Category: Career Hunt

I Got A REAL Job!

Today I accepted a position with IU!

It’s with the Center for Survey Research as a Production Staff member.  My job duties will be as follows.

Survey packet assembly
Opening/Sorting/Batching returned mail and surveys
Formatting addresses in databases
Scanning surveys
Correcting scanned surveys
Occasional data entry
Other office tasks

I am excited about this position for several reasons.  First and foremost, it’s in Eigenmann Hall – where my wife works, just on a different floor.  Second, it’s an office position which I have desired for a long time.

I have to go back tomorrow to fill out paperwork, ect.  I was told that I will be starting within the next couple of weeks.

The job is very flexible, as I get to set my own hours.  There is only one downside though, as it is mainly an academic year position, meaning the position is out when the kids are.  It’s something I’m willing to live with, only if the boss is.

Still Searching, But For What?!?

Since losing my job with Sternberg, my job search efforts which were already underway have picked up significantly.  I have applied for many positions, with many different companies.

I’ve gotten several interviews, but not much more than that.

I had an interesting interview with Smithville Telephone Company (our telephone and DSL provider).  It was for a DSL support technician.  I thought the interview went well, and was told that I would be informed of a decision either way by “early” this week.  I’m still waiting…..

I had an inproptu interview at IU, in my wifes’ old stomping ground.  Interestingly enough the department I interviewed with is “somewhat” of a competitor for students with her new department.  It went great!  It’s the best interview I’ve had in a long time.  In a joking manner, the director of the department actually told me I should just stay at home since my wife’s a “big shot now.”  The job is perfect for me, as it’s mainly scanning transcripts and admission applications for the department.  I’m everything but an expert in that department, with my business experience, and the scanning I did for Baxter, I should be a shoe in.  We’ll see I guess.

Today I applied for jobs with Cook Pharmica and Whitestone.  I had to take a 6 hour test from hell just to apply to Cook Pharmica.

I still don’t know what I’m looking for exactly though.  The job market in this area is pretty bad right now.  So bad that in the end, I will probably be looking at least a 20% pay cut, if not more.  That’s just to get a job, not a job I want or desire.

The Stress is Over, For Now

After 4 of the longest months of my life, I am finally free.  I “lost” my job at Sternbergs.  It became a living nightmare, and the most painful thing I have ever had to do.  I wanted to quit, but couldn’t.  I started searching for other means of employment but still haven’t found another position.

All I can say about the job, is that it’s the worst I’ve ever had, and that’s saying a lot!  As a teenager, I would go through jobs like most women go through clothes.

I was treated worse than the dirt I cleaned.  Many would make messes just because they knew I would have to clean them.  I was also not allowed to use the forklift, for no reason at all!  When I started asking questions, I was terminated.

My mowing opportunity was cut short with no reason at all, I received the last of my money on the day I was fired.

I’m not upset, but not happy at the same time.  It’s almost like after you experience the “O” word, you’re relaxed, stress free and have no worries.

Hopefully I will never feel like I look in this picture anymore.

So a new search is on.  A search for a job, and a search for a career.  I have scheduled a test required for Cook Pharmica and applied to PTS Electronics and Monroe Hospital.  Wish me luck!

A New Venture

I have officially decided to try to expand my very small mowing business.  Just to emphasize how small it is, I only have one customer!  And that’s my current employer.

It seems to be more lucrative than video transfers, but my heart will always belong to it.

I am tired of working for someone else.  I think a vast majority of americans agree with me on that point.  I’m taking the first step to be my own boss.

My wife and I created the flyer below, I have printed 100 of them and I’m currently working on sending them out.  I specifically picked a wide variety of businesses, churches and upper middle class to upper class homeowners who might already pay to have someone handle their yard work.

I hope to receive a 25% rate of return on this venture.  If so the possibility of me being self employed is quite possible.

