Why pride sucks, or "I should be happy to have a job at all."

[Teflon Billy]

Read some Henry Miller about his life in Paris. He had a pretty crappy job, too, and he wrote Tropic of Cancer. While having wild sex with Anais Nin. It could happen to you.

You know, between this and the constant Stewardess stories, you really are inspirational

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

Several years back I was laid off from my good-paying lab job. The newly hired manager and I had had a few clashes and he took the layoffs as an opportunity to get rid of me. I got a half-time job in a research lab, but to make ends meet I also started working at the local grocery store. One day my ex-boss comes in to the store, he sees me there and says to me, "I'm glad to see you found a job you could handle." Apparently the look in my eyes said all it needed to since the supervisor immediately came over to me to prevent me from doing something stupid (but probably so gratifying).

It took me a while, but I eventually found good full-time employment again, and in the end it all made me appreciate the work I have (I have to keep telling myself this at times ).

 

[MonsterMash]

A couple of years ago (April 03) I got made redundant from a well paying IT job and was lucky only to be out of work for a couple of months (started again end July 03), but even though I'm just about to change jobs again (second change in 5 months) I'm still going to be earning 8,000 GB Pounds less per year than I was two years ago (approx $13-14,000 US). Though I'm not going to complain too much as my salary has increased by 25% as a result of these moves.

But the main thing is to keep trying and try to keep your self respect as just because you are not doing a 'graduate' job you are not worthless even if you are unlucky enough to work somewhere where you are treated as being of low value.

 

[Hitokiri]

Whee. I get to dive into the job market as soon as I finish up my degree. Should be done by the end of summer, if everything goes reasonably smoothly. I just hope I can get a job where I can put my degree to use within a year of graduating.

 

[Belen]

I just have to rant out my frustration here. Back in October I applied for a job. I heard back in November and filled out an online survey to tell them about myself. Then I heard back in late December that I'd be getting an interview. This was great, because at that time I was unemployed, nearly broke, and very desperate.

About the same time, I had the chance to work at a grocery store. I took the job.

I interviewed in early January for this other position, a library job, which is sort of like my dream job (out of jobs that are realistically available in Atlanta). Then in late January I learned that I was one of two people who would be called back for a second interview. On Feb. 2, I went in for that interview, saw that the other person who was called back was a friend of mine, and made the assumption, based on my opinion of her as a friend, that I was better-suited for the job. The interview went very well, and I left confident that I would get the position.

A week and a half passed. I heard nothing. Last night I accidentally ran into my friend, and I asked her if she'd heard anything. She said that she'd gotten the job. My immediate reaction was joy that she'd been hired. I smiled, shook her hand, and wished her luck. Then I headed over to a group gathering, where we'd planned to play video games all night, and along the way I just grew angrier and angrier. Not at her, just at the situation itself. The rest of the night seriously bummed me out.

Now, I still have a job at a grocery store. $8 an hour, 8 hour shifts of standing on my feet scanning groceries. My pride tells me that someone with a college degree should have a better job than that. My reasoning tells me that I need something better than a 30-hour a week crap job if I want to live above poverty level. And my emotions are telling me I should just sit down, say screw it all, and watch TV for a week. But I have to go to work, to pay the bills and such.

I was so hopeful. The scheduling of the grocery job is so erratic, I can never plan events with friends more than a few days in advance, but I was hoping that with the other job I'd be able to have a more comfortable social life. Oh, damn, now I'm depressed.

I'm not desperate, but if somebody has some seriously good news they could give me, it would help out a lot.

They are several posiitons opening up at UNC Chapel Hill at the Academic Library where my wife works. If you're willing to move, then you should contact me and we can forward your resume.

 

[Ogre Mage]

I was so hopeful. The scheduling of the grocery job is so erratic, I can never plan events with friends more than a few days in advance, but I was hoping that with the other job I'd be able to have a more comfortable social life. Oh, damn, now I'm depressed.

I'm not desperate, but if somebody has some seriously good news they could give me, it would help out a lot.

I'm really sorry, Ranger Wickett. I know what it's like to think that you did well at an interview for a job you really want and then not get it. Course, I also know what it like to have a "disaster" interview and KNOW I didn't get it LOL.

I work in a library. After I graduated, it took me 6 months to find a job and many job applications. I just had to keep trying. It's frustrating to come so close and not get it, but the fact that you made the final cut suggests you could be in the running in the future. Was the position for the Atlanta Public Library System? If so, you now have a friend working in the system. You could ask her to let you know if she hears about any future openings. Maybe she even could offer you some tips once she becomes familiar with the system. The fact that they didn't send you a rejection letter is a "red flag," though. If it happens the next time, I would look elsewhere.

You're smart to keep the grocery job, even if it isn't ideal. Looking for a job while currently employed puts you in a stronger position than being unemployed.

Good luck and I hope things get better,

Ogre Mage

 

[Ashwyn]

I'm not desperate, but if somebody has some seriously good news they could give me, it would help out a lot.

You're alive, and I assume healthy.
You have a job.
You have a place to live.
You have money enough to get food, and have water, etc.
You have incredibly easy access to food, water, etc.
People care about you.

Not news exactly, but I'd consider those things to be pretty good.

 

[DaveStebbins]

Keep the job you have, RW, it shows a good attitude. The fact that you're willing to work, even if it isn't a dream job, may make the difference between you and another candidate at your next job interview. The work you do matters. The are no ignoble jobs. A job has as much, or as little, dignity as you bring to it. Keep a good attitude; it is one of the few things in life over which you have complete control.

As for good news, I found out at my performance review today I'm getting a promotion. I wasn't expecting it as even a possibility until next year at the earliest. It's been ten years since my last promotion and I will no longer be able to sarcastically boast that I am the lowest paid PE (licensed Professional Engineer) at the 2,500-employee company where I work.

-Dave

 

[RangerWickett]

Well, congrats to Dave, then. *grin*

Thanks for the positive reinforcement. I'm generally in a good mood, though I'll be better tomorrow night when I get to stay up late with no concern for work in the morning. I'm definitely a night person; I do my best writing between 2 and 6am, when I can crank out about 3 pages an hour. The day tends to distract me too much.

Anyway, I'm still looking for jobs in and around Decatur (part of Metro-Atlanta), so if anyone can help me, great. But unless the job is dreamyliciously good -- like working at Bioware or something as a writer -- I don't want to leave Atlanta yet. I'm thinking of heading home to Texas in August when my lease runs out, to go to UT-Austin for library college, but that's only if I can't find something nicer in the meanwhile.

I've got a lot of contacts in the libraries at Emory University, though, so hopefully I can wrangle something before too long. I would like to save up enough money to go to GenCon this year. Actually, my last two friends who got jobs at the library did so a month or so before they had scheduled a vacation, so maybe I ought to plan to go to some convention next month. *grin*

 

[reanjr]

Now, I still have a job at a grocery store. $8 an hour, 8 hour shifts of standing on my feet scanning groceries. My pride tells me that someone with a college degree should have a better job than that.

You've fallen into the trap of believing in the American education system.

I'm not desperate, but if somebody has some seriously good news they could give me, it would help out a lot.

The economy is getting better? OK, that was feeble...