The Seamus Blog...read only if you're really, really, really, really, bored.

Just venting. 

04/01/2008

A Year a.k.a. “April Fools”
   
     Simply amazing! If you would have told me one year ago that I’d still be looking for work one year later I would have told you, you were crazy. In hindsight (which is Always 20/20), taking some time off to decompress from the stress of the last six months of work might have been a huge mistake, he says “might” with his tongue planted firmly in his cheek. For the last six months I have been faithfully sending out resumes and going on job interviews, It seems I am either (a) over qualified (I think that means I made more than ten dollars an hour?), or (b) under qualified, (I think that means I won’t take $10.00 an hour) or that I don’t have an A.A. or B.A. degree. It apparently also means that companies nowadays don’t want to do what we used to call on the job training, now I know this is an old school term, but it roughly translates to “I will teach you how I want you to do the job, and I’ll pay you as you learn.” Companies just don’t want to take the time to do that anymore I guess, and a part of me says I can’t blame them. Or (c) If you climb into the way (way, way) back machine I have two minor incidents (one 25 years ago, one 7 years ago) that may not be too appealing to a small portion of the hiring sector, ‘Nuff said, wink wink, nudge nudge.

   In the course of the last six months I have gone to, and signed up with, no less than seven hiring agencies. Their function, as I understand it, is to find work for you, it’s an amazing concept especially if you’re an able bodied person willing to show up and work hard. But it seems that factor is secondary in today’s job market. The primary factor for a person of, how shall I say it, limited edumacation, is that I work for a scurrilous wage. One of them called me last week and left a message on my answering machine, she actually said “I don’t think I can help you, I may not be your best resource”.

   Also during the last six months I have sent out via the internet no less than 100 resumes. It seems that this is the new way to job search especially if you don’t have some kind of network already in place. You send your resume and a stupid cover letter (seriously, what’s the point of the cover letter? give me a break) out into this vast black hole of the internet, the old days of pounding the streets and burning leather are gone my friends. Your other option is to create an account in places like Jobster, Monster, Mobster, Webster blah blah blah (these places are called “job search engines”). The idea is that you can upload your resume and pertinent information and employers are “supposed” to search there, you can also search for and send out applications there, please note the supposed in quotes, to date I have not received one contact from any of my job search engines and I have signed up six of them and sent out countless resumes and applications.

   I have interviewed for positions, about six in the last 2 months. Companies don’t have to tell you why they don’t want to hire you, they usually just say “thank you” and “we’ll be in touch”. There are two that really stick in my craw. I interviewed for the Washington State Liquor Control Board for a warehouse position (20 people applying for 7 positions). I had to take two separate tests and also went through the board interview, and I nailed everything, HR woman said I was awesome during the interview, but they hired other people, I was up against people working temporarily and then hiring on, that hurt. This next one just pissed me off. I actually took the tests and filled out the paperwork to be a TSA agent at the airport. Passed the two written tests with flying colors and then had to go another battery of tests at there headquarters. So, the lady is interviewing me and asking me these random ass questions that I've learned to love and laugh at, and this is how it goes.

She: Tell me what you would do if you saw another TSA agent steal something from a passenger’s bag?
Me: I would follow whatever procedures you have in place.
She: I need a better answer.
Me: Ok...well I guess there are two ways I can go with this, I can either report it to my immediate supervisor or confront the person, I'm not sure if it's in my job responsibility to actually confront another agent so I probably would contact my supervisor. (and then I says)...you know what...I've confronted shoplifters before, because it's actually you and I that end up paying for that, I think I probably would confront the agent.
She: I'm sorry but I'm going to have to fail you on the honesty and integrity section of this interview, you needed to answer that you would confront the agent IMMEDIATELY!
Me: You're kidding right, I got there but I didn't get there quick enough for you, I'm one of the most honest people you'll ever meet.
She: I'm sorry but that's our policy. You can re-apply in six months.
Me: I don't have six months. Thank you for your time.

   So…time for a little good news. I have a friend who is better than any job search engine; I guess it is all about networking, because in the last six months he has actually told me about three job opportunities. So he calls me last week and says, “I know a guy who is installing GPS/Phone units into fleet vehicles, he wants to hire some older people to train and begin doing the installs.” Cool. Turns out the “guy” is the Mayor of Federal Way who is also in the wireless communications business, met with Mr. Mayor, he has about 275 vehicles right now that the unit needs to be installed in and he’s working on a bid for 2,000 more. Good! He wants me to call the Chief Installer and talk with him. Called Chief says it’s really kind of easy 20-25 minute install once you get the hang of it, he says I sound like a good candidate and he’ll give me a shot, and guess what, THEY DO ON THE JOB TRAINING!. Now for the bad news they work a lot of weekends (so what, I’ve had about 50 of the last 52 weekends off) and they do these installs all over the country so there is a lot of traveling, which really doesn’t bother me too much, I don’t like flying because it’s so uncomfortable for me, I’m very tall from the waist up and I never fit in those seats all to well, but hey…I’m just happy to be learning a new job and to be employed again. Chief says, I’ll schedule you to go an install maybe as early as next week (April 10th), we have one in Nebraska. Cool x two.

   I’m keeping positive, I’ve stayed pretty upbeat through this whole ordeal, I realize it’s probably not going to be a long term job with as fast as technology moves nowadays, but it may keep me busy for a couple of years. If not I have a phone number for a friend of a friend who might be able to get me into the training program to a paramedic, it’s a six month waiting list and evidently the training isn’t too intense. Now that I’m going to be working I think I’ll get on that wait list, as long as (c) from above won’t be a factor.

Tell me about it.

I know I haven't been out there as long as you but what I've bolded is key. More so than anything else you'll do. I have my resume into 3 hiring managers for positions that aren't posted anywhere right now and came strictly from my network. 

A person's network is much, much larger than they believe when starting out. I will not argue this point with anyone. If you don't think you have a network you aren't trying or aren't looking at it the right way. Keep at it because this is how most jobs are found today.

My ex-employer has paid for 3 months of services with an out-placement firm for me. It has been much more valuable than I anticipated with resume help, networking plan and developing a personal marketing plan. But the emphasis on networking has opened my eyes. I have learned that I have literally 100's of contacts out there. Some may be distant but you can't discount anyone in a job search.

Keep your head up Seamus. Something positive will happen.

So glad that you have something lined up, Seamus.

Congrats on the install opportunity.  It might be temporary, but it may well lead to something bigger/better, too.


And really, a paramedic?  Tell me, what you would do if you saw another paramedic steal something from an accident victim’s car?

Ditto aske.  If a paramedic saves my life he can have my *goshdarn* car.

Same for me, twoiron -- but I backed up and copied my post before walking away.

 

-Hanging
-Thanks!
-Oh Yeah!

Some sort of pride thing stopped me from using/accepting friends in my network. OHWHATTAGOOSEIAM.

I know that you do...thanks.

That's my thinking too, bust butt, learn the biz, take over the cellular world. Something like that.

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm...I would...



Awww crap...I fail again don't I.

Slightly better than $10.00 an hour, that a lot of companies around here start you at. Slightly

With something like this I have to type into word first, something like a diary for me. Does that sound too ghey? NTTAWWT.



I still haven't heard from the Chief Installer, when a guy says "I'll call you back" how long should I wait.