Job Searches, cont.

Now that the rush of 1st Quarter hiring is over with most companies, the amount of positions available for me to apply to has dropped considerably.  I did, however, find a couple last week to apply to and today comes another first in job interview methods.  The pre-screen e-mail.  Now, screen phone interviews and screen live interviews I've experienced.  But this is definitely my first pre-screen e-mail attachment:

So, I filled it out and sent it back over, hopefully resulting a real life interview.  Although, I have to say, I didn't really mind the e-mail screen.  I feel more relaxed writing and I prefer not having to get all gussied up and drive out somewhere if they're just not going to hire me anyway.  I imagine they feel the same.

Fancy Glue Ponderings.

My busy interview week landed perhaps a bit flat.  The trouble with looking for work in the Marketing/Communications field is that many employers use that title to encompass a variety of job functions, many of which are not actually Marketing/Communications.  Or, if the job functions are clearly defined, they are normally for upper level positions.  One of the interviews turned out to be a viable opportunity, but their time line for actually getting someone in there is looking like 6-8 weeks.  C'est la vie.  Not much to do but wait it out and keep applying.

In other news, after my bench redo, my hands and head are itching with ideas for a big sad dresser residing in my bedroom.  It was my grandmother's and made probably in the 50's.  Like many pieces of it's time, it's made of cheap lightweight wood covered in a veneer.  Now veneer can be stripped, but the results aren't always the best if you're not a pro.  Which is why I'm thinking something a little more .... pretty.

www.marthastewart.com

www.tchochkes.com

www.tchochkes.com

www.pinkpigwestport.com/

I'm particularly excited about 2 aspects of this project:  First, I already own the dresser so that part is entirely free, and second, I get to play with this guy:

Oh yeah, let's put on some Jefferson Airplane and get crazy.

****This project is on hold until I find a fabric or paper to attach that I fall head over heels for.  Yesterday's hunt for this magic material didn't turn out successful.  But, you'll be the first to see it when it becomes a reality.

Adventures in Unemployment

Apparently after a few weeks of dishing out unemployment, New York State wants to give you a talking to.  Resulting in this pretty blue invitation.

I know its hard to read, so I'll paraphrase.  Get your tookus down to the Unemployment Office on February 25, 2011 at 9:15am for a Re-Employment Workshop, or we won't pay you anymore.  All of this was fine and dandy until yesterday when the weatherman announced that Friday we'd get a storm and it could result in the heaviest snow we've had all winter at one time.  Of course.  So, I strapped on my big girl boots and ventured out into the frozen tundra.

My choice was to drive downtown (navigating the weather, traffic and the plethora of one way streets Buffalo seems to love), or park at the train station and get a round trip ticket for $3.50.  You win again, train.

 

The best thing about public transportation is probably getting to eavesdrop on people's conversations.  Like the gentlemanly fellows next to me who were engrossed in a riveting discussion about whether or not it was possible to get chlamydia in your throat.  They reached their stop before I could hear their final decision.

A blustery block and a half walk after my stop and I reached the Unemployment Office.  I only took one picture here because I didn't know if I was really allowed to and didn't want to push my luck.  But check out the ceilings at the Palace of Versailles Buffalo's Unemployment Office:

 

We had a half an hour PowerPoint presentation on the services they offer, which included GED services, making a resume for you, and setting you up with classes on how to use the computer.  All worthwhile items, but as my unemployment coach said after I sat down individually with her, there wasn't a whole lot there that was beneficial for me.  We checked their system quickly for any Marketing or Communication jobs, and upon finding none, I received a good luck and a handshake and I was on my way.

I almost stopped at the Central Library while I was down there,  but upon leaving I was still faced with this:

 

So I decided my best bet was to hightail it home before I had to dig out my poor car that was quietly getting buried in a parking lot in North Buffalo.

Dress for Work

I can't wait to go back to work.  I love having a reason to get dressed in the morning, and I can't stop looking online at work clothes.  Is business attire an acknowledged fetish yet?

urban outfitters

mod cloth

urban outfitters

bloomingdales

nasty gal

Michael Kors

Get me back in the game!  I yearn for dressing up!

Interview-a-rama

After returning home from Rochester on Sunday, I had another e-mail waiting for me from the "They're Not" company.  They had a cancellation and could see me Monday afternoon.  Short notice (remind me to join this decade and get a phone that I can check my e-mail on) and the coarse e-mail exchange had me nervous about exploring this company further, but hey, saying no to interviews is just not something this unemployed lady does.

