Four weeks ago yesterday I was laid off. It’s been a long month. I have had several places that were very interested in me go through a round of layoffs and a hiring freeze within 24 hours of interviewing me. Since I’m trying to make the jump from software QA to technical writing, I’ve had a lot more tell me that they really like me, but they need somebody with more writing experience right now. Today I got my first verbal offer, contingent on my references checking out, so I should have it on paper early next week. Yay!
I’ve been doing the mostly-happy-dance for the last hour or so, and emailing everyone I know. I guess I’ll be doing the completely-happy-dance when they’ve confirmed my background check next week. I’m really hoping it goes well, because the offer is for close to 20% more than I was getting at my last job, and I could take the ferry (20 mins) to work everyday, instead of the 45-90 minute commute each way that I’ve been doing.
I’m trying to keep the happiness in reserve until it’s all confirmed, so until then it’s little, parenthetical smilies for me. (:))
(sigh) So the all-too-brief period in which I was the higher wage-earner in this relationship draws to a close. Pity … it’s not like I’m going to have this opportunity again any time soon, unless I supplement my sports editor gig by accepting contracts to assassinate people.
Thanks callie! I can feel that self-esteem rising by the minute.
And Snooooopy, I refuse to feel sorry for you. Although I might demand that we go to a nice restaurant to celebrate or something. Maybe I’ll buy you a new pillow too.
Remember you’re talking to folks who offered generous bucks and free beer to Ukelele Ike if he’d just pee on people.
Congratulations, slackergirl! Sounds like the new job will be a peach: more money and less commuting hassle.
It’s so great when someone can bounce back after a blow, stronger and better than ever. You rock!
Yay slackergirl! Good to hear it. I was doing technical writing before moving out here, and I loved it. Well, it was really low-end technical writing, but still. Hope you like it as much as I did!
Thanks for all the happy thoughts. I knew I shouldn’t get excited too quick - they still haven’t put anything on paper and now they want me to meet the director of the division on Thursday. They should have the offer ready by Thursday afternoon if all goes well in that meeting. They’ve already checked my references and everything.
The good news is that since they hadn’t gotten their act together yet I went ahead and did my last interview that I had scheduled with a different company, and I just got an email stating that they will be making me an offer tomorrow - so I am pretty confident that I will have something to sign by Friday, from somewhere.
In the meantime I’m still on pins and needles, and quietly smiling.
OK, here’s my final update and I’ll let this thread die a happy death.
The first offer evaporated, but the second one was excellent and I signed the offer letter today. The only thing that I don’t like about it is the 45 mile commute. Fortunately, Snooooopy lives about 2 miles away from the office, so I’ll be spending lots of quality time there in the foreseeable future.
Good thing the room rates at the Snooooopy Motel (Motto: “We’ll leave a light on for you, because you’d trip over the mess otherwise”) are so reasonable, huh?
Thanks Jeyen - and I loved the froggy card - My title is Technical Writer. The company is OpenTV. Their product is interactive television. I’m still a little fuzzy on the details, but I think it’s a set-top box that picks up interactive elements from broadcast TV. At the moment they are in several million homes in Europe and will be expanding here soon.
TBPH I’m not sure if this is something that will make it huge here, or even in this economy, but they can teach me a lot and even if they go bust in six months, I’ll have the experience and title which will make it a lot easier to find a job next time around.
I believe I’ll be doing a mix of user manuals and documenting APIs, so it’s time to brush up on the C++.
Snooooopy, I do appreciate the room rates, and plan to tip the staff in the most unorthodox ways.
Congratulations, slacker. Now maybe the next time I run into you at Best Buy, you won’t look so despondent at having to forego purchasing items (love the Monkees box set, BTW).
