tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11264383780367717612024-03-14T00:03:38.390-05:00Resume of Career CatastrophesMsCleanslatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10905240898217252048noreply@blogger.comBlogger220125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126438378036771761.post-49796573369436686042015-04-03T02:43:00.001-05:002015-04-03T02:43:20.475-05:00***MOVED***Hey, y'all!! I packed up and moved here -> <a href="http://careercatastrophe.com/">http://careercatastrophe.com</a><br />
<br />
See ya on the new blog!MsCleanslatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10905240898217252048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126438378036771761.post-31060451161836014222013-11-06T22:01:00.002-06:002013-11-06T22:03:20.497-06:00After the Temporary Insanity EndsIt's been almost a week since my last day at Disorganization, Inc. It's taken me that long to feel that I could write about it and not end up gnashing my teeth and becoming catatonic. Yes, that is a tich bit of hyperbole, but honestly, not much.<br />
<br />
Shortly after my last post, there was another cut made. Somehow, the remaining folks got it in their heads that the cut had, in some way, been my "fault". That something I had said or done had precipitated/necessitated the cut. As a result, the following three weeks were something I would wish only upon my worst enemy. Seriously... when your co-workers are having to draw lots, with the loser assigned to share a cubicle with you, there is no way in which that can be construed as anything better than a hostile work environment.<br />
<br />
Management came and asked me some questions about the dynamics of what had been going on. There had been rumors and I was told that I was the only one that they could rely upon to be honest. For all I know, they talked to everyone and gave them the same schpiel. Because I do have a personal Code of Ethics, there were questions asked that I did not feel I could or should honestly answer. (So, I simply declined to answer those). I felt that there would be no point in "calling people out". That's just not how I work.<br />
<br />
In any case, the job has ended and I am moving on. No, I didn't get fired. It was, afterall, TEMPORARY. It was supposed to be a few days, that ended up dragging on for weeks and then months. From a Project Management perspective, it was nothing short of a nightmare. There were unclear objectives, there were office politics that were "off the charts" and, quite frankly, the whole experience has put me off ever wanting to work with a large corporation again.<br />
<br />
You may (or may not) find it of interest that my direct supervisor actually cried when I left. Although, in hindsight, maybe the tears cried were those of relief. Maybe not relief at my departure, but relief at the ordeal that comprised "Temporary Insanity" was coming to an end.<br />
<br />
So now, I move on. Let the next chapter begin...<br />
<br />MsCleanslatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10905240898217252048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126438378036771761.post-52575234286011323402013-10-08T19:02:00.000-05:002013-10-08T19:02:03.780-05:00Temporary Insanity's End Is In SightThings haven't gotten any better at Disorganization, Inc., in fact, they have gotten worse. <br />
<br />
I cannot fathom how someone who has employees saying every day that they have "done their share" at lunchtime and then has those same employees sitting doing online shopping and job hunting finds me insubordinate.... yet, that's what I got smacked with today.<br />
<br />
And so, my friends, I am actively working to wind up my time at Disorganization, Inc. <br />
<br />
I have no chance of winning here. I cannot see things getting any better and sometimes, as they say, you've gotta "know when to fold 'em" and this is one of those times.<br />
<br />
I figure, at this point, it's a game of "beat the clock"... can I find a new opportunity before I get shitcanned?<br />
<br />
I do not suspect the agency that got me this job is going to do anything to help me. And I'm fine with that. I'm a big girl and will find my own opportunity. Still, it would be nice to have them not actively fight me.<br />
<br />
I'd like to say "it's been fun".. but that'd be a lie... Let's go with "it's been educational" and walk away.MsCleanslatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10905240898217252048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126438378036771761.post-30451793181663905462013-09-17T22:27:00.002-05:002013-09-17T22:27:40.623-05:00Matthew 7:1-3I've found it interesting in the course of my temp job that most of my co-workers hold themselves out as Christians and yet display some of the most horrible, mean, catty, spiteful behavior I have ever been witness to...<br />
<br />
They are judgmental, they are meanspirited, they act very self-righteous and as if their shit doesn't stink.<br />
<br />
And....<br />
<br />
I don't get it. Every Monday in the little viper den that we all share, it sounds like a revival... talking about all the things that happened at church over the weekend. This discussion is loud, impossible to ignore and destroys my concentration. Glad you had a good time at church and that Mr. So & So was "saved" but, really, we need to get to work now.<br />
<br />
I have no problem with people who choose to be religious. What I have a problem with is people who are sanctimonious. Don't be praising G-d out of one side of your mouth and telling outright lies about your co-workers in the same breath.<br />
<br />
Trust me, if we enforced The Golden Rule at my office, there would be a LOT of really unhappy people.<br />
<br />
I, for one, am tired of being lied about. Tired of being talked about. Tired of seeing co-workers who do nothing all day get moved into supervisory positions. I have less than zero respect for the person who was promoted to be our overlord (at least, she treats us as if she is our overlord) and I cannot WAIT to find another job so I can leave the viper den and work with PROFESSIONALS again.<br />
<br />
