Delusions of... Everything

The Job Hunt

The statistics...

• Weeks unemployed - 8  The unemployment average before finding a new job is 28 weeks!
• Number of jobs applied for - 40  Ten were government jobs, 5 of which have not conducted interviews yet, 17 non-profit, the rest private.
• Times I got a confirmation of application received - 26
• "We hired someone better suited to our needs, please apply again" received - 5
• Number of jobs I applied for that I really, really wanted - 16
• Number of jobs applied to that I spent time dreaming about what it would be like to work there - 9  Five of which I did not get, 4 have not closed yet (2 I applied for yesterday).  *crosses fingers*
• Number of times applied to a job blind... meaning there is no name of company or contact information besides an email - 12  This is very frustrating when you want to customize the cover letter.
• Number of interviews - 1  This number truly amazes me.  You'd think it would be more like 4, 1 in 10, wouldn't you?
• Number of government tests taken and and scored high enough to be invited to take another test - 1 (I will take the next test in the series on April 20.)
• Number of follow up letters or emails sent - 16  Number of responses - 1
• Ads applied to that say "DO NOT CALL ABOUT THIS JOB" - 39  One said call if you have any questions.
• Number of people I've talked to about my job hunt - countless  These are people who I have contacted letting them know that I'm job hunting and the type of job I'm looking for.
• Number of job boards visited daily to search for jobs - 10
• Number of bookmarked websites of agencies I'd like to work for that I check at least once a week - 29
• Number of jobs applied to, as advertised on Craigslist, suspected to be a scam - 1  After applying for a job that seemed too good to be true I received an email saying I was the perfect candidate and that I should immediately "click on this link to give us a credit report".  I can now recognized the ads that are "scamish" and skip over them.
• Number of books checked out from the library related to resumes, cover letters and interviewing - 8
• Number of books purchased - 1
• Number of job hunting advice websites visited - I have no idea, but it's a lot
• Number of different cover letters written - 40

The cover letter.  I don't think I've read more conflicting information about something that seems like such a simple thing.  Apparently in this time of high unemployment the cover letter IS the first impression.  If a potential employer does not like your cover letter they do not even look at your resume.

Some people say, short and sweet; don't be redundant and rehash what's on your resume.  Others say list the skills that fit the job.  Still others say "grab their attention with a killer opening".  I've used all these techniques and have only been called for one interview. 

The last few cover letters I've sent out I've been very thoughtful with.  Researching their website and what others are saying about them and using a tidbit of info in the cover letter.  If in the job description they say "must have a sense of humor", I try to be light-hearted in part of the letter.  We'll see if those make an impression over the next few days.

A couple days ago Handy Man said... At what point to you start doing something different to find a job?  A great question to which I have no answer.

This and That Thursday

All packed up and ready to leave for a weekend of scrapbooking!  This time Dancing Daughter is coming along.  This is her first "women's weekend"... Should be interesting.

The cycles of the woman's body are amazing, but I'm really sick of my cycling.  I want the cycling to stop, I'm done riding the ups and downs caused by the monthly visit from Aunt Flo!  I'm sick of her, she makes me crabby, crampy and tired.  I'm so over her!

I've lost track of how many jobs I've applied for, but I'm guessing it's in the 35 range!  I've heard back from roughly five of them.  What I've heard is, Thank you for applying.  We have received, 200, 700, 1100, (insert super large number here).  We will be sorting through every application (usually meaning the cover letter and resume submitted) and then begin the interview process.  Mostly I hear a lot of this....  *crickets*  Do you hear it?  It's a whole lot of nothing!

I'm really glad to be getting away from the computer for a few days.  I've become obsessed with the job hunt.

I wish all of you a happy weekend filled with things you love and I'll catch up with you next week.

This and That Thursday

It is Thursday, right?

Is it possible to develop ADD as a laid off adult? 

I forgot what I was going to say.

*crickets*

Oh... I got an application to volunteer at one of the agencies where I applied for a job.

Did you know the library has a great Career section that is full of informative and helpful books.  I checked out five.  I think my reading slump is over.

There are books about surviving a layoff, surviving job hunting, resume writing for every occasion, including when you don't have a 4 year degree, things to say in an interview and so on.  I feel like I found buried treasure!

Discovering that I haven't used any of the words considered to be "vague" in my resume is relieving.  I do need to clean it up a bit though.

I'll be learning how to write a killer cover letter.

The depression that seemed to be bearing down on me has receded a bit.  After doing much research and reading all of your wonderful words of encouragement I'm feeling more hopeful.

I know in this economy it's going to take a while to find a job I really want.  I also understand (a little too late) that I might need to take a job I don't want and continue searching for one I really want.

I can't thank all of you enough for your kind words.  You have helped me more than you know!

Rearviewmirror

The job hunt continues and I'm feeling beat down and discouraged.  At first it was an adventure, I was excited about new possibilities now I'm feeling much less excited.

Yesterday I received this email from the City of Tacoma...

