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Doing The Happy Snoopy Dance...
Ahem, [tap, tap, tap, tappity, tap, tap...pauses for effect,
big grin]...
I GOT A JOB!!! A REAL FULL-TIME COMPLETE WITH BENEFITS ACTUAL JOB!!!
[tappity, tap, tap...fall down in complete exhaustion.] "Okay,
that is all...you can go about your business now..."
I'm considering posting that on the discussion board I've been posting and lurking on off and on for the last three years.
At any rate - Sorry for the spam, just be happy that I have no clue how to do that text flowing thing that has the headline moving across the page. Not completely up on the computer tools yet, I'm afraid.
And yes - it's true. No fluke. Accepted the job on Wed morning.
Start date is September 13. It's not a temp job. It's not temp to perm. And it's not with the company I was temping with. And no, I didn't settle.
The job is with a health care company. A health care company that also suffered in 2001, due to 9/11, but rebuilt itself and is stronger than ever. Sort of like me. It entails my analytical, legal writing, and negotiation skills. The people there were incredibly nice and they really appear to want me. The company I am temping with was disappointed to hear that I was leaving them. But incredibly impressed with my professionalism. Location is perfect - it's in Manhattan, mid-town, about 30 minutes away from my apartment. No switching trains. And close to several friends who work or live in the vicinity. It's located in a place I dreamed of working but never believed I ever would. And most important of all - this company believes in training it's employees. Training is a vital part of the experience. So no more money needs to be spent on business courses - yay! It's not a perfect job, but it is the best job I've interviewed for and the best opportunity I've ever had.
This whole job hunt ordeal has been a lesson in patience, endurance, and perservance. It hasn't been easy. These past few weeks have been incredibly stressful. Won't bore you with the details. Suffice it to say, I've been racing around Manhattan a lot these past two weeks.
This job was, for those who are interested, # 69 of the 81 jobs I applied to between May 30-July 20. Before that I had applied to literally 40 jobs every two weeks give or take a week. So multiply 40 by 3, 3 by twenty months, and you have a good idea how many resumes and cover letters I sent. That does not include the network contacts. Career counselors. Temp agencies. Staffing agencies. Head hunters. Informational interviews. Career fairs. And mass resume mailing that I tried. I haven't done the math, but I think it is safe to assume I sent out over 3,000 resumes, averaged 10-20 interviews a year, and had over 500 rejection letters. Most people didn't say anything. There is nothing more demoralizing than hunting a job in this world.
So what worked? How did I get it? I know that was the question I asked whenever I saw anyone get a job. How did you do it?
I got this job the same way I got the last full time one. Through an ad in The New York Times. That's right - no agency, head-hunter, friend, network contact, business associate, career fair, career counselor, staffing agency got me this job. I got it the old fashioned way - pounding the pavement, or rather the internet, which isn't so old fashioned.
I found the position by setting up job agents with key word searchs in the areas I was interested in. NY times automatically did a search and twice a week sends me emails with lists of jobs that fit those keywords. Yes, I had to scan through lots of crap. That's part of it. When I found jobs that fit what I wanted, I sent a cover letter and a "targeted" resume. A targeted resume is basically a resume that uses language from the want ad or job. You show the recruiter that you have the skills they are looking for by targeting those skills in your resume and backing them up. Don't lie - they'll catch you. Trust me on that one. For an example of the type of resume I used, see my memories - resume and cover letters by live journal user kenshui (I believe).
This ordeal has also been a lesson in friendship. Over these past three years, I've learned a great deal about myself and others. That human beings do need each other. That like it or not we are connected. From one another we can learn a great deal if we are just willing to listen, and check our egos at the door. I learned how to find a job partly on the internet, by exchanging information, reading job hunting tips, and others live journal accounts. I also learned we do affect one another's lives and journeys for good or ill, when we least expect it. And that no matter how alone or lost I or someone else feels - there's always someone out there who is willing to give me a hug or a smile, the moment I ask. I cannot thank the people I've meet online enough.
