The Job Hunt Thread

[taz157]

Mich - I'm sorry about TD. (((Hugs)))

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Jan 7, 2016 18:24:05 GMT -5 taz157 said:

Mich - I'm sorry about TD. (((Hugs)))

Thanks...but he seems to be landing on his feet.  He's hired, as of today.

I found out when I got home from class this afternoon.

In reality, I think he was hoping for a longer break off of work, but he's not going to turn this down Because he is landing where he wanted to land.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Jan 7, 2016 13:24:04 GMT -5 TheHaitian said:

I turn down the position with the other job, the most they could afford to pay is 65k.

As for my wife she is applying for a position with a Health insurance company as a project
Manager.

Good and bad:
- good because she will most likely pay more than she is making now.

- bad because she will most like pay more on her student loans than she is paying now. Basically will go from $468/month to ~$1,000/month.

I told her it is a tricky situation, her new job would need to net $500/month or $6,000/year net just to break even. We will see....

Would this job qualify for the loan forgiveness you were counting on?

[wvugurl26]

Glad he got a job where he wanted to mich. That's always good news. I understand about the break though.

[TheHaitian]

Jan 7, 2016 20:00:33 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Jan 7, 2016 13:24:04 GMT -5 TheHaitian said:

I turn down the position with the other job, the most they could afford to pay is 65k.

As for my wife she is applying for a position with a Health insurance company as a project
Manager.

Good and bad:
- good because she will most likely pay more than she is making now.

- bad because she will most like pay more on her student loans than she is paying now. Basically will go from $468/month to ~$1,000/month.

I told her it is a tricky situation, her new job would need to net $500/month or $6,000/year net just to break even. We will see....

Would this job qualify for the loan forgiveness you were counting on?

I don't think so... It is Harvard Pillgrim Health care.

Which is why I told her for her to take this job it would need to be enough to cover the increase payments + paying off her loans.

[suesinfl]

I went on an interview yesterday for a position similar to what I do now, just a different department. The interview went well, but very different from what I had thought/practiced. It was a panel of four and the questions were more on my skills and abilities and my past experiences and how they would match their needs.

No "how do you deal with disagreements with coworkers, customers, strengths, weaknesses, etc." I met all the qualifications with the exception of a lot of grant writing. I’ve done some small grants, but no large ones and this was just a very small part of the job.

They told me that there were only two other applicants and that I was the top one and they planned to make their decision by next week. So I was very hopeful. Guess what I found on the intranet under job opportunities? Yep, the position was re-posted.
Why just not end the interview with the normal “thank you for your interest, it was nice to meet you, blah, blah, blah…”

I would have felt better if they had done that as opposed to telling me I was the top candidate. Don’t pee on my shoes and tell me it’s raining.

[suesinfl]

Nancy, sorry to hear of the loss of you job, but you have a good attitude and I'm sure that you will find something much more enjoyable than dealing with the hag.

Mich, sorry of here of TD's job loss, but glad that he has found something so quickly.

[lurkyloo]

Sorry to hear of the layoffs, and as always good luck to those hunting.  Mich, that's insane that TD found another job so quickly!  

Now that I have a job I'm reasonably happy with I keep hearing from recruiters/headhunters*    I'm actually tempted to contact the latest one...it took a lot more effort than I'd expected to find a decent job, and I feel like it wouldn't hurt to develop contacts, just-in-case.  I was thinking about something like "I'm not actually looking to leave my current position, but would be happy to chat for a few minutes."   What sayeth the hive mind?  

I don't have a lot of ELISA or WB experience, but my former company prided themselves on developing kits that were idiotcustomer-proof.  They steadfastly refused to get into antibodies, ever.

*I had no idea such a species still existed for research jobs!  I suspect the contacts are either a result of a flurry of publications/patents, or else people with industrial experience in my heavily-academic specialty are currently in short supply...either way I don't much expect the recruiter contacts to last indefinitely.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Jan 7, 2016 22:43:34 GMT -5 lurkyloo said:

Sorry to hear of the layoffs, and as always good luck to those hunting.  Mich, that's insane that TD found another job so quickly!  

I don't have a lot of ELISA or WB experience, but my former company prided themselves on developing kits that were idiotcustomer-proof.  They steadfastly refused to get into antibodies, ever.

*I had no idea such a species still existed for research jobs!  I suspect the contacts are either a result of a flurry of publications/patents, or else people with industrial experience in my heavily-academic specialty are currently in short supply...either way I don't much expect the recruiter contacts to last indefinitely.

He actually got a firm offer from another engineering firm about 2 weeks after they announced the office was closing.  It was with their competitors, and he really didn't like the atmosphere there, so turned it down.  It was a lateral financial offer, exactly what he was making.

This job is about an 8% increase.

I don't think there can be any kit idiot proof.  I've dealt with a lot of scientists, and reading instructions seems to be a sadly lacking skill, especially those with the most education!

 Making antibodies is a buttload of work.  Back in the dark ages, we didn't have a choice as there was very little commercially available.  So we made our own from purifying the protein, to immunizing animals, to bleeding, cleaning up the antibody and characterizing it.  When I left, we were still using antibodies I made in the early late 1980s, early 1990s.

