Little Bits
Dating, Reading, Work March 12th, 2008
Yesterday was my first day back in good ol’ MD and it just flew by. It’s so weird not seeing any palm tress around…
Already I’m back one day and have some interesting moments happen…
First: Got a message from a recruiter who found my resume somewhere and described a position that really piqued my interests. Called back and left a message. Recruiter calls me back and says the position they are hiring for requires someone with more experience and wanted to know if I knew anyone I could refer them to. Told them to “shove it and thanks for giving me false hope and wasting my fucking time” (in my head).
That was OK, because I was in Borders when they had called me back. I got The Oz Chronicles Vol. 2 by L. Frank Baum… took it to the register and it turns out it only costs me $1! This is a book marked as $19.99 on the sticker, but it rang up as $1! The register lady was as pleasantly surprised as I was but gladly accepted my payment. I never thought it, but buying a book unexpectedly for $1 really brightened my day.
After that I went to my favorite store which I dearly missed from my time in Florida, and saw that they had some awesome new shirts. The employees there were more than accommodating, even going so far as to show me some sweet 7 Diamond shirts that just came in.
Alright, this could be nothing, but it was a brief thing that left me smiling but thinking about how I could have done it better… the girl (very cute, I might add… you’ll have to take my word for it) who rang up my purchases at the store asked me for my last name (which they have always done to put into the computer), smiled, and said, “That’s a beautiful last name!” To which I’m sure I was blushing furiously and said, “Thank you!” She started a little conversation about how two of her coworkers were getting married and their old and soon-to-be-new last names were boring like Thompson, Jones, and such. “Aw, well, it’s wonderful that they are getting married at least! That’s great for them!” I said. So anyway, my transaction was completed and I thanked them for their help, wished them well, and went on my way.
Right, so I was saying that could have been nothing, but I have no idea if that was flirting or not. I mean, she could have been just really friendly… but if a girl is comfortable with a stranger to carry a conversation like that, shouldn’t I act on that? I won’t deny that I’m inexperienced and shy in flirting and making friendly conversations with the ladies… because I sort of am when I’m not in a bar or club somewhere buzzed after a couple drinks. But looking back, I should have said something like, “Well what’s your last name?” and learn something about her. Just anything to show that I was interested in talking to her.
But I won’t say it was a total bust. I left a happy camper, not grumpy at all. I love that store. I go there a lot, so hopefully she’ll recognize me next time. And the more I experience and have moments like that, the more capable I am to handle them.
Another Week Passed By
Work March 7th, 2008
I couldn’t sleep very well last night. The conversation I had with the recruiter yesterday bothered me more than it should have. I tried very hard to put a positive spin on it, but all I could think of was that I must not be a very attractive candidate if I can’t even swing in an interview anymore. And then my past few rejections from my other interviews just creeped back into mind and I got a little depressed. So I just laid there in bed, alone in the dark with my eyes wide open as I kept beating myself up mentally all over again.
My time here in Florida had refreshed me… and I was eager to get back to look for a new job with a renewed attitude. But I haven’t even left yet and already I get a rejection before I had a chance.
It looks like I still have a long way to go until I find my destiny in life.
Tags: Frustrations, Job Hunt, Musing
The Shoe Is On the Other Foot
Work March 6th, 2008
It’s a nice change to be able to be a critic of someone else for a change… and I’m talking potential-employer-wise.
What happened was that I applied online for several positions at a high profile systems engineering company. I have a contact there who is supposedly is able to get my foot in the door for an interview (doesn’t exactly guarantee me a job, but at least I can try to get it). It was about 2-3 weeks before I get a call from a recruiter from the company. I wasn’t around to get it—I’m in Florida and they left a message at home in Maryland.
That was about a week ago. I left two messages the following day… but then I tried to call back several times since then (almost 2-3 times a day) and only get the answering machine. So, I’m like… huh? Why call and leave a message and not try to get back to me since then when I’ve already returned the call?
Today I called and finally reached the recruiter. Long story short: he was calling to let me know that the position has already been filled. Ooookay. I guess that’s better than not getting a response at all. I’m as courteous as possible and thank him for keeping me updated (even though I had to keep calling to get an answer). I call back later upon the realization that I applied for several other positions and was wondering if he had any updates on those.
“I’m real sorry, but I’m actually busy to be able to look at that right now.”
Uh. That doesn’t really give me a good impression of your company if you don’t take the time and efforts of your applicants seriously enough. OK. I’ll give the guy the benefit of the doubt. At first I was real upset that all I got from applying and following up was a “Sorry, position has been filled and we can’t look at your other applications right now.” But I can forgive that if they are truly busy… and if the guy really is serious about eventually getting back to me and help me out (although he did not make any assuring promises). I mean, the conversation to me sounded like I’m an afterthought and that they didn’t really think I was worth much looking into.
blah. We’ll see.
Tags: Job Hunt
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