Updates 2023 (job hunt etc)

[heartlikealion]

Just now, thatfirstsip said:

If you start work soon, you also might not be there during the heat of the day. At that point, once you have regular income, maybe you could offer $50 extra/month if they'll let you put in a small room-size air conditioner? 

Or you could do what we did when I was a kid in the south with no A/C: spend the hot part of the day in public places with air conditioning and sleep with a box fan. 

This is the temp with the stand fan and ceiling fan. The stand fan is equivalent to a box fan. I used to own one. 

If I get the job I really want, it’s a 52 min commute. So I’d probably move sooner than later. 

Yeah I plan to hang out at the library but there aren’t many places to go and that costs gas money. 

[thatfirstsip]

Ouch, a 52 minute commute is super long. I know, the fan doesn't lower the temperature, it just makes sweat evaporate easier (or something like that? I know it feels cooler for me when I'm keeping the thermostat higher in the worst part of the summer to save the air conditioner). Hopefully once you know what you'll have, you can find something closer to whichever one you end up taking. 84 degrees at night I could live with; an hour commute sounds *miserable*. 

[heartlikealion]

11 minutes ago, thatfirstsip said:

Ouch, a 52 minute commute is super long. I know, the fan doesn't lower the temperature, it just makes sweat evaporate easier (or something like that? I know it feels cooler for me when I'm keeping the thermostat higher in the worst part of the summer to save the air conditioner). Hopefully once you know what you'll have, you can find something closer to whichever one you end up taking. 84 degrees at night I could live with; an hour commute sounds *miserable*. 

I hate driving long distance to jobs but the a/c in the car would kick in at some point at least lol 

my dad said he’d help me with the sec deposit to move in my own place sooner. I don’t know how many days I’ll have to wait to have an answer on the jobs (casino job didn’t get back to me yet but I’m in no rush on that one. College job supposedly will get back to me this week). 

The nearest library is 16 min away. This home isn’t particularly close to anywhere I go (I mean it is compared to my former rural living but it’s 26 min to my fav gym, not very close to an interstate exit, etc). I had to drive through 3 school zones to get dd to school from here. Yuck lol! It’s technically not even part of the same city as xh and my dad’s homes despite the mailing address. It’s just part of the same county. 

[KungFuPanda]

2 minutes ago, heartlikealion said:

I hate driving long distance to jobs but the a/c in the car would kick in at some point at least lol 

my dad said he’d help me with the sec deposit to move in my own place sooner. I don’t know how many days I’ll have to wait to have an answer on the jobs (casino job didn’t get back to me yet but I’m in no rush on that one. College job supposedly will get back to me this week). 

The nearest library is 16 min away. This home isn’t particularly close to anywhere I go (I mean it is compared to my former rural living but it’s 26 min to my fav gym, not very close to an interstate exit, etc). I had to drive through 3 school zones to get dd to school from here. Yuck lol! It’s technically not even part of the same city as xh and my dad’s homes despite the mailing address. It’s just part of the same county. 

Will they let you make ice? Can you make one of those cooler/ac contraptions or hang an ice pack in front of your fan?

I’m also waiting to hear back about an interview and it’s just not a good feeling. Tomorrow is a week and you start to wonder at what point you should follow up or give up. 

[heartlikealion]

2 minutes ago, KungFuPanda said:

Will they let you make ice? Can you make one of those cooler/ac contraptions or hang an ice pack in front of your fan?

I’m also waiting to hear back about an interview and it’s just not a good feeling. Tomorrow is a week and you start to wonder at what point you should follow up or give up. 

Possibly I could. I’ve never been good at that stuff. I’m not sweating but I just don’t enjoy being in a warm home. Made it hard to sleep, too. They have one unoccupied room with just a bed frame. I thought about asking to trade rooms (it is slightly cooler, has tile floor. This room has carpet) but it’s a lot of hoop jumping. I’d need to bring a mattress of my own here, move my stuff yet again etc. Just doesn’t seem worth it. 

I hope you hear back soon. I sometimes ask at the end of the interview when to plan to hear something if they don’t offer that info. Their estimate is usually shorter than reality though. The college did tell me they want to move things along quickly but who knows. At this point I still don’t even know salary. 

[PeterPan]

According to this you could check to see if your area has ordinances for providing cooling. https://www.rocketlawyer.com/real-estate/landlords/property-management/legal-guide/are-landlords-liable-for-indoor-air-quality-or-dangerous-temperatures#:~:text=Most jurisdictions only require landlords,and 62 degrees at night.