So I decided I was going to go in skeptical and completely honest about my experience and what I was looking for.

I still can't put on a menswear blazer without reciting lines from Annie Hall.  Thanks, Diane Keaton.

Hey, snow, I just wanted to thank you because I sincerely love showing up at interviews with the bottom of my pants wet and salt stains on my shoes.  Also, a note about those shoes.  I don't have comfortable brown boots.  Normally those pants get worn with a pair of heels.  Although, I also don't have a pair of plain brown heels that I find acceptable (me and brown shoes clearly have a bad history together), so these pants typically get worn with white (faux) snakeskin pumps (oh yeah, I have a pair.  And they're awesome.  Don't judge.).  But I wasn't sure how much this company would appreciate my experimental footwear, so I had to suck it up and wear these boots, AKA: Boots of Agony.

That line embedded in my pale leg is just from the drive to the interview, which was 20 minutes.  Okay, I probably could have just worn taller socks, but I guess I'm just not that forward thinking.

I got to my 4:00pm interview about 20 minutes early:

Hey, there's my nephew!  Hi, Jake!

So, I drove around until I was a more acceptable 10 minutes early.  Contrary to my expectations set from the e-mail, the interviewer was very nice (jovial, even).  And what followed was a record setting interview:  Three hours.  From 4:00-7:00pm.  When I left, I had 5 missed calls and 7 text messages.  Aaron and my friend that I was supposed to be meeting for dinner post interview were watching news reports for car crashes and preparing their routes to drive out there and look for my mangled body on the sides of the roads (not an exaggeration, that was actually their plan.  I'm just thankful no one called the cops.).

But, about this interview.  Definitely the most thorough explanation of a company, position, and expectations that I've experienced.  And it was genuinely appreciated.  It ended up being a position that I am interested  in at a company that I could see myself working at.  After an honest discussion with the interviewer about pretty much every scenario that could come up (remember, THREE HOURS), we concluded with already talking about salary and bringing me in to meet other people in the company that I would be working with.  I should be getting a call or e-mail the end of the week to set up the actual time/date (I'll be sure to set aside a large chunk of time this side to not worry loved ones) for this meeting to take place.  So we'll see what happens there.

I also have a different job interview this Wednesday at a non-profit foundation.  I'm glad that things are starting to happen in this job search, I was starting to take note of the "Help Wanted" signs when I drove by Mighty Taco.

(And I did get my dinner finally at Amy's Place, a diner over in our University Heights District.  You can get 99% of their meals made with seitan or tofu!  And its delicious.  And cheap.  Followed by a much needed glass of wine at Shango.) 

A study in rejection

Let's look at 2 new examples of rejection.  First let's go traditional:

Dear Nicole,

Thank you very much for submitting your resume/ profile for employment with ****.

Your application/resume was reviewed for the above position. I wanted to let you know that at this time, the manager is seeking an applicant with knowledge of medical rehab as well as a marketing background for this position in this department. Therefore, you are not currently being considered for this particular position.

Please visit **** for an up to date list of opportunities at ****

We wish you all the best in your search.

Sincerely,
*****
Senior Recruiter

To be fair, I don't have exact experience in medical rehab, but I did work at a health insurance company for 3 years right out of school and combined with my marketing/communication experience thought that would perhaps give me an edge.  Perhaps not.

Second example: peculiar e-mail exchange.  A contact told me about an open position at this next company, and this is the email exchange that followed:

From: Company X
To: Nicole
Subject: Interview
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2011 18:19:00 -0500

Hi, Nicole –

Let’s get together and explore a possible fit with what we’re doing here at ***.  Please bring your portfolio if you’ve designed any materials.  Can you meet on Friday, February 18^th at 10:00am?

Vice President - Sales, Marketing & Support

------------------------------ 

From: Nicole
Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2011 9:35 PM
To: Company X
Subject: RE: Interview

Hi ****,

I'd love to get together to discuss the position with you, however I do have a prior commitment for this Friday.  I'm free tomorrow, Thursday and Monday if any of those days work for you.  Let me know if any of those days are a possibility for you.

Thank you,
Nicole

 -----------------------------

 

 From: Company X
To: Nicole
Subject: RE: Interview
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:37:21 -0500 

They’re not.

