Writing and Resume-ing, not to mention Chopping Wood

Spent the day doing little things. I took a walk and paid bills around town (good news, we finally got the new checks). Then I chopped wood for a couple of hours. This time I ran into plenty of difficult wood (knots, internal branches, crooked grain, etc).

And then I finished up a poem for the 15th Annual Nature Writers. See, I sent a bunch of poems off to the Akron Art Museum New Voices Poetry Contest, and I forgot to write down which poems I sent. Bad writer, no cookie. Also, there's a good chance of a job at the Geauga Park District which requires writing skills (doing research on the district was how I found the poetry contest). As you know, Bob, much of my poetry involves nature themes, so it seemed like a fit. Also, at least in my little head, I'm looking at it as a part of my audition for the job. Now, I would have liked to get 800 words of prose out (as that would be more germane to the job), but got all twisted around and went for the poem instead. The new poem is entitled "The Woods in Winter" and has a bunch of nice phrasing, including hibernating bare trees and an allusion to the Wizard of Oz. I debating about expanding the poem into a prose piece (ayk,B, I do prose poetry as well), but I didn't know how the judges would take that (not everybody likes that sort of thing).

There was another job offering that was posted, so I did a quick rewrite of the resume from all the notes I had from yesterday, and sent it out. So we'll see how the "cleaned up" version works. I'd much rather 1) have my old job or 2) get the parks job, but it's a job I could do well, and there would be some travel (I haven't done that since E&Y). So I'd take it. Off went the resume (and copies to the people I had give me a critique of it).

So here's a question about resumes. One of the suggestions was to jazz it up and do a full design job on the resume (add graphics, make it fold into something, look like a newspaper, whatever). Now, typically I've dismissed those urges to make the resume scan quicker (and for automated tools), make it nice and clean, and have it fax well. Any thoughts? Would you want to see a snazzy document from someone you're hiring to be creative, or something you can read quickly and looks good across a multitude of delivery vehicles?

My words but a whisper, your deafness a shout

Spent the afternoon talking about my job search with some people from the Jobs and Family Services. There's a few directions I need to get going. Also clearer on some future decisions. And I have ideas on how to rewrite the resume (for the fourth time). Just way too many things to discuss about that. So here's some other links.

But first, since I'm flipping channels, Hannity just had a guest who blamed Obama for the collapse of business in the private jet market. See, he (Obama) vilified CEOs flying around in their private jets (I seem to remember it being the Congress and the American People who did that, but whatever a persecution complex needs it'll manufacture), so those CEOs just won't buy them anymore. Yeah, that's why. Nothing to do with a collapse of the economy and private jets being a luxury item or the rise of plane-share programs. Nah, those wouldn't have anything to do with it. Well, Hannity is in the Reagan Library and this idiot of a business man got plenty of support of the crowd for his statements. It's the echo chamber in person. WIlliam Buckley is rolling in his fresh grave.

The Somali Pirate Business Model. Of somewhat an interest, reiterates things I already knew, but maybe interesting to some others. Piracy is business. Notice the reference to "investors."

One writer's story of breaking up with a publisher. And I can't say this is the first time I've heard similar stories. Take this as another push of the idea to remember writing is a business. We can sometimes get all caught up in the personalities, but when it comes down to the wire, it's a business relationship. I know in my own life that's a hard lesson to learn. But having just been laid off a third time in my professional career, I think that it's finally sinking in. (also grokked from Jay Lake).

Two Gallup polls that talk about being underemployed (a situation I'm staring in the face as we type). First up, the underemployed report worse health than the employed. Of course the survey doesn't go into causal questions (ie. are you underemployed because of the pain, or have the pain because you're underemployed?). Well, yes, I could have told them that. And, frankly, it's both. Then there's the emotional costs of unemployment. Go figure, people who want to work full time are experiencing emotion issues (stress, anger, sadness, worry) when they're not able to be fully employed. While they get to have more time with their family, really, I don't think that balances out the stresses. One major stress for me, even though they don't go into it in the surveys, health insurance. We're approaching two months being unemployed and without health insurance. I'm approaching a tipping point that I may not be able to get coverage because of pre-existing conditions (except for the "high risk" pool in the short run, then hopefully to regular insurance in 2014). You may see a connection in this poll on majority of poor, young, uninsured back HCR.

