The year is a wrap. Two more days and it will be 2012. I have a feeling that my days at home are winding down but that may just be a fantasy brought on by the flurry of interest I have had in my resume this last couple of weeks, and it could all fizzle out and end in my two week temp assignment actually ending in two weeks.
As far as that goes - nothing has come of the three interviews but I'm not surprised. The first and most appealing was with the office that moves extremely slowly. While I thought I was part of a second search because it had been so long since I'd been told "if you don't hear from us by next Friday you won't be hearing at all," the term 'next Friday', to them, was apparently a rough estimation (as in, x4 what we really say.) So although she said they hoped to bring some people back for a long interview in their office, she also said it would be before January. Which means today, and I haven't heard. But this time I don't know if I should count myself out or not. It seemed like a nice enough place to work, but the drive is one hour on a good day.
The other two interviews, both doing what I did in my last job, went OK. One is a long commute and I still have reservations about the circumstances, but the other was only part time and didn't pay even what I was making when I started the last job, still working for the temp agency. Also, he needed someone to start immediately and I won't be available until, at the earliest, the 23rd of January.
Which brings me to the latest job search news. The position I will be taking for two weeks showed up on the real job board! I always monitor this board and apply for everything that doesn't disqualify me with the posted required skills. So just this morning, I got an email and an interview! I am most excited about this, but try not to be, because it would be incredibly awkward if I don't get picked, and will be in the office for two weeks! I am going to buy some new shoes to replace the ones Abby ate, and I am getting my hair cut today too.
And in other news, I have two little foster kitties upstairs in the bathroom. After a big mixup where B and I showed up to pick up a pair, the pair we had come for were found to be too sick to leave. Instead we got two girls, and one is terrified. The other, a one eyed cat with seemingly impaired vision in her other eye, is sweeter, but also a bit unsure. The little one hisses and panics when you try to pick her up, but we are working on it. They're living in the bathroom for now, and will probably stay until they need to go back to the shelter. There is no way the little one would be adopted with her current temperament, poor little thing. M is off on her travels to warm and exotic places, and B spent the night out at a friend's. Kevin, the lucky guy, is on vacation for the rest of the year!
Friday, December 30, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
from famine to feast
the week before Christmas?? I can't believe the news held in this post.
So this morning I woke up like so many other mornings, thinking, 'why do I even have to get up so early?' and then remembering that B needs a lunch and my pets will all be demanding their various attentions. So I dragged myself down, made coffee and fed dry food to all (the cats don't like when I do this, I tell them the lions are fasting today, based on an old sign in the zoo that said that the lions fasted one day a week) since I ran out of wet food yesterday.
I had promised to stop in at the temp agency and show proof of who I am as well as my face in person to the rep who is placing me in an assignment for two weeks in mid-January. First, I made an appointment for my two little cats to get their shots updated tomorrow morning (there has been rabies in the news in town!!) and called the unemployment office to reschedule my final 'workshop' appointment, which falls in the midst of my two week assignment.
As I pulled into the agency's parking lot, I checked my phone for the first time today. Thinking this week and next should be pretty slow, I'm not really in hyper-job search mode, and in the spirit of the tone of the previous post, I am inclined to temporarily direct my thoughts elsewhere. But there was a message! I played it, and it's from an ad I answered in yesterday's paper. Again, a job much like the one I just lost, but this one is part-time and local, right around the corner from my former office. I put the phone away for the moment, and went in to the agency offices.
We made some small talk, mostly about the puppies who have been in the news, and then sat down to business.While we were talking, my phone rang again. I checked and the area code was from the southern part of the state. Hmm, thought I. So I hit the red phone to make the ringing stop. The rep told me that I have to schedule a medical for this job (it's in a hospital and even temps need clearance) and we wrapped things up. I went out to my car and played the other message: it was the job I was sure I had blown when I blithered like a fool during my first-ever-phone-interview!! And she wants me to come in. This is the one of which I was told "if you don't hear from us by the end of next week, you are not selected to come in." Hmm, I thought.
