WOW, 2 Days in a Row!

Whoda thunk it???

Job Hunt
I had an interview today that went pretty well. The recruiter told me that even he thought it was just a formality, that I'm pretty much getting the job. Still, let's not count our chickens, just yet anyway.

Let me wax eloquently about this current Job Hunt. If you read my other blog, you pretty much lived thru the 4 (yes, 4) years I was looking for a 'real' job, how frustrating and how demeaning. It's not any better, there are just more jobs and more humiliations to go thru now. Let me explain:
I've been working with some very young recruiters (i.e. first job out of college) and all their business savvy. (Sarcasm never comes across well when typing) Here is but part of the letter I received confirming the interview today:

'Your interview with ??? is confirmed for tomorrow, January 6th @ 11:00AM. Please meet my account manager, RW, no later than 10:45AM in the lobby of the building. In case of an emergency, you can call him on his cell phone(deleted number) . He will introduce you to the managers and make sure you're in the right place

Please remember to dress professionally, bring something to write with and a few copies of your resume (along with your writing samples), bring your ID to check in with security, and be on time. The address for your interview is xxx. Make sure to research the company before you interview, and have pertinent questions ready (be over prepared). '

OK, so maybe some geeks need to be reminded to dress up, but I think I'm a bit more experienced than that. I guess it could have been worse, they could have reminded me to wear matching socks.

What I should have been told is a more specific address (the interview was at Crystal City and for those of you not familiar with Crystal City, it is several blocks of office buildings adjoined by a walkway filled with shops and restaurants on the main level. There is no lobby.) I should have been told the names and titles of the people interviewing me, something about what these folks are looking for in that position, and more information about the contract. But that would be more than they know.

Another phenomenon I've experienced lately is a request from the recruiter for a cover letter. Yes, a cover letter. I haven't written a cover letter in YEARS! When one applies online, one just presses the 'apply' button. Most of these requests seem to come from a specific ethnic sample of the recruiter population. (God will get me for that!)

But I guess I'm at their mercy and I need to be more understanding. I, too, was once a bright-eyed Entry Level employee.

Is the Cup 1/2 Empty or 1/2 full?
I wanted to spout off with some controversial things to say, but I'll do that later. Today I want to share with you my 'journey' to and from the interview, the Catch-22 that is MY Life.

I decided to go to another subway stop, one that is closer to where I needed to go (as opposed to the one I would drive to to go to the LOC). When I had commuted before, Back In The Day before I left town, this station didn't even exist. I looked up online to get directions and left early enough to avoid complications. Thank goodness I thought enough in advance. It was cold and rainy and drizzly today, with Winter Storm Warnings for this afternoon (yes, a run on the stores for milk and bread!). I realized before I got to the Metro I'd forgotten my thumb drive with my resume on it (OK, I apologize to giving the kids crap for writing that in the confirmation letter, I forgot anyway), as well as my glasses. Driving on 495, I saw a sign telling me which exit I needed to get off at.

When I got to the exit, there was no sign telling me which way to turn off the exit. I, naturally, went the wrong way. When I made the illegal U-turn to go back (God Bless out of state license plates!), I still didn't see any sign. I managed to make the correct turns, going down a very bleak and unpopulated road, past the industrial section to the Metro station. I pulled into the lot ($4.50/day), only to realize I may not be able to find a parking spot. I drove around a few aisles, and I found 2 spots, one small spot in between 2 SUV's parked at angles and another REALLY small spot between a BMW sportster and an SUV. I managed to get hold my breath and squeeze into that spot. Then I found the entrance to the Metro station.

Because I had to buy a SmartTrip pass to get out of the parking lot, I attempted to purchase one there. It's like a Breeze Pass that Marta uses, it's good for parking and subway trips. I had purchased one before, (of course) couldn't find it, but I wanted to buy one now anyway, it's the Obama Commemorative SmartTrip card. ! The machine wouldn't take ANY of my 3 debit/credit cards. I went to the attendant and told him, and he said it only takes cash. (Let's make the trips easier for all tourists and only take cash...) He said I could buy a regular fare card and get cash at Crystal City.

So I go to the interview, and on the way back I get cash. (You can't get a SmartTrip card at Crystal City, they don't have parking. You can only buy a SmartTrip card at a metro station where they have parking or at a CVS. You can load your card at any station, you just can't buy one. I don't know.) So I used the AMT card and got $20, only $20 or increments of $20. When I get back to the first station to buy the card to let me out of the parking lot, of couse, it only takes $10's and will not give change. I'm cold, it's raining, I'm uncomfortable, my feet hurt and I'm pissed. Out of frustration, I used my debit card again. Guess what? It took it. So to make a long, boring story short (oops. too late) I got home unscathed. And it wasn't an Obama Commemorative Card. Darn.

So after all this, my glass is 1/2 full: I got the last parking spot at the VanDorn Metro station. And the regular fare card was an Obama Commemorative card. !

Later, fans! I need a drink.