Updates 2023 (job hunt etc)

[heartlikealion]

I applied for a job at a different local college that has a min degree requirement of an associate's and deals with their library/archive. I hope they interview me. It would be closer than New Orleans! No idea on pay but location would be better. 

[heartlikealion]

I was hoping the numbers referenced a pay grade in a chart, not the hourly rate. But I did find a chart and it looks like it’s $12-13/hr. FML. I just want to move out already. 

Edited October 1, 2023 by heartlikealion

[Melissa Louise]

I'm sorry - it's just the worst being stuck in the loop like this. 

You've been so resilient, but it gets hard, I know.

Sending a hug and hopes for a lucky break. 

[heartlikealion]

Already got rejection letter from the low-paying library/archives job at local college. 

I’m going to officially withdraw from the construction class. So the stipend money I got from 2 weeks of class (minus the day I was absent) didn’t even cover the school zone ticket. 

My dad offered to put gas in my car but as always, there are strings attached to interacting with him. He asked if I needed groceries and I said just chicken. He literally just criticized me for eating chicken! I said I thought it was healthier (and cheaper) than beef but he went into a spiel about the alkaline levels. Oh my gosh nevermind. 

[Mrs Tiggywinkle Again]

I know around here human service organizations are always looking for caseworkers, case managers, youth service providers, and the degree requirements tend to be a degree in any field and minimal because they need people so badly. Some are even work from home case manager positions. Wages might be on the lower end but benefits are usually good.

 

[heartlikealion]

1 hour ago, Mrs Tiggywinkle Again said:

I know around here human service organizations are always looking for caseworkers, case managers, youth service providers, and the degree requirements tend to be a degree in any field and minimal because they need people so badly. Some are even work from home case manager positions. Wages might be on the lower end but benefits are usually good.

 

Well to cover rent I think I need like $17+ an hour. A lot of local jobs pay under $15. So good benefits won’t help unless I can cover rent. That’s been my perpetual problem. 

[heartlikealion]

Made use of the sliding scale clinic. They were able to run tests without charging extra. I qualified for the lowest office fee. Turns out, despite not having the same symptoms I did in the past, I have a UTI and that’s contributing to this back issue. I was given meds and told to use only ice, no heat. And no muscle relaxers for me because they interfere with other meds. 

Just praying I’m feeling better soon. I got tickets to Depeche Mode months ago and I’m going this weekend. 

[freesia]

I think you just need to take a job at this point. The 30% for housing is a good goal, but I’ve paid 50% at times and really economized. 

[heartlikealion]

2 minutes ago, freesia said:

I think you just need to take a job at this point. The 30% for housing is a good goal, but I’ve paid 50% at times and really economized. 

Yes of course but I haven’t been offered one. My current income is $800/month unemployment. There are no $400/mo rentals. I’m paying $650/mo for a bedroom. 

[freesia]

Just now, heartlikealion said:

Yes of course but I haven’t been offered one. My current income is $800/month unemployment. There are no $400/mo rentals. I’m paying $650/mo for a bedroom. 

But you aren’t applying for $12.00 a hour jobs either. ( At least from what you have said) That would be $480 a week. Even $10 an hour would be twice what you are getting now. 

[heartlikealion]

2 hours ago, freesia said:

But you aren’t applying for $12.00 a hour jobs either. ( At least from what you have said) That would be $480 a week. Even $10 an hour would be twice what you are getting now. 

I was making roughly $16/hr before I got laid off and my rent + utilities (not counting wifi) were $650/mo. I did not have a lot of extras in my expenses. My medical ins was paid by my employer and did not come out of my checks. Expenses like food, gas, child support to xh, cell phone, renter’s ins/auto ins, internet, instant ink service… and I barely made ends meet. I can’t fathom how I will move into my own place on $12/hr nevermind pay for medical insurance. Yes, it will obviously be more than I make now. That’s why I would have taken the $15/hr casino job but I still would be stuck. 

