Pongo Resume

Did you know April is National Poetry Month in the U.S. and Canada? I bet you didn't. And I bet you haven't read or written much poetry lately, what with your ongoing job search and all. Well, now's your chance!

In honor of National Poetry Month, we're asking you to share your poetic talents in the comments section at the end of this post. And...

We'll send a prize to anyone who posts an original poem related to the theme of "Job Search"!

Meanwhile, here's an ode to get you in the spirit:

A Job Seeker's Lament
By Julie O'Malley

I edited my resume and cover letter
And sent them to the firm
They called me for an interview…
But now I sit and squirm.

We really seemed to hit it off,
That interviewer and I.
We talked, we laughed, we formed
A connection you couldn't deny.

"We'll call you before the week is out,"
They promised as we said goodbye.
I quickly emailed a thank you note,
While my mood was still sky-high.

But that was a week-and-a-half ago
And here I sit and wonder.
Do I call and ask what's going on,
Or would that be a job search blunder?

When I couldn't take it anymore,
I built up my courage and called.
I left a nice message but no one called back.
I was so disappointed I bawled.

But wait, the phone is ringing now,
And it's the employer on caller ID!
A second interview? Yes, Yes!
I'll see you tomorrow at three.

I'm on top of the world, it's in the bag,
My future's looking bright.
They'll offer me the job for sure,
We'll celebrate tonight!

But the second set of questioners,
Were clearly unimpressed.
We didn't click, there was no rapport.
I'm getting seriously depressed.

I've done my best and followed advice,
I've been well prepared and real.
But either they don't like my skills,
Or the fit is not ideal.

This scene played out again and again,
As weeks and months transpired,
Until the day I heard the words
That changed it all: You're hired!

It's hard to believe the day has come
My search has come to an end.
I'll do my job and ply my trade
For paychecks I can actually spend.

No job search lasts forever,
You'll beat this dreaded curse.
It'll fade away in memory…
If it doesn't kill you first.

Or, as poet Maya Angelou said in a mere 11 words: "While one may encounter many defeats, one must not be defeated." Now let's hear from you!

CONTEST RULES:

1. Write a poem that has something to do with job searching and post it in the comments section below. No talent necessary. Any kind of poem you like. Just keep it fairly clean.
    
2. Be sure to include your email address in the signup field so we can contact you for shipping instructions (no one will see it but us and we won't spam you).
    
3. We’ll notify you by email then send you a prize!
    
4. Contest closes at 5:00 pm EST on Friday, April 23, 2010.

 

TYPE, TYPE, TYPE TYPE, TYPE, GRIPE ANOTHER TYPO.....

RESUME DEADLINE... COVER LETTER INSERT REFFERALS, RECOMMENDATIONS,

QUIVERING, WANTING, WAITING PREPARE ACCEPTANCE SPEECH... PHONE RINGING????

JOB SEARCH THEORY SETTING UP THE FIERY LOST HOPES PROMISE OF TOMARROW IT WILL COME... IF I TRY HARD ENOUGH...IT WILL COME

OK....RUSH FOR THE LAPTOP... ANOTHER NEW DAY..... SMILE AND TYPE, TYPE, TYPE..

BELIEVE ME...THAT HUMAN RESOURCE SPECIALIST...HAHAHAHA CAN FEEL MY SMILE...I JUST KNOW IT !!!!!

@Nan Foreman

Awesome! I can feel your smile (and your frustration). We'll be in touch by e-mail soon to arrange your prize.

Keep 'em coming people! Bring on the poetry!

--Team Pongo

Tha Interviews (Round 1)

You know that I make money from my paper, yes it's heavy stock

Exuding confidence, Walking Tall, like I am The Rock

Nailing every question, they're my targets that I have on lock

Just hire me to help run this Enterprise, call me Mr. Spock

The Desperate Job Seeker by Jim Scaglione

Employer, employer in which whom that I seek. Would you please give me a job, I can start in a week.

I have all the skills, I have all the creds, I have great attention to detail, just give me my meds.

