"Predictability" may not be a good word to use either in the current layoff-happy world. I've been burned using that before ("No one can guarantee that..."). I would say something along the lines of:

• Looking for new challenges. Stagnating at current job.
• Looking to be closer to home.
• New directives at company have changed my position and I'm not really happy with the changes.

These are the types of things that a prospective employer can't find fault with, I don't think.

thanks everyone.

Good luck with the jobhunt, msbelle!

For other Keith Olbermann fans out there, the New Yorker has an interesting article on him.

I honestly wouldn't mention family situation in either an application or an interview.

I wouldn't either. I also wouldn't mention the predictable schedule in a cover letter or application, either. You can suss out corporate culture more subtly, while on the interview. I would say something specific about the work at the prospective company and something about wanting to grow, try new things, spread your wings yada yada yada.

I wonder how Macavity gets home.

He hails a cab?

It's probably harder to get back on the bus with all the packages and stuff after shopping.

Heh. But I think that the article indicated that the bus ride is a short one, like 300 yards.

Anyway the walk home is a nice way to work off the fish and chips.

I also wouldn't mention the predictable schedule in a cover letter or application, either. You can suss out corporate culture more subtly, while on the interview.

Actually - when DH was looking for a job - that was one of the big things he talked about. Predictability and wanting more out of life than work. He didn't want to bother interviewing with people that wanted him to work 70-80 hours. Oddly, despite putting it in many different ways, including directly, he still interviewed with people that wanted him to sleep under his desk. All he really wanted was some one that was willing to do some long range planning for the predictable parts of IT - and to make sure that those in IT that have to do the crisis work get enough time to recover, stay sane, and stay healthy ( which include an ability to have some sort of a social/family life) . Guess what his new job at his old company involves? And the job that he ended up not really taking - had the decency to understand that if he worked 12am to 4 am , the earliest they would see him was noon.

Maybe: a company that is looking for a long-term employee

I'm starting Grace's extra ~healthma~ a little bit early. Here's an extra dose of peace and strength to Kat, too.