So I returned both calls and now I have three interviews. The one from the post prior to this one, which is the job in the city. I'm very much on the fence on this one for several reasons, not the least of which being the location. But there are some other red flags as well. However, probably a good idea to go on as many interviews as possible, and one never knows what the real chemistry will be like without a face-to-face meeting. Tomorrow, I will take the little cats for their vax's and then come home and dress to impress at the non-profit, affiliated with a major university (for now) and head out there for a 1pm meeting.
The would-be employer was anxious to set this up so I imagine her top picks didn't pan out, for whatever reason. Either they were just more skilled at the the art of the telephone interview than I, or the job has less to offer than the process to hire would justify. But the problem to me now is that I am committed to a temp job two weeks in the future, and I will be there for two weeks. I won't be available for work until after the 20th of January! Of course I can always back out but I hate to do that; so we will see.
Finally, I have set up a meeting at the other office for Thursday afternoon, which falls right after the luncheon at my old office, which I will now be able to attend. That job is part time and may not pay well. But it allows me to keep the flexibility I have enjoyed for the past two years and may not be quite ready to give up. Three very different options, and the variables of the temp job and the appointment at the unemployment office which I am trying to reschedule. If they dispute my claim because I didn't go to the appointment due to a temp job, I will be most unhappy (I'm going to have to suspend the claim for those two weeks anyway, even if I don't find a job - because the hours are full time).
Oh well I do feel as if I ramble so I'll just move on to other news. I can't believe it's just six days till Christmas. So much is going on this week, it's very exciting. B is trying to stay focused in school, somewhat unsuccessfully. I'm trying to catch up on laundry and groceries, also somewhat unsuccessfully. And Wilbur and Abby had their baths yesterday. Abby must have been terribly disturbed by the bows they put on her head and the way her back hair is curly (and she looks plump!!) because while we were out at a party, she ate another string of lights off the Christmas tree!! :-O I fed her a giant piece of Italian bread which she devoured and seems to have passed this morning, but devoid of shards of glass. I think she mainly chews and spits rather than actually ingests all these things that she destroys in the house.
So this morning I woke up like so many other mornings, thinking, 'why do I even have to get up so early?' and then remembering that B needs a lunch and my pets will all be demanding their various attentions. So I dragged myself down, made coffee and fed dry food to all (the cats don't like when I do this, I tell them the lions are fasting today, based on an old sign in the zoo that said that the lions fasted one day a week) since I ran out of wet food yesterday.
I had promised to stop in at the temp agency and show proof of who I am as well as my face in person to the rep who is placing me in an assignment for two weeks in mid-January. First, I made an appointment for my two little cats to get their shots updated tomorrow morning (there has been rabies in the news in town!!) and called the unemployment office to reschedule my final 'workshop' appointment, which falls in the midst of my two week assignment.
As I pulled into the agency's parking lot, I checked my phone for the first time today. Thinking this week and next should be pretty slow, I'm not really in hyper-job search mode, and in the spirit of the tone of the previous post, I am inclined to temporarily direct my thoughts elsewhere. But there was a message! I played it, and it's from an ad I answered in yesterday's paper. Again, a job much like the one I just lost, but this one is part-time and local, right around the corner from my former office. I put the phone away for the moment, and went in to the agency offices.
We made some small talk, mostly about the puppies who have been in the news, and then sat down to business.While we were talking, my phone rang again. I checked and the area code was from the southern part of the state. Hmm, thought I. So I hit the red phone to make the ringing stop. The rep told me that I have to schedule a medical for this job (it's in a hospital and even temps need clearance) and we wrapped things up. I went out to my car and played the other message: it was the job I was sure I had blown when I blithered like a fool during my first-ever-phone-interview!! And she wants me to come in. This is the one of which I was told "if you don't hear from us by the end of next week, you are not selected to come in." Hmm, I thought.
So I returned both calls and now I have three interviews. The one from the post prior to this one, which is the job in the city. I'm very much on the fence on this one for several reasons, not the least of which being the location. But there are some other red flags as well. However, probably a good idea to go on as many interviews as possible, and one never knows what the real chemistry will be like without a face-to-face meeting. Tomorrow, I will take the little cats for their vax's and then come home and dress to impress at the non-profit, affiliated with a major university (for now) and head out there for a 1pm meeting.
