What A Difference A Recession Makes

I had a phone interview this afternoon and it went well, but the salary is about half of what I was making when I lost my job in 2007. It really is amazing what a company expects as far as the responsibilities of the position and the salary they are paying.

I had anticipated a discussion about salary, so I did my research online for salary ranges for that job title in that zip code. I even low-balled it and still was shocked by what they are offering.

I told the HR person that I would still like to pursue the opportunity; that my first priority is to stay in my field.

I am so grateful to have received the call but I've got to be honest, as quickly as the balloon inflated, it deflated twice that fast.

Click HERE for the full effect.

Beep, Beep

I went downstairs, saw the answering machine light blinking, hit "PLAY" expecting to hear yet another political campaign call and there it was:

"Yes, good afternoon, I'm calling for Sister Rain. Sister, this is Jane Doe calling from Acme. You applied with us last week for a Marketing position and I'd love to speak with you concerning this position. Please call me at (123) 456-7890."

When you least expect it, expect it.

Corn Stalker

It's a gray but unusually warm day here for Fall in Pennsylvania. Today I may have crossed a line in the job search world but it's too late now.

I mentioned the other day there is a company I would love to work for who has an opening that fits my background and experience. I have applied as instructed on their website and I will make a follow-up call later this week.

Today, however, I drove to the company and drove around the parking lot. I tried visualizing, a la Oprah, myself driving to the employee parking lot, parking and heading into work, greeting associates as we made our way into the office. Since it's so dark out today, I pictured myself leaving for the day at night when the parking lot lights are on and snow is on the ground later this winter. I imagined myself at my desk inside working away.

What I didn't imagine and perhaps should have was the padded van coming to take me away.

Well, you can't say I haven't tried everything. Although I guess walking in and sitting down at a desk, a la George Costanza, would really encompass EVERYTHING. . .

Rainy Days And Mondays Always Get Me Down

Enough said

Feeling LOST Today

Rough day here. The Phillies are out of the postseason and will not be returning to the World Series. I'm also very down about the job search and its infinite impossibilities.

The weekends are hard on me because there is very little I feel I can do when the work force is off to move forward in the job search process. This is going to sound crazy, but I'm in a crazy place right now, but it's also strange even after being out of work for so much time, to not have the normal weekend chores to do because I've gotten them done during the week. I will live to regret thinking and typing this someday, hopefully soon, but it's the truth.

On a positive note, it's a beautiful fall day today. We have beautiful changing of the leaves and it's sunny and warm.

As when I left the beach a few weeks ago, I find myself wondering today when Spring Training starts next year, where will I be working?

The beach, baseball, the weekend -- it all comes back to this unanswered question.

I hate unanswered questions.

If An Engine Backfires In The Woods, Would A Meeting Planner Even Hear It?

Can someone please tell me how "Automobile Mechanic" gets on a list of open jobs that match my skills and interest that comes to me via email from an employment website?

Phew!