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Savvy Community Chronicles of a Job Hunter: The Beginning of the End Apr 4, 2011 3:05 AM We've been there for SavvySugar Community member littlemissjobhunter 's ups and downs, and it seems like she's still on a down cycle in this post. Her contract work is about to end this week, and there is an unpleasant showdown between her and her boss. Be sure to catch up on all her job hunting adventures! Heart beating 100 miles an hour, face, a stark white, I walked out of the conference room utterly confused. What I had thought was a great learning experience with a manager who was open to teaching me new things turned out to be an utter and complete lie. Is this what corporate life was like? If it was, I was in for the ride of my life. Since my last post , I had been scouting, quietly researching and balancing a 40-hour work week in the midst of seeing how things unraveled with the return of “mystery girl.” Operations and my day-to-day tasks remained the same, but my heart was just not in the job anymore. One day as I was finishing up some last minute e-mails, a message popped up which worried me in the most dramatic of ways. My manager had simply typed a mere nine words which caused me to break out in a cold sweat, “ Please meet me in the conference room at 3.” My gut instinct predicted something not so pleasant would occur during this meeting, but my optimistic side hoped for otherwise. To hear what happened, [break] read on. [/break] 3 pm came. There I was, sitting in a six-person conference room directly facing the sun and the shadow of my manager’s body eerily staring back at me. Then, came what can be defined as the harshest grouping of words I have ever heard in my twenty-four years. While I will not repeat verbatim, the resonating words of “incompetence, and inability to handle the job” were a few of the words that stung like an open wound. These words were delivered as the news of mystery’s girl’s resignation and the decision to not hire me on full time were spoken of. My first instinct was to defend myself in every shape and form but no words came out. My head was jumbled in a cloud of mixed thoughts and left me wanting to leave the room. I had never been spoken to so harshly and bluntly in my life. Sure, my parents have said some hurtful words over the years, but never was it said in such a condescending and demeaning of a manner. The only thing I could muster out was, “OK”. My defensive statement was shot down in a matter of seconds and I was left speechless. I prided myself in my work ethic and ability to pick up new things rather quickly, but this 30-something-year-old lady had shot it down in a matter of seconds. Looking back, the position was never something I wanted, nor was it a position of growth but the attack to my pride really stung and resonated for days. The hostility and tension in the work place is at an all-time high and I am ready to get out. Hopefully, this means the beginning of the end of something new, fresh, and exciting. Fingers crossed for a better opportunity out there, with people that actually are appreciative of my help. Until next time . . . signing off, littlemissjobhunter Have a laid off story you want to share? Join our Laid Off Ladies group or vent anonymously in Savvy Confessions — see you there!
Savvy Community Chronicles of a Job Hunter: Betrayal and the Reappearance of Mystery Girl Mar 11, 2011 11:45 AM The world of unemployment is tough, and it looks like SavvySugar Community member littlemissjobhunter is experiencing the ultimate low. Her journey has been an emotional roller coaster, which I'm sure a lot of you can relate to. Read on to see what's in store for her now. "Siempre hay una razón para sonreír " is a phrase I had come across one day and virtually has stuck with me since. It can literally be translated as "there is always something to smile about." In this turbulent period known as my life, the constant reminder or in English "every cloud has a silver lining" has kept me optimistic for a rather unpredictable and vacillating future. Since my last post , (excuse the short hiatus as I had to re-structure life), I had been informed by my manager that the mysterious girl I had been filling in for would finally be returning from her "sick leave." Although her return did not seem shocking in itself, an overheard phone call between my manager and said girl did. Phrases like "have you gotten called back," and "the job market is tough right now" were murmured in-between the tiny cubicle dividers. The wheels of my brain began turning. So . . . essentially, mystery girl was on "sick leave" but also looking for a new job position in Los Angeles? I pinched myself to assure I was not dreaming. Want to know more? [break] Read on to find out. [/break] My mouth went agape. I felt utterly betrayed. Within the last three months, I had felt I developed a fairly amicable and even pleasant working environment with my manager but the omission of information felt deceitful and even treacherous. Time and time again I would ask her if she knew of "mystery girl's return" and each time, I was given the same response, "nobody knows." It was at this moment in time, I decided to take a stand for myself. I could no longer trust her with full faith and having my best interest at heart. I began reaching out to recruiters and contacts again hoping to stack up the end of this position with the beginning of another before mystery girl returned. The treachery caused much indifference in the workplace. I no longer gave the full dedication to my job that I had once given, knowing my time there would be shortly coming to an end. Extra steps to prove my persistence, and diligence were scaled back and only the necessary means were made. I cannot agree and say this was the correct way to deal with the news, however, my mind became a cold stone blocked by pure betrayal and dishonesty. But, perhaps there is light at the end of the tunnel and this step was the stepping stone for something greater and better out there. After all, siempre hay una razón para sonreír . Until next time . . . signing off, littlemissjobhunter Have a laid off story you want to share? Join our Laid Off Ladies group or vent anonymously in Savvy Confessions — see you there! Photo courtesy of CW
