Next Step?

[eggwards]

Dear God, Gods and Goddesses, Buddha, the Powers that Be (shouldn't that be the Powers that Are?) The collective conscious or whoever is listening,

Look, I've got a problem. My life has stalled out. I feel that I need to get out of my job, and get out of this city, and I don't seem to be making much progress. I sat at my desk last night, working till almost 8pm working on a couple of projects that need to be finished before the end of the quarter - which is tomorrow. I expect another couple of late nights. The problem is, I probably won't be noticed for the effort, and it doesn't get me anywhere.

I'm still throwing my resume at everything, and not getting much feedback. Very few companies even acknowledge your presence, let alone tell you why you weren't considered. Google was one of the few to send an email telling me thanks, but no thanks.

I guess the only think I'm actually qualified for is another customer service manager, but most companies seem to place people in the entry level spot, and look for you to move up-after a year of basic service. I can't afford to backtrack that much. I can't seem to convince anyone to make a stretch and hire me for a position that's a little different than what I'm doing now. I can learn! Too bad no one wants to teach. I guess, as long as people move within the same circles, they don't have to train anyone.

How do people ever get past their original jobs and make a change? I can't really go back to school right now, and I can't take the time to intern. I need to be paid. I have bills, and frankly, I won't be a burden on someone else.

That's a problem with me. I don't do well, asking for help. I'm not always sure where to turn. Should I find a recruiter? Trying to do a job search in another city is difficult, it's hard to do much more than look at the listings on Monster and Hot Jobs. It's harder to do face-to-face interviews.

Should I just get it over with and go up there and apply at Target - or is it worth hating your job any more than you do now.

I'm tired of being in Houston. I've lived here over 25 years and I'm ready to move on. I'm ready to start a new life with Chris, but the job thing keeps getting in the way. I feel that everything is trapped in amber until this job thing happens.

Chris and i have a great time together. The weekends we share are great fun, but we can't get past that. Sure, moving in is an unknown thing, how will we get along for more than 3 days at a time? Can we share a home and not drive eachother crazy? Will he feel like his home has been invaded? Will I have problems of having someone else in the house, and getting adjusted to what's clearly his home? I don't know, but right now, I'd like to have the opportunity to find out.

It's better to have, than have not.

So whoever you are up there, where do I go from here? I have to renew my lease on my apartment this month, or have to pay an extra $200 a month - something I can't afford. I'm getting to hate the drives between Dallas and Houston, but i love Chris so much. It's draining my money, though.

I'm not even asking for relocation money, though I could use it. I just want a good job, a new start in a familiar city and the change to grow in my relationship with Chris. I know there's much more important problems than little old me. Just help me know the way to get there.

Comments

[goofycubb.livejournal.com]

AMEN To that!
I know the feeling of the job problems. I left CA after just moving into a new position, that I held for less than 6 months. I ended up having to take a job that took my career back by 3 years and 40k annually! It sucks. Now here I sit almost a year and a half later still doing the same thing because I can't get anyone to see what I have inside of me! Just because I don't have the technical training and the degree to back it up, it is soooo hard to move to a new job doing that!

I feel for you and Chris. Even though it is only a 4 hour drive thats a LONG WAY! Its the coming home and just knowing that someone will be home to cuddle with, share dinner with, fight with, love is 4 hours away its just not the same.

But I am a strong believer that good things will come to those who wait! Hell with that! Go get it!
Put your resume out there. Contact a Head hunter and get those interviews. They will understand that you are trying to relocate. Keep your chin up!

BIG HUGS from someone who knows how you feel! :)

Job Search

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I agree with your feelings about Houston. Of course, they are even more intensified by wanting to be with someone else in another city. I don't know you , but hope you will accept my thoughts on the subject in your behalf:)

I used to work for a job placement firm back just after I graduated from college. With a little research, you ought to be able to find a job placement firm that has offices in both Dallas and Houston. In addition to sending you on interviews, if they are good, they should also talk strategy and interviewing skills.

