BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 05:28 PM

Today I got a call from HR at the most recent place I interviewed. They want me to come back for a second interview. The location is terrible, but I'm in no position to turn down a paying job if it's offered to me. Also today I found another job to apply for. It is very similar work but it's in DC, which would be a lot better for me.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,Janie
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 05:39 PM

Fingers crossed!

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 08:21 PM

My fingers, too...

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Nancy King
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 08:23 PM

Good luck, Pauline!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 07 Apr 05 - 12:39 AM

Thanks, everyone.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 03:01 AM

Tuesday I had my second interview for the medical writer position in Columbia MD. My attitude has changed from "I don't want this job because the commute is horrible" to "I'd really like to get this job because of the camaraderie and the quality of work life here." The company puts a major emphasis on assembling a team of people who work well together. I have now interviewed with 10 different people in this company of 60. They know that my professional credentials are good, and now they want to know how well I'd fit into the group. It reminds me of a rush (?) in a sorority. Do the sisters want me? (95% of the employees are women.) I really enjoyed talking to them. Did they enjoy talking to me? This is rather anxiety provoking. I only got one hour of sleep last night, and I can feel the acid in my stomach now. The matter is out of my hands now. I need to let go and move on, but this is a lot easier said than done.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Amos
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 08:34 AM

Pauline:

I'd say you're doing really, really well!


A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Leadfingers
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 08:37 AM

Good Luck !!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 09:36 AM

fingers crossed for you Pauline! Sounds like even with a horrible commute you've enjoy this job. But if not - maybe the one in DC will be the perfect fit.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 10:51 AM

Thank you all again for your support and kindness.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 11:33 AM

Did they give you any idea how soon/long it might be 'til you hear back from them?

Do you rent or own your home? Just wondering if it might *possibly* be worth moving closer (if you get the job, of course) – especially if the work atmosphere is a good one.

Really hoping for you....

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 03:16 PM

Good luck and good for you for hanging in there!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: PoppaGator
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 03:41 PM

Pauline, I really hope this one works for you ! Especially now that you have found that you like the people and the work environment.

Also, I'm getting pretty sick of seeing theis thread reappear time after time! ;^) (As I'm sure you are too.)

Best of luck.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 08:24 PM

PoppaGator, I, too, hope this thread won't last much longer. Having the support of friends has helped me so much. Start thinking about how we can all celebrate when I finally get a job. ;-) Lots and lots of chocolate would be a good way to begin.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 02:44 PM

Today I got a phone call from HR in the last place I interviewed. Since I've had two interviews there, I figured this would be a job offer. It wasn't. HR called to tell me that they've hired someone else.

The job market in my field is very slow. I don't have other irons in the fire. What to do? I thought about one of my violin students, age 7. She is shy, determined, and adventurous, like me. When she knows what she wants, she goes for it and hangs on. A few months ago she told her parents that she wanted to learn to ice skate and to play the violin. On her first ice skating lesson, she fell down and cried repeatedly. Her father thought that she wouldn't want to come back for another try, but she did. She's still working at it. I will use her as my role model and inspiration.

Of course, I'm taking all this in stride. I'm just feeling weak and dizzy now. Tonight I'll go to the gym and work it out (not ice skating).

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: heric
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 03:27 PM

I saw that risk coming for you Pauline, but kept my mouth shut to prevent any jinx on the program. I hate to give you platitudes, but you might as well enjoy the inevitable truth that that you have no other options but to keep trying. I like that seven year old and I will put a mental immage of her into my mind as an inspiration.

Jobs come from inside contacts. I've never gotten one any other way in my adult life. Some (three) of my contacts are working their contacts on my behalf, to no result yet. The point is, you might (a) use your contacts (think hard, you might be surprised at who qualifies) to push you onto an entirely different career path, or (b), as stated above, make it work in self-employment, from which you can never get canned.

