Unemployment sucks.
I contemplated letting that one single sentence be my entire blog post...but decided against it. I don't have much to update, but I'll fill you in on the little I've got.
I, thankfully, had two interviews in the last week. They were both for receptionist/clerical work positions within (long) walking distance or a very short drive of my house. Nothing glamorous, but permanent positions, which is really what matters. I was really excited to get some call backs for those interviews. Almost every position I've applied for has been filled, or they're looking for someone more qualified for the position, or I don't hear back and they have no contact number available. Although nervous, I was ready for the interviews and had my fingers crossed. Both interviews were a little awkward, rather short and I have no idea what to really make of them. The first of the two started off by the interviewer sitting down and saying, "So, do you have any questions for me?" ....Um what? Don't you get paid to ask ME questions first? So I asked my questions, she asked about my previous job history, asked me salary expectations and that was basically it. Interview #2 was even more awkward. The interviewer asked how familiar I was with the company and the position, what I like to do in my free time, why they should hire me and if I had any questions for him. I was out of the office in ten minutes. Fifteen, tops, but that's pushing it.
I have been working the last two weeks, so at least I'm not completely bored out of my skull. The job that let me go called me back for a two and a half week assignment. Since I had nothing better to do and needed any extra money I can get, I agreed to it. I was hired for a special project taking sample request calls. It's super easy and I actually really like it....here comes the "but." But I'm not really taking those calls like they said I was supposed to. Conveniently, I wasn't taken off the diaper line, so I'm still taking the stressful, aggravating diaper calls all day. I'm the only one who was called back who hasn't been taken off the diapers line. It's actually even more stressful than it was before I was let go because it's so much busier. After letting go so many people, the hold times are astronomical and the volume is just nuts. So not only am I taking calls I hate, I'm taking about 65 of them a day. Swell.
That's all for now. Maybe some day I'll have something more interesting happen in my life to update you on. Until then, job searching will consume my soul.
*from Jane Addams
Friday, November 25, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
A lot of fellows nowadays have a B.A., M.D., or Ph.D. Unfortunately, they don't have a J.O.B.*
So...it was been some time in between posts. Sorry for the delay, but frankly, writing about my life was pretty much the last thing on my to-do list. Reason being, I lost my job. And it's the shittiest feeling in the world. Being unemployed was/is pretty hard to admit to, much less write about. The only thing I could think to say was "I suck. Job searching sucks. The end." However, lucky for you, I have gotten past being mopey so stay tuned for the last two and a half weeks to be thrown at you.
Losing my job sucked. It still sucks. Knowing it was a temporary position, I was trying everything I could so that I didn't end up like this. I had been applying for jobs in my field for two months, and got nowhere. I updated my LinkedIn profile, followed up with jobs, and scoured every job site I could think of. I had no idea how long this temp position was going to last, but I had hoped I would get more notice than I did. I got an e-mail on a Thursday that in 45 minutes I had a meeting with the director of the department and one of my managers. I knew it was either really good news or really awful news to have a meeting scheduled with them. I hoped they were going to say I was hired on, and tried to focus on that, knowing deep down that's not what the meeting was for. My anxiety was running so high I could barely focus on my calls...or anything for that matter. I somehow managed to make it through the next 45 minutes until the meeting started. I was told that my position (as well as about 20 others) was up and that I had until Monday (the end of the month). My fears had been confirmed. A whirlwind of emotions hit me and I didn't know what to feel, aside from wanting to vomit. The Waterworks started almost immediately, but I forced myself to hold it together until I had left the conference room. Now what the hell was I supposed to do? I have a car payment, three student loan payments, not to mention rent and the cost of staying alive. You know, that pesky cost of food.
As soon as I got home that night, I called the unemployment office. I wasn't sure what my options were as a temp working for a staffing agency. Was I even eligible? Would I have to get another assignment through the agency? If that was the case, I might as well throw in the towel. If I ever had to rely on that useless office, I would go hungry and my car would get repo'd. I have more confidence in my 14 year old sister finding me a job than that company. Luckily for me, I know how to get things done on my own. Also luckily for me, I was eligible for unemployment. Unfortunately, unemployment is only about 60% of your paycheck and I was already cutting it pretty close. But I had to think on the bright side. At least I was getting something. Without that 60%, I'd be fucked. I'm surviving, barely, but I'm surviving. The biggest problem is my bruised ego. Having to file for unemployment was one of the most embarrassing situations I've ever had to experience. Not having a job is such a helpless, exhausting feeling. I didn't want to run into anyone I knew. I didn't want to talk to friends. I didn't want to see the look on their faces when I said I didn't have a job. I didn't want judgemental stares from people thinking I'm a low-life doing nothing for myself. Trust me, I already feel that enough without anyone else adding to it.