My references are perfect, my resume is tight. Again, please give me a job or they'll turn off my lights.

I plead to you again, I could really use this job. If I don't get hired real soon, I may be forced to rob.

Mine is a Haiku:

Hire me, company

For I am the very best

Perfect fit for you

There once was a man from Nantucket

His resume so poor they would chuck-it

He found Pongo one day

Now he's making top pay

His happiness overfilling the bucket

Hahahaha....nice one AG!

The economy is slowing down, But my hopes are rising up, The moon this night is half full, Just like how I view my cup.

Digital attempts have replaced, The warmth of human touch, A resume can save the day, If mine is good enough.

In lieu of an interview, My credentials can meet the eyes, Of influential mentors, My employment is the prize.

JOBLESS HAIKU

seasons of despair: here no work, no pay, no hope; when will I be hired?

- Brendan Tripp

The dreaded words were spoken and yet I did not hear, my heart beat fast, my hands were moist, I stumbled on my words. How could they say I failed to learn the job I had on hand, I knew it well, I heard from all the students and their parents, oh thankyou for your patience and taking the time to lead us thru this maze of financial aid...But now these words meant nothing, I heard the sound of my breathing as I realized I must leave. No pay this week, no insurance coverage, How would I take care of my daughter. How unfair, and unjust, and how wrong this director was. The shock waves thru the campus as people question why. I did nothing wrong, and yet I was marked. And now I must move forward, and I said goodbye to many. Just last night I said goodbye to Karen, a lovely lady who worked her life at Dowling, yet she died from cancer. I am the lucky one, I am alive, I can make my way and it will be better than I had before. Have faith, and remember that life is not about achieving greatness and making a lot of money but making a difference and I made a difference at Dowling and the lives I touched will never be the same because I was there. And in the end that is what counts.

THE TRAIN by STEVE Here I am on this train Going to start this job but I’m in pain Been job hunting since last December Last felt like a man I can’t remember This hotel is so beautiful and sweet My stomach boils as tears come down my cheek Two more stops am almost there My heart is pounding with all this fear This job they called me to my surprise Just about given up to find a job my size Seven got interview that day Three was picked and showed the way I felt like ten feet tall A job that’s wanted me after all One more stop I hope they care How do I tell them I’m not from here I’m suppose to start today this job I love Instead of joy my head feel like being knock by a glove The train is here I bend my head in shame Not a dime not a dollar to get back on this train As I left the office and prepared myself to walk You should of have your social is what the lady swalk Ten feet tall that’s how I felt that day A job that wanted me that’s all I have to say.

To my son Andrew I love you and I will never give up on you

Pound the pavement

Beat Beat Beat

Hear the sound of my running feet

This is the word on the street

Run in a circle papers fly like a kite on the air

Do I have charisma, what it takes to make the business man stare

Will I eat my words, will I eat my own dust

In whom, O job world, can I place my trust

With a whistle of the wind and a tussle of my hair

I pray, I hope, that I have shown the world my flair

... to be found a welcome surprise after all I exist just for you you are looking I am waiting for the meeting of us too

I am not a face in a book.

Well, that's no book like I've ever seen? They act so 'right' cause they hold the white light, but sir. I'm alot more than just some... profile screen.

They practice buissness, like thier white bearded man? Sitting way up high on 'his' hill. But I know in the same, their ain't no coward, firery, wayward son... who's mad at him still!

Dad! I'm mad at you still.

But I, hear a new transmission. One spoke in the only voice, once, that you'd ever known? And it was your voice, from your mind, and it's the one that will get you home.

To the ones who love you. With the bison, with the bacon, with the gold. Honey I'm home, and I got the job! Thank my patience to the human! As I am too. I got the job!

There! I ain't no name in no book of life. Well, that's just no life that I've ever known? They said before, "my people will call you. Thanks for coming in". But you can wait forever for these words, to come singing through your phone:

"You got the job. We'll see you seven, no make it six, yes six sharp!"

