at home; it should be at the company building. Each work day I'm on the computer job searching and sending resumes and cover letters.

I do my best keeping my skills and knowledge as sharp as possible. I take online class, I read books, and I watch videos on job knowledge such as Excel and Crystal Reports. I write blogs to keep my writing skills in check. I chat, email, and socialize to maintain my communication skills. I practice interviews including writing down good answers I think from the back of my mind. Physical fitness is important, too. I work out 3-4 days a week at the gym.

I know I find a job with a little luck, timing in my favor, and a company somewhere out there going to give me an opportunity. Stay focus and stay active.

Side note: job recruiters, employers, companies may want to ignore the blog if you feel I communicate weakness.

The Reason I'm Never Bored Is People

It's difficult for me to be bored. There is always something to occupy my time. The only time I lie down on my bed staring at the ceiling is when I'm sick or I need a nap. I check email, log on to my social networks, job search, and read the latest news online. I cook, vacuum, do laundry, or clean the dishes for my house work. Errands, going to the gym, hiking, and grocery shopping are the best examples when I'm outside the house. My indoor leisure activities include reading, listening to music, and playing video games.

It's people occupying my time when I'm not doing something. I'm with people when I'm offline, completed my housework, and taking a break from my solo activities. I have people in my life because I want to avoid being bored. I spend at least three days a week going out, socializing, and doing activities. I believe a good life is being by yourself and being with people. There are times you want a few hours by yourself and there are times you want a few hours with people. We must devote time ourselves with or without people to achieve, at the minimum, an 80% and 20% or 20% and 80% balance, respectively. I live at home. I communicate with my parents. I see my girlfriend and friends when I'm going out. There are times my family and I visit other relatives or do a family activity outdoors.

We're humans. We need human connections. We need to communicate. I must live life with noise, talking, and listening while other people are talking. When I hear people say they're bored, I think they need to meet new people.

Update Your Profiles

We all have online profiles. Email, social networking, professional networking, YouTube, banks, financial investing, grocery stores, online stores, Netflix, blogs, job searching, etc. We spend hours and hours on the web most of us ignore updating our profiles on a consistent basis.

My dentist is consistent asking questions about my phone number, home address, insurance, and health conditions. It can be redundant to some of his patients; however, I believe it's a good idea to ask the same questions every regular checkup. It takes a couple minutes. My dentist, and everyone else, wants accurate and up-to-date information. I want my dentist to contact me if there are any questions or emergencies.

Take time to update your online profiles. Online businesses need accurate personal information to serve you. I like my bank to have my email and phone number in case of emergencies. Networking needs accurate information on you to portray yourself honestly. I want my friends to know what I do and where I currently live. Job searching websites looking for workers need accurate information on skills and past experiences. I continue to learn new skills as I search for a job. I want my online job profile to indicate my new knowledge.

I update my profiles two or three times a year. I update my job profiles at least four times a year. If you haven't updated you profiles in a long time, start today. It's the start of the new year. Start fresh by updating your profiles.

Easing Into 2013

The holiday season is officially over. Today is the first Monday for 2013. I hope everyone had a good Christmas and New Year's Day. It was a long season in terms of the number of days. Thanksgiving started early on Nov 22, 2012. It felt like a long holiday to me.

It's time to get back to job searching. I'm happy I was interviewed seven times last year. Not too bad in the tough job market. I'm considering taking classes in software programs. I research the skills I learn the quickest, how relevant to my current job skills, and the cheapest.

I want to tell everyone to take it easy and slowly get back into the daily life of working, studying, taking care of the house for those raising children, and/or job searching. Avoid feeling you must get back to life before the holidays in 24 hours. Don't rush--haste makes waste. Settle in gradually. Make good choices, use timing to your advantage, relax, and have the state of mind to start fresh on the first Monday of the new year. It's like the beginning of the new season in sports such that everyone is 0-0. Everything is going to be okay.

My 30s Timeline

I self taught myself Microsoft Visio. The pic above is a timeline highlighting and lowlighting some of my events and moments since I turned 30 years old on Aug 2008. The timeline is my first project to practice Visio. Not too bad. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas From The Most Interesting Man In The World

A Xmas meme of The Most Interesting Man In The World. Merry Christmas!

Most Interesting Man In The World Dec 2012

The Christmas Most Interesting Man In The World radio commercial was released a few days ago. I'm not sure if these quotes are repeats. Jonathan Goldsmith is the actor who portrays The Most Interesting Man In The World for the Dos Equis beer commercials. The narrator is Will Lyman from Frontline.

*He received more than 40 partridge in a pear trees last year alone.

*The star that tops his tree is recognized by NASA.

*Women have been known to keep mistletoe up until Aug, just in case he drops by.

*If he were to re-gift, it would be a much, much better gift.

*His gingerbread house is equipped with central air.

*He speaks reindeer.