February 17, 2010

Dear Tammy :

Thank you for your application for Office Assistant.  We received applications from 1,115 qualified candidates.  The next step in the selection process will be a multiple choice written examination.  The most successful candidates from the written examination will be invited to a performance examination in our computer training room.  Candidates who pass the examinations will be ranked on an eligible list.  The eligible list will be used to fill vacancies as they occur at the City of Tacoma and Tacoma Public Utilities for one year.

This is your invitation to participate in the Office Assistant written examination.  

Be sure to bring to the test site:
     •  This invitation
     •  Photo identification
     •  Two number 2 pencils in ready to use condition

Your test date and time cannot be changed and late entry is not acceptable.  The location, time and date of your test is:
          
     DATE:   03/01/2010
     TIME:    8:00 AM
    PLACE:   AMVETS HALL
                
There is no study guide for this examination.

Please plan to be at the test site for approximately two hours.  I look forward to seeing you on 03/01/2010.

Very truly yours,

Human Resource Guy
City of Tacoma Human Resources Department

They received 1,115 qualified applications?!  1,115?!!  Seriously?! 

My next step is to take a written test that could lead to a chance to take performance test to be ranked on an eligible list?!  Did I read that correctly?  What happened to the position I applied for?  No chance for an interview?

I haven't had any responses from the first few jobs I applied for that I really wanted.  I've sent follow up notes and still haven't heard anything.  If they have received 1,000 applications like the city of Tacoma did, I can understand why.

I've updated my resume yet again to really showcase my people skills.

I'm really feeling like my Epiphany might have been a very pollyannaish mistake.

It's always easier to see thing clearer when you're looking in a rearviewmirror.

Pearl Jam

Rearviewmirror

Composer: Vedder/McCready/Gossard/Ament/Abbruzzese

I took a drive today

Time to emancipate
I guess it was the beatings... made me wise
But I'm not about to give thanks, or apologize
I couldn't breathe, holdin' me down
Hand on my face, pushed to the ground
Enmity gauged, united by fear
Forced to endure what I could not forgive...

I seem to look away
Wounds in the mirror waved
It wasn't my surface... most defiled
Head at your feet, fool to your crown
Fist on my plate, swallowed it down
Enmity gauged, united by fear
Tried to endure what I could not forgive

Saw things
Saw things
Saw things
Saw things
Clearer
Clearer
Once you, were in my...
Rearviewmirror...

I gather speed from you fucking with me
Once and for all I'm far away
I hardly believe, finally the shades...are raised...

Saw things so much clearer
(Once you, once you)
Rearviewmirror...

Where I share my Epiphany and you tell me if I'm crazy...

On January 22, 2010 I was laid off from a part time administrative assistant job with a small family owned steel fabricating company.  While I was shocked when it happened I wasn't angry, I was sad.  Sad because I wouldn't be seeing people that I loved working with.  I know it was totally a business decision and I have absolutely no hard feelings.  In fact I appreciate that I was able to work there at all.  They hired me at a time I had been out of the office work force for years.

For 14 years I was a child care provider.  I was a self employed business owner, complete with clients, 1 paid employee and 1 volunteer.  I worked 12 hours a day for relatively little pay.  I loved working with the kids.  I made a couple friends for life, one being fellow blogger Asthmagirl.  My son found his best friend for life.  I was able to care for my children while providing a valuable service to families.  I gave it my all.  I went to college and received my Child Development Associate Credential.  This meant more to me than a degree because it was based on classroom work as well as work experience.  I was observed and assessed working with the kids as part of the credential process.  This enriched the environment for my day care kids as well as my own kids.    I felt like I was making a difference to the lives of children and families...

This is where the epiphany starts...

After the lay off I got on the computer and started searching for any jobs I was qualified for.  Call it a survival instinct, whatever.  I felt the need to find a job, any job, instantly.  I revamped my resume, filled out online applications and on the Monday after the lay off I applied for 4 jobs, only one of which I was remotely interested in and probably not qualified for.  

I was called for an interview rather quickly.  This interview was the confidence boost I needed to really think about what I want to do for the 15-20 years of work life I have before retiring.  Handy Man is fond of telling me I sell myself short; I'm not paid what I'm worth he says.  Well the guy that interviewed me told me not to sell myself short and that I was way over-qualified for the position he was offering.  He told me I had the whole package.  He called me the evening after the interview to inquire about my level of interest.  I told him I was interested to hear more about the job because interestingly we didn't talk much about it during the interview.  He said he was glad to hear it but he was concerned about how low the salary was.  I told him that was a concern of mine too, but not because I'm motivated by money, but because my husband is.

As soon as those words were out of my mouth a huge light went off in my head.  The guy kept talking but I was only half listening. (If I'm not motivated by money what is my motivation?) We agreed to do a second interview and hung up.

Here's where the epiphany starts getting clearer...

Handy Man and I talked and talked, trying to decipher what the guy was trying to say between the lines.  I felt he was telling me to name my price during the second interview.  I felt like he intended to hire me if we could agree on a wage.  Handy Man and I agreed on an hourly wage to ask for and that was that... Except...  I had a sick nagging feeling.  I didn't want to settle for a similar job where I might be bored some of the time, not to mention the chance of being laid off again because of the state of construction in this economy.  Plus I wanted to be challenged and make a difference.