You ain't beat yet, not by a longshot.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: mg
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 03:44 PM

bummer. I hate looking for work myself and I hate having to watch other people go through it. It is a miracle I have ever gotten a job. Can you split up your needs and think about multiple income flows? That is probably going to be the safest way for everyone in coming years. I can't remember if I posted this or not already..but a half time job say with the schools, doing whatever, playground duty, whatever, so you get good benefits. Freelance writing and teaching...mg

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 03:52 PM

I'm waiting for the day this pops to the top and the latest additon is "Sorry I haven't been here for a while - too busy at my new job!"

I've got my fingers crossed every time I see the thread, Pauline.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: PoppaGator
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 03:58 PM

Bummer!

I just wrote and deleted a couple of long paragraphs that, on second thought, seemed to be entirely beside the point. I have no idea what to say to you.

Hang in there ~ something will have to happen sooner or later. Good luck!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 10:59 PM

Mary, thanks, but it's obvious you haven't been job hunting in a while. A part time, low paying job, even if I could get one, would not give benefits. I wish it were that easy.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Janie
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 11:05 PM

((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUG))))))))))))))))))))))))))!

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Amos
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 11:11 PM

I am happy to report I just passed two interviews in one day and got a job for the next 30-60 days. It is brain-numbing work, inheriting and taking responsibility for hundreds of pages of test data which was badly performed and yet making it into a rational and meaningful report. It is the white-collar equivalent of ditch digging, but I ain't complaining yet, because the dough is good. Oddly enough this one did not come through connections but through a recruiter.

Flood that resume out to anyone and everyone who might have the vaguest connection with where you want to go.

Me, I am going to keep right on looking for the right job. THis one will tide me along for a bit.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: mg
Date: 27 Apr 05 - 01:06 AM

have you tried all the government agencies? I know in Washington State you get full benefits from working half time at colleges, public school, state agencies...even if it were way below your education etc. it could stabalize things enough for you to do what you like the other half time...also federal jobs I would think kick in at half time. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 27 Apr 05 - 03:08 AM

Good news, Amos! I hope you get something you really like soon.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Amos
Date: 27 Apr 05 - 03:55 AM

Keep on keeping on...what else can we do?


A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Apr 05 - 01:15 AM

Pauline, I agree totally with the general consensus: "Bummer." Serious bummer. In spades. Amos' advice is terrific though, Flood that resume out to anyone and everyone who might have the vaguest connection with where you want to go. I know you've been doing roughly that all along.

I once read the term "Repetitive Strategy" to describe the process where you just keep on keeping on and keeping on and keeping on, until one time you reach the right people and you finally get what you want. You are pretty good at that, as you know I have admired your determination and perseverance.

The example the writer gave was his and his wife's desire to have a dream house for not too much money. They wrote to realtors all over the country for several years, until one day the right house showed up. Then they didn't hesitate: They bought it. Well I don't know if you're going to find your dream job but a job that works for you ought to be possible darn it.

Do you have any leads right now for any free lancing?

Would it be any use to use to you to write up a long list of crazy things you might do to earn a living? (Examples: Take a job playing violin gigs for orchestras in retirement communities. Get a job as a docent at a butterfly show.) It might be relaxing and fun to make such a list even if it didn't lead to any real ideas for income. And it might actually trigger a useful idea or two hidden among the absurdities.

Hugs & butterflies,
Rita

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 28 Apr 05 - 05:14 PM

Dear Pauline -- so sorry to hear this -- what a disappointment! I don't have any suggestions for you at the moment. I think you're doing everything right -- it's just that these days, even doing everything right is no guarantee of anything.

FWIW, I've heard the same things about jobs coming from contacts, not adverts, but almost every job I've ever managed to get has been the result of answering an ad or sending out my resume to a bunch of places, as opposed to hearing about a job from a personal contact or a (friend of a) friend.

Wish I could do more to help...

