I'm a Wage Earner Again!!!!
One of the great contradictions of being me. All these years that I was an employee, I was wishing I wasn't. Don't get me wrong...I'm a hard worker. I get a lot done, I'm smart, and I do my jobs well. But, I HATE rolling out of bed in the morning, I have a looooong list of things I'd much rather be doing......basically, I always thought a 9-5 job is a necessary evil.
When I quit my job at MFPRSI, I was pretty confident that I would always be able to find another great job. And so, when the working conditions began to disintegrate due to the unreasonable maliciousness of one co-worker, I decided that life was too short to spend it in a state of exasperation and outrage. When the bosses made it clear that I had no other option than to just put up with her, I quit.
Granted, it turned out to be a serendipitous move. Shortly after leaving my full time job, the problems with my teen began to spiral out of control. It turned out to be ideal that I was home all day. While it didn't stop the problem, it certainly made it more difficult for him to get away with things.
Anyway, I guess I'm a worker at heart, despite my yearnings for the "Woman Kept in Style" status. My self-image began to crumble, and even though I had lots of time to work on my hobbies, I could no longer afford the necessary supplies. The dreaded Catch-22. A few short months after leaving MFPRSI, I took a part-time job with Iles Funeral Home. It was a great little job, I worked with wonderful people....but as the stress and responsibility grew and the salary did not, I decided it was time to return to work full-time.
Then it really got ugly. In September 2006, after my replacement was trained, Iles terminated me. I still hadn't found my new job, but I cost too much to keep on the payroll. Typical corporate thinking....people as product. At first I was angry about how mean they were in the separation, but now I just shrug and move forward. The real issue wasn't Iles....the real issue was the job market.
Shocking!!!! According to the Iowa Statistics, read one afternoon while waiting to take a skills test at Work Force, the number of working Iowans is down from 2005 by a couple of thousand, but unemployment is up by 5%. What gives with that? What's more, this disturbing trend is only acknowledging the unemployed.....it doesn't even begin to reflect the under-employed.
And that was the issue. My resume and background is great. However, the administrative jobs available were all entry level, despite placing my ad through various Job Placement Agencies. The Agencies even told me that I was probably asking too high of a starting salary. However, even lowering my salary didn't help.....I couldn't even get an interview; I can only assume this is because they saw me as being over-qualified for the entry-level positions. While they were right about this, I was getting desperate. Underemployed is better than unemployed.
Marshall was so fantastic, despite the fact that he was getting quite concerned about our depleted savings account. He told me to stick it out. Keep watching for the good jobs, post for something I know I would enjoy doing, and in time the right job would come along.
He was right. On July 12 I had a phone interview with Laura of the ADP home office. She couldn't have known it, but her favorable impression of me was a balm to my much-battered ego. She told me which positions she felt I would ideal for, and directed me to complete the on-line applications. Once that was done, she put in a word for me and I very quickly had an office interview scheduled for July 25. On that day, I met Sharon (who will be my boss). I warmed to her quickly.....warm, open, direct, sensitive....my impression is that it will be easy to work with this woman, and that she will be excellent about making her expectations clear. After the interview, I was told it would be about 2 weeks before a decision could be made, but Sharon added, "I am impressed." That little comment had me literally dancing to my car.
The only chaff was having to wait 2 weeks. But, fate had finally decided to hand me a break, because it was only 3 days later when they called and offered me the position. I confess that I squealed in poor Laura's ear...to her evident amusement. What's more, the salary range is in my original asking range, which is a near-miracle in today's work environment. And the benefits package is strong. I'm so thankful.
My starting date is Aug 21st....next week. I've updated my wardrobe, updated my Franklin Planner, and I'm ready and eager to go!!!!
It was a trying time, but this period of unemployment has been good for me. It's not likely that I will ever take a good job for granted again. I'm determined to amend my character flaws, as well. I want to focus on squashing my ego, silencing my inner negative voice, and being a positive and proactive member of this team. I want to remind myself every day of how lucky I am to have found an excellent job, and to do my best to excel at it.
When I quit my job at MFPRSI, I was pretty confident that I would always be able to find another great job. And so, when the working conditions began to disintegrate due to the unreasonable maliciousness of one co-worker, I decided that life was too short to spend it in a state of exasperation and outrage. When the bosses made it clear that I had no other option than to just put up with her, I quit.
Granted, it turned out to be a serendipitous move. Shortly after leaving my full time job, the problems with my teen began to spiral out of control. It turned out to be ideal that I was home all day. While it didn't stop the problem, it certainly made it more difficult for him to get away with things.
Anyway, I guess I'm a worker at heart, despite my yearnings for the "Woman Kept in Style" status. My self-image began to crumble, and even though I had lots of time to work on my hobbies, I could no longer afford the necessary supplies. The dreaded Catch-22. A few short months after leaving MFPRSI, I took a part-time job with Iles Funeral Home. It was a great little job, I worked with wonderful people....but as the stress and responsibility grew and the salary did not, I decided it was time to return to work full-time.
Then it really got ugly. In September 2006, after my replacement was trained, Iles terminated me. I still hadn't found my new job, but I cost too much to keep on the payroll. Typical corporate thinking....people as product. At first I was angry about how mean they were in the separation, but now I just shrug and move forward. The real issue wasn't Iles....the real issue was the job market.
Shocking!!!! According to the Iowa Statistics, read one afternoon while waiting to take a skills test at Work Force, the number of working Iowans is down from 2005 by a couple of thousand, but unemployment is up by 5%. What gives with that? What's more, this disturbing trend is only acknowledging the unemployed.....it doesn't even begin to reflect the under-employed.
And that was the issue. My resume and background is great. However, the administrative jobs available were all entry level, despite placing my ad through various Job Placement Agencies. The Agencies even told me that I was probably asking too high of a starting salary. However, even lowering my salary didn't help.....I couldn't even get an interview; I can only assume this is because they saw me as being over-qualified for the entry-level positions. While they were right about this, I was getting desperate. Underemployed is better than unemployed.
Marshall was so fantastic, despite the fact that he was getting quite concerned about our depleted savings account. He told me to stick it out. Keep watching for the good jobs, post for something I know I would enjoy doing, and in time the right job would come along.
He was right. On July 12 I had a phone interview with Laura of the ADP home office. She couldn't have known it, but her favorable impression of me was a balm to my much-battered ego. She told me which positions she felt I would ideal for, and directed me to complete the on-line applications. Once that was done, she put in a word for me and I very quickly had an office interview scheduled for July 25. On that day, I met Sharon (who will be my boss). I warmed to her quickly.....warm, open, direct, sensitive....my impression is that it will be easy to work with this woman, and that she will be excellent about making her expectations clear. After the interview, I was told it would be about 2 weeks before a decision could be made, but Sharon added, "I am impressed." That little comment had me literally dancing to my car.
The only chaff was having to wait 2 weeks. But, fate had finally decided to hand me a break, because it was only 3 days later when they called and offered me the position. I confess that I squealed in poor Laura's ear...to her evident amusement. What's more, the salary range is in my original asking range, which is a near-miracle in today's work environment. And the benefits package is strong. I'm so thankful.
My starting date is Aug 21st....next week. I've updated my wardrobe, updated my Franklin Planner, and I'm ready and eager to go!!!!
It was a trying time, but this period of unemployment has been good for me. It's not likely that I will ever take a good job for granted again. I'm determined to amend my character flaws, as well. I want to focus on squashing my ego, silencing my inner negative voice, and being a positive and proactive member of this team. I want to remind myself every day of how lucky I am to have found an excellent job, and to do my best to excel at it.
posted by Rhonda L at 6:19 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home