Violet/Annie

[brink]

. I hope this works out for you. Just the fact that they called and kept playing tag is a good sign.and WOW maybe you will be able to work from home some or all of the time. Good Luck Annie, I will keep the good thoughts flowing for you. Let us know ASAP what happens. I wrote it on my daytimer and will keep the fingers crossed.

[Auburn Annie]

It turns out the lady I spoke with is the senior VP of the company - she sent me directions to the building, and the email had her title and phone numbers. Of course, it *could* be a two person company <g>.

quote:Originally posted by TheWatchman:
I went through the same thing several years ago. Couldn't get any kind of job much less a career one. I heard the same things, overqualified, all the buts.

I got so sick of getting little "Dear John" letters in the mail stating the "but we'll keep your resume on file if a job opens that match your qualifications".

The only thing that made me feel better was sending along teh following photo of the man with a little message of my own..."Thanks for keeping my resume on file for another year just in case something opens up. Stick this in my file while your at it!"


Hang in there Annie. It aint easy but something will turn up when you least expect it. I wonder if you could start your own business??
what's the reason for the middle finger?

[Auburn Annie]

Utter frustration

Congratulations on the opportunity Annie! It sounds like you're excited by the job too. Keep us posted. Fingers crossed.

quote:Originally posted by Auburn Annie:
It turns out the lady I spoke with is the senior VP of the company - she sent me directions to the building, and the email had her title and phone numbers. Of course, it *could* be a two person company <g>.

[Auburn Annie]

Well, I WAS excited by the job, given the minimal information in the ad, but I have to say I got a sort of hinky feeling at the interview. Hard to describe.

The place isn't hard to find, about a 15 minute walk from the center of downtown Syracuse. And sure enough there was a big trolley painted on the front.

I was early, which threw them a bit, I think. In our family, tardiness is up there with grand theft auto and murder one. I met with the VP I had spoken with earlier. She seemed pleasant enough but when she was telling me about the business - a boutique advertising company with about a half dozen pharmaceutical companies for regular clients - she faltered a moment, looking for the right word, which I helpfully supplied. I got an immediate "please don't interrupt me while I'm speaking" reprimand. Maybe she was afraid her train of thought would jump the tracks, I don't know. I was taken aback a bit but figured, okay, I'll limit my 'remarks' to "uh huh" and "hmm".

They are basically looking for researchers to provide in depth analysis and literature for their sales people to put before hospital boards in order to convince them to add the product to the formulary. Also to be able to write brochures aimed at different users groups (doctors, the FDA, nurses, consumers), all very time-sensitive (i.e. perpetual crisis mode), and all requiring absolute precision, virtually error-free. High stress, high pressure, and an unimpressive salary (no more than what I was making 2 years ago at a much less stressful - and local - job). Plus there is occasional travel to Boston, Philadelphia, New York and a few other places. I hate travel. I used to get car-sick backing out of the driveway.

What was a little unnerving was the absence of anybody else around, except for an elderly gentleman who buzzed me in the locked doors. She explained they leased the second floor, sharing the building with another company. Given the workload there ought to have been dozens, if not scores of people around but unless it's unusually well sound-proofed, I never heard a thing. She did say they have a very quiet work area, for concentration. No kidding.

They're definitely in a hurry to hire (like next week) but I don't know if I'm their candidate. For the kind and amount of work required it doesn't pay all that well, especially taking into consideration transporation costs. She conceded some work could be done from home but because of the need to be around for meetings, team questions, last minute changes etc. I got the distinct impression telecommuting would be unlikely.

So as much as I need the work, I'm leaning toward "no" if offered, unless we can work out some sort of piece work, editing or something like that. Now if I can only convince my husband that my "gut" feeling is a good reason to turn it down.

Go with the gut. They don't sound like your kind of company. Something better will come along. Okay, maybe not tomorrow, but it will.

quote:Originally posted by Auburn Annie:
So as much as I need the work, I'm leaning toward "no" if offered, unless we can work out some sort of piece work, editing or something like that. Now if I can only convince my husband that my "gut" feeling is a good reason to turn it down.

[Gaby]

Annie!
Violet’s right!
You’re obviously not happy with this setup.
Go with your gut feeling – it’s usually right.
If you really thought it was such a fantastic job you would have waited and posted that you had been offered the chance of a lifetime.
Obviously, you have to discuss this with your husband, but he knows you and should help you work this through. (If he disagrees, just thump him and tell him what you’re going to do.)

I'm with the gang on this one too. My sixth sense says it isn't for you. I know it is hard being between jobs (I REALLY know), but this sounds a bit too unnerving. It's your choice of course, and I'll support you in whatever you do, but that's my two cents.

-- David

[LSH]

ok Annie, I know you want to work, but it sounds like Rod Serling runs the place. You just know there's some freaky thing just waiting to happen. eek! sounded YUCKY.
I'm with the gang on this one too.
You'll know when you find the right fit.
and I can't believe she reprimanded you... how full of herself she must be. RUDE RUDE RUDE. and that was just surface stuff. who knows what other strange and harmful psychosis lie just beneath her semi pleasant facade?
RUN!!

[brink]

I to vote for the NO THANKS answer. It sounds creepy and if yoou feel like this now can you imagine how you would feel getting up every day to go to the job. Pass on it there has got to be something else waiting for you.

