Job Hunting Chronicles

Happy Friday 📰 I really like today's calendar message because I think a lot of us looking for a job need this reminder: until it's in writing, it's not real. And if a company keeps making excuses for why they haven't gotten back to you, that's a red flag and it's time to move on (imo). I've seen a few posts this week where OP's have claimed employers said one thing then did the opposite, or said a written offer was coming by a certain day and time only to not receive it, or after verbally being told they'd be moving on to the next round, never hearing from them. I get it, it's tough. But if this is how a company is treating you when theoretically they should be trying to convince you to work for them (shocking take I know, but I firmly believe the interview process is a two way street), do you really want to work there? Job seekers, pay attention to how you're being treated during the interview process, more often than not t...

#MerryMonday  🎉 Today is my birthday and the start of a new decade (I'm Gen X so it's a BIG one). I have to say, a decade ago I didn't see myself where I currently am - looking for work and having metaphorical doors slammed in my face. I know I've faced age discrimination ("you're overqualified"), and I've lost opportunities because I haven't used Xero (please, I'm Gen X, I can learn any software). But the biggest issue is actually one I've brought on myself, I've set boundaries and they're non-negotiable. Maybe it's because I've spent my entire career being paid a salary for working 40 hours a week but actually working 50, 60, sometimes 70 hours a week. A quick calculation tells me I've worked over 15,000 unpaid hours in my career. That's the equivalent of working for over 7 years for free and you know what? I'm done doing that. Unfortunately that doesn't land well with recruiters, hiring managers and b...

Happy Friday 📰 Late last night, I received an email from a recruiter who had submitted my resume to one of her clients. The email was cryptic ("I'd like to talk to you tomorrow") so I replied with when I would be available to talk. She called this morning, apologizing for the short, ominous email but felt it was important to talk to me. The role is on hold because of an emergency with the client. Unfortunately there is no time frame for when the search will continue or even IF it will continue. I said I understood and thanked her for letting me know.  Truth be told, I would have absolutely been fine with an email (or text) telling me that but I appreciate this recruiter doing what so few are doing these days: calling me to explain that it's not me, just circumstances out of our control. I'm finishing the second of two jobs today and then I'm taking a well-deserved break - from work and the job search. #freelancer #FreelanceWork #FreelanceLife #WorkFromHome #R...

Happy Wednesday 📰  Sometimes something tells you to stay away from a company and you're not sure why. I've been seeing a local company continually advertise for some openings in accounting and while they all *looked* like jobs I'm more than qualified for and would excel at, something kept stopping me from applying. I couldn't put my finger on it, I just never could get myself to hit "submit"... Recently, I saw a post from someone I'm not directly connected with on LinkedIn but I used to work with. They work at the company that I keep seeing jobs for and it hit me like a ton of bricks - I've been being protected from having to deal with this person again and I didn't even know it. Listen to that small voice inside that tells you to stop, it knows something you don't. #freelancer #FreelanceWork #FreelanceLife #WorkFromHome #RemoteWork #WorkLifeBalance #JobHuntingChronicles

Happy Tuesday 📰  This morning I received a rejection email. The funny part is that it's for a job I applied to last year so I kind of figured that I hadn't been chosen to move forward 😂 I guess better late than never, right? #freelancer #FreelanceWork #FreelanceLife #WorkFromHome #RemoteWork #WorkLifeBalance #JobHuntingChronicles

Happy Sunday 📰 This is one of the (many) problems with the job search today - I keep getting alerts for this job. Nothing in my background indicates that I am qualified to be a Secret Service Special Agent, nor have I ever applied to this type of job... If you're looking for a job right now, I feel your pain. I really do. #JobHuntingChronicles