The only problem with a business of this type is the shear number of them in the area, literally hundreds!  I do have one leg up on them though, the same leg I have with my video business, I can undercut anyone due to my lack of expenses.  I have good equipment, and do a good job.  I’m not trying to get rich, I’m just hoping to make the same as I do now.

Wish me luck, please?

The Last Shift

Tonight as I sit here I am trying to figure out an ingenious way to say “goodbye.”

I am due to start at Sternbergs on Monday, and didn’t have time to give an official notice.

I left many, many jobs as a teenager by interesting means.  When I was a landscaper, I really wanted out.  I called my mom and told her to come where I was and tell the supervisor that I had a doctors appointment.  She came, we left and I never looked back.

I feel as if I need to “leave my mark,” but I’m not sure how.  I thought of leaving the manager a note.  It would read:  I wanted to write a poem, I wanted to write a letter.  In the end, f*** you sounded much better.  Thank you for the 5 months that I appreciated so.  I have come to find that my family means more to me than any job.  Of course, you don’t have to worry about such things.

What repurcussions might I face?  This place is a customer of my new employer.  Could I be “haunted” from beyond?  That’s the only thing holding me back from performing this deed.

Free At Last, Free At Last

Those very famous words, spoken by the immortal Dr. Martin Luther King are exactly what I’m feeling now.

Today, I accepted an offer for a new job.  I finally get to leave my horrible work hours, days and conditions behind.  Thank God!

The new position is at Sternberg, an International truck dealership.  They are headquartered out of Jasper Indiana, with locations in Evansville and Bloomington.  The position isn’t glamourous by any means, I will be simply cleaning up the shop.  The best part is I can have a life again, as it is Monday thru Friday (with some Saturdays) and 7:30 to 4:30.  Small world, my wife’s hometown is 10 minutes away from Jasper!

It is in a place with the same atmosphere as where I’m currently working (a truck shop), but there is room for advancement within the company and other “normal” benefits.  What’s normal you ask?  Try holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving.

All I feel is joy, I never realized how better I would feel about a new job.

The person hiring me has done a very quick job.  I applied to the position last Thursday, had an interview Monday and was offered the position today!  He called here and spoke with my wife first thing this morning and said “he wanted to talk to me.”  She immediately called me and told me to call him.  I was still at my soon to be old job, so I went and hid and started calling.  Their automated night time system was still on and I couldn’t get a hold of anyone for a while, once I did I told him I would be there asap.

I will miss my co-worker CJ, as he has become a dear friend.  I told him this morning about everything before I left, as I am on my weekend now and wouldn’t see him again until Sunday night.  He gave me his digits and told me to call him.  I told him the same.  I’ll miss you CJ!

Things at FirstLease were getting to a breaking point, and I’m glad to be gone.  I was a temp there the whole time, 2 months after I started they hired another temp.  Just a week or so ago they hired him as a permanent employee, but didn’t mention a thing to me.  The climate there is very hostile, and discrimintory.  There are a select few who can do no wrong (but do all the time) and then the rest are always “on notice.”  CJ has a picture and sign on his toolbox, that are quite funny.  The picture has 3 people figures of different colors and it says, “equal what???.”  The other is a sign made out of cardboard, it says “Discrimination Lane.”  I think that paints the picture of how he sees the place.

Thank God Almighty I’m Free At Last.

Interrupting the Interruption

I don’t really have a title for this, it took me off guard actually.  As I was driving to work tonight, I stopped at the gas station as usual for my drink and smokes.  I pulled in at exactly the same time as a former co-worker of mine.

He was always kind to me in times of need, as he was with me the first time I had a seizure at Baxter.  He left Baxter before I did and now works for Cook Pharmica.

Many people left Baxter to work for Cook Pharmica, and after my abrupt termination, I began trying to seek employment with them as well.  I haven’t even recieved a letter of denial from them.

