The Job Hunt Thread

[minnesotapaintlady]

Sept 30, 2024 15:37:17 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

And he will have to pay for his own food.  

[seriousthistime]

Sept 30, 2024 14:24:14 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

He claims Springfield which is 6+ hours from us, but I think he needs to clarify that. That's where the headquarters is and the emails he's getting about the position are from Springfield, but I am almost positive the position he applied for was in Rockford...which would be much better (distance-wise).

eta: Confirmed.  Definitely Springfield.   

Hey, I'm about 1.5 hours from Springfield.  And I have acquaintances in Springfield. If you need a place to be checked out in person, I could drive over.  Or if you want to check an address for safety or whatever, I might be able to help. 

Springfield is actually a pretty cool place.  Lots of Lincoln sites. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library is really something. 

I'd much prefer Springfield to Rockford. 

[minnesotapaintlady]

Sept 30, 2024 15:59:42 GMT -5 seriousthistime said:

Sept 30, 2024 14:24:14 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

He claims Springfield which is 6+ hours from us, but I think he needs to clarify that. That's where the headquarters is and the emails he's getting about the position are from Springfield, but I am almost positive the position he applied for was in Rockford...which would be much better (distance-wise).

eta: Confirmed.  Definitely Springfield.   

Hey, I'm about 1.5 hours from Springfield.  And I have acquaintances in Springfield. If you need a place to be checked out in person, I could drive over.  Or if you want to check an address for safety or whatever, I might be able to help. 

Springfield is actually a pretty cool place.  Lots of Lincoln sites. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library is really something. 

I'd much prefer Springfield to Rockford. 

I will definitely keep you in mind!  Although, after sitting and thinking about this (and typing it into google maps), I realized it's almost the exact same distance as going to scout summer camp in Northern MN, so it doesn't seem so far when I look at it that way.

[seriousthistime]

Southern Illinois University School of Medicine is in Springfield, as is the University of Illinois-Springfield. If I were a young, educated person moving there for my first job, and not knowing many (if any) people there, I think I'd look for housing near those areas or where the students tend to live.  He would be likely to meet people around his age at the restaurants and bars orjust generally out and about, and would be near amenities young people would like. 

[TheOtherMe]

I would definitely prefer Springfield over Rockford.

[minnesotapaintlady]

His job is in Northern Springfield.  Is the Historic Western District ok?  We looked and he likes the apartments here.  They are 2.9 miles from his job in Grandview area.

www.apartments.com/safe-harbor-properties-springfield-il/jqwjjg7/

[seriousthistime]

I don't know anything about neighborhoods in Springfield.  

When my son was looking at apartments and attending school in my own town, I steered him toward new-ish apartments.  His first one was in a student oriented gated complex on a busy street up toward (but not in) a kind of sketchy area. He was okay there.  After a year he and his friends moved to a similar complex in a much better neighborhood.  Unbeknownst to me, the area was at the beginning stage of transition to a crime-ridden complex.  They lived their lives in fear until they could get out.  And that was in a town I had lived in for years.  So I hesitate to say what's safe.

I've heard people have had good luck going into the local police department and saying they've got an 18 year old daughter who is considering moving into an apartment at X address and asking if that's a safe area.  They seem likely to give an opinion about a particular complex or area more than they would if you asked where the good areas were.  If not, you should be able to get some idea of the number of police calls they respond to in various neighborhoods around the city. 

If you are going to rent sight unseen, let me know and I will drive up and cruise the area.  I can at least tell you if I'd feel comfortable getting out of the car and walking around. 

[Peace77]

Sept 30, 2024 18:05:28 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

His job is in Northern Springfield.  Is the Historic Western District ok?  We looked and he likes the apartments here.  They are 2.9 miles from his job in Grandview area.

www.apartments.com/safe-harbor-properties-springfield-il/jqwjjg7/

Check the Yelp reviews.  
While there are severaln5 star reviews, the rating is only 3.2.  
Have him thoroughly check the apartment BEFORE signing the lease.  Do the water faucets work? Does it have heat?  AC work?  
Since 1 tenant reported a $400 power bill, he may want an upper unit.

[giramomma]

Sept 30, 2024 18:05:28 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

His job is in Northern Springfield.  Is the Historic Western District ok?  We looked and he likes the apartments here.  They are 2.9 miles from his job in Grandview area.

www.apartments.com/safe-harbor-properties-springfield-il/jqwjjg7/

Damn. The COL is amazing.

I don't think you can even find a one bedroom apartment for under 1K here anymore, Not even in the hood.

