The Job Hunt Thread

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

So it looks like things are picking up some for TD on the consulting side.  He is keeping his finger in a lot of pies, which means that he has been networking as much as he can.  Lucky me, I can tag along too sometimes!

So Thursday night, a group of local engineers got together and last night there must have been upwards of 30 in the bar (we pretty much took it over).  Where ever there happens to be a decent happy hour, that's the place and the location changes weekly.  So does the time (last week, we met up at 5:06, last night 5:21).  Someone happened to mention that they were looking for a CAD designer and I happened to mention that this summer I'll be finishing up the program I'm in.

I'm really hoping that something like this might help me get my foot in the door.  O&G jobs are waaaay down here, so it really isn't looking good.  However, I have a friend who is working at Boeing and he was telling me that they are always looking for CAD drafters too.  As Boeing uses Catia, I'm really hoping that this might help me out here.  Unfortunately, Boeing makes for a really ugly commute for me but at least I have friends in the area where I could potentially crash if needed.

I know that once I'm through with school, I'll be bored out of my skull.  A

[geenamercile]

Carl that sucks, but as others have said I'm sure it will only be up from here for you.  

[mojothehelpermonkey]

I just had a promising phone conversation. It wasn't pre-scheduled and I almost didn't answer my phone because I didn't recognize the number.  I am glad I did. I couldn't remember exactly which position he was calling about, so I didn't even try to tailor my responses for any particular position. This one sounds like it might actually be a good fit for now. It is a 3-6 month contract, so we can still move this summer if we want to.  We will probably still want to move, but it would be nice to have a job in the meantime.
At the same time, this conversation was with a recruiter, and they always seem to think I am just perfect for the job.

[tcu2003]

Jan 22, 2016 16:07:42 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

Sorry @thehaitian.  That really, really sucks, but I'm glad you have prospects lined up. 

This.

[TheHaitian]

Jan 22, 2016 16:56:44 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

So it looks like things are picking up some for TD on the consulting side.  He is keeping his finger in a lot of pies, which means that he has been networking as much as he can.  Lucky me, I can tag along too sometimes!

So Thursday night, a group of local engineers got together and last night there must have been upwards of 30 in the bar (we pretty much took it over).  Where ever there happens to be a decent happy hour, that's the place and the location changes weekly.  So does the time (last week, we met up at 5:06, last night 5:21).  Someone happened to mention that they were looking for a CAD designer and I happened to mention that this summer I'll be finishing up the program I'm in.

I'm really hoping that something like this might help me get my foot in the door.  O&G jobs are waaaay down here, so it really isn't looking good.  However, I have a friend who is working at Boeing and he was telling me that they are always looking for CAD drafters too.  As Boeing uses Catia, I'm really hoping that this might help me out here.  Unfortunately, Boeing makes for a really ugly commute for me but at least I have friends in the area where I could potentially crash if needed.

I know that once I'm through with school, I'll be bored out of my skull.  A

That is my thing... When the Regional
Vice President stands in a room full
Of managers and state he is fully aware it is the procedure we use, in front of the HR specialist and the head of HR; it is somewhat suspicious that I am being terminated for using that same process.

[NastyWoman]

Jan 22, 2016 16:20:44 GMT -5 TheHaitian said:

I am still considering seeing a lawyer next week!

make sure you throw that false sexual harrassment claim in the ring.  I would not be amazed if that still had something to do with what has happened. 

[Deleted]

What sexual harassment claim? I've missed so much! TheHaitian what do you think the real reason is for firing you?

[steph08]

Carl, I would at least have a consultation with a lawyer.

Also, didn't you get moved to a lower position but still keep the higher salary in order to move back home? Were they perhaps looking to get rid of you because you were making more than others at that level?

[8 Bit WWBG]

I am very late to this party.  I read all the updates on the edge of my seat!  I'm so sorry that this happened to you TheHaitian  It is a constant reminder that these lives we build for ourselves can be fleeting and taken from us at any moment.  Sometimes it is a gap before something even more amazing comes along.  Nevertheless, that wait is awful!

Like mamasita99 I'm a resident of the NoVA area, about 20 minutes from the city line.  Our area has a lot of amenities, and we are very happy here.  Depending on where you actually settle down, there are loads of things to do.  First rate restaurants, all sorts of shopping, theatres, sports, gyms.  Oh man, your wife would love City Center.  Old town, and National Harbor and Adams Morgan, and Georgetown are all very close.

It is probably too soon to tell though.  If you are coming to the area, then maybe me, mama, WVU, and a few others should show you around!  We can each make a pitch why our area should host you.

