I went out to the store for a few things. When I left, the sky was crystal clear, the sun reflecting off the freshly fallen snow. I came home in a white out. It's snowing now, but, nothing like what it was earlier. Damn...I wanted to get a picture.
I still have a couple fo interviews scheduled in the coming days. I'm wondering if I should still go. The one is for an investment firm that (according to the temp agency who set up the interview) has oppulent offices with mahogony and brass all over the place. They are on an entire floor, as well.
Do I go to the interviews? Or do I just be grateful that I already got the job I really wanted? What would you do?
I GOT THE JOB!!!
I GOT THE JOB!!!
This is the job I had the second interview for yesterday. I start Monday 2/5/07. There's a week delay as the home office in Harrisburg has to get all my paperwork.
I'm so relieved!
The first interview went
very extremely EXTREMELY well. I arrived early and a had a few minutes to wait–I didn’t mind as this would let me compse myself and settle my nerves. If you remember, this is the interview that I didn’t have to get all dressed up for. I saw one of my competitors come out of the office and she had on a pair of black courderoy pants and boots and sweater that if she raised her arms at any given point, her stomach would show. I had on a turtleneck, pink cashmere sweater, black slacks and dress shoes. Seeing my competition gave me a better feeling–at least I was covered up.
I went into the office and had to take a typing test, an Excel test and a filing test. I breezed through all of them with no trouble whatsoever. My would be supervisor hadn’t even left the room and I had finished the filing test (something to be said for being a file clerk at a former job I guess). She was surprised to say the least. I finished these tests and then ended up sitting around and talking for the next 90 minutes. This was the most informal second interview that I ever had!
Out of 45 some applicants that had been brought in for a first interview, they selected only 4 people to come back for a second. And I was one of this 4! If I’m chosen, I could possibly start Monday. I need to get my Act 33/34 clearances for this place as I’m working with kids. Not a huge deal…I just hope they let me start and I can apply for the clearances in the meantime.
Please, please, please, keep your fingers crossed for this one. I think I stand a chance!
I went to a job fair today. It started at 11:00 am and I got there just after 11:30 am. I passed out a few resumes, hung out for a bit and then decided to go to the library and pick up a few books that I had requested. I got home around 3:30 pm and have just spent the rest of the day knitting and vegging out in front of the TV.
I was going to post a picture of a Jaywalker sock in progress, but, I had to frog the sucker. I made a mistake at the heel flap and when I realized it, and ripped out what had been done, I ripped back too far. I ended up having to frog the whole damn thing. Oh well...it's yarn and it's re-doable, right?
As I was walking across the street to the bus stop this morning, I nearly fell several times. We'd had some snow overnight and it apparently iced up a bit as it melted. Downtown was fine, but, getting there? I could have broken my neck. By the time I arrived home, salt had been thrown down and it was less treacherous.
Tomorrow is the much anticipated second interview. I'm so nervous that I can barely think straight. I really REALLY want this job...it just feels right. Have any of you ever experienced that? That you just KNEW you'd be a perfect match for something? That's feeling that I have with this job and I can't shake it.
Also tomorrow is a first interview for a position near ex-job. I spoke with Mary Ann, who had done some work with them and she highly recommended this place. She feels that either of these two jobs would be perfect for me. She's been telling me that one of these four interviews will result in a job. I hope she's right.
If anyone, has ever seen Star Gate with Kurt Russell and James, Spader, I really did look like him at that time. I had my hair cut in a short shaggy style and had round glasses. It was freaky...now, I'm not sure whether or not it's a good thing that I still resemble him or not.
What's freakier is that according to this, I resemble Gary Busey.
Within the next week, I have 4 interviews, two on Wednesday, one on Friday and one next Monday. Thank goodness I've written everything down because I'm not sure I'd be able to keep them all straight.
Tuesday: No interviews today, just a job fair that I want to go to at a local bank.
