SurvivingInfidelity.com^®

So I am well enough from the Lyme to consider part time work again.

I am educated but the effects of the Lyme, infidelity trauma etc mean that I need to be looking for something part time and flexible and remote.

I am feeling lost. I have kept up with technology like with my computer and remote meetings etc, but could use some brushing up in windows programs like excell. I have not "worked" in over a decade and am not yet well enough to go back to anything like I did.

I am also not the person I was before the repeated serial d days...so I honestly have no idea where to start.

Linked in learning has some decent office training. We have a license through work, but I think they have a free month thing going. With Excel, it takes using it to do something to really learn. Pivot tables, data filters, lookups, etc. If you have a google account try using sheets a bit to learn the nuances of the differences just in case you apply for someone in that ecosystem. I tend to use that for personal things and use excel at work.

Thanks Grubs! Great suggestions.

Udemy has classes, and some are fairly reasonable. Also, check out Work Source. They should have some training and opportunities for part-time positions.

Maybe go to a couple of temporary employment agencies (when you're ready) and they may have something that fits your needs.

Maybe go to a couple of temporary employment agencies (when you're ready) and they may have something that fits your needs.

Temp'ing is a good idea. That way you can try some employers out to see what works for you.

Leafields the temping idea is genius!

And if you don't like the place, you tell the agency and not the job site.

Many programs – Excel especially! – are so loaded with features that it’s hard to find ANYONE that can claim to really "know" it.
I’m fairly competent in Excel but just yesterday my son stumped me with a graphing question. I don’t use graphs too much, but ask me about big-data manipulation and pivots…
Just keep that in mind. The job you might apply for might require pivot, it might require statistical analysis, it might require data cleaning… all tasks Excel could do but highly unlikely to be required in one job.

What I’m getting at is that you basically need to know that you CAN learn, and then possibly where to find the resources TO learn, rather than know everything before you apply.

Another idea: While looking for a job and wondering what to do then also think what you CAN do and what you COULD do. I have a friend that graduated with a comparable business degree as I have. She never found herself in that area/industry and had to take an extended period off due to medical issues. When she was ready to work again, she realized she couldn’t really compete with the new and younger group, so she took a course and degree in bookkeeping and later accounting in evening classes and community college. She started her own small business managing the books and accounts for contractors and small businesses and has expanded that to the level SHE wants. It’s only her and there are busy periods, but if she wants Monday off or to work all weekend it’s totally up to her.
Just throwing this out there: Maybe a 9 to 5 for someone else isn’t your only option.

Bigger

Thanks for the thoughts!

You are right!

There are some programs I just need to familiarize myself with (since they were just coming out back when I last "worked"...like when dinosaurs 🦖🦕 roamed the earth...or they are "newer".). I don't have to know how to do everything.

Sounds like I need to learn what pivots are and how to do them since that is something most everyone mentions while simultaneously cringing lol

I understand. My first word-processor was a clay tablet and a chisel.

Learn to use various calendar systems as well.

Learn platforms like zoom, teams, Google docs, Google sheets (excel for Google).

Look on indeed for job postings to see what the requirements are. You can’t know everything but you can make yourself marketable.

Best of luck.

Great suggestions The1stwife.
I have used Teams for basic meetings but should delve deeper.

Hi Shehawk,

Do you have a current resume? It may seem like you have little to offer with 10yrs out of the formal workforce, but there are always skills you can acquire during any hardship. Coming through a major illness and your betrayal and recovering to the point where you are ready to work again is no small feat. During interviews, I would highlight the resilience and determination you have. Also, with the advice you're getting on the LinkedIn classes (look at skill share too!), you can demonstrate your ability to learn quickly and gain competence.

With your work history, you may only get entry or lower level offers, but you can quickly move up and grow. Emphasizing your capacity for growth, strength and resilience in the interview is going to open those doors more quickly.

Also, as a woman, I've learned to better negotiate when it comes to salary discussions. Unfortunately, while things have improved, the average interviewer thinks they can offer a lower number to a woman and she will be un-assertive enough to take it. A recruiter trained me to never say a number outright and never reveal what I was paid precisely in the last job taken. For example, when a interviewer is asking what you expect to be paid, simply state (and LEAVE IT AT THIS): "I expect to be compensated at a competitive rate for my field." *cricket* *cricket*

When they give you a number, use it as a starting point. Typically they can go 5-10% higher without too much fuss. It's a negotiation- they have a low goal post (too cheap a hire and they're not getting the skills they need) and a high goal post (overpaying for skills or hiring in someone too competent who could leave or get bored). You have the same. You will not be sitting across the table from someone in an interview unless you had something THEY wanted. If you can remember that, and stay confident, you'll get the pay you deserve.

Also, doing research is priceless. I remember having a premium membership in LinkedIn and it offered the ability to see the range typical for the kind of job I was applying to. There's also chat boards and articles out there listing the expected ranges for various common positions. If you can come into the interview knowing your skills, knowing your worth and knowing you can hold firm on those, you'll get a good result.

Wishing you the best.

I have used Teams for basic meetings but should delve deeper.

Use the free versions of Zoom and Google Meet to do the basics, create meeting and send invite, video chat, text chat, screen share, etc. That way if someone asks you can say, I've used them before but most of my experience is teams.

Pivot tables are used to quickly summarize table data.

Table data

Pivot table & chart

By other data column

.

Shoot, Not sure why they don't load inline. You can see them in open in new window.

[This message edited by grubs at 5:25 PM, Monday, February 21st]

Great advice MIgander
And great info Grubbs!!
I have used Zoom lol

grubs etc al.

I just learned about a low cost google learning subscription today so I am going to check into their data analytics program which I think may even be "free" until/unless you test.

Thanks to all for the encouragement. One step at a time....

Good find! Good luck with your training process!

Shehawk, what kind of work are you looking for? What did you do before?

I have lists and lists of sample interview questions that I can share with you, I am unable to pm you though. I tried. I can read your pms though. Maybe it is a setting.

I’d be happy to give ideas on your resume. I have done a LOT of hiring.

My son just redid his resume using an online tool. I was impressed with the formatting. It was enhancv com.

The tools I use at work are mostly teams, PowerPoint, excel, project, outlook. I do a lot of budgets and presentations, happy to share sites with good PowerPoint templates if that’s how you roll.

The feature I use in excel is pivot tables. It helps with mass amounts of data and makes you look like an expert. Even if you are not.

This is exciting!!

[This message edited by Tallgirl at 7:14 PM, Saturday, April 2nd]

Thanks Tallgirl.

I will see if I can message you after my zoom meeting in the morning.

I took an aptitude and interest test and have a meeting related to that in the morning.

Short answer is I want to do anything reasonable that is not illegal or immoral that will pay my huge debt from that which we don't mention in this thread...

Tallgirl,

For some weird reason I tried to message you now just to see if I could and I could not message you.

I have my settings on to receive messages so I am not sure what the problem is...

Maybe someone could explain messaging with the new format.....