got the job hunt blues...

Subject: got the job hunt blues...
From: Catrin
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 11:37 AM

Well here I am sitting in my poky little office waiting for stuff to come out of the printer so I can put it into envelopes. Just found out I *didn't* get the job I went to an interview for three weeks ago. Went to an interview yesterday too, won't hear about that one for three weeks either, but the way I'm feeling right now....

Being in a job that makes you feel deskilled and unmotivated is not the best 'launchpad' from which to find another one. If it wasn't for the gas bill and the hungry child and the daughter at uni, I would chuck it all in, be skint, and concentrate on writing and singing and children and all the things that make life sweet.

I am SO fed up of laying my soul out for people to see only to be told - 'Sorry, you're just not good enough!'

Catrin

Subject: RE: got the job hunt blues...
From: Megan L
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 11:53 AM

What is it about summer that makes us so dissatisfied with our jobs? Can't be the weather around here as I'm wrapped in a fairly thick blanket of fog. Perhaps we should start a site that was mandatory for bosses teach them how to treat human beings.

Hang in there it takes a special person to spot a diamond.

Subject: RE: got the job hunt blues...
From: Mrrzy
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 12:06 PM

Hey, if it makes you feel better, I applied for 9 different jobs, all promotions within my firm, over the course of several weeks a month or so ago... and ended up getting turned down for ALL of them ON THE SAME DAY... So keep your pecker up, as the British used to say, and I wish you all the best of luck, since somehow that seems to have the most to do with it...

Subject: RE: got the job hunt blues...
From: Catrin
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 12:10 PM

Its not just the summer Megan - I wish it were.

Mrrzy, that must have been terrible. Perhaps we should develop special mudact handshakes and stuff, like the masons, so mudcatters can be sure to get jobs - off other mudcatters?

I'm making myself laugh now - feel better already.

Catrin

Subject: RE: got the job hunt blues...
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 12:43 PM

Hang in there Catrin. It's tough going, I know. Two years ago my wife Heather had taken all she could from the corporate desk-job situation, and to maintain her sanity, said "adios" to it. It hasn't been easy for us to make ends meet on just a musician's salary, but just watching her develop a whole bunch of new interests and skills after 20 years of feeling like a very unimportant spoke in a wheel, has been worth it.

After being an Admin. assistant for so long, her next job could be professional gardener, or radio engineer. Hey, maybe I'LL become a secretary!

Good luck

Rick

Subject: RE: got the job hunt blues...
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 12:44 PM

Catrin, remember, too, that it doesn't always mean you aren't good enough. Oftentimes, it means you are TOO good, i.e. overqualified.

I have a single mom friend who has been doing this all spring and each time they've finally 'fessed up and told her the reason she didn't get it was she was overqualified and they couldn't pay her anywhere near what she was worth, even though she was willing to start at what they were offering. One flat out told her they were sure she would get bored silly and be gone soon anyway.

When this happens to me, I always try to trust my instincts and give thanks that I was spared something that wasn't for my highest good.

Good luck!

kat

Subject: RE: got the job hunt blues...
From: SINSULL
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 01:20 PM

Catrin,
Get yourself a copy of "Through the Brick Wall" by Kate Wendleton. She founded the Five-O-Clock Club to help people in your situation. Terrific, usable information on how to choose the job you want at the salary you want and get it. If you can't find it,PM me. I think I have a spare copy. With kATE'S HELP i GOT A JOB SELLING SOPHISTICATED NETWORKING EQUIPMENT TO IT MANAGERS AND i SWEAR TO YOU i DID NOT KNOW HOW TO TURN MY pc ON. Still haven't figured out the damn Capslock!
Mary

Subject: RE: got the job hunt blues...
From: Hollowfox
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 01:32 PM

Catrin, you are an undiscovered treasure, and that's not an easy thing to be. your launchpad isn't where you want to be, but you are wise enough to find another square to jump to before you jump off this one, and that's good. treat your job-hunting like a second job, a part-time, temporary one. That is, you put in regular time on this project on a regular basis. You don't have to enjoy it any more than you do your paying job, but it helps to put job-hunting in this kind of a pattern. Try not to make the job feel deskilled, etc., use it as a sort of right-brain non-use meditation. It's cheaper than going to a zen ashram and raking the sand in their rock garden. Persevere, keep the music going in your head at the job (keeps down stress), and keep us posted. Good luck, Mary

Subject: RE: got the job hunt blues...
From: Catrin
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 02:22 PM

Just got in to find all these messages. I love Mudcat!Sinsull, I promise I will look for that book! and will take the advice on treating job hunting as a meditative excercise and Kat, you're right. The job was probably 'beneath me' anyway.

I know that sometimes cross-atlantic communication can be problematic. This time though, your messages came through loud and clear and I thank you for it. I really do feel so much better.

I don't usually go out on Wednesdays but tonight I'm meeting a trusted friend who I know will be good for me - and damn the hangover at work tommorow!

Yours,

Catrin

whoisjustalittlebitemotionalatthewarmthofmudcat

XXXX

Subject: RE: got the job hunt blues...
From: Hollowfox
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 02:37 PM

That book Sinsull recommended is where I got the job-hunt-as-a-job advice. As for the hangover, drink water before you go out, and a large glass before you go to bed. Dehydration is a big cause of hangovers. No reason to feel punished for an evening that will be good for you when a little routine maintenance might eliminate the problem. (Have a sip for me, I could use one. Thanks.)

Subject: RE: got the job hunt blues...
From: Morticia
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 02:53 PM

oh Catrin, you poor thing......boy, do I know how you feel!! Have you thought of taking a quick stock check, seeing where you are, what your saleable skills are, what you like to do and then getting some advice via your local job centre as to what you should be aiming for? I have a whole bunch of stuff on re-training, and re-assessing where you are at, which I can bring to Bron's in October ( having been where you are and hating it).....meanwhile, hang on in there.I'll hum a little hum such as will encourage and sustain a fellow mudcatter in crap employment.

Subject: RE: got the job hunt blues...
From: Mbo
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 02:56 PM

And if you're really feeling down, come to HearMe and treat yourself to a little music therapy. "Don't Look Back In Anger" is always on tab for you.

--Matt

Subject: RE: got the job hunt blues...
From: GUEST,catrin (who's had a mate come in to service
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 07:03 PM

I'll reset my cookie in a minute. What can I say - I've just come in from a rowdy night at the 'village' - the gay part of manchester. I have spent the evening talking to five twenty(ish) year old gay men - and my friend who's fifty if he's a day. What a leveller!

And all your messages too!

I'll be right soon, I know I will

Catrin

Subject: RE: got the job hunt blues...
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 03 Aug 00 - 01:04 AM

Hey - last year I got the sack for taking too much time off sick (asthmatic), and consequently had to apply for every shit job that came about. After 6 months of perpetually being told I was too old or too female (so much for sex discrimination!), I got a job with the Inland Revenue. I've just found out that all my references have checked out (past employment, that sort of thing) even though they haven't asked at least 2 referees for any comment.

As a result of this, I'm a great deal more relaxed about my employment and might actually get to pass my probation period. I suppose the moral is that if there is an employer out there who will hire ME with my past record, and unemployed, how much easier would it be if you have no sackings on record, and a job already.

Hang in there, keep looking out the window, the world is bigger than your job.

LTS