Cee is for...(Self)Confidence

The lack of self-confidence developed in my lifetime has been made apparent, and is something I am working on correcting (another "c" word!). A recent change in employment and its job description has challenged me to learn how to communicate effectively by listening actively and speaking confidently. These are good attributes, I think, in a world which is easily distracted by sound-bytes, headlines, and the chirp of technology gadgets which beckon for our attention.

Not someone who can easily ad-lib, one of the areas I struggle with is developing confident responses to questions and various scenarios which require instant decisions. I am learning and moving forward.

Cee is for Civil (Service)

After months of searching and applying for full-time or better-paying jobs, I finally made an impression in the professional world--even to be hired in a seasonal position in my region. Good-paying jobs are hard to come by for 50-year-old females who don't possess a college degree, no shocker there.

My search began last February and no potential employer showed interest in me--until I determined to take the Civil Service test for three potential positions, all administrative. My scores were decent enough to earn two interviews out of the three, and more importantly boosted my self-confidence, which, I am learning, has been incredibly low most of my life.

Regardless, the testing seemed to jump-start general interest from other potential employers, and I eventually landed a position at a professional company--which may result in permanent placement within should my performance meet the company's standards. I am working diligently at this.

If you desire to increase your chances at employment, do yourself a major favor and register for civil service testing. Here's one of the link for my home state: http://www.scsc.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/civil_service_home/9164