Bamboozled!

I feel a little bait and switch going on.

You're the chosen one for the job but you're never going to hear from us again. Wow....thank you. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

Thank you for taking what little hope that I had that I may have a job before this one ends. Not only is that hope taken away but now I'm NEVER going to believe I'm getting an offer until I see it in writing.

I have never played this game with my candidates.....never...and I've extended tons of offers.

I have this sinking suspicion that I will never hear from this company again. I know they're not cash poor but I do believe that they spoke too soon about wanting to bring me on without knowing what I made and that scared them off. This discussion should have been done when I first went in months ago. Waste of time.

I understand corporate America. I do. And I don't blame them for not extending me an offer. I do blame them for TELLING me that I was getting an offer and then never following up. In that respect you got me. You got me good.

Some may say I'm jumping the gun with my disdain but I don't think so. I get an email on Thursday morning (early) asking me to see how fast I can vacate my current job even though they know I only have a couple weeks left. I am a compromiser and tell them I can leave one week early. Get everything approved. Now it's Monday at 12:42 pm. Nothing.

HIRE ME!

The JOG Is Silent

Still waiting. I almost feel like they've tricked me a bit. I get an email yesterday telling me that I was the chosen one. They need me to start sooner than 9/14 (talked to my boss to work it all out) and then I get NOTHING. No follow up. Nada. It's really disheartening.

I just spoke with the other company I'm interested in. The video game company. She said if I can hold off the other company until Tuesday/Wednesday she should have an answer for me. Right now it's 50/50. I think I'm the one they want but they may not get it approved to bring on another contractor. The good news is she told me she's going on maternity leave in 6 or so months so if it didn't work out now, they'd want to bring me on next year. Great, but I need something now.

I got contacted today about a contract assignment at a CPG company. Would be cool to work for them but the hourly is really low. Not low for a lot of people but would be much lower than what I make now. I'm trying not to take something just to take it. I'm really trying to take something that hopefully will make me happy. Happiness is still "in", right? I don't think it's overrated at all.

I'm thinking maybe my salary is holding up the offer process. I think it would have been better for him to ask me how much I make when I first went in as opposed to now when I'm hearing crickets.

Every day is a roller coaster. The ebb and flow of this job search has been really tough...and eye opening. I know that WHEN I land somewhere, I'm going to treat candidates even better than I did in the past. People deserve to be treated well in a time of need. I respect those that are looking for a job. Maybe I'm more compassionate than others? Not sure. I just know that those that have gone through this process should be more understanding and more responsive. Shame on you if you're not.

HIRE ME!

The Train Is Pulling Into The Station

From an email sent to me at 10:38 this morning, I am getting an offer. I'm getting an offer! There are good and bad things that go with this information.

Good: Hello...I'm getting an offer from a company I like. I'm getting paid. It's a creative company. They really seem to need my assistance.
Bad: It's a commute. They want me to start earlier than my end date at Midway. I'd start Tuesday, 9/8. I don't know if the other company I'm interested in is going to be able to move this quickly to get me an offer. The Hiring Manager has never discussed pay with me...until now.

Decisions need to be made.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that all will go well no matter what.

I need a cocktail. (I will not actually imbibe at 12:44pm but I do like the sound of it)

Hire Me! (Getting close!)

Dames!

You know who I shouldn't work for/with? Stuck up, over confident, glass half empty, bitchy women.

I will leave it at that.

HIRE ME!

Oh Could It Be?

Could I be getting close to offer time? I am PRAYING this is the case.

So, the company that I interviewed with 2 months ago and never heard back from contacted me yesterday! They want me to come in and meet with the VP for a "final interview". I do this tomorrow morning. This is one of the companies that was at the top of my list to work for but after not hearing from them (with numerous follow up) I wrote them off. As my sister says, (like men) they always come back. His excuse was that he was "buried in work". I still think you should be courteous and always respond to someone even if you have no information. That to me is a sign of a good recruiter....but no judgement. Ha!

I'm hoping to get a couple offers. One from that company and one from the gaming/work from home company that I've had 3 phone interviews. Hoping, Hoping, Hoping! (Not Hopping, Hopping, Hopping for any of you confused rabbits out there).