And I know you are probably thinking that I am being mighty judgmental just writing this, but here's the thing. I don't parade around trumpeting about how pious I am and how much I love G-d, nor do I think I am perfect or better than anyone else. I don't lie about people, I don't treat people disrespectfully, ESPECIALLY when they've never done a thing wrong to me and I work every day.. I don't sit around goofing off, collecting the same paycheck that the hardworking folks collect.<br />
<br />
I've tried to be friendly. I've tried to get along. I've tried to give folks the benefit of the doubt. In return, I've been lied about, I've been spit on and I've been threatened.<br />
<br />
Hoping I get some more interviews... soon!<br />
<br />
<br />MsCleanslatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10905240898217252048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126438378036771761.post-32753851726729003082013-09-12T22:02:00.004-05:002013-09-12T22:02:51.900-05:00Temporary Insanity Stomps OnwardSo, in spite of the fact that the project I was hired to do was over almost a month ago, Disorganization, Inc. is still sinking it's talons into me and preventing me from moving on.<br />
<br />
I know you're probably thinking that I'm being ridiculous and can leave any time but, you see, as a special bonus quirk of the employment world, they don't want to hire you unless you've finished the project and have been released. Also, no one wants to hire you if you're available immediately BUT no one wants to wait for someone who has to give notice.<br />
<br />
Add to that the fact that I have a bona fide Work Nemesis now because SOMEONE told a lie and Work Nemesis didn't bother to ask me so she BELIEVES the lie and has set about making my life miserable and it's getting old really quick.<br />
<br />
As much as I like having the paycheck (small as it is), I am more than ready to be released from this job and move on.<br />
<br />To that end, I contacted the agency I've been working with and had to talk to Agency Harpy instead of Agency Dude and she was completely unhelpful and generally, well, a harpy and it's just ridiculous.<br />
<br />
I had a phone interview over a week ago. I knew that his promise to get back to me "early in the week" was a lie before we even ended the call. It was a total waste of time and I really, really didn't need to have my chain yanked again.<br />
<br />
This was after the Agency Fiasco a few weeks ago. Gung Ho Agency Gal calls with the "perfect" job for me. And it was. And the interview went really, really well and the people I interviewed with thought I was PERFECT for the job and I thought that the job was PERFECT for me and then.... then the owner decided that he only needs someone 15-18 hours a week (to do two jobs that were formerly about 30 hours a week for each of the people doing them). And then she had this other really great job and that interview went all right but then they presented the Dude with a candidate with 5 years of industry-specific experience and...yeah... I didn't get that one, either. Not surprisingly, I haven't heard from Gung Ho Agency Gal since.<br />
<br />
Well, I'd better head to bed. Wish me luck (tomorrow is Friday, the 13th and the last Friday the 13th we had, I got laid off... so, yeah, I'm a tich superstitious).<br />
<br />MsCleanslatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10905240898217252048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126438378036771761.post-24700137816285047192013-08-10T00:24:00.001-05:002013-08-10T00:24:41.564-05:00Temporary Insanity Is Driving Me To Drink!We wrapped up the project we've been working on at Disorganization Inc. on Thursday and were told we'd be off on Friday and to "have a nice weekend". Ahhhh! Three entire blissful days without needing to navigate the Viper Pit! Bliss!<br />
<br />
And then, this evening, I get a message that there is an "optional" work opportunity on Saturday. Yes, that's right, Friday evening after having Friday off because there was no more work to do (and anticipating all day that I was going to get a call that the assignment is ending), we are then contacted and told we are free to come in at noon on Saturday.<br />
<br />
Ummmm...NO! Enough is enough. I am through with the loyalty tests and the mind games. If you have a job for me, GREAT! If you don't, FINE! But don't ask me to sacrifice weekends and work 12-14 hour days because you feel you can use the fact that I need to be working against me. <br />
<br />
I have given 110% to this job. I've worked 12-14 days in a row 12-14 hour days. I've given up my social life, I've severely damaged my closest relationship and my health is suffering. Add to that the fact that I work with a roomful of people who wouldn't piss on me if I were on fire.... I'm just not feelin' giving up yet ANOTHER Saturday, when I've already made plans, to go spend time with people I don't like one little bit. And if that means that I lose a long-term opportunity, I'm fine with that. I'm tired of getting my chain yanked. I am tired of all of the petty bitchiness.<br />
<br />
I'm done. <br />
<br />
NEXT!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2uXQg7EYewopc9bJPKPm5CffXdiqkLCS6ysWmrG91UKdaw-2R6IqjaA47ITfUVHPbvUThkxwRFMYZGv7fJspw90iZg8cRimZjPu8zA7WIwtr5OLD5Xr3g8zrJLWfNEYtVfyNDMCTkMIY/s1600/quotes-will-smith-favim-com-596013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2uXQg7EYewopc9bJPKPm5CffXdiqkLCS6ysWmrG91UKdaw-2R6IqjaA47ITfUVHPbvUThkxwRFMYZGv7fJspw90iZg8cRimZjPu8zA7WIwtr5OLD5Xr3g8zrJLWfNEYtVfyNDMCTkMIY/s320/quotes-will-smith-favim-com-596013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />MsCleanslatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10905240898217252048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126438378036771761.post-64364279820329078822013-07-24T22:22:00.001-05:002013-07-24T22:22:50.879-05:00Could the end of Temporary Insanity be Nigh?It appears that things are wrapping up where I've been working. While I am sad to see the paycheck go, I can't say that I will miss the people I've been working with and I'll be glad to get my life back. I have several things that have been on the back burner, so hopefully something will come up and everything will work out alright.<br />
<br />