[heartlikealion]

4 minutes ago, PeterPan said:

According to this you could check to see if your area has ordinances for providing cooling. https://www.rocketlawyer.com/real-estate/landlords/property-management/legal-guide/are-landlords-liable-for-indoor-air-quality-or-dangerous-temperatures#:~:text=Most jurisdictions only require landlords,and 62 degrees at night.

I went on a similar wild goose chase before. Landlords don’t have many expectations in my state. The slumlord I took to court had no insulation in my attic. The home was a 3 BD/1.5 BA and he only provided 2 window units and 2 small gas heaters which did nothing except for when you were near them. I bought a third window unit of my own (I think roughly $160??). I took it with me when I moved out and sold it. That house was always super hot or cold. Legally he was not required to insulate the attic. 

In a matter of days I hope to hear back from a job and make plans to move. 

[heartlikealion]

Good news 

I spoke to my landlord and he said I can just move into the other room and he has a mattress he can set up in there. I won’t need to haul one from my dad’s. He said I don’t have to move all my stuff — it’s ok to use both rooms. He said he could feel the difference and he actually had the vent closed in the room with tile so he opened it back up and said it’ll probably be cooler by tonight. It’s 78ish now vs the carpeted room that’s 83ish. 

I feel so much relief with this resolution. 

[heartlikealion]

Carpeted room (hot)

tile room (much better) 

 

[WildflowerMom]

Hey, that’s some good news!!  And you’ll sleep better tonight, which is always a good thing! 

[thatfirstsip]

Awesome!

[PeterPan]

I'm glad it was such a straightforward solution!!! 

[heartlikealion]

I had to do a test for MiaPlaza. It's weird how they ask you not to use a calculator but how would they know?? I used my scratch paper. That part of the test deliberately gave you too many questions to answer so there wasn't time to do all the problems with math, anyway.

If I don't hear something soon, I guess I'll be going to my construction class Monday.

If you've been on unemployment 6 weeks you have to go in person to the next appt. So I am going in person this week. 

SNAP wanted proof that I was sending those child support payments. The court order showed that I was responsible, but not that I'd actually paid. So like a week ago I dropped off bank transfer history showing where I sent money to xh's account with the memo "July child support" "Aug child support" etc. Since then they only called to confirm if I still receive unemployment. I said yes. My SNAP balance this month went up 10 cents. TEN CENTS. I get $33.10 for food stamps. Everything is so stupid. I doubt it will go up for Oct. 

[heartlikealion]

The cats got into a fight or were about to when I heard the ruckus this morning. I ran into the hall and so did the landlady. So now I’m scared to let my cat leave the room as I don’t want to be responsible for injuries to the other cat. My cat is 10 yrs old and theirs is only a yr. Good grief, Middy. You’re a cute pain lol 

[heartlikealion]

The autoshop has had my car since last Tuesday. A few times they drove it and finally think they feel what I’m talking about. Since the computer/sensors aren’t accurate on my car, they can’t rely on that. They do suspect it’s a transmission issue. I said I took it to a transmission place a few months ago as a precaution because one error message said transmission fluid. At that time, however, it was not doing this jerky thing when you drive. 

Bottom line, they think it’s possible it’s the transmission and tampering with one can ruin a car like mine/cost more than justified on a car that old. I said what do you suggest I do? Can I keep driving it or ? He said I guess you can drive it til it gets worse and that could be soon or years. Or try to trade it in while he has any value. 

Ugh. I hope I get good news soon. I need to build an auto fund. The last time I did a Kelly blue book quote on this car it was worth ~$600. I can’t do a trade in right now. 

I asked what I owe and he brought the price down to a simple inspection do it’s $57. $57 for you to hold mt car hostage a week but ok… 🙄lol 

Edited September 12, 2023 by heartlikealion

[heartlikealion]

They drove the car a lot and when I got in it was on E. But without asking, they decided to waive the fee for evaluating it. So I’ll take my win. 

[thatfirstsip]

$57 is really really cheap for the work done 🙂 I can't get my car looked at in the shop, much less driven the time it would take to use even 1/4 tank of gas, for less than a couple hundred.

Sometimes with older cars you just wait and hope the issue doesn't get worse too fast. If it's still running, and not smoking or clanking loudly, etc., you count your lucky stars and keep on driving. 

[heartlikealion]

22 minutes ago, thatfirstsip said:

$57 is really really cheap for the work done 🙂 I can't get my car looked at in the shop, much less driven the time it would take to use even 1/4 tank of gas, for less than a couple hundred.

Sometimes with older cars you just wait and hope the issue doesn't get worse too fast. If it's still running, and not smoking or clanking loudly, etc., you count your lucky stars and keep on driving. 

He’s looked at my car and my dad’s before. He said he wants repeat business lol. 