[gwen snyder]

Annie, You know this has got to be some sort of sign... well, if they get back with you for a second interview add more comments than uh-huh and hmm. Follow your heart, listen carefully to it. There is no pefect anything here in this world, also, no "normal". You are far too bright to spend a lifetime in an insane asylum, find out if this is right for you and then if it's still odd, run like ****.

[stationmaster]

Hey Annie, I have worked with a lot of strange people in various jobs. It's not worth the hassle and stress you have to go through! Wait for something that suits your personality. You will thank yourself afterward.

[Auburn Annie]

Well, it's been 9 days and I haven't heard aye, yes or no from SMPS so I take it as a no and a sign that my gut was right on this.

In other news, the local mall had a chocolate store opening (Gertrude Hawks - it's regional, based in Pennsylvania) so I applied and was offered a key supervisor position. I turned it down, however, regretfully, because though the manager is a lovely woman and selling chocolates is not a bad gig, after taxes and transportation I'd be working for about $2.50 an hour. And I'm just not cut out for retail. And it was mostly nights, so my husband would be eating subs with the dog and maybe our daughter from time to time. Working two different shifts (including weekends) I'd hardly see him.

I feel badly putting the financial burden on him, but he's such a sweetie. He told me if I didn't feel right about it, don't try and stick it out and be miserable for weeks or months. He said he didn't mind because we're doing okay and it's payback, says he. Payback? I asked. And he reminded me that when he first moved here from Canada he didn't have a job, then got one he absolutely hated until he finally got the one he has now, and I supported us both at the time (on about $12000 as I recall.) So it was his turn to support us. Damn, I've felt weepy all day and that just did it. I'm having trouble seeing the keys as I type. I just gotta win a lotto for him. Something.

And in another of the good news/bad news scenarios, I got my Civil Service score for a part-time public library job. I got 100, rank 1, position 2 (meaning there's only one person ahead of me.) That's the good news. The bad news is the one opening is already filled with an incumbent, who had to take the test to keep the job. So unless she scored in 4th place, or drops dead, there's no job. But the list, and my place on it, is good for two years.

So the search goes on. Soemwhere there's a library/writing/research job with my name on it (though I'd settle for a nice slice of Mega Millions or a casino jackpot <g> ).

[LSH]

hey girl,
glad to hear things went well with the husband. he does sound like a great guy. Payback. he has a long memory too.

on the chocolate front, if I worked there, I'd OD on chocolate. probably a blessing in disguise that you had to turn it down...

Hi Annie,

I'm sort of new to this site, but, I've read lots of everyone's posts and feel a kind of kinship with all of you. I feel for you, but, like everyone else says, WAIT for the right job. We all have horror stories of taking that job we KNEW was wrong and it turned out to make us miserable. I took the wrong job rather than asking my dad for the rent money and ended up crying in the bathroom every lunch hour. I ended up with an ovarian cyst after 9 months and had to have an operation. I'm sure my stress level helped that come about. So, thank God you have someone to support you -- as well as your friends here to prop you up emotionally!! Take care and take heart!!

Sheryl

[Cathy]

quote:Originally posted by Auburn Annie:
Well, it's been 9 days and I haven't heard aye, yes or no from SMPS so I take it as a no and a sign that my gut was right on this.

In other news, the local mall had a chocolate store opening (Gertrude Hawks - it's regional, based in Pennsylvania) so I applied and was offered a key supervisor position. I turned it down, however, regretfully, because though the manager is a lovely woman and selling chocolates is not a bad gig, after taxes and transportation I'd be working for about $2.50 an hour. And I'm just not cut out for retail.

<snip>

Oh Annie, Annie, Annie.... you need a little bit of training in consumer marketing and consumption. All you have to do is get Char to notice this and convince her to become a valued client. Now, if you're workingon commission, you'll be rollin' in the dough in no time. Believe me on this one!

Cathy http://www.cathycowette.com

[Auburn Annie]

LOL - no commissions, sorry. And I'm already getting rolypoly. Khakis and a white shirt are NOT a good look for me, either. Thanks for the support - feeling better.

But, but but, we're talking CHOCOLATE! I mean, come on, try it for a few months, get that employee discount, send us all chocolate for Christmas and then quit. Annie, come on, we're talking CHOCOLATE!

Alright, I suppose I understand, but still . . . a job with chocolate . . .


quote:Originally posted by Auburn Annie:

In other news, the local mall had a chocolate store opening (Gertrude Hawks - it's regional, based in Pennsylvania) so I applied and was offered a key supervisor position. I turned it down, however, regretfully, because though the manager is a lovely woman and selling chocolates is not a bad gig, after taxes and transportation I'd be working for about $2.50 an hour.

[brink]

YUM, chocolate breakfast, lunch and dinner!

[Auburn Annie]

Having worked eons ago in a restaurant I can tell you that familiarity breeds indifference - too much of a good thing kills any interest in it for a long time. It was AGES before I even thought of having a salad after making them for 7 years.

Even chocolate - really!

[Cathy]

quote:Originally posted by Auburn Annie:
Having worked eons ago in a restaurant I can tell you that familiarity breeds indifference - too much of a good thing kills any interest in it for a long time. It was AGES before I even thought of having a salad after making them for 7 years.

Even chocolate - really!

I suppose that's true to some extent, except for anything Lightfoot.

Cathy http://www.cathycowette.com

How true, how true!!

Sheryl

[brink]

okay I have been sitting here eating double dipped choc. covered peanuts. Maybe sometimes it is a little too much. I wish though I could eat enough so I never craved it again.

[LSH]

I wish I had some chocolate right now. mmmm