I will widen my job application process. I’m just very depressed, don’t want to lose interview opportunities because of it, and don’t want to have only a room or a 1 bedroom home when the holidays roll around and both kids are supposed to stay with me. 

[maize]

Here's a remote Support Analyst position, entry level: https://jobs.lever.co/bpmcpa/ad6470e3-6197-4c7f-87f3-14123b065034

 

[heartlikealion]

12 minutes ago, maize said:

Here's a remote Support Analyst position, entry level: https://jobs.lever.co/bpmcpa/ad6470e3-6197-4c7f-87f3-14123b065034

 

Just applied. Thanks. I applied to that other one you shared not long ago, too but never heard back. 

[maize]

7 minutes ago, heartlikealion said:

Just applied. Thanks. I applied to that other one you shared not long ago, too but never heard back. 

I'll keep sharing things I come across.

My job right now is to help women find jobs, so I do a lot of job listing searches!

[Melissa Louise]

Hope the gig is a mood booster and helps you keep on keeping on.

The longer you look, the harder it is to look. I get it. 

Applying is a job in itself, and then you need to marshal your internal resources to manage rejections. 

Sending some encouragement your way. Take a breath, and keep going. The UTI won't be helping, so hopefully once that's improved, you will get a boost from feeling better too.

 

[katilac]

You have my full sympathy. Job hunting is hard at the best of times. 

Can you sign up with temp agencies within a reasonable distance? 

[heartlikealion]

Just now, katilac said:

You have my full sympathy. Job hunting is hard at the best of times. 

Can you sign up with temp agencies within a reasonable distance? 

I am signed up with a couple. One of the last alerts I got said they required so much experience for the role (admin assistant or something). I will start looking more closely, though. 

I’m going to write to a local magazine about job opportunities. I picked up the magazine with the intent to do that, but have been dragging my feet. 

I think I’m extra grouchy because I haven’t been able to exercise. And my landlords are sorta strict with the fridge & kitchen space. I get one little shelf in the kitchen plus have a few things in the pantry. I’m only allowed to use the crisper drawers in the fridge and with my back issues it sucks to get anything in/out. 

When I’m feeling positive I say maybe a job in another state won’t be bad. Then I think about the wear & tear on my car and get depressed again. 

[heartlikealion]

I got a notification tonight for a zoom interview next week. I had to pick a time slot. It's Monday morning for a car rental place. The description was sorta vague. They train you and I think you're selling which I usually hate, but if it's just helping pick out cars because they are traveling, that doesn't sound so bad. Well I'll go to the zoom and get more info. 

[heartlikealion]

Since I normally get a 3 hr window on my birthday with the kids but I swapped weekends due to the concert, I asked xh if I could see both kids on Thursday. I already have dd Thursday. He agreed. So I will get to see ds after school for a while. If that didn't make sense, the point is that my birthday (whether I kept my weekend or not) is the excuse to see ds. I don't normally see him on my days. Last time I talked to him on the phone he told me his youtube channel got canceled and he lost $2000. He must be crushed. Apparently he was uploading too much per day, but he said some others were doing it and he didn't get an error message. He kept following trends and got his subscribers/views increased greatly in a short time, but never got one cent of that money. I told him the importance of cashing out right away but he said they only let you do it at a certain time. What a hard lesson to learn! When I was about his age I "lost" a car. I was too young to win and it didn't occur to me to ask if I could just pass the phone to an older sibling. If anyone remembers, it was an MTV contest where you call in to win a "Mug Bug" which was a Volkswagen beetle covered in Mug rootbeer art lol. 

The casino job status still says "considering." A woman from my construction class said you'll definitely be on your feet a good bit at the casino so that's why I haven't gone out of my way to follow up with a human regarding the casino job. 