I love my old mechanic but I can’t go there anymore. 

[eve0806]

yes it's true,you should person let go,you can't hold someone by force and maybe this person leaves you because it's difficult for her too, don't let her do it

[Spryte]

Hoping you get some good job news this week! I’m hoping that the easy solution to a cooler room is just the start to lots of positive news and forward movement for you.
 

The post just before mine made me think, “maybe it’s time for a new thread title?” I don’t know if that might feel good to you, heart, but perhaps it might signify a new chapter. Or not! Either way! 

[heartlikealion]

No word from college or casino yet

rejected by MiaPlaza 

[Spryte]

Fingers crossed for good news soon.

[heartlikealion]

On 9/8/2023 at 12:19 PM, WildflowerMom said:

If you want someone to help look on job sites, let me know.  I'll look around and see what I can find, just PM me if you want me to.  

Yes, please. I thought I’d have a job offer by now. 

[WildflowerMom]

4 hours ago, heartlikealion said:

Yes, please. I thought I’d have a job offer by now. 

I’ll start in the morning.  PM me what general area.  💛

[heartlikealion]

Got rejection from college. 
Reached out to casino and am waiting. 

[*LC]

I’m sorry.

When does the construction class start?

[heartlikealion]

Just now, *LC said:

I’m sorry.

When does the construction class start?

Monday. I don’t know what the stipend is… it’s meant for gas. Estimating $50/week based on old figures but it varies based on grants. 

[*LC]

Good luck with the class and the stipend. Hopefully the casino job will come through. Construction skills are always great to have even if you do not work in the industry.

[heartlikealion]

I forgot you can check status online. I went to casino job application status. It says "considering" next to that position in my account. 

[heartlikealion]

Construction class orientation was today. A 30 min workout is going to be part of the class most days. Apparently this is to mirror some of the industry requirements— go up a ladder carrying a heavy backpack etc. 

I drove to my gym after class today to do cardio & weights but soon hope to move my stationary bike to my rental so I have no excuses to exercise lol Maybe the fitness requirements will encourage me to use my kettlebells. 

The stipend is a good amount. Will help offset the speeding ticket and other expenses. 

We will be issued our class chromebooks tomorrow and have a different Osha-10 to complete among other things. 

Library interview is Friday. Maybe for once I won’t pay for parking (it’s at the library). 

[Garga]

On 9/15/2023 at 1:53 PM, heartlikealion said:

Got rejection from college. 
Reached out to casino and am waiting. 

I’m so sorry to hear this. I was hoping so much that you’d get that job 😞

[heartlikealion]

54 minutes ago, Garga said:

I’m so sorry to hear this. I was hoping so much that you’d get that job 😞

Yeah. Now I’m kinda uninterested in looking at their job postings. Interviewed with them twice 

[Frances]

3 hours ago, heartlikealion said:

Yeah. Now I’m kinda uninterested in looking at their job postings. Interviewed with them twice 

Could you follow up with them and ask for feedback on your application and interview?

[heartlikealion]

4 minutes ago, Frances said:

Could you follow up with them and ask for feedback on your application and interview?

I guess I can. 

[Frances]

5 minutes ago, heartlikealion said:

I guess I can. 

If you haven’t already, I’d also write a thank you note and let them you are still interested in the job. I got my current job when the person they offered it to first  (I later found I was their second choice) accepted the job, but then backed out the day before they were supposed to start. I had written a thank you note after I got the rejection letter expressing my continued interest in a position with their group and the hiring manager immediately called me when their initial choice changed their mind.

[DawnM]

On 9/6/2023 at 2:23 PM, heartlikealion said:

Went to the police station. The woman was a bitch toward me. They said the fee is $362. $10 for the class and the class only helps with your auto ins. You will pay the fine in full before being permitted to take the class. I started to say if I go to court will they care I wasn’t aware it was an active school zone in that area… the other ones end at 7:45 (I drove past 2 today). She said, “you don’t need to be telling me this. That’s for the prosecutor.”
 

Hope you have the day you deserve, lady. 🙄

I don't know how things are there, but when I got a speeding ticket, I showed up to court and they lessened the charges so no need for a class.   I can't remember if I paid the entire fine or not.

[heartlikealion]

1 hour ago, DawnM said:

I don't know how things are there, but when I got a speeding ticket, I showed up to court and they lessened the charges so no need for a class.   I can't remember if I paid the entire fine or not.

It is pretty rigid with school zones so I don’t think it would have helped. I already paid it. Amd like I said upthread, doing a class here doesn’t even help the fee. It only helps with auto ins. 

