Job Interviews: Just a little respect please

Having worked in three different recruitment agencies and been for countless interviews, I think I have a fair understanding of what general companies are looking for in candidates and what they expect. Sure, they want the right person for the job - BUT, what about us, the prospective employees? We're also looking for the right fit, a good and stable company in a pleasant working environment and not just any old job, don't we?

Yesterday, I went for an interview for a position that I really wanted (still do to some degree). I spent the better part of the previous night planning for it - questions I wanted to ask and would answer, etc. I thought I was very prepared for the interview and it seemed to be going well in the beginning. And then, suddenly I'm talking to the side of my interviewers head while he listens (I'm hoping) to what I'm saying, while he's typing away on his computer screen, barely even glancing in my direction. He also took 3 phone calls while in the interview. Now, I ask you why must I get all prepared, spend time getting professionally dressed and groomed and ensure that I arrive 10 minutes before the interview - only to be treated like that? I know that certain interviewers try to push candidates buttons by doing certain things to see how they react, but this was definitely pushing it.

I have another gripe with (some, not all) recruitment agencies. When you have a candidate that comes for an interview with you, and they are short listed to see the client and you tell them you will phone them after the interview to see how it went....please just do it. We make the concerted effort in making sure our CV is just right for the position, spend time on the cover letter and preparing for the interview, driving to where ever we need to go, take time off work if needed to go with some excuse - the very least you can do is follow through with what you say you are going to do. On the other end of the table, I worked for a recruitment agency who regretted every single person who applied for any position, and who wasn't shortlisted. That is a lot of extra admin, but makes such a huge difference! Not so hard actually. Just a little common decency and respect.

Looking for a job is a job all in itself. It's not easy, and recruiters and employers are very strict on some things, things we sometimes have no control over. Yes, jobs these days are hard to come by and we would all like a nice paying job in a good and stable company. However, that does not mean that we are just going to settle for the first average job that comes along. We have standards too and are associated by the type of company we work at. At the end of the day we are also interviewing the company to see who they are, what they have to offer US, growth opportunities, etc. We may come off as desperate, and some recruiters or employers may think of us as just a number, but we are people and we deserve a little respect when it comes to going for interviews and getting back to people at the very least. It's a two way street, and sometimes that's all to easily forgotten.

Saying Goodbye..

How does one say goodbye to a company that you built up from scratch, one that you followed with your heart and soul, and pursued your dreams against all odds to create?

It has been an incredible journey, one that's taught me to challenge myself in ways I never dreamed possible.
I never thought I would have it in me to create a company and to push the boundaries every single day. I won't lie, it was definitely not a bed of roses each day and a constant uphill challenge. It's no joke when business owners tell you how tough it is in the beginning, because it is! We've been through our share of blood, sweat and tears, but there have been far many more rewards and personal achievements gained that everything else seems to fade in comparison.

This company was my dream, it became a part of my heart and soul and I will treasure it forever. The reason for closing down the company is purely for circumstances beyond my control, and I would have loved to have seen this grow into one of the best gift and design companies in South Africa. I don't regret anything, and I would gladly do it all again.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank and acknowledge the following people who contributed in some way towards Chisani Creations. Words don't nearly describe what some of you mean to me and what you've done, but I thought I'd try and get it said anyway :)

• My husband. My pillar of strength, never ending supporter, partner and amazing website developer. Without you, this would never have been possible. Thank you for allowing me to follow my dream and supporting me every step of the way!

• Mom, Dad, Matt and Gran. My family, who never once doubted or questioned what I was doing but supported me through thick and thin - the good days and the bad ones.

• My amazing friends - Amanda, Justin, Samantha, Catherine and Jacqui who went above and beyond with their moral support, enthusiasm and belief in what I was doing. 

• Some people I've met along the way or had the pleasure of doing business with - Kelvin Maree, Samantha at Citi Sprint, Nicola at Sparkling Bride, Diana at Styled Events, Ernestene at Jetline Tygervalley, Peter du Toit and Lisa Breedt of Social Media IQ, Drikus Le Roux, the Merry Pak team and Catharina from Catharina's Cake Boutique. You've all been so inspirational to me, and provided top class service - thank you so much!