So I understand why your company outsourced this.

[Wisconsin Beth]

I don't remember where I left off in my and dh's stuff. So here goes.

Dh wants to pay someone else to do a resume. I'm ok with this. He's way to bogged down in details so this way at least he gets something he can tweak for individual jobs.

I had a staff meeting yesterday at work where the vacancy was discussed. It really sounds like manager is planning on going through channels. And it's going to be 6 months or so before interviews are conducted. I rather thought she'd go this route so I'm ok with it. And I have time to bone up on my skills. Right now the hardest thing is trying to figure out how to make sure I get on the interview list. They're definitely retitling the job. I think I need to talk to my manager.

Also, one of the dispatchers has expressed interest. It sounds like he's more of a Web page builder/development than anything else. But one never knows.

So things are moving, admittedly it's slow and half assed but it's movement. And considering our ruts are pretty damn deep this is progress.

[NancysSummerSip]

OK, got another interview today; yesterday's interview was solid and actually fun. Nice office, close to home and I really liked the staff.

Today's interview is also close to home. I've never been in the office, but I do know the office building it's in, and it's nice.

Did my grocery shopping yesterday, stayed below budget, and used cash. I have some CVS coupons and Extra Bucks to use this weekend, when the next ad comes out. I will use the EBs to buy paper goods, as I don't need anything for myself or my food pantry.

Found one full-time job and one freelance writing job to apply for before 9:30 a.m. Both local. A productive day so far. While I am out this afternoon, I will make a stop at Trader Joe's for some items (much cheaper than anywhere else) and scope out the opening of a new Italian market for my food column. Both are very close to the interview appointment.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

DH's interview with Omaha Steaks is at 1:00 pm today.   I hope he gets it.

He's pretty confident.   After my experience with job hunting in today's market I am not confident about anything.  I got knocked out of the running b/c I didn't put freaking "phone skills" down for a Research Technician III position.   So yeah I am not going to get my hopes up about DH landing a job quickly.

[NancysSummerSip]

Jan 8, 2016 10:10:07 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

DH's interview with Omaha Steaks is at 1:00 pm today.   I hope he gets it.

He's pretty confident.   After my experience with job hunting in today's market I am not confident about anything.  I got knocked out of the running b/c I didn't put freaking "phone skills" down for a Research Technician III position.   So yeah I am not going to get my hopes up about DH landing a job quickly.

I'm pulling for him, too. You have more at stake (no pun intended) than I do. I don't have kids or bills, though I do need insurance (both yesterday's company and today's offer it ). I also still get paid through next month and keep my insurance as well.

[tcu2003]

Good luck to your H today, DQ!

[Chocolate Lover]

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

DH is done with his interview.  He said it went really fast and he is scheduled on Monday to meet with the hiring managers.   They said the starting date would be January 18th.

$15/hr with two merit increases within the first year.   He said if he gets offered it he will absolutely take it.

I am going to hope that him moving so fast thru the process and them already discussing a start date is a good sign.

[mojothehelpermonkey]

Jan 7, 2016 22:43:34 GMT -5 lurkyloo said:

Sorry to hear of the layoffs, and as always good luck to those hunting.  Mich, that's insane that TD found another job so quickly!  

Now that I have a job I'm reasonably happy with I keep hearing from recruiters/headhunters*    I'm actually tempted to contact the latest one...it took a lot more effort than I'd expected to find a decent job, and I feel like it wouldn't hurt to develop contacts, just-in-case.  I was thinking about something like "I'm not actually looking to leave my current position, but would be happy to chat for a few minutes."   What sayeth the hive mind?  

I don't have a lot of ELISA or WB experience, but my former company prided themselves on developing kits that were idiotcustomer-proof.  They steadfastly refused to get into antibodies, ever.

*I had no idea such a species still existed for research jobs!  I suspect the contacts are either a result of a flurry of publications/patents, or else people with industrial experience in my heavily-academic specialty are currently in short supply...either way I don't much expect the recruiter contacts to last indefinitely.

Recruiters do exist for research jobs, but a lot of them aren't very good. I have had a few of them tell me that I seem like the perfect candidate for a position when I can tell from the job description that my lack of flow cytometry experience is going to a deal breaker for the scientists on the hiring committee.
At the same time, some companies hire primarily through recruiters, so I don't think it is ever a waste of time to at least have a preliminary discussion.  

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Recruiters do exist for research jobs, but a lot of them aren't very good. I have had a few of them tell me that I seem like the perfect candidate for a position when I can tell from the job description that my lack of flow cytometry experience is going to a deal breaker for the scientists on the hiring committee.

Amen.   I've had several tell me they have plenty of openings and then I hear nothing from them.

I think that most recruiters have no freaking clue what it is I do for a living but they still want to earn their fee so they try to shove me into a round hole.


DH had one send him to a company he previously worked for years ago and is not eligable for rehire.   This is despite it being right on his resume that he used to work for them and he asked in the screening "Are you talking about X company?" (they said they couldn't tell him).