This morning I just got into work. I did some freelance work for one of my former co-workers that I hope to continue doing even if/when I land somewhere. It's interviewing and giving feedback to recent college grads.

And, AND...my former co-worker emailed me thru Linkedin and told me he was going to get the ball moving at his company to try and bring me on for contract recruiting work. I'd rather have LOTS going on and many acceptance decisions as opposed to none.

So...that's the update. Finally, it looks like a cheery day. No offers YET but hopefully soon.

The tide may be a'turnin' my friends.....

Hire Me!

You Got Anything? I Got Nuthin'.

Was trying to hold out a bit in writing the JOG in hopes that I'd have something to report but alas, I got nuthin'.

Tomorrow I'm going downtown to do a freelance gig for a few hours with some of my former colleagues at CPRi/Aquent. I'm so glad to be working with them and touched that they asked me to be a part of their company.

No news in terms of majah (MAJOR for those of you that aren't hip to the lingo) jobs. And so I wait...and wait...and wait....

3 weeks left at Midway.

The phone intv went well on Friday and I'm keeping all fingers, toes and anything else I can cross (legs....eyes?) in that I get an offer or at least be told that it's getting close to an offer. But I don't want to jump the gun because so many variables can prevent this from happening. Just trying to concentrate on some other freelance work.

That's all I got and it ain't much. I found out on Saturday that I'd do really well with snakes down my shirt. You think I could get some dough doing this?

HIRE ME!

Overthinking Is For Suckers

Just had a great phone interview with one of the gaming studios. At least I think it went well. It's my third phone interview. I started talking to them about a month and a half ago. I don't think I'll need to meet with anyone in person as the role is a work from home for a central group and I've met one of the people in the group as she used to work for my former company so I think I'm good there. If I could just get a decent offer from this company then I'd be set and I can relax for a bit. It'd be for a contract but it'd be for at least 6 months so that's cool.

I emailed a couple other folks today as follow ups from conversations we had last week but so far nothing. Job searching in this economic climate has not been fun....at all. But I'll tell you what is fun....the search. I'm good at it. I find a new job every now and then and I know I could work for them and produce even though they don't call me in for an interview, I know I could do it. It's fun for me to discover those roles and get a little bit excited and hopeful.

The other thing I've done today and yesterday is forward my current co-workers and friends' resumes to my friend for consideration at her company. I almost feel like I'm recruiting for her firm even though I don't have anything official in place. It's keeping me busy and always gives me a good feeling. I like to help...and feel needed.

I'm looking forward to not thinking about "the search" this weekend. If I think about it too much I get really disappointed. Trying not to go there.

TGIF!

Hire Me!

No News Is Good News

Slow day with the JOG. Really nothing going on...no new news since yesterday.

I ate a really gross muffin today. That's about it. Nothing to do with my job search but I paid $1.69 for it and it sucked. I had to throw most of it away because it was raw in the middle. I implore you: Don't buy your lemon poppy seed muffins from Treasure Island.

I can't believe it's already 3:20pm. Where does the time go?

Until tomorrow....

Hire Me!

The Joys Of Joy

Enjoying my time at home. I feel like I'm so much healthier in body, mind and spirit while being able to be leisure. Long dog walks (to beaches and parks), going to the gym and taking a peppy Groove class, meeting a friend to get something signed, doing laundry....this is the life. Why do I need a job? Oh yes.....for $$. Damn you money. Can't we bring back the bartering system? I'll trade you this fabulous George Foreman grill/griddle for a month's rent. Sounds fair.

I have a phone interview today. I sent an email to a guy from a forwarded email from a friend and he wrote me right back and said he wanted to talk to me. Not too shabby.

Then I have a 3rd phone interview with a company I'd really like to work for on Friday. This is one of the work from home ones. My fingers are really crossed for this opportunity.

I'll be home tomorrow as well. Will probably be as busy if not busier than I am today. You know....with life. My life. This is the life.

Hire Me!