As for your now-previous employer... it is a tough call.  On the one hand, it is nice to be done with them.  Someone seemed to be gunning for you, and that seldom ends well.  But, it sounds like you were fired over selective enforcement, and with a baseless harassment claim to boot.  Find a lawyer like the one from Seinfeld to really work that "sole minority" card and you could get a sweet parting gift!

[Tennesseer]

kittensaver brings up some good points and suggestions for TheHaitian .

If TheHatian is aware and can point to other managers who have, I guess, falsified? training records, bring this up during the first step of the ACT process. Upper management (and HR) don't like facts/information withheld which could have been presented during the first step of the appeal process.

You have nothing to lose by going through all the steps of the appeals process. Depending on whether you actually want your job back and return to work, I would recommend you don't ask for a severance package and a 'yes' rehire staus on your permanent work record at step one.  Wait until the last step for that.  If you would be satisfied with a severance package and a positive rehire status, then go ahead and ask for it at step one of the ACT process.

I was a HR advisor and also an HR investigator who reviewed cases and all the information that transpired during steps one and two of our threexstep appeal procss and put together the final report for the last step of our appeals process. I also got to add my two cents in the report as to what should be the outcome of the case (if I agreed with management's action(s) against the employee (a few times I did not)) to be reviewed by the executives who decided the final step. 

One case I was assigned I had to recuse myself from as he was a former co-worker and friend from many years earlier. He told me he would drop the third and last step of the appeal process if his rehire status could be changed from ''No' to 'Conditional' as he was at least a 20 year employee and deserved a little consideration for his tenure.

I asked his VP and the HR director who supported the VP if they would consider changing the rehire status based on the employee's tenure and they said okay. No severance just the hire status change (he was an hourly employee).

Have your facts with you at your ACT meetings. Have copies to handout to all involved. And I cannot stress this enough: any write up you do, make sure you use paragraphs, check your spelling and grammar, and stick with the facts. Kerp it as short as possible, yet make sure it contains everything you wish to say.

Good luck.
.

[ArchietheDragon]

Jan 22, 2016 15:57:23 GMT -5 TheHaitian said:

Now I know... I was terminated!

Moving forward and hopefully onward!

Sorry to hear Cawauii.

[lurkyloo]

So sorry, Carl.  Glad you're not in limbo anymore though.  (Yes, consulting a lawyer sounds like a good idea...but I would also ask what the possible outcomes of an appeal would be.  If it's just getting rehired at the same company you don't want to work at anymore, may not be worth pursuing.)

If it helps, I'd taken the day off with a migraine when they called me in to tell me they were going to accept my resignation rather than reassign me to my old job 

Good luck with the job hunt!  

[ners]

Sorry Carl

[atlast30]

Jan 22, 2016 16:20:44 GMT -5 TheHaitian said:

I am still considering seeing a lawyer next week!

Carl, while this is bad situation for anyone to be in, I do believe that God will open doors for you and your family that you may not see now.  You are going through a storm right now, but it will pass like they always do.  This challenging time presents a good opportunity for you and your wife to unite and get through this together.

Is your previous employer offering any type of severance?

[taz157]

Jan 22, 2016 21:07:42 GMT -5 lurkyloo said:

If it helps, I'd taken the day off with a migraine when they called me in to tell me they were going to accept my resignation rather than reassign me to my old job 

That sucks! I'm sorry. Good luck with your job hunt!

[TheHaitian]

Jan 22, 2016 21:47:34 GMT -5 atlast30 said:

Is your previous employer offering any type of severance?

No severance

[suesinfl]

Jan 22, 2016 16:52:07 GMT -5 @empressspunkles said:

I'm sorry Carl. If it makes you feel any better, you aren't alone. I was let go from my part-time job today. Truthfully it isn't a big loss as it was incredibly boring but still, it smarts. It was something to do in the afternoon. Good thing is it now gives me the time to work on my resume and brush up on some more useful skills than scanning bills into the computer. I am still employed in my full-time job so no worries there.

I'm sorry, empress, but you have a good attitude and that will get you far.  I'm glad that you have a plan of action. Sometimes things happen for a reason that is for a greater good.

Best of luck to you!

[muttleynfelix]

Hugs Carl. What a load of crap.

