The first of our employees has left. Sure, we’ve had people leave, some recently, but this was the first person who left due to dissolution of the firm.
What a cry fest it was! No crying at the goodbye luncheon – that went very well as everyone recounted their days at the firm (the bosses did not attend, so we could speak freely). But at the end of the day, tears abounded as our friend, a female attorney (who had been with the firm for more than 20 years), packed up her car with the last of her personal items.
A second employee, a secretary (with the firm 19 years), will be leaving at the end of next week. The rest of us are still scrambling.
Not everyone in our office has gotten along over the years, but now that we’re all in the same boat and facing a defined end to our employment, we’re pulling for and helping each other as much as possible. No one wants to see a co-worker unemployed on July 29.
At this point, many of you are thinking,
“That’s all well and good, CookieCakes, but how the hell are you doing in your own job hunt?”
Thank you for asking.
It was just before lunch on Friday, July 1 when the bomb was dropped on me. I had closings that afternoon at the County Clerk’s Office – while there, I began my networking, passing out a number of resumes and obtaining a number of leads. I was told by several people that Attorney X had an opening and pays well, but to stay away because he’s horrible to work for (hello, no one can be worse than my current boss – he’s a screamer and occasionally throws things!)
Upon returning to the office, I emailed some more resumes to attorneys I’ve worked with and then left for the long holiday weekend.
Arriving at work Tuesday morning, I found a return email from an attorney I admire, indicating that she would call me. I then received a call from an agency, with whom I set up an interview.
Next, I sent out a couple of more emails (including Attorney X), and within minutes, received a return email from Attorney X that simply said, “I want to talk to you. Call me.” I did, and set up an interview, which unfortunately won’t be until July 13 due to his busy schedule.
Meanwhile, my boss came to me in mid-morning and said he would be hearing from his new firm “today” with regards to my employment and salary package. I just smiled and replied something to the effect of “Whoever gets to me first.” I had already told him I need to see something in writing from the new firm before making a commitment.
My agency interview was set for Wednesday morning. As I drove into work that day, my cell phone rang – it was the attorney (let’s call him Attorney Y) who has just hired the secretary in our office, and he needs someone with real estate experience! He received my resume from another attorney. Our departing secretary had raved about how well her own interview went, and she is very excited about her upcoming new job. My phone conversation with Attorney Y went exceptionally well. How could I lose? I set up an interview for Friday morning.
The agency interview was a bust. Turns out I have way more contacts that the recruiter does – I had already directly contacted nearly every employer she suggested. So basically, I paid $5 in parking and wasted an entire lunch period. Oh, well, can’t win them all.
Late Wednesday, I received the call from the attorney who had emailed over the weekend. As it turns out, she only has an opening for a secretary in a field other than mine, and while she’d love to find a place for me, we agreed it simply wouldn’t work out at this time. But now she’s helping me look, too – ain’t networking wonderful? However, she cautioned me, “Just don’t go to Attorney X, he’s terrible.” Say what? A colleague is telling me he’s a lunatic? Ah well, I’m not cancelling the July 13 interview.
Friday morning came. My interview with Attorney Y was at 9:00 am. I got there early and drove around to acclimate myself to the neighborhood – a perfect location! Only a 20 minute drive on major roadways – eventually, I could probably start going home for lunch again.
The interview was fantastic. He saw no problem with me continuing my 4-day work week, and daily hours could be 9-5, 8:30-4:30, or whatever, so long as the work got done. Definitely someone I could work with and for, and enjoy it.
Then came the salary discussion.
Turns out Attorney Y only has need for a part-time real estate paralegal and therefore, could not come even close to my current salary requirements.
However – and it’s a big however – the attorney who had passed along my resume shares office space with Attorney Y and also needs a real estate paralegal. Perhaps, if I was willing, they could find some way to structure an arrangement whereby I would work for both of them? “If I was willing?” – hell yeah, bring it on!
It was left that Attorney Y would talk to his colleague over the weekend and get back to me on Monday (tomorrow).
And so I wait.
Meanwhile, when I got back to the office on Friday, I had a phone conversation with yet another attorney concerning a current deal. During the course of the conversation, I mentioned I was a little stressed because I’m in the middle of job hunting, and his immediate reaction was, “Email me!” Which, of course, I did.
By the end of Friday, still no official word from my boss’s new firm as to whether they want me.
And, again, I wait.
What will tomorrow bring? You’ll know as soon as I do!
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I love to hear from my readers. You may comment on this post, comment on my Facebook or Twitter pages, or email me at cordeliasmom2012@yahoo.com
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Image by Cordelia’s Mom
Cordelia's Mom, Still 
You are in my thoughts and prayers CM. While I always encourage all to Be the Bear, something I have appropriated from the Panda-in-Chief, AKA, artist and author AB; you are going at this task like a Tiger. Good for you. Dont forget what I always say “Always Expect a Panda”; because I do. Life is full of unexpected miracles when we are open to them. 🐼❤
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Not to malign pandas (you know I would never, ever do that!), but I kind of like that phrase “Be a Tiger” – at least when it comes to job hunting. I only hope this tiger prevails real soon – the stress is playing havoc with my colitis.
