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BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: Tinker Date: 13 Jan 05 - 12:20 AM Pauline, I've got good feelings headed your way. HOpw things go the way they should and life settles as it should. Blessings and Light ] Tinker |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: GUEST,bbc at work Date: 13 Jan 05 - 11:28 AM Hi, Pauline, I was wondering how you are doing. Thanks for posting! Two hours for a commute seems long, but you never know. I stayed unemployed a year longer than I would have needed to, because I thought (at the time) that a 1-hour commute was too long. By the end of 2 years of unemployment, I was looking at all kinds of options! What do you know, at that point, a 1-hr commute looked feasible! That same job had been available the year before, but I wouldn't have considered it. It has turned into the most stable job I've had so far & may be where I stay till retirement. Two summers ago, I moved closer to where I work &, now, I have a comfortable, scenic 25-minute commute. Give it some thought. Weigh the pluses & minuses w/ an open mind & see what you think. love, Barbara (Please forgive if I double-post. I got an error message the 1st time.) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: GUEST Date: 13 Jan 05 - 11:38 AM I'd get a lot more done if I had a two hour commute on public transport then with my current self-driven 1.25 hour commute! If we had public transport. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: open mike Date: 13 Jan 05 - 12:00 PM you might find that someone else there has a similar commute and you could car pool! soon after the money starts rolling in you CAN get a car!! best of luck and hang in there...and keep fiddlin'! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: Dipsodeb Date: 13 Jan 05 - 12:21 PM That's great news Pauline it looks as though things are looking up. You certainly sound more positive. Look at the traveling time as a good thing! You can get to read great books or even use the time to study something. Whatever you decide to do it can only be a positive step up from when you first posted this thread. Blessings ~Debs~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: hesperis Date: 13 Jan 05 - 12:48 PM Best of luck! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: Pauline L Date: 13 Jan 05 - 09:01 PM My long commute may or may not be dead time. If I take public transportation, I would have to walk a mile or take a bus, then ride a Metro train, then transfer to another Metro train, then take another bus. I probably wouldn't even get a seat for much of the journey and I can't read while standing, holding onto something for balance, and bouncing around. Of course, I could listen to CDs. :-) I just bought a portable CD player and some kind soul gave me a CD with a couple of hours of MP3s on it. I take it everywhere I go. Other options include car pool or van pool. I've decided to buy a car some time soon, and that would give me another option. I think the most important thing now is to get a job. Thank you all for your continued encouragement. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: Pauline L Date: 14 Jan 05 - 03:25 PM My latest call from HR looks like a false alarm. She called me Wednesday and left a message, and I've called her back and left a message several times. Today is Friday, and I still haven't heard from her. I checked the company's website. They're advertising the position again, this time with slightly different wording on the requirements, and I don't qualify. However, there is some good news. The company's website gives a link to a list of 60 companies, mostly local, that do similar work. They're all on contract to NIH (National Institutes of Health), and most do science/health writing. I've started going through the list one by one, going to the websites and looking at "Careers." So far, I've only found one position to apply for, but it's a start. I guess I just have to keep marching along one step at a time. Wish me luck again. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: M.Ted Date: 14 Jan 05 - 04:21 PM Don't give up hope--most of the time, no one bothers to call you if they are not interested in you--also, the slightly different job description may be a slightly different job--one thing, don't leave too many messages, it makes you look over-eager-- |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: Big Al Whittle Date: 14 Jan 05 - 04:24 PM Well done pauline, keeping positive and working out ways that you start work again. All my very best wishes to you Big al |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: M.Ted Date: 14 Jan 05 - 04:44 PM Don't give up hope--most of the time, no one bothers to call you if they are not interested in you--also, the slightly different job description may be a slightly different job--it is important to follow up, but don't leave too many messages, it makes you look over-eager-- |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: Amos Date: 15 Jan 05 - 12:06 AM Well, Pauline, I've just joined you; my dear wife and I are facing Reduction in Force within weeks of each other