I'd love to say that I learned some big, valuable lesson from this job, but really, all I have learned that I am not a fan of group working situations (where you don't have any space of your own) and I'm not a huge fan of working that closely with a big group of women. Maybe that means that there is some issue with me, but I guess that I am used to being a lone wolf and while I can certainly step up and be a team player, I like my team to not be less than a fingertips length from me.<br />
<br />
The odd thing, though, is that the supervisor who had been really friendly and giving me all kinds of extra tasks is now no longer even speaking to me. I don't know what the hell to make of that, but... whatever. I was trying to provide her with some insight and utilize my experience to her advantage and I guess it backfired on me because she has completely shut down and won't even LOOK at me anymore. I sortve wonder if, since she had hinted that some of us might be kept on long-term and now this is perhaps not the case, if that might be the issue. Not necessarily that she feels bad about it, but she is just backing off being friendly to people who aren't going to be around anymore.<br />
<br />
Of course, it could be that there WILL be people kept on and that I did not make the cut, for whatever reason. And I guess I have to be ok with that. Business decisions are made without regard for relationships cultivated and that's just how the business world works. I could spend a lot of time trying to figure it out, but I won't. I just need to get ready to move on and do what I need to do.<br />
<br />
Resume is updated and I'm ready to "pull the trigger" when I need to do so.MsCleanslatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10905240898217252048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126438378036771761.post-63029742466321588932013-07-20T23:22:00.001-05:002013-07-20T23:22:54.886-05:00Continued Temporary InsanitySo, I am still working the temp gig that started back at the end of May. The one what was supposed to be for four days. I think the first week of August will be the end, but more than once the end of a phase has not meant the end of the job, so we shall see.<br />
<br />
The reality is that this is not a permanent position, though, and eventually it WILL end. Even if it became a long-term opportunity, it is, in reality, extremely simple data entry work, for $5 an hour less than I need to be making to really be "ok" financially and it would pretty effectively set my career path back at least a decade.<br />
<br />
Now, I can hear you saying "but you NEED a job". And you're right. I do need a job. But if you keep stepping backwards and then getting laid off every time you make even the smallest step forward, you end up working a series of jobs and never have a career. And then you get asked all the time about why your job history is a BACKWARDS progression more than FORWARD progression. And "because that was the opportunity at the time" isn't going to cut it.<br />
<br />
The other thing is that this job has had me working very long hours, sometimes 7 days a week. My apartment is filthy, my housemate is extremely unhappy with me, my cats aren't speaking to me and I am pretty sure that they are on the internet at night placing ads for people to adopt them.<br />
<br />
I think that the worst part of this job is that I have nothing in common with my co-workers and I honestly dislike most of them with a passion. I know that probably makes me a really bad person, but it's the truth. Even my "work friend" is someone I really, really don't want to be friends with outside of work. Between the fact that she is obnoxiously perky in the morning and that she nitpicks every single thing to death (and distracts me while doing so) makes me just want to smack her and tell her to shut up some days. So far I have been able to restrain myself, but I don't know how long that will hold.<br />
<br />
I think if I owned a car, I'd be actively looking for another opportunity. But I don't have that luxury and so for now I am stuck having to put up and shut up. I am dreading what I'll end up having to do once this ends, as most of the good jobs, the ones that pay decently and the ones I want, are not somewhere that public transportation can get me.<br />
<br />MsCleanslatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10905240898217252048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126438378036771761.post-43067285634302702252013-06-08T22:24:00.000-05:002013-06-08T22:24:36.787-05:00Further Temporary InsanityWell, my friends, it has been quite the saga here in Career Catastrophe Land. I was called on Wednesday and told to report back to Disorganization, Inc. for a two week graveyard shift gig. Ok, nice shift differential plus they'll feed us? I can dig that. So, I went off on Thursday evening, reported as requested, worked the entire graveyard shift and really kicked ass. The group that was there was really, well, let's put it this way.... they were not the sharpest knives in the drawer and I ended up doing a hell of a lot more work than the people around me because I didn't treat it as a social hour.<br />
<br />
I did hear the managers of Disorganization, Inc. grumbling about the fact that there were too many temps and not enough work and figured that there was going to be an unhappy ending to the whole thing.<br />
<br />
Went home on Friday morning and finally wound down enough to get some sleep. Woke up Friday afternoon to find 3 voicemails and an email stating that the night shift was cancelled. Not unexpected but disappointing given that I thought I had two weeks worth of work coming (and, therefore, two weeks of pay, including a metric f*ckton of overtime). I got a call a while later from the agency saying that I was on the "short list" of people they wanted to come in for the day shift on Monday. Back to the lower level of pay, but at this point, a paycheck is a paycheck and I will deal with things as they come along. So, I will go back to work on Monday morning for an as yet undetermined span of time and it will be the day shift and I will just plan on staying until they make me leave every night and be all dedicated and devoted and all of that and we shall see if it ends up leading to something more permanent or at least having the agency call me for future work.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, I submitted a response to an RFP. I doubt I will get the work as it was my first RFP response and I have no idea what they are really supposed to look like. Still, it is what it is and I will get more practice (hopefully) in the future. I am still waiting on things to get resolved for another pending project so we shall see how/if that materializes.<br />
