I know that that's not all that long, realistically, but I'm still feeling like I'm putting notes in bottles and sending them over Niagra Falls. Blegh.

I hear you. I remember once getting ridiculously excted about geting a REJECTION letter- just because it was proof that my resumes were being received. It sucks! I'm sorry.

I'm feeling kinda depressed about the whole job hunt thing I've been doing. Over the past two months I've sent off ~45 resumes/coverletters/applications and not one attempt at even a phone interview. I know that that's not all that long, realistically, but I'm still feeling like I'm putting notes in bottles and sending them over Niagra Falls. Blegh.

Oh, Calli, that is so frustrating. I'm so sorry. I know my mom is feeling the same way. She's been searching since November. It's really tough.

I'd do this anyway, in case you stepped outside or got to the point you feared taking a shower or taking Toto for a walk or something.

Yeah. I'll probably just do this. Good points.

Over the past two months I've sent off ~45 resumes/coverletters/applications and not one attempt at even a phone interview.

Oh yeah, I know this feeling. My rule of thumb used to be 200 letters for every interview as the ratio. Kept me from getting suicidal, and really it wasn't that far off.

I just got more word on my own job front - they really want to bring me on board, but don't know what to do with me. Which is nice, but amounts to not much. Until they know what to do with me, they can't draft a contract, and without a contract, I can't work. The options now look like a potpourri of stuff I used to do - LAN Admin, tech writing, manager-trainer, customer liaison. No coding or hard technical stuff, but that's okay. So I still need a bit of the ol' jobma.

On the other hand, if I get a job I'll need actual work clothes - I've only worn cargo pants and funny t-shirts to work for the last couple of years.

I'm feeling kinda depressed about the whole job hunt thing I've been doing. Over the past two months I've sent off ~45 resumes/coverletters/applications and not one attempt at even a phone interview. I know that that's not all that long, realistically, but I'm still feeling like I'm putting notes in bottles and sending them over Niagra Falls. Blegh.

Sorry, you're depressed, Calli. Do you do follow-up on submissions? I know it can be a lot of work and it sucks to get rejected, but sometimes, you can parlay a potential rejection into an interview with a follow-up phone call or letter. DH once got a reject letter for a resume he submitted. He promptly sent the HR person another letter, thanking him for reviewing his resume and that basically told him he was missing out on a great candidate for the job. The HR guy was so impressed, he called DH back for a phone interview. DH managed to wrangle a face-to-face interview from there. Even though he didn't take the job, it was good experience and it taught him to not be afraid to pester HR people in a job search.

HMOG, the cramps! The cramps!

Sorry, had to vent. Now must return to work and try not to whimper.

Poor Nora!

I know I SO don't need to think about this right now, but I'm gonna mention it anyway. Yesterday I saw a sign up at school for someone looking for graduation tickets. I hadn't even thought about that! Each graduate only gets five! Now, that will make sure that my whole family can get in, but none of my friends. I'm gonna have to try to get more tickets when the time comes. Otherwise, I guess everyone will just be able to come to the big party we're going to have.

Oh, and about the party. My parents are so cute. They want to throw a great big party afterwards. I think it's really sweet...and they're already talking about it, which makes me laugh.

Thanks, y'all.

Do you do follow-up on submissions?

I've done a couple, but most of the positions I've applied to have a big, "We'll only contact those who've made the cut. Don't bug us." note on the bottom of the job posting. So it seems like follow-ups into the Big Silence would just tell folks I can't read a job posting.

Sorry about the cramps, Nora. I'm expecting Aunt Flow any minute myself. Which is at least partially responsible for my emotional downs today, I expect.

t packs up a heating pad and chocolate to send to Nora

Someone remind me that I should be productively paying bills while the boy is napping. NOT watching a mediocre version of Lorna Doone on the Biography channel.

"We'll only contact those who've made the cut. Don't bug us." note on the bottom of the job posting.

Pppfffftttt to those people. They miss out on the go-getters, says I. Keep your chin up, Calli. There's a perfect job out there for you. And you'll find it.

Each graduate only gets five! Now, that will make sure that my whole family can get in, but none of my friends. I'm gonna have to try to get more tickets when the time comes.

I don't know how your school works, vw, but I had the same issue for my graduation. I had no problem getting a couple of extra tickets.

(ETFTypo)