Monday, December 28, 2009

Merry Christmas

Back in mid-November, I applied to company A. As with most resumes and applications I have filled in and sent out over the last nine months, I didn’t really expect a response. Partly because few companies acknowledge you, partly because it was different from what I had been doing for the last twenty-seven years. Different, but similar enough that it sounded interesting and possibly fun.
I was surprised to get a phone call a week later and I had a very nice phone interview with a pleasant woman. She invited me in for an in-person interview at the end of the week! I had only had one in-person interview during my long job search.
The interview went well and I liked the two people that interviewed me.
But alas, the following Monday, one of them called to say that despite how well the interview went, they found someone who was a better fit. (sigh)

The following day, a friend of mine called to say their company B was looking for an Analyst, was I interested?
Of course!
Long story short, the job matched most of what I can do and there would be new challenges. The phone and in-person interviews went well and I was quite excited. I tried to keep my enthusiasm in check, since I would have to wait two weeks for the owner to return from his buying trip. I was not worried, because of how well things went.
Then company A called up. The applicant they made an offer to withdrew their name and would I be willing to accept an offer for the job? (do bears shit in the woods?)
They asked if I could let them know in a few day. I told them I would let them know by the end of the day.
For the jobs were similar in pay and benefits. Company A was slightly better, but a little longer commute. Company A was not involved in manufacturing and had more chances for advancement.
AND, a bird in the hand is better than one in the bush. So I accepted their offer.

Hard to believe that after nine months of looking, I will soon be working and not be ‘a man of unfortunate leisure’.

Truly a nice Christmas present.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Fat Pants

Back in October, after eight months of job searching, I actually had a phone interview. That went well and I was asked to come in for an in-person interview! I was excited until I got out my new slacks and found that they didn’t fit!
Back in March, when I was laid off, we went shopping for some new slacks. My old ones were just too tight. Since I have been slowly gaining weight over the years, I threw out all my old slacks.
Months went by, we worked on the bricks and stones in front, and other projects. I stopped eating cookies for lunch because one does have to cut back expenses. We started taking Molly for a second, longer walk.
Over time, I began having trouble keeping my jeans up, even my old, tight, raggedy ones. I thought about getting suspenders because a belt just wasn’t working.
So by the time I went on the first job interview, I had lost twenty pounds! No wonder my pants were not fitting.
We went shopping a week later and bought more slacks, but with a smaller waistband.
The job was not offered to me and I continued to look.
I have been on an interview to another company, though it did not result in a job; but at least I looked better.
Tomorrow I have a very promising interview and I am looking forward to it.

So I think things are looking up, since I am at least going on more face to face interviews. And I am ready for the future, for I have stored my fat-pants in with my summer clothes. For I know that part of the reason for losing the weight is that I no longer sit on my butt for eight hours a day.
If I get the job there will be no more extra Molly walks and I will be sitting for hours a day.
I guess I can live without cookies for lunch.