[ktgrok]

I hate it, but you may be nearing the point where you need to just work 2 jobs, or take one and stay where you are so you can save up a bit, or at least not be getting into more credit card debt. I know that sucks for interviews, but you may have to "call in sick" to interview at a better job if that happens. At least you'd have more money than you do now, and could stop the bleeding. And if you stay where you are, maybe start saving towards deposit/etc? Or do some gig work on the side?

[heartlikealion]

Just now, ktgrok said:

I hate it, but you may be nearing the point where you need to just work 2 jobs, or take one and stay where you are so you can save up a bit, or at least not be getting into more credit card debt. I know that sucks for interviews, but you may have to "call in sick" to interview at a better job if that happens. At least you'd have more money than you do now, and could stop the bleeding. And if you stay where you are, maybe start saving towards deposit/etc? Or do some gig work on the side?

Of course 2 jobs in theory works but I can’t even find one. I’d need 2 sitting jobs. It would likely just be one job and trying to save. 

[ktgrok]

18 minutes ago, heartlikealion said:

Of course 2 jobs in theory works but I can’t even find one. I’d need 2 sitting jobs. It would likely just be one job and trying to save. 

Right, but you've been applying mainly to higher paying jobs. Might be more options with lower paying? Like the temp work? Might lead to permanent position?

Edited October 4, 2023 by ktgrok

[heartlikealion]

Just now, ktgrok said:

Right, but you've been applying mainly to higher paying jobs. Might be more options with lower paying?

Hours-wise, probably not. For example, the low-paying desk job at the physical therapy office needed someone days Mon-Friday. But then I don’t know where I’d work to hold a second job. 

I still have a fear that if I call in sick to a new job I’ll be reprimanded/fired and lose everything. But at this point it’s a risk I probably need to take. 

[ktgrok]

9 minutes ago, heartlikealion said:

Hours-wise, probably not. For example, the low-paying desk job at the physical therapy office needed someone days Mon-Friday. But then I don’t know where I’d work to hold a second job. 

I still have a fear that if I call in sick to a new job I’ll be reprimanded/fired and lose everything. But at this point it’s a risk I probably need to take. 

Yeah, i get it, but I'd get that job if possible because 1. having a job makes it more likely someone will hire you. For reasons that make no sense, but are there none the less. 2. You can stop putting so much on credit card. 3. Taking a job like that and then worst case losing it when you call in sick is better than not having had it at all, most likely. Also, often people will schedule interviews during a lunch break, or simply say they have a medical appointment and skip lunch to make up the hours, etc. 

[heartlikealion]

Saw the kiddos last night. Made my pumpkin dessert at my dad’s. The visit was pleasant, though I’m sure ds probably blabbed to xh about my living situation in a not great light. I offered to bring him by my home and he met my landlords. I even showed him my text book and binder and pics from my class. Explained that I dropped out because of my back. 

I am open with him and we did get a tiny bit of one-on-one time together when I picked him up from his house after he got off the bus and dd waited at my dad’s. ds said he loved the dessert. I wasn’t super keen on it myself lol. I altered a recipe I found on Facebook. https://fb.watch/nvV8CH_yLt/?mibextid=roAVj8
I omitted sugar, used yellow cake, subbed pumpkin spice for cinnamon and baked longer than recommended to firm up the pumpkin purée more. 

Had my phone interview with the Alabama job. I got scared at first about the “long hours on your feet” and “lots of events on weekends” til we clarified that each person is in charge of 7-8 events per year (typically Friday night or Sat) and most days you’ll be in the office. I think I’d just need to swap weekends with xh or get a sitter on certain days.

They asked several questions and I had good answers for most. She literally said she liked my answer a few times. She said in 1-2 weeks they should have feedback and hopefully we meet in person (I gathered this is just round 1 of interviews so in person would be round 2). If they invite me in person I’ll bring pics from the homeschool events I helped host. She was amused by the Photo Booth props I mentioned. One question they asked was if I had to host an event for the city of Mobile what would it be and I said it might sound cliché but a Mardi Gras parade. I understand that Mobile is the birth of Mardi Gras parades and who doesn’t love a parade? She agreed. 