<br />
In general, though, I am feeling ok about things. I am a little bummed that I will not be back in the "things are ok, financially" zone, but I will at least be able to meet bills for another month, so that will help my mental state some.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
MsCleanslatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10905240898217252048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126438378036771761.post-83391697929156717142013-06-03T23:57:00.000-05:002013-06-03T23:57:00.898-05:00Temporary InsanitySo, I got a call last week for a short-term temp job and because I desperately needed the money and because I had nothing else really in the pipeline, I took the job. The assignment was supposed to be 4 ten hour days. Cool, no problem.<br />
<br />
The first day, there were some issues and they let us go after 8 hours. Cool, no problem. The second day I worked an extra 2 hours... a tich inconvenient, but whatever. There were actually people who worked an additional 2 hours after the time I left. But, again, we were told that the EXPECTATION was that you would work a 10 hour day. The third day, they sent us home at the 10 hour mark. Cool, no problem. The last day, I worked an additional hour and a quarter. However, there were people who ended up staying about 2 more hours and THEY got assigned to go back to the company and work additional days.<br />
<br />
I don't begrudge any of the people who got the extra work. There were a lot of people there who were in even more dire straits than I am financially and good for them (genuinely) that they are getting more work. But really... if the EXPECTATION was that you were supposed to stay each day for 14 or 16 hours, I wish that would have been articulated. If it had EVER been put out to the group that, hey, we expect you to work until we kick you out every day, I would have gone on my 2-3 hours of sleep and just kept slogging along. But that was never either articulated or intimated or even remotely hinted at. <br />
<br />
On the up side, I met a lot of really nice people and (maybe) made some friends. But I can't help but feel disappointed that, even though I was one of the most productive workers the hours that I was there, I was never clued into the key to getting asked to continue on and I know you are probably thinking I should have known that, but they never gave a clue as to when they were shutting things down every day. Case in point, the day they MADE us leave after 10 hours, I had been prepared to work 12 hours. So I guess I don't feel like I was adequately informed as to the true circumstances of the situation. And, if such an opportunity ever comes up again, I will just go into it expecting to work 16-18 hours a day and cancel the entire rest of my life for however long it ends up taking.<br />
<br />
There is currently nothing pending and I'm more than a little depressed. I just want to get back to having something I can count on. And I would like it to not come with a big side dish of questioning whether *I* will be sticking around.<br />
<br />
<br />MsCleanslatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10905240898217252048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126438378036771761.post-11929086286390805742013-05-10T00:29:00.001-05:002013-05-10T00:29:16.602-05:00Don't Get Me StartedSo, about 4 weeks ago, I was all excited because I was going to be able to stop the "out of work" clock. I had a job. Sure, it was a temp gig, but there was allegedly a good chance that I was going to get hired.<br />
<br />
I should have had an inkling from the get-go that things were NOT going to go as I had envisioned. I got there and they had no chair for me and my desk was, well, still in it's pre-assembled format. Great. No phone system, no copier, not even a printer. Oh, and I had been asked to bring my own laptop. In hindsight, this should have been a HUGE red flag. Nay, it should have been my signal to turn around and walk back out the door.<br />
<br />
Around 10AM, I got treated to an impassioned speech about how I had better be prepared to sign on for the long haul and that they didn't want someone who was just going to leave again in short order and that they were concerned, given my background, that I was not someone who was going to stick around. (Insert my eyeroll here... you pay me, I'll stay).<br />
<br />
The week ended and all seemed well. I was learning how things worked and things seemed, well, fine. Except that there was still no phone system and, apparently, no plan in place to get one. At this point I brought in office supplies from home and was mortified whenever we had visitors to the office because there was nary a chair for them to sit in. I was still fighting the gut instinct to run.<br />
<br />
Week two came to a close. I submitted my invoice so I would be paid and... was told that I could have a check for ONE week that day and I would DEFINITELY get the balance by Wednesday of the following week. Like a completely naive idiot, I accepted that but honestly, I was LIVID.<br />
<br />
Week three started.... I am starting to sense some panic. I am starting to sense more than a little tension. Wednesday rolls around... NO PAYCHECK. Then Thursday... NO PAYCHECK. Friday comes and there's no one in the office except me. I start imagining the landlord having me thrown in jail because of bills racking up and the "boss" is nowhere to be found. Boss finally comes in for about 2 whole minutes, grudgingly hands me a check with a speech about how HE is working for free. Well, my friend, I CAN'T work for free.<br />
<br />
Week four begins. There is an odd tension in the air. Around noon we have a meeting with an offsite colleague via teleconference. And then I get told that they cannot afford to continue paying me. They love my work. They want me to stay on but... there is just no budget for it. Now, the LOGICAL and ETHICAL thing that would follow that conversation is that I would be handed a check for Week 3 (which I have ALREADY WORKED), I hand them my key and I go on my merry way.<br />