This JOGGER Is Pluggin' Away

This morning I made some dough. Surveys. Gotta love em. I wish more would come my way. It was for restless leg syndrome. I had no clue what it was or if I had it but I knew that my feet fall asleep a lot and I feel a prickly sensation quite a few times a day if I don't move around a lot. It was enough to qualify me for the survey. I like xtra $$. I don't like RLS.

I talked to a co-worker yesterday and got some good advice. He's going to try and get me considered for a different discipline. Not sure if it'll work but I appreciate the assistance. Who says a Recruiter always needs to recruit? We're good for other things like training, sales, biz development, OD, facilities management, etc. I just haven't been given the chance to really focus on these areas....but I think I could do them if given the chance.

Again...it's all about the networking! (It's also all about the Benjamins. Cha Ching)

I also heard from a former co-worker this morning who put me in touch with another former co-worker. Not sure if anything will come from this but at least it's something. Something is always better than Nothing....except when it comes to disease. In that case I'd rather have Nothing.

Found out my boss talked to his counterpart at the company I'd like to work for. Maybe that'll get me an in? The Recruiting Manager isn't back until Friday so we'll see what happens.

My Boss thinks I should move out of the country (A couple people that I've talked to have basically offered to relocate me if I'd consider international opportunities). He thinks I should let these companies assist me in my home selling and move out for a year. Me thinks my boss may be right but honestly, I'd miss Chicago and everything I have here....especially, if I moved to say...Singapore!

Right now, if I had to pare it down, there are 2-3 opportunities that if I were given offers for I would take. The problem is all of them are either in the very beginning or concept stages so I'm thinking I won't be gainfully employed (direct-hire OR contract) until middle to end of October. Oy!

I will just keep plugging away because that's all I can do.

HIRE ME!

Pick Me! Pick Me!

I saw a job. A job with a company that I've wanted to work for, for awhile now. My heart started pumping really fast. I don't know if the job is a "perfect fit" but it's close...close enough. I sent the guy who's in charge of recruiting my resume. Then I asked my boss to call his boss to put in a good word. If I don't get a call, I'll know something's up and I'll be really bummed.....REALLY bummed. Ugh.

I applied to another job I saw posted and my email was returned to me. This is the morning I'm having.

I have to go contest a ticket tomorrow morning. A ticket that I never knew I got...until 2 months after the fact. I will not pay that $100 until you can prove to me that I did this. Hopefully I won't be there all day.

I'm going to be home Weds and Thursday like last week. Really nothing going on in the office so why shouldn't I be home?

I've started all my "sentence paragraphs" with "I". How narcissistic of me.

I have this feeling that next week a lot of employment questions will be answered. People will be getting back from vacations and such and HOPEFULLY my job search will really start picking up. A sassy gal can dream, can't she?

Oh, and I changed my JOG theme to pinkish hues. If I could slap a big Hello Kitty on there it'd be my most favoritist JOG ever.

HIRE ME!

JOGGING In Reverse

I kind of feel like my job search is going in reverse. Last week there was a lot of promise and this week not so much. Huh. I'm trying to be zen about it and just take it as it comes. I found a new website for job seekers: Joined.com, that seems pretty good. I just keep hoping that I'll get a call from a company I'd like to work for and that the process will pick up and I'll be hired. It'd be so nice to know what I'll be doing BEFORE 9/11 but it just doesn't look like this will be the case. Breathe. Relax. Everything will be OK.

I'm back in the office today and it feels fine. I like being home much more, but being here isn't terrible. I'm going to try and stay home a couple days next week as well. I do feel like I get more done and that I am more relaxed at home.

Today I'm not going to do much in terms of the job search. I feel like I've exhausted all avenues this week and that next week it'll be back to stomping. STOMP. Now there's something that would be fun to do. If only I was as good playing a plastic can with drumsticks as I am with air drums. Maybe I could make a buck doing that????

HIRE ME!

The JOG Is Taking A Bit Of a Respite Today

No time for the JOG today. Been running around like crazy. I like this life. I must not get too used to it. No work = much more time for Leisure Dori.

Hire Me!

