I had an interview for a new job yesterday.

[Tobin S.]

I don't know if I've got the job, yet, but the interview went well. The thing that impressed me most about the manager was that he was kind. It would be a very refreshing change to what I'm used to. Frankly, my current bosses are assholes. It's hard to work for people like that on an everyday basis, and I've been doing it for almost five years.

My hours are getting cut at work and they are talking lay-offs. I can't afford that. To add insult to jury, they hired a new guy exactly when they needed him least. Not only did that take hours away from me, he's actually getting more hours than I am and has been since he walked through the door. Fuck that. Like I said...assholes.

I'll be a local flatbed driver at the new place if I get the job. It's hard work, but the job is secure, the pay is better, and the company culture is light years ahead of where I am now. They are willing to train me if I'm willing to learn. They have decent insurance and a lot more benefits than where I am now. They'll pay for my $200 work boots. I get a sign on bonus. I also get a safety bonus if I don't have any mishaps. Five day work week, no weekends, first shift.

It's not where I had envisioned myself to be after graduating from college last December, but I can't hold out any longer. The new place is a much larger company than where I am now. I can work for them from many locations in the country. I also may be able to work my way into an office job at some point. There is no chance for me to do that where I am, currently.

[magical thyme]

1. college stopped being an automatic ticket some time ago, Tobin

for as long as I can remember, it's been connections, connections, connections. I had the same college education as my bosses and from an equally good school (on par with Ivy League/7 Sisters). At my only career, one boss's mother was an editor at Reader's Digest. Subsequent boss had military brass for father; she remembered sitting on Colin Powell's lap as a small child when he was a regular dinner guest. One peer who moved up was the daughter of a US diplomat. My brochure designer was the son of a Chinese 1%er. And so on.

The degree did help get me in the door at that corporation -- as a secretary. I was the first woman in the division to break out of the secretary ranks, but it was as much because they needed to fill EEO quotas at a company of their size as it was my education.

And all this was back in the 80s. Things are much tougher now. I've been a successful program manager with a million dollar budget for brochures at a multi-national corporation who was well-liked and respected by my clients and their customers. This week I'll be applying at the Dollar Store...if I can get something more than 3 hours sleep.

I'm hoping to find a boss who will be kind, because I haven't had one of those since the 70s.

And yeah, as soon as they cut your hours for a new hire when they least could afford it, the handwriting was on the wall. More money, new skill, sign-on bonus, a kind boss...there is a LOT to be said for that.

Hopefully you'll get the offer, and sooner rather than later!

[Tobin S.]

3. Thanks, mt.

It's disappointing not being able to use that degree, but I'm going to make the best of it.

[magical thyme]

5. I felt for you while you were writing about it...

I went back for a "practical" degree in health care in my mid-50s. I ran myself into the ground putting in 18 hour days, working p/t, in school p/t, caring for my animals the rest of the time. I graduated summa cum laude...to a rapidly shrinking market. Med Lab Tech was supposedly growing at 14%/year for the foreseeable future. Instead, increasing automation and lab chains that buyout and downsize the local hospital labs to skeleton crews and ship all the complex work back to their hq labs, mean the field is shrinking.

Twice in the last 4 years I had my hours drastically cut temporarily while they trained new hires. Multiple times they've hired people without posting the jobs. This most recent, 3rd time, this past August, they hired longtime friends and cut my hours to zero without even the common decency of telling me -- they left me to find it on the schedule while I was running the lab alone at the urgent care center. They also didn't tell the person who does the schedule that it was for 4 months -- they left it to *me* to tell her that when she contacted me about my October availability!

And the lab manager who didn't have the courtesy to even call or send me an email, never mind tell me face-to-face, and the fucking gall to ask me to come in to meet with her in September...I thought it would be about a job offer and instead it was to answer to her fucking rumour/gossip mill (because when you dump a person without anybody what's happening, including the dumpee, rumors have a way of springing to life).

Yes, a kind boss would be nice for a change...

[PasadenaTrudy]

14. Also, it seems

people have to be willing to relocate to where the jobs are...wherever that is, I sure don't know.

[TexasTowelie]

2. Good luck with the interview.

I think that when an employee hits the five year mark it provides an indication of future prospects and seeing that you feel that things are going well it is probably time to move along.

[Tobin S.]

4. Thank you.

[Demeter]

6. Good luck, Tobin

Illegitimi non carborundum!

Don't let the bastards grind you down.

[madamvlb]

7. Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

[blaze]

8. Dear Tobin

I don't post very often, but I have read a lot of your posts over the years...

First, I want to say I've always enjoyed your writing. Your style is very "readable" for lack of a better term.

Second, I'm impressed how you always look forward. No matter how many lumps you take, you pick yourself up and look for solutions. That has and will continue to serve you well for your entire life.

Third, for 10 years I had a job I adored and it paid well. Then management changed and I found myself working for assholes and hated going into work. I, too, did that for five years. It nearly broke my spirit and stressed me out to the point of being sick. I have 17 years vested in this company with a decent retirement plan that I don't want to lose. Last year, I stepped down into a lower paying position and, while the purse strings are pretty tight, I have my sanity back and a boss who is a gem to work with (not for... with... big difference).

I hope you get the job. The change in culture touches every aspect of your life.

[Tobin S.]

25. Thanks, blaze. I appreciate the kind words.

You have a very readable writing style, too. You should post more often.

[mnhtnbb]

9. Holding good thoughts that you get the job offer, Tobin!

[brer cat]

10. Good luck, Tobin.

If it is a place where you can work your way up, you may get to actually use the degree!

[a kennedy]

11. Sending positive thoughts for you Tobin S. eom

[femmocrat]

12. Wishing you the best, Tobin!

[Phentex]

13. Good luck!

Fingers crossed that it all works out for you!

[denbot]

15. Job luck vibes headed your way Tobin

Best of luck!

[sharp_stick]

16. I'm glad it went well

having a kind boss is one of the most important things you can get. It makes going to work a lot easier even when the job is hard or not fun.

If you can, when you get the job, see if there is any way you can use your degree in the company. Once you're in the door the extra education can allow you to move around into different departments.

Best of luck, I hope the call back comes soon.

[redwitch]

17. I am going to light a candle for you!

Seriously, as soon as I hit send. Working for and with kind people should not be an anomaly. You have worked so hard to make the right changes you deserve a break. Off to find matches...

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

18. Hope you get it - keep us posted

[CaliforniaPeggy]

19. Sounds like a really great place to work, my dear Tobin! Here's hoping!

I really admire your ability to keep at things, even when the breaks aren't coming your way. I hope so much that this is about to change.

I know you'll keep us posted.

[Laffy Kat]

20. Positve vibes your way! nt

[rurallib]

21. bout time your luck turned good

here is hoping this happens and you and Jen can really have a great holiday season.

[roody]

22. Sounds good. Your degree is a lifetime investment.

It won't lose its value.

[TexasBushwhacker]

23. Don't forget to send a thank you note/e-mail

It gives you a chance to let them know what you like about their company and to let them know why you would be the best choice for the job.

[Kali]

24. good luck!