The Job Hunt Thread

[flutterby]

Good job Chloe!!!

Is this the one that's so close to your house? That alone would make it a huge plus to me, and the fact that you think you'll really like it makes it sound like the right move for you. Awesome!

[taz157]

Jul 24, 2015 4:08:23 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Aww, Knee Deep in Water Chloe, you're not a failure! You feel good about the job and the district you'll be working in. You enjoy teaching, you know how to do it, and you do it well. You're helping young folks learn and grow as people. Personally, I think that's pretty wonderful. We need teachers who enjoy teaching and are good at it. Be proud of your abilities to do an important job well. Those kids will remember you and you'll shine in their eyes. 

Yeah that!

Congrats on the new job, out of your old district, and being closer to home!

[taz157]

Jul 24, 2015 6:36:18 GMT -5 flutterby said:

Good job Chloe!!!

Is this the one that's so close to your house? That alone would make it a huge plus to me, and the fact that you think you'll really like it makes it sound like the right move for you. Awesome!

If I read the right item on her listing (shows up funky on my phone) then she is 3 minutes from home. Awesome commute!!

[flamingo]

Congrats, Chloe! My DH said something very similar to what your DH did when I took my current job. I was in a position similar to yours in that I didn't have a job and needed one. Except I'm the main breadwinner we in our family. I told DH that when he was ready to be the main breadwinner he could have an opinion on the job the main breadwinner takes. U til then his only option was to be happy for me because I was happy with the job I chose. Just because he felt I should take a different job didn't mean I was going to. I am the one that has to go to the job every day and deal with the people so I was going to take the one I felt best about.

A year later and I love my job. DH to his credit realized the error of his ways and has since apologized for his shitty reaction.

So congrats! Be happy about this. You found a job that excites you. Your DH will get on board once he sees how's happy you are!

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Congrats Chole on getting a job!

Out of curiosity would you consider applying for the grant position?  Now that you are not under pressure to find a job and find a job NOW it might be worth looking into doing a "freebie" interview.  You might make conections that could benefit you if you find yourself unemployed again.  You can turn it down if you are offered it.

[debthaven]

Congrats Chloe!!! 

Since I'm guessing you want to get back into Administration one day, personally, I think you did the right thing. I'm guessing it will be easier to segue back into an Admin position later from teaching than from grants, although I may be wrong. You lost a job you were happy with and YOU need to be happy with your next job. 

What is the difference in pay between this job and your last job? Might you have your younger DD in class?

And congrats on your new (short) commute and getting away from the horrid superintendent. At least you know you (usually) get along with the new one. ;-)

[Wisconsin Beth]

Jul 24, 2015 4:08:23 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Aww, Knee Deep in Water Chloe, you're not a failure! You feel good about the job and the district you'll be working in. You enjoy teaching, you know how to do it, and you do it well. You're helping young folks learn and grow as people. Personally, I think that's pretty wonderful. We need teachers who enjoy teaching and are good at it. Be proud of your abilities to do an important job well. Those kids will remember you and you'll shine in their eyes. 

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

No mice today which is nice, I am glad I didn't get everything set up before my PI called.  It's a lot easier to just leave everything as it is than to take it all apart.

Trying to analyze data.  This is hard without having someone here who is familar with the software.   I am trying to figure out how to edit stuff but the stupid software is vauge and so all all the directions in the manual and the notes left by the last technician are written for someone who already knows how to do everything.  It SAYS it's doing what I want but when I generate a new plot nothing has changed.

My PI said she didn't see an issue with the other software last night that it is writing the files.  Okey dokey so I am going to go along with what she says.  If I am wrong I hope I don't get in trouble for it.

Going to do the best that I can and get as far as I can without any assistance.  I hope I don't push experiments behind, that is a sure way to piss your PIs off.  I know I am learning but still time is money and money = keeping me employed.

[cael]

Hey guys, jumping in here. I'm not *really* job hunting per say, but my eyes are always open for something good - I just found my dream job posted on the state website! It's a water resource scientist and pretty much exactly the job I'd like to get into someday. I have to tweak my resume a little and add graduate school to it, but I'm going to send everything in this afternoon (godamn state agencies and their 15 page applications...). I want to make sure to add that I'm a graduate student because what I'm going for is very relevant to this job and will probably make them more interested in me. That's a reasonable thing to add to a resume, right?

The state's hard to get into... but I think I'd be a good candidate for this job, unless they already have someone internally in mind for a promotion, which i think is the case a lot. All I can do is apply though, right?

