Moving Along

Today I accepted a new job. Not the job I wanted, exactly, but a step in the right direction.

From the beginning,

Henrick is a guy staying at the hotel. He came to Iceland to start up the new Toys R US. The other night we were talking and he told me there was a job that he was sure would be great for me, or I would be great for it. He accepted my CV and gave me the number of the person who is in charge of the hiring.

Today I spoke with this person on the phone. Her name is Guðrún. She told me to come down for an interview today.

After my shift at the nursing home, and before my shift at the hotel, I popped into Toys R Us full of hope.

That hope was shot out of the sky 2 seconds into the interview.

I sat down to be told that they were really looking for an Icelander for this particular position but she was sure she could find something for me,cleaning or something.

I wanted to hit her with my purse, but instead I used restraint and just raised my voice a little.

I simply made it clear that I did not come down here to take a 700 IKR an hour cleaning position. Every employer I have had in Iceland has felt some need to treat me badly and under pay me, simply because I am not Icelandic. I did not move to Iceland with the intentions of scrubbing toilets for the rest of my life.

This seemed to break the ice between us, and we spoke of other options.

Guðrún is set on hiring an Icelander for the cash outs, but she offered me something else. I will not work as a cashier, I really can not think of anything more boring, but I will be one of those general helpers who finds stuff and puts stuff on shelves. I will start at 1050IKR an hour, day time rate, to start.

This is 150 more then I get at the hotel and 300 more then I get at the nursing home.

Also, if things go well, as I am sure they will, I will be promoted to a department manager in a few weeks.

Department Manager is a very glamorous title for it. You are in charge of one section of the store, LEGO for example.

When this happens I will get a raise.

The good thing in this all is I have a challenge ahead of me. I will get that promotion, or I will get a new job.

The best news: I will only have to work 40 hours a week to make basically the same as I was making working 60 before. I miss my boys and am really looking forward to seeing them more.

I have already quit my job at the hotel (finish on Sunday), tomorrow I will email the nursing home!

Yippeee!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday we celebrate with Pizza!

A future at Toys R Us?

Maybe

I talked one of the managers today who is staying at our hotel and he told me about a perfect job for me. He also took my c.v. and will give it to the women in charge of that department.

The potential job involves the cash outs, some bookkeeping and ordering. Perfect! And I have been told the pay is good.

I am so excited but trying not to get my hopes up too much, I am sure there are others much more qualified then me, but I want this job.

Time to move on

Well, I have been working at Hotel Smari for almost three months now and I think it is time to move on.

I have learned some great things that will help in my next employment.

It has been a good experience, but some things are making me crazy.

1. My responsibilities have increased so much, but they are not sure if they can afford to give me a raise.
2. I get no overtime pay.
3. Even working here almost 100 hours a week, I still make much less then Davíð did at a regular job.
4. They want to close for 2 weeks in December, so I will not be working and will not get paid for these forced holidays.
5. They are a little sexist. When I work nights it is expected that I help out with getting the breakfast ready. The other guy who does nights does not have to help. I asked my boss why and he told me it was a girl thing to do. I am a little mad now.

So - I think I have taken the experience I need from this job and am looking for a new one.

The official job search has begun again.

The search is over!!

I got a job today at Hótel Smári as a receptionist.

I work one week nights and one week evenings.

I get to sleep at night!!!

I get paid 1,322 kr an hour!

They said that I am the only non-Icelander working outside of housekeeping and kitchen, but they will take a chance and I am on trial. I promised they would not be sorry!!!

yayaya

part 8

I have my second interview at Hótel Smári tomorrow!!!!!

part 7

I got a job offer in Borganes today - everything is exactly as I was hoping for in a job, except it is 65 km away from Reyjavík.

I am looking to see if there is an express bus out there, but it does not look promising.

Keep looking.................

part 6

I went to the employment office where they help people get jobs and we had a good talk. I told them I did not want a 700 kr an hour job and they told me that was what was available for people who were not speaking Icelandic. They also said the wage difference between Icelanders and foreigners is getting bigger all the time and it is becoming more of a two class society.

I have been getting very discouraged, i have applied everywhere and gotten nothing back and then I got a call...


[on my way back from the employment office]

They wanted an interview!!!!
So today was my first!!!! at Hótel Smári for a receptionist job.
I have to admit, the odds are against me, mostly because all the computer programs they use are in Icelandic, but he said he would call me Monday and let me know one way or the other.

I am feeling better about the whole job search thing now!

part 5

I got my first rejection email from a Aurora Guest House.
No big deal I think, I must have applied to every place in Reykjavík, of course at least one has to say no. This is probably the first of many bad news emails I will get.
Or I might just be ignored, but what can you do?
Agata is still helping with the possibility of employment at the Flóki Inn.

part 4

News:
1. I got an email reply from the manager of the Fosshótel chain who asked me to also fill out some application form. I did that and sent it back. He then answered to say he sent it to every hotel manager in the Fosshótel group within Reykjavík.

2. Agata is going to meet with the owner of Flókí Inn on Sunday to try to convince him to hire me!! I am really excited but still worried about the Icelander´s only for reception jobs rule.

part 3

Today I started sending my CV out online to every email I could find of a Hotel or Guest House.
I seems a little like spam but I am sure it will catch someones attention.

I am very determined to get a decent job now.

part 2

Today I applied at Foss Hotel, but I am not getting a good feeling about it.

Agata is going to talk to the manager of Flókí Inn tomorrow for me!!!

The Official Job Search - Part 1

So it is that time of year already. Time to admit that summer is coming to an end and the cash is getting is shorter supply. It is time to get a job again.

I have very few demands in employment, I only ask that I am paid fairly, if not well, and that it does not involve prostitution.

I am sure if I was lacking in morals the pay would be better.

I applied online at Hotel Centrum, but it is not looking good. I applied a week ago and I have not heard anything yet. This is my fault I admit, I doubt they even look at the online applications. I have also heard they prefer to hire Icelanders for everything but the cleaning.

Today I applied at Flókí Inn. I think this one has a shot. I am going for Reception, on nights. Agata (my roommate) knows the owner, the owner is from Turkey and I think that would make him a little more reasonable. I also heard it pays very well considering you work one week on and have one week off. The Flókí Inn is also less then 5 minutes away, walking.

I want that job!!!!