Wednesday: 2nd interview at 12:00 pm, first interview by ex-job at 2:00 pm
Friday: Interview at an afterschool program for an administrative assistant at 11:30 pm. The e-mail that was sent to schedule my interview said that my resume was chosen from over 160 that came in.
Monday: Interview set up for a direct hire position in the downtown area at 1:30 pm
And to think it's only Monday....I wonder what the rest of the week will bring?
And another interview has been scheduled, this one for next Monday at 1:30 pm. The pay is excellent, even more so than with any other job I've had, the location great.
Lots of possibilities...I just need to turn one of these interviews into a job offer!
Today's been semi-productive. I filed for unemployment, submitted a couple more resumes and--what I'm most hopeful about--scheduled another interview for Wednesday. That makes two.
The first is the much anticipated second interview at 12:00 pm. I really REALLY want this job. Everything about it is perfect, from the pay to the location.
The second of the two interviews is literally down the street from my ex-job. The rate of pay is the same, the hours are a little different (I'd start 30 minutes earlier and leave 30 minutes earlier than at ex-job), but, again, this would be perfect.
I just hope something comes from all of this. At least I know I'm getting responses to my resumes. Now to just turn them into job offers.
I would love to go to bed Friday night and know that I have a job to go to on Monday morning.
I was just called for a second interview at the place I interviewed at on Tuesday. I'll let you know when it is as soon as I know. I missed the call because I was in the bathroom getting ready to go out and didn't hear the phone ring. I called back, but, a game of phone tag is on.
A small glimmer of hope has been added to my day.
The interview went well yesterday. At least I think it did. It was at a law firm in their WC department--something I can definitely handle. The woman I spoke with was very gracious and very nice, but, did tell me that she plans on interviewing several candidates (all sent from the temp agency) and to make a decision within the next week or so.
So once again, more waiting. It's like all one big game. Come here, we'll dangle this job in front of you then yank it away. So not fun and so very disappointing and frustrating.
I'm finding that the temp agencies have changed a little in one respect. It used to be that you could walk into one and leave with an assignment to start the next day. Not so now...now the agency interviews you then the company that might hire you wants to interview you. I hate interviewing, but, I'm at least honing my skills. One day I'll utter the right words and get hired, somewhere.
I posted my resume on Monster and the head hunters have found me. I've been getting lots of calls about selling insurance. No, thank you, I don't want to do that. This has happened before when I've put my resume on their site. Tres aggravating.
After my interview, I went for a long walk by the river. I did some thinking while I froze my butt off and then hopped a bus home. I came home and didn't feel like doing anything. I turned on the TV only to turn it off seconds later. I ended up going into the bedroom and just curling up on my bed and having a good cry that lasted until nearly 7:00 pm. I don't remember much after that because I fell asleep until 3:00 am. Now of course, I'm wide awake and not sure what to do with myself.
On the knitting front, I'm sorry to report that there hasn't been much going on. I'm having Knitting ADD or whatever you call it when you can't concentrate on one particular project. Socks have been defrogged and started again numerous times, as has the Candle Flame shawl. I can't concentrate because I'm so worried and I get distracted easily by the worrying. I want to knit...I just can't seem to get in the groove.
And, who's out there? Please say hello and let me know you're there. It would mean alot to know that someone's reading.
Today I have an interview at a law firm, for a clerical position, possibly for long term. It could turn into a permenant opportunity, it could not. I really want something temp to perm, but, I can't be too picky right now.
I hate this. I hate feeling like I can't count on something from one day to the next. I hate it more than words can say.
The first interview this morning went well. I left the offices feeling hopeful that I'd be called back for the second round of interviews. The woman I met with didn't seem to have much of a personality, but, I'll give her that she just doesn't like interviewing people. When I met with her (and my would-be) supervisor, I felt like we really hit it off. He seemed to like what I said and agreed with some of it, if not most. Now we wait...and I suck at waiting.
