Remember yesterday I said I applied for a job that I found online and that after sending my resume and cover letter in via an online application, I would wait and wait and wait (in the words of Buzz Lightyear) to "Infinity and Beyond"? Turns out I was wrong.
Last night I got an email from the company at 8:46 p.m. saying, basically, thanks but no thanks. After months and months of not hearing back from companies when I apply for a job with them, I was stunned. Once my shock wore off, I was mad because I had just sent my information in and I felt the quick turnaround time meant they didn't even look at my extraordinary (in my humble opinion) background and experience.
Then I realized that I've been complaining that I never hear back from companies and now here was a reply in a few short hours.
I guess, really, potential employers are damned if they do and damned if they don't. Unless, of course, they offer me the job. Then they can go straight to Heaven! Do not pass go, do not collect $200.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Pay No Attention To The Man Behind The Curtain
Monday. A new week. I found one new job lead this morning to which I will apply. And wait. And then I'll wait some more. And then there will be additional waiting. This is my life.
I've decided to digress on this blog entry. I try hard to keep this blog about my job search but sometimes the rest of my life will creep in.
I watched the Oscars last night. I am a big Tim McGraw fan. I have seen him in concert a bunch of times, many times from the front row. We've shared "moments"*.
Last night, I saw him without his trademark cowboy hat on the Oscar red carpet. Of course I've seen him before without his hat, but last night was more memorable than the other times. It didn't even look like him!
Some things should be left to the imagination. Some things should be kept a secret. I don't want to see the mall Santa getting out of his F150 pickup truck with the "Drive It Like You Stole It" bumper sticker. I don't want to see the Wizard behind the curtain. I don't want to help the Phillie Phanatic get dressed at a grocery store appearance like I did one time (don't ask).
I will try to banish Tim's image from last night from my mind. "Live Like You Were Dying", Tim, but do it with your hat on please!
* By "moments" I mean he has touched my hand as he's walked across the stage. But our eyes met. And things were conveyed in that one look. Then security may or may not have asked me to leave.
Friday, March 5, 2010
A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes
I can't believe it's Friday again and another week has come and gone. Another week of no new job leads. I keep wondering how long this can go on, how long can I hold out until circumstances force me to take any job I can get versus a job in my field.
I say that as if it will be easy to get any old job, but when I really think about it I realize that might not even be without a lot of struggle. I heard someone say "A good job these days is anything that pays the bills" and it is so true.
Everywhere you go you hear stories of people living their dream or you are told to never give up your dream. Life is Good says to "Do what you like, like what you do". Garth Brooks sings "The River" where he says "You know the dream is like a river, Ever changing as it flows, And a dreamer's just a vessel, That must follow where it goes . . . ". We're taught to wish upon a star and Oprah tells us to "Live Your Best Life". Are only some people chosen to get their dream or is really attainable for all of us?
My dream is a simple dream, or so it seems to me but I am not exactly impartial. I want a job that allows me to use my skills and my passion to contribute to something bigger than myself and that pays me to do so.
When do you know it's time to give up the dream? I suppose it's when the dream is standing in the way of your quality of life. I guess the key is not to give up on your dream but keep it close as you pursue other avenues to get you through the rough spots.
In Cinderella there is a song, "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes". That's it -- I need a Fairy Godmother! I'll bet right now, In A Land Far, Far Away, there is a Fairy Godmother searching the online job sites just like I do everyday. I'll give her a job and then she'll get me a job.
Do you think a Fairy Godmother is afraid to go on monster.com?
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Amen Sister!
I did the long job search last night after dinner and again, there were no new leads. I did the short search today, which I do every day and again, there were no new leads.
I was feeling really down last night and was instant messaging with one of my dearest friends. I told her I was feeling trapped in every way.
She replied, "Trapped is a good way to put it. There isn't much you can do in the present situation and you're not the type of person to be trapped or controlled by anyone or anything."
Amen Sister!
I said a prayer of gratitude that someone knows me so well.
I'm still feeling down today and tired, both mentally and physically. I feel like I'm spinning my wheels and going nowhere. I feel trapped.
But behind me I have the love of people who really know me, who really get me. And what is more freeing than that?
I was feeling really down last night and was instant messaging with one of my dearest friends. I told her I was feeling trapped in every way.
She replied, "Trapped is a good way to put it. There isn't much you can do in the present situation and you're not the type of person to be trapped or controlled by anyone or anything."
Amen Sister!
I said a prayer of gratitude that someone knows me so well.
