What I want in a Job

I’ve got job interviews lined up already, one today, one on Sunday, a phone interview being scheduled. And I need to take a bit of time to figure out what it is *I* need and want before I go out there.

So right now, while I’ve got my neck on a heating pad, and I’m waiting for ibuprofen to help with the pain, I’m going to write here and share with you what I want and need. As well as processing the job that is ending – what worked, what didnt work, and figure out what I need now.

I was cuddling with K the other night, and told him, “A long time ago, I tried to imagine a relationship this beautiful. It’s even more beautiful than I could imagine then.”

I realized that part of the reason the relationship has turned out so well is that I really took the time to imagine what I needed and most wanted. I got what I wanted in great detail and specificity. And that’s pretty much how I have gotten most of the truly great things in my life – taking the time to define what it is I most need and want. It seems the most effective way to get what I want. So I’ll do it now for my work.

I’m possibly looking for another nanny job, but also considering office work so some of the details might be nanny-related, or might be more office related, or somewhere in the middle. A combination of both.

What worked about my last job:

Good pay.

Lots of hours when I needed and wanted lots of hours.

Easy parking.

Getting to work with a little baby since I wanted to work with a baby.

Being allowed to go online when the baby was sleeping.

What did not work about my last job:

Nothing I could eat there (usually I can eat at work, this place had gross food left out and nothing edible except for bowls of cereal).

Very little appreciation.

Demanding me to do methods that did not work well at all and staying with them despite all evidence against them.

Very little choice in what I did.

Very limited – I could only take the baby out for walks in the neighborhood or rarely go to the play cafe. Any other outing was discouraged (didnt even want me to take him to the library) or forbidden.

Isolated and alone.

10 hour workdays.

Uptight parents who were difficult to please and who never expressed that they liked me, even though they did.

Extremely frustrating work.

Parents who freaked out too much, who couldnt hear what I said, who couldnt trust in my experience (or anyone else’s) and preferred their weird hippie beliefs to actual facts.

Always watching over my shoulder and freaking out at me and me having to explain everything I was doing until they calmed down (i.e. “I am getting the bottle ready for the baby so I can calm him (you bloody idiot, as if that wasnt totally obvious!)”).

Getting mad at me for going to the bathroom.

Parents working at home.

Asking me to pay for their child and they will pay me back later.

What I did not like in previous jobs: constant criticism, nitpicking everything I do, anger expressed at me, monitoring how many dishes I used, asking me for change, saying I owe them money if I dont have perfect change for them, last minute cancellations without pay, no sick pay (especially after watching their sick child!), trying to weasel out of paying me my full amount.

What I did like in previous jobs:

Appreciation, tips!, gifts and bonuses, donated things (do you want X? you’re welcome to it), getting to run errands with the kids, going on outings, treats (we got you a cookie!), money to take the kids out and get myself something (here’s some money for a cappuccino and muffin for you, too!), being super happy to be an enthusiastic reference for future jobs, extra perks, clear instructions and being happy with my work.

What won’t work for me:

A chaotic schedule where I have to wonder where I am working each day because it changes so much.

Lots of little jobs.

Constantly looking for work.

Anger at me.

Worry about making enough money.

Worry about job security.

Too much work so that I’m too exhausted to do schoolwork.

A stressful job.

What I need to thrive at work:

At least $2000 a month.

Paid in full on time.

Appreciation and gratitude for work well done.

Breaks allowed and encouraged.

Great food that is easy and quick to make, like sandwich makings, soups, fresh produce, beverages.

Freedom to eat what I want.

A set schedule and clear idea of what I will be doing each day.

Extra pay if I am expected to watch a sick child or to do extra work of some kind.

20-30 hours a week.

Job security.

Easy going people who are not stressful to work for.

Flexibility and the ability to schedule the day.

Appreciation for my knowledge and feedback, and understanding me.

The ability to succeed.

Easy work that is relaxing and fortifying so that I can do well at my schoolwork.

Clear instructions that are possible to do.

Room for creative ideas and feedback that is appreciated.

What I want at work:

Great Benefits: heath, vision, dental, overtime, timely raises, paid vacation and sick days, paid if they go on vacation, etc.

Excellent pay.

Breaks.

Work that will help me get a job in my Library profession.

A schedule that works well with my being in school so that I can succeed at schoolwork.

To be able to provide for my family well.

Extra time to do my own stuff if work is slow.

Freedom to check email, make phone calls, do errands, go out to lunch, etc as needed.

To get to enjoy my work and feel happy about my job.

Some freelance work like babysitting and catsitting where I can earn extra cash.

Enough to be able to take care of myself: go to the dentist, get glasses, etcetera without sacrificing myself because we cant afford it.

Joy.