| Author | Message | ||
     Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 14315 Registered: 1-2003  |
Got laid off yesterday. I made a list of things I want to do while unemployed. Like ride my bike, do some gardening, etc. Today is my first day out of work. I figured I'd do whatever the spirit moved me to do. I didn't see myself searching right away. So I surfed the web a bit. Then I downloaded a version of Linux to play with on an old Mac. Keeping my hands dirty, so to speak, could be good for me in many ways. I found myself getting up and sifting through job ads. I've already contacted four people on some good leads. Wow, who knew the spirit would move me so fast? My wife is more worried than I am. I think something good will turn up fairly soon. My cow-orkers were more upset than I was. Maybe it's because I've been through this a few times. The worst time was when I was out of work for about four or five months in 2004. But the job market has picked up considerably in my field. I've chosen not to worry for now. | ||
| Monster© Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 3230 Registered: 7-2002  |
uh-oh, I'm looking forward to a few thousand more posts from you soon. | ||
| BGS Supporter Username: Bgs Post Number: 1002 Registered: 10-2003 |
Tom I pl'd you | ||
| juju's petals Citizen Username: Jujus_petals Post Number: 255 Registered: 5-2003  |
Tom, I'm personally looking forward to a few more thousand posts for you. I'll miss you when you start your new job, which I'm sure will be sooner than you think. | ||
| Pippi Supporter Username: Pippi Post Number: 2212 Registered: 8-2003  |
enjoy your time off. I am glad you are not stressing this. I have no doubt something will turn up. You have so many great qualities, I am sure any employer would be lucky to have you! | ||
| Wendy Supporter Username: Wendy Post Number: 2477 Registered: 5-2001 |
Sorry about the lay-off. Somehow good things will come of it I'm sure. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 2770 Registered: 9-2003  |
Linux is big stuff in my world -- just moved all of our crud to it. I have the darnedest time understanding all of the IT jobs, but I do know we have a data center in Livingston... | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 14329 Registered: 1-2003 |
I just applied for a job at your data center in Livingston. Do you think you could put in a good word for me there? Would this mean you might end up being my boss? That would be cool. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 2771 Registered: 9-2003 |
I don't really know a lot of people there. This place is so big, in the IT area, that I don't know the org structure over there. And, technically, I'm on the business side and to not report up to the OCIO (which the data center does). That said, pl me as to what the job is etc. and I'll see what I can find out. If they ask whether you know anyone who works for This Particular Firm, feel free to cite me cuz you never know. Certainly I would be a character reference, and when you get an interview, would be happy to respond to any questions you might have. I do know that "they" are trying to alter our prevailing IT culture, which is glacial and traditional. They are showing their intent so to do through consolidation and, finally, removing some obstacle people. They're getting more customer-centric (I know, cliche) and less monolithically masonic. | ||
| Eats Shoots & Leaves Citizen Username: Mfpark Post Number: 3354 Registered: 9-2001  |
Tom--I PL'ed you. Best wishes, and chin up. mark | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 14330 Registered: 1-2003 |
Thanks, Cynicalgirl. I sent you a link to the job listing. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 7700 Registered: 5-2001  |
Are you sure that you want Cyn vouching for how you spend your work days?  At least this is a nice time of year to have some down time! | ||
| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 3764 Registered: 12-2004  |
Sorry to hear about the lay-off. Seems like you only just started there, and you were very enthusiastic about it. Bummer. Glad to hear you're not stressing. That's great for you. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 14334 Registered: 1-2003 |
greenetree, you just shut up, OK? Youandtheboys, I am stressing, just less than before and less than you might expect. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 14336 Registered: 1-2003 |
