I fully expect to not hear anything this coming week. I'm familiar enough with how companies work to know that groups have to put their heads together, then they have to decide how much to offer me, and then decide how it is initially presented - on the phone, by email, by letter.
I have taken some time to do a little bit of research on the subject of the salary negotiation process. First and foremost, I wanted to find a way to determine what I was worth and that I wasn't setting my sights too high. Well, I found a formula and it fit just right. So, I'm prepared for the next step.
In the meantime, I am getting more and more comfortabe in this temp job and I just know I will be sad to leave this company. By anyone's standards, this company is awesome. There is a relaxed atmosphere, no one is breathing down your neck, employees are treated with respect and understanding, there is ample communication throughout the company, and there is an air of professionalism about the company. Very, very much in contrast to The Company I was released from in April.
Life is good.
October 30, 2010
October 20, 2010
Thoughts About the Unemployment Experience
When I began writing this blog, I vowed to make the task of looking for a job fun ! I envisioned myself creating a brilliant resume which would result in offers from large corporations for my services. I also vowed that I would not stress about being unemployed.
Well, that latter part I thoroughly accomplished. I did not stress during those 6.3 months. I drank in the sunshine, and I enjoyed the lazitude (I don't know if that is a word, but it means lazy attitude to me . . . ), and I took inventory of my home, and I talked to my children, and I watched The Price Is Right before lunch, and I babysat my granddaughters, and I went to lunch with friends, and slept until 11:30 a.m. one sunny morning.
But . . . . the offers from large corporations for my services? Well, let's just say this: that didn't happen. I was collecting unemployment benefits, and I was required to apply to at least two job postings per week. I consistently filled those requirements, many weeks applying to 10 or more. As October approached, I did some serious thinking about how I was presenting myself. I began to study the job descriptions on the postings I was interested in, and I also began to study other people's resumes. I realized I was selling myself short. I "automated" my job search and expanded to other job search sites.
And, one morning a job posting popped up on the top of a job search site that caught my eye. It made me excited! "I can do this", "I can absolutely do this"! I thought. I immediately applied, and they called me immediately. The ball started rolling.
This temporary job had already fallen in my lap. Coincidentally, I went for my first job interview for this job I really, really want on the Friday before I began this temporary position. Second interview was four days ago, and third interview was two days ago. Drug testing this week. I think it's a go.
So, seeing as how businesses are extremely slow with the hiring process, I am not stressing about not being able to fulfill the duration of this temp position. I think I will be able to at least get a lot done while I am there. And, I don't want to burn any bridges. I love this company I am currently temping for. If a position were offered to me right now, there would be cause to seriously pause and consider it.
But, chickens being what they are, I don't want to count them before they hatch. I'm happy to not be idle while I wait . . . . and pray . . . . and appreciate my current employment.
What on earth was I thinking?
Fun? Looking for a job can be fun? I don't think so. It is a good way to put you in your place, that's for certain. But, fun? Not on your life . . . .
Well, that latter part I thoroughly accomplished. I did not stress during those 6.3 months. I drank in the sunshine, and I enjoyed the lazitude (I don't know if that is a word, but it means lazy attitude to me . . . ), and I took inventory of my home, and I talked to my children, and I watched The Price Is Right before lunch, and I babysat my granddaughters, and I went to lunch with friends, and slept until 11:30 a.m. one sunny morning.
But . . . . the offers from large corporations for my services? Well, let's just say this: that didn't happen. I was collecting unemployment benefits, and I was required to apply to at least two job postings per week. I consistently filled those requirements, many weeks applying to 10 or more. As October approached, I did some serious thinking about how I was presenting myself. I began to study the job descriptions on the postings I was interested in, and I also began to study other people's resumes. I realized I was selling myself short. I "automated" my job search and expanded to other job search sites.
And, one morning a job posting popped up on the top of a job search site that caught my eye. It made me excited! "I can do this", "I can absolutely do this"! I thought. I immediately applied, and they called me immediately. The ball started rolling.
This temporary job had already fallen in my lap. Coincidentally, I went for my first job interview for this job I really, really want on the Friday before I began this temporary position. Second interview was four days ago, and third interview was two days ago. Drug testing this week. I think it's a go.
So, seeing as how businesses are extremely slow with the hiring process, I am not stressing about not being able to fulfill the duration of this temp position. I think I will be able to at least get a lot done while I am there. And, I don't want to burn any bridges. I love this company I am currently temping for. If a position were offered to me right now, there would be cause to seriously pause and consider it.
But, chickens being what they are, I don't want to count them before they hatch. I'm happy to not be idle while I wait . . . . and pray . . . . and appreciate my current employment.
What on earth was I thinking?
Fun? Looking for a job can be fun? I don't think so. It is a good way to put you in your place, that's for certain. But, fun? Not on your life . . . .
October 8, 2010
Renewed Confidence
Despite my waning sense of self-worth, resulting from a deplorable lack of response to my submission of resumes to two million companies nationwide, things turned around today. I went for an interview for a job that caught my attention immediately and made me excited for my profession again! The people, the job, the company. All of it. It fits. I only hope they feel the same toward me.
I have a second interview in a week, and, knowing how companies work, they probably have other candidates to interview as well. I imagine it will take weeks before any kind of offer is made. In the meantime, I still have to realize that I may not be the one to receive this offer, and so I will be fortunate to be in at least a temporary job. On Monday, I will begin that temporary job. I am not concerned about my ability to complete this assignment. And, I am looking forward to it!
I have a second interview in a week, and, knowing how companies work, they probably have other candidates to interview as well. I imagine it will take weeks before any kind of offer is made. In the meantime, I still have to realize that I may not be the one to receive this offer, and so I will be fortunate to be in at least a temporary job. On Monday, I will begin that temporary job. I am not concerned about my ability to complete this assignment. And, I am looking forward to it!
October 4, 2010
The Future (Short-Term)
OK, so today I'm thinking about how I'm too darn old to go to school and earn (finish) a degree. Whaaaat? I'm 55 years old. My grandmother lived to 90. Why not shoot for 90? Or 100? Then, being 55 just ain't so bad. What is wrong with our society that we are made to believe we cannot plan to function beyond age 62? I'm mad now and I'm just not gonna take it anymore!
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