Working

[fabrisse]

I need a job that pays a living wage. I'm defining this as a job that will let me afford my own place.

It can be anywhere. I have a preference for the West coast at the moment because my parents have been having health issues so often recently, but, frankly, that's the least of it.

One limitation is that I can't get a new job before the trip because I can't afford the components that I won for free. If I'm not still employed by my current employer when I go, then I have to pay. So.

I had every intention of staying in the position for a year or more, but the increasing reality is that I recognize how much they are taking from my skills without paying me any more than they pay someone who's brand new and clueless.

The president of the company stops by my desk to ask my opinion of the current computer situation as does the chairman. Neither one has thought that they are asking the worst paid person ($12.00 per hour with huge chunks taken out for health insurance, etc.) in the company for a serious analysis of something that will have a huge impact on the profits and future of said company.

It would never occur to me not to tell them exactly what I think. So far, every prediction I've made vis-a-vis the computer system has borne out. I don't know what to do except get my resume in order and start searching elsewhere.

I'm disappointed. I wanted to work in travel. This company has a good reputation with travel agents and direct customers. And I wanted to feel something in my life right now might be permanent.

The Getty Museum has a few positions open -- even their security guards make more than I do and they have a benefits package that includes an education supplement -- that I might apply for (if they're still available for application) in early May. I figure that I include the fact that I will be out of town at the end of the month in my cover letter. Does anyone think that's unethical? Should I wait until June 5, when I get back from Britain, to start applying?

In addition to the Getty, I'd like to apply to universities in Oregon and Washington. UC Irvine is another possibility. I'd say UCLA or UC San Diego, but they don't pay enough to let their administrative employees live near where they work.

Thanks all.
Suggestions are welcomed. Any idea whether I'll need to put together different resumes?

Comments

[undauntra.livejournal.com]

Have you considered asking for a raise and pointing out that you're doing the work of an IT professional, and should be paid as such?

[huffytiger.livejournal.com]

The Getty Museum has a few positions open -- even their security guards make more than I do and they have a benefits package that includes an education supplement -- that I might apply for (if they're still available for application) in early May. I figure that I include the fact that I will be out of town at the end of the month in my cover letter. Does anyone think that's unethical? Should I wait until June 5, when I get back from Britain, to start applying?</q No, you tell them. It's perfectly reasonable to want to go on holiday, and after all, you really, really reeeeeeally want to work for these guys, don't you. As an employer if I get a resume in front of me and someone is a match, then I'll delay an interview a few weeks to accomodate. Good luck. :o)

[wadjet-theperv.livejournal.com]

The president of the company stops by my desk to ask my opinion of the current computer situation as does the chairman. Neither one has thought that they are asking the worst paid person ($12.00 per hour with huge chunks taken out for health insurance, etc.) in the company for a serious analysis of something that will have a huge impact on the profits and future of said company.****


They probably don't have any idea you're on such a low wage if it's a company large enough to have a President and a Chairman. Life in the rarified atmosphere of the Boardroom is strange and wonderful, and nothing like real life whatsoever.

I'd make your application to the Getty, and explain in the covering letter that you'll be out of the country from x date to y date. There's nothing unethical about that, in fact I'd say quite the contrary. I honestly wouldn't wait. Vis a vis the resumes, I'd say they should be tailored to each job description - emphasise the experience you have slightly differently depending on what they're looking for. The basics will be the same, but you may have to reword the previous job descriptions. It's worth doing, because that way you can show how suitable you are for the position you're applying for. That's better than sending out a blanket mailing as if you haven't even read the job description with any attention to detail.

Does that make sense?

[aizjanika.livejournal.com]

I am far from an expert in such matters, but I think this is a good idea. If I could wish one thing for you, it would be for you to be on your own and completely self-sufficient. You're in a stronger position now, too, because you already have a job.

I don't know how a job hunt will go for you, but when my friend's husband was doing the job search, I think that he did tailor his resumes to the place to which he was applying.

I can't even remember what I'm supposed to be doing tomorrow, so I'm unsure of your timeline. I think it might be good to wait to apply until you get back from your trip, but how far away is the trip? Also, would the hiring dates be before or after the trip? If after, I think that's more doable than before. OTOH, I did once take a job and say, "I need XX days off in November for my sister's wedding." On the third hand *g*, it wasn't a crucial job and I was one of many people doing the same job in the same place.

As for your position in your current workplace, I've been in similar situations more than once. I think you're right, though, that if you haven't been recognized now, it might be best to move on.

[(Anonymous)]

I tend to think sending out the resumes with a date when you will be available to talk turkey is not unreasonable. Certainly it's in no way unethical to point out that you have obligations/will be out of the country until a specific date.

Let me put it this way, any employer who would consider it offensive or improper is not an employer you want to be working for. It indicates that they don't care much for people acknowledging and fulfilling their obligations to others, which means they won't worry much about giving you a fair shake, either. It's one thing if they can't wait to hire someone, or feel you are in some other way not right for the job, but saying 'I'm out of the country these two weeks, I'll be back on x date' is a simple statement of availability, which many employers want to know about anyway. The fact that you are giving them a timeframe isn't inappropriate.

My advice is get your resume(s) ready, and send several out shortly before you leave for England. A lot of employers won't be ready to interview right away, anyhow.

Once you get back, hit the ground running handing out resumes for anything that looks like it will allow you some measure of self-sufficiency.

[gileswench.livejournal.com]

Um, that was me. I just thought you might want to know that. Didn't realize I was logged out.

[moria923.livejournal.com]

I don't think it's unethical at all to start applying now and tell them when you'll be available. Maybe you shouldn't even mention that in the cover letter, but wait until you have an interview. If you get an offer, you could tell your current employer the situation and give them a chance to give you a raise before you take the new offer.

Some people at NBP are complaining now because they didn't approve a cost-of-living increase for all employees. At the same time they keep chirping about how well fund-raising is doing, and how we're now a four-million-dollar company, and how they're doing all this long-range planning. I remember you didn't like my referring to the place as the Rat Trap. How does Chumpsville sound?