Wow! Uhmmm what exactly will I be doing?

So, I'm going to take you backwards to the last "doosy" of a job I had... (to maintain privacy names and specifics will be withheld)

During my job search I responded to a bunch of job posts from the internet. I tried to be efficient by copying the job description and pasting at the bottom of my email so when they emailed me back I knew what the heck I applied for.

One day I received a phone call about a job I sent my resume in for. Not really knowing what job it was I still set up an interview with  "Maxwell". I arrived at the office and met with "Maxwell" who was not like most people I've interviewed with. The vibe was a little strange to say the least.

During the interview I was asked to sign documents that I would keep our conversations private. I've never had to do that before and thought what kind of interview is this going to be? But I continued on with the interview that I had no idea what I was in store for let alone that was going to be 2 1/2 hours long.

Sitting there talking with "Maxwell" I had no clue EXACTLY what the business really did, what my position was going to be, or how much my salary would be! Remember, the interview went on for over 2 hours! I remember clear as day seeing "Maxwell's" mouth moving, not hearing any sound but the sound of my own thoughts asking over and over again... "what... the...hell?" I also remember wondering if a puzzled look on my face was becoming apparent as my face was frozen with a forced smile and occasional nod.

All the stops were pulled and I did catch on to a couple. For example, dropping names of well known people, and flashing letterhead of a "prestigious organization" and offering me a compensation that was well above my expectations (which I was told would go into effect 3 months after starting). It was all "too good to be true!" I had that gut feeling but, I thought maybe it could be the break I was looking for. Maybe this "Maxwell" guy is legit.

Between the name dropping and the flashing of the letterhead, "Maxwell" had placed my resume on the table then told me that he didn't even read my resume but he liked my style. I would be a good fit. He could tell already. He could trust me. My response was 2nd to none. "You should have read it. I put a lot of time and effort into it!" I was just blown away, so trusting with all this highly confidential information yet he doesn't know me?

I finally left the interview and headed home in utter disbelief. I was so "intimidated" from some of the things he told me that I made my husband walk around the block without our cellphones so I could tell him about the job interview. He thought I was crazy, and thought some of what was discussed was odd but, he thought maybe this was legit too.

I was asked to meet for a 2nd interview. This time I was asked to meet "Maxwell" at a location outside of the office. I was slightly uncomfortable with this location as would any female put in this position but I knew I could conduct myself professionally and protect myself in the worst case scenario. Again another 2 1/2 hour long meeting. During that time there was hardly any discussion of business. It seemed all personal as a "to get to know you" type meeting. He did continue his discussion from the day prior in talking about the president of the company (I will call her "99") and the "negatives" (the people who doubted his thoughts and ideas). "99" who allegedly left the company with $600,000 and was MIA for 6 months. He also disclosed that "99" returned at his doorstep with $47 left in the account. Now thinking, "why on EARTH would you tell me this?!?!" I left the meeting with much of the same response as before as I high tailed it down the road.

I had seriously thought, I'm not taking this job. No way! There is something wrong.... VERY wrong. But my husband and I needed the money and thought if this was my break I wouldn't know if I didn't try. So I picked up the phone and called "Maxwell"......

To be continued....

Answered Prayers...

I have to apologize for not writing more often but my prayers were answered in January! I started my new job! A wonderful person I go to church with and have attended her classes had a job opening at her company. I had no idea she was the owner and founder of the business but I am now her assistant! I am not making the same amount of money I was making previously but nonetheless it is a legitimate job and I could move within the company.

I'm very excited still as one could imagine. I'm still quite "damaged" from the position (if you could call it that) at my previous place of employment but this new venture is a breath of fresh air. I was convinced I would need to seek professional help due to the mental strain I was under. But that is another story...

I guess my word of wisdom is keep you head up. Have faith in yourself and keep that open line of communication with the I would not have made it thus far without Him. If you put our life's trials in perspective with what Jesus endured on the cross for us our life doesn't seem all that bad ;)

Job Search Scams are like a Rubik’s cube....

There are hundreds of possible combinations, and you waste a lot of time cycling through them all

So, I spend hours upon hours... upon hours searching job listing sites of all sorts. However, I'm not sure what is more frustrating? Spending hours of my days searching and applying to jobs and not receiving any responses or applying to jobs (or being contacted after the prospective employer saw my resume) to find out they are a scam?