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Make sure you throw A LOT of the key words in the job description into your application and your resume.  I was told by some government employees I know that there is a screening system involved since they get so many candidates applying.  The more key words you put in the happier the computer is and will more likely pick your application.

[cael]

Great, thanks for the advice! I think I've had two (maybe 3?) interviews in the past with the state, different agencies though so my name probably won't ring any bells, so that's good to know.

So keyed up about this right now, this would be the perfect job. I was just talking to my coworker about how unless something really good came along, I'm probably staying put here until I'm finished with graduate school and have had a kid (I have tons of sick time, could get FMLA etc) - but this is that "something really good" and I'd absolutely take a risk for it.

[emma1420]

Jul 24, 2015 3:51:41 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

I have been offered and have accepted the junior high language arts position. I should be happy that I am employed in a district that doesn't hate me. However, I am frustrated with DH who feels like the grant manager position will look better on my resume. I don't want to do that job though. So on one hand I am excited about having a job I know how how to do and will be happy doing and on the second hand I am upset that I have disappointed DH by taking what he perceives as a step backwards andon the Third hand (because ya know, I have three) I feel like a complete and utter failure about the five years I've spent in administration.

I have explained to DH how I feel and he comes back with "if teaching makes you happy then do that".

Now it's the middle of the dark and I cannot sleep and I keep crying.

Congratulations on the new position.   You are not a failure.  And if you choose to go back to administration in the future, I think you will be an even better administrator because you will have taught before and after an administrative post and so will have a more current idea of the struggles both sides face.

Besides you are the one who has to show up to work every day, so you are the one that needs to be happy with what you are doing.  And best of all? it gets you away from your current discriminatory crappy superintendent.  Here's hoping he gets canned sooner rather than later.

[giramomma]

Jul 24, 2015 9:25:46 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Make sure you throw A LOT of the key words in the job description into your application and your resume.  I was told by some government employees I know that there is a screening system involved since they get so many candidates applying.  The more key words you put in the happier the computer is and will more likely pick your application.

This depends on the state. My university is a top university nation-wide, and we don't use a computerized screening program. I don't think another rather large state agency does, either. IOW, my experience is all resumes/applications are read by a human.

I would suggest cael try to find someone who is in "the system" to try to give her pointers.

[cael]

I do have contacts at the state in several agencies, but not this one. I can reach out to them and see if they have any suggestions though. My advisor at school has a lot of state connections too, so I may have a conversation with him.

[chiver78]

Jul 24, 2015 9:30:01 GMT -5 cael said:

Great, thanks for the advice! I think I've had two (maybe 3?) interviews in the past with the state, different agencies though so my name probably won't ring any bells, so that's good to know.

So keyed up about this right now, this would be the perfect job. I was just talking to my coworker about how unless something really good came along, I'm probably staying put here until I'm finished with graduate school and have had a kid (I have tons of sick time, could get FMLA etc) - but this is that "something really good" and I'd absolutely take a risk for it.

You sound like I did when I found the posting for the job I just started. I hope it all works out for you! ;D

and yes......damn 15 page applications! I applied for a couple jobs at Mass Biolabs, which is part of the UMass system. the only place worse for that was Lockheed withwithal the clearance questions. ugh.

sent from my electronic distraction

[cael]

Thanks! I won't be completely devastated if I don't get an interview, but I'll be bummed. I think after I finish school I'll have a better shot at jobs like this, but I have to at least apply! Jobs like this rarely get posted...

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Good morning! I finally got some sleep. I have mostly found my center. I am excited about teaching. I still am a bit sad about this entire last three months. However, I am thinking of what to do in my classroom, and that is fun. 

Thank you, everyone. I am so grateful to have our group here. 

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Blah my good vibe wore off fast.

Been trying to data analyze and I've gotten the hang of most of it but I can't figure out how to change information on the plot so I can properly analyze the data.  The DOS system tells me to enter '1' so I do and it spits out a string of information but then nothing has changed on my plot.

The manual doesn't cover every detail and the technician before me did not leave detailed notes (or at least they aren't where I can find them).  I'm stuck since my PIs are at Creighton right now and out of communication for the day at a conference.

First thing I am doing when they go over this with me is writing a new manual that contains EVERYTHING.  That way ideally anyone could come in and run things.
 
Trying to remind myself I've screwed up WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY worse and didn't lose my job.  I don't even think I can call this a screw up since the reason I am stuck is due to lack of knowledge as a new employee, not a mistake I made.

Hope they don't get annoyed with me.  I am trying really hard and did a good job yesterday handling everything on my own.  This is my first hiccup while flying solo.

New job jitters combined with poor self esteem/confidence is not a good thing. 