DS and his friends are looking to move out. It's just impossible. You are lucky if you can find a modest 3 bedroom house for under 3K.

We could probably rent our our current house for 3500-4K a month. And that's without utilities.

I'm super happy for you and your DS! This is very exciting.

[lurkyloo]

Hmmm.  A supervisory position popped up and I am tempted.  It’s not as good a fit as what I’m doing now, but it does look like a fit…and I’m awfully tired of having my specific projects/contracts cut disproportionately.

[azucena]

Oct 1, 2024 8:40:50 GMT -5 lurkyloo said:

Hmmm.  A supervisory position popped up and I am tempted.  It’s not as good a fit as what I’m doing now, but it does look like a fit…and I’m awfully tired of having my specific projects/contracts cut disproportionately.

Any harm in applying? IMO, real decision doesn't come until job offer is in hand.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Go for it.  I went for a position that somewhat fit yesterday but I wasn't 100% confident on.  They are at least granting me a phone interview.

This is for a organ donation foundation so it fills my desire to have a job with a "higher purpose" and the work the job does sounds really interesting and would build up my QA/QC skill set.

We'll see.  Now that DH carries our benefits and now that we have received most of DH's inheritance (still waiting on his share of the house) we are in a position where I do not have to be quite so strict about salary and benefits offers.  I can look deeper into the job itself.

Which is partly why I wouldn't take the one job if offered those it looks like I won't be getting it they haven't called.  The benefits package was great but I REALLY don't want to work in that part of Omaha.  It's an industrial hellscape and one of the worst places to have to drive in the winter.  It'd have to be a heck of a chunk of cash to give up my five minute commute and since they didn't disclose salary range I doubt it would be enough.  It's defintely not worth taking for lower pay.

Plus it wasn't the work I thought it would be based on the job description.  That work is apparently done at their other plants.  They have barely gotten started so my job for the indefinite future would be even more hobbled than I am here.  I might as well stick with the enemy I know.

Toying with the idea of applying for a zoo job as well.  That is HIGHLY unlikely they prefer to poach from other zoos which is 100% understandable.  But THAT would be a dream job for me.  Since I don't have to worry about salary as much I could take a hit working for the zoo which is non profit.

[minnesotapaintlady]

Sept 30, 2024 12:11:10 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Congrats to raeoflyte and minnesotapaintlady the Younger!

There are posters in Illinois ...

Maybe the best option would be a small AirBnB for when he first arrives? Might the employer have a list of available housing? Maybe some colleagues who are looking for a roommate? My old companies used to have an online "bulletin board". 

Well, he emailed the guy that offered him the job and asked if HR had any info for relocating...which they do not...but good thing he asked because apparently the department is relocating in the future and will be in a renovated mall in the SW instead of in the NE area.  That apartment he likes still "works", (5 miles away 15 minute commute), but if we run across something further west that he likes or even in one of the bordering small towns it might make sense to deal with the longer commute to start out.

[azucena]

MPL - if he has any contacts from the interview, he could also ask them about neighborhoods and apartment complexes. We help our younger associates with these types of questions all the time. In fact when I was moving for my current job and looking to buy a house, someone saved me from major commute traffic by pointing out some key roads.

[minnesotapaintlady]

Another stressor to add to the pile is DS really should get a "new" car before he goes. His 27 year old Camry has been reliable, but it's still quite old with high miles.  I personally would not want to take it on that long of a road trip and even if he got there fine, he has no support system down there at all to help him out with old car issues like he does here.

But, how would that work?  He'd have to pay to register a new car twice?  Once here and then again a few weeks later when he moves?  Could he just keep it registered in MN for the first year?

Oh, and he should get an absentee ballot for our state too I'm assuming.  He might not be able to vote there right away.

[daisylu]

It varies by state, but according to the IL DMV he would have to transfer in the first 30 days. link

Some dealers will request tags for another state, but he would have to have a residence there.

[minnesotapaintlady]

Well that sucks. He probably wouldn't even have the title back from MN before the 30 days was up.  I guess we'll focus on the apartment first.

[giramomma]

Has a start date been negotiated?

How much time would you have between moving there and the start date?

Can he just buy a newer car in IL? 

I probably would focus on the apartment first, utilities, and the driver's license updated. In a pinch, there's always uber and the like. 

[minnesotapaintlady]

His start date is November 1st.  The best weekend (for me) to move him would be the 17-20th of October when school is out for MEA, but if he doesn't get a place lined up quick I may have to take vacation during the week at a later date and line up someone else for Carrot duty at home.