These past few weeks I've felt a bit like Buffy in Grave
climbing out of the hole. Just like Buffy, I had to do it myself. But just like Buffy I had friends, both far and near, who helped and aided me along the way. Thank you to everyone on my friends list or who has commented in livejournal for never allowing me to forget that.
big grin]...
I GOT A JOB!!! A REAL FULL-TIME COMPLETE WITH BENEFITS ACTUAL JOB!!!
[tappity, tap, tap...fall down in complete exhaustion.] "Okay,
that is all...you can go about your business now..."
I'm considering posting that on the discussion board I've been posting and lurking on off and on for the last three years.
At any rate - Sorry for the spam, just be happy that I have no clue how to do that text flowing thing that has the headline moving across the page. Not completely up on the computer tools yet, I'm afraid.
And yes - it's true. No fluke. Accepted the job on Wed morning.
Start date is September 13. It's not a temp job. It's not temp to perm. And it's not with the company I was temping with. And no, I didn't settle.
The job is with a health care company. A health care company that also suffered in 2001, due to 9/11, but rebuilt itself and is stronger than ever. Sort of like me. It entails my analytical, legal writing, and negotiation skills. The people there were incredibly nice and they really appear to want me. The company I am temping with was disappointed to hear that I was leaving them. But incredibly impressed with my professionalism. Location is perfect - it's in Manhattan, mid-town, about 30 minutes away from my apartment. No switching trains. And close to several friends who work or live in the vicinity. It's located in a place I dreamed of working but never believed I ever would. And most important of all - this company believes in training it's employees. Training is a vital part of the experience. So no more money needs to be spent on business courses - yay! It's not a perfect job, but it is the best job I've interviewed for and the best opportunity I've ever had.
This whole job hunt ordeal has been a lesson in patience, endurance, and perservance. It hasn't been easy. These past few weeks have been incredibly stressful. Won't bore you with the details. Suffice it to say, I've been racing around Manhattan a lot these past two weeks.
This job was, for those who are interested, # 69 of the 81 jobs I applied to between May 30-July 20. Before that I had applied to literally 40 jobs every two weeks give or take a week. So multiply 40 by 3, 3 by twenty months, and you have a good idea how many resumes and cover letters I sent. That does not include the network contacts. Career counselors. Temp agencies. Staffing agencies. Head hunters. Informational interviews. Career fairs. And mass resume mailing that I tried. I haven't done the math, but I think it is safe to assume I sent out over 3,000 resumes, averaged 10-20 interviews a year, and had over 500 rejection letters. Most people didn't say anything. There is nothing more demoralizing than hunting a job in this world.
So what worked? How did I get it? I know that was the question I asked whenever I saw anyone get a job. How did you do it?
I got this job the same way I got the last full time one. Through an ad in The New York Times. That's right - no agency, head-hunter, friend, network contact, business associate, career fair, career counselor, staffing agency got me this job. I got it the old fashioned way - pounding the pavement, or rather the internet, which isn't so old fashioned.
I found the position by setting up job agents with key word searchs in the areas I was interested in. NY times automatically did a search and twice a week sends me emails with lists of jobs that fit those keywords. Yes, I had to scan through lots of crap. That's part of it. When I found jobs that fit what I wanted, I sent a cover letter and a "targeted" resume. A targeted resume is basically a resume that uses language from the want ad or job. You show the recruiter that you have the skills they are looking for by targeting those skills in your resume and backing them up. Don't lie - they'll catch you. Trust me on that one. For an example of the type of resume I used, see my memories - resume and cover letters by live journal user kenshui (I believe).
This ordeal has also been a lesson in friendship. Over these past three years, I've learned a great deal about myself and others. That human beings do need each other. That like it or not we are connected. From one another we can learn a great deal if we are just willing to listen, and check our egos at the door. I learned how to find a job partly on the internet, by exchanging information, reading job hunting tips, and others live journal accounts. I also learned we do affect one another's lives and journeys for good or ill, when we least expect it. And that no matter how alone or lost I or someone else feels - there's always someone out there who is willing to give me a hug or a smile, the moment I ask. I cannot thank the people I've meet online enough.