as the costs of Operation Iraq Freedom begin to trickle down into the contracting research and development parts of the military/industrial complex. I think I have floated about forty resumes in the last couple of weeks and a few interested responses have surfaced, but it is a bloody slow and nerve wracking process. Wish someone would pay me for second-rate poems and essays!! The only answer, as mentioned above in one form or another, is to "keep on plugging!" A |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: Pauline L Date: 15 Jan 05 - 12:26 AM Amos, I'm sorry that you and your wife are both being RIF'd. I'm glad, though, that you have already gotten a few interested responses. From my point of view, that's pretty quick. I used to work for Uncle Sam, and now I'm looking for jobs among the Uncle's contractors. As you said, "Keep on plugging." Good luck to all of us. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: Pauline L Date: 14 Feb 05 - 11:56 PM Hi, I'm back. I have a job interview on Wednesday, only my second interview since I lost my most recent job in November. I'm somewhat surprised that they called me because the position is at a senior level and I haven't done quite that type of work before. I feel confident that I could do it, though, and do it well enough to avoid being disgraced and fired. The job is writing and editing of a very technical nature, re government regulations in health care. The firm is very large and prestigious. Their publications are authoritative. If I get this job, I would get a lot of freedom and responsibility in my work. As part of the interview, I will take two tests. I will be given something technical to edit (30 minutes) and some technical stuff to read and write about (60 minutes). They told me to bring writing samples. I've been working on one for several days. It is the type of article they publish, and if I don't get the job, I can use the article as a writing sample for other jobs. Writing this is not trivial. I'm reading an FDA regulation 197 pages long and writing about it. Last night, very late, I got slaphappy and started writing limericks instead. It would be nice to get this job. Wish me luck. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: Amos Date: 15 Feb 05 - 12:01 AM Pauline: Congrats!! Just remember, bring the writing sample without the limericks. Until you determine the scopew of the interviewer's sense of humor!!! :D As it happens BBW's job has stabilized again and she is not being RIF'd. In fact she's been re-situated into something she is MUCH happier with! A |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: GUEST,~S~ Date: 15 Feb 05 - 12:03 AM Amos, RIF is sometimes only a legal fiction where the employer is required to notify victims within a certain time frame (related to budget cycle)..... then Presto! People get rehired before they leave. COULD happen anyhow. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: GUEST,,gargoyle Date: 15 Feb 05 - 12:14 AM Greetings - Gargoyle wishes to show the richness of each day. Start each morn with a thankfull prayer that GOD considers you worthy persons and that you continue to still contribut to his kingdom.
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: Linda Goodman Zebooker Date: 15 Feb 05 - 12:30 AM I wish you the best in your interview. Sounds like you are very well prepared for your adventure later today. Your cheerful attitude (Limericks!) will help carry you through. --Linda |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: Amos Date: 15 Feb 05 - 12:30 AM Thanks Wyz, and thank you too, Garg. A |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: Peace Date: 15 Feb 05 - 12:52 AM Great news, Amos. And Pauline, lotsa luck with the interview. I trust success will come your way. Go girl go. BM |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: fat B****rd Date: 15 Feb 05 - 03:06 AM Good luck and all that. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: GUEST,bbc Date: 15 Feb 05 - 07:06 AM Give it your best shot, Pauline. Sounds like it might be a good one! I did a co-op job while I got my graduate degree, indexing Navy documents. More interesting than you might think! I'll be praying for you. love, Barbara |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: GUEST,Juan P-B Date: 15 Feb 05 - 12:45 PM All the best for tomorrow pPauline. The prayers of all us Phatt-B'Stards are with you. If you'd got that first job this one might not have dropped in your lap! Go for it gal!! Juan |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: Dani Date: 15 Feb 05 - 01:41 PM Thank you, Gargoyle. That felt great. I'm in the middle of polishing resume and going (practically) door-to-door. Still don't know that the hell I'm qualifed for, let alone what I WANT to do, but need to get a job quickly regardless. Anyway, I'm off to an interview this afternoon, and have been thinking of you a lot, Pauline. I think you're very smart and very brave, and you've given me courage, too. Dani |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: jacqui.c Date: 15 Feb 05 - 02:21 PM Good luck to all of you. I'll be thinking of you Pauline for tomorrow. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: heric Date: 15 Feb 05 - 04:51 PM Whoa, Amos. I was just inspired to look into this thread for the first time. Do you drink?? Me neither. . . Maybe we should go practice. I just looked into the ads for my dark art and was shocked by the paucity. Wanna open a day care? You can teach them philosophy and computer technology, and I'll teach them, umm, ahh, I dunno poetry or something. We'll make a movie of it. Perfect. This will sell. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: GUEST,Nancy King at work Date: 15 Feb 05 - 05:33 PM Good luck with the interview, Pauline! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: Amos Date: 15 Feb 05 - 05:52 PM Heric, I love the idea. You round up the moms and sell them on it, ok? I'll paint the furniture...or whatever...I've never been too goods with moms.... A |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: Big Al Whittle Date: 15 Feb 05 - 06:00 PM well done in getting the interview - all the very best - they're lucky to have a chance of you al |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: PoppaGator Date: 15 Feb 05 - 06:39 PM Pauline, good luck! I hadn't seen this thread for a while, and was afraid I had missed my chance to convey my best wishes to you in time. Technical writing isn't such a bad racket. Your chances of winning the job, and of enjoying smooth sailing once you're in there, are enhanced because no one on the organizational chart is well qualified, well positioned, or even particularly interested, in finding fault with your work. (A long as you produce some work, and resist the temptation to spend too much time at the Mudcat Cafe!) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: Pauline L Date: 15 Feb 05 - 09:51 PM PoppaGator, other people have told me the same thing you did about technical and scientific writing, and that includes Dick Greenhaus. It's a cheery thought. :-) Thanks to everyone for your good wishes and encouragement. I'll let you know how it goes. Now I'll print out several copies of my resume and writing samples and then get some sleep. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: YorkshireYankee Date: 16 Feb 05 - 12:01 AM Pauline, haven't posted before now, but have been following your saga over the past few months with sympathy, & sincerely rooting for you. Can't remember if somebody has already said this or not (I did read the whole thread (once upon a time), honest!), but if you want the job, say so! I have received job offers in the past by virtue of being the only candidate to out-and-out say "I would really like this job." or "I want to work for/with you." More on that later, but it's almost 5 a.m. here... but anyway, just wanted to wish you the very best of luck & tell you my fingers are crossed for you. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: GUEST,Amos Date: 16 Feb 05 - 10:03 AM The big secret to scientific writing is learning the nomenclature. If you keep a list of words you hit that you don't grok and look them up (and their dependent definitions) until you do understand them, you will become a whizbang science/tech writer in no time. It never ceases to amaze me how many people fail to do this one simple trick, and thus consign themselves to being confused a lot more than they need to be. A |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: heric Date: 16 Feb 05 - 11:50 AM What time zone is Pauline in? This thread has too much suspense today. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: Pauline L Date: 16 Feb 05 - 07:15 PM Hello, all. Thanks for all your good wishes. I'm in Eastern Standard Time Zone when I'm not zoned out. Guest Amos, I am a scientist and I know scientific terminology. In this job I'd be writing about regulations. I've written a lot about regulations, even written some regulations. After that, it's a miracle that I can write a simple, clear sentence. Yorkshire Yankee, I plan to tell them that I want the job (I'd be an asset to your organization) in my thank you email. The interview went well. Now is the waiting game. I'd like to write more about the interview, but right now I can barely stand the thought of writing. I'm zoned out. I'll write more tomorrow. Again, thanks to everyone. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: M.Ted Date: 16 Feb 05 - 08:16 PM A little late, but good luck, break a leg--etc--I second what PG said about technical writing(and, in fact, all writing) and add that most people can't do it, and most of the rest won't do it-- |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: bbc Date: 16 Feb 05 - 09:17 PM Good to hear your news, Pauline. I hope it works out. Any idea when you'll hear about an offer, if one is forthcoming? love, Barbara |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: GUEST,Peter Woodruff Date: 16 Feb 05 - 09:29 PM Pauline, Don't you worry your little head off! We here in Bath, Maine will soon be laid off too, thanks to George W Bush. Peter |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: Amos Date: 16 Feb 05 - 11:44 PM Brava, Brava, Pauline! I just got an invitation for a phone interview with QualComm, the premium employer on my wish list, makers of CDMA and BREW wireless applications and Location-Based Services for wireless cellphones and so on. This could be wayyyy cool! A |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: GUEST,jacqui.c Date: 17 Feb 05 - 07:00 AM Good luck with that Amos. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: Pauline L Date: 18 Feb 05 - 12:43 AM When I got home from my interview yesterday, I was totally exhausted. It would probably be more accurate to say that I felt like I was coming unraveled. Chronic unemployment and job hunting are extremely stressful. As I said yesterday, the interview went very well. I followed the advice given in several Internet articles I've read. I asked some substantive questions. This made me feel pro-active instead of passive. You can learn a lot from the answers someone gives to your questions, and I liked his answers. I took the editing test with the aid of a dictionary, not Microsoft Word Spell Check or the AP Style manual. every time I reread the document they gave me, i found more spelling errors. A lot of people have told me that, when writing, it's important to submit a "clean" copy, with no errors in grammar or spelling. Now I understand why. Their office computer system was down for repairs, and the interviewer initially told me that I would have to come back another day for the writing test. However, while I was taking the editing test, he read the writing samples I brought with me, and he told me that he really liked them and there was no need to come back and take the writing test. :-) I plan to send him one more writing sample of the type I've seen in the company's publication which he gave me. If he had any doubts about my ability to write because I'm a scientist and not a journalist, I think I convinced him that I really can write quite well. He said that in about a month, the one or two top applicants would be called to come back for another interview. I'm applying for other jobs, but I would be less than honest if I pretended that I don't want this job. I suppose I'm superstitious, but I take the following as a good sign. I got to the office quite early and read the book I had brought with me, "Will you Miss Me When I'm Gone?" by Zwonitzer and Hirshberg. The interviewer saw the book and asked me what it was about, and I replied that it was about the Carter Family singers, and he knew who they were. That's got to be auspicious. Amos, I'm so glad that you have a phone interview with the #1 employer on your wish list. I'm sure you'll ace it. Peter, I'm sorry that you're about to join the ranks of the illustrious unemployed. I hope that your job search is short and fruitful. A lot of Mudcatters are wishing you well. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: bbc Date: 18 Feb 05 - 04:50 PM It sounds good, Pauline. Congratulations on a good interview. You're one step closer to where you want to be. love, Barbara |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: Amos Date: 19 Feb 05 - 01:25 PM Good job, Pauline!! Maybe sending him a note saying thanks for the interview would be a good idea? My phone interview went well; the hiring manager said she would get back to me as tot he next step which I take as a positive choice of words, but she had several others to interview. So I can just grind my teeth for a week!! Meanwhile I am flogging ye olde resoomay up and down the town. A |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: jacqui.c Date: 19 Feb 05 - 02:56 PM Fingers crossed for both of you! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: Pauline L Date: 20 Feb 05 - 01:31 AM Amos, I always send a thank you note by email within 24 hours after the interview. It's de rigeur according to many sources on the Internet. This time, however, the interviewer responded with an email to me -- a first in my experience. He said, "We'll be talking to you." At first I was excited, but then I remembered something. When I go out on a date with someone for the first time, he almost always ends the date by saying, "I'll give you a call" or "I'll be talking to you." That means only one thing: his voice is working. I'm kind of jaded. If Jacqui keeps her fingers crossed for both of us, maybe we really will have good luck. I hope so. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: Amos Date: 20 Feb 05 - 03:37 AM Dates are different; I would take that as a positive indication! A |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: Pauline L Date: 20 Feb 05 - 07:15 PM Amos, I believe that I've had more experience more recently than you. I hope that both of us get calls this time. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: Ebbie Date: 21 Feb 05 - 12:52 PM On a lighter note: Amos and Pauline L, when you get the job, remember to tell them you need time off in the middle of October! Best of luck to both of you. They need the goods you offer. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: Amos Date: 21 Feb 05 - 01:09 PM LOL! A |
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Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again. From: Pauline L Date: 21 Feb 05 - 10:57 PM Thanks and LOL from me, too. Pauline |