Good news (for somebody else)

My friend Merrie has excellent good news. I'm sure sitting on that news for three months now nearly killed her. It's a 3 books deal, for those who don't want to click through first and find out. Go and tell her how wonderful she is (because she really is).

Sunday with the Notes

Spent most of the day preparing for tomorrow. It'll be the first time I've registered for classes in almost two decades. And the classes are ones that fill fast. So tomorrow will be up early (somewhat disappointed they don't have online registration start at midnight), drive to broadband access, and then a mad rush to register (I have the numbers for my first and second choices ready to go). I also owe a few of you some email that I hope to get to tomorrow. Tomorrow is also a seminar on getting a Federal Government Job. Apparently the application process is a doosie.

Also a lot of work preparing for the week. No new positions listed, fortunately two I tried to apply to last week had fax issues (I'm sure they didn't feed the beast before leaving). I'll try again tomorrow (which will give me my two jobs for this week).

And now that we're at the end of the day it seems like a lot of running for not a lot of ground gained. Hopefully that will change the first few days of this week.

How did your weekend go?

WIP

Okay, finished up some critiques so I could get back to the rewrite. Finished up another chapter, but discovered I had double counted one chapter. Sigh. So even with three chapters added to the rewrite, and about a 1000 extra words between them, my total number goes down a little. Margle!

The last two chapters, though, worry me. I didn't do much in the way of rewriting, more like repointing a chimney. Just adding a little mortar here and there. Not sure how good that makes them. Not sure what it says about my own rewriting skills. I don't think I'm phoning it in. Maybe now that I'm at the point that nobody else has read these parts I'm not paying as close attention. Or, said the more hopeful side of my brain, maybe this would be the point I got my act together and knew what direction I was headed.

I'm still hoping to go to the full novel critique weekend. I just wish I had a full time job together that I could be sure of my availability. I think it's the running into deadlines added to the uncertainty of the situation that's driving me insane at the moment. Margle again!

Saturday in the Realm of the Cranky

Hey look, there's a position for copywriter. Oh, wait.

Well, this ad isn’t that wrongly written. Just kidding... Seriously though, our company was just announced as one of the Top 50 places to work in the United States by a large, reputable magazine and we have grown over 400% every year for the last 3 years. Our company is just 3 years old but we’ve established a leadership position in our niche.

Uh, yeah. You know, there's plenty of crappy ads out there and I don't comment on them. No, really, I don't bring up how "Cleveland, OH" is "nearby" to "Montgomery, AL." I don't talk about all of the crazy stuff I see out there (like there's now at least three design positions that pay $12hr - for "highly experienced people" but also "entry level"). I thought by the link on the job site, "Hey, this might be interesting," and then saw their full ad. Dudes:

• If it's a "reputable magazine" give us the name.


• 400% growth over your first year isn't something to brag about. 400% of 0 is still 0.


• And that your "niche" is real estate investment doesn't give me a warm feeling (can you say "foreclosure flippers")

And let me say, I've had it with all the sites that require someone out of work to part with their money to get a service that "may" be required to either search or submit an application. Or the, "sure you can submit with a 'basic' membership, but upgrade (for a fee) and we'll really pass on your resume," sites. You know, these days, there is more honesty, transparency, and frankly, good business practices in the real estate industry than in the job/resume markets. At least real estate agents, by law, must disclose their business relationships as it involves the transaction. These job sites are giving the name of swindler a bad reputation.

And then there's the service to "fax your resume right away" that will only cost me $20. Give me the full contact info and I'll get the damn resume to you, don't point me at a pay service.

Also, when I input "graphic design" as my keywords, you should really be able to eliminate the "no graphic design" listings. They keep clogging up my browser.

Morning annoyances

Paying some bills online and they have a "convenience fee" which is not defined until after you put in your payment information. Really, this is a "convenience" for the company that I'm doing your data entry. This is like the phone company charging a fee for "touch tone service" (which our local - explicative deleted - company does - I do have a rotary phone, I've been thinking about forcing them to support it for free).

