Exasperation is setting in.....

It's safe to say that I am fully exasperated with my job search. I have been pounding the internet for hours a day, seven days a week for over 2 months now. So far that has yielded me only 3 face to face interviews, and one phone screen. The job market SUCKS. Employers SUCK. You can't seem to get past the computer screen outs that filter resumes, and no one will return a phone call either.

The most promising job lead that I had came thru a relative in a company that I have tried to get into for the past year. I had a GREAT interview...it looked really promising...and then they told me that the job wasn't actually available yet, and they weren't sure when it would be available. Fast forward a week and a half, and I see that job posted on the internet. I called and left a message to follow up on my application. I rec'd no call back. I give this guy the benefit of the doubt and think...ok, he may have been off from work that Good Friday...maybe he took a long weekend. Finally, on Wednesday of this week, I call again... I left ANOTHER message asking about the status of my application, and let him know that I was aware that the job was now posted....could he please return my call at his earliest convenience??? NOTHING. No phone call yet. It's now Thursday and I feel like my hands are tied. I have done my part as a job seeker...I sent that thank you note THE SAME DAY after the interview (which would mean he'd get it the next day), I followed up a week and a half later, and then made one more call after that. I don't know what else I am supposed to do in order to get my name in the running for this job that I want SO badly. I was as professional, poised and cool as a cucumber as I am able to be. I did not show desperation- I did not stumble on words. I had a great feeling about that interview- which for the record lasted over an hour and a half.... I really thought that I had a good shot this time. I really did. And now I am more than confused....I am totally confounded.

Is there anyone out there reading this? I am putting this out there in the hopes that someone can give me a point of view that I am not seeing. I am trying to be as open minded as possible, and trying NOT to be negative or take this personally- but it is getting much harder to keep that attitude as the weeks fly by and I am still not gainfully employed.

I cannot think of one other thing that I can do to find a job that was the level that I was at (or better.) I apply online to jobs that correspond with my vision, I registered my with some agencies and a couple of recruiters that I have spoken with. So far not one lead from those contacts. I have networked with everyone I know... What else can I do? It's getting to the point where I will have to take a job for $8 and hour in order to have employment.... I made 3 times that in my previous position. Is there a point where it's acceptable to take such a step down? It's more than just ego- I really can't afford to work for $8 and hour- my bills are too high to do that...BUT I can't live on unemployment.... $275 a week just won't cut it ($6.87/hr...ouch!) I don't want it to hurt me to take a lower paying job just to be employed..and have that be my most recent job history and salary history for a potential employer to go by. It's a real issue for me...and I am not sure what to do anymore.

I'm putting this out there - I need some guidance... someone comment...PLEASE!!!

That's it and that's all.....

A Rant About Work....

So it's 4 days before Christmas, and I am officially on my "vacation" from work. Work has been pretty bad lately...so I am very glad to not be there for the next 11 days. I am compelled to write about how much I hate that miserable place. It's a place that I have worked for 12 years. Every year I tell myself, it's bound to be better...it can't possibly get worse can it? Yet, somehow, it gets worse. I can't even begin to chronicle all of the injustices I have suffered at the hand of XYZ Asshole Company. They are the evil incarnate. Let's just put it this way...at the end of the year when MOST companies reward their employees with a Christmas or End of Year Bonus, a Christmas Party and gifts, XYZ Asshole Company does none of those things. We get a song and dance about how WELL the company did this year- oh yes, it is a BILLION dollar company- and their gift to us is a mini jar of M&M's with the company's logo on it- incidentally, it is the SAME gift they mailed out to the customers anyway. So, it's not REALLY a gift now is it? It's a WRITE off. They host a "luncheon" on site for the "holiday" during the work day, which ensures both that it is going to be only an hour, and also that no one leaves for lunch, thus ensuring that more work can be accomplished. There are no Christmas parties, no bonuses, no gifts. We get ZIPPO and yet they continue to BRAG about how WELL the company did this year, and how "lucky" we are to work there. Yesterday I had my year end review (a joke of a process I assure you) and I am given the typical "you are a great part of our team, you do an exemplary job, etc." Yet, they won't give me a raise. It's been 3 years with no raise...they decided to cap my pay and not allow for cost of living increases. Now anyone living in the USA today KNOWS that the past 2-3 years have been BRUTAL for cost of living, and if the pay isn't keeping up with it, then you are actually falling behind in your bills by working there. Basically they don't care..because bottom line, they WANT to keep downsizing, keeping the profits for the multi-millionaire owner so he can buy another $20 million dollar penthouse in a major city. The owner of this company is a RAT. He's a rat, plain and simple... I had this experience with him just yesterday....



I was coming into my building where I work, laden down with the usual junk I carry with me everyday: Purse, tote bag, lunch tote, keys, and coffee, carrying my access card in my teeth b/c I have no more hands to hold it. As I struggle to get the door open with my foot and my butt... I hear.. "Hold the door please." And it's CEO Asshole! I paste on a fake grin and hold the door. He runs up to me and says "You just saved my life, thanks." and I said "Oh you know someone would have come along and let you in the door." He tells me, "Oh, I have my card... My hands are so FULL." I look down at his hands...he is holding a bottle of water in one hand, and wallet and keys in the other. I have all of the aforementioned things, PLUS I am holding the door open with my ass....This ASSHOLE proceeds to walk past me and doesn't offer to hold the door open for me...just walks past and goes "Have a nice day!" This guy deserves the Asshole of the year award in my book. I mean REALLY... How can anyone have so few manners???? Just because I don't have his money doesn't automatically make me his SERVANT. That is the DISTINCT feeling that I got when he brushed past me. Gee, I should have held out my hand for a tip....



I know this is a rant...I can't help myself! I am so furiously ANGRY at the way I have been treated at the hands of XYZ Asshole Company. I have been searching for a job for a LONG time and so far nothing that is suitable has come along. I can't afford to work somewhere for LESS money...but the way things are now, I can't afford to stay there either!!!



I PRAY every day that something good can happen to me...I totally feel beat up by life lately and I need a sign that good things are in store for me. I need to get away from XYZ Asshole Company...the stress of being there sucks the life out of me and it's probably keeping me from getting pregnant...



So I am putting this out there to the entire Cosmos... HELP ME!! Inspire me! Give me the winning lotto numbers! Something!!!



That's it and that's all.......