Laid off on Friday. Interview 1 at 3pm today.

[High_Jumbllama]

Other way round with me. I had an electronics technician who handed me his notice (1 month) one morning. I phone a friend whose company was in dire straits and asked him whether he was laying off any technicians. He said that one was desperately seeking a job. I had him round for interview the same afternoon. His CV and references were perfect for the job and I hired him on the spot. I took him down to the lab and introduced him to his predecessor, whose jaw dropped down to the ground that he could be replaced as easily as that. I told him to show the new guy the ropes over a week or two and then he could leave (with his month's pay, of course). That new guy was the best techie I ever had: he stayed with us for many years and had to leave only because of family troubles in Spain.

Timing can be good.

[High_Jumbllama]

Took some qualification tests today. You wouldn't think it but the XP test was a bitch and it was multiple choice. I need to look up some things in there and Word.

[Jessterw]

Hopefully it works out and you get hired on a more permanent basis. Seem like a company you'd like to work for long-term?

[High_Jumbllama]

Not sure yet. In general I would prefer a permanent position but this one was immediate and leaves me with options when it is over.

It will be fine as a stepping stone with future steps being either a permanent and then eventually higher position or somewhere else.

[High_Jumbllama]

Now I am working a 1st tier helpdesk position. Damn this learning curve is steep, but in a month, I will be l33t.

[TnT]

Sounds like things are shakin' and movin'. Keep on rollin' bro.

[High_Jumbllama]

Well that lasted until 1/2/2009. Looking again. Market is much worse now.

[Evildead666]

Oh Bugger!

Good luck on the hunt.
Yeah, there are more and more people every day looking....

[High_Jumbllama]

The buttering up part was right nothing has worked out yet.

I have an interview today at 1PM. On a side note, I am finally decent at tying a tie.

[Evildead666]

Thats one good step
Although whenever i've worn a tie to work, it kept on getting caught in one or more fans while i was working, so I stopped wearing it....

Godd luck with the interview, the more you do the better you get...

[UtwigMU]

I had a similar story unfold recently. Basically my job contract expired on March 21st. In beginning of March the bosses interviewed ~20 techie guys, we were to discuss extension of contract on 10th, though they postponed this till Tuesday, the 15th. I find telling someone whether he will be kept or let go 5 days before his contract runs out extremely incorrect and unprofessional. All meetings were: You create above average reveneue but... I guess they weren't realizing enough that I was doing some real work in the field for which customers were paying real money to them.

Tuesday was nearing and I knew I could have ended jobless. I pulled out my database of IT companies from previous jobhunts, checked websites, asked friend who has licensed base of all companies in the country to make me a new database, was planning also to make two other databases in different fields. I send out CVs, made couple of calls, my first interview was to be on 23d. I thought, good, even If I'm let go I have one interview already, and I'll be able to devote my entire mornings to job hunt.

On Monday 14th the company that I was to interview at calls me if I could come Tuesday afternoon, even better. On Tuesday bosses said that they can only extend my contract for two more months due to recession. On interview latter, they asked what is my notification period. After telling them my contract runs out, they said: What if you sign up with us.

So next Monday, when bosses expected me to come to work with signed contract I started at the new company. I called them and told them I had another offer, next day I returned work cell phone and sorted out formalities. They were surprised, they probably thought I can't find another job, so they can keep on exploiting me with low salary.

The new job is much better in every regard: better salary, better atmosphere, more project/goals instead of work hours oriented, more easy going (no one really checks when you came and left, how long you have been on a lunch break, but work needs to be done even if you need to be there till midnight), no more stupid users (developer company, so I administer servers, install our software in test and production environments and support users who know their stuff), free fruit in lobby, located next to forrest, shorter commute - 12 minutes by bicycle. Our customers are state, big banks and inusrance companies - very good standing company. I learned a lot new stuff in first three weeks.

[Fat Tone]

Congrats Ut, best of luck HJ.

[High_Jumbllama]

Shiny, UtwigMU!

The kicker was yesterday, I just found out my mother has only one week left. She'd have a much easier time finding a job though as she can be classified as an office manager and legal secretary.

The interview was positive. I got the impression that not much in procedure was set up due to my questions about escalation and authorization and their responses. This caught their attention and gave them something positive to keep in their minds. It sounds like it will be my initial secondary assignment. Much better impression than the arrogance of the certification company that I last interviewed at. 2 positions and three interviewees.

EvilDead666, just needed it for the interview. Everyone's state of dress while professional seemed much more relaxed than I expected.

[VJ]

Congratulations UtwigMU!
Sounds good, High Jumbllama!

[High_Jumbllama]

Have not had the call for the technical interview yet. Called by the recruiter asking if they had. Told that I was one of the top two of the three interviewed.