The kicker was a week later they set him up on an interview and it was the same company!   DH said it was awkward b/c the guy he was hiring with got extremely pissed off (naturally) and called the temp company to yell at them while DH was still in the office.

[mojothehelpermonkey]

Jan 8, 2016 0:39:56 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Jan 7, 2016 22:43:34 GMT -5 lurkyloo said:

Sorry to hear of the layoffs, and as always good luck to those hunting.  Mich, that's insane that TD found another job so quickly!  

I don't have a lot of ELISA or WB experience, but my former company prided themselves on developing kits that were idiotcustomer-proof.  They steadfastly refused to get into antibodies, ever.

*I had no idea such a species still existed for research jobs!  I suspect the contacts are either a result of a flurry of publications/patents, or else people with industrial experience in my heavily-academic specialty are currently in short supply...either way I don't much expect the recruiter contacts to last indefinitely.

He actually got a firm offer from another engineering firm about 2 weeks after they announced the office was closing.  It was with their competitors, and he really didn't like the atmosphere there, so turned it down.  It was a lateral financial offer, exactly what he was making.

This job is about an 8% increase.

I don't think there can be any kit idiot proof.  I've dealt with a lot of scientists, and reading instructions seems to be a sadly lacking skill, especially those with the most education!

 Making antibodies is a buttload of work.  Back in the dark ages, we didn't have a choice as there was very little commercially available.  So we made our own from purifying the protein, to immunizing animals, to bleeding, cleaning up the antibody and characterizing it.  When I left, we were still using antibodies I made in the early late 1980s, early 1990s.

So I understand why your company outsourced this.

When I worked in technical support, my favorite calls were from customers who were convinced that we had mislabeled the standards for our competitive ELISA kits because the OD values were decreasing instead of increasing. I would then have to calmly explain that in a competitive ELISA, your antigen competes with a labeled antigen for binding so the OD values are inversely proportional to the concentration (as explained on page 1 of the manual).
One time, I could hear someone else in the background laughing when I explained this. I imagine it was a technician or grad student who had already tried to explain this to the uppity PI.

[andi9899]

So I have a question. This guy at work was on final warning and talked the company into him leaving and instead of a two week notice, letting him take vacation time for his last two weeks. I want to do this too,but I'm not getting fired. Can I quit and do the same thing and get my two weeks vacation? Does fired/quitting make a difference?

[justme]

What's the company policy on leave? Cash out? You leave it's gone?

[andi9899]

I have no idea. I guess I could ask another manager in a different office. I don't think he would tip off the regional manager, but I'm not sure.

[taz157]

Is there an employee manual you can read? Generally it would state the policy in there.

[formerroomate99]

Jan 8, 2016 19:43:25 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

So I have a question. This guy at work was on final warning and talked the company into him leaving and instead of a two week notice, letting him take vacation time for his last two weeks. I want to do this too,but I'm not getting fired. Can I quit and do the same thing and get my two weeks vacation? Does fired/quitting make a difference?

Have you coonsidered telling the new company you need 3-4 weeks, take a week or two vacation, and then put in your 2 weeks notice?  

[moneymaven]

Andi, in our company and this industry, unless it's a servicer or admin that we don't think will take accounts or files, we walk you out upon notice. Fairly standard in this industry, and aren't you doing sales? Check your employee handbook on paid time off handling, but prepare to be walked.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Dh has another interview on Monday afternoon.  He just got an email from a printing company. We just sent in that resume two days ago.

Before we met DH was a press ooperator so we decided to use that to broaden his job pool.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Jan 9, 2016 18:49:16 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Dh has another interview on Monday afternoon.  He just got an email from a printing company. We just sent in that resume two days ago.

Before we met DH was a press ooperator so we decided to use that to broaden his job pool.

Fantastic!

[Deleted]

Hey, Knee Deep in Water Chloe, have you started looking for administrative jobs for next year?  It is that time of year. 

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Jan 9, 2016 19:08:23 GMT -5 @bamafan1954 said:

Hey, Knee Deep in Water Chloe , have you started looking for administrative jobs for next year?  It is that time of year. 

It's a little early for postings around here. I have narrowed down my application choices to the following criteria:

• no high school principalships
• must be within 30 minute-one-way commute
• must pay at least $80K per year
• will not work with previous district's admin again

That eliminates one district altogether as they pay their elementary and middle school principals in the $65K range. 
It also eliminates two other districts I applied to last year as they're past the driving range. 

I am having a fantastic time teaching. It's really the money. However, the money is important in other aspects of my life--paying down debt and retirement. 

[andi9899]

Jan 9, 2016 10:03:24 GMT -5 moneymaven said:

Andi, in our company and this industry, unless it's a servicer or admin that we don't think will take accounts or files, we walk you out upon notice. Fairly standard in this industry, and aren't you doing sales? Check your employee handbook on paid time off handling, but prepare to be walked.

This is what I'm thinking will happen. I really can't afford to be missing in action for any time right now. Since the holidays are over, people are loosening their grip on their wallets and I've got clients lined up waiting for me. If I give my notice too soon, I'll be off for a couple of weeks, but will loos some business. If I wait too long, I'll be stuck with them if they want to try to make me stay the two weeks.