I had nearly three hours before the temp agency appointment. I couldn't find my social security card this morning so I stopped and did the paperwork to get a new one. I had a surprise at the SS office--my friend's brother was the security guard there. It was nice to see him and he looks totally different than when we were in high school. After that, I stopped for some lunch at Bruegger's. Nothing fancy, just some soup.
I made it to my appointment with time to spare. Once again, I blew through the testing, impressing even myself with my scores. (I score really, really well on all these tests. How many times can a girl take a test in Word? Excel? Powerpoint? Lots, let me tell you. Lots.) In any case, I left there and not five minutes later my phone was ringing. I have an interview (set up through the new temp agency) tomorrow at a law firm, not far from my ex-job.
So not a bad day at all when I stop to think about it.
I'm off to start my day of interviews.
I hope something comes from all of this...
It's been raining since Saturday (it could be since Friday, but, the days are a bit blurry) and now we're suposed to get snow tomorrow. I think winter has finally arrived.
I woke up last night and was dying of thirst. I went into the kitchen to get a drink of water and I heard water dripping. I thought it was coming from inside, but, then I always have my kitchen window open a crack so I could have been hearing the water outside. I turned on the light and heard another drop fall. I then looked at my cabinets above the sink and saw water coming from there. I looked up and sure enough, a leak in the ceiling. I put some old towels on top of the cabinets and a big pot, hoping it would hold until I could call the landlord this morning.
Maintenance dude came early this afternoon and did what he could to fix it, but, said he has to go up on the roof to fix the real damage. Not sure when he's going to do that.
Tomorrow morning will find me getting ready for two interviews. I'm nervous but hopeful. Please send good thoughts my way around 10:00 am and then 2:00 pm. The 10:00 am interivew is one I got on my own, the 2:00 pm is another temp agency. Two agencies = more possibilities right?
Once again, it’s 3:30 am and sleep is eluding me. Of course, I’m sure that my 3 hour power nap didn’t help matters any. It’s not just my (now) usual worries and fears keeping me up, it’s also my next door neighbor. She and her boyfriend are feeling ah…rather frisky. I’ve had to listen to screams and giggles coming from across the hall. Not so amusing at this hour of the day.
In one respect, it’s a good thing that it’s MLK day…I don’t have to get up for work. Oh wait…I don’t have to do that anyway.
One good thing happened today. I received word that I will definitely be receiving unemployment benefits. That's a huge relief that I'll at least have that.
I also heard about a part time position for a CSR at the local electric company that pays
$15.00/hour to start. You better believe I was on that like a fat kid on a cupcake.
Now, to just find something that leads to full time work. I'm still scared and worried...but at least I know I'll have some money coming in.
I ended up leaving work shortly before 12:30 pm, Boss Man had been in and out of meetings all morning so I didn't get to really tell him much. What's funny is that when I started rattling off everything I did to him, he looked more and more overwhelmed. I thought his chin was going to hit the ground at one point. When I said to him "Betcha didn't know I did all that, did you?", he said that I was going to be sorely missed and it was obvious to him that I was needed. I don't have a printer at home, so he's going to let me take a printer home so that I can mail out resumes from home. He's also going to see about getting me a bonus for my last check. I can tell he feels really, really bad--which I think is good. And yes, I'm going to milk it for all it's worth.
I sent an e-mail to a couple of my friends from high school (we met up right before Christmas) asking if they knew of any clerical jobs. I felt so embarrassed to have to do that, but, I'm trying to get a job right? No time for pride. D. works for the post office and is looking for me there. D. and I were always close friends so I'm not surprised that he's doing anything. What did surprise me though is the response that I got from B. He's got a job in the banking field and is referring me to all sorts of jobs. I'm so surprised that he's willing to help. In high school, we were never that close which makes this all the more surprising.
