How much does looking for a new job suck?

and on top of that, it's a shitty market. i believe one of my former colleagues, a manger type let go back in january, is still looking for work seven months later.

what to do? take a retail job and write that book you've been thinking about.

Don't temp, they screw you out of money.

FUCKERS!

But, you know, it's no problem. Help!

...just asking...

i'm so proud of her

Fat Alberet: what makes sense for you?

(because they have a half-decent job as it is, I mean)

also, there is part of me that doesn't want to do something I love for a job because then the thing I love just becomes work and I hate work.

I tell ya.....time was when my biggest financial concerns were having enough money to make sure I had enough beer in my refridgerator and enough cash to go buy the next Stranglers album.

So, after plotting out various schemes (the wife working full-time/the wife working part-time/the wife not working at all), we surmised that it would probably be in our best interests (and in the interests of maintaining whatever semblance of sanity I still clilng to) for me to look around for a new job situation. Trouble is.....now more than ever, I'm appreciating my current job's stability and security (what do they call it? The Velvet Cage? The Golden Handcuffs?) Moreover, after all this time, how do I convince prospective employers to take a chance on one such as I? Writing-wise, apart from my gig at the NEW YORKER (more about that in a bit), all my clips are ancient....and, as I'm fonding of saying, have aged more like millk than like wine. What am I qualified to do that will both pay better and satiate my creative impulses?

The New Yorker gig is both a blessing and somewhat of a source of frustration. I'm positively giddy that I have the opportunity to scribble my big-mouthed opinions for one of the most reputable magazines out there (although a byline would be nice), but the notion of advancement there is somewhat of a lark. I only really know one (1) individual there. He's a hecka-swell fella, but he keeps talking aboout being frustrated himself and considering a career-change. That's fine and all, but I'd sure like it if he introduced me around the magazine before he split, as he's my only liaison. While I enjoy the stuff I do for them (I mean, for better or for worse, writing about music is entirely enjoyable for me....and fuck, I'd do it for free...the fact that they pay me for it still makes me laugh), everytime I attempt to pitch something bigger (something I'm not especially gifted at), the answer in usually something like: "I hope you have a high tolerance for disapointment." Gosh thanks. I landed an invitation to their X-mas party this year, which I figured was a great opportunity for me to mix'n'mingle with the New Yorker hierarchy. The fact that I only knew one (1) person there was daunting, but I figured it was too important to pass up. So, I duded myself up a bit (picked out a tie that said, I hoped, both "hip" and "going places". ha!) and headed on out to this swank-o bistro-bar in Chelsea that they'd rented out for the occaission. Much to my dismay, it was packed to the gills and the most cliquey scene as could be imagined. I ended up doing most of my talking to the bartender. When my one (1) contact showed up (a PAINFUL HOUR LATER), I did manage a swift round of introductions with a coterie of entirely disinterested editors and whatnot, but honestly, no one wants to talk shop at X-mas parties, apparently. The whole event was a wash-out for my networking purposes.

So, I've been slowly re-tooling my resume and gearing up for the New Year to start so I could start sending it around. If possible, I'd love to say under the umbrella of the massive communications conglomerate that hosts my current job (as I would'nt have to roll over my 401[k] and all that, and I could have access to their fabled Day-Care center), but I'll do what I hafta. I signed onto Media Bistro, but I don't really have a clue how to navigate through all that shit. I've thought about those services like Monster.Com and all that, but have only scratched the surface (once again, advice is entirely welcome!!)

yers truly and alex excluded from the above stereotypes, of course :-)

Not a bad idea. I guess that's why I'm trolling around Media Bistro. A friend of mine sees a "Vocational Coach," which I gather is something like a motivational speaker. That sounds a bit too much like an SNL sketch, but I'm willing to try anything at this point.

Is it in bad form, when writing cover letters (with resumes attached) to do so on letterhead that displays the company you're actively trying to get away from? i.e. Would it be ill-advised for me to write cold-calling cover letters that display my current place of employment at the top of the page. On the one hand, it amplifies that I'm currently employed for a reputable organization,....but on the flipside, I'm not acting as a representative of said organization in that letter (and, if anything, am basically backstabbing that organization by offering my services to another). What say you? I'm inclined to say it's a bad idea, but have heard arguments for both sides.

It's stealing.

(seriously. it gives a bad impression for that reason.)