The only other open weekend for everyone is 11/2-11/3 so I guess we could go down on Thursday night and stay in a hotel the night before his first day, but that sounds kind of sucky for him. I would think he'd want at least a week to get settled and find his way around.

[seriousthistime]

Sales tax on vehicles in Illinois is 6.25%.  It may be higher in Minnesota.

[giramomma]

Oct 1, 2024 14:31:32 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

His start date is November 1st.  The best weekend (for me) to move him would be the 17-20th of October when school is out for MEA, but if he doesn't get a place lined up quick I may have to take vacation during the week at a later date and line up someone else for Carrot duty at home.

The only other open weekend for everyone is 11/2-11/3 so I guess we could go down on Thursday night and stay in a hotel the night before his first day, but that sounds kind of sucky for him. I would think he'd want at least a week to get settled and find his way around.

Even moving him on the 17-20th would give him enough time to get a car.

And even if you don't get everything that weekend. good enough for me would be good enough. 

I guess I wouldn't worry about even the 2nd or the 3rd. He's got a while to get settled in. I'm assuming he drives with google maps. Shit, DS, who has never really driven himself out of our county (OK, let's be honest, out of our city) managed to get himself to work training in another state with little help from us, beyond the thing to pay for tolls. 

[chiver78]

Oct 1, 2024 12:03:00 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Another stressor to add to the pile is DS really should get a "new" car before he goes. His 27 year old Camry has been reliable, but it's still quite old with high miles.  I personally would not want to take it on that long of a road trip and even if he got there fine, he has no support system down there at all to help him out with old car issues like he does here.

But, how would that work?  He'd have to pay to register a new car twice?  Once here and then again a few weeks later when he moves?  Could he just keep it registered in MN for the first year?

Oh, and he should get an absentee ballot for our state too I'm assuming.  He might not be able to vote there right away.

re, the vote thing. check the timelines between registration and when it is effective. I didn't move my.voter registration when I sold the last house, bc I wasn't sure where I would ultimately end up. I ended up in the next town, and county, so I didn't bother to update until after the general election. I voted in my "old county" and just didn't vote in the races for that county. everything else was fine. DS could do the same if need be.

[chiver78]

checking in here, as I'll be looking soon. I don't think I've posted about this in this thread, but my last day at the current employer is 22Nov. myself and half of my group. fun times!

I've got severance til almost the end of April, and while I'm looking and applying already, I'm not starting a new job til 2025. I've never taken time between jobs, and I'm absolutely doing it this time.

[minnesotapaintlady]

Oct 1, 2024 16:17:24 GMT -5 giramomma said:

Oct 1, 2024 14:31:32 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

His start date is November 1st.  The best weekend (for me) to move him would be the 17-20th of October when school is out for MEA, but if he doesn't get a place lined up quick I may have to take vacation during the week at a later date and line up someone else for Carrot duty at home.

The only other open weekend for everyone is 11/2-11/3 so I guess we could go down on Thursday night and stay in a hotel the night before his first day, but that sounds kind of sucky for him. I would think he'd want at least a week to get settled and find his way around.

Even moving him on the 17-20th would give him enough time to get a car.

And even if you don't get everything that weekend. good enough for me would be good enough. 

I guess I wouldn't worry about even the 2nd or the 3rd. He's got a while to get settled in. I'm assuming he drives with google maps. Shit, DS, who has never really driven himself out of our county (OK, let's be honest, out of our city) managed to get himself to work training in another state with little help from us, beyond the thing to pay for tolls. 

Oh, he's used to driving all over but I just think it would be a lot less stressful for everyone if he could be settled in somewhere more than the day before he needs to be there. 

I was looking at the rules for registering a car and he'd have to have proof of residency first (like a driver's license) and then we'd have to figure out how to get the old car back to MN.  Just seems like a PIA.  Maybe he can take the old car, I'll find something up here and we'll swap later.  I dunno.

The rules say he has to get the title transferred within 30 days of establishing residency in IL.  So...can't he just say he hasn't decided to for 5 or 6 months?  Students can live and work there all year without having to change their plates and driver's license.

[minnesotapaintlady]

Oct 1, 2024 16:23:56 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

Oct 1, 2024 12:03:00 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Another stressor to add to the pile is DS really should get a "new" car before he goes. His 27 year old Camry has been reliable, but it's still quite old with high miles.  I personally would not want to take it on that long of a road trip and even if he got there fine, he has no support system down there at all to help him out with old car issues like he does here.

