Ants

For the past few months I have been contemplating driving out to the Lick Observatory at the top of Mt. Hamilton.  Today I finally went out there.  After about forty minutes of driving up and down some of the most twisted and narrow switchbacks I arrived at the lookout deck in front of the visitors center.  From that view the south bay looks much smaller than It seems on the ground. We really are just ants.

In Absence

Currently experiencing quite a bit of writers block...any ideas? Topics? Please do share!

The Staffing Firm

Last week I got a call from a staffing agency(this agency and agent will remain anonymous) informing me of an open position in need of immediate filling that fits my background. The agent told me that she wanted to meet me in person. They want to meet once with all of the people they are finding jobs for - see who they are, their mannerisms. Being unemployed, with ample free time I told her that I was available any time, so we scheduled a meeting for the afternoon of the following day. At this point, I feel like I'd jump at any relevant job opportunity, so I went on a day trip to San Francisco.

I drove through some gnarly rain, took BART to have my face-to-face meeting with this agent. She took some notes while I explained to her at length about my experience and knowledge in skills relevant to this position and once she reiterated the job description and finished her notes said she'd call me back as soon as there was any news. This was, as I was told multiple times by her over the phone and in person and in the job description an entry level position and training would be provided by the employer. The following day I got a call from her. The general message was something along the lines of "I'm sorry, but our client was looking for someone with real world data entry experience." But, she continued, in her opinion I am an excellent candidate for many openings they get instructed to fill and she really wants to find me a job. Of course she wants to find me a job, if I get a job through her, she gets commission.

The purpose of a staffing agency is to fill positions for their clients. A very simple task. For an agency specializing in matching people with positions one would expect them to know with fair certainty if someone would be accepted by a client, especially a regular client, for an opening. But this wasn't the first time I've been called in for an opening and been turned down for a position that I knew I could fill. I wonder, how often does this happen?

To make matters even more unfair, during first day of class introductions at a industry oriented class yesterday, a classmate introduced himself and stated that he will be starting - the very position I was called in for - the following week.

However, I'm being too cynical about this whole experience, it's all part of finding a new job. And in a hard job market, such as in these times, it's expected for a company to want the most experienced employee for the lowest cost.

I'd like to end this post with a few words from Conan O'Brien, spoken at the end of his last show, yesterday (Friday, January 22, 2010)

"...don't be cynical. I hate cynicism- it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere.

Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen."

- Conan O-Brien

Quote taken from:
Read more:http://www.monstersandcritics.com/smallscreen/news/article_1527696.php/Conan-O-Brien-s-final-Jan-22-monologue-transcript-and-goodbye-message#ixzz0dUfa3JgK

Seven Months

It's been seven months since the class of 2009 walked down to receive our diplomas and shook hands with department heads. We spent four years preparing our minds, discovering our interests and taking countless exams. All this preparing us for what was to come after college. Some decided to continue onward to grad school, but many decided to try and find a job - a job where we could put our knowledge to use. It's typically difficult to find a good job, one where we can get good experience and grow - especially just with a bachelors degree. The class of 2009 had it even harder. We graduated into a job market that many were calling the worst since the great depression.

I've decided - after seven months of unemployment - to look into the experiences and thoughts of people in situations similar to mine. There are leasons to be learned in experiencing this environment, and i would like to document them here.