Savvy Community Chronicles of a Job Hunter: Quit Playing Games With My Heart . . . Feb 17, 2011 3:05 AM Job hunting seems almost like dating, but with more on the line. SavvySugar Community member, littlemissjobhunter , was pretty hopeful about her upcoming interview , and if you read on, you'll find out how that went. Remember to catch up with the rest of all her adventures . Seems like a fitting title as Valentine’s Day has just come and gone. Can job searching really be compared to the beginning stages of courtship? In my opinion, yes, the psychology of the “game” in courtship can very much be analogous to the beginning stages of interviewing and pending job offers. Two job interviews later my life has remained unchanged. As each job interview is placed upon the table, a new feeling of hope and optimism is renewed. At the same time, subtle feelings of desperation and defeat envelop me as the week goes by without trace of communication from recruiters. Similarly enough, these emotions can be replaced quite easily with affection. Will he call me? Will he respond to my text? The anticipation and waiting period is encompassed by feelings of anxiety and stress. To hear how a potential employer toyed with my heart, [break] read on. [/break] One particular retailer made me feel just that — stressed. In an attempt to maximize my day at work without sacrificing pay, I still went to work, but left two hours earlier for my interview. I had my suit and pumps neatly tucked away in my tote as I made my way out of the building for a “doctor’s appointment.” One and a half hours later, I came out feeling confident that I made a good impression on the interviewers. The next three days felt like an eternity and the anticipation of good or bad news kept me up at night. Finally, I had been called and told that another candidate wae chosen. However, it was simply because a current employee wanted the job last minute and would be much less work to train her than me. Comforting? Only marginally. I had been informed that a) I would have been the next to be chosen if a current employee was not in the standing and b) that I had been recommended by the hiring managers to interview for a different department. My emotions could best be described as confused. I did not know whether to feel defeated or hopeful. Girls want what they cannot have. I am no exception. Analogously, this retailer in my mind at least, was playing hard to get and it only made me more determined to obtain it. Oftentimes, I seek challenges. After all, the best things in life do not come easy or free. The idea that a job is so close within reach but yet so far is enough to drive any job seeker crazy. Although being volleyed around departments within one corporation offers hope, it is also extremely nerve wrecking. We shall see what next week holds with Interview # 4 with this retailer. Employers, quit playing games with my heart . . . Until next time . . . signing off, littlemissjobhunter Have a laid off story you want to share? Join our Laid Off Ladies group or vent anonymously in Savvy Confessions — see you there! Photos courtesy of The CW
Savvy Community Chronicles of a Job Hunter: Committing Treachery or Just Perpetual Advancement? Feb 3, 2011 11:05 AM The life of temping is a tumultous one, with ups and downs at every corner. On one hand, you finally have income, but on the other, your permanence at the position is still ambiguous. Check out how SavvySugar Community member, littlemissjobhunter , is juggling the roller coaster world of temping , and be sure to read about all her adventures : Week four of temping has officially begun, and the once steep learning curve is tapering off to a rather routine and repetitive set of tasks, for better or worse. Unlike other large retail establishments, there was no retail math class, or fabrics based training class while stepping into this position. It can best be described or compared to Darwin’s evolution theory of “survival of the fittest.” With the arrival of Chinese New Year quickly approaching, the world of retail comes to a sudden halt as well. Factories are perpetually closed for two to three weeks where workers make the long trek home to the rural parts of China to be with their families. Because the workers are only given this one stretch of vacation a year, the entire country takes this holiday very seriously. On the corporate America retail side, this means lack of email responses, or any correspondences for two to three weeks. Business is put on a short hiatus and this time is known as “catch-up” time. Any work that has been put aside due to more urgent matters are now dug up and worked on, fabric samples are