Kevin's Watch

Happy Birthday Lorin!!!

Happy birthday, Lorin!

lorin wrote:someone here told me it gets better when you leave the garden state.

Watch that first step. It isn't much better in NY...

Puttering around tonight. I found a cousin on facebook today, and we were trading family information on the ancestors. He knew some things, I knew a couple of other things.

first of all.....thank you for all your nice birthday wishes. I do listen (read) a lot of what everyone says, to me and others and I have come to the conclusion that I need to pay closer attention to my favorite quote

"happiness is a journey, not a destination" and start remembering the good things going on in my life. so here's some of my list

i'm still working
i see the beach every day (although admittedly just from my car on most days)
l like my dog
today I dont hate my kids
my mind is still pretty good (though not as good as the occupants of the Tank. )
i can draw pretty well
50% of my credit cards are paid off
I have a totally coooool car (Prius)
I had a date (two months ago )
Menolly doesnt think I need a facelift
My clients havent killed me
i dont have diabetes anymore
Ive completed 100 pages of my book
hitting the literary wall didnt hurt as bad as I thought it would.
menopause turned out to be kinda GREAT
I like the people on this site and I havent scared them away yet.
i lost 100 pounds (or otherwise known as 5 jumbo turkeys)

so all in all..........i need to be more grateful.

I wrote 700 words today! So I'm patting myself on the back. Imagine how much I could write if I actually didn't spend most of my time fluffing around on the internet!

...and I listened to Diana Krall sing "A Case of You" about 60 times....coz I wanted to.

That's awesome, Sea! I really wish I had the drive to write. Sometimes I feel it and sometimes I don't... mostly don't. I'm totally happy for you!

Also, Happy Burfday, lorin!

Also, I feel awesome. AWESOME!!

Seareach wrote:I wrote 700 words today! So I'm patting myself on the back. Imagine how much I could write if I actually didn't spend most of my time fluffing around on the internet!

...and I listened to Diana Krall sing "A Case of You" about 60 times....coz I wanted to.

That is no easy accomplishment and you should be applauded ..........clap clap CLAP

Seareach wrote: ...and I listened to Diana Krall sing "A Case of You" about 60 times....coz I wanted to.

I've only heard her once. The song I heard was called Temptation, I think. It was good. In my mind, I always associate it with Two Shots by Matt Dusk.

Today marks two months since my former employer released me and the rest of my team. I knew this was coming and planned for it, so I am not in an immediate pinch financially. Still, I am far from being ready to retire; I’m not so well off as that and I still enjoy what I do enough to want to do it for quite a few years. Consequently, I have “put myself out there” on a few appropriate websites and have responded to job postings that fit my qualifications and interested me.

What is irking me on this two-month occasion is the lack of useful response. Not only have I not gotten even one face-to-face interview yet, the only response I’ve gotten has been from two (out of dozens) companies that had the courtesy to say they had filled the position. Most of my submissions (each tailored to highlight how my experience and skills parallel their stated requirements) might as well have been sent into deep space.

The only positive nibbles I am getting are unsolicited ones from employers that are looking for me to take up an entirely different profession -- become an insurance or investment agent, a realtor, or (several times!) a medical receptionist or transcriptionist. Understand, I am not knocking those professions, but I am highly qualified in a completely different field and would neither be fulfilled in these new jobs nor be able to make anything approaching my value in my field.

It seems clear that these are from companies that are scooping up job-seekers like a whale filters krill from ocean water. If that’s their recruitment model, fine; I can easily hit the delete key, as I do with all the thinly-veiled scams to market my resume to the “hidden job market” -- after I pay them some exorbitant sum.

It’s just that after two months, I guess I expected to have at least received some interest. While I certainly knew that it would take longer than this to find my next gig, the total lack of useful response (someone interested enough to take a “tell us more” step) is a bit discouraging.

Thanks for reading this far.

What methods are you networking to generate leads to send out resumes, other than internet sites, Savor Dam?