------------------------

From: Nicole
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 2:04 PM
To: Company X
Subject: RE: Interview

****,

I'm sorry to hear that.  Since no day except Friday works with your schedule, it looks like we unfortunately won't have the opportunity to meet and discuss this position further.  Thank you for your time, and I hope you'll keep me in mind for future positions with ****.  I wish you the best of luck with your search for the right candidate for your company.

Best Regards,
Nicole 

----------------------

No parts (except my favorite little stars, of course) were changed.  Which means that "They're not." response is exactly what I received.  Perhaps I offended this person by being unavailable, for which I am sorry.  But, even unemployed folk do have commitments that cannot always be broken.  Maybe suggesting a different day is a cardinal sin of job searching?  Alas, live and learn, I suppose.   

Who doesn't love a little generic rejection in the morning?


Dear Nicole,

Thank you for taking the time to apply for the position of Events Coordinator **** Foundation, Job Requisition #34332 at *****. While your credentials and experience are certainly impressive, you were not selected for this position.

Although we cannot provide you with additional feedback at this time due to the volume of applications that we receive, we would like to keep your application on file and contact you in the future should other opportunities arise that more closely fit your background.  At the same time, we would like to encourage you to visit our website at **** to review other open positions that maybe of interest to you.

We sincerely wish you all the best in your career search.

Human Resources Department


I put in  some clever little stars where the name of the place was because I'm not sure if I'll encounter any troubles by leaving them in, best to avoid, yes? Yes.  Although, at least I actually heard back.  With the amount of applications going out these days, most places don't get back to you at all, even on auto-reply.  So thanks, ****. 

Typically ever year around this time I buy myself a new winter coat.  With this year's never ending winter, I could have months of wearing it!  However, with my current "unemployed" predicament, I'll be skipping that tradition in order to keep money in the bank.  That doesn't stop me from looking though!

First is this little number from Modcloth.   An adorable website with constantly updated, well priced items.  That collar looks so cozy.  Perfect for nuzzling!

Its not secret that the Northeast is cold, and jackets with hoods are well appreciated.  Even more appreciated are the prices from Overstock and the ongoing $2.95 shipping.

Etsy is a very dangerous website.  Not only can you find amazing original items (seriously, half my Christmas shopping gets done on this site), but I can tell you (shamefully, from experience) that it is very easy to accidentally spend the entire afternoon browsing, only to look up and see its suddenly time for dinner and you're still in pajamas...oops.  But, hey, at least you got to support some independent artist-types.

And lastly, the splurge that I'd never actually be able to get, regardless of my employment status: a Lanvin Trench from Net-A-Porter.  So classy and timeless and ladylike.  I'd undoubtedly spill whatever it is I dared to hold while wearing it all over the front.  But, a girl can dream.

There's always next year.

http://myseriousbusiness.com

Egad!  NYS Unemployment and I haven't been together long, but we're already off to a shaky start.  After a bit of confusion, a sub-par website, and battling with inordinately long wait times/poorly designed phone trees (really, I had to use this website to find out how to speak with someone at this agency), I think my unemployment claim is finally straightened out.  We'll find out for sure on Friday.

http://www.cyber-cinema.com/

This unemployment thing is harder than it looks.  Does my increasing self doubt poke through in my interviews?  Sure, we talked for 45 minutes but wait!  She just checked her watch!  What does that mean?  That girl in the lobby waiting to go in after me has a skirt on.  Should I nix the slacks???  Nerves running amok!  Feeling terrible. 

Luckily the internet has plenty of ways to help:

1. Who wouldn't love this surprise from friends?  So sweet and personal.
2.  It would give me a lot to do if I was to plan a party, yes?
3.  Romance doesn't have to be expensive, if its with someone you love.
4.  If all else fails, thankfully Wikihow has step by step instructions on how to cheer up.

Job interview Thursday morning!  In the marketing department of a law firm located in downtown's theatre district.  To be childishly honest, I've always loved the thought of being able to take the train to work.  Pool is currently being developed to see how long it would take me to get sick of singing this song to myself while going to work every morning:

(Truthfully, the interview was supposed to be tomorrow morning, however, as the country prepares to be pummeled yet again by our friend winter, adjustments were made.)

Unemployment.  Curse you for turning my days into hours spent searching aimlessly through the internet and developing an obsessive habit of checking my e-mail.  Alternating the job hunting hours with hours indulging in coffee and old french films via Netflix.



Not to mention making Ric's dream come true of me being home all day for tug-o-war on demand. 

Here's hoping this blog helps keep me on track.