Wait, an 8% fee. WTF? Are you all insane? I'm sorry, to have the bill processed automatically by software and you're charging a fee that is equal to your late charge. No cookie for you! And I must have "pop-ups enabled" to do this crap? And your pop-up window just need to expand to the full screen size?

Man, they are pushing all my buttons. So, no. We'll take the chance on the checks arriving soon and sending it in the normal way. We still have a few days before it's due. And no, I'm not giving you the routing numbers to my bank account.

And on the job-hunt side, there's a new position that looks like it pays well. It would be a bit of a drive (and I'm used to hour long commutes). There's some skills I haven't used in a long time, but I could do them. But the first half of the ad is about how wonderful the company is. And then they have these bullets:

• Are you a hard-working, enthusiastic professional? Well, yes I am, thanks for asking. Get many people responding, "No, I'm a lazy shit."


• Are you able to be engaging in your conversations while remaining focused on details? I'm scintillating at cocktail parties, but what does that have to do with actual work?


• Do you enjoy having clearly defined goals and easily measurable results? Hmm, the red lights begin to flash.


• Are you looking to join a motivated, growing team of professionals? Is that a klaxon I hear in the distance?


• Have you ever wanted to be part of the explosive growth characterized by internet startups? DANGER, WARNING, WILL ROBINSON!

The rest of the job sounds okay, but really, is it just me or do those questions make you want to run and hide. I'm sure they're attempting to be "hip and happening", but instead it comes off as "we write SPAM for a living." Or at least they read too much of their SPAM.

And all this before noon. It's a full day already. So how's your Friday going so far?

Thursday between the flakes - of snow that is

Well, got the "Dear John" letter from the job I had high hopes for. One, I performed the job tasked at or above the level they needed for 12 years. Two, their benefits were just what I needed. It was in-house for an industry I knew about. I could have helped them greatly. But no, not even a chance for an interview or even a call back. How crazy is that? Also wish I could have found a way to contact them directly (rebuffed at every turn I made) to say, "Thanks anyway, if you have something else just like this I'd really be interested."

Of course I haven't been sitting still waiting for a response. There's two other jobs that I have high hopes for. One would be good. While I've done the work before, the actual position would be a promotion. They have a specific "Don't Call Us" policy, although I did send a follow up email. Still no word that direction. The other one is a slightly different position, while it includes design there a lot of "public relations" parts of the job. Well, I can handle that with all I do as a Village Councilman. It depends on if they agree or not. It's also the only position that they've posted the pay, which isn't a much as my previous positions, but it's closer and the subject matter is something I like.

In other employment news, I finished up all the testing and jumped through all the hoops to get the appointment with JFS to talk about possible retraining moneys. Today was taking the TABE test. Four hours (well, in my case three) of job and mind numbing, ass in chair going numb, brain starting to ossify fun. I'd like to tell you I got 100%, but I didn't. My average on all the sections was 96%. But then understand that some sections were 4 questions, so if you missed one you scored 75% for that section (yep, got me). However they do list "mastery levels", which, I'm proud to say, out of 34 "Objectives" there was only one that I scored below "Mastery" (and that one was "Partial Mastery" - which was "Data Analysis" which was a second WTF moment of the day). On that section, despite the verbal instructions, the written instructions said we were allowed to use a calculator (which, because of the verbal instructions, I hadn't brought with me). My guess is I made some algebraic error early in the computation. For the "National Percentile" I scored in the 99th percentile on all but two categories (Language Mechanics and Spelling, go figure, but 98 and 97th percentiles respectively).

Now it's off to get scheduled with a career advisor and have my resume reviewed. Hurdles cross and hoops jumped through for today. Tomorrow, I'm sure, there will be new hurdles and hoops. Maybe flaming hoops. Just have to make sure that when I do get an interview, the circus music in my head isn't too distracting.

A different social networking question

So, you've thought about your family, your boss, but have you thought about the editors to whom you submit your stories? Okay, I think I have at least one already, but he and I have had some longer conversations and I think our relationship goes beyond the occasional email. Now, I do blog with several editors, and I've friended them on Facebook and Twitter, but what about connecting through Linkedin with an editor that you haven't done much more than submit to?