But, how would that work?  He'd have to pay to register a new car twice?  Once here and then again a few weeks later when he moves?  Could he just keep it registered in MN for the first year?

Oh, and he should get an absentee ballot for our state too I'm assuming.  He might not be able to vote there right away.

re, the vote thing. check the timelines between registration and when it is effective. I didn't move my.voter registration when I sold the last house, bc I wasn't sure where I would ultimately end up. I ended up in the next town, and county, so I didn't bother to update until after the general election. I voted in my "old county" and just didn't vote in the races for that county. everything else was fine. DS could do the same if need be.

Looks like you have to register a minimum of 27 days before the election and he won't live there 27 days before, so he really needs to vote in MN.  He's applying for an absentee ballot now.

[lurkyloo]

Submitted    Now I forget about it.

I never quite know how to convert from quarters to credit hours.     Any thoughts?  Every class was just a class, regardless if it was 20 hours in a lab every week, quantum physics, or underwater basket weaving.  

[Works4me]

1 academic year is either 2 semesters or 3 quarters. 2 semester units equals 3 quarter units. 3 quarter units equals 2 semester units.

1 semester unit = 1.5 quarter units.

1 quarter unit = 2/3 semester unit.

[lurkyloo]

I got that, thanks.  Credit hours are something different, seems like 3-5 credit hours per (semester) class for most classes?  That’s the conversion factor I’m looking for.  I’ve never attended a place that used them so they don’t make much sense to me 

The listing wanted 30 credit hours for my major, hopefully 13 quarters will cover it!  Equivalent work experience also counts of which I have decades   also 6 credit hours each in math and physics.  I had 5-6 quarters of each, not counting AP credits; one would hope that would suffice.

Still not sure I want the job and it’s likely they have an internal candidate in mind.  Just don’t want to be ruled out on an incorrect technicality.

[steph08]

Oct 1, 2024 23:01:46 GMT -5 lurkyloo said:

I got that, thanks.  Credit hours are something different, seems like 3-5 credit hours per (semester) class for most classes?  That’s the conversion factor I’m looking for.  I’ve never attended a place that used them so they don’t make much sense to me 

The listing wanted 30 credit hours for my major, hopefully 13 quarters will cover it!  Equivalent work experience also counts of which I have decades   also 6 credit hours each in math and physics.  I had 5-6 quarters of each, not counting AP credits; one would hope that would suffice.

Still not sure I want the job and it’s likely they have an internal candidate in mind.  Just don’t want to be ruled out on an incorrect technicality.

I find it interesting that your places of schooling didn't use credit hours. Both universities did for my bachelor's and master's.

Usually it was 3 credits for a normal class that met either 1hr on MWF or 1.5 on TTh or 4 credits for a class that included a lab. My transcripts are broken out showing how many credits were assigned to each class, so I could easily total up how many credits were in my major.

Could you request a transcript and see if that would help?

[giramomma]

Oct 1, 2024 18:30:11 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Oct 1, 2024 16:17:24 GMT -5 giramomma said:

Even moving him on the 17-20th would give him enough time to get a car.

And even if you don't get everything that weekend. good enough for me would be good enough. 

I guess I wouldn't worry about even the 2nd or the 3rd. He's got a while to get settled in. I'm assuming he drives with google maps. Shit, DS, who has never really driven himself out of our county (OK, let's be honest, out of our city) managed to get himself to work training in another state with little help from us, beyond the thing to pay for tolls. 

Oh, he's used to driving all over but I just think it would be a lot less stressful for everyone if he could be settled in somewhere more than the day before he needs to be there. 

I was looking at the rules for registering a car and he'd have to have proof of residency first (like a driver's license) and then we'd have to figure out how to get the old car back to MN.  Just seems like a PIA.  Maybe he can take the old car, I'll find something up here and we'll swap later.  I dunno.

The rules say he has to get the title transferred within 30 days of establishing residency in IL.  So...can't he just say he hasn't decided to for 5 or 6 months?  Students can live and work there all year without having to change their plates and driver's license.

Yes, and student residency for legal purposes is tricky.

Like I know DD1 would like to seriously consider going to NC State for School. i told her if she wants to go that route, she must find a job and check all the boxes to legally declare residency so she qualifies for in-state tuition.

DD1 is not keen on taking a gap year. So, she usually gives me cat butt face when I remind her of that.

That's also why our state legislatures made sure that they could make voting as difficult as possible for students. 

From my limited experience, undergrads are not counseled to get their drivers license updated if they go to school out of state. grads, I could see if it's needed. And that's different.