Update, Sorta

[caraig]

It's probably a forgone conclusion that I did not get the job at the Apple Store, since they have not contacted me since last Wednesday despite a couple of polite e-mails asking the contact person if I had indeed been disqualified for the job. It would be an actual conclusion if they had, you know, told me that I suck and they didn't want me. It's truly fekking depressing when I have two degrees, three years military experience, and several years technical experience, and I get turned down for, essentially, a retail job. Not that there's anything wrong with retail, since it looks like, to keep the wolves at bay, I'll be looking for one temporarily anyway. Which I'm cool with. It just would have been nice to do it at a store that I liked. Would have been even nicer if they told me why I sucked. Or why they think I sucked. Which they didn't do despite me asking them nicely twice.


Anyone out there who scoffs at unemployed joes like me, please realize this: I'd be more than happy to work at a decent job and earn a living. It's not even about the benefits, since I've been without health insurance for so long I've forgotten what it's like to need it. (Though events earlier this year brought home the very painful fact that medical bills can get high. If I ever get put into a hospital, just pull the goddamn plug as soon as possible since there'd be no way I could afford it.) At this point I could care less about retirement plans and 401Ks. As I said, Id be more than happy to work at a decent job. The trouble is landing a job that I'm qualified to do that hasn't already been filled on a wink and the sly. Apparently, from what I've been told, the problem is not my qualifications but the fact that I don't know anyone "on the inside" who can slip in a good word for me to the HR director. Since most jobs are filled either internally or by word of mouth, I'm kind of up shyte's creek. I don't really think I can do this for much longer.

No, this isn't begging any of you for a job, since I'm comfortable with the knowledge that if any of you knew of a job opening you'd have passed it on to me. This is me being at my wit's end. Anyway, you-all don't want to hear my whining so unless something blatantly interesting or funny (vanishingly unlikely) comes up, this'll be it for a while.

Pax.

Comments

[collie13.livejournal.com]

...this'll be it for a while.

Don't stop writing, Jonathan, even if it's just fiction-bits, or something you saw on a walk. Your LJ entries let us know you're still there, and keep you in our minds regarding finding jobs. Are you interested in IT still? Ask Lou if so, because he was mentioning some openings connected to a company he knows. I think Disney was looking for IT folks too?

Don't give up -- make yourself communicate! The practice helps you when you're actually interviewing. Take care of yourself, guy. We miss talking with you. ;)

[tigerfae.livejournal.com]

*big ol' warm fuzzy hug*

[points.livejournal.com]

Hey mate, we're your -friends-. That means you can bitch all you want, write what you want, and we'll still be sitting here listening, and offering advice when you ask for it. *Hugs lots*

[ahicks.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

I second Points, there. We're always your friends, dude - and if you wanted to call and rant or post here or wherever... we're willing to listen and offer advice where we can, or at least a shoulder when we can't think of anything to say.

Having had more than a few friends go through similar problems here in Austin, I know it's difficult. Try to keep your spirits up, and barring that - I'll remind you about the incident with Boo and the TGIFriday's waitress. :)

Connections

[sodon.livejournal.com]

Something I hear a lot is this concept of going to conventions and things and meeting people, contacts, who can be that "insider" for you. So you should try that. You know, get a portfolio, go to some place with lots of people in the industry, and try to spark some interest. I mean, I guess. I don't know.