[shanendoah]

Knee Deep in Water Chloe - Congratulations on the new job. I bet it felt very good to tell the jerk superintendent that you would not be taking the position he offered BECAUSE you had a better offer. You are happy and excited about the new job, and that is what matters most. But something else you learned from this process is exactly how many people in your local systems like you and respect the work you've done. You had lots of people want you to apply for jobs with them, etc.
However, when people really like you and support you, especially spouses, and especially especially spouses in the same field as you, they develop their own hopes and dreams for your career. My guess is that when you moved into administration from teaching, your husband saw this as an amazing step for you, going in the direction he's gone, and assuming that had become your dream and career goal, too.
So while he is certainly happy that you have a new job, he saw this other opportunity as the one that would help you continue in the career path he had started to envision for you.
My best advice to you is to talk to him about it, when kids aren't around, quiet, good talking to each other talking about it. Let him know how much you have appreciated his faith and support in you, that he believes you can do so much. And then let him know that this is where you are right now. You spent time in administration. You might go back. But you are excited about teaching again, and teaching is your "safe" environment, and that's where you want to be right now. And remind him, that while you love that he thinks you can do so much "more", in your eyes, working directly with the kids is not something you have settled for. This is not 'those who can't, teach' situation, this is a "I love teaching" situation. You are not settling. You are going back to what you love.

NomoreDramaQ1015 - Thank goodness our own expectations of just being able to step in and do everything from day one are rarely held by those we work with. I have no doubt that your PIs completely understand that this is not an intuitive software program to work with. I know I've had issues getting plots/tables/etc to work for reasons varying from "you have to save the data before plotting" to "you have to go through these three screens, in specific order, telling each one to do something different, then go back to the original screen, save, close out the program, then open it back up, in order for the plot program to find the most current data it needs to plot" (okay, it probably wasn't that bad, but some have been ridiculously wonky).
So, deep breaths. You are doing what you can. You are going through the notes you have and making your own notes about how to improve the process. That's work. That's valuable work. You have got this.

cael - Definitely talk to the people you have in the system. At my university, if you are applying for a pro staff position, every resume just gets put straight through to the hiring manager, even if it's asking for 5 years experience and you check the box for 0 years experience.
However, if you are applying for a represented position (union), it goes through a computer system, and then the central HR guys screen the candidates, and then finally, it makes it to a hiring manager. So who knows.
One thing I did learn was to look at the sites and see if they have a preferred resume format. My resume for the University (where I now work) looks very different from my standard resume, because they say right out, we think your resume should start with a section that looks like X. As soon as I changed my resume to have that section at the beginning, the number of calls for interviews that I got went up drastically.

[zibazinski]

I like middle school students. You'll have a lot of fun. One of the best teachers I know was a principal in a private school then went to teaching 4-5th grades in public, then went back into admin in public. My old system couldn't keep a super longer than a few years. We kept saying a new one couldn't be worse than the last one was-but we were always proven wrong!! I'll bet for some reason he saw you as a threat. Shame on your DH. I'm shocked. You'd think he'd be grateful you got a position as opposed to him bearing the entire burden. Is it a bad pay cut?

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

shanendoah, thank you so much. I think that's exactly it. When I tried to explain to him what was wrong, he looked startled and said something to the effect of "if you want to teach, teach." Um, okay. 

zibazinski, middle school is my favorite. I spent six years teaching middle school. I'm glad to be going back to that. I do think his reaction is in line with what shanendoah has said. He has this vision and somehow the vision and reality are not the same. He's really not being mean; he just thinks he knows what I want. I'm not sure what I want, except that I want to have a job. 

Pay cut-wise, it will be a maximum cut of $27,000/year. There are a few considerations thought. 

In our pension system, employees are required to contribute 6% of their incomes to the pension. The public employer contributes something like 19% (I'm totally guessing at that). Most public employers state that one of their benefits is that the employer contributes the 19% and the 6%. My current district (now former, I suppose) did not contribute that 6% and the district to which I'm switching does. 

So, then, the theory would be that I was making in the current district ($X-6%) if we are comparing it to the new district. 
Then, we're at a gross difference of $22,000/year. 

I'm looking at a applying for a few coaching duties which could mean and additional $4K per year. 

DH also got a 6% raise starting this month, and that's about $6K per year. 

So, if I am able to do the coaching duties, and counting DH's raise, household-wise, we're at a $12K/year loss. We'll see what the rest of the summer brings. 

[zibazinski]

Ouch, damn!

[debthaven]

That's harsh Chloe ... I hope this gives your DH the incentive to get rid of the manufactured home. 

