I was laid off, very unexpectedly, a month ago from my
"dream job" when they lost one of their biggest clients. A corporation probably would have kept the younger, cheaper, but also less experienced employee (that would be me, in this case) and have let the older (69), costlier, more experienced employee go, but this firm was more in the nature of a family firm.
So I get to revise my 2012 goals back to "get a job" again. Sigh. That's been my #1 annual goal since 2009. This territory is just way too familiar.
But I'm tackling it with gusto.
A couple of differences between now and 2009:
First, the economy. We're on an upswing now, rather than still reeling from the blow. It's slow, but the market is definitely different.
Second, my personal circumstances. Other than job-hunting and gaining such experience as I could, the other dominant theme of the past 3 years for me was dealing with family illness. Unfortunately, my beloved Henry Hound, my Phoebe Kitty, and my Mom all passed during the 14 months from May 2010 to July 2011. I still have Teddy Cat, and he, unfortunately, is chronically ill, too, but he's hanging in there so far. He was diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure just after Thanksgiving. We've gotten used to the new routine of sub-Q fluids and meds twice daily, I've found online sources for his supplies that are half the cost of getting them from the vet, and he seems stable for now. But much of what was holding me back from pursuing the job market more vigorously was that it was actually very helpful to be working part-time during the past two years. It gave me a lot more flexibility in terms of being with first Henry, then my Mom.
Third, the fact that I have accrued some experience, albeit not yet enough to be really competitive. But when I left teaching back in May 2009, I had no practical experience in accounting other than my participation in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
Over the course of the past 2.5 years, I had jobs with first H & R Block, then two small CPA firms, plus a temp Office Manager job that kept me employed part-time most of the time. Then that job that I just lost was three months of full-time work that focused more on business accounting & taxes and less on personal taxes, so I did learn a tremendous amount. I may still be below the critical threshold for getting the job I really want, but I *am* awfully close.
In the month since I was laid off, I submitted nearly two dozen job applications. I've had 5 job interviews (3 this past week) plus another phone screen that didn't lead to an interview.
One of the jobs that I interviewed for this week would be another "dream job" situation; the other two would have their advantages, and I'd take any of them if offered.
Hopefully an offer will be in the offing soon.
job hunting again
February 25th, 2012 at 09:50 pm
February 25th, 2012 at 10:02 pm 1330207362
February 25th, 2012 at 10:15 pm 1330208116
However, the Prudential contract job may not be completely dead. I did hear back from the manager that she just didn't have her ducks in a row and she wanted to talk about the job. We'll see.
Hang in there, Dido. It's GOT to get better. I'm betting you'll get one of those jobs you interviewed for.
February 26th, 2012 at 12:13 am 1330215196
February 26th, 2012 at 04:09 am 1330229387
March 17th, 2012 at 11:58 pm 1332028684
Haven't heard from you in a while.
March 18th, 2012 at 03:06 am 1332040006
March 18th, 2012 at 03:08 am 1332040117
March 18th, 2012 at 01:42 pm 1332078160
My most latest promising job prospect has gone the same way, although at least this time, they invited me to follow up with them if I didn't hear anything, and when I did, she told me they were still doing first round interviews. Maybe they are seeing more promising candidates and thus are conducting a greater number of interviews to be thorough, thus lowering my (or your) overall chances for the job.
March 18th, 2012 at 02:42 pm 1332081753
Sorry to hear your most promising prospect hasn't yet borne fruit.