It's time for International Tote Exchange III. So how does it work? You will make a tote/purse/handbag for your Secret Pal and a different Secret Pal will make a tote for you. The "totes" can be big or small, knit or crochet, felted or not - whatever you want to make. If you are interested please read the sign-up process, rules and schedule at
International Tote Exchange III and then, if still interested, send an e-mail as described in the process. SIGN-UPS END JANUARY 24, 2007!!
I had so much in this swap that I decided to become a hostess for this one. :)
As was just pointed out to me, I'm an idiot for even coming in...but I am getting a couple things out of it:
1. A Letter of Recommendation
2. A printer--Boss Man is letting me take a printer home so I can print my resumes and
mail 'em from there
3. A bonus in my last check for helping out a few days next week for a grant.
I'm leaving early though--in minutes as a matter of fact!
I’m off to the office today, to help Boss Man figure out what to do. I was asked to come in and show him how to do things are, etc.
Out of the goodness of my heart, I’m going–I need that good reference. I wanted to ask him “If you don’t know what to do, how the hell is that my problem? You should have thought of that before you let me go”.
I’d prefer to stay home in bed and actually catch up on some sleep. I took 3 Tylenol PM last night and fell asleep around 10:30, after crying (again) for nearly 30 minutes. I woke up once, around 4:00 am–and rolled over and was asleep again. This is the most sleep I’ve gotten in a long time. And I wish the alarm had never gone off–it just reminds me that I’m going in to a place that asked me to leave on Monday.
Just because I’m going in doesn’t mean I have to stay all day…it’s Friday, I may knock off early. What are they going to do? Fire me?
And what would you do, Dear Reader? Would you go in? Tell Boss Man to screw himself? Go in and leave early? Go in and stay all day?
Oh yeah...one more thing...it's Delurking Week, so if you've been reading this blog and not commenting, it's time to change that.
Show a girl some love and let her know you've been here. If you link your blog, I'll stop by and say hello :) It's a win-win deal.
Besides dealing with the temp agencies, I've been sending out resumes on my own.
I just received a phone call from one of the companies. I've got an interview scheduled for next Tuesday at 10:00 am for a position as an Administrative Manager. This time, the commute is much more reasonable and doable.
Cross those fingers, send good mojo...whatever you've been doing keep it up.
It's nearly 3:00 am and I can't sleep--again.
I'm so scared. So worried.
Everything's been affected--my sleep, my concentration (though you wouldn't know that by the fact that I picked up a book yesterday and COULD NOT put it down for the life of me. It was that good.), even my appetite. I'm lucky if I'm eating one meal a day again. I haven't had a real dinner since Sunday night, before this all happened.
What in the hell is going to happen to me?
Last night, my friend the nun called to check on me. This woman is an angel on earth, I swear. She's sending me a $50 gift card to Giant Eagle so that I don't have to worry about food for a bit. She's also got the whole cathedral praying for me. Sister also said I could use her for a reference, saying that perhaps my potential employers were afraid they'd be eternally damned by not hiring me when they saw I had a nun for reference.
I also had a good conversation with another good friend last night. We talked for a good bit and she got me laughing some, which I really needed.
Today, I stopped in a local church before I was on my way (I figured I could use the extra help). While I was sitting in the church, a woman came up to me and asked if I'd say a prayer for her. Of course I said. I wanted to ask her to say one for me, but, I didn't. Who's to say her needs aren't worse than mine? And, who knows, this could have been an angel testing me. Yes, I was afraid of lightning striking me down. Yes, I know, I've got issues with religion, but, that doesn't prevent me from praying.
Iris called me this afternoon to check on me. Turns out that they are looking to hire someone for two days a week. Granted, that's not near enough what I need, but, why wasn't I asked? I think I should have been given first choice. I'm not sure what I'm going do to, but, isn't that wrong? I mean, to fire one person supposedly because of lack of money (and I was told that part time work is out of the question right now) and then hire a part time employee? It's not about the hours, it's about the principle of the thing--I was an employee, I should have been offered something, not someone off the street
Now we wait.