Savor Dam wrote:Today marks two months since my former employer released me and the rest of my team. I knew this was coming and planned for it, so I am not in an immediate pinch financially. Still, I am far from being ready to retire; I’m not so well off as that and I still enjoy what I do enough to want to do it for quite a few years. Consequently, I have “put myself out there” on a few appropriate websites and have responded to job postings that fit my qualifications and interested me.

What is irking me on this two-month occasion is the lack of useful response. Not only have I not gotten even one face-to-face interview yet, the only response I’ve gotten has been from two (out of dozens) companies that had the courtesy to say they had filled the position. Most of my submissions (each tailored to highlight how my experience and skills parallel their stated requirements) might as well have been sent into deep space.

The only positive nibbles I am getting are unsolicited ones from employers that are looking for me to take up an entirely different profession -- become an insurance or investment agent, a realtor, or (several times!) a medical receptionist or transcriptionist. Understand, I am not knocking those professions, but I am highly qualified in a completely different field and would neither be fulfilled in these new jobs nor be able to make anything approaching my value in my field.

It seems clear that these are from companies that are scooping up job-seekers like a whale filters krill from ocean water. If that’s their recruitment model, fine; I can easily hit the delete key, as I do with all the thinly-veiled scams to market my resume to the “hidden job market” -- after I pay them some exorbitant sum.

It’s just that after two months, I guess I expected to have at least received some interest. While I certainly knew that it would take longer than this to find my next gig, the total lack of useful response (someone interested enough to take a “tell us more” step) is a bit discouraging.

Thanks for reading this far.

I feel your pain. I spent 9 months last year out of work. I found a job in my field, got hired, worked almost 6 months, and then they fired me rather than put me on as a full-time employee. Now I don't know what the hell to do. They say they'll bring me back as a temp, but it's been 3 weeks and I haven't heard a word from them. And, even if I get the call, I have to assume I'll be right back here in 6 months. Plus, the government's on me about child support; I want to pay me child support, but that requires money, and how do you make money without a job? Yeah, it's frustrating as hell.

While a lot of my search strategy is based on the internet -- not just job sites, but also professional networking sites like LinkedIn -- I do have other irons in the fire.

Having used staffing agencies for both temporary staff and for contract-to-hire positions, I have a number of recruiters with whom I have pretty good relationships. Since my release, I have gotten a few leads from them, but those have not gone anywhere yet.

I also have a fairly broad circle of acquaintance IRL from many years of being a Scout leader and from my hobbies. People know I am currently "between engagements", but this hasn't been a productive source of leads so far. At this point in my search, I am reluctant to push this group (particularly the Scouting folks) too much, as that is not what my relationships with them are intended to be.

My field is technology management. If you Phoogle me, you will see that I am located in an area where there ought to be a plethora of opportunities. Anywhere in this community, you can't swing a cat (not that I would!) without hitting a Microsoft employee. While they are not my primary target market, there are plenty of other companies around that certainly need to have people who do what I do.

Of course, these are tough times and there are a lot of people in my field who are looking. As I have said, I do not have an expectation of finding the right position quickly. I just am missing the validation I would get from having someone give me a second look.

Dan, it's a shame you can't use WGD to pay support.

Best of luck to Savor Dam and dANdeLION in their job hunts. Nobody needs that type of life uncertainty...

AjK wrote:Best of luck to Savor Dam and dANdeLION in their job hunts. Nobody needs that type of life uncertainty...

Agreed. Hang in there, you guys, and good luck with the search.

I'm highly amused because I just checked my email and I had a friend request on facebook...... from my DAD!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! My Pops got sucked into facebook! That rules on so many levels.

OH! and I might be computer friendly sooner than expected, I was yammering with a customer and she was venting about unexpected expenses and so forth and I was sympathizing and told her about my laptop splitting in half and it turns out she is a manager for Apple and she totally will hook me up with her employee discount when I get some ducats together for a new puter.

aliantha wrote:

AjK wrote:Best of luck to Savor Dam and dANdeLION in their job hunts. Nobody needs that type of life uncertainty...

Agreed. Hang in there, you guys, and good luck with the search.

Yes, hang in there you two!