[katilac]

Fingers crossed that the Alabama people schedule the 2nd interview more quickly than planned! 🤞

[heartlikealion]

I’m really mad at myself, I saw a job posted for a college campus nearby and was feeling like crap so postponed applying. Those applications can be a pain. There was clearly a misprint on the page — said post date 10/4, close date 10/4. Well it’s closed now ugh!! 

I really don’t even know if I could handle the 7-8 in person event days. Physically speaking. It’s so depressing. She said it’s like a long day on your feet and very physical. Setting up barricades, climbing ladders and lifting items from the warehouse, talking to community members etc. 

I picked up my expired prescription cough syrup from my old med stash and hope it lets me sleep tonight. I kept coughing last night. I checked with the pharmacist about med interactions and he just said I might become very drowsy so I don’t know if I’ll take it before the concert or not. We are taking an Uber from my friend’s house and I’m sleeping over so driving on meds is a non issue. 

[heartlikealion]

Not too much to report. I had a zoom interview with the car rental place. You must stay in sales a min of 6 months (if you become a branch manager you can pivot to other roles). They do a 3-step interview process. I don’t even want that job. They seem fixated on sales numbers and asked how competitive I was. Ugh. 

I reached out to the library today but don’t know if they’ve made any progress. And that trip to/from Louisiana took half a tank of gas. Not ideal for my visitation. 

I networked with someone (friend of a friend) when we were hanging out in LA on Sunday and she had some potential leads for me but I haven’t heard back yet so who knows. Leads that would be in MS or remote. 

I’ve applied to more jobs than usual lately and varying salary ranges. 

Depeche Mode wouldn’t have been a very good show to me if they hadn’t come back for an encore. I was in the nosebleeds and the seats were tighter than where I sat at the Cure so this man to my left was totally in my personal bubble. My back was aching a lot at the end. I had to take food with my medication and the pit stop we made after the show had just closed food service but we got the bartender to bring me fries 🥰 my hero 

I uploaded a clip from one of the songs I liked: 

 

[heartlikealion]

Called BCBS to follow up with the letter of appeal. BCBS is insisting that my phone call discussed "orthotics" but not "supportive devices for the feet." Oh my gosh, they're the worst. I thought they were the same d@mn thing obviously. I said I wish you had a transcript of that phone call in front of you because surely I mentioned feet or podiatrist somewhere in that call. She said that the phone call saying they would cover something doesn't guarantee coverage, anyway (then why are we reviewing the phone call??).

They said they formally denied the claim end of Sept but I don't have a letter in my PO Box and they said they had another address on file but wouldn't reveal to me what it was. I said can I update it and they said no, it was submitted by your employer. I bet it was my old PO Box. But anyhoo... don't have that ins plan anymore so probably won't get any more mail from them. 

Ugh so I guess I'm out money for the cast that was made and the down payment?? I doubt the podiatrist office will reimburse me anything. 

Edited October 11, 2023 by heartlikealion

[heartlikealion]

Yeah no refunds — that money went to the place that makes the insoles. 
I can send $320 and they’ll waive the shipping fee to mail them to me. I don’t want to drive 8 hrs round trip to get them trimmed. I’ll leave them at the office indefinitely. Maybe once I get a job I’ll pay for them. 

I applied to a job last night that I applied to before I had a local address (back in Jan). They reposted it. Maybe they will interview me this time? 

[TravelingChris]

On 10/6/2023 at 10:43 AM, heartlikealion said:

Saw the kiddos last night. Made my pumpkin dessert at my dad’s. The visit was pleasant, though I’m sure ds probably blabbed to xh about my living situation in a not great light. I offered to bring him by my home and he met my landlords. I even showed him my text book and binder and pics from my class. Explained that I dropped out because of my back. 