<br />
But, alas... that is NOT what happened. The boss left for a meeting (and was gone for the rest of the day). I had no check in hand and, frankly, no promise that there was a check forthcoming. It is now almost Friday again and I STILL DON'T HAVE A PAYCHECK. The law in my state dictates that involuntarily terminated employees (that would be me) are entitled to their final paycheck WITHIN SIX CALENDAR DAYS.<br />
<br />
Believe me, it's not going to be pretty if I don't get a call tomorrow telling me I can come and pick up my check. (Nevermind that it will be over 2 hours of commute time for me to get there and back home).<br />
<br />
You know, I really want to believe the best about people and this is the sort of thing that happens to people like me. Be wise, get everything in writing, document EVERYTHING and don't walk out the door without your final check in hand.<br />
<br />
Have a great weekend. I will likely spend mine drafting legal papers to collect my check. Wish me luck!<br />
<br />MsCleanslatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10905240898217252048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126438378036771761.post-63649782223934111632013-04-03T11:22:00.002-05:002013-04-03T11:22:30.892-05:00Brief UpdateI wish I could tell you that progress had been made. But really, it hasn't. I had another phone interview and got moved to the testing phase... scored 95% on the testing (they consider anyone who scores 65% or better) and moved on to the second test phase plus the face-to-face interview where I was told that there were 500 applicants and that I am the first of "two or three weeks" of interviewing. So... yeah... I am wise enough to not hold my breath for this one.<br />
<br />
I've been trying to connect with some other people who have called. It's not going overly well. I guess that once I am done writing this, I will try again.<br />
<br />
Other than that, not much to report. Although I am signed up with over a dozen agencies, none of them have anything for me. Meanwhile, I've exhausted my Unemployment Benefits and due to the shenanigans currently going on with the government, I am not in line for Emergency Unemployment (at least until things get straightened out) so I am in just a bit of a panic.<br />
<br />
So, here's hoping that I will be able to catch up with the folks who I've been playing phone tag with and that one of them will be making a decision (in my favor) earlier than "2-3 weeks" from now.MsCleanslatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10905240898217252048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126438378036771761.post-61768570442580019832013-03-21T00:50:00.001-05:002013-03-21T00:50:17.101-05:00Runnin' in the hamster wheel...This week has been a dizzying array of phone calls and emails and interviews and testing. I feel like I've been in constant "run" mode.<br />
<br />
It's after midnight. I need to be up at 6AM for an early appointment tomorrow (later today, I guess is more accurate) and I just realized that I should write the thank-you letters for today's interviews but I need to get to bed and I am afraid I would make mistakes that might end up tipping the scales out of my favor. I have some other business at the post office, though, so I am thinking I can do tomorrow morning's appointment, come home, do the phone interview I have in the early afternoon, write the letters I need to write and prep the other things I need to take to the post office, run out to the post office, come home and MAYBE catch up on some of the things I am behind on (like, oh, the disaster area that is my kitchen), make sure I have myself together for Friday because I am cat sitting this weekend and was thinking that on Friday I will go to do the cat sitting relatively early and leave from the place I do the cat sitting to take care of the plans for the evening (Fridays have become errand night. Which I have no problem with, I just need to get some things done before then).<br />
<br />
Don't get me wrong, I am very grateful for the opportunity to interview for positions and get things moving forward in a positive direction with my career. I just don't think anyone realizes that there is a whole PROCESS to interviewing, it's not as simple as get dressed, go interview, come home.<br />
<br />
I must plan and put together the right outfit. I have to shower, do hair and makeup (and I am someone who usually just puts my hair in a ponytail and wears not a bit of makeup, so having to actually do something professional/creative/attractive with my hair and spend the time (which is why I don't do it on the daily) to do my makeup probably takes me a lot longer than you would imagine). I have to make sure I've researched the company, have directions written down, have copies of everything I need copies of and then it's out the door to the interview. I get to the interview spot early most of the time so I have time for "one last check" in the mirror in the restroom then I go and fill out any needed paperwork and do the interview. Afterwards, I have to write a thank-you letter and get it mailed. Sometimes they send me tests I need to take, sometimes there is a whole online application process to get through but a 1PM appointment can take me from prepping at about 9:30AM to getting the thank-you letter in the mail at 3:30 or 4:00PM. Then I have emails and calls to return and don't forget I still need to be applying for jobs (and documenting everything I do for a potential Unemployment Audit).<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, I have an apartment to take care of, I have writing to do (because writers WRITE), I have blogs I should be writing, I have social media to keep up with, I have a small business I'm trying to breathe some life back into, I have friendships to maintain and networking I need to do.<br />
<br />
Which, again, I emphasize, I am not complaining about any of it. But I really, really just want to get back into the flow of having a job that has (basically) the same hours every day and having some sort of routine and not get calls asking me if I can be at a place that's 45 minutes away in an hour (when I am not dressed for an interview, need to shower, do hair and makeup and get relevant paperwork together).<br />