And I am the kind of rational thinker in which they hired. That hears the transmission as: I better go in at five, after I put out my wheel rim fire, and roll up my tarp!

Do I hear an Angel? Do I hear a harp? No! Tomorow I'll have breakfast, just one corn off it's cob, and wistle as I proudly walk... Because I'm a man now with a job.

I am very excited, thank you! I've read a prize awaits. All the other poems here, have inspired me! I shall not hesitate. I wonder what it is? maybe some cash, or food? Or some other short lived thing? And as I'm dreaming of 'winning' she says "their's no such thing!"

She says:

What could they possible offer? - that would help a rich man, a poor man, or a slob. I say! "maybe candy! Maybe dinner on the town!" She says "NO. It should be...

A job!

Job Search I sent them an application which is really hard, now i sit here and wait like a bump on a log. I get a call for an tnterview please come see us be here by two. I get there early and stay really late I hope it went good because it is almost eight.

I get the call I hae been waiting on we like your work, we want you to come on. they ask me when can you start I tell them tonite and they say awesome that is just right.

I finally get the job I love to do and it is just right because the job I love is just to write.

Job searching can be a pain if you stick it out, it will be worht it in the end.

It's been about a year and a half since my plate was full. I've been searching high and low, I'm completely baffled. Why can't I get past the interviews. With every one that goes by, I hope to hear some good news. My spirits get lifted, my schedule gets shifted. But with every rejection, it's like my future has drifted. My river of success has turned into a lake. Never moving, never growing, never flowing... for goodness sake! What will it take to get a job in this city. I want a chance, but not out of pity. I want my resume to show all that I have completed. I've just got to keep trying... I won't be defeated.

"PONGO": to the tune of "BINGO" There was a man, read a blog and PONGO was the name OH! PONGO,PONGO, PONGO, and PONGO was the name OH!

One day I went to the web and PONGO helped me out _ONGO, _ONGO, _ONGO, and PONGO was its name OH!

I made a resume with the help It took no time at all _ _ NGO, _ _ NGO, _ _ NGO, and PONGO is its name OH!

There were choices and templates galour that made it so easy _ _ _ GO, _ _ _ GO, _ _ _ GO and PONGO is its name OH!

The cost is low to print your needs so visit there and try it _ _ _ _ O, _ _ _ _O, _ _ _ _O, and PONGO is its name OH!

It looked so good I got the job I want to thank you so much _ _ _ _ _, _ _ _ _ _, _ _ _ _ _, and PONGO is the place to go!

WHOA, YOU GUYS ARE TALENTED POETS!!! YOU'LL BE GETTING AN E-MAIL SOON IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY.....

@ B-$ -- Love the references to cultural icons from The Rock to Mr. Spock. Very clever!

@ Jim Scaglione -- Outstanding effort! But self-identifying as a soon-to-be thief is a bad job seeker strategy :-D

@ Kathryn -- That about says it all, huh? Just hire me, dangit! I'm perfect.

@ AG -- Flattery will get you everywhere.

@ The Bri Pod -- Nice! Keep that half-full attitude, it will make all the difference.

@ Brandan Tripp -- Those few syllables pack a lot of emotion that many can relate to. Thanks!

@ Diane Cloud -- Beautiful. Your attitude is great and you are making a difference every day.

@ Steve Phillip -- Wow. Your pain jumps off the page, as does your strength in the face of it.

@ Jessica Born -- Well, you've certainly shown the world your flair for poetry!

@ Stephanie Barnhizer -- Great poems come in small packages!

looking for a job, something to do, someone to hire me, to be a part of the crew

we'll get the job done, we'll do it right , so i can keep my home, just one more night

maybe some health care , some dental and vision too, this is what comes , from being part of the crew

a pension, a pers pack, something paid by the man, a way to save, a retirement plan

vacation time, sick leave, PTO, theese things sound nice, my way to go

so tweak my resume , cut my hair , check the classified, hit the job fair

unemployed is hard, unemployed sucks, I need another way, to make the big bucks

Long time out of the field, times are hard no one willing to yield. Old experience just received new training, nervous, hoping, praying. A quiet bell, ooh email, do tell!