[Deleted]

Jul 24, 2015 3:51:41 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

I have been offered and have accepted the junior high language arts position. I should be happy that I am employed in a district that doesn't hate me. However, I am frustrated with DH who feels like the grant manager position will look better on my resume. I don't want to do that job though. So on one hand I am excited about having a job I know how how to do and will be happy doing and on the second hand I am upset that I have disappointed DH by taking what he perceives as a step backwards andon the Third hand (because ya know, I have three) I feel like a complete and utter failure about the five years I've spent in administration.

I have explained to DH how I feel and he comes back with "if teaching makes you happy then do that".

Now it's the middle of the dark and I cannot sleep and I keep crying.

Congratulations on the job!!!  

DH can STFU and work on getting rid of all the financial commitments you both made that compelled you to need to take a job with such immediacy. 

Sorry, He probably didn't express it well & I'm sure just wanted you to continue in the same level of role; but when there are only 2 districts to choose from, options are limited when you have to get reemployed quickly. 

[taz157]

Jul 25, 2015 14:52:08 GMT -5 debthaven said:

That's harsh Chloe ... I hope this gives your DH the incentive to get rid of the manufactured home. 

Yeah that!

[TheHaitian]

Jul 27, 2015 7:21:11 GMT -5 taz157 said:

Jul 25, 2015 14:52:08 GMT -5 debthaven said:

That's harsh Chloe ... I hope this gives your DH the incentive to get rid of the manufactured home.

Yeah that!

X 3 and Congrats on the job again!!!

[suesinfl]

Chloe, so glad that you found a job in a better district. Your DH may have been harsh, but everything has happened so fast, that he may have been in a panic too. Hang in there, life is looking up.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Well a month into the job. I seem to be settling in and haven't done anything that could get me fired so that's good.

Right now I am rather bored even though there is PLENTY to keep me busy. I don't get out of here till 5:30-6:00 most evenings.

Which is an adjustment and not something I am thrilled with but I can't do anything about it, when working with animals I have to stay until someone can look out for them in my place.  Also makes going to the restroom really freaking hard so I am developing the bladder of a camel.

Had a hiccup with the kid being sick and not having any leave yet.  People have taken for granted for 5 years the flexbility of my job and the fact I had more leave banked than I knew what to do with.  That's not the case now.  I begged my mom to watch Abby for the day. 

Even then this isn't the kind of job where I can drop everything for a day and come back tomorrow.   I think the days of me being the go to parent are pretty much over.  At least for the time being.  Maybe as we get further along things will change but we're going to have to try to figure out something for sick days (no sick daycares here).  Snow days and school holidays are covered since the daycare does not close and Gwen can go to full time Kids & Co those days.

Hopefully things will get more interesting on my end once we start doing experimental animals and I can actually see what they've been talking about all this time.  Also hoping they do make good on their promise to hire someone.  I can manage by myself but it isn't a cakewalk.  It'd be nice to be able to take a lunch break earlier than 2:00 and be able to pee when I need to.  It'd also keep things flowing smoother, IMO, since one of us can be working with the animal and the other one updating paperwork (or vice versa). 

I let a couple spreadsheets slide i forgot about and got chastised for that.  It wasn't hard to update them but add two more piece of busy work I have to do every day until I can leave.

It's a job though and pays at least close to what I used to make so I should probably quit my bitching.   UNMC is a hard benchmark to surpass so it's been a difficult adjustment for me mentally/emotionally. 

[mojothehelpermonkey]

I got a bladder infection as a postdoc. When I finally went to get it checked out, the doctor scolded me. She said I could easily have ended up in the hospital with a kidney infection and I needed to take bathroom breaks no matter what. When I explained that I was doing a research project with animals, she seemed to kind of understand. She probably had to do an animal project in med school.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

No bladder infection yet.  I've been cutting down the amount of water I drink in a day instead.  Course now I am cranky b/c I am dehydrated half the time.    I was drinking a litre day since I am BF-ing and now I am down to half a 20 oz bottle of Aquafina during the day and a cup of tea in the morning.

I told DH I can't go anywhere b/c if the mouse walked off the table due to me underestimating how far under he was I'd be in BIG ass trouble.  Like federal level trouble if he somehow managed to escape the sound booth entirely and disappear.   So no I can't just "go to the bathroom whenever I want".

I did agree with him it would be nice to have him enclosed/secured so I could leave for a couple of minutes.  BUT if we did that then the experiment would be a failure since we'd be introducing so many variables our results wouldn't hold up.   You really can't win when working with animals.

I know it's one of my biggest selling points, but in my next job I'd like to go back to not working with them anymore.