<br />
If you'll pardon me, I'm exhausted and need to go to bed. Goodnight!<br />
<br />MsCleanslatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10905240898217252048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126438378036771761.post-894534558170645562013-03-14T02:01:00.000-05:002013-03-14T02:01:29.144-05:00Desperate?!I've now had three agencies tell me that they don't think they can help me and/or that they will not represent me based on how long I've been out of work. When people ask me "what have you been doing since you got laid off?" and I reply "looking for work", they are almost always HORRIFIED and say something like "you mean, you haven't worked AT ALL for all those months?"<br />
<br />
I went on an interview today where the interviewer told me he took down the ad after receiving over 300 resumes. From that group of 300, they chose 30 to interview. I was interview number one. He had no prepared interview questions and wrote no notes about me. I will be gone from his mind completely by interview number three. Also, he wants someone bilingual, something the one sentence ad didn't mention. So, I drove for almost an hour (1 way) for a 10 minute "interview" where I didn't have a key skill needed for the job...<br />
<br />
I have an appointment at an agency tomorrow where the rep I am meeting with says he is afraid to present me to clients because "after all these months, you're just going to seem desperate" but he wanted me to come in and fill out paperwork anyways. It is, quite honestly, very likely a waste of time, but I will go and dutifully fill out more paperwork so I can dutifully report to the Unemployment office that I am leaving no stone unturned in my job search.<br />
<br />
But honestly, I am really starting to worry that I am simply not employable. And I'm pretty scared of what that is going to mean. Unemployment payments won't last forever. I'm not sure what to do anymore.MsCleanslatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10905240898217252048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126438378036771761.post-86705648150636972392013-02-21T01:13:00.002-06:002013-02-21T01:16:47.575-06:00And maybe I'll be elected Pope...I had an interview the other day that was three hours long... Three hours in a hot conference room with no airflow. It was for an entry-level job that pays less than I make on unemployment. I met with 8 people. Back-to-back, I did eight interviews. Eight times I answered pretty much an identical set of questions. In a hot conference room. And at the end? I was told that IF I made the cut, they'd be scheduling second interviews "some time next week"... and a little part of my soul died.<br />
<br />
It's one thing to have to sit through three hours of interviewing once. To contemplate having to go back again makes me cringe. Especially since there are actually multiple positions available and I wouldn't mind working for one team and I shudder a little at the thought of working for another of the teams. And remember, it's for an ENTRY-LEVEL position. Why they are interviewing someone with over 20 years of experience for entry level positions, I honestly do not understand. But this was a referral from the Unemployment Office and if I didn't apply for the job, they'd cut me off from my Unemployment Benefits.<br />
<br />
So, now I am faced with a dilemma.... do I write EIGHT thank you notes? Do I only write thank you notes to the people I genuinely wouldn't mind working with? Do I not write thank you notes at all and hope they forget about me/pass me by for other candidates? Can I afford to do that when, honestly, this is the most viable opportunity currently in the pipeline?<br />
<br />
Honestly, right now I am hoping some sort of miracle occurs and that a job that had hired someone else has that someone else abruptly quit, spurring the employer to call me out of desperation. Or maybe my old job will call me back from layoff.<br />
<br />
And maybe I'll be elected Pope.<br />
<br />MsCleanslatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10905240898217252048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126438378036771761.post-8600150223779602122013-02-05T02:55:00.001-06:002013-02-05T02:55:32.253-06:00Strange (but fitting) analogyI was telling someone that I feel like a piece of over-ripe fruit at the farmer's market. I know I was good once but now feel like I'm just not something anyone wants. I'm trying not to "go down the rabbit hole" into depression but in light of how things have gone lately, I am at the point where I find myself not even afforded the smallest bits of human decency. Cast aside for younger versions who have less experience but are shiny, new, moldable minds and bodies. <br />
<br />
I'm trying to figure out what to do if there is truly nothing left for me. If I am obsolete, to be kicked to the curb to make room for a fresh, new model then what becomes of me?<br />
<br />
I suddenly have sympathy for old toasters...MsCleanslatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10905240898217252048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126438378036771761.post-78614509704365301902013-01-16T03:13:00.002-06:002013-01-16T03:13:40.987-06:00Purpose vs. PaycheckA week and a half ago, I was laid off. It feels, quite frankly, like much, much longer than that. I keep applying, talking to people on the phone, hoping that I am doing everything that needs to be done. I keep wondering if I am EVER going to find a job or just keep on interviewing and interviewing. It seems that there is always someone out there who is just a LITTLE BIT better than I am and they get the job.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow I have some projects to get done.I think Thursday will be the day I run my post office errands. And then it will be Friday again. It seems like just yesterday I was toasting my new job with friends and now I am worrying anew about whether I'm going to find new employment soon.<br />
<br />
I have not yet interviewed for a job that's made me feel that really enthusiastic. I've not even found anything to apply for that makes me feel enthusiastic. Maybe that's a side effect of having wanted this last job so much and having had it turn out to be somewhat a nightmare.<br />