The would-be employer was anxious to set this up so I imagine her top picks didn't pan out, for whatever reason. Either they were just more skilled at the the art of the telephone interview than I, or the job has less to offer than the process to hire would justify. But the problem to me now is that I am committed to a temp job two weeks in the future, and I will be there for two weeks. I won't be available for work until after the 20th of January! Of course I can always back out but I hate to do that; so we will see.
Finally, I have set up a meeting at the other office for Thursday afternoon, which falls right after the luncheon at my old office, which I will now be able to attend. That job is part time and may not pay well. But it allows me to keep the flexibility I have enjoyed for the past two years and may not be quite ready to give up. Three very different options, and the variables of the temp job and the appointment at the unemployment office which I am trying to reschedule. If they dispute my claim because I didn't go to the appointment due to a temp job, I will be most unhappy (I'm going to have to suspend the claim for those two weeks anyway, even if I don't find a job - because the hours are full time).
Oh well I do feel as if I ramble so I'll just move on to other news. I can't believe it's just six days till Christmas. So much is going on this week, it's very exciting. B is trying to stay focused in school, somewhat unsuccessfully. I'm trying to catch up on laundry and groceries, also somewhat unsuccessfully. And Wilbur and Abby had their baths yesterday. Abby must have been terribly disturbed by the bows they put on her head and the way her back hair is curly (and she looks plump!!) because while we were out at a party, she ate another string of lights off the Christmas tree!! :-O I fed her a giant piece of Italian bread which she devoured and seems to have passed this morning, but devoid of shards of glass. I think she mainly chews and spits rather than actually ingests all these things that she destroys in the house.
Friday, December 16, 2011
holiday hullabaloo!
M is home!! She is back!! All is well. The flight landed without incident and her bag was second off the belt. She had been upgraded somehow to first class, and was at the baggage claim before I even finished my Dunkin coffee, and before the hot chocolate I had purchased for her had cooled enough not to singe her flesh on the first sip.
It won't be a long visit, though...and we don't have much planned. She will have to swim with her old team to stay in shape for the upcoming college training trip. I am sorry she doesn't have a job that will allow her to pick up a few hours here and there while she is home. Too bad the neighbors haven't asked her to babysit during the week.
So tonight is Kevin's office party. He hasn't gone in years, because it's historically fallen on the weekend of the big USA Swimming meet for the age group swimmers. So this year, when we don't have an age group swimmer, the meet was last weekend! I took M and B out to the new Bonefish Grill in town tonight. It was quite good, but it's never cheap (especially not since B discovered a love for filet mignon). Which brings me to a tipping rant. I can order a $15 glass of wine (or two) or a $5 glass (or two). The waitress brings the drink after a 20 minute wait. I have to tip three times as much for her to carry the more expensive glass over? WHY? Is it because I'm drunker then and don't know the difference? Same for the $20 filet vs. the $13 salmon. What is the point? the Europeans have got it right. Tips are unnecessary. Pay the servers realistically and let's be done with it. Factor it into the cost of food. We'll all be happy.
Anyway, I have reason to drink. The job search is enough to drive me crazy. I enjoy the time at home, I love my dog with his three dot face (two black eyes and a black nose) and the crazy new one who gets so excited at the silliest of things. The cats mostly don't care, or you think they don't, until you notice they are all gathered in the same room when you're just sitting around. But the thing is this: I have been rejected yet again. I do believe it's because the timing and circumstances were not right, and the truth is, I didn't want the job anyway. It was temporary, far away, and it interfered with my holidays. But the fact remains: I have been rejected yet again.
So then what happens? Another temp job dangled. I agreed to be submitted. And I didn't hear a thing! But then...I submitted a resume for an ad online in NYC and got called on it! So now I am going in for an interview for this on Wednesday. I had to lie to the job service to even be able to submit my resume. They wanted 3-5 years' experience and I have a mere 1.5 in this field. But I did make my apologies for this in the cover letter and I guess that sufficed, because while I was petting cats and gaping at the puppy line at the SPCA, I got a call. But the Pandora's box is open again: to commute or not to commute. Indeed, it's where the money is. It's where the energy is. It's where the fun is. But the thing is, it's just not where the three dot face is.