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 03 May 05 - 01:01 AM

I had an interview for a temporary, part time job today. A short time ago, I would not even have considered such a thing, but I'm getting desperate. I've noticed that most interviewers seem more nervous than I am. This time, I decided to try harder to warm up the audience, as if I were playing a gig or meeting a new student and trying to get him or her to relax. I was successful at doing that. When I applied for this job, back in January, I thought it would be full time, long term. The woman with whom I interviewed today told me that they had decided not to hire anyone at that time but they need someone now. She may be telling the truth. Actually, I had the impression that she doesn't know what she wants. I tried to convince her that she wants to hire me full time. I told her that I have so many skills that I could pinch hit for other people in a crunch. She said she's not sure whether they could afford to hire someone full time but she'll check into it. We left it that if I go to work for her, I'd start as part time and then we'd see what happens. I still don't know whether she wants to hire me short term (through the summer) or long term. I wouldn't mind working part time if they'd give me benefits, but very few employers give benefits to part time workers. The work sounds boring as hell, but I'm in no position to turn down an income. Ow, I have an awful headache.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,Amos
Date: 03 May 05 - 08:05 AM

Way to go, Pauline. You have found the right attitude -- tell 'em what they want, and you're it!

I hope this comes through -- even part time will take a loadof stress off for a bit.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 03 May 05 - 01:01 PM

Thanks, Amos. You're certainly right about the stress.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: PoppaGator
Date: 04 May 05 - 03:00 PM

Ouch! Too bad that you sometimes have to take the attitude that something is better than nothing, and you'll take whatever you can get. In the meanwhile, all you can do is visualize things developing to your best advantage.

This could work out OK, actually; once you get your foot in the door, you may very well be able to make yourself as indispensible as possible. If given the opportunity ~ spoil them! When summer comes to an end, they may well come to realize that they can't (or at least don't want to) go on without you. By then, if you have continued to seek better jobs, full-time positions with benefits, you might be able to turn the tables on them and issue an ultimatum: "If you want me to stay, you'll have to upgrade me to full time, with benefits and [x] amount of pay."

As always, good luck!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,ClaireBear
Date: 04 May 05 - 07:43 PM

Pauline, how are your technical and marketing writing skills and experience? E-mail me the answer and I'll respond with why I'm asking.

Sorry, I've never become a Mudcat member because I don't have Internet access at home, so no PMs, but I am a frequent poster -- nothing weird going on.

Claire
claire [e-mail]
(substitute an underscore for the space -- standard precaution against spam harvesting)

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 09 May 05 - 07:15 PM

I just found out that I've got the temporary, part time job. I'll try very hard to make myself indispenseable and hope they'll keep me for longer, but I won't count on it. This work will keep the wolf from the door for a while, anyway. I'm running out of money and I'm almost at the panic point. I'm glad I got the position.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Nancy King
Date: 09 May 05 - 07:29 PM

Not perfect, but WAAAY better than nothing! Congratulations!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 09 May 05 - 09:20 PM

Good start!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 10 May 05 - 08:26 AM

Good! now you have some breathing space to find "THE" job. Best of luck!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Amos
Date: 10 May 05 - 08:29 AM

Oh, Pauline, what a relief!! Way to go!!!!


A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: heric
Date: 10 May 05 - 09:39 AM

Even if they don't end up being able to offer you a longer term or full time, your employability posture now goes way up on subsequent applications.

(I just had an interview with for a job that will exceed my former salary by thirty percent. Hard, hard unglmaorous work, but hey. .. . And it came through one of those three connections. I reiterate - think hard on people from your past, not bosses, but coworkers for whom you did a good turn or with whom you shared good laughs.)

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: PoppaGator
Date: 10 May 05 - 10:04 AM

Halleluliah!

Or, at least, Phew!

I'm so glad to check into this thread and finally see some (modestly) good news. Way to go, Pauline! It's not a complete solution, but now you're certainly in much better shape to continue looking for the job you really want.

Congrats!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Carly
Date: 10 May 05 - 04:41 PM

So glad to hear this news! It is a major step in the right direction. Congratulations, Pauline!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 24 May 05 - 05:21 PM

I tried to post this message yesterday, but it didn't work.

Second verse, same as the first
Two times louder and two times worse.

