On Jan 22, I wrote another kossack is unemployed. I no longer am.
details below the fold
The economy is in the tank. Unemployment is rising. People are hurting. Yet I found a job.
Partly, I got lucky. Partly, I have skills that aren't that common, but some of it is what I did. And I'll tell you. But first, what is the job?
It's only 3 days per week (I kind of like that, actually) and only for 16 weeks (I don't like that too much) but it may lead to full time, permanent work. I'll be a stats geek at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn. I'll be working in the scientific computing center. In a lot of ways, it's the ideal job for me. I am very excited. The bad points are
- A long commute - about an hour on the subway, but at least it's all one ride, and short walks at either end.
- To become full time would depend on the recovery of the person I am replacing, who had a stroke. That's awkward.
How did I get this job?
I told everyone I was looking for work!
This particular lead came from an announcement I made on SAS-L a mailing list about software that I use. I am a frequent contributor there, someone who has read my work saw my mention, and then forwarded me a link to a job offer.
Then I e-mailed my CV to the guy (I spent hours and hours working on my CV, written in LaTeX, so that it looks good - a little different but not too different, and so on. I did that in the immediate aftermath of getting laid off). That led to an interview. That led to an offer, but the offer was very low (they were, in fact, apologetic) and I didn't accept or decline. The next day, they called back, with double the money. So I said yes.
But I didn't just mention it there. I told everyone. I wrote a diary here; and I joined dkos networking; I announced it on mailing lists; I told my friends; I told former employers; I told the guy who does our dry cleaning; I told EVERYONE. I also left cards advertising my consulting business all over.
Can you find a job in this economy? Well, there are no guarantees. But, if people don't know you're looking, they'll never tell you about any openings.
Now, some will say that it's hard to tell people you're unemployed. You know what? It isn't that hard. These days, especially, everyone knows someone who is unemployed, and everyone knows that people are being laid off, fired, and what have you through no fault of their own.
If people don't know you are hurting, they won't try to ease your pain.