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Wow – you really got things hopping on the job hunt front CM. Excellent! I wish you the very best in wages and working conditions. Eagerly awaiting the news.
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I am so hoping that one job will come through (working for the 2 attorneys), and I sincerely hope I haven’t jinxed myself by posting about it!
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I gotta say that the job market has gotten increasingly complicated with each passing year. I remember when you got a job. You did the job. They paid you. One job. Full time. With reasonable benefits. Then, the world tipped sideways and everything changed. I am VERY HAPPY to be retired and I wish you all the luck in the entire world. i’m pretty sure I couldn’t do the hunt any more, much less the work!
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I wasn’t planning to job hunt, of course. I had hoped my current job would be the last one before I retire. But fate (or selfish bosses) decided otherwise.
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Fingers and everything else crossed things work out!
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Thanks. You should probably un-cross (and I thank you for suffering on my behalf). I’m optimistic that I’ll have good news soon.
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I’m glad.
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I have been thinking about you this week and will be in touch soon – but did say a pray for you yesterday – little ol one – but with a smile….
be in touch soon…..
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I’ll look forward to hearing from you,Yvette.
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well I do think that you need to clean up your email – especially if it tells people that the email is coming from someone else…. it very well could be hijacked – which happens to certain accounts more than others (just saying…)
xoxo
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I’m completely impressed with your reception from folks around town. Way to go! I hope that wherever you land is a great fit with a good boss and salary. Fingers crossed for you!
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Ha! I think my boss and his new firm thought they had me over a barrel – after all, who would even consider a woman of my age who’s been working at the same firm for over 18 years? I have a good reputation in this community, and it seems to be paying off. Knock on wood.
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Good luck!
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Thanks. I’ll take all the luck I can get.
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I’m biting my nails for you! Soooo stressful. Keep us posted.
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Nooo, not the nails! Can’t you just drink instead?
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Well, if you insist…. 😉
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It sounds like you have some great leads though. As long as you have some leads and options possibly coming in!
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Hopefully, I haven’t jinxed myself by writing about the ones I have so far. I’d love to have everything resolved in the next couple of days.
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Wishing you the best with the hunt! 🙂
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Great stuff! You’ll get sorted soon by the sound of things.
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I sure hope so, Jean. If nothing else, at least I have my readers’ support!
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Sending good energy for the job you want! 🙂
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I thought I felt some tingling! Thanks for the good vibes.
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Hi CM, may tomorrow brings you the purrrfect job. But, are you sure you still want to work for a liar errr…I mean lawyer? LOL! All the best! へ__(‾◡◝ )>
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Actually, I’m also considering jobs in the real estate market, like for a large real estate company or a developer, but I don’t have as many contacts there.
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Yeah, I know what you mean. You’ll need a good ‘cable network’ to get into a big company. Best of luck!
ﾍ(=￣∇￣)ﾉ
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Panda paws crossed for you!! Hope you get the job and salary you want.
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Amen. And heaven knows what Not CM and Puppy Cody may be doing while I’m so distracted …
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It’s not the ‘not having a job’ that’s stressful, it’s the unknowing/uncertainty. 😳
This too shall pass – hopefully before your medications need to be increased. 😆
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I’m at maximum dosage now on my UC meds, and unfortunately since I’m currently experiencing symptoms, I can’t drink wine. As you say, it will pass (a really bad unintended pun).
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Admirable networking and job hunting. Attorney X sounds very similar to your current boss, why put that on yourself. I think the chance to work between 2 offices would be a good opportunity. Best of luck!
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You’re right about Attorney X. And Attorney Z, with whom I just scheduled an interview, may be just as bad. But they’re the ones who cough up the dough – so I may just have to take the lesser of the 3 evils if Attorney Y doesn’t come through. Haven’t heard anything on that one yet.
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Gosh, you’re really good at networking! 🙂
With all those leads and people jumping to you, I’m sure something grand will come along!
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I sure hope so, Joey. It’s really only been a week, and I’m totally stressed already.
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Job hunting is WORK! Bleh!
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Bet something good will work out.
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Hopefully. Thanks, Linda.
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There’s a lot of action going on which is good. You just never know which will be someone who knows someone.
I had the same experience with recuiter agencies. Often you can pedal jsut as well on your own.
Something will break ( and now to read more posts to see…)
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I hope you’re right. I’m worried now because I had those couple of really good interviews, but no one has actually offered me a job yet.
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Waiting is the hardest part. Keep busy and stay positive that something is in the works
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