And in other news, M completed the decorating of the Christmas tree! But true to her heritage, not a box was put away. I guess I know what I'll be doing tomorrow! Which reminds me, I'd better go and make her bed. I had to wash the sheets to get the cat hair off of them.
It won't be a long visit, though...and we don't have much planned. She will have to swim with her old team to stay in shape for the upcoming college training trip. I am sorry she doesn't have a job that will allow her to pick up a few hours here and there while she is home. Too bad the neighbors haven't asked her to babysit during the week.
So tonight is Kevin's office party. He hasn't gone in years, because it's historically fallen on the weekend of the big USA Swimming meet for the age group swimmers. So this year, when we don't have an age group swimmer, the meet was last weekend! I took M and B out to the new Bonefish Grill in town tonight. It was quite good, but it's never cheap (especially not since B discovered a love for filet mignon). Which brings me to a tipping rant. I can order a $15 glass of wine (or two) or a $5 glass (or two). The waitress brings the drink after a 20 minute wait. I have to tip three times as much for her to carry the more expensive glass over? WHY? Is it because I'm drunker then and don't know the difference? Same for the $20 filet vs. the $13 salmon. What is the point? the Europeans have got it right. Tips are unnecessary. Pay the servers realistically and let's be done with it. Factor it into the cost of food. We'll all be happy.
Anyway, I have reason to drink. The job search is enough to drive me crazy. I enjoy the time at home, I love my dog with his three dot face (two black eyes and a black nose) and the crazy new one who gets so excited at the silliest of things. The cats mostly don't care, or you think they don't, until you notice they are all gathered in the same room when you're just sitting around. But the thing is this: I have been rejected yet again. I do believe it's because the timing and circumstances were not right, and the truth is, I didn't want the job anyway. It was temporary, far away, and it interfered with my holidays. But the fact remains: I have been rejected yet again.
So then what happens? Another temp job dangled. I agreed to be submitted. And I didn't hear a thing! But then...I submitted a resume for an ad online in NYC and got called on it! So now I am going in for an interview for this on Wednesday. I had to lie to the job service to even be able to submit my resume. They wanted 3-5 years' experience and I have a mere 1.5 in this field. But I did make my apologies for this in the cover letter and I guess that sufficed, because while I was petting cats and gaping at the puppy line at the SPCA, I got a call. But the Pandora's box is open again: to commute or not to commute. Indeed, it's where the money is. It's where the energy is. It's where the fun is. But the thing is, it's just not where the three dot face is.
And in other news, M completed the decorating of the Christmas tree! But true to her heritage, not a box was put away. I guess I know what I'll be doing tomorrow! Which reminds me, I'd better go and make her bed. I had to wash the sheets to get the cat hair off of them.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
carnival of the job seeker
That's what it's like - spinning teacups and screaming rollercoasters. One day there's a prospect and the next day, it's gone. Or maybe it's a prospect that makes you feel a little sick to your stomach, such as this temp job quandary. And then there are the criminals wandering around, the same level of person who haunts an amusement park looking just to snatch something from a wallet or pocket. Such has been my week so far.
After implying that the temp job nearby was mine for the asking, the agency told me that they were interviewing one more person, sent by the employer. Then there were two! And the next afternoon, she left me a voice mail saying that they were hiring "someone who used to work there and was able to come back." I returned her call, was told she was on the phone, and haven't received a return call. There is a criminal.
On to the agency that I like, who I would actually prefer to have reap the rewards of my eventual employment, should it ever occur. She sent me on an interview for a one month long temp job, a forty minute drive each way. I actually liked these people and the place very much, but the pay is $1 an hour LESS than my previous position (not that that should matter, not as if I have a job now) and I realized that with the holidays coming up, two of the four weeks won't even be full weeks! So it might end up not even paying more than I get through my benefits, and it could wreck my claim. On the other hand, I may not have a decision to make, as they were interviewing others as well. For a one week assignment that is guaranteed to end when it ends with no future potential. There are the teacups.