He let me in on a little secret, that hiring has been slow there due to them not being FDA approved yet, and that they are now, and have potential clients now.  He also told me that within a few months they will be having a “hiring blitz.”

Thanks to his kind words, I have new found faith in finding employment in the pharmaceutical industry again! 

Thanks Butch!

Denied

After my interviews with Monroe County Dispatch and Solution Tree, I felt hopeful I would receive some good news regarding at least one of the positions.

I didn’t.

Solution Tree called a day after my interview and actually said they offered the position to another person, which accepted.  That felt as if they were rubbing it in my face.  It felt as if it was a “mercy interview” anyway, as my wife worked there for a second job.

I received a letter from the director of county communications stating they enjoyed my “presence” at the interview, but have decided to pursue other applicants for the position.  All in all, a very nice denial letter.  No qualms there.

For some reason, I feel as if I’m “out of the loop” or just out of reality for that matter.  I was only in a position 5 years, I wonder how my father felt when he had to find another career after losing his job of 29 years.

Someday I will find something better, I just wish that day would come.

Interviews Abound

I have had many interviews lately.  Nothing seems to pan out though.  Today was my interview for the 911 dispatcher position.  It went well I think, but I’ve had the same feeling before.  I have been dreaming of this job since I first heard about it, and I believe my chances are quite good.

I have an interview Monday at my wifes’ second job.  This seems “iffy” at best to me, as I like the office lifestyle, but am not your “typical” office worker.

I will do my best, as I think anything (that has a decent salary) is better than my current situation.  I don’t mind my current job, I just hate the days and hours I have to work (12am – 8:30am Saturday through Wednesday).  The only reason I keep going is to keep my house.  I don’t want a foreclosure on my record.

I sent my resume to a place that would not disclose their name (it happens frequently around here).  I received an email yesterday regarding that position.  The email stated that the company makes “high-end” lamps, tables and accessories.  This is a warehouse position with some assembly required*.  I was shocked, no, furious about the salary, a mere $6.50 an hour!  Most warehouse positions in this area salaries’ are double that!  I wanted to send them an email stating how mad I was, but I didn’t.  I sent them a simple one stating based upon the salary I was no longer interested.

I know somewhere, there is something for me.  I just wish this search would end, and soon.  It has always been hard for me to get a job, let alone a career.  That seems to be the unattainable dream in my life.

911, What’s Your Emergency?

Since losing my so called career in the pharmaceutical industry, I have had to take a hard look at exactly what I want in a career, and what makes me happy.

Part of why I enjoyed the pharmaceutical industry so much is because I was helping people.¬† I wasn’t on the “front line,” the consumer didn’t know my name, but it was very self fulfilling to know I was a part of making peoples’ quality of life better.

I have tried to continue in the pharmaceutical industry.¬† It seems as if I’ve been blacklisted though, as I haven’t even been offered an opportunity to interview.¬† Some positions seemed a “perfect match” with my skills, and one job was EXACTLY the same thing I did at Baxter!

With my wifes’ help I found that Monroe county has 2 openings for 911 dispatchers!¬† (She’s amazing at finding open positions) So I went for it.¬† What I understand so far about the hiring process is it’s more about testing than just an interview.¬† I took the first¬†test last Wednesday night, and I must say it was very interesting.¬† It was completely computerized, and to my understanding just an exercise in distraction.¬† It was mainly data entry type stuff, but here’s the kicker:¬† every few seconds an “emergency” would pop up on the screen.¬† If we did not dispatch the correct agency within 15 seconds, the test would give us a lower score.¬† All while doing the data entry portion at the same time!

It was very intriguing, yet fulfilling at the same time.  I am excitied about the possibility of becoming a dispatcher as I would be helping people, which is all I really want to do in life.

I received an email yesterday from the Monroe county director of communications, I passed the test!¬† No congratulations are in order yet, but it’s the first step.¬† The email also stated I would be contacted after the first of the year regarding more testing and interviews.

Wish me luck!