I am open with him and we did get a tiny bit of one-on-one time together when I picked him up from his house after he got off the bus and dd waited at my dad’s. ds said he loved the dessert. I wasn’t super keen on it myself lol. I altered a recipe I found on Facebook. https://fb.watch/nvV8CH_yLt/?mibextid=roAVj8
I omitted sugar, used yellow cake, subbed pumpkin spice for cinnamon and baked longer than recommended to firm up the pumpkin purée more. 

Had my phone interview with the Alabama job. I got scared at first about the “long hours on your feet” and “lots of events on weekends” til we clarified that each person is in charge of 7-8 events per year (typically Friday night or Sat) and most days you’ll be in the office. I think I’d just need to swap weekends with xh or get a sitter on certain days.

They asked several questions and I had good answers for most. She literally said she liked my answer a few times. She said in 1-2 weeks they should have feedback and hopefully we meet in person (I gathered this is just round 1 of interviews so in person would be round 2). If they invite me in person I’ll bring pics from the homeschool events I helped host. She was amused by the Photo Booth props I mentioned. One question they asked was if I had to host an event for the city of Mobile what would it be and I said it might sound cliché but a Mardi Gras parade. I understand that Mobile is the birth of Mardi Gras parades and who doesn’t love a parade? She agreed. 

Dh andi went to a Mardi Gras [arty in Mobile.  It was great fun/

[heartlikealion]

My landlords want to rent out another room. They eliminated the guy with the dog already but asked how I felt about a woman moving in that would hardly be here and share a bathroom with her. I don’t feel like it’s my place to try to stop this. They obviously need the money. But I’m ready to go and just trying to figure it all out. I’ll have to select the larger room with the majority of my belongings (landlady said I have a “lot of stuff” and I don’t know if that’s accurate) or try to cram it in the room that’s cooler. The outside temp is getting cooler and they said they ran the heater recently but might have been when I was out of town. So I would probably try to make due with the larger room. My cat likes the bigger room better and they said if I leave town again please move her in there — which means moving the litter box that I can’t even lift right now. 

This is just new stress I have to navigate. Occasionally my landlady will drop rude comments (said I dressed like I was 12 when I went out one night) or outwardly make observations I’m not comfortable with (you do a lot of laundry, huh? Like a couple times a week. I do mine like once a month). Their washer is messing up again so I did laundry at my dad’s the other night. There’s a roof leak in the bathroom they haven’t fixed yet because they were unhappy with the quote they got. So when it rains there’s a puddle on the toilet lid and nearby floor. 

I’m getting antsy to get out.

[heartlikealion]

And nevermind the cramped pantry/fridge/freezer situation. Where will we store our stuff? 

[JustEm]

That all sounds so frustrating. It is a good thing they asked how you felt about sharing a bathroom. Even if you don't have a choice, you at least can prepare for it. Living in other people's home must be stressful. I'd still stick it out until you have a stable job situation. All of the moving around and the stress from that takes away time you could be spending finding a job. It

[heartlikealion]

38 minutes ago, hjffkj said:

That all sounds so frustrating. It is a good thing they asked how you felt about sharing a bathroom. Even if you don't have a choice, you at least can prepare for it. Living in other people's home must be stressful. I'd still stick it out until you have a stable job situation. All of the moving around and the stress from that takes away time you could be spending finding a job. It

I did look for other options online, but only ones that would save me money. My landlady admitted she originally charged less but went up to par with others in the area. I just feel like I’m being taken advantage of — as much as I pay keep your mouth shut about me doing laundry etc. The cats are fighting on the regular under the door. They slide my door snake away and growl, paw and hiss at one another. 

There’s nothing really affordable that wouldn’t require a lease agreement. 

[heartlikealion]

I just got offered a job (via email). It’s the library job in New Orleans (didn’t say which branch).