[Harriet Vane]

7 hours ago, heartlikealion said:

I guess I can. 

The rule of thumb is to follow up weekly until the door is closed.

 I would echo what another poster said about writing a thank you note for every interview, ideally the day of the interview. 

[heartlikealion]

Just now, Harriet Vane said:

The rule of thumb is to follow up weekly until the door is closed.

 I would echo what another poster said about writing a thank you note for every interview, ideally the day of the interview. 

The door was closed on the college job. Now it feels weird to send a thank you. I sent a thank you after the first interview with them and talked myself out of it the second interview. 

I’m not sure how to ask for feedback and say I’m still interested if the position reopens. Send an email? 

[heartlikealion]

The casino job pays $15/hr. I would commute ~30 min from my room rental to get there. The only way I could move near the casino is if I got the low-income housing that is $700/mo. and 12 min from the casino. 

They should have made a decision 2 weeks ago. I just figure the casino job isn’t meant to be. I did touch base with the lady that interviews me last week but she didn’t acknowledge me. 

The library job wouldn’t be great either. I’m sure I’d work nights and weekends and barely scrape by on the 36k salary. 

I’m just not sure any of these jobs will pan out. 

[Harriet Vane]

12 hours ago, heartlikealion said:

The door was closed on the college job. Now it feels weird to send a thank you. I sent a thank you after the first interview with them and talked myself out of it the second interview. 

I’m not sure how to ask for feedback and say I’m still interested if the position reopens. Send an email? 

Yes, send an email. Here's the format (capitals are not shouting, just making clear what are my prompts for information for you to customize):

 

Dear Mr. OR Ms. So-and-So:

Thank you for getting in touch with me about the OFFICIAL NAME OF POSITION. I wish you the best as you move forward. My interest in working for NAME OF INSTITUTION is still quite strong if this position becomes available again or if there is another position that fits my abilities and interests in the future. I hope you'll keep me in mind. 

I've attached my resume for your convenience. Feel free to contact me with any further questions or information. 

Thanks again,

YOUR NAME

YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION

__________________________________________

Here's the format for a thank you letter after an interview:

Dear Mr. OR Ms. So-and-So:

Thank you for your time today to discuss the OFFICIAL NAME OF POSITION at COMPANY NAME. I appreciated hearing about MENTION SOMETHING SPECIFIC ABOUT THE COMPANY OR THE INTERVIEWER.

As we discussed in the interview, my experience includes NAME SOMETHING THAT SPECIFICALLY MATCHES WHAT THEY WANT. In addition, NAME SOMETHING YOU DIDN'T DISCUSS IN THE INTERVIEW BUT THAT YOU FEEL IS RELEVANT TO THE POSITION. (DON'T SAY YOU DIDN'T DISCUSS IT IN THE INTERVIEW--JUST BRING FORWARD YOUR FABULOUS TALENT IN ONE SENTENCE AS AN INTERESTING NUGGET OF INFORMATION.) THIS PARAGRAPH IS 2-5 SENTENCES TOPS.

I'd love to pursue the opportunity to work at COMPANY. Feel free to contact me for further information.

Thanks again.

YOUR NAME

YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION

[heartlikealion]

3 minutes ago, Harriet Vane said:

Yes, send an email. Here's the format (capitals are not shouting, just making clear what are my prompts for information for you to customize):

 

Dear Mr. OR Ms. So-and-So:

Thank you for getting in touch with me about the OFFICIAL NAME OF POSITION. I wish you the best as you move forward. My interest in working for NAME OF INSTITUTION is still quite strong if this position becomes available again or if there is another position that fits my abilities and interests in the future. I hope you'll keep me in mind. 

I've attached my resume for your convenience. Feel free to contact me with any further questions or information. 

Thanks again,

YOUR NAME

YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION

__________________________________________

Here's the format for a thank you letter after an interview:

Dear Mr. OR Ms. So-and-So:

Thank you for your time today to discuss the OFFICIAL NAME OF POSITION at COMPANY NAME. I appreciated hearing about MENTION SOMETHING SPECIFIC ABOUT THE COMPANY OR THE INTERVIEWER.

As we discussed in the interview, my experience includes NAME SOMETHING THAT SPECIFICALLY MATCHES WHAT THEY WANT. In addition, NAME SOMETHING YOU DIDN'T DISCUSS IN THE INTERVIEW BUT THAT YOU FEEL IS RELEVANT TO THE POSITION. (DON'T SAY YOU DIDN'T DISCUSS IT IN THE INTERVIEW--JUST BRING FORWARD YOUR FABULOUS TALENT IN ONE SENTENCE AS AN INTERESTING NUGGET OF INFORMATION.) THIS PARAGRAPH IS 2-5 SENTENCES TOPS.