[shanendoah]

Sorry TheHaitian. If it helps, I once had a company decide I could no longer be a supervisor because I did something EVERY SINGLE supervisor or manager I had ever worked with did, and so they instead offered me the position of "floater" to go work at any of their stores when someone called in sick. They did this knowing I didn't drive (and we lived in a city with terrible public transportation, with some of their locations 5+ miles from the nearest bus stop).
Because I knew I could not be the floater, I did not take the position. And then when I filed for unemployment, they said I quit, so I didn't qualify.

Of course, they did not actually fire me for the reason they claimed. They suspected me of stealing (I did not), and an employee of mine I actually suspected of stealing (who also lasted with the company after less than a month) had made some ridiculous accusations against me.

It sucked, but it did work out for the best in the long run.

And so I am sorry this happened to you, but I will hope that it also works out for the best in the long run.

[lurkyloo]

Jan 22, 2016 21:50:41 GMT -5 taz157 said:

Jan 22, 2016 21:07:42 GMT -5 lurkyloo said:

If it helps, I'd taken the day off with a migraine when they called me in to tell me they were going to accept my resignation rather than reassign me to my old job 

That sucks! I'm sorry. Good luck with your job hunt!

That was the old CA job...bizarrely, the new DC area one has far fewer politics 

[Value Buy]

Man, I hate being correct.
Haitian, it was obviously a very short meeting, based on the timeline. I am shocked by this. I would of thought it would be a half hour meeting at the least.
Very cut and dried on hr's part. 
Hope you signed absolutely nothing. and since there was no severance, there was no reason to sign anything. That is usually put out there to get the party fired to sign a hold harmless agreement.

[zibazinski]

HR must feel they've got some strong case. Wow. Harsh. Still not a way to treat someone.

[moneymaven]

I'm sorry Carl, I hope this turns into a big blessing for you.

[NastyWoman]

Jan 23, 2016 8:03:13 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

HR must feel they've got some strong case. Wow. Harsh. Still not a way to treat someone.

either that or they have never encountered someone who pushed back, so they are used to just playing the bully. Along the lines of "you'll never work in this town again if..."

[zibazinski]

What a bizarre twist of events.

[TheHaitian]

Hey guys thank you...

My wife thinks I should just let it go and move forward, focus on my interview next Tuesday and the other one a couple weeks down the road.

She feels it is just keeping the bad karma around and negative energy, my mother in law feels the same way!

I have not decided yet... Getting a shape up today, dropped up my suit and shirt at dry cleaners and getting ready for the interview on Tuesday!

I hope that interview turns into an offer, what I have been wondering was if I should still got to Virgina if I get an offer?

Bird in the hand theory... I was told there was no interview after Tuesday, the district manager will make their decision and let you know.

So I am praying and hoping if all goes well I should receive an offer by Friday? What do you think? Also don't want to jinx myself!

[mmhmm]

If it were me, I'd proceed with talking to an attorney. That, however, is just me. I don't take lightly to being mistreated and I won't stand for it. If I feel I've been misused, I'm going to pursue action. YMMV.

If no offer is immediately forthcoming on the job you're interviewing for on Tuesday, I'd definitely continue pursuit of the Virginia position. One bird is good. Two birds are better, in my estimation.

[MJ2.0]

I don't tolerate being wronged when I didn't deserve it, so I'd probably try to sue them for severance while also interviewing for more jobs.

[emma1420]

Jan 23, 2016 12:53:52 GMT -5 TheHaitian said:

Hey guys thank you...

My wife thinks I should just let it go and move forward, focus on my interview next Tuesday and the other one a couple weeks down the road.

She feels it is just keeping the bad karma around and negative energy, my mother in law feels the same way!

I have not decided yet... Getting a shape up today, dropped up my suit and shirt at dry cleaners and getting ready for the interview on Tuesday!

I hope that interview turns into an offer, what I have been wondering was if I should still got to Virgina if I get an offer?

Bird in the hand theory... I was told there was no interview after Tuesday, the district manager will make their decision and let you know.

So I am praying and hoping if all goes well I should receive an offer by Friday? What do you think? Also don't want to jinx myself!

The advantage of pushing back is that you could get your file changed to indicate that you resigned rather than being fired.  While being fired isn't a deal breaker, it may mean that sometime in the future you make get screened out before you even get an interview.

And, I am of the firm belief that you keep interviewing until you start a job.  Job offers do get rescinded on occasion, and so I'm of the firm belief you keep all your options open until you start a job.  Not to mention, it may give you more flexibility in salary negotiations if you have multiple offers.

[wvugurl26]

I would pursue it to get your record cleared. I get it about bad karma just move on you don't want to associate with those people anyway, etc. So I would spend most of my energy on finding a new job but I would start the appeals process and consult with an attorney.