I know, so does stationery, but it is less manifest.

xpost

(allegedly)

However, media company letterhead of such impeccable quality is PERFECT for complaining letters to banks, retailers and the like. I had a whole bunch of Observer letterhead for this purpose and live not two minutes from the Obs, so my phone exchange totally tallied with their main number.

Get some decent quality paper - make it a beige or other off-white if you want it to stand out. Are you really worried about them not believing where you've previously workeD? It's easy enough for them to check.

Suzy otm, also.

Thanks for all your input and support, by the way!!!!

one of us, one of us...

http://www.cwrl.utexas.edu/~bump/oxford/Warwick/torture.jpg

what I do want to know is - cold-calling: classic or dud (useful or a big pointless, waste of time and surefire route to rejection rejection)?

I finally got a new job after nearly 7 months of looking. I'm thrilled, and don't want to have to do that again for a VERY long time.

CONGRUATLISOINSOINASDFOINDS!!!!

Woo! What he said -- seven months! I can't even begin to imagine.

Happy yay good times!

I just got a temporary job selling maternity clothes to pregnant women who need maternity clothes at a maternity clothing chain.

Thanks! The first couple months were okay, because I was had a little bit of severance to help me through, and it was nice to not have to get up early; but I was plenty tired of it by the end.

now u'll just be tired -- but in a good way :-)

lol Abbott

Job hunting and employee hiring has got to be one of the most irrational and wasteful activities in life. No one knows how to do it. Even the best advice is horrible beyond words. Results are rarely better than a random lottery would provide. This horrific muddle is almost as bad for employers, too.

I'm gonna work for the census bureau in a few months. I just graduated and all I have to do is make a resume and apply. In the meantime I'm gonna get a crappy summer job in Athens Georgia just so I can live here longer.

I always love what you write, Aimless, but/and that is the best thing I've read so far.

i'm kind of totally dreading having to do this v v soon. i've had two jobs in the last 8 years: i didn't have to interview for the first one because they were so desperate and a bunch of my friends worked there, i got hired on the spot; the interview for the other one was so casual and i got along with my soon-to-be boss so well it was a breeze.

but in in a couple of months i will not only be job hunting, but doing it in a brand new country.

I am completely frustrated with this right now bc I'm finally at a point where I am decently experienced and ready for a step up and there appears to be nothing even worth applying for.

Lalalalala I can't hear you, getting a job will be very easy and probably only take a few days after I move to my new city, I probably won't even need my savings and can now spend it on beer and organic vegetables lalalalala.

While you are enjoying those lovely organics I will be resorting to a temp agency til I can secure a real job :-/

Yeah, no, I'm graduating with a BA in Film & Video in a recession. I'm fucked.

Not to get all misfortune pissing match, though. It sucks that you have to go the temp route.

i'm probably equal with you n.i.c.k. - i have an english lit degree! i envision working at some terrible restaurant where i have to actually be nice to ppl to make a living, since unlike nz i will be living off my tips. i might try cafe work before resorting to waitressing again.

I've heard that the secret to getting the best tips isn't to be extremely nice, but to be competent and friendly to a point, but act as though something is really bothering you. People instinctually tip you better in an attempt to make you feel better.

What is the difference btw cafe work and waitressing?

just get a job with the TSA. everytime i go to the airport, which is really often, they always seem to be training new hordes of screeners. must always be hiring!! good pay & benefits!

cafe work has a higher turnover of customers i.e. less contact with individual customers. waitressing, you gotta spend like 3 goddamn hours looking after the same ppl which is great if they're awesome, sucky if they're assholes.

i want a job in a bookstore

Lalalalala I can't hear you, getting a job will be very easy and probably only take a few days after I move to my new city, I probably won't even need my savings and can now spend it on beer and organic vegetables lalalalala.

-- en i see kay, Monday, 2 June 2008 07:19 (1 hour ago) Link

Hahaha I know...when I get home and start job hunting in the fall, I am probably going to end up working a temporary holiday retail job while living in my childhood bedroom (uuuuuuuuuuuuugh) while desperately searching for something more interesting elsewhere...but part of me is irrationally convinced that surely one of the first couple jobs I apply for will work out. I KNOW better than this!

this is proving fucking hard.

um, yeah. otm. x1000000.

went to an event tonight where i attempted networking but it's really hard to network with people who are excited to see people they never get to see and would rather chat up their friends than help out some random person they don't really know.