Home Alone

I've had a good morning thus far. Could I get used to this life of unemployment???? Ugh. I will not let myself. I'm still pounding the pavement trying to find a job but I'm so disenchanted by what's out there. Can't we just wrap this all up and I'll be swept away by my dream scenario: working from home for a gaming company? Why oh why do I have to go through all this other stuff to get to the goods?

This JOG is making me thirsty....my ode to Seinfeld as I take a sip of my water.

I'm going to do some following up today and tomorrow. I don't want to be too persistent, but I do want companies that I'm interested in to remember that I exist. I only have email addresses so I will email away.

My dog is sleeping after a long hard morning at the dog beach. He has the life. I only support it. I wish he could get a job and help out our little household, but with his sideways walk and face that looks like a tired Asian lion in photographs, I don't think he's going to be bringing in the Benjamins, so I will continue my search.

HIRE ME!

My Life Has Left a Bad Taste In My Mouth

I just ate a bad peach. This is quite a topper to a pretty craptastic day.

OK, so it has now been confirmed that I do not want to work in a "Corporate America" setting. The interview was fine and I smiled and contributed and kept nodding my head in agreement but the whole time I was hating it......hating every minute of it. Maybe it was the company and the role. Not sure. But all I know is that I did not want that job. But I do want a job...just not that one.

I talked to my friend today who had an interview "up the street" from where I work and he had a much better attitude than I. He told me you just can't worry. That doesn't help anything. It's good advice since I'm the queen of worry. I have to just take it all for what it is and eventually it'll all work out. I'm so hoping that day will come...soon.

So, in the meantime I will continue to search for jobs, network, apply, etc until the right one comes along. I now know what I don't want to do. I just hope I find something I do want to do.

Hire Me!

The Man = BLECH!

Tomorrow I have my first "corporate interview". And let me tell you....I'm dreading it! I'm so thankful to even get an in person interview but the closer it comes and the more I think about it the more I don't want it. The thought of a long commute and "working for the Man" again drives me loopy. I REALLY want to work from home OR go into work for a creative company. Insurance, Big 4 Public Accounting, Professional Services, etc is making me nauseous.

I know I want a job. I know I need a job. But because I only have a month (yes folks....ONE month from today/tomorrow) left living on Easy Street at Midway, the reality of my situation is really setting in.

I was told that I'd hear from the company that I really want to work for regarding next steps last Thursday AND....nothing. No surprise.

Today I'm going to call this guy from another "fun company" that I'd like to work for and see if he's interested in talking to me.

Life is hard y'all. (A little Britney Spears never hurt anyone)

HIRE ME!

Sell It If You Got It

I just had a phone interview and it seemed to go well. I'll be going in next week for a face to face interview.

I do feel like I'm doing a total sell job when talking to these folks. I find myself being overly peppy on the phone to try and convey interest. Is it too much? Maybe.

The job I'm really hoping to get is a work from home in the gaming industry. I do have a few leads but everything is so slow moving so I may have to take a corporate job with a commute. It's not the worst thing in the world but if I can avoid it, I'd love it.

Going to try and work from home a couple days next week. And again, when I write "work" I mean...just be home. Who am I kidding?

I helped a current co-worker with his resume today and sent a few contacts out to a lot of the team members affected by the Midway sitch. I feel like I continue to do my part to help others.

I just wish these snail jobs would turn into rabbit stew. Did that make any sense? Probably not.

I need a new job.

Hire Me!

Something Smells

Today I'm home. I have to meet some friends at 4:45pm and instead of going into work and just hanging out, I decided it's so much better to be home and hanging out. I'm going to "work from home" a couple days next week as well. I mean, if I really had a job that wasn't letting me go in a month then I would WORK, but come on. It's the count down to the end.

I just took my dog to the beach and when we got home I noticed that he STUNK....like poo! Well, after some investigation, I noticed that his whole right face cheek (under the flap of his long ear) was covered in muck. I quickly rushed him upstairs (sometimes I like to be leisure with him and we sit in my courtyard on one of the benches like an old married couple) and washed that crap right out of his hair. He now smells delish.

Next up is laundry and then relaxation before I have to get ready to leave. Tomorrow I have a phone interview and a lunch with a friend who has been oh so good to me over the years and may have some freelance work or ideas of FT work to throw my way.