I'm still feeling down today and tired, both mentally and physically. I feel like I'm spinning my wheels and going nowhere. I feel trapped.
But behind me I have the love of people who really know me, who really get me. And what is more freeing than that?
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Return to the Scene of the Crime
As I mentioned in a prior post, I had worked for a company for 12 years and this company was 2 1/2 miles from my home. Then, I went to work for another company, the one that would shut down after I was there for 18 months, and this company was 35 miles from my home. I had never spent any time in this area so I was a complete fish out of water when I first arrived.
Slowly but surely, I learned my way around, but there were some challenges. My office was off-site from the Headquarters office and on Day 2 I had to go to HQ for a meeting and I got lost. Not a good sign for the new Meeting & Event Planner to get lost. But I quickly learned to navigate to HQ, gas stations, lunch spots and other shopping opportunities in the area.
It has been over a year since I've been up that way, but today I returned to do some window shopping in my favorite haunts and just kind of check everything out in the area. Even though I worked there for only 18 months, today everywhere I looked I saw places I had made regular visits to. It was very strange to be back.
I did not drive by my old office. I am sure that most people I worked with at this company have moved on. I, however, have not and am still bitter. It's hard not to be when 2 1/2 years later I am still unemployed. What makes it even worse is I loved the job I had and sometimes I worry that it will be the best job I ever have.
I suppose that once I am employed again this bitterness will wane if not disappear altogether, unless of course this next job is disappointing. I know that beggars can't be choosers, but it's very hard to accept that I might have to settle, if even for a short time.
Until then, I hold no hard feelings towards the area where this company resides. It was good to see it again today and remember, that for a time, I expanded my horizons, and wonder, when and where my next workplace will be.
Most days I'd be happy with an answer to the "when" part.
Slowly but surely, I learned my way around, but there were some challenges. My office was off-site from the Headquarters office and on Day 2 I had to go to HQ for a meeting and I got lost. Not a good sign for the new Meeting & Event Planner to get lost. But I quickly learned to navigate to HQ, gas stations, lunch spots and other shopping opportunities in the area.
It has been over a year since I've been up that way, but today I returned to do some window shopping in my favorite haunts and just kind of check everything out in the area. Even though I worked there for only 18 months, today everywhere I looked I saw places I had made regular visits to. It was very strange to be back.
I did not drive by my old office. I am sure that most people I worked with at this company have moved on. I, however, have not and am still bitter. It's hard not to be when 2 1/2 years later I am still unemployed. What makes it even worse is I loved the job I had and sometimes I worry that it will be the best job I ever have.
I suppose that once I am employed again this bitterness will wane if not disappear altogether, unless of course this next job is disappointing. I know that beggars can't be choosers, but it's very hard to accept that I might have to settle, if even for a short time.
Until then, I hold no hard feelings towards the area where this company resides. It was good to see it again today and remember, that for a time, I expanded my horizons, and wonder, when and where my next workplace will be.
Most days I'd be happy with an answer to the "when" part.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Letter to Sen. Jim Bunning
Dear Jim:
Ordinarily, I would not start a letter to a Senator by using their first name, but since you think you know me so well, I figured I would, could and should return in kind. You see, Jim, I am unemployed and I understand that you are standing in the way of me paying my mortgage.
You might feel that your first priority is the country's deficit but I will not apologize when I say I am worried about MY deficit. I lost my job because my company shut down. Prior to this, I had worked since I was in high school. Other than an injury, vacation and holidays, I have worked every day since the age of 16 until things began to take a turn for the worse in the United States and companies, mine included, could no longer stay in business.
So, Jim, I've gotta take you off my Christmas card list and I'm gonna stay in my seat the next time your are announced onto the field during a Phillies game. Oh, that's right, if I can't pay my mortgage, I certainly can't attend any more Phillies games. I'll stay firmly planted on my couch then. Oh, that's right, if I can't pay my mortgage my husband and I may have to move in with my parents and they don't have cable.
If you don't want to grant me an extension on my unemployment compensation, then how about finding me a job? Because while you're sitting in Washington, DC trying to block a bill that will allow people like me to pay their bills, I'm here on the computer, every day, searching for a job, making calls and connecting with people and businesses that might be able to use my particular experience and skills, laying awake at night with worry, by day alternating between panic and numbness.
With disbelief and disgust,
Sister Rain
Ordinarily, I would not start a letter to a Senator by using their first name, but since you think you know me so well, I figured I would, could and should return in kind. You see, Jim, I am unemployed and I understand that you are standing in the way of me paying my mortgage.
