After 10 months of serious job hunting, I finally landed me a production gig at a publisher of self-help books in North Vancouver. It's not as glamorous as my last work in advertising, but it pays $1,000 higher and it's just to start. (According to my boss, Lisa the Production Manager, I'll get an increase when I pass probation.)
I now work as a Production Assistant. It's different from my last occupation because I get to lay out long documents (not ads) and I'm looking forward to working on my first book and designing its cover and contents. I might get to design marketing and promotional material, too.
Glamorous or not, I'll remain professional. I'll give them the kind of quality work I am known for.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Why I Hate Phone Interviews
In the last four weeks, I've received two invites for a phone interview. In the first one, I told (through her voice mail) the caller, the HR manager of an organization that offers courses in continuing legal education, that I was available on Monday between 9:30 a.m. and 12 noon. I didn't hear any confirmation from her. So, I waited for her call the whole morning on that day just in case, only to receive an e-mail at 4:30 in the afternoon that she couldn't make it and asked if it could be moved to Wednesday at 10 a.m.
Unfortunately (or fortunately), I had a real, personal interview to go to the same time on that day, so I replied to her e-mail if it were possible to have my phone interview moved the next day, Thursday, at 10 a.m. Two weeks later, still no response from her. I guess she's no longer interested. Her ineptitude is a sure sign of how professional the firm she's working for.
The second was more recent. By e-mail, I was invited to a "phone chat" by a consultant who runs a small marketing agency. I said I was okay on Friday between 9:30 a.m. and 12 noon. She asked if it were possible to have it on Thursday at 5 p.m. Of course, I said yes.
Again, unfortunately, she called 30 minutes early. I was already at home when she did, but my caller ID registered a different phone number and a different name. I thought it was a telemarketer (well, the name did sound like a telemarketing firm), so I didn't bother to answer. She left a message and said that she was using a different phone in the office (hence, the unfamiliar phone number and company name) and wanted to go home early so she tried to call me early. She even sounded disappointed.
But we both agreed to have a "phone chat" at 5 p.m. and not 4:30! How was I supposed to know that it was her? Anyway, she said she would call me up later in the evening. I waited until nine and I didn't even hear a single ring.
The next day, I sent her an e-mail apologizing for "missing" her call. I asked if it were possible to reschedule the "phone chat." Still, no reply.
(These are just some of the reasons why I hate phone interviews. It's so cold and impersonal that it doesn't allow me to put a face to my résumé. And I'm in no position to react accordingly because I couldn't see my interviewer's actions or reactions. Besides, I have a bad track record with phone interviews. For me, there's a 90 percent chance that I won't be invited back for a personal interview; only e-mails that say that I'm not qualified for the job. Assholes.)
Unfortunately (or fortunately), I had a real, personal interview to go to the same time on that day, so I replied to her e-mail if it were possible to have my phone interview moved the next day, Thursday, at 10 a.m. Two weeks later, still no response from her. I guess she's no longer interested. Her ineptitude is a sure sign of how professional the firm she's working for.
The second was more recent. By e-mail, I was invited to a "phone chat" by a consultant who runs a small marketing agency. I said I was okay on Friday between 9:30 a.m. and 12 noon. She asked if it were possible to have it on Thursday at 5 p.m. Of course, I said yes.
Again, unfortunately, she called 30 minutes early. I was already at home when she did, but my caller ID registered a different phone number and a different name. I thought it was a telemarketer (well, the name did sound like a telemarketing firm), so I didn't bother to answer. She left a message and said that she was using a different phone in the office (hence, the unfamiliar phone number and company name) and wanted to go home early so she tried to call me early. She even sounded disappointed.
But we both agreed to have a "phone chat" at 5 p.m. and not 4:30! How was I supposed to know that it was her? Anyway, she said she would call me up later in the evening. I waited until nine and I didn't even hear a single ring.
The next day, I sent her an e-mail apologizing for "missing" her call. I asked if it were possible to reschedule the "phone chat." Still, no reply.
(These are just some of the reasons why I hate phone interviews. It's so cold and impersonal that it doesn't allow me to put a face to my résumé. And I'm in no position to react accordingly because I couldn't see my interviewer's actions or reactions. Besides, I have a bad track record with phone interviews. For me, there's a 90 percent chance that I won't be invited back for a personal interview; only e-mails that say that I'm not qualified for the job. Assholes.)
Monday, July 19, 2010
Where I'm At Now
I'm still unemployed after all this time. It's been nine months and I've got nothing to show for it (although I've gained weight).
I did get interviews and almost landed me a gig with a publisher of online and printed directories. I passed both phone and personal interviews. They called my references and they all checked out. They even gave me a quality assurance test. After a month or so in my job application with them, I got this e-mail telling me that I wasn't qualified for the job. Crap!