You might find it useful, even if your new job comes about because of networking... which, unfortuately, is most often the case. One caution - make sure the agency is a "fee-paid" agency rather than APF (applicant paid fee) market. In the first case, the companies with openings pay for your placement; in the second, you pay. No one should have to pay themselves.

These companies can set up interviews and work around your current job. In the best case scenario, you stay in your job, leave and begin the new one without interruption.

Good luck!

[dedos.livejournal.com]

Yah, a head hunter/placement service is a good idea. Maybe even a temp agency, if things get more desperate.

Tony & I did 4 hours apart.. we lasted about 6 months before he moved down. But he managed to score a better job here than in Orlando.

But I think we're both kind of burned out of living in Miami.... we're contemplating a rather large move @ the moment.... (more later)

[jeffdintexas.livejournal.com]

Mike, I've felt very similar anxiety about similar things. All I can say is that answers tend to come when the dust settles and things are relaxed. Hang in there buddy!

[jrjarrett.livejournal.com]

Mike,

I said that exact same thing so many times over the past year. I know your pain all too well.

Call me. I can commiserate, tell you what I did.

[timbr35.livejournal.com]

have you looked into any of the state or county jobs or possible city jobs. Granted they always dont pay as much as private but they do usually have some good benefits and lots of holidays ; )

Re: Job Search

[denminn.livejournal.com]

I agree. My advice is to find a temp agency in Dallas doing something you want to do. They might be able to find a good temp to perm job. That's what I did to land this job.

Good luck and believe me, I know how you feel.

[handlebear.livejournal.com]

Scott and I lived 2 hours apart and then moved to northern California together. Before I moved, I felt like you did. I eventually moved up to northern Calif without a job which was scary.

1) Has your resume been reviewed by someone?
2) Do you have a Houston or Dallas phone # listed. I finally resorted to getting a cell phone with the new area code and used a friends address. Then I started to get calls for interviews.
3) Browse the book What color is your parachute? for ideas.

[robearal.livejournal.com]

the Powers that Be (shouldn't that be the Powers that Are?)
This is one of the few vestiges of the Subjunctive in English, and subjunctive always sounds weird unless you're a grammar snob.

As for the job thing, I feel for you. My company paid for a 2-day "outplacement" seminar for those of use who were left last week. The theme seems to be prostitute sell yourself. Marketing. It's odious, but it evidently works.

[mrh745i.livejournal.com]

Send me your resume. I'd be more than happy to look over it and circulate it to some of the head hunting firms here in Dallas. I've worked for more of them, and have had great success getting full time gigs with some Fortune 500 companies.

[alphaschnitz.livejournal.com]

I was actually going to suggest something similar.

Perhaps you could use Chris' address & home phone on your resume? When they leave a message, Chris could relay it to you. Future contact could be directed to your your cell with the whole "I'm still in transition, haven't changed my phone to a dallas phone number yet..." story?

[alphaschnitz.livejournal.com]

One thing to consider: When you move up to Dallas, your living expenses could very-well be cheaper since you'll be sharing a home.

Perhaps the lower cost of living might allow you to take a slightly lower-paying position???

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

That's a tough one. i think the local address could help, but I don't want to burden chris by making him an answering service. The cell phone idea is good if I could get something cheap.

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

That would be great, because I was quite unsure of how to find a head hunting firm. I'd really appreciate your help.

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

I have factored that in. I'm willing to go down a pay level - if I put it on the payscales here at my current job...so about $5,000. lower than that and we're going to have problems.

Besides, I still have to pay bills at Chris'.

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

I guess I should start looking for a headhunter. I'm not real sure about the temp agaency idea...I'm not sure they could really use me.

No more Miami? The hurricane warnings getting to you? I'll be interested to see where you go.

Re: Job Search

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think I'll have to re-direct my search for headhunters for a little bit, and see if I get better results.

[bendawg.livejournal.com]

*Hugs*

Wish my parents understood the oddity of job hunting right now...