Even though this venture was very close to my heart and hard to say goodbye to, I don't regret any of it for a second and believe I was meant to do this for a reason and that there is always a purpose for everything. I look forward to new ventures and challenges ahead, and will take what I've learnt with me.

Yours in gifts one last time,
Melanie Chisnall
of Chisani Creations

I Miss...

I heard Jack Parow's song "I Miss" on the radio the other day, and it brought back so many memories of when I was a child. Here's what I miss...

• Bionic Six, Smurfs, Darkwing Duck, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ducktails, Tiny Toons, Tin Tin
• Pocket money
• School holidays
• Slumber parties
• Tapes and videos
• Letters in the post
• Beverly Hills 90210
• Birthday parties
• Performing in dance concerts
• Seeing friends every day at school
• Watching Jurassic Park and Aladin at the cinema
• Talking on the telephone to two friends at the same time
• Ice cream cakes
• School outings
• Going away on holiday every year to visit grandparents
• Building sandcastles and having ice-cream on Fishhoek beach
• Picking up pine cones while walking with grandpa through Plumstead
• Not having to pay for my own clothes, extra murals or parties
• M-Net open time with the old Egoli and Loving
• Passing notes in class
• Having four dogs to play with every day
• Feeling safe all the time
• Mike's Kitchen
• Sunday afternoon drives
• Ace of Base
• Playing hide and seek
• Reading Nancy Drew and Sweet Valley High books
• Blush magazines
• Sunday morning cartoons
• Full House, Step by Step and Three's Company

Penny Pinching

Seems like it's hit us again - I'm not complaining, we've been blessed and we've been in a nice little comfort zone for a while now, so it was just a matter of time before we had to start pinching the pennies again :P But, we've done it before and we'll do it again! Not so bad actually, kind of humbles you....

I get so annoyed with people who claim to be flat "broke" towards month end, yet they still have R1000 - R2000 left each month. I'm sorry, but that in my books does not classify you as broke. Broke is when you have to squeeze the very last drop of shampoo out of the bottle, when supper is two minute noodles or spaghetti and some cheap sauce, when there is literally no money for toilet paper (and being too proud to ask for money you 'borrow' a little from work or the malls...hey, it happens!), and lastly - being broke is when you literally do not have ANY money to go out with friends to have a drink or coffee, or even to have a braai because who wants to have a toasted samie on the braai when everyone else is having nice steaks, chops and wors?!

We've recently started eating very healthy at home, which is great. Lots of fresh veg and fruit which I try to really stretch out, and loads of chicken and tuna. A lot of people actually think that eating healthy is more expensive than unhealthy eating (pies, heavy meals, burgers, etc.), but that's not really true. Going to the shops earlier, I realised that there are ways you can save money when buying food and eating healthy. You don't need the cherry tomatoes - rather get the whole ones, I don't eat bread anymore, rather buy a pack of Rye Vita and have that for lunch - lasts much longer and I don't throw half a loaf of bread away each week. Ready made meals are a thing of the past, I'm trying to get into the habit of cooking on the weekends and then freezing meals in separate containers to just heat up during the week. Breakfast is Kelloggs Special K which I really enjoy, Geoff likes his Pronutro. Snacks are provitas, yoghurt and fruit throughout the day. Our 'treat' for the week is a bottle of wine, and some chocolate wafer biscuits. I've learnt that you can't completely cut out all sweets because once that craving hits, and you're in a shop filled with milktarts and cakes...you're in a bit of trouble! :P

This is just a warning to all our friends if we may seem a bit scarce, the next couple of weeks or months (hopefully not that long!) we're going to have to just settle for coffee at home or something along those lines. I did work out one takeaway/meal out a month - but we'll have to see. We still have a lot more than most people, so I'm grateful....here's to a humble next couple of weeks!