So where does that leave me now? Bored. Not working was great for a few days. It gave me a chance to get a bunch of errands and laundry done. The first few days I was a job searching machine. I applied for a few more jobs in my field, or close to it. I applied for a bunch of receptionist and administrative assistant positions. After those first few days, though, job postings became slim pickins. Not much is really being posted. Every day at most and every other day at least, I spend time on Careerbuilder, SimplyHired, Indeed, jobcenterofwisconsin, jobsingreenbay, craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. I search proofreading, editing, public relations, social media, publishing, nonprofit, marketing communications, receptionist and administrative assistant and at most find two jobs a day to apply for. As for the jobs in my field, or "real jobs" as I call them, I continue to get the same old song and dance that I don't have enough experience. I did hear back from a receptionist job that actually sounds rather promising. I'm supposed to get a call to set up an interview today, and if I don't hear from the hiring manager today, I'm supposed to call the corporate HR office. That's actually really helpful. I have an e-mail and a direct extension for the corporate HR lady who originally called me, and she only gave a two day window. That feels promising at least. Keep your fingers crossed for me, because right now, it's the only option I've got.
*quote from "Fats" Domino
Losing my job sucked. It still sucks. Knowing it was a temporary position, I was trying everything I could so that I didn't end up like this. I had been applying for jobs in my field for two months, and got nowhere. I updated my LinkedIn profile, followed up with jobs, and scoured every job site I could think of. I had no idea how long this temp position was going to last, but I had hoped I would get more notice than I did. I got an e-mail on a Thursday that in 45 minutes I had a meeting with the director of the department and one of my managers. I knew it was either really good news or really awful news to have a meeting scheduled with them. I hoped they were going to say I was hired on, and tried to focus on that, knowing deep down that's not what the meeting was for. My anxiety was running so high I could barely focus on my calls...or anything for that matter. I somehow managed to make it through the next 45 minutes until the meeting started. I was told that my position (as well as about 20 others) was up and that I had until Monday (the end of the month). My fears had been confirmed. A whirlwind of emotions hit me and I didn't know what to feel, aside from wanting to vomit. The Waterworks started almost immediately, but I forced myself to hold it together until I had left the conference room. Now what the hell was I supposed to do? I have a car payment, three student loan payments, not to mention rent and the cost of staying alive. You know, that pesky cost of food.
As soon as I got home that night, I called the unemployment office. I wasn't sure what my options were as a temp working for a staffing agency. Was I even eligible? Would I have to get another assignment through the agency? If that was the case, I might as well throw in the towel. If I ever had to rely on that useless office, I would go hungry and my car would get repo'd. I have more confidence in my 14 year old sister finding me a job than that company. Luckily for me, I know how to get things done on my own. Also luckily for me, I was eligible for unemployment. Unfortunately, unemployment is only about 60% of your paycheck and I was already cutting it pretty close. But I had to think on the bright side. At least I was getting something. Without that 60%, I'd be fucked. I'm surviving, barely, but I'm surviving. The biggest problem is my bruised ego. Having to file for unemployment was one of the most embarrassing situations I've ever had to experience. Not having a job is such a helpless, exhausting feeling. I didn't want to run into anyone I knew. I didn't want to talk to friends. I didn't want to see the look on their faces when I said I didn't have a job. I didn't want judgemental stares from people thinking I'm a low-life doing nothing for myself. Trust me, I already feel that enough without anyone else adding to it.
So where does that leave me now? Bored. Not working was great for a few days. It gave me a chance to get a bunch of errands and laundry done. The first few days I was a job searching machine. I applied for a few more jobs in my field, or close to it. I applied for a bunch of receptionist and administrative assistant positions. After those first few days, though, job postings became slim pickins. Not much is really being posted. Every day at most and every other day at least, I spend time on Careerbuilder, SimplyHired, Indeed, jobcenterofwisconsin, jobsingreenbay, craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. I search proofreading, editing, public relations, social media, publishing, nonprofit, marketing communications, receptionist and administrative assistant and at most find two jobs a day to apply for. As for the jobs in my field, or "real jobs" as I call them, I continue to get the same old song and dance that I don't have enough experience. I did hear back from a receptionist job that actually sounds rather promising. I'm supposed to get a call to set up an interview today, and if I don't hear from the hiring manager today, I'm supposed to call the corporate HR office. That's actually really helpful. I have an e-mail and a direct extension for the corporate HR lady who originally called me, and she only gave a two day window. That feels promising at least. Keep your fingers crossed for me, because right now, it's the only option I've got.
*quote from "Fats" Domino
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