I remember when you signed up with a temp agency and they called you one day and asked if you'd go in the next. Nobody interviewed you, or grilled you on your experience. Nobody kept you hanging. You either said yes, or you said no and they moved on to the next temp.
Finally, there are the online services, such as CareerBuilder.com, monster.com and indeed.com. Dozens of jobs! The perfect fit! Day after day I receive my job alerts, pore through new search results and apply for relevant spots. So exciting! Soon I will have a job. A few days later, dejected, I realize that this was the rollercoaster.
And on and on it goes.
But on the other hand, the dogs are glad to have me. And I've been able to help out at the animal shelter quite a bit, petting cats and ogling the new puppies who have made headlines this week with their rescue. Yesterday I just decided not to sit around the house and watch the email tab, waiting for a little (1) to pop up, only to find out it's another Christmas last chance notification. I felt much better about myself by the end of the day and I didn't wake up this morning with jaw pain as I have all week. (Although this is admittedly from the ill-fated dental visit a week ago, I'm sure I'm grinding my teeth all night long at the prospect of another day of job searching).
And in other news, M is home tomorrow for her brief visit. She was upgraded to first class and will arrive around noonish. I'm sure the week will go quickly before she is off to warmer climes, leaving the rest of us to sweep up pine needles and fight with strings of lights and wads of wrapping paper. B will have to start studying for his midterms ... always a dreaded time of year. Which reminds me of a dream I had last night. I had gone back to school, and it was the end of the semester. Suddenly I realized that although I had been going to class, I really couldn't remember handing in any homework, or getting back any tests. So I'd been going to school, but how was I doing? I was taking all of my notes in one notebook, which had been given out at the beginning of the year. Somehow I found a paper grade report and I had D in history and a D in something else. I was having a lot of trouble reading the report, and all of a sudden I was awake. I wanted to go back to sleep so I could make things right, but then I realized these were final grades! Hmm. A commentary on the amusement park?
After implying that the temp job nearby was mine for the asking, the agency told me that they were interviewing one more person, sent by the employer. Then there were two! And the next afternoon, she left me a voice mail saying that they were hiring "someone who used to work there and was able to come back." I returned her call, was told she was on the phone, and haven't received a return call. There is a criminal.
On to the agency that I like, who I would actually prefer to have reap the rewards of my eventual employment, should it ever occur. She sent me on an interview for a one month long temp job, a forty minute drive each way. I actually liked these people and the place very much, but the pay is $1 an hour LESS than my previous position (not that that should matter, not as if I have a job now) and I realized that with the holidays coming up, two of the four weeks won't even be full weeks! So it might end up not even paying more than I get through my benefits, and it could wreck my claim. On the other hand, I may not have a decision to make, as they were interviewing others as well. For a one week assignment that is guaranteed to end when it ends with no future potential. There are the teacups.
I remember when you signed up with a temp agency and they called you one day and asked if you'd go in the next. Nobody interviewed you, or grilled you on your experience. Nobody kept you hanging. You either said yes, or you said no and they moved on to the next temp.
Finally, there are the online services, such as CareerBuilder.com, monster.com and indeed.com. Dozens of jobs! The perfect fit! Day after day I receive my job alerts, pore through new search results and apply for relevant spots. So exciting! Soon I will have a job. A few days later, dejected, I realize that this was the rollercoaster.
And on and on it goes.
But on the other hand, the dogs are glad to have me. And I've been able to help out at the animal shelter quite a bit, petting cats and ogling the new puppies who have made headlines this week with their rescue. Yesterday I just decided not to sit around the house and watch the email tab, waiting for a little (1) to pop up, only to find out it's another Christmas last chance notification. I felt much better about myself by the end of the day and I didn't wake up this morning with jaw pain as I have all week. (Although this is admittedly from the ill-fated dental visit a week ago, I'm sure I'm grinding my teeth all night long at the prospect of another day of job searching).