Now, I'm back to square one again.
I did get interviews and almost landed me a gig with a publisher of online and printed directories. I passed both phone and personal interviews. They called my references and they all checked out. They even gave me a quality assurance test. After a month or so in my job application with them, I got this e-mail telling me that I wasn't qualified for the job. Crap!
Now, I'm back to square one again.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
It Ends Today
Today marks the last pay that I'm receiving from the company.
Even though I was let go six weeks ago, I was still officially an employee because I was getting salary continuance. However, it ends today. And beginning tomorrow, I'll be jobless and will be relying on my employment insurance benefits for the next few months.
It's going to be a bumpy ride.
Even though I was let go six weeks ago, I was still officially an employee because I was getting salary continuance. However, it ends today. And beginning tomorrow, I'll be jobless and will be relying on my employment insurance benefits for the next few months.
It's going to be a bumpy ride.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Then There Were Three Again
It was one week ago today when Wendy told me the bad news. I knew right then and there that I was being laid off that day. No one in the office knew about this, not even Wendy.
I was planning to leave the company anyway, but not until I found a better job and until I saw what the company profit-sharing was all about since I was eligible in January 2010. However, they beat me to it. Now, I'm back at home pounding the keyboard for job opportunities. And I did get a reasonable separation pay that was good for six weeks, even though I was only entitled to receive 2½ weeks' worth of pay.
As soon as I finished reading my walking papers, I grabbed a box to put my personal stuff in there, like my action figures, books, water bottles and picture frame. To save me from embarrassment, Wendy had the box shipped home.
After signing the release form, I hugged Wendy and asked her to say goodbye to the other Wendy and Cathy for me. Then I looked outside my window for the last time while putting on my jacket. It was a cold, wet and dreary day.
I grabbed my bag, waved goodbye to Wendy and headed out the door.
I was planning to leave the company anyway, but not until I found a better job and until I saw what the company profit-sharing was all about since I was eligible in January 2010. However, they beat me to it. Now, I'm back at home pounding the keyboard for job opportunities. And I did get a reasonable separation pay that was good for six weeks, even though I was only entitled to receive 2½ weeks' worth of pay.
As soon as I finished reading my walking papers, I grabbed a box to put my personal stuff in there, like my action figures, books, water bottles and picture frame. To save me from embarrassment, Wendy had the box shipped home.
After signing the release form, I hugged Wendy and asked her to say goodbye to the other Wendy and Cathy for me. Then I looked outside my window for the last time while putting on my jacket. It was a cold, wet and dreary day.
I grabbed my bag, waved goodbye to Wendy and headed out the door.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Thank God for Short Workweeks
Monday was Thanksgiving Day; so, we didn’t have to go to work, making this week a four-day workweek. Last week was, too, because we got Friday off. However, the days appear longer, especially now that projects are getting few and far between. Clients who are taking their time in sending approvals aren’t helping either.
Once again, I try to keep myself busy by watching training videos online; however, it’s now becoming tedious. Sooner or later, I’ll run out of training videos to watch. When that happens, I guess I’ll have to start learning new software.
By the way, three boats caught fire yesterday by the harbour a block away. It produced a huge pillar of black smoke, which I could see from my office. No one was hurt fortunately.
Once again, I try to keep myself busy by watching training videos online; however, it’s now becoming tedious. Sooner or later, I’ll run out of training videos to watch. When that happens, I guess I’ll have to start learning new software.
By the way, three boats caught fire yesterday by the harbour a block away. It produced a huge pillar of black smoke, which I could see from my office. No one was hurt fortunately.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Christmas in October
Monday morning, as I was about to leave for work, I got this text message from the bigger Wendy not to come in the morning. She said that a transformer blew in the building on Sunday and caused an electrical fire. I called her up and asked for more details about the incident.
Wendy said that there was no power in the entire building. Unfortunately, Petra from the other agency was at work on Sunday and parked inside the parkade when this happened. She had to go down 16 floors using the stairs. Her car was stuck, too, as the security gates couldn’t be opened.
This was reminiscent of last year’s disaster in the building just days before Christmas when a water pipe on the fifth floor blew and flooded everything under it, including the elevators. But that was worse. This time, they got the power back on by Tuesday morning.
Wendy and I dubbed this event as Christmas in October.
Wendy said that there was no power in the entire building. Unfortunately, Petra from the other agency was at work on Sunday and parked inside the parkade when this happened. She had to go down 16 floors using the stairs. Her car was stuck, too, as the security gates couldn’t be opened.
This was reminiscent of last year’s disaster in the building just days before Christmas when a water pipe on the fifth floor blew and flooded everything under it, including the elevators. But that was worse. This time, they got the power back on by Tuesday morning.
Wendy and I dubbed this event as Christmas in October.
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