AlanBarber.Org
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
The Job Rejection
Well it has been over two weeks since I went for that job interview. Everything seemed to point to me having a good chance at the job. I had planned to call this afternoon to check on the status of things. I guess I don’t have to know. I got the mail and there was a letter from the place. Well I could tell it wasn’t good news without even opening it. If they were interested in me they would have called me not sent a letter. So I opened it knowing fully it would be a rejection letter.
It was. So I guess I can take that job off the list. I’m really disappointed just because of how many positive signs I got. First they not only interview me for the position I originally applied but they take the time to interview me for a second better job. They bring in several people to talk about the job. They contacted all my references. My mother, who knows the interviewer, even ran into the interviewer at a conference and my mother got positive signals about my interview.
Oh well, no use crying over spilled milk. I’m sure they found someone with more experience so it was no competition. I don’t blaim them if they had to choose between a new college graduate and someone that has real world experience I would pick the person with experience too.
So now where does this leave me? In the same position I’ve been in since May, Jobless. I really wouldn’t be the panicky if it wasn’t for two facts. First and foremost is that I have car payments every month. I have enough savings to cover me for a while yet but it’s getting smaller and smaller. Second is that I’ve wanted to move out by my birthday which is just over a month away.
I guess I’ll just keeping digging for jobs but darnit it’s getting harder and harder to find computer jobs around here. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. NorthWest Ohio is a freaking black hole for technology. There are just not many good jobs for someone that wants to be a programmer.
I guess I have a few options for what to do. Lets weight the pros and cons shall we?
1) Start expanding my search area
- Pros -
There will be more computer jobs in larger cities.
They’ll probably pay better.
I get to move to someplace new and exciting.
- Cons -
Have to move away from the area which I do like.
Have to move away from my girlfriend whom I LOVE!
2) Lower my job standards
- Pros -
There are more “computer” jobs if I’m willing to not do programming
I will probably be able to find local companies that need help
- Cons -
Work is depressing
Lower pay
I’ll be doing something I don’t want to do
Now the fact is I’ve already lowered my job standards. When I first started job hunting I was only looking for programming related jobs. However, I have begun to apply for tech support, IT assistant and part time jobs. I’m not getting any more bites than before.
I don’t know what to do right now. I think it’s just time to admit I need a job more than I need a career right now. Doing anything that gives me a paycheck every week needs to be my priority. I have a friend I’m going to build a computer for that works at a loading dock for a company. He says they have a pretty high turnover rate. I’m going to meet with him Friday to discuss the computer so I might as well just ask him about applying there.
I guess this is my penance for not working at all through high school or college. I tried to not have to do menial blue collar work but it appears I will have to do the time.
on 08/25/2004 at 04:29 PM
Hang in there Alan. I just went through a year and a half without being able to get a job. That was with 10 years of experience in the areas that I was applying for. The longest I had ever gone without a job in the 20 years before that was 3 months. Persistence is key and it never hurts to widen out your job search to new areas.
You can take my advice or leave it but here is my 2 cents worth. If the area you are living in now is really low in jobs it will probably never get any better and moving while you are young is a lot easier than when you are older.
Good Luck!