Oh, good news! I have an interview tomorrow. Pretty quick, huh? It's just with a recruiter, but it's good to have this kind of momentum. | ||
| Buzzsaw Citizen Username: Buzzsaw Post Number: 4737 Registered: 5-2001  |
Tom. Sorry you get laid off. Never fun. I got fired from my first job in May of 1995. I was collecting unemployment that whole summer. Maybe the best three months of my life. I got a new job that September. Met my wife there. Things happen for a reason. (sometimes) | ||
| tom Citizen Username: Tom Post Number: 4941 Registered: 5-2001 |
Good luck. If you want a riding partner one of these days give me a call. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 7709 Registered: 5-2001 |
Carol probably won't be supportive of Tom meeting a new wife.  Anyway, good luck today, Tom. Now, sign-off and go get dressed. | ||
| Buzzsaw Citizen Username: Buzzsaw Post Number: 4740 Registered: 5-2001 |
good point! ^ The deeper meaning was more, "sh*t happens....and should you meet a wife so be it"  | ||
| LilLB Citizen Username: Lillb Post Number: 1677 Registered: 10-2002  |
Sorry to hear about the lay off Tom, but sounds like you've got some positive leads already. All the best as you search for your new adventure. | ||
| Me2 Citizen Username: Me2 Post Number: 246 Registered: 6-2003 |
Tom, did you see that "Looking for a job?" thread in the Technology section of this site? | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 7718 Registered: 5-2001 |
How'd it go? Did you wear your good tie? | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 14349 Registered: 1-2003 |
I could swear I wrote about it. I bet I posted a message to the wrong thread! Oops. It went well. It was what I would call a character interview. The interviewer, at the recruiting company, isn't technical. So my job was to charm her and put on an air or competence. I'm good at that, and I think I did a very good job. Tomorrow, someone technical, representing her company, will grill me over the phone. If that goes well, they'll send me to the client company, which is a pharmaceutical company in Bergen County. I was about to wear a suit and then decided to show I know how to dress well even without that. So I wore khaki trousers, a pink shirt, a navy tie with gold designs, and a blue tweed jacket. Oh, and black shoes. | ||
| Eats Shoots & Leaves Citizen Username: Mfpark Post Number: 3359 Registered: 9-2001 |
What style and color underwear? | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 7721 Registered: 5-2001 |
Sounds dapper. And, ESL, I know that you are trying to be funny. But, if Tom left his fly open, it is a very important issue. Bergen County....Roche? | ||
| BGS Supporter Username: Bgs Post Number: 1007 Registered: 10-2003 |
Tom- I resent that you had an interview with "just a recruiter"...that door keeper could have the key to your future!!!!! :-) BGS | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 14357 Registered: 1-2003 |
Of course she is the doorkeeper. And I got her to open the door, so things are going well. But this job will require three or four interviews, and that was the first. This morning, I'm talking to a guy about a very local job. It's so local I can't mention it. It's pretty exciting, for many reasons. Wow, things are cooking. I have a cold. Ick. You know something is up with me when I forgo coffee in favor of tea. The plumbers are here to replace a drain from the rain gutters. It's going to cost some real money. I could have deferred this, but I didn't. Maybe that speaks about my optimism. | ||
| Eats Shoots & Leaves Citizen Username: Mfpark Post Number: 3362 Registered: 9-2001 |
I hope you are not going to work for Dave, because, as he will know better than any of us, you spend WAYYYY too much time on MOL!  Seriously, best of luck. I got your message and will call you later. | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 9466 Registered: 4-1997  |
 | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider  Post Number: 14386 Registered: 1-2003 |
Since my perspective employers might stumble upon this thread, I ask that you not shine any bad lights on me. So I had a technical grilling on Thursday so that the recruiter can decide if she'll send me for the "real" interview. And wow, look what came back!
