Saturday, July 2, 2011
What's age got to do with it?
Apparently ALOT! I got a call from a well known temporary agency a couple of weeks ago about a job opening that they had which I was well qualified for. Since I hadn't signed up with them (I don't know how I missed them) I went through all of their pre-screening, testing and passed (I thought) with flying colors. So I waited for them to call about going out on the position. And I waited, and waited, and waited. Nothing, zip, zilch, NADA! So I phoned the temp agency 2 days after I finished the testing and got the dreaded "she's in a meeting let me put you into VOICEMAIL". Oh, no.... so I left a message and waited for her to phone me back, and waited, and waited, and waited, and well, you have the picture. Two days after no phone call back I called again and was told the same thing. I then asked to speak to her supervisor and got the "she's in a meeting"...spiel. I DIDN'T leave a message this time and thought about the process that I had gone through to get to this point. One thing that stood out to me is that in one part of the signup process a question was asked if I was over 40. This question was asked on the ADP Payroll site that they used for their payroll. I really didn't think too much about it at the time until all of this happened. As you can well imagine I was not happy and I spoke to the CA EDD about it. They told me that this question was illegal and to phone Consumer Affairs. I got a phone number for them but as of yesterday have still not spoken to anyone about this because I can't get through (the number is always busy) . What happened to the days where, if you were qualified for the job, you got the job?? They are gone, long gone....
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
The NEW reality
When I was growing up in the 60′s and 70′s I was taught that when you went to work you worked for one employer throughout your life and, when you wanted to retire, you received a gold watch and a pension and went on your merry way to your “golden years”. Somewhere between then and now something went seriously wrong. I lost my job in January of 2010 and my world, as I knew it, was gone.
I had followed the typical path that most people of my generation did. I married young and, while I never had children, I was content with my life. I didn’t spend my whole life at one job (like my parent’s had) but I was fortunate to have had a few in my worklife but I did average over 8 years in each job that I held. I became a statistic in the early 2000′s when my childhood sweetheart and I divorced (after 23 years of marriage). But, I had my new life which included my job. I purchased a home in 2005 and was living the dream that I had held as a little girl (only it was just me now). I was definately aware of what was happening in the “work world” during the past few years as my sister had lost her job and had problems finding permanent work (no jobs). Then, in January I too became unemployed. I still thought that because I had transferable skills (customer service, receptionist, teller, etc.) that I would be able to find something fairly quickly so that I wouldn’t have to be on unemployment assistance for too long. My thinking changed when I started sending out resume after resume (and not even getting an interview). It all came to a head when I applied at the few temporary agency’s where I live and was told that they didn’t have anything at this time (due to the literally thousands of applicants that they had) and, that if I did happen to have skills for a particular position I would have to actually interview with the prospective employer to get the temp job. As the month’s went on I lost my house and had to declare personal bankruptcy (this was particularly hard) and had to come to the realization that I, again, was a statistic. I am a whole lot luckier than most. I was able to move in with my sister (after 30 years of not living together) in her two bedroom/ two bathroom mobile home with my dogs . I keep sending out resumes and hope against hope that something breaks.
This certainly wasn’t the life I envisioned when I was a bright eyed and bushy tailed nineteen year old starting out my work life in 1978. It certainly has been a “long and winding road” from there to here. I am still hoping for that silver lining in the dark cloud.
I had followed the typical path that most people of my generation did. I married young and, while I never had children, I was content with my life. I didn’t spend my whole life at one job (like my parent’s had) but I was fortunate to have had a few in my worklife but I did average over 8 years in each job that I held. I became a statistic in the early 2000′s when my childhood sweetheart and I divorced (after 23 years of marriage). But, I had my new life which included my job. I purchased a home in 2005 and was living the dream that I had held as a little girl (only it was just me now). I was definately aware of what was happening in the “work world” during the past few years as my sister had lost her job and had problems finding permanent work (no jobs). Then, in January I too became unemployed. I still thought that because I had transferable skills (customer service, receptionist, teller, etc.) that I would be able to find something fairly quickly so that I wouldn’t have to be on unemployment assistance for too long. My thinking changed when I started sending out resume after resume (and not even getting an interview). It all came to a head when I applied at the few temporary agency’s where I live and was told that they didn’t have anything at this time (due to the literally thousands of applicants that they had) and, that if I did happen to have skills for a particular position I would have to actually interview with the prospective employer to get the temp job. As the month’s went on I lost my house and had to declare personal bankruptcy (this was particularly hard) and had to come to the realization that I, again, was a statistic. I am a whole lot luckier than most. I was able to move in with my sister (after 30 years of not living together) in her two bedroom/ two bathroom mobile home with my dogs . I keep sending out resumes and hope against hope that something breaks.
This certainly wasn’t the life I envisioned when I was a bright eyed and bushy tailed nineteen year old starting out my work life in 1978. It certainly has been a “long and winding road” from there to here. I am still hoping for that silver lining in the dark cloud.
WWGD (What would George do)?
I really don't know what he would do if he were in my (and so many others) shoes. As he put it if ER had been on Friday night instead of Thursday night he might well have been back to selling ladies shoes. That's kind of how I feel right now. I got the Friday slot instead of the prime Thursday at 10pm slot but, instead of selling ladies shoes, I am writing this blog and still trying to find work 1 1/2 years after being laid off. I am going to incorporate thoughts and feelings on this subject as well as my observations on the life around me.
Please wish me "Good Night and Good Luck"!
Please wish me "Good Night and Good Luck"!
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