Cordelia's Mom, Still

Has it really been only a week (click here)? It seems like ten years!

On Monday, the boss came into my office and told me definitely that his new firm has no place for me. He then proceeded to rant about the existing files and how I should work overtime to finish them up.  To which I replied, “Um, you just terminated me. I’ll do what I can, but I’m not working overtime.”  What’s he going to do, fire me?  I wish.

I tried calling Attorney Y to follow up on my candidacy, but got no answer. In a bit of a panic, I called the guy who was supposed to become my second part-time employer (according to Attorney Y).  Said second part-time employer (the attorney who had passed my resume to Attorney Y) politely told me he had not heard a thing about this from Attorney Y, and  in fact, barely had enough work to keep his own staff busy.  He finished up with, “I’m going next door right now and talk to him.” Somehow, I don’t think the conversation went well.  The second part-time employer did commiserate with me and said he would continue to try to help me find something.

On Tuesday, my agency recruiter called to advise she might have a firm interested and would set up an interview “if I want.”  Um, wasn’t that why I went to see her to begin with?  While the salary will be within reason, the firm is downtown  – and also happens to be a firm I interviewed with about 18 years ago, and I didn’t like it then.  But what the heck, I don’t want to be unemployed, so I agreed to let the recruiter contact them on my behalf.  To date, I have not heard back.

Come Wednesday, I was feeling a little depressed because all I had on the horizon was the upcoming interview with Attorney X (by now, five people had warned me against working for the lunatic).

Imagine my surprise when my cell phone rang, and the caller was an attorney I know from closings at the County Clerk’s Office, stating he had my resume and could I come talk to him? Hell, yeah.  I took an early lunch and drove out to the burbs.  (Let’s call this gentleman Attorney Z, and hope I get a job before I have to start at the beginning of the alphabet.)

Best interview ever! An expanding firm with need of someone with my experience to act as an “anchor” (in the attorney’s words).  A very relaxed office atmosphere despite the busy client calendar.  I would have staff to do the scut work, and the attorney and his partner would do all the closings.  We dickered a bit on 5-days a week vs. 4 days, and exactly what the salary would be (pretty damn close to what I’m making now!).  Extremely heavy work load, but with staff to assist me, I believe it’s do-able.  And only 15 minutes from home!  The attorney said he would speak with his partner and get back to me.  He stressed that he was impressed by my extensive experience in buy-sell.  The last thing Attorney Z said to me before I left was, “This could work! Thanks so much for coming in!”

Needless to say, I went back to the office after lunch with a smile on my face.

After work on Wednesday, I drove back to the burbs to meet with the infamous Attorney X. As soon as I walked into the office, I felt intimidated – the reception area looked like something out of a movie.

Attorney X is an old-school kind of guy, very much all business, but I liked him, especially when the salary question came up. I told him my current salary and that I would need insurance, but that I could add onto my husband’s policy for a reasonable amount.  The attorney replied, “Would you have any objection to us just paying you more?”  I actually lost my ability to speak for a moment as I contemplated why any sane person would ever say no to that question.  Attorney X agreed to 4 days a week so long as he got to pick which day and that it was always the same day of the week, but that it would never be Monday or Friday as those are busy real estate days.  So, let’s see – same money as I’m making now, same 4-day work week?  I’m down with that.

At Attorney X’s firm, I would be doing exactly what I do now – handle buy/sell files from start to finish, with no staff; I would have to do all my own copying, document preparation, and attend closings in at least two counties. But the case load, while heavy, would be a third of what Attorney Z requires.

Attorney X walked me to the elevator after the interview and expressed concern about the left turn onto busy Sheridan Drive during rush hour. I was touched, and reassured him that I’m not a timid driver (stop snickering, people!).

Today (Thursday), I decided that since I bought all those nice new clothes for a job that didn’t materialize, I might as well start wearing them so that I would be interview-ready at all times (plus, I hate to waste money).

After lunch, my boss came in to announce that now the firm wouldn’t officially disband until August 12, and I could stay if I hadn’t found another job. I told him I might not be staying past the end of July.  (And I’m still not working overtime, although I didn’t say that).

Shortly after, my boss came to me and happily exclaimed, “You’re going to work for [Attorney X]?”  Say what?  I am?  How could he know before I even got an offer?  Well, of course, since he and Attorney X are golfing buddies, Attorney X had just called my boss for the nitty gritty on me!  And apparently, an offer may soon appear.

But damn, I’d really rather work for Attorney Z. Hopefully, he’ll call.

Meanwhile, I have resumes flying all over the city and most of the suburbs, and it seems I have a whole string of new friends helping me search.

And now I wait – again. I can’t imagine being unemployed for weeks or months.  It would drive me bonkers!

Stay tuned. Unless the fates are really against me, I should have some good news for the next post!

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Image by Cordelia’s Mom