Tuesday, September 17, 2013

News from June

My last post I mentioned that we were waiting for JD to finally start his new job. As of June 15, 2013 the company that hired him back in November 2012 finally got off the ground (quite literally). We were both so very happy! He hadn't worked since October 2011. We had enough money saved to glide through 5 months. The following months we lived mostly on the line of credit we had left on our credit cards, and then after those were maxed out we lived on the kindness of family and friends and our church family as they offered us money to pay our mortgage, our bills, and for food. In January 2013 I finally took a part time job to try and plug up the rupturing artery of our finances. Of course part time at $10.50 per hour wasn't going to do much, but at least it helped buy food and gas for the car. We still had to get help with the bills and the mortgage. Its amazing we didn't lose our house! In fact, in November 2012 we started to ask our bank for assistance in modifying our home loan. That effort failed after several attempts and at this point we have given up trying anymore.

After almost a year at the part time, $10.50 per hour, job I looked for a full time job with better pay. I was hoping to be moved into a full time position at that job, but when a spot opened up that I was qualified for the store manager transferred a buddy of his to the store and gave her that position I wanted. So, I decided not to wait around anymore. I found another part time job, but with better pay and a promise from my new boss that she would never work me less than 29 hours per week.  (My current job was in the midst of a change to make all part time positions only 22 hours per week.) She also said that a full time spot would be opening up soon. After only a couple months at that new job I was made full time. I was greatly relieved to have finally achieved full time. That was in May 2013, and then finally June 2013 my husband found out his job would be starting. The light at the end of the tunnel finally was headed our way.

JD found great satisfaction and joy working for his new company, something he rarely had in past jobs. I was envious of him. My workplace was stressful and a lot of favoritism was rampant in that job, just as it was in my previous job. Again I was overlooked for a position because a buddy of the manager was promoted over me (the woman who hired me quit due to this new manager's treatment of her). This person was not qualified for the job, I pushed against the decision and was pegged as a "drama" maker. I just wanted the person to be evaluated on merit, education and experience. I didn't even care if I was the one who got the job. I mainly wanted someone qualified to do the job, even if it wasn't me they chose. Even after I gave up pushing for this to be looked into I was being targeted by the store manager and this new, unqualified, department manager over me. I was very stressed, so stressed I lost 7 pounds in two months! Not that I mind losing the weight, but it kind of freaked me out that I had lost so much so quickly without dieting or exercising. The only thing I have been doing is running one to two times per week. I had to stop boot camp because of the financial cost. I was eating junk food even, and I still lost weight.

I started sending out resumes, 1 to 4 per day. One day I was so stressed out and so upset that I sent 16 out in one day! I was desperate to get out of there! But on the other hand I wanted to go to a place where I would be happy and would stay for a while. So, even though I was desperate I wanted to be smart about where I applied and where I would finally choose to work. I got one interview, and I didn't get the job, but I didn't think I wanted to work there anyways. So, that worked out in the end. I got calls and emails for sales positions in areas outside of my field, and I wasn't interested. I finally got an interview with a company that has a stellar reputation and I was excited. It was for a VERY entry level position, and even the manager asked me why I would want to take a step back in my career like that. For me it was a no brainer, they pay better, the hours are better, I would have weekends off, the company has a great reputation in the Interior Design Industry (I have a BA degree in Interior Design), the employees have stayed around for decades (which speaks volumes), and I know that opportunities for advancement would be there for many years to come. I wouldn't be stuck in the entry level position forever, and besides that I didn't mind working my way from the bottom up. I enjoy working hard and being part of a team environment and helping the company and people I work with thrive and be successful. No job is too small. Change a light bulb? No problem. Cut tile for samples? No problem. Make coffee for clients? No problem. Nothing they said the job would entail scared me off or made me feel like it was beneath me.

I started my new job on September 3, 2013. Its only been two weeks and I am already loving it here! I believe that I will be happy at my new place for many years to come. No more job hopping because of poor management and favoritism. I believe I will be promoted based on hard work, experience and knowledge. I am making $475 more per month at my new job, and I will do whatever they want me to do for that kind of raise!! Haha... I really don't have any issues with manual labor. I am exhausted at the end of my day, but that is good. I am busy, never bored, and maybe burning a few calories while I am running around. Bonus! Nothing I am doing is overly difficult to do. So its kind of fun! I think I need to take advantage of that aspect, because If I get promoted one day that may not be there so much (the "easy" part). I told my new bosses in the interview that if I decided to take the job that I decided I won't be bothering them to promote me, as long as I am being paid fairly and I enjoy my workplace I will stick around until there is a place to promote me into. Until then I will be content, even if it is an entry level position. I told them this because the previous gal they hired quit after 90 days and they said they do not want to hire anyone that won't stick around for at least a couple years.

A lot of drama at my old job I have spared you by not blogging about it... I don't even want to write about it. It is over. I vented to my husband and my friends and I got through it. I am glad I am in a better situation, my husband is employed, my MIL watches the kids when we both work, and our financial situation should be turning around very soon. Praise the Lord!