Don’t be in a lurch When you are doing your job search For in a little more time You’ll be just fine And your goal will be met With the job that you’ll get If you don’t give up, cave in or quit At your new desk you will soon sit

So be encouraged, be fearless For when you are out of the mess Of having to spend hours each day Looking for a way, any way For a new job you’ll have and it’ll be great And on your first day, just don’t be late!

I've got email An employer has heard my etale

Come in for an interview at 3 today Yes, I will or is it yes, I may

The Boss was impressed with me They have a position opening up, a corner office with a ficus tree

My old age is no problem for them They consider me a rare gem

My experience is what they have been looking for They offer to pay me 100k or more

They ask when can I start, It didn't take much thinking on my part

Is next Monday good Oh yes yes, soon I'll be buying some food

Mom Mom wake up you have to drive me to school what what but I have a new job and it is really cool

You were dreaming mom, time to get out of bed Was it really all in my head?????

UNEMPLOYED

One door has closed Utter devastation My life transposed Having no foundation

They wrecked my life Cursed violation Cuts like a knife Horrible sensation

I’ll have my say Make my accusation I’ll make them pay Have my vindication

I feel alone Total isolation Future unknown Hence my sheer frustration

I am withdrawn Stuck in hibernation Can I go on Nagging hesitation

If I but could Shed my trepidation I know I should Daring declaration

Then speaks my heart Joyous revelation Live for my art Find the inspiration

That door ajar Is my motivation That shining star Guarantees salvation

Is My Search Invain

Many years I've search for the perfect career I tell myself there's nothing to fear I feel like a failure sometimes I must say My kids yet proved me different today Is my search invain My tears are the rain Maybe Im looking in the wrong place I still believe in God's good grace Tomorrow I will try revising my reume Tonight I will get on my knees and pray Is my search in vain I think I might try a new lane

As I Wait

Early in the morning I rise, Coffee fills the air. Before my computer I sit, Before the screen I stare.

I ponder through my emails, Excited I am to be. Hoping for a response, Perhaps, We'll see!

Maybe someone will give me a chance, An interview would be great. Name the time, I wont be late.

Sadly my hopes fade, As I see nothing new. So its back to applying, How it makes me blue.

Then something stirs my heart, As I look all around. I hear a strange noise, A foreign sound.

Its my children, Jumping and laughing a bunch. My wifes in the kitchen, Making me some lunch.

As I'm surrounded by my kids, A thought occurs to me. I could be stuck in traffic, Miles from home I'd be.

I could be at the office, Doing a job I hate. Taking orders from The Boss, Who's always late.

I spend my time reading The Word, In prayer and thanksgiving. Drawing closer to God, Now I'm really living!

I'm going to miss this time at home, My family is a blessing! God will send me a job, I shouldn't be a stressing.

So as I wait for that phone call, Interview I must. I'll be happy enjoying my family, In God I trust!

The John Lanegin Poem? Wow? Strange and honest in a movement of people to become numbers and profile pages. Very Interesting indeed?

Work Jerk Stone Bone Loan Waste Taste Pencil Tap Mouse & Screen Am I seen Where You Been The Scene Money Gas Sunday Sleep Faster Better Smaller Quality Customer Serve Nerve Bank Prank Birthday Pizza Cake Fake 7$ An hour?

To Rake? Sure I'll take

For the kid's sake

hiiiiii

I plan to focus several swell intelligence. My booze get raised, my schedule gets shifted. But with every rejection, it's suchlike my subsequent has drifted. My river of success has rotated into a lake. Never aflare, never growing, never graceful... for goodness benefit! What instrument it buy to get a job in this municipality. I requisite a hazard, but not out of mercifulness. I impoverishment my summary to pretending all that I acquire realized. I've righteous got to hold disagreeable.

......................... john