I'd love to pursue the opportunity to work at COMPANY. Feel free to contact me for further information.

Thanks again.

YOUR NAME

YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION

I meant an email asking what I could have done differently to be considered. I wasn’t sure if I ask that and repeat a thank you (I thanked them for the update after they rejected me). 

[Harriet Vane]

One more on the weekly follow up while they're still considering you as a candidate for the job. Here's the format:

 

Dear Mr. OR Ms. So-and-So:

I appreciated your time on DATE to discuss the OFFICIAL NAME OF POSITION at COMPANY NAME. I'm just following up to see how the process is coming and if there is any further information I can provide.

THIS PARAGRAPH IS 2-5 SENTENCES TOPS--ADD JUST A SMALL REMINDER OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE DONE THAT SHOWS WHAT A GOOD FIT YOU ARE FOR THIS POSITION.

I'd love to pursue the opportunity to work at COMPANY. Feel free to contact me for further information.

Thanks again.

YOUR NAME

YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION

[Harriet Vane]

1 minute ago, heartlikealion said:

I meant an email asking what I could have done differently to be considered. I wasn’t sure if I ask that and repeat a thank you (I thanked them for the update after they rejected me). 

I wouldn't ask for feedback, to be honest. Once a prospective employer has shut the door, most often they don't want to keep talking. The key is to thank them for letting you know and reiterate that you are still interested in working for them if anything further opens up.

[heartlikealion]

Sadly nowadays I think it’s sometimes frowned upon to follow up much. They say check the website. I have been shoo’d away in person and on phones.

I often do not have a direct contact email. The casino woman was texting me from her cell phone and didn’t respond to my last text. I can’t find an employee directory and all I see on google is her LinkedIn. 

[heartlikealion]

3 minutes ago, Harriet Vane said:

I wouldn't ask for feedback, to be honest. Once a prospective employer has shut the door, most often they don't want to keep talking. The key is to thank them for letting you know and reiterate that you are still interested in working for them if anything further opens up.

I could do the thank you email and I may but really I think it’s obvious I was highly interested. I said so in a snail mail letter once, exchanged texts promptly when the woman would text me, etc. 

a part of me feels kind of like this is “he’s just not that into you” the job version. 

[Harriet Vane]

1 minute ago, heartlikealion said:

Sadly nowadays I think it’s sometimes frowned upon to follow up much. They say check the website. I have been shoo’d away in person and on phones.

I often do not have a direct contact email. The casino woman was texting me from her cell phone and didn’t respond to my last text. I can’t find an employee directory and all I see on google is her LinkedIn. 

I really disagree that it's frowned upon. My husband is currently in a job search and has done job searches before with the aid of a headhunter. It's been about eight years since I personally did a job search for me. My kids have recent job searches as well. 

The follow up is just a thank you and letting them know you're interested. The impression you give with that is that you are a professional. 

I'm not criticizing you at all--I know you've been working hard at this. 

[Harriet Vane]

2 minutes ago, heartlikealion said:

I could do the thank you email and I may but really I think it’s obvious I was highly interested. I said so in a snail mail letter once, exchanged texts promptly when the woman would text me, etc. 

a part of me feels kind of like this is “he’s just not that into you” the job version. 

The follow-up thank you and reiteration of interest is what closes the door. It's not pushy. It's professional.

[heartlikealion]

Just now, Harriet Vane said:

I really disagree that it's frowned upon. My husband is currently in a job search and has done job searches before with the aid of a headhunter. It's been about eight years since I personally did a job search for me. My kids have recent job searches as well. 

The follow up is just a thank you and letting them know you're interested. The impression you give with that is that you are a professional. 

I'm not criticizing you at all--I know you've been working hard at this. 

I have just had different experiences. I kept following up with my graphic design job and they seemed irritated. Like we need time and will contact you when we’re ready vibe. They hired me but teased me about it. It was in the early 2000s. 

[Harriet Vane]

Just now, heartlikealion said:

I have just had different experiences. I kept following up with my graphic design job and they seemed irritated. Like we need time and will contact you when we’re ready vibe. They hired me but teased me about it. It was in the early 2000s. 

That message is not necessarily irritation--it's simply information. The information is that they need time. Often they will give you an amount of time, like, "We're interviewing candidates for the next 2-3 weeks." So then you stretch your follow up to the time that they said. If they don't give you a time frame, then stretch your follow up to two weeks MAX.

Keep the message brief as in the examples I included in the thread, but keep your name on their radar.

I'll reiterate--those follow ups are not pushy. They are professional.