I think I need to just accept it. It will be a commute when I meet the kids, but I’ll have steady income, a fairly low-stress job, ability to sit a lot, retirement plan and other benefits. 

Edited October 13, 2023 by heartlikealion

[freesia]

11 minutes ago, heartlikealion said:

I just got offered a job (via email). It’s the library job in New Orleans (didn’t say which branch).

I think I need to just accept it. It will be a commute when I meet the kids, but I’ll have steady income, a fairly low-stress job, ability to sit a lot, retirement plan and other benefits. 

That’s excellent. I  am so happy for you!

[Big Buckin' Longhorn]

11 minutes ago, heartlikealion said:

I just got offered a job (via email). It’s the library job in New Orleans (didn’t say which branch).

I think I need to just accept it. It will be a commute when I meet the kids, but I’ll have steady income, a fairly low-stress job, ability to sit a lot, retirement plan and other benefits. 

Congratulations!

[Heartstrings]

14 minutes ago, heartlikealion said:

I just got offered a job (via email). It’s the library job in New Orleans (didn’t say which branch).

I think I need to just accept it. It will be a commute when I meet the kids, but I’ll have steady income, a fairly low-stress job, ability to sit a lot, retirement plan and other benefits. 

Absolutely take it!  You’ll do great and might be able to move up, get raises etc.   congratulations!!!🎊 

[rebcoola]

Congrats.  Idk the area but my dad for our library system and moving up and transferring locations is very common

[heartlikealion]

Just now, Heartstrings said:

Absolutely take it!  You’ll do great and might be able to move up, get raises etc.   congratulations!!!🎊 

Thank you. I kinda need to hear this. I’m a mess. Stressed on how visitation will work but on the plus side maybe the kids will enjoy visiting NO. And I’ll be able to attend concerts/go dancing without it being such a huge ordeal to plan. 

[mommyoffive]

16 minutes ago, heartlikealion said:

I just got offered a job (via email). It’s the library job in New Orleans (didn’t say which branch).

I think I need to just accept it. It will be a commute when I meet the kids, but I’ll have steady income, a fairly low-stress job, ability to sit a lot, retirement plan and other benefits. 

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

That is awesome.  I have been waiting for you to post a great update, I am so glad today Friday the 13th you got it!!!

Congratulations!!  I am so proud of you for the growth you have had over the years.  You never gave up and just kept putting one foot in front of the other.

Congrats, congrats, congrats!!

[TravelingChris]

Congratulations!!!

 

Edited October 15, 2023 by TravelingChris

[Spryte]

Wonderful news! So happy to read this. Congratulations!

It sounds like it will work well!

[heartlikealion]

Ok I formally accepted the offer — and slowly reread the email where it says you’ll be training at several branches the first year. So that doesn’t really help me narrow down where to live lol 

I’ll be looking online at potential places. And may drive to NO soon to visit them in person and possible go to Oktoberfest with my friend. She says it’s going on several weekends. 

[freesia]

2 minutes ago, heartlikealion said:

Ok I formally accepted the offer — and slowly reread the email where it says you’ll be training at several branches the first year. So that doesn’t really help me narrow down where to live lol 

I’ll be looking online at potential places. And may drive to NO soon to visit them in person and possible go to Oktoberfest with my friend. She says it’s going on several weekends. 

I would choose the part of the city that is closest to your children. Doesn’t their father still have to drive them halfway to meet you? Hopefully, it’s better than the commute was after their father moved.

[Terabith]

Yay!!!!  Congratulations!!!

[Forget-Me-Not]

Great news! 

[heartlikealion]

14 minutes ago, freesia said:

I would choose the part of the city that is closest to your children. Doesn’t their father still have to drive them halfway to meet you? Hopefully, it’s better than the commute was after their father moved.

I’m afraid it will likely be based on crime rates. I’ve been told West side is safer but I’ll primarily work on East. 

[scholastica]

Congratulations!!!