Oh happy day....now that the poop is gone.

Hire Me!

Maybe I Could Be Paula Abdul?

I just spent forever creating a profile for a job I saw posted only to find that the job is no longer available. Um, what?! This couldn't have been posted BEFORE I spent 20 minutes typing? Frustrating!!

And so it goes....

My phone interview for today was rescheduled for Friday. I had 2 decent phone interviews yesterday but I can tell that they're both going to be slow movers. "Snail jobs". New catch phrase for the JOG.

I was feeling good on Monday because it seemed like I had quite a few things going on. Now, panic is setting in just a bit and I'm worried that all 3 of these things may fall by the wayside and/or I won't want any of them when it comes down to it.

I just want to work here. I like my job. I never wanted to leave this job because it's good....fun...I made a difference in their overall hiring/productivity. I'm going to be like the people who chain themselves to trees when I'm forced to leave. "Hell No, I Won't Go!"

I'm spending the morning trying to find new jobs to apply. I have thus far found one and I've been at it for over an hour. Odds are not in my favor.

You know what I have to look forward to today? The dentist. That really puts it all in perspective when that's the highlight, right?

Oh, I did help a few people out yesterday and this morning in terms of "paying it forward". Recommendations for jobs applied, suggested positions to apply to...you know the drill. It felt good.

Maybe now that Paula Abdul is off Idol I can have her job? And I'd be good at it too. Gosh darn, I wish I was famous!

HIRE ME! (when in all caps you know it's a desperate day)

Smiles Everyone, Smiles..

I've got a couple phone interviews today and I'm excited about both. I'm just excited to get to talk to hiring authorities about potential jobs. This is all in the beginning stages so I'm not sure if they'll develop into anything but at least it's something going on.

Mystic Pizza was on last night. It's one of my favorite movies. Just an easy breezy flick. I wish I could cook. I love the Food Network and watch it a lot. I always think that if I was a good baker then maybe I could make dog treats. I have a lot of dreams running through my mind but rarely do I execute. I think that's the Goldman way. We all talk a good game but we very rarely DO. Oh, to come from a long line of underachievers....

Had a nice convo with my West Coast friend. He's in a similar situation (has been a recruiter/sourcer for years and just moved to Cali to look for work out there because there was none here) where he has no job but is actively looking for employment. He's thinking the retail route may be a good transition step and I'm thinking good thoughts for him to get a job...soon!

I hope to have some more info tomorrow on today's happenings. I'm going to put my best interviewee hat on and hope to knock the socks off of 'em. You know, they say you should do phone interviews in front of a mirror. You should smile as you talk so as to convey a pleasant tone. I think that's a little weirdo but maybe I'll bring out the ol compact and give it a whirl. I want my voice to smile over the phone....smile. Yikes!

Hire Me!

The Pickup Artist

OK...I don't want to get too excited but things look like they're really starting to pick up. I have a 2nd phone interview tomorrow and I just got a call from a corporate company in the Burbs about their staffing position (my former co-worker is there consulting for them and she put in the good word for me...I'm telling you, it's all about the networking in this day and age). Could this week be the week that I actually have some things going on? How wonderful would that be? It feels like forever (in "real time" about 5-6 weeks) since I really started looking for a job and it looks like the fruits of my labor may just be working. Thank you fruits (Granny Smith apples, oranges, peaches...they're my favorites).

I've also been contemplating if I should register with the Unemployment office as kind of a preemptive strike? I can do it while I'm under the WARN Act but I feel like I kind of want to wait to stave off any defeated karma in hopes that I'll have a job before I leave here on the dreaded 9/11.

Today's JOG tip: Make sure that your outgoing voice mail messages are professional. I know that when I call someone and I get Snoop Dogg's "Drop It Like It's Hot" playing in the background, it puts questions in my mind like, "Who is this joker?" Also, the "Have a blessed day." is nice but really? For some reason it turns me off. Just my professional opinion. Leave your name and that you're not there but that you will get back to the person as soon as possible. Short and sweet. No need for Kate Perry and "I Kissed a Girl" to also make an appearance on the message.

Hire Me!