Help me find a job in Atlanta (Marietta)?

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

So I’m separated and living in a new city, in a new state, on my own… and trying to find a job.

The problem is that I’ve been a stay-home mom for the last 10 years. I’ve been running a home based web/graphic design business since 1998 but that doesn’t really seem to matter to anyone. Self-employed isn’t much different from unemployed to most people, it seems. Anyway, I’m not really expecting to get a job doing web or graphic design, though it would be nice.

I have kick ass computer skills and could really do great in just about any clerical type position.

I went to a temp agency and they gave me a series of tests. My scores were:

Word test: 93% (missed two questions… oops. I never use Word at home though, I use OpenOffice. Wouldn’t have missed any if I’d been allowed to use the Help file.)
Excel test: 97% (missed one question on formulas.)
Basic Office Skills test: 98% (missed a math question)
Alpha Numeric Data Entry: 10617 keystrokes per hour, 99% accuracy (I typed “Denmark” when it actually said “Demark”)
Typing: 83 words per minute with 0 mistakes. (Actually it was faster than that and I did make mistakes, but I correct mistakes as I type–can’t help it. Anyway that brings down my wpm but brings up my accuracy.)

they said my test scores were excellent! But… they couldn’t place me and were putting my file in the “inactive” drawer because of my lack of actual clerical employment–the last time I was a secretary was in 1989. I can’t even be a temp! JEEZUS!

I’ve been looking through craigslist and ajcjobs… I have applied for jobs doing retail, but I have no retail experience. I have applied for jobs as a nanny, but they either don’t pay enough (sorry, $200/week will barely cover my rent, lady) or don’t want me to bring my own kid along, so after I paid for my own childcare I’d kinda be broke again anyway. (Fortunately I have until June before I have to worry about childcare–Dominic is finishing the school year up in Virginia with his dad). I have applied for web design and graphic design jobs, but don’t have the education they want or the corporate experience. Clerical again… they want experience. Nevermind that I have been using a computer for 20 years and have all the skills! I’m trying to avoid food service and prostitution, but may start looking at restaurants soon. They won’t help me advance my career, though… and they tend to pay for shit.

The adage is becoming all to plainly true… it isn’t what you know, it’s who you know. And in Atlanta that isn’t a whole lot of people. So… anyone out there know of any jobs available? I live in Marietta but will drive anywhere reasonably close. My van gets about 10mpg so I don’t want a long commute… with the price of gas these days I’d end up working the first two hours just to pay for the gas it took to get to work that day. And yes, I know I need a better vehicle. But the van needs some work before I can sell it, and I have to get a replacement title, too.

2

Hi OpalCat! Welcome South. I hear your pain. I can’t find a new job and I have worked in graphic design for almost 30 years now. Would you consider a commute to the Heart of Roswell? We have some odd semi-openings right now so I will print out a copy of your skills and ask the office manager. Ok?

<Fine Print: We don’t pay well, but with graphic skills you could possibly move out of Admin into my department>

3

I don’t really know how far away that is, but I am basically at Marietta Pkwy and Roswell Rd (120)… anyway yes I’d definitely consider it. Let me know if you want a copy of my resume…

4

Opal, send me a copy of your resume, I’ll see what I can do. You are right down the road from my place of employment and the people next door were looking for someone last week (they lost two secretaries in a week). I don’t have any idea if they are still looking or how much they pay. (Send to gmail address, not the hotmail one you already have.)

I also know a few restaurants that might need someone.

5

I’m sorry that I do not have anything useful to offer you on the job front, but I just have to ask—how close are you to The Big Chicken? I remember visiting Marietta and seeing that thing. Absolutely the coolest thing ever.

[/ end of Big Chicken hijack]

6

All you would have to do to get here is shoot straight east down 120 until it ends and turn left a few blocks. Please send along the resume. I gave an edited version to the Office Manager and suggested you might make a good “Utility Infielder” until our expansion plans firm up.

I also suggested you were part of a mighty underground movement attempting to wipe out ignorance in our lifetime and could be counted on for brillance. Maybe I went too far? :eek:

7

How are you living now, without employment?

8

You didn’t ask me but can I respond? :smiley:

My job is less than 2 miles from the BC

9

How long since you last saw Big Chicken? It was renovated a few years ago and now it’s eyes roll and the beak opens and closes as if screaming in pain over constantly laying eggs.
Or… something like that…

10

Terrorcotta: You don’t have an email address listed. You can email me at my name at gmail.

Good Egg: right now I’m living off of website revenue. It isn’t reliable, though, so while some months it’s great, other months it totally sucks.

11

Jaade: You lucky devil—working so close to such an outstanding landmark!

Terrorcotta: I saw it over 10 years ago. So what’s this about the rolling of eyes and screaming? :wink:

Opal, sorry for the Big Chicken hijack. (By the way, how close do you live to it? Huh? Huh? ;)) My best wishes on your job search and I hope things will work out great for you. I’m crossing my fingers!

12

I live pretty close to it :slight_smile:

13

They rebuilt the thing so it’s animated now. The eyes roll around and around…very hypnotic. Then they made the beak open and close in tune with the eye rolling action. Those prone to vertigo might not want to watch for very long… But I think it looks like it’s laying eggs into the building below and crowing over each one.

Is it as good as Lincoln at the Disney Parade of Presidents? Well, I’d like to see Abe lay an egg.

14

Okey doke, Miz Opal! Email on the way!