<br />
I need to think of ways to do something that will give my life some purpose while still bringing in money.<br />
<br />
<br />MsCleanslatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10905240898217252048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126438378036771761.post-90764690903457116552013-01-08T00:25:00.000-06:002013-01-08T00:25:13.064-06:00Anticipated Reset...*sighAs I had feared, I got a call from bossdude today, letting me know I was being laid-off. I am not surprised, but I am disappointed. Especially since I do not think this is what bosslady wants.<br />
<br />
I am upset that he handled it. I'm HER assistant and she should get to say when things end. But, alas, I fear that my feeling that he was just humoring her and that he wants to force her onto the mommy track are true. Woe betide any child that comes into this world under those circumstances.<br />
<br />
And so... I march resolutely back to Square One... to start over again.<br />
<br />
<br />MsCleanslatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10905240898217252048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126438378036771761.post-85993693230150808032013-01-07T01:23:00.000-06:002013-01-07T01:23:09.595-06:00Not a great start to the year...I've not heard from bosslady in over a week. I was contacted last week by the Unemployment Office about my "recent unemployment"... I am assuming, at this point, that the Unemployment Office knows what they are talking about and that I likely don't have a job anymore. To say I am deeply disappointed if this is how this ends is an understatement. <br />
<br />
As it is, I've gotten virtually no hour the past couple of weeks but I can't quit because then I will be ineligible for Unemployment, which is a tiny sum, but it's something.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, I HAVE been proactively seeking work. It's slow going, though, and I'm starting to panic.<br />
<br />
So... I am getting ready to reset the clock and march back to Square One.<br />
<br />
Can I get a 'do over' on this year so far?<br />
<br />
<br />MsCleanslatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10905240898217252048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126438378036771761.post-59240692543427047682012-12-31T00:55:00.000-06:002012-12-31T00:55:05.746-06:00Exercising OptionsI am still getting nowhere near enough hours with my present job. In fact, I have now been waiting seven days for some information to complete a project. I have sent emails (as this is currently my only way to reach my employer) and have been told that the request will be attended to and then... it is not.<br />
<br />
I can't wait around hoping that things will change. I'm not going to let someone tell me that I am the problem because I've been very communicative and available and it's done not one bit of good.<br />
<br />
I think the issue is that bosslady wanted an assistant and bossdude did not feel it necessary, but hired someone to make bosslady happy. Bossdude has been consistently rude and dismissive. Also, if they wanted someone to perform manual/physical labour, they should have specified that in their advert, which they did not. I don't do heavy lifting, I never said that I would and have no intention of doing so... and if that is what costs me my job, so be it... at least I won't have a herniated disc in my back.<br />
<br />
Also, there were several tasks at the S office that needed to be done. I spent a couple of hours on a Saturday taking pages of notes of instructions. Part of it involved going back to the S office to pack things up, etc. Well... I found out that Dragon Lady Office Manager was told to do all of the tasks I had been instructed to do. I offered to share the bosslady's explicit instructions with Dragon Lady and she was totally uninterested. So, yeah... I think it's time to admit to myself that this really isn't working and do what I need to do.<br />
<br />
It's really too bad, too. This really had a lot of potential. I'm not quitting, I am just going to look for another job and if this one comes up with some hours, great... if not, I won't be looking to sell my kidney on the black market to pay the bills.<br />
<br />
<br />MsCleanslatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10905240898217252048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126438378036771761.post-71389780465876236532012-12-10T02:39:00.001-06:002012-12-10T02:39:38.865-06:00Manic MondayI have an interview scheduled for this afternoon (Monday). I am a little freaked out by that. It's not that I am not happy with my current job, it's more a matter of the current job not providing enough hours and my being a workaholic. And current job not understanding quite where my skills lie. But I am learning a metric fuckton (it's a legal term... the attorney I worked for used it all the time) of new things. Anyhoo, it's just up the road from current bosslady's house and I think it would be a nice, solid, stable income to rely upon that I could supplement my current income with and still not work more than 65 hours a week. Which I know sounds horrible if you work a 40 hour week on the regular and want nothing to do with working more hours but for me, at this point, I NEED that income.<br />
<br />
Why, you ask? Well, I am getting ready to sign yet another year's lease at the place I am currently living. Which is, for lack of a more politically correct terminology, the ghetto. I need to get out of here. I would like to be able to, at some point, afford my own car. I need to start digging myself out of debt. Annnnd, I thought I had an expense ending in November that ends up will be dragging out until July. Sigh. So, working 2 jobs is sortve necessary and having something with a reliable paycheck will be nice. Plus, it's hedging my bets on what the current bosslady's real plans are. I know that sounds pessimistic, but it is actually just realistic.<br />
<br />