Here's where the epiphany smacks me in the head...

I continued searching for jobs and I started seeing ones that excited me and I noticed that they were all related to children and/or education.  Interesting, but not surprising.  I found interesting positions at PSESD, Child Care Resources, Community Colleges, the local school district and the local children's center that serves high risk children and families teaching them to be successful and self sufficient.  The more I thought about it the more I knew I needed a job at one of those type of places.  Something where I put my talent to use helping children, families and/or the community.  That's what I'm meant to do.  Somehow I'd forgotten that I'd done it for 14 years as a child care provider and I need to get back to that.  That's my purpose.  (I had found my motivation.)

So when the guy called me back this week to schedule the second interview I stared to tell him about my epiphany and before I could even finish he stopped me and said, "I'm so proud of you for what you are about to say to me."...  "You are way over qualified for this position."...  "I'm so happy you made this decision."...  "We received 290 applications and you were our number 1, remember that as you go on your next interview."...  "Just know that if you ever want to work for us you can give me a call."  I don't think I properly express my gratitude to him.  I'm so glad I took that first interview, even though the money was low.

I decided not to settle just so I could get a paycheck and I hope I never get to a point where I must.  I'm holding out for as long as I can for a position that excites me that makes me feel like I'm making a difference in this world.  Am I crazy? 

Rant/Rave

RANTS:

To the cold I woke up with yesterday morning... You are not welcome here... Go away!

To the never ending application process for minimal paying jobs... Enough already!  Do you really need me to fill out an application listing all my previous responsibilities and duties AND a supplemental application where I have to list them all again, but in a different format?!!  Have fun reading all that plus the cover letter and resume you require!

To the company who accepts an online application and supports uploading of cover letter and resume... Thank you!  But why oh why is the Supplemental Support Staff Application in a read only PDF format?  Is that so you can read my handwriting?  Are you testing my ability to print, scan, email, and/or fax?

To the scanner that wouldn't work so I COULD email the above mentioned supplemental application...  You and I are going to make a trip to the dump Goodwill!  I'm sick of looking at your silver top and shiny buttons.  You are no good to me.

To the cat... Seriously?  Did you have to pee on the blanket I crocheted for Star Wars Son when he was a baby?  It wasn't even raining out!

To my brain... Do you seriously need to keep waking up at 4 in the morning and think of everything under sun to prevent me from going back to sleep?!

RAVES:  (I have to end this on a positive note!)

To Handy Man... Thank you for helping me with my job search and my application filling out and proofreading supplemental applications and for cooking a HUGE pot of chicken stew yesterday!

To the high profile Seattle company (whose founder might own a local pro football team)...  YOUR APPLICATION PROCESS ROCKS!!!  No repetition, no fancy stuff, just the facts!

To Dancing Daughter... I really appreciate that you found a ride to and from teen church camp this weekend.  I was not looking forward to making the drive and waiting in ferry lines!

To the hot bubbly bath I took last night... Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Unemployment Update

Just a quick post to share an overview of what's been going on in my unemployed world. 

Since being laid off one week ago I've submitted 7 applications for employment and had my first job interview yesterday. It went really well, so well I've been called back for a second interview.  I'll do a longer post about it after the second interview.  It's been a learning experience and quite frankly and total confidence boost.  Even if I don't get this job, I know I will find one soon.

Things I'm grateful for today:

• Handy Man for telling me not to sell myself short
• The branch manager I interviewed with for telling me the very same thing :)
• The entertaining  house full of teens we had last night
• Morning coffee
• I have a whole weekend ahead of me

Enjoy your weekend!

The Job Hunt

Isn't is strange that since being laid off I feel like I have less time than more time?  All of the free time that might have been used reading or taking photos or learning photoshop has been spent searching for and applying to jobs online.  It's been quite the adventure and honestly a little exciting.

The job I lost was a job I loved.  It was a part time, laid back, flexible, working with great people type of job.  It was just what I needed at a time I was getting back in the work force.  I'm so grateful for that job and the people who hired me.  I wasn't quite ready to move on to full time employment, but I'm embracing the opportunity to find something more challenging.

So far I've submitted five applications for administrative support positions and plan to submit three more today.  The first job I applied for was with a supplier to the previous company I worked for.  It was one of those things where I got online hours after my layoff and saw a very familiar name and just started laughing.  That company called yesterday and I have an interview with them on Thursday.  It pays less per hour than my previous job, but I'm interested in hearing about the position before I rule it out.

To say I'm grateful to have an interview less than a week after being laid off would be an understatement!  Other things I'm grateful for today are:

• Asthmagirl who was able to get my hair color in interview shape on short notice.  Love you!
• All my friends who have been so supportive, encouraging and helpful.
• Handy Man for continuing to say "I found a job you need to apply for".
• I completely cleaned my house yesterday, including the upstairs bathroom.  That felt really good.
• My kids who are thinking ahead to ways they might get home from school if I find full time employment.

Remember to count your blessings today!