CovenantJr wrote:

Seareach wrote: ...and I listened to Diana Krall sing "A Case of You" about 60 times....coz I wanted to.

I've only heard her once. The song I heard was called Temptation, I think. It was good. In my mind, I always associate it with Two Shots by Matt Dusk.

listen to this: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGrsc5FeQDs

the song has sentimental value for me; but the way Diana sings it is so touching.

dANdeLION wrote:

Savor Dam wrote:Today marks two months since my former employer released me and the rest of my team. I knew this was coming and planned for it, so I am not in an immediate pinch financially. Still, I am far from being ready to retire; I’m not so well off as that and I still enjoy what I do enough to want to do it for quite a few years. Consequently, I have “put myself out there” on a few appropriate websites and have responded to job postings that fit my qualifications and interested me.

What is irking me on this two-month occasion is the lack of useful response. Not only have I not gotten even one face-to-face interview yet, the only response I’ve gotten has been from two (out of dozens) companies that had the courtesy to say they had filled the position. Most of my submissions (each tailored to highlight how my experience and skills parallel their stated requirements) might as well have been sent into deep space.

The only positive nibbles I am getting are unsolicited ones from employers that are looking for me to take up an entirely different profession -- become an insurance or investment agent, a realtor, or (several times!) a medical receptionist or transcriptionist. Understand, I am not knocking those professions, but I am highly qualified in a completely different field and would neither be fulfilled in these new jobs nor be able to make anything approaching my value in my field.

It seems clear that these are from companies that are scooping up job-seekers like a whale filters krill from ocean water. If that’s their recruitment model, fine; I can easily hit the delete key, as I do with all the thinly-veiled scams to market my resume to the “hidden job market” -- after I pay them some exorbitant sum.

It’s just that after two months, I guess I expected to have at least received some interest. While I certainly knew that it would take longer than this to find my next gig, the total lack of useful response (someone interested enough to take a “tell us more” step) is a bit discouraging.

Thanks for reading this far.

I feel your pain. I spent 9 months last year out of work. I found a job in my field, got hired, worked almost 6 months, and then they fired me rather than put me on as a full-time employee. Now I don't know what the hell to do. They say they'll bring me back as a temp, but it's been 3 weeks and I haven't heard a word from them. And, even if I get the call, I have to assume I'll be right back here in 6 months. Plus, the government's on me about child support; I want to pay me child support, but that requires money, and how do you make money without a job? Yeah, it's frustrating as hell.

wishing you both well in these hard times. I am standing on that precipice as well.

Savor & dAN, I hope things turn around for you soon! The problem with the current economic climate is too much emphasis on profiteering and none on valuing the workforce. And a lot of these 'companies' put in job adverts because they are required by law to advertise a vacancy. Doesn't mean they have to interview people. Most cases the job is already filled by an incumbent & they are simply 'given' the placement. Nepotism, cronyism, and outright unscrupulous behaviour by employers simply wishing to find 'cheap' labour is why some people are sacked. The gall of it is sometimes they will try to re-hire the sacked person but at a much lower rate of pay! The government really needs to start kicking employers up the arse when it comes to a 'fair go' in the employment market. The emphasis should be on getting the right person for a job and paying them a fair wage, NOT keeping the fecking shareholders happy with higher profits by skimping on workers' pay.

*climbs off soapbox*

Elfgirl wrote:Savor & dAN, I hope things turn around for you soon! The problem with the current economic climate is too much emphasis on profiteering and none on valuing the workforce. And a lot of these 'companies' put in job adverts because they are required by law to advertise a vacancy. Doesn't mean they have to interview people. Most cases the job is already filled by an incumbent & they are simply 'given' the placement. Nepotism, cronyism, and outright unscrupulous behaviour by employers simply wishing to find 'cheap' labour is why some people are sacked. The gall of it is sometimes they will try to re-hire the sacked person but at a much lower rate of pay! The government really needs to start kicking employers up the arse when it comes to a 'fair go' in the employment market. The emphasis should be on getting the right person for a job and paying them a fair wage, NOT keeping the fecking shareholders happy with higher profits by skimping on workers' pay.

*climbs off soapbox*