I've Got A Job ... Yayyyyy !!!
Hi Everyone !!
As the title says ... I've got a job ... yay !!
During the past couple of years I have had a few casual / part time jobs, nothing permanent, nothing steady, always unpredictable from week to week ... all through choice, I didn't want full time work, just casual, so I could come and go as I pleased. Most recently was a temporary position, 8.30 till 5, four days a week, customer service ... this was way too many hours, I hated it, my family hated it ... plus dealing with unhappy customers via phone and email is not my "cup of tea". After three months, this job ended, and at the same time, a previous data entry job I also had, shut up shop, no more shifts there ... sooo, I was left with no job at all. Which, initially, was great ... I finally had time again to do all those things I couldn't do during that time I was working 4 days a week (quilting, scrapbooking, catching up with friends, reading, etc.). I did miss the money, which sure came in handy.
After awhile, I started getting bored ... I lost motivation, felt flat and down, and I felt lonely, too. Baron has his shift work, and Elisabeth was at school and working ... I spent a lot of time alone (which ordinarily doesn't bother me). So, I started job hunting !!
Looking through the local paper, I noticed a job for Casual / Relieving School Crossing Supervisors with the local Council ... yep, the people we also refer to as "Lollipop Ladies (or men)". I thought to myself that this might be fun, a maximum of 10 hours a week (2 hours per day), the money was pretty good, and they get school holidays off !!! I spoke it over with Baron and Elisabeth, and they said to go for it ... so I did !!
I sent in my Resume and covering letter. I heard back from them soon after, and was asked to come in for a group interview. During this session, we did a few little tests and a bit of role playing, and filled in the paperwork for a Police Check. Then went home to await a phone call.
I got a call from the Council soon after, requesting that I attend a pre-employment medical, followed by a function test (to see if I could perform to the ability that was required for the job).
The other day, I got a phone call saying I had passed the Police Check, medical and function test, and to go ahead and put in the paperwork for a Working With Children's Check. I did that this morning, then rang the Council to advise them. They said congratulations, and made an appointment for me to come in late next week to fill in (more) paperwork, and get my uniform and equipment.
I am officially a "Lollypop Lady" ... how cute is that !?!?!
For the time being, it is casual ... I go where I am needed (when people are off sick, on holidays, or whatever). I've been told that if a position becomes available that I am interested in, I can apply for it ... so I may get my own crossing in time. At this stage, I probably won't be working every day ... but who knows. My first appointment will be with a senior Supervisor, to assist me for a day or so ... it is on the job training.
Not sure I really like the uniform much ... fluouro yellow / green is interesting !! And the hat ... well, I'm not a fan of "hat hair" !! But, all that is minor ... I can deal with it, it's no big deal !! I am really looking forward to the job ... I love kids, and think it will be fun.
So, I am a little bit excited about what is to come ... hope I like it, hope I can do the job properly, hope the kids like me, hope the parents like me !!
Wish me luck ...
Take care,
As the title says ... I've got a job ... yay !!
During the past couple of years I have had a few casual / part time jobs, nothing permanent, nothing steady, always unpredictable from week to week ... all through choice, I didn't want full time work, just casual, so I could come and go as I pleased. Most recently was a temporary position, 8.30 till 5, four days a week, customer service ... this was way too many hours, I hated it, my family hated it ... plus dealing with unhappy customers via phone and email is not my "cup of tea". After three months, this job ended, and at the same time, a previous data entry job I also had, shut up shop, no more shifts there ... sooo, I was left with no job at all. Which, initially, was great ... I finally had time again to do all those things I couldn't do during that time I was working 4 days a week (quilting, scrapbooking, catching up with friends, reading, etc.). I did miss the money, which sure came in handy.
After awhile, I started getting bored ... I lost motivation, felt flat and down, and I felt lonely, too. Baron has his shift work, and Elisabeth was at school and working ... I spent a lot of time alone (which ordinarily doesn't bother me). So, I started job hunting !!
