Tis The Season.....To Get A Job

Well.....the JOG is happy to report that I got a job. A real, honest to goodness job. AND....I didn't even have to go in to interview for it (I worked with the Hiring Manager at a previous company). How do you like them apples?

Now....I know you're saying, "What the Hell? Why were you stressing so much? It seems that you always find jobs." Well, I must say that I am pleased that I got the freelance gig at the advertising firm and now a full-time open-ended freelance (Work from home - eat it!) position at an experiential marketing firm but let me tell you....I worked damn hard to find these and I honestly didn't know I'd find anything because everything I was interviewing for was suddenly taken away from me. I was making too much money. Interviews kept being rescheduled. No one wanted to give me any sort of flexibility but rather work harder for less money. That's what I was finding. When I was lucky enough to hear about this job I was really excited. Mind you, concessions have been made. I am not making video game company money but I'm making FINE money and more importantly, I get the work/life balance that I crave. Not having to take the dog into daycare every day....not paying to make a commute every day....not worrying that I won't be able to go to the gym when I want to go....these are all Nots that I won't have to worry about with this new position.

So, January 4th I officially start but I don't have to go into the office until Tuesday the 5th. I'm excited. I'll still do some part-time stuff from home to try and make even more money. And 2010 is also the year that I said I'd do another show. How great to not have to worry about rushing to pick up William before rehearsals. I'm just......geeked. So excited. I networked the crap out of everyone and I'm happy to report that this is how I landed my job. Networking.

I will still be checking in with the JOG every now and then to update everyone as the time goes. This has been a wonderful, therapeutic, often bitch session way for me to get my frustrations out. Finding a job ain't easy....especially in the the world we live in today. But I've found that by broadcasting to everyone that I am looking, being nice to everyone who sends me their resume and just never giving up means you too can be employed.

hire me

I'm Expensive

Not having a lot of luck LANDING a job. I'm having luck being contacted about jobs and interviewing but as soon as they know my current rate and past salary they seem to run for the hills.....and I don't even make that much. I mean, I make a decent living....probably better than a lot of people. But for what I do and the sense of urgency in which I work AND how I save companies a lot of money not having to use a lot of staffing firms and/or job postings, I think I'm paid fairly.

But I guess the recruiting market has dropped...quite a bit. I'm overqualified and I'm not even that old. I'm old...but not THAT old.

I had a great phone interview yesterday. It was with a former co-worker of mine. I REALLY want this job. He said he REALLY thinks I'd be great BUT he's having a hard time trying to justify the numbers. Ugh. I'm going to lose out because I make too much money. Now....flex, you say? Well...I would....but I can't flex too much because I won't be getting benefits and I still have a mortgage and a car lease and many other bills....and a lot of people in my industry make more money than me with less experience. How much does one decrease their value to work? I don't know the answer to that.

I've seen the job market pick up quite a bit. But I think for what I do it's picking up and reverting back to 1999/2000.

I have another phone interview today. I am praying that it goes well. Pray for me that it goes well. I'm good at what I do and really shouldn't be unemployed. I don't mind working. I don't mind it at all. I like adding value to a company. But I'm worried...worried because my last day is Tuesday and I truly don't have anything lined up and it's the holidays. So.....2010 had better be MY year. I need it.

Tonight I will sing along to Barry because I can't smile without you.....you or a job!

HIRE ME!

Single White Female Looking For.....Work!

How come my last post didn't.....post? Huh.

Last week was a busy interview week. Talked to 2 companies (one in person and one over the phone) and set up a second interview with another company. Out of the three opportunities, I really want one of them. I'm 50/50 on another and I really don't think I want the third but I want to see what they have to say. These are a mix: contract...contract to hire and direct-hire.

I feel like I had a lot going on last week but the realistic Me is worried that I still may not land anywhere anytime soon. I've decided to let myself ENJOY a little time off. It's the holidays and I can't get too worked up (no pun intended) until Jan 1. Then I can let the crazy worried Dori out. But until then: Work my last week and 2 days at the ad agency and know I did a great job and continue to interview and look for new opportunities. See some movies, be with family and hang out with my friends. 2010 is going to be a good year. Start of a new decade. I'm ready for it.....with or without a job. Bring it!

The Bears suck. **This is just a side note and has nothing to do with the integrity of the JOG.**

HIRE ME (It's time to bring out the big guns)

Dissapointing The Dissapointment

Last week seemed like a very promising week in the old job hunt. This week....not so much. Granted, it's only Monday but I have heard from none of my things that I was presented with last week and this always gets me frustrated. I guess I can't hear back from a "thing" but the people who presented me these "things"....nada!

I do know that one company asked for my references so I thought that was promising but who knows.

I did get a chance to speak with my former KPMG Partner about his biz venture and that seems promising. I just don't know how much I'll get paid to assist him. I don't want to do a lot of work for nothing, but I feel like this could lead to other opportunities.

I'm also getting a little antsy about payment. I haven't been paid by my at home contract job and this is frustrating....and scary. I don't want to have to chase money. For this reason, I'm leaning more and more the ways of getting a FT job...or at least a FT contract job at a larger company instead of taking on many PT contract gigs. Ugh....I'm totally starting to feel the pressure. Also, do I stop my work for the at home job or continue? Ack! Lots to think about.

Hire Me!