So, there you have it... I'm interviewing. It's a little scary. We'll see what happens.MsCleanslatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10905240898217252048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126438378036771761.post-12828681331393323932012-12-06T02:36:00.000-06:002012-12-06T02:36:00.183-06:00Is it in the stars?I am not one who lives by my horoscope. I think that horoscopes are interesting and entertaining but I don't plan my life according to my horoscope... However... today's horoscope says:<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">"Your current interactions with others are the source of both good news and bad news now. The good news is that opportunity comes knocking at your door. The bad news, however, is that you might be so entrenched with what you are doing that you don't stop to let it in. Opportunity won't just stand there waiting forever, so jump up and embrace it joyfully while you have the chance."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
And, well... here's the thing. I do like (most of) my new job. But it isn't providing nearly the hours I would like and then today I got a call from an agency who has a contract job for, well, LOTS OF MONEY. And I told them to go ahead and submit my resume.<br />
<br />
Now, I am not someone who is totally governed by the Almighty Dollar. That being said, I DO have bills to pay and things have been really, really tight since I lost my job in July so the opportunity to (FINALLY) make some good money is very attractive. Plus, it's another MAJOR corporation name for my resume and it will help me when I need to do salary negotiations next.<br />
<br />
What will it mean for my current job? Well, to be honest, I am not sure. *I* happen to think I could do both because I am not pulling anywhere near full-time hours with my current job. Plus, to be honest, I am having a great deal of doubt about whether the boss looks at it as a long-term relationship or if I am disposable and there are reasons I am feeling that I am, perhaps, disposable.<br />
<br />
So, I had already determined that I was going to allow myself to be open to the possibilities that are out there and then this big money opportunity comes along... And maybe horoscopes are a bunch of hooey, but it does make me wonder what's in the stars...<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>MsCleanslatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10905240898217252048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126438378036771761.post-17015884619575255772012-11-08T21:33:00.002-06:002012-11-08T21:33:17.476-06:00Well, looky there... a reset!Yes, folks... the clock has reset and switched from "Jobless Since" to "Workin' Since"... HUZZAH!<br />
<br />
And, no, I did not end up with one of the temp agency jobs. <br />
<br />
I am working at slowly shifting my schedule to get back in sync with the working world. While I am not having to be to work super-early in the morning, I am shifting things so I have time to more gradually wake up and get my head together in the morning.<br />
<br />
And, I am working on having myself together to be able to be organized and get things done.<br />
<br />
It's good to be working again... I just wish I'd had a couple of transition days to be able to tie up loose ends. Maybe over the Thanksgiving weekend, I can work on that.MsCleanslatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10905240898217252048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126438378036771761.post-42323831574143552482012-11-06T00:03:00.001-06:002012-11-06T00:03:03.402-06:00Fast track to NowhereSo, I had three interviews late last week. I had a phone screen today and have an interview set up for Thursday. I am finally scraping the bottom of the barrel and heading off to a temp agency tomorrow. Oh... and I got submitted for a job that will be a substantial pay cut but I honestly think it's another one of those things I will not hear another peep about.<br />
<br />
The job I REALLY want contacted me again tonight asking me how my job search is going. This is madness and there is a part of me that wants to tell them to either offer me a job or take a flying leap. I do NOT have time to play games. This is my career and livelihood on the line here, people. The sad thing is that I really, really like the person and I really, really want to work for/with the person but if this person cannot make up their mind, I have no choice but to cut my losses and move on. And honestly, maybe that's what I should do.<br />
<br />
I am SO over all of this. And being with a temp agency is only going to prolong the agony. Because they'll send me on all these short-term assignments and then I'll be without a job (and income) until something else comes along.<br />
<br />
<br />MsCleanslatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10905240898217252048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126438378036771761.post-90176930553162091422012-11-03T01:58:00.001-05:002012-11-03T01:58:32.152-05:00Queueing up to return to Square OneThe first part of this week was slow. I got a call and there was a brief phone screen type interview and then a couple of days later I got a rejection email. No real surprise given the interviewer's line of questioning during the phone screen (if they choose to dwell on the negative whilst questioning, they are usually not interested but are fulfilling a quota or something).<br />
<br />
I had three interviews this week. Two with agencies and another that was to be a direct hire. I was supposed to hear something by the end of the day about the direct hire position. I didn't hear anything. Even though I felt I presented as a strong candidate, I overheard the applicant ahead of me being offered the job. I am not really sure what the point of interviewing me was, but I suppose she didn't want to say she'd offered the person just before me the job and I could leave after making me fill out several essay-style question filled pages of questions pre-interview.<br />
<br />
I don't suspect I will hear anything from either of the agencies, either. Call it a gut feeling or intuition but there was just a "vibe" that shook my confidence in each situation. However, I scored well on the testing that they'd made me take pre-interview, so I feel marginally happy about that. Marginally happy because if it doesn't help me to get a job, what's the point?<br />
<br />
So... another week down. The clock ticks on. Back to Square One on Monday.MsCleanslatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10905240898217252048noreply@blogger.com0