That's how I feel about job interviews. I'm getting tired of them. I'd like to come to closure, but that may not be possible. Maybe I need to learn how to live with this kind of uncertainty. Today I had an interview for a pseudogovernment job. The pay is good and they give benefits. Hot damn! I don't think my chances of getting th job are particularly good. However, I put on my best positive attitude, along with my interview suit, and tried my best. Now to see what the future brings...

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: bbc
Date: 24 May 05 - 10:00 PM

Pay & benefits are good. Keep trying, dear. One of these will pan out. The process sure ain't fun, though. I did it for 2 years once.

love,

Barbara

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 25 May 05 - 08:09 AM

keeping the fingers, toes and otherassorted body parts crossed for you!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 12:05 AM

It's been several months since I've written on Mudcat about being unemployed. Lest you think that I have a job, I'm writing yet another chapter in my horror story.

I have been unemployed for almost all of the last four years. I lived on my savings until they were exhausted, and now I'm living on my retirement money. When that runs out, I will come to the end of the road. I have no family or significant other to fall back on for help. I have a small income from teaching violin and doing very occasional freelance science writing. Naturally, I've been looking *very hard* for a job. I'm not waiting for the ideal job which makes full use of my abilities and experiences. I will do almost anything that pays and provides health insurance. Yes, I've considered temp work. Yes, I've considered switching fields. Yes, I've considered walking people's dogs and mowing their lawns and living cheaply. I've even considered applying for a position as a violin teacher in a commercial fishing town in the Aleutian Islands. Really.

I have been finding only about two or three jobs a month that I'm qualified enough to apply for. Today I had a job interview, my first one since last summer. This interview was bizarre. It is a fairly senior level position which I am well qualified for, and the work looks interesting. (I have a Ph.D. and over 30 years of postdoctoral work experience.) A major part of the job would be attending high level scientific/medical meetings biweekly and writing 47 page long reports within three days. That's not the outrageous part. The first person I spoke to at the company seemed quite reasonable. Then I spoke to the company president. Usually this is pro forma. However, this woman was a real bitch. She told me that she didn't want to hire me because of my age; she'd rather hire someone younger; if I know a younger person who's qualified for this job, please let her know; unfortunately, a younger person would not have the amount of experience necessary to do the job well. Age discrimination is illegal, but I didn't remind her about it. There are 46 employees of the company, and only one science writer and two science editors as senior as I. She has about 30 freelance science writers and she wants to have more writing done in-house. I asked her why, and she said that she wants to have more control over people. If someone has problems in their personal life that might interfere with doing their job, she wants to know about it. I wouldn't survive long under her thumb. I think I'd be happier flipping burgers at MacDonalds than working for her. If she has nothing better to do with her time than monitor the personal lives of her employees, then she should go to work for George Orwell. They gave me a take home test of science writing and editing, as most employers do. She wants me to give her names of references. I'm thinking of telling her that I would consider working for her as a freelancer but not as a company employee. There are worse things than being a violin teacher and freelance science writer, just as there are worse things than being single.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh! I need Mudcatters' advice and support.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Peace
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 12:51 AM

Pauline: It might be a good job to pass up. However, since you likely wouldn't care to work for this woman, maybe it wouldn't hurt to give her your terms and see what she says.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,DB
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 07:14 AM

Pauline,

I'm now unemployed for the second time in my life. The first time it happened I took the first job that came along. The interview for this job was appalling - I was gobsmacked by the rudeness and aggressiveness of the interviewer! I got through this ordeal, somehow, and managed to survive in the job for 17 years.
The interviewer was a pretentious and smug little prick whose bark turned out to be worse than his bite. It also turned out that, in the course of the job, I had very little to do with this oaf, although I was destined to meet people who were far worse. I soon learned that most of the 'bad' people were basically insecure and tended not to last very long. I also met some wonderful people who were a pleasure to work with. Since I was made redundo, back in August, a number of these people have given me a lot of moral support - for which I am very grateful.
For a sensitive person (which you obviously are), it is very difficult to get work into perspective. Like most people, I suppose the trick is to find a way of telling yourself "it's only a job".
My current situation is that I have a small occupational pension that I now have to supplement for the next few years (preferably with something part-time). I have recently had three interviews which look promising. I think that the last 17 years took their toll on me and I'm now searching for something a bit less pressured. The jobs which you are going for seem very pressured, to me. I wonder, have you thought of looking for something a bit more 'relaxing'? Such a job might not pay a lot but it might help you to ease yourself back into work and build up your confidence a bit - that's certainly what I think I need at the moment.
Hope this helps.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 11:21 AM