I received an email from a guy that said he saw my resume (not sure what website considering I have SEVERAL accounts). The email looked legit but I googled the last part of his email (@acmecompany.com) anyways and found it to be an actual company. The attachment he provided said "Application for Incredible Talent Inc" (names of companies withheld) which raised a question in my mind. The email went on to read that they are a media company and because of this they need a profile shot (face picture) and a full body shot picture so they know "who they are talking to". Because I thought the difference in company names were fishy, I investigated... (start the stop watch!)

I looked again at the company website to find more information on "Acme Company" which is a rather large company. I found email addresses located on the site and they look similar to person that emailed me. While looking at their website they did not appear to be a "media company". I Googled "Incredible Talent Inc." and found absolutely nothing. So I found the phone number of the local office for Acme Company and gave them a ring.

Receptionist: "Thank you for calling Acme Company how may I direct your call"

Pink Moon: "Hi there. You might be able to help me actually. Is your company affiliated with Incredible Talent Inc. ?"

Receptionist: "No ma'am. We are an environmental company"

Pink Moon: "Oh I see. Do you know if a Mike Smith (real name withheld) is employed there? You see, I received an email from someone claiming to be from your company but the gentleman sent an application for Incredible Talent."

Receptionist: "We have a few thousand employees so I'm not sure"

Pink Moon: "Okay well then could you connect me with your Human Resource Department so I can alert them? Thank you"

Unfortunately I did not get through to their Human Resources department because of the time zone difference. But the frustration lies in the fact that I had spent 20 minutes just checking this guy out.

I am leery about a lot of responses I receive where the person uses poor punctuation and grammar i.e. "i saw u resume and wuld like to interview u for j.ob we have". Or where the employer is out of the country and I would have to manage mail from a post office box. But then there are those employment "opportunities" where they are just as much of a rip off or waste of time/money selling insurance or whatever. It is really hard to digest just how much time is wasted investigating job search responses when time is money... and I have neither right now. I pray that people use common sense and not fall for these bozos.

~Pink Moon~

Introduction

Hi there and welcome to my blog! I really should have started this ages ago however I didn't, and I'm here now. That is what matters.

I will apologize now for any grammatical or writing errors. I'm not a professional and do not claim to be one. You will certainly see errors but I try my best though. I hope I don't lose you in my writing as I tend to go off on tangents. Especially when there is so much to say to bring you up to the current day.

As my bio states, I am an American born married mom of 3 kids and have been unemployed since 2009. I did take a job for a short period since that time. However, it was far from a job. It was more along the lines of mind torture and I'm certain I need to seek professional help because of what I worked with. Everywhere I have worked I can come up with positives things to say.... except that one. I will be sharing that story a little later.

I am currently looking for a job that will pay the bills and help get me current... quickly... very quickly. My unemployment runs out at the end of January, both my cars will be up for repo shortly, and I have yet to pay December's rent. Need not to forget that Christmas is upon us and I have 3 kids. I'll be lucky to have electric Christmas Day. I do not go 'shopping' and spend frivolously or refuse to wear less than designer anything. I am 'middle class' (when we were making money). I would like to add that I have not filed for state's assistance this entire time. Some call me stupid, some call me too proud... I just call myself Pink Moon. Personally, there are too many abusing the system. I'm bound and determined to rise above all the ridiculousness that has happened and to stand tall and proud at the finish line. If I can do it with out being a burden to the taxpayers (myself included) there is no reason most of these other people can't do it. 

I will be touching on topics such as, workplace politics, commuting, unemployment, job searching, careers, general life events, and whatever else I decide to add. Your ideas are also welcome!

I hope this blog reaches out and helps someone, gives strength when strength is weary, give wisdom where wisdom is limited, inspire where inspiration is hazed, and teaches one to be thankful for what they have and not envy what they do not have. Or if anything brings a chuckle to someones day. I do not mean to offend and I can only speak from what I have gone through which is a lot.

I appreciate any and all of you that are/will be following my blog. I will update as often as possible whether it is weekly or daily. I also appreciate any followers that you bring on board!

~Pink Moon~