Looking through the local paper, I noticed a job for Casual / Relieving School Crossing Supervisors with the local Council ... yep, the people we also refer to as "Lollipop Ladies (or men)". I thought to myself that this might be fun, a maximum of 10 hours a week (2 hours per day), the money was pretty good, and they get school holidays off !!! I spoke it over with Baron and Elisabeth, and they said to go for it ... so I did !!
I sent in my Resume and covering letter. I heard back from them soon after, and was asked to come in for a group interview. During this session, we did a few little tests and a bit of role playing, and filled in the paperwork for a Police Check. Then went home to await a phone call.
I got a call from the Council soon after, requesting that I attend a pre-employment medical, followed by a function test (to see if I could perform to the ability that was required for the job).
The other day, I got a phone call saying I had passed the Police Check, medical and function test, and to go ahead and put in the paperwork for a Working With Children's Check. I did that this morning, then rang the Council to advise them. They said congratulations, and made an appointment for me to come in late next week to fill in (more) paperwork, and get my uniform and equipment.
I am officially a "Lollypop Lady" ... how cute is that !?!?!
For the time being, it is casual ... I go where I am needed (when people are off sick, on holidays, or whatever). I've been told that if a position becomes available that I am interested in, I can apply for it ... so I may get my own crossing in time. At this stage, I probably won't be working every day ... but who knows. My first appointment will be with a senior Supervisor, to assist me for a day or so ... it is on the job training.
Not sure I really like the uniform much ... fluouro yellow / green is interesting !! And the hat ... well, I'm not a fan of "hat hair" !! But, all that is minor ... I can deal with it, it's no big deal !! I am really looking forward to the job ... I love kids, and think it will be fun.
So, I am a little bit excited about what is to come ... hope I like it, hope I can do the job properly, hope the kids like me, hope the parents like me !!
Wish me luck ...
Take care,
10 comments:
Good on you, Connie! You are the second of my friends to get a job as a Lollipop Person this year. I was asked if I'd like to do it, but I said no thanks, as (a) it would tie me down too much and (b) I don't like kids that much - ha!
Well done Connie. I'm sure you'll be the most popular lollipop lady ever!
Congratulations! Here we call them "crossing guards" and my mother was a crossing guard for 30 years! When she retired they threw a huge party for her and put her name in the paper, etc. The thing she loved about it was having the opportunity to touch the lives of so many kids each day. She could tell you stories that would bring a tear to your eye.
I think you will be the perfect lollipop lady and have a smile for those kids who may not be feeling so happy on their way to school - or on their way home.
Thanks, everyone ... I'm quite excited, as well as being quite nervous. Hopefully it will all be good, though. I'll let you know after I have my first placement !!
Dear Connie ~~ Congrats on the new job -- it sounds like fun and should
suit you. Good luck anyway.
Thanks for your comments, yes the weekend was nice with family and now
John is safely home from his last ride, all's well with the world. It has turned cooler again, but we didn't get the rain that Melbourne got last weekend. Take care my friend. Love, Merle.
Your job sounds good and especially since it is something that you will enjoy. We also call them crossing guards here in Washington State and one is quite well known. He must be well into his 70s now, has a full beard like Santa Claus and always wears a different hat daily, most of which are very different.
I thought about maybe getting a Christmas season job at someplace like Office Depot but kind of don't want to fail retirement by taking a job.
Thanks for your visit to my site. I'll come by more often to check yours now that you are getting back into blogging. Doing any more RVing?
Hope you like the lollipop job Connie.
Iam happy to read this Connie! I hope it is a nice fit for your schedule too!!! :)
Hi Again Connie ~~ A very Happy Birthday for tomorrow. I hope you have a wonderful day my friend. My back is still crook so I haven't been on here much. I hope the job is going well Take care. Love, Merle.
Good luck, Connie! By now, you're an old hat at it - "hat hair" and all! I hope you're still enjoying what you're doing.
Sorry I've not been around in a long, long time...no excuses! I've just been very slack! ;)
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