My sympathies on a job market which keeps many of we best and brightest underemployed and unemployed. I don't see it getting better except for the upper crust, because of outsourcing.

I would have to second the question "are you really going to be spending a lot of time with this bitch". If you have an evil awful top dog who runs the organization, but everyone else is a pleasure to work with, then maybe the situation will be livable until she moves on. Particularly if there are nice colleagues who could be of great moral support and possibly help you prepare/network for a better position down the line.   

However, if you are going to have to have story conferences with the awful woman every 24 hours and rewrite each syllable for her, then that's a different story.

Yet, I also have to ask "are you desperate for work or not" because your post contains both messages. You must make up your mind if financial stability is your number one goal at this time, or if you want to starve to death with your dignity intact. It may be much better for you as a whole to think of this as a 2 year hitch in the army or a stretch in prison that simply must be undertaken and endured for the greater good.

Know that we care about your situation and hope there is a much brighter future through the next door.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: MMario
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 11:35 AM

drat, Pauline - I was hoping the reson we hadn't been hearing from you was that you were wildly busy with a new job. Keeping my fingers crossed for you and holding you in my thoughts.

Just don't take a job that conflicts with Getaway! (kidding!)

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Amos
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 12:59 PM

Pauline:

If you have spare time in your job search, you might also consider developing book proposals in the field of popular science/technology expositions. Biotech, genetic engineering, nano-tech, environmental degradation, the mathematics of neo-Darwinism, are all topics that could use a series of really well done popular expositions.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 01:51 PM

Guest DB, please reread my post. Your advice conflicts with the facts I've stated. I said that the woman who interviewed me is the president of the company, and there are only 46 people in the company. There is no way that I could avoid her. I know you're still upset and sensitive about your own experiences, but please reread what I've written before giving me inappropriate advice.

If anyone is implying that I'm too thin skinned and that I should put up with this kind of crap in return for an income, I say this: First, I resent the implication. Second, please reread what I've written. I make some money teaching violin and doing freelance science writing. If I take a job like the one I described, would that be a net gain or loss for me in terms of income? As I said in my previous post, I wouldn't survive long under her thumb. I simply wouldn't last long in that job. It might be worth my while to take such a job and stay just long enough to get health insurance and qualify for COBRA, but I don't think I would last that long. I have numerous medical issues that get worse when I'm under stress.

Someone said I wonder, have you thought of looking for something a bit more 'relaxing'? Such a job might not pay a lot but it might help you to ease yourself back into work... Please read what I wrote in my previous post. I've addressed these issues already.

I am 57 y.o. and I have been working for pay since I was old enough to qualify. I have hated almost all of my jobs. For many years, the only way I could talk myself into getting out of bed in the morning and going into work was by thinking of the gym where I worked out at lunch time. Now I would be happy to get a job that I like *and* that would pay enough for me to live on. It really hurts to think that I will never be able to buy a car; I will never be able to retire; I will never be able to take a vacation, even something as cheap as flying to a nearby city and staying with friends; I may not be able to get health insurance or afford the copay if I do. I have numerous medical problems and my prescription drugs alone cost almost $1000 a month. I honestly don't know how I'd survive without my antidepressants and my asthma meds. I've been suicidal. Since I don't have a car, I have to walk everywhere, including the grocery store, and I can barely make it now. I'm hardly a spoiled princess.

I was hoping to get realistic advice and moral support by posting here. I thank you, MMario and others, for caring. I look forward to getting some hugs from you at the Getaway.