On Wednesday, they told me I was perfect! Everything they were looking for! But on Thursday morning, it turned to sorry, they had to go with the internal candidate. I don’t have to tell you how well that went over. It was the only job opening currently listed in my field in all of Dallas/Fort Worth. In fact, the same company would have a spot for me if I wanted to move to Chicago, Columbus or Boston. Just not here.
“That sucks. What’s your plan of attack?” My brother, he is very practical.
Plan of attack? My head was spinning, my chest was tight and despite it being 70 degrees in the apartment, I felt hot and panicky. I stripped off my sweatshirt and took a deep breath. Okay, what was my plan of attack?
“I’m going to vacuum. Then I’m going to go for a run. Then I’m going to send out five resumes to places that don’t really match my job, but what the hell. Then I am going to call another temp agency. Then, I am going to take a nap because all of this is just way too much.”
I don’t know how in as little as seven months, I could have forgotten how exhausting and terrifying this whole process is. I guess last time I had the cushion of unemployment, so there’s that.
Anyway, enough about pauperdom. I’m tired of talking about it; you’re tired of reading about it. Let’s move on to the Three Things That Make Me Smile.
- Thing Number One: Krissa will be here tomorrow. The only way I could be happier about this is if a) she was staying more than one night and b) she was bringing everyone else I miss right along with her. You know who you are.
- Thing Number Two: I have a blind date/new friend date combo coming up on Tuesday. The odds here, they are good. See, even if the fella and I experience no sparking action, the gal and I are sure to fall wildly, platonically in love – because that is how the Interweb works.
- Thing Number Three: The Nephetus will be my nephew in a matter of days! And in four weeks, I am going to snuggle him, and sniff him (baby smell!), and tell him stories about how I used to do the very same thing with his mom. He’s young, so I will use small words.
Sorry about the interview! You will get it next time! I was just wondering Fish, what type of work do you do?
No worries Heather! I had the awful yuck of being unemployed last year. One thing I have found to work in Dallas is a staffing agency. They do all of the work for you, get your foot in the door, and usually don’t send you to some random job interview that is completely off your job radar. I have faith that you will find something soon – and then you’ll find yourself missing those days you spent nail biting and catching a Project Runway marathon because at least then you got to sleep in!
And by the by (I just love when I get to use that!), the blind date/new friend date that you are going on on Tuesday happens to be with my cousin, my best friend and my best Jaime (best friend’s fiance)! You are about to experience three of the best people in my life and I hope hope hope you have a great time! And I also hope that it goes so well that soon I will get to meet you too!
Later Tater!
Amber
Aw, you’re sweet Fish. You know I’d come if I could. But this pesky job and living in another country makes it hard to visit at the moment!
What so wrong with Chicago? Or Boston. If you like the company and they like you, will it kill you for a year? Then you’d be an internal candidate for any jobs available in Dallas.
I’m so sorry about the interview. I think it’s safe to say it’s tough everywhere, so I don’t think relocating is the answer.
Btw, have you tried Indeed?
http://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=writer&l=dallas
One: It’s Friday, almost lunchtime and I’m hoping to see “him” tonight. (If not…ok, no worries…)
Two: I’ll be enjoying a lovely brunch this weekend at the Bel Air Hotel. Yum!
Three: I’ll be enjoying that meal and hanging out with my favorite little cousin! I can’t wait to see her.
* * * * * * *
Stay postive, Fish!
move to chicago!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just have one comment: Your attitude rocks! I would hire you in an instant just for that.
Oh- that’s funny! You mean that 70 degrees is cold.
[shakes head and rubs hands together in her 62 degree living room (with the heater on)]
Oops, I was a little quick on the trigger–responding to your last post–but my fingers are still crossed and Daeume gedruckt! (After I finish typing, that is…
…and I realize that you’re not drinking beer these days, but this article might wrangle out a fourth smile anyway!
its 50 F where i am now. if that makes anyone feel better. and poor heating!
all my love, fish…
A job in Boston? Where? It’s a bloodbath up here, I’m just taking it a week at at time these days. Why wouldn’t you have unemployment this time?
The only thing that would make me smile at this point is seeing some CEOs frog-marched out of their corner offices. Or at least a nice long scratch on our GM’s new Ford GT (what budget cut?), but you didn’t hear that from me.
I have a good friend in Chicago… so if you want to go up and interview with them and look around… I can probably get you a free place to stay. I love Chicago. The only drawback is all the snow. The lake effect winters can be fierce. Another BFF lives in Boston. So personally I would be happy in either place, but I’m not you. And KNOCK ON WOOD, I’m not looking for a job. I’ll reach 20 years in Dec. at a Fortune 500 company… I know it’s odd to be somewhere so long now, but I had three short jobs prior where either I got laid off or the company was sold without the employees… after that at age 28 I was ready for stability. I went with a large company and somehow have managed to avoid the layoffs that have come along. I wish we were hiring and I would shop your resume here, but they just announced that hiring as being severely slowed except for college hiring AND we will have no raises next Feb. BUT no announcements of layoffs YET. I’ll keep my ears open for you! HUGS to FISH!
Is substitute teaching a possibility in your neck of the woods? In NY State college jrs & srs can register w/districts to sub. Definitely no masters or even edu major required.
Dear Fish,
You would like Columbus. (my hometown)
You will find something perfect in the right place for you (which I’m assuming is Dallas now that you’ve finally settled in). But…if you should come to Columbus, I would throw a welcome party for you!
Chicago is awesome, because I live there. Didn’t you, at one point, harbor a dream of returning to Boston? Columbus is the darkest pit of hell.
I am so sorry about the job…I’ve been checking every day to see how it went. It is so peculiar how we get caught up in the lives of people we don’t even know
I worry every day that I’m going to be laid off…but you are an inspiration…your attitude is awesome!
Sorry about your work situation. Whatever you do, do not go to Columbus. It is a soul-sucking place. Also, I live there. Yeah, definitely not good.
Columbus and I would welcome you.