And in other news, M is home tomorrow for her brief visit. She was upgraded to first class and will arrive around noonish. I'm sure the week will go quickly before she is off to warmer climes, leaving the rest of us to sweep up pine needles and fight with strings of lights and wads of wrapping paper. B will have to start studying for his midterms ... always a dreaded time of year. Which reminds me of a dream I had last night. I had gone back to school, and it was the end of the semester. Suddenly I realized that although I had been going to class, I really couldn't remember handing in any homework, or getting back any tests. So I'd been going to school, but how was I doing? I was taking all of my notes in one notebook, which had been given out at the beginning of the year. Somehow I found a paper grade report and I had D in history and a D in something else. I was having a lot of trouble reading the report, and all of a sudden I was awake. I wanted to go back to sleep so I could make things right, but then I realized these were final grades! Hmm. A commentary on the amusement park?
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
the weather outside is frightful ... but warm!
So - global warming? I got an email from some petition group with whom I somehow have become affiliated, announcing their success at getting a documentary on global warming to include its last disturbing episode for broadcast. This episode will allegedly reveal the speed with which the polar caps will be completely gone, and it's soon, according to my email. That's not good...but I couldn't help thinking about it as I drove around in 62 degree rain in December in New Jersey. Many years ago, this would have been a snowstorm. Although, apparently it will be, for our north and west inhabitants. They always get all the fun stuff.
Anyway, I'm sitting around here waiting for B's school to end so I can go pick him up and HE won't melt. I bought him a new pair of really expensive weather resistant shoes so that he can walk through the wet and snowy grass all winter, just in case I find a job. But they dug a hole in his ankle so he went back to wearing his summer Sperrys, and now they're just all water stained and lop-eared. So while I'm home and can go to get him, I will oblige. Then I have to go get cash so he can join the Spanish Club on their visit to the Mexican restaurant in the next town. I guess I'll bake some chicken breasts and eat them alone! Kevin is flying back from Houston, but I expect the airport delays to at least continue, if not worsen, for the night.
My job search is picking up some steam, albeit mainly from agencies. My latest quandary is one who is dangling a temp job in front of me. It's full time and starting yesterday. The hourly rate is $1 more than I made at my last job, and the office is probably five miles from home. It's a well-established organization, and I happen to be acquainted with its CEO. In other words, quite possibly a job I'd be a fool to turn down. But should I take it? It's a two month assignment, and it's only temporary. They have not even gone to the level of committing to 'temp to hire.' Plus, why is it not snatched up? What is wrong with it?
My main concern is that the job will in fact end in two months, and will I be able to continue with my claim? I know that at some point the temp agency will become my "employer" and they may be able to fight benefits. But perhaps that doesn't happen until after the original six months are up. I'd be getting much more than I do now on the unemployment benefit, but I run the risk of losing that benefit; which should last me through the end of April if I don't find something before then.
What's that you say? "Call the unemployment office?" Hahahaha! Yes, that would be a good idea. Too bad the phone goes to dead air when I dial the number, and when I try an alternate, it just rings and rings and rings. I think there are just so many unemployed people in NJ that the state can't hire enough people to help us all. How's that for irony? But on a positive note, I did get some good critiques from the counselor I met with yesterday as part of the workshop I'm in, and that allowed me to shrink my resume down to one page.
I also did hear back from my former boss's contact, he responded that he still is not in a position to hire and still is unsure about the whole situation. It may be best to move ahead with the bird-in-hand, although I'd hoped not to reach the level of desperation of taking temporary assignments until after the holidays. Certainly I wouldn't take one unless I thought it had long-term potential.
And in other news, M will be home in two weeks and two days! I am anxious for her first semester grades, and beginning to worry about next semester, when she has to miss several days of school for meets. B has shown the effects of having too many days off from school around Thanksgiving by stumbling in a few classes, and he also brought home his PSAT scores which were thankfully better than last year's but still have room for improvement. So the next project is to find him a review course and possibly register for the January SAT to get a true baseline score. And then comes the college search! Better hope a job shows up in time for that!
