Employment

[VioletButterfly]

Well, been working on this for many months now after I got over the fear of it all. Apparently, I'm too over-qualified or have experience in the "wrong" industry, yada, yada. I'm at a loss. I've spent many hours creating and sending out covers/resumes, going to agencies, going to company websites and signing up/completing assessments. I can't get through my state's site or phone number to save my life. I just don't know what else to do at this point. I've prayed first, during, and now for anything. I don't get this. I have so many skills and am degreed. What the hell is going on? My lease is terming and I'm not re-upping because I can't afford it and I'm not going to break a contract. I'm going to try to work through some alternatives this weekend; does anyone have any suggestions? VB

 

[Biz]

WIOA funding. Google a one stop workforce center. The funding can be toward shorter term training programs that are employment specific. It could help you get a certification or occupational credential that might be the difference necessary to transition industries. Additionally, workforce centers do hiring events and workshops for job search techniques. Maybe a fresh perspective could help you from stalling out.

 

[Friday]

I generally tailor my resumes for the jobs I'm applying for. I don't list everything, just the parts that apply to the position at hand. Same token, education? I list what's pertinent, or keep things very bare boned. That creates some rather large gaps in my employment history, which is easily explained : unrelated field :D So if you're coming back with a lot of "overqualified"? Try some creative pruning.

Even so... My city has an unemployment of around 10% officially. Since they stop "counting" people as unemployed after 2 years? Real number is much, much higher. At least double, if not more. And certain industries? Lawyers, teachers, doctors, etc., are full to bursting. Practically impossible to find work in those fields anywhere in the state (a lot of all 3 are going international to get both paychecks & experience, to make them competitive hires stateside... But same token, my local gas station is staffed entirely by Post Grads. Most of the blue collar work? Ditto. Jobs taken up by people holding advanced degrees who can't find work in their field. It's starting to ease up, some. But the competition at multiple levels of employment (from entry level to specialized) is pretty damn fierce. The buzz-word for the past several years is "culture fit". Meaning? We have 20 people equally qualified for this job. Who do we want to work with? The upside to that, as someone seeking work? If I'm hired Imalready know they like me. If I'm not hired? They might have liked me, but I consider it a bullet dodged, anyhow ;) I have to be in a certain kind of mood to enjoy working with people I irritate the hell out of.

 

[VioletButterfly]

Biz - Thank you for the prompt to call One Stop. I did call yesterday trying to get some guidance in how to get through to unemployment for my state. They had no suggestions. Next week, I'll call back about the certification you suggested.

Friday - Yes, I tailor my letters and resumes for each job as well. I hear you on the true unemployment numbers, also the under-employment numbers that aren't ever highlighted enough. Why bother with college? As a side note, yesterday I was at Michaels and eyed the "hiring" sign for a good long while. I'm going to start going that route now as I can't seem to get unemployment to save my life and have to do something. That, or move back into a very small room in a city I haven't lived in for 30+ years. Too many FOO dynamics there, but if I don't have a job, I don't seem to have a choice as I truly don't think I could manage living in a shelter. The food pantry sent me into an emotional spiral of self-condemnation.

I'm getting ready to start the hunt again today. Wish me and all of the other hundreds of people out here who are looking for anything at this point to keep a roof over our heads. VB

 

[intothelight]

Have you considered working for a temp service? There are some good ones that employers use to screen candidates, especially in a temp to perm position.

 

[VioletButterfly]

Yes, thank you, agencies were my first stop as they had been incredibly helpful in the past; however, in today's market they have yet to bear fruit. I do check in regularly with them and did just reach out this past Friday to one I've been in contact with over the years while I've been laid off right and left. I haven't heard back so will call on Monday as they were advertising a good position in line with the last one I was laid off from. We'll see. I've thrown everything against the wall that I can think of except for retail and will be checking that out today.