I went to my interview today. Surprisingly, the commute wasn't as bad I thought it would be. Maybe it was the time of day, maybe it was me feeling hopeful...whatever it was the commute was easy. Granted, it took a bit, but there are worse commutes out there. I made friends with Mr. Bus Driver and he let me off at a park and ride lot that (according to my directions that I'd gotten from the temp agency) was not far from the office. I got off the bus and was literally in the middle of nowhere, about 40 minutes early.
In front of me was an industrial park, behind a neighborhood where I knew where nothing was. There was some small business and a church, but, not much else. To my left, highway. To my right, a small shopping complex, but, with alot of empty store fronts.
Great. No clue where to go. I decided to start walking around the neighborhood--according to the directions, I should have gotten off the bus at 2nd Street and then turned right to find S. Linden Street. Nope...that was the highway. If I went to my left, I'd be at the shopping complex.
I called Mary Ann (she works nearby, surprisingly and said to call if I got lost. I got lost, BIG TIME). I got her voice mail and left a rambling message, something to the effect of "Hi Mary Ann, it's me, I'm lostwherethehelldoIgofromherepleasecallmebackbye". My contact at the temp agency was out to lunch when I called them but another person was able to help me. By describing what I saw to her (a bunch of tan buildings with green roofs in a very industrial area), she told me I was in the right area. After being told to go in to the industrial park and to walk to the last building on the right, I was FINALLY able to make it to the office in time for the interview.
After that, everything was easy. I think the interview went quite well. There are a couple more candidates, but, I think I stand a shot. Please, PLEASE cross your fingers that this comes through.
I've got an interview lined up through the temp agency tomorrow at 1:00 pm. That's all that I can ask for right? The only downside is that it will be a really long commute. I don't have much choice though...I need to get some money coming in.
Other than that, the meeting at the temp agency went as well as could be expected. I was told that there were 4 positions right now that I'd be perfect for and that my resume would be submitted to all of them.
I was asked to take a Quickbooks test while I was there. I'd used this software VERY VERY briefly in the past and wasn't too sure how well I'd do. I was certain I'd fail it. Nope. I passed with flying colors. I impressed myself with that at least.
Please keep those positive thoughts coming.
In other news, I've started yet another pair of socks. I'm not sure how much I'll get done due to recent events and my concentration sucks, but, it's the first in a pair of the infamous Jaywalkers pattern. It's on Regia *cough* Not sure of the proper name because I can't find the label *cough*
After a sleepless night, I'm off to my interview. Please send those positive thoughts.
In between the tears and fear, I’m getting a plan together.
I’ve got an appointment tomorrow at a temp agency that did good by me before, so I’m going to go back.
I’ve already filed for unemployment, now to get through the two week waiting period.
I’ve spoken with a friend of mine who lent me some money to get my current apartment. She said not to worry about this month’s payment. I flat out refused to skip it, only to say that I’ll continue paying her when I get a new job. This friend is also a nun. She said she’d keep me in her prayers and that my faith needed to take over now.
I’ve submitted a few resumes to a few places online already.
I spoke with my friend Mary Ann’s husband Kevin and he did his best to reassure me that even though things seem dark now, that I’m going to be ok and that I will survive this. He’s going to check at his place of employment and see what he can find for me. He also said I could call him anytime and he’d tell me that I’ll be ok every day. I just may take him up on this.
My friend Meda has already said that should anything happen, I’m welcome at her place.
I feel so defeated right now. The last thing I want to do is go to that temp agency in the morning. I going to go though…I have no choice in the matter.
I have a such a headache. My eyes hurt from crying.
Please send positive thoughts my way around 10:00 am tomorrow morning.
Today was NOT a good day.
I lost my job--strictly due to budgetary reasons or so I was told.
I'm so screwed it isn't even funny.