These past few weeks I've felt a bit like Buffy in Grave
climbing out of the hole. Just like Buffy, I had to do it myself. But just like Buffy I had friends, both far and near, who helped and aided me along the way. Thank you to everyone on my friends list or who has commented in livejournal for never allowing me to forget that.
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Excellent news!
Dance of Joy
Re: Excellent news!
Tomorrow cjl and I may do a ceremonial burning of the old resume, although a little leery of jinxing myself.
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it will disappear quick.
Having a job does make things better, oddly enough. I have enjoyed my days at the consulting gig - amongst other people. Making money. Best of all knowing that I can now spend money.
So thank you! Have enjoyed your posts and appreciate your support!
Strike up the band and play a joyful tune!
Re: Strike up the band and play a joyful tune!
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Congratulations!
Let us stamp the earth with a glad heart,
And drink of the rich red wine,
Wooowhoo!
Re: Congratulations!
Did do the beer though...it was a hot day
and went pretty good with pizza. Also the wine
place was further away...
May do the wine tomorrow though.
BTW - found a comic book store in Manhattan that sells bootleg DVDs of all things, of Justice League's first season. Called MidTown
Comics.
I'd say congradulations, but Masq beat me to it.
Re: I'd say congradulations, but Masq beat me to it.
a new word. Which I do a lot.
Thanks. Great News works well too. LOL!
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*biiiiig hug*
I'm so happy for you!!
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but didn't have your address.
Thanks for the books. The support. And the commiserating over job hunting! It was funny but when you were talking about job interviewing on Wed - I totally knew what you were going through - pins and needles myself this week!
Hope your interviews went well.
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Enjoy the fruits of victory. Drink Good Champagne.
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And yes, it was the best for last. Was thinking about it this morning and realized the interviews I've had for the temp job I'm doing and the full time one I just accepted are probably the best interview sessions I've had in my life. Weird.
Re: CONGRATULATIONS!!
Was also meaning to tell you - the number 13 is a lucky number. I was working on the 13th floor in the consulting job. Also one of the ladies who works there and is French, told us that in France Friday the 13th is a lucky day. It's the day they buy lottery tickets.
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favor and take you out to lunch.
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Best of luck at the new job.
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Yes, very satisfying! I got my apartment the same way - without a realtor. Cutting out the middlemen saves so much money and trouble. That said, the staffing company that gave me the consulting opportunity was incredibly nice, frustrating at times, but nice.
you're feeling flush, I'd say it's time to splurge on a small luxury for yourself.
If only. Not quite yet I'm afraid. But soon. Right
now, I'm just happy that I can stay in NYC, because if I hadn't found anything by Oct, I would have had to move somewhere cheaper.
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it will be a new challenge.
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To actually find one that fit all my main criteria - which was basically, expanding and growing intellectually, working as a team, and using my analytical skills - is a real treat. It's a lot like coming out of a very long and dark tunnel and discovering a rainbow over a waterfall.
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And a huge congratulations to SK!! Richly deserved.
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Wonderful news!
;o)
Re: Wonderful news!
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TCH
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Yes, it does feel a bit like a tv series doesn't it? Having read the ups and downs of the whole thing these past two years in my live journal and in between the lines of my Buffy essays. Except unlike TV series it's not an end so much as a new beginning. Or shift in paths as it were. Which actually is what I sort of liked about BTVS and ATS - neither really had an ending as such, more of a new twist in the path.
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woo*hoooooooo*!!!!!
...how's the Internet access at this new job? @>D
(And in this case, the big goofy cyclops smily icon is entirely appropriate!)
Re: woo*hoooooooo*!!!!!
Have no idea. Won't really know until I get there. But I'm assuming they are probably like the finance company in that they allow very limited use for personal stuff. And no access to personal email - due to virus protections.
It's a trade-off, I suppose, the bigger the company, the more limited personal internet use is. They have the money to give you great benefits, but also at the same time the money to construct firewalls preventing you from visiting sites that could infect them with a virus.
So I'll probably be online less, much like now - it's going to be very very busy the first few months. Loads of new stuff to learn.
Re: woo*hoooooooo*!!!!!
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Now, if only we can get a new Prez of the US for 2005, so I don't have to consider
defecting to Canada?