re-organized, and tidied up. I can best classify it as spring cleaning of the office. In my particular case, I cannot stand disorganization and thus, I ensure everything is neat and orderly on a regular basis. Consequently, this time in which my co-workers use to organize, I sit and let my mind wander, a common occurrence when I am bored or unchallenged. To find out why I feel like an undercover spy, [break] read on. [/break] Because of the uncertainty and virtual instability of this position, I started contacting old recruiters from other companies in hopes of something a bit more permanent. One of my biggest pet peeves is instability. I love having everything planned and spontaneity is seldom considered my strong suit. Within a week, I heard back from a few recruiters with interviews lined up while still engaged in a 9 to 6 job. As I surreptitiously made bathroom runs to correspond back to interview set-ups via my handy iPhone , I cannot help but feel the deep pit within my stomach churn. Packing my suit neatly in my bag while dipping out early for a "doctor's appointment?" Is this what " finding your dream job " entails? Perhaps this is the type of emotions that spies are constantly faced with?  Am I completely ungrateful and discarding loyalty, or are my actions perfectly viable given the current circumstance? I have been told by my closest friends and confidants that my forgiving and gullible nature do not pend well in the corporate world and most likely will be taken advantage of. But, I cannot help but feel a strong sense of treachery for, not exactly the company that I "represent", but more so for the manager that has invested in my skillset and capabilities. What are your thoughts readers? Soviet spy or the climb to the top of the corporate ladder? You decide. Until next time . . . signing off, littlemissjobhunter Have a laid off story you want to share? Join our Laid Off Ladies group or vent anonymously in Savvy Confessions — see you there!
Savvy Community Chronicles of a Job Hunter: The Pitfalls of Being an iPhone User Dec 27, 2010 6:00 AM SavvySugar Community member littlemissjobhunter is part of the sobering statistic: nearly one out of 10 Americans are out of work. Join her in the trials and tribulations of a job-seeker — a journey that'll maybe help you understand that the unemployment figures aren't just a number. Disclosure: this new series may incite sorrow, humor, and maybe even a little hope. Since my return back to the US, I basically consider my iPhone to be an extension of my limbs.  Not for the apps or even for the phenomenon of flinging angry birds at grim green pigs but for the ability to stay connected to my email 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on the go.  I have the ability to correspond to recruiters with the push of a few keys without ever being chained to the confines of my home. I had been in contact with a large-size Midwest retail chain — Company A — to keep this anonymous. In my four years of attending university in the Midwest, I had started to recognize the various local area codes; 847, 773, 630, and 224, just to name a few. One day as I was perusing the jobs section of Craigslist, I heard my phone rumble from the glass table not 10 feet away. To find out who is calling, [break] read on. [/break] With a leap of faith, my mind, body, and soul dashed for the rectangular shape that ruled my life. Two seconds too late, the 224-xxx-xxxx missed call flashed back at me as a sign of defeat. iPhone: 1 , me: 0. Then it struck me. 224! NOOOOOOOO. This potentially could have been a phone screening or better yet, a first round interview. In a moment of desperation, I redialed the number hoping for a live line, but instead, was quickly mocked by an evil busy signal. By means of calming my nerves, I went about my day as normal, attempting to shrug off any anxiety plaguing my thoughts. Somewhere between folding the laundry and making lunch, I heard the familiar vibration coming from the glass table. “Hello?” I exclaimed in anticipation. No response. I stared down at the iPhone. The screen showed that I was still on the line with 224-xxx-xxxx, and we've apparently been chatting for 50 seconds. “Hello?” I said again, trying to cover up the annoyance in my voice, before realizing ATT had dropped my call. My cell phone beeped and “Call Failed, Try Again?” flashed across the screen. Adamant to track down this mysterious caller, I hit redial. To my dismay, another busy tone. With an exasperated sigh, I vowed to put an end to this phone tag. For the next two hours, I was glued to my phone. No sound in the house went unnoticed. Finally, with my last shred of hope, I redialed. My heart was pounding, and to my shocking disbelief, a ringing dial tone! “Welcome to the Illinois State Fertility Clinic & Sperm Bank. If you know . . . ” ‘Click.’ Well, that solves that mystery. After a 14 hour stint of nearly leaping at every buzz, vibration or rumbling in the house, my mind was finally at ease. Oh yeah, damn you AT&T for horrible reception. This anecdote is an example of the sheer frustration, anxiety, and utter stress that unemployment brings to the table. But, do not let it get you down. Know that, somewhere out there, someone else has a sperm bank story too! Until next time . . . signing off, littlemissjobhunter Have a laid off story you want to share? Join our Laid Off Ladies group or vent anonymously in Savvy Confessions — see you there!

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