Got the job!

Just got an email - they offered me the position!!! WOO-HOO!!!!

Starting Feb 22, I will be training to be a freelance consultant annotator, or something like that. :-)

The Employment Saga Continues

Tonight I sent out a few resumes and completed an online job app or two. Thought y'all might be interested in the jobs I've applied for recently.

The last three weeks have brought these employment opportunities to my notice, and I've applied for each one.

• Merchandiser
• Dispatcher at a Towing Company
• Special Services Notetaker at a local community college
• Stage Crew at the community college
• Clerical Assistant, also at the community college
• Coordinator of Learning Support Services, one more at the community college
• Any available position at a local grocery store
• Court Researcher
• Manager of a local tanning salon (cuz, ya know, I'm so TAN and all. lolol)
• Leasing Agent for an apartment community
• Teacher/Coordinator at some kind of daycare/preschool or something
• Weekend Assembly work at a temp agency (even THEY don't call me back)
• Office Assistant
• Field Interviewer
• Sales Associate/PreSeller for a portrait company (ok, I am getting desperate, eh?)
• Operations Manager for a nationwide movie rental company
• Nutrition Educator

I am trying hard to identify part-time opportunities that allow either a flexible schedule or non-traditional work hours. For full time, I am only considering options that have really excellent pay or weekends only because it would mean the kids have to go to school. And that isn't our goal.

I'd like to do some tutoring, so if anyone is in need of a tutor, please let me know. Also have considered (gasp) babysitting on a regular basis.

Jobs I Didn't Get

I've been applying for lots of jobs, mostly NOT teaching jobs. I don't really want to land a teaching position since it requires lots of out-of-classroom commitments as well as working the hours I need to be home in order to keep home educating.

So, I thought I'd give you an overview of some of the jobs I DIDN'T get. All of these were kind enough to let me know I didn't get the jobs. Much preferable to leaving me in the dark about that, I say.

• Support Staff/Library Media Assistant at a local school district (applied before I decided to really try hard to NOT get a school job, lol)
• Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning (Again, another daytime job with a school, although this one's pay would have made it worthwhile! lol)
• Events Manager at a local university - scheduling events for one of their buildings (Oh, I thought I would be really good at this and I liked the afternoon hours.)
• Community Enrichment Program Coordinator - managing an after-school enrichment program for a nearby school district (Ok, hello? I already DO this for our homeschool co-op. I would have been perfect! But it was a bit on the far side....)
• Customer Service Representative for a local branch of an office supply chain retail store (I don't mind working retail, but they apparently didn't want to give me a chance.)

There are LOTS of other jobs I've applied for and have heard nothing, despite it being quite a while. Here are a few:

• Computer Instruction Coordinator
• Hospital Unit Clerk
• Administrative/Purchasing Asst
• Administrative Assistant
• Call Center Representative
• Merchandiser
• Assembly (several jobs with different companies/agencies)
• Library Cataloging Asst
• Proofreader
• Operator/Data Entry Clerk
• Collections Specialist
• Evening Support Staff/Receptionist
• Assistant Program Coordinator
• Business Development Specialist

I had a message today from a company whose ad had read WANTED: Responsible and Organized Person. Well, that's me, right? They called, so I'll call back and see what they might have for me.

I also applied today at a "local" sports venue (one you've all heard of, I'm sure! lol) to do something with food service during games. A friend of mine does it and she says they get great tips.

I'm not worried, as I know Who is in charge. But it all makes me wonder. I've always thought I would have no problem getting work. I guess my plans are not the ones that matter, eh?

Jer 29:11 (NIV) "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Something interesting about that verse.... Will share more later....

Bob Goes to Work

OK, I know some of you have wondered about Bob's new employment. I didn't say anything much about it before it started for a couple reasons. First, he wasn't all that excited about it. It pays minimum wage and it's not full-time. Second, we were hoping he'd get something else before this job started.

So, anyway, that wasn't God's plan. Bob started at the Salvation Army yesterday. He was hired for a new store, but is training at an existing store (that is farther away). He is working 7 hours 5 days a week this week. I guess we'll see if that continues or changes. He is a back room worker, at least thus far. (One day in, lol)

At least it's a job, eh? Some income is better than none. And he's out of the house doing something. And hopefully a stepping stone to something more lucrative.

School District Layoffs

The county's school districts are facing hard times. All are cutting costs, most are looking at lower student enrollment next year, and all are laying off personnel.

Lapeer - laid off 13 teachers, closing 1 school
Imlay City - laid off 8 teachers, 1 librarian, 1 dean
Dryden - laid off 2 teachers
North Branch - laid off 11 teachers, accepted 3 resignations
Almont - anticipating cuts of $400K, partly in personnel
(All districts mentioned cutting support personnel and most are making other cuts.)

This means getting a school job in Lapeer County is not a likely prospect for anyone for 2009-10. Why does this matter to me personally? Teaching is what I have been trained to do and the possibility of me going back to that full-time is still a very real one for next year. But not here, clearly.

So, where? If that is indeed the direction we are going....

Take this job and ......

I quit my job today.

Yep. No longer employed. No longer collecting unemployment.

I am now self-employed! Quite soon I will announce my new business with fanfare.

This week, I am writing query letters (yes, more) and working on my novel. I also hope to get a couple of non-profit writing projects done as samples.

Prayers for my writing are appreciated!

Also, Bob's disability hearing is next Tuesday.

LAY OFF!

LAID OFF! I AM LAID OFF! WOO-HOO!!!!

Today they asked for 3 volunteers to take lay-off. I volunteered with no hesitation. Also 7 people were laid off on 1st shift and 4 on 3rd.

I am supposed to call each Friday to see if they want me to start back the following Monday. I get my health insurance for the first month; after that it is available to me through COBRA if I want it. AND if the layoff lasts that long.

If you're wondering why I am excited about it, this means I get to collect unemployment benefits! So, I guess right now, I'm taking it week by week. As you may have gathered, I hadn't yet given my notice and Bob and I couldn't agree on when exactly would be the best time to do it. Good thing I listened to my sweetie, eh?

So, now I can get busy writing and still get paid!

How to avoid becoming part of the unemployment rate

How to avoid becoming part of the unemployment rate:
College graduates still thrive in this state's unforgiving economy
by Susan J. Demas

Here's a dirty little secret. For all the handwringing over Michigan's unemployment rate, it's not that bad.

If you're a college graduate, that is. Those armed with a bachelor's or higher face a roughly 3.4 percent unemployment rate, according to the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth in April. That was half the state's 6.9 percent average, which has long topped the nation.

Those with some college or an associate's degree mirror the state's April average. Even with the jobless rate spiking to 8.5 percent in June, economists say college graduates are still faring well. But if you don't have a high school diploma, you're out of luck. You're staring at an eye-popping 17.4 percent jobless rate. And for those Michiganians still convinced that finishing high school is enough to guarantee a good-paying job, think again. Your unemployment rate is 10.1 percent.

Detroit News article, Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Interesting, eh?