 

[VioletButterfly]

Well, it's been a crazy, mixed up and stressful week back to last Monday. I had an interview scheduled for last Tuesday with a company I've been dealing with for about a month and a half, then Monday afternoon I received a call from another company for an interview on Tuesday and I received a call from a temp agency with an opportunity. So, raining/pouring, I went to both interviews on Tuesday. The second job was dead-on my skill set, but like my last job would have been extremely stressful. So, I was in a quandary and went to the interview for the temp job on Wednesday. Loved this organization, although a bit out of my field. A little downtime would have been nice though without all of the stress. So, I got an offer from company 2 and the temp job on Wednesday, and spent a good deal of time trying to figure out what to do. A lot of drama and calls to people asking them what to do. I took the temp job because of the stressful nature and low pay of the job that was more in line with my field of work. Change is good sometimes. So, Thursday I was driving back from an appointment and I got a call from the first company asking for references. I emailed them over. I went to the temp job on Friday and received a call from the first company with a good offer. It would be the same kind of work (still out of my field), just a little more intense and in a different industry. I asked tons of questions about benefits, and so was emailed an offer letter and most of the benefit info that I needed. Spent all day Friday at the temp job with the person who was training me, trying to figure out what to do - comparing benefits, salary.... Made many calls as well over the weekend. Wow, I was so exhausted! So stressed. Yesterday, I sat down with HR at the temp job and my manager to see if there was anything that could be added to my plate so that I could stay and boost my salary a little bit, but there was nothing they could do. I know it must seem silly to become so attached so quickly, but they were just that nice. The new company is too, don't get me wrong, it's just more corporate. Maybe that's what's scaring me. Anyway, I dropped off the paperwork to the new/first company yesterday and met the HR director - very nice. Also, my new manager agreed to let me go a little early one day a week so that I can make my therapy appt. So, why am I so at loose ends today? Is it from looking for over a year now, and unknown industry and job, having to put on the mask every day again? My mind is so triggered and racing. I know I have to decide about housing today and that is huge, but I feel like I should be happy and relieved, but I'm exhausted and afraid. Anyone have any experience with this? Tks. VB

 

[VioletButterfly]

I received a call from my new mgr today (she's out of state) and she is so excited!!! Of course, you know what that does to me - excitement x 25. So, I'm set to go on Tuesday when I'll get to meet the sales and mktg. team. I'm scared that I won't measure up and because of my weight gain, but heck, I'm willing to give it the old college try. Still nervous, but better than before. :)

 

[The Albatross]

Yay and good for you... best foot forward gal and congratulations!

 

[VioletButterfly]

Thank you! It was a very difficult week with 3 interviews and 3 offers, and a mammogram, after a Sahara of a summer!!! Tks. again!! :)

 

[VioletButterfly]

Okay, I'm taking my own advise that I gave to another poster in distress over a new job - reach out the to board... It's been a hellish week. The first week of a new job usually is, but this was extra upsetting. Sales teams usually are a little rowdy and I know this, but this company has a culture where men can speak freely in ways that objectify women using explicit sexual innuendo, and they curse like sailors. They are all very, very nice people, it's just this culture. Love my boss and the other two women on my team, but they all sit in other states, I'm in corporate.

You know if you fly with buzzards, you become a buzzard. I want to soar with the eagles because even though I have may have some tattered wings and missing a talon or two, I am an eagle inside. So, I'm trying to remember wise words from the 12 step programs and my faith - if I can't change my situation, then I can try to change the way I think about it. Also, I want to put my energy towards what I want to grow. So, to that end, I am treating this as a temp position (in my mind) and continuing to look for another job as I am flat broke and just signed a so I can't walk out, and I am going to put my energies on healing myself and helping myself instead of blaming myself or letting myself feeling victimized. I had panic attacks each day this week, dissociated during part of the time the guys were speaking a XXX movie into the room, and just spent some time in the ladies room trying to breathe. Any other suggestions? I'm finally seeing my T this Thursday and am so very grateful. I feel like I've been spinning out for so long that I'm not sure how much longer I can do this. When I'm not face down in addictions to cope, I just keep turning my face up and praying, and trying to think outside the trauma box of my mind. As usual, I am of two minds. No wonder, I'm a Pisces. Thanks. VB

 

[VioletButterfly]

Sorry to be in my spot, but I hit a breaking point yesterday. Too much stress and pressure without training. Too many environment toxins (smoke, perfume, and now a dog!!). Too much negativity and sniping. Too much profanity. A man actually said he felt "raped" by the photographer at his kid's school. Really?! I'll take you to the nearest correctional center and then you will really know what being raped means. It's that kind of culture, you know?! I just can't take it. I texted my friends and dad to pray for me, texted my T for a session today but she's out of town and graciously set up for me to see her partner. My dad and a friend called me back and told me to quit. My dad said he'd support me until I found something. It just isn't fair. Like life is, right?! I feel terrible. I feel like a loser. I feel too sensitive. I'm a spirit that need to leave the planet and go home to be with my Father. Sorry. It's just that bad and I'm just that upside down. VB