STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

kenzie · Chanel

Need some advice

ico · Dooney & Bourke

I'd say: first of all start sending letters/resumes to possible employers in your mom's area.
Then, see if you can have 2 or more interviewsfor different positions on the same day, or even group them all together in 3 or 4 days and say you are taking a 4 days vacation b/c your mom needs you to be with her.
It won't be always possible, but I don't think you should tell them you are looking elsewhere, at least for now

good luck!

kenzie · Chanel

ico wrote:

I'd say: first of all start sending letters/resumes to possible employers in your mom's area. Then, see if you can have 2 or more interviewsfor different positions on the same day, or even group them all together in 3 or 4 days and say you are taking a 4 days vacation b/c your mom needs you to be with her. It won't be always possible, but I don't think you should tell them you are looking elsewhere, at least for now good luck!

I suppose I should mention that I'm not salaried (I'm still employed by the temp agency), so I don't get paid time off. Taking more than one day off at a time isn't a good thing for my finances. I'm so frustrated! I definitely would try to get interviews on the same day, though. That would be helpful.

BargainQueen · Marc Jacobs

If you had an interview could you maybe take an extended lunch and tell you current employer you have a Dentist/Dr's appt? You could always have follow up appts

kenzie · Chanel

BargainQueen wrote:

If you had an interview could you maybe take an extended lunch and tell you current employer you have a Dentist/Dr's appt? You could always have follow up appts

Yeah, I used to do this, but the location of the jobs I'll be looking at is an hour and a half (maybe more, depending on where it would be) away from my current job, so we're talking at least 3 hours in travel time alone if I were to leave and come back. Add that to the time the interview takes and we're way past an extended lunch.

JoceyBaby23 · Gucci

BargainQueen wrote:

If you had an interview could you maybe take an extended lunch and tell you current employer you have a Dentist/Dr's appt? You could always have follow up appts

I agree with this.. I would NOT tell them that you are looking for another job. Since you technically still are a temp, they could call the agency and ask for someone else to replace you immediately (since you told them you want to leave. That could be their excuse.) This would leave you with nothing! Just lie, lie, lie.. come in late, leave early.. whatever you have to do. It will work out!

kenzie · Chanel

JoceyBaby23 wrote:

BargainQueen wrote: If you had an interview could you maybe take an extended lunch and tell you current employer you have a Dentist/Dr's appt? You could always have follow up appts I agree with this.. I would NOT tell them that you are looking for another job. Since you technically still are a temp, they could call the agency and ask for someone else to replace you immediately (since you told them you want to leave. That could be their excuse.) This would leave you with nothing! Just lie, lie, lie.. come in late, leave early.. whatever you have to do. It will work out!

See my above response to this. Leaving early and coming in late isn't an option when I'm that far away.

jj · Kate Spade

We have temps work in my office all the time, and I guess we are nice to them We totally understand that it is not their "dream job" to temp for the rest of their lives, so we are really flexible about letting them go on job interviews.

I guess the only real exception would be if the absenses are excessive or we are working on a deadline.

I know this doesn't help, but I think it's crummy that your current employer isn't more understanding. I think I would just schedule as many interviews as possible on one day and call in sick. Just say you're sick, no explanation necessary.

Elle · Hermes

Would the temp agency you're currently with be able to place you somewhere closer to home? Then if you liked it you could stay, and if not it would make the interview process alot easier!

Karina · Chanel

whatever you do, don't let them know you are interviewing or thinking of going elsewhere. that is the only good advice i can give.

kenzie · Chanel

LMonet wrote:

Would the temp agency you're currently with be able to place you somewhere closer to home? Then if you liked it you could stay, and if not it would make the interview process alot easier!

They don't place people that far away. The temp agency I work for is in the Philly area and I currently live in the Lancaster area.

jj, you would think that they would understand that a college graduate with internship experience and freelance experience wouldn't consider being a receptionist temp their dream job, but who knows? They seem to like to hire overqualified people into this position and tell them that they will promote them and then they don't. They've only promoted one person out of the past 5 from what I hear. Positions just don't open that frequently.

Karina, I do agree that it's a bad idea to tell them that. I'm just at a complete loss here. I'm frustrated that I have to drive so far to do such crappy, mindless work. I can't quit and be unemployed, but I don't know how to go about getting another position. I think I need to quit the part-time retail job so that I have a little bit more free time. I'm so overwhelmed right now with this commute and my complete lack of time.

JoceyBaby23 · Gucci

I understand your commute.. When I say coming in late, leaving early.. You could totally swing it!!!

Make an interview appt at 8 or 9 am in Lanc. and you can be at work by 11 or 12 and work the afternoon. OR schedule an interview for 4pm and leave work at 2. When you NEED to get something done, there is ALWAYS a way to do it. And try not to get so discouraged!