And of course, we'll forgive his English mistakes. Tomorrow is my interview for the job that sounds really good, so wish me luck. I applied for unemployment benefits today. This time, I used the web. I hear bad things about the automated phone system. Last time I used unemployment, I used snail mail. It actually worked just fine. I've been fixing lots of bikes lately. It gives me a feeling of satisfaction. I'm giving one of them to a neighbor kid. We're friendly with the family. | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 9545 Registered: 4-1997 |
On a completely off-topic topic, I noticed your last.fm link was busted and fixed it. Completely my fault because I had "enter your last.fm URL" in the profile and it should have read "enter your last.fm screen name". Your future posts will reflect the change. The correct link http://www.southorangevillage.com/playlist.php?lastfmuser=noglider&u=Tom | ||
| Scully Citizen Username: Scully Post Number: 518 Registered: 8-2005 |
Good luck on the interview! | ||
| BGS Supporter Username: Bgs Post Number: 1012 Registered: 10-2003 |
Tom--hope all is going well for you today...B | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 14410 Registered: 1-2003 |
I had the in-person interview yesterday. Now that I know I didn't get the job, I can tell you it was at Seton Hall. I was excited at the prospect of working so close to home and also working at a university. Of course, I wonder if they could have paid me enough. It would have been an interesting position, with a few people reporting to me, and I would have liked that challenge. I had a phone interview today with some very pointed technical questions. They were the kind I don't like, but I did very well, so I won't complain. They are moving me to the next step for the pharmaceutical company job. Boy, this job takes a lot of interview steps! | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 2796 Registered: 9-2003 |
Tom, I'm sorry that gig didn't work out. Certainly would've been convenient. Colleges can be weird in their hiring criteria (too smart, too intimidating, social fit, stuff you can't even anticipate). Here's hoping a your ship comes in soon -- but with an adequate lead time so you can enjoy the break. Where I work, for both consultants and certainly FTE, we're pretty grueling these days with respect to numbers of interviews. Not a bad thing in the end, but can feel like much. | ||
| melicious Citizen Username: Melicious Post Number: 452 Registered: 6-2002  |
Sending you all the wishes for good fortune... I'm with Cynicalgirl, don't get a new job TOO fast! I once went to a job interview for my "dream" job and a bird pooped on my head (in my hair - it was ungodly) and while I was focused on getting it out, I tripped and fell, scraping my knee and ripping my pantyhose. I went to the interview anyway and their reponse was something like "anyone who can come in looking like that and still have the nerve..." I got the job. Here's to hoping you don't have to bleed for your next gig! What about Guatemalan Sienna sales? | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 14473 Registered: 1-2003 |
Didja like that tall tale of mine? Was I too mean to pdg? I got take-out at Bill and Harry tonight. The nice lady there asked if I'm working tomorrow. I told her I lost my job. She said she's sorry and that I'll get a better job. That was really nice of her. Unfortunately, I've had a low-grade something or other for a week now. My stomach was upset today and still is, so it wouldn't be a good idea to take a bike ride yet. But I am enjoying some of my time. I've been slinging through bike repairs. Took my dog to the vet for the third time in two weeks, too. His stomach is upset, too. Gee, are we in sync or something? | ||
| melicious Citizen Username: Melicious Post Number: 453 Registered: 6-2002 |
No, your story cracked me up! So sorry you're not feeling great AND not feeling well. Feel better all round m | ||
| Ligeti Man Meat Citizen Username: Ligeti Post Number: 671 Registered: 7-2002  |
Tom, sorry to hear about the situation. If I hear of something, I'll let you know. With your experience, expertise and people skills, I can't imagine you'll be out of work for long. Live it up while you can; you'll be answering to the man again soon. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 14501 Registered: 1-2003 |
Thanks, Ligeti. I am learning to treat myself well. I took a great bike ride today. I decided to try going with the guys who leave from the Millburn bike shop at 8am on Saturdays. It's a 38 mile course. I was the only newcomer. They all dropped me after a mile or two. It hurt my ego for a while, but I kept going and ended up having a great time. One thing that I get on a bike and can't in a car is lots of smells. You can't smell this stuff even if you keep your car windows open. Lots of wildlife, too. Great exercise. I went through the Great Swamp and turned around in New Vernon. I probably took about the same route as the group did. |