You might feel that your first priority is the country's deficit but I will not apologize when I say I am worried about MY deficit. I lost my job because my company shut down. Prior to this, I had worked since I was in high school. Other than an injury, vacation and holidays, I have worked every day since the age of 16 until things began to take a turn for the worse in the United States and companies, mine included, could no longer stay in business.
So, Jim, I've gotta take you off my Christmas card list and I'm gonna stay in my seat the next time your are announced onto the field during a Phillies game. Oh, that's right, if I can't pay my mortgage, I certainly can't attend any more Phillies games. I'll stay firmly planted on my couch then. Oh, that's right, if I can't pay my mortgage my husband and I may have to move in with my parents and they don't have cable.
If you don't want to grant me an extension on my unemployment compensation, then how about finding me a job? Because while you're sitting in Washington, DC trying to block a bill that will allow people like me to pay their bills, I'm here on the computer, every day, searching for a job, making calls and connecting with people and businesses that might be able to use my particular experience and skills, laying awake at night with worry, by day alternating between panic and numbness.
With disbelief and disgust,
Sister Rain
Monday, March 1, 2010
Curb Your Enthusiasm
It's been a busy Monday so far and now I'm doing the job search. I thought I'd take a break and blog. Writing this blog is a break for me. It forces me to stop and take stock of not only my job search, but life in general. And then I get to share it with all of you.
There's been some drama in my 'hood since yesterday afternoon. There is a 2-unit apartment right next door to us and yesterday afternoon the renters in the top apartment put what looked like an entire room of furniture out by the telephone pole at the curb. I am not saying we own the telephone pole, but it's in a direct line of where we mow, so technically it's on our property.
Since the snow has not entirely melted, there is a 2' pile of snow behind where I park my car when I park out front. When I discovered the mound-o-furniture yesterday, I saw that the love seat was perched precariously in such a way that should the snow melt from the pressure of the love seat, it would more than likely slide into the back of my car. Super.
My husband wasn't home until 5:30 p.m. and he proceeded to go over there as soon as he came home. He knocked on their door, there was no answer, so he accidentally-might-have moved the love seat to the other side of the snow mound.
Oh, this gets even better. I checked our borough's* web site and Thursday morning, not Monday morning, is the day you're supposed to put bulk items out. Bulk meaning a whole room of furniture. But the policy is you're only to put one item out.
Sure enough, the trash collectors came this morning and did NOT take any of the furniture. So now my husband has made both a call and a visit to our Borough Office and they are going to call the landlord about this. Since the trash collectors didn't take it this morning, it's now like patio furniture except it's on the sidewalk.
I do not plan on being buried, but if I did, my tombstone would read "What is wrong with people?". Since I doubt I will discover the answer to this while I'm alive, I'm hoping it all becomes clear in the hereafter.
*Per Wikipedia and Dictionary.com: A borough is an incorporated municipality smaller than a city. In principle, the term borough designates a self-governing township.
There's been some drama in my 'hood since yesterday afternoon. There is a 2-unit apartment right next door to us and yesterday afternoon the renters in the top apartment put what looked like an entire room of furniture out by the telephone pole at the curb. I am not saying we own the telephone pole, but it's in a direct line of where we mow, so technically it's on our property.
Since the snow has not entirely melted, there is a 2' pile of snow behind where I park my car when I park out front. When I discovered the mound-o-furniture yesterday, I saw that the love seat was perched precariously in such a way that should the snow melt from the pressure of the love seat, it would more than likely slide into the back of my car. Super.
My husband wasn't home until 5:30 p.m. and he proceeded to go over there as soon as he came home. He knocked on their door, there was no answer, so he accidentally-might-have moved the love seat to the other side of the snow mound.
Oh, this gets even better. I checked our borough's* web site and Thursday morning, not Monday morning, is the day you're supposed to put bulk items out. Bulk meaning a whole room of furniture. But the policy is you're only to put one item out.
Sure enough, the trash collectors came this morning and did NOT take any of the furniture. So now my husband has made both a call and a visit to our Borough Office and they are going to call the landlord about this. Since the trash collectors didn't take it this morning, it's now like patio furniture except it's on the sidewalk.
I do not plan on being buried, but if I did, my tombstone would read "What is wrong with people?". Since I doubt I will discover the answer to this while I'm alive, I'm hoping it all becomes clear in the hereafter.
*Per Wikipedia and Dictionary.com: A borough is an incorporated municipality smaller than a city. In principle, the term borough designates a self-governing township.
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