Anyway, I'm sitting around here waiting for B's school to end so I can go pick him up and HE won't melt. I bought him a new pair of really expensive weather resistant shoes so that he can walk through the wet and snowy grass all winter, just in case I find a job. But they dug a hole in his ankle so he went back to wearing his summer Sperrys, and now they're just all water stained and lop-eared. So while I'm home and can go to get him, I will oblige. Then I have to go get cash so he can join the Spanish Club on their visit to the Mexican restaurant in the next town. I guess I'll bake some chicken breasts and eat them alone! Kevin is flying back from Houston, but I expect the airport delays to at least continue, if not worsen, for the night.
My job search is picking up some steam, albeit mainly from agencies. My latest quandary is one who is dangling a temp job in front of me. It's full time and starting yesterday. The hourly rate is $1 more than I made at my last job, and the office is probably five miles from home. It's a well-established organization, and I happen to be acquainted with its CEO. In other words, quite possibly a job I'd be a fool to turn down. But should I take it? It's a two month assignment, and it's only temporary. They have not even gone to the level of committing to 'temp to hire.' Plus, why is it not snatched up? What is wrong with it?
My main concern is that the job will in fact end in two months, and will I be able to continue with my claim? I know that at some point the temp agency will become my "employer" and they may be able to fight benefits. But perhaps that doesn't happen until after the original six months are up. I'd be getting much more than I do now on the unemployment benefit, but I run the risk of losing that benefit; which should last me through the end of April if I don't find something before then.
What's that you say? "Call the unemployment office?" Hahahaha! Yes, that would be a good idea. Too bad the phone goes to dead air when I dial the number, and when I try an alternate, it just rings and rings and rings. I think there are just so many unemployed people in NJ that the state can't hire enough people to help us all. How's that for irony? But on a positive note, I did get some good critiques from the counselor I met with yesterday as part of the workshop I'm in, and that allowed me to shrink my resume down to one page.
I also did hear back from my former boss's contact, he responded that he still is not in a position to hire and still is unsure about the whole situation. It may be best to move ahead with the bird-in-hand, although I'd hoped not to reach the level of desperation of taking temporary assignments until after the holidays. Certainly I wouldn't take one unless I thought it had long-term potential.
And in other news, M will be home in two weeks and two days! I am anxious for her first semester grades, and beginning to worry about next semester, when she has to miss several days of school for meets. B has shown the effects of having too many days off from school around Thanksgiving by stumbling in a few classes, and he also brought home his PSAT scores which were thankfully better than last year's but still have room for improvement. So the next project is to find him a review course and possibly register for the January SAT to get a true baseline score. And then comes the college search! Better hope a job shows up in time for that!
Monday, December 5, 2011
foggy outlook
The news says there is a dense fog warning today and they mean it! It looks like a scene from a science fiction movie out there! They moved the elementary school bus stop to the corner just outside our window, so every morning there gathers a small convention of cars and small people. Today they are just stick figures milling about in the haze. I can't tell the difference between the trees and the people! The sight is eliciting growl-woofs from Wilbur and drawing stares from Abby. At least she has something to look at.
I spent the entire weekend helping out at a puppy adoption event. It was very fun; much more fun than a day of actual WORK. And five of seven puppies found homes over the two days. They were all from the same litter, and very cute. The two who did not find homes were a little older and although they probably didn't have a single strand of pit bull DNA in their makeup, they did resemble pit mixes, which most families who come in to a puppy adoption event are not really going to favor. So, they are back to the shelter where they will surely appeal to someone and find homes within the next couple of weeks.
Friday was an odd day with the job search - I had applied for a job online but then also written to the agency (who tends to blow me off for long periods of time on occasion) and suddenly heard back from the her, and she told me about the same job. But because I have already sent my resume, she doesn't want to (says she can't, but what she means is that she won't be able to get paid). This is unfortunate because she tested my skills two years ago and can vouch for my strengths. So, I can probably scratch that off my list. But I guess it's OK because I passed the company yesterday morning (Sunday) and there were about 10-12 cars in the parking lot. The salary posted was quite high; and while I'd love to earn that much, I'm sure it doesn't come without a certain degree of bloodshed.
But she did have another position, slightly north of here, and so I told her yes, that I would be interested, and I am waiting to hear from her. Then I got a call from another agency, a woman who called me when she saw my resume online, to see if I would want to have one of her temp jobs. One did appeal to me, as it's at a local hospital and only for four weeks. So I could get some experience, make a little extra cash, and hopefully get a foot in the door. I'm finding it's nearly impossible to break into the more desirable companies if you don't know someone. In fact, even if you do. Still no word from my contact who said he might have something in a month or two. Oh, and no call on the phone interview job I blew. Not a surprise. I knew I had blown it halfway through the call, but didn't really feel too heartbroken, aside from the obvious ego-assault.
Anyway, for now, I'll just keep doing what I'm doing. It's been nice to have some time off and at least I have a little income. Tomorrow I have another meeting with the unemployment office, where they will review my efforts and critique my resume. I think I have to go to one more after that. Otherwise, it's just a waiting game. I guess I don't need to panic until May when the six months are up for my benefits.
And in other news, M is winding down her first semester. They had their last meet of the season on Saturday, and they won. Anatomy continues to be the challenge, but I hope not at the expense of the other courses. We really get very limited information. I am just praying for a B in anatomy and B+'s or better in all the rest. She has to maintain a 3.0 average to keep the scholarship, and she has to remain in good standing in order to apply for the Masters' program in her third year. Anatomy may be over for now, but she will be back in the second part of the course in January!
I spent the entire weekend helping out at a puppy adoption event. It was very fun; much more fun than a day of actual WORK. And five of seven puppies found homes over the two days. They were all from the same litter, and very cute. The two who did not find homes were a little older and although they probably didn't have a single strand of pit bull DNA in their makeup, they did resemble pit mixes, which most families who come in to a puppy adoption event are not really going to favor. So, they are back to the shelter where they will surely appeal to someone and find homes within the next couple of weeks.
Friday was an odd day with the job search - I had applied for a job online but then also written to the agency (who tends to blow me off for long periods of time on occasion) and suddenly heard back from the her, and she told me about the same job. But because I have already sent my resume, she doesn't want to (says she can't, but what she means is that she won't be able to get paid). This is unfortunate because she tested my skills two years ago and can vouch for my strengths. So, I can probably scratch that off my list. But I guess it's OK because I passed the company yesterday morning (Sunday) and there were about 10-12 cars in the parking lot. The salary posted was quite high; and while I'd love to earn that much, I'm sure it doesn't come without a certain degree of bloodshed.
But she did have another position, slightly north of here, and so I told her yes, that I would be interested, and I am waiting to hear from her. Then I got a call from another agency, a woman who called me when she saw my resume online, to see if I would want to have one of her temp jobs. One did appeal to me, as it's at a local hospital and only for four weeks. So I could get some experience, make a little extra cash, and hopefully get a foot in the door. I'm finding it's nearly impossible to break into the more desirable companies if you don't know someone. In fact, even if you do. Still no word from my contact who said he might have something in a month or two. Oh, and no call on the phone interview job I blew. Not a surprise. I knew I had blown it halfway through the call, but didn't really feel too heartbroken, aside from the obvious ego-assault.
Anyway, for now, I'll just keep doing what I'm doing. It's been nice to have some time off and at least I have a little income. Tomorrow I have another meeting with the unemployment office, where they will review my efforts and critique my resume. I think I have to go to one more after that. Otherwise, it's just a waiting game. I guess I don't need to panic until May when the six months are up for my benefits.
And in other news, M is winding down her first semester. They had their last meet of the season on Saturday, and they won. Anatomy continues to be the challenge, but I hope not at the expense of the other courses. We really get very limited information. I am just praying for a B in anatomy and B+'s or better in all the rest. She has to maintain a 3.0 average to keep the scholarship, and she has to remain in good standing in order to apply for the Masters' program in her third year. Anatomy may be over for now, but she will be back in the second part of the course in January!
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