Wingnut Wednesday

So, can we talk about something else yet? Not yet. My guess is a few people who thought it was perfectly fine for the government to do warrantless wiretaps are going to be very upset very quickly. Okay, well, I'm gonna talk about something else for the moment.

Jim Hines is publishing the results of his novel study (or study of novelists or something like that). This link is to his third article on the results (there are links for parts I and II in the article). Some interesting stuff in there.

Ned and Jane is a fund raiser for the Alpha SF/F/H Workshop for Young Writers. In return for coughing up $5 you get your own copy of a girl-meet-zombie story. You know, not to mention helping fund a scholarship to an excellent workshop for young writers. I was way past the age limit by the time Alpha started, even farther than when I learned about it. I haven't been directly involved with the workshop, but I've seen the teens who have gone through the experience and know some who have been. From what I've seen it's an excellent program. Writing isn't a zero sum game (if it were, I'd say let the little buggers wallow in the wilderness us, their older comrades in arms, had to, but, you know, it's not one). Encouraging younger writers just means that when I've hit my dotage, many years from now, I'll still have great SF/F/H stories to read. (saw this many places, but I think Tobias Buckell's was first)

And typing about Tobias, he has been posting It's All Just a Draft. Some thoughts on writing, advice, and his own story. I haven't read it yet. I could read it for free, but Tobias is doing the donation thing for it, and I'd like to chip in. Well, I might read it and chip in later. I'm a big fan of Tobias, have been for many years. Seriously, get me talking about breaking into writing and Tobias' name will come up quickly in that conversation, especially his "Getting Past Being Joe Blowneopro." I am so sure there's excellent nuggets of info in there, I'm giving the link before I even check it out. Yeah, he's that good.

And finally a non-writing link. On this evening's New Hour on PBS, they had a story on how Yemen Lacks Counter-Terrorism Resources to Halt Jihadists. The report is by Margaret Warner and she does an excellent job. And why I'm pointing it out, is she interviews our American Ambassador in Yemen who actually gets it. He understands what terrorism is all about (well, a lot of them over there do because they are actually fighting it themselves). Oh, and since we're discussing it, bonus points to anybody who remembers the first use of a hellfire missile on a Predator drone, who it targeted and where it happened (no, the answer isn't in the story).

Knowing when to hold them

Watching The Seven Samuraiwhile doing follow-up contacts for jobs. There's something oddly synchronistic about it.

Tomorrow holds way to many "must do" cards in it's hand. I might need to go to bed to deal from the bottom of the deck. Could possibly need a new deal, but doubt the house will grant me one.

There's got to be a morning after

Aw, Glenn Beck wants a hug. Come 'ere, Glenny. Just show me your hands first. I want to make sure you dropped the knife.

And in other news, Earth slows its rotation because of the right leaning spin coming out of Washington. You know, much of the crap being flung have been debunked so long ago, I'm just not sure it's worth while having the argument anymore. Really, just make the link to FactCheck.org and be done with it. Unfortunately there's still people who think this is a "government takeover" (again, it'll spend less than 1% of healthcare spending, if you can "take over" and industry that way, well, damn, I need to get into the mergers and acquisitions business). And then the Queen of the North is still on about her "death panels." I'm sorry, it's now been almost a year. If you don't understand how wrong this is, you just don't have the capacity to carry on the conversation.

It's called being a sore loser. And it's especially poignant because the conservatives bluffed and blustered, and huffed and puffed, and the little house didn't fall over. So, now those who rant and rave about frivolous lawsuits are now championing frivolous lawsuits. They scream about government wasteful spending, but now they praise several attorneys general bringing costly (to states' budgets and to the US Attorney General's office to defend) legal action which has a slim chance of getting any traction. Say, hypocritical much?

And don't get me started on talk radio. Last night on the way home from a too long day on the road I got to hear about how wonderful John Boener's public hissy fit ("have you read it?" - yes, we have, obviously you haven't) was a wonderful speech and an amazing piece of... sorry, just threw up in my mouth there. All this even though it did exactly dick on the floor. John expended a great deal of what little political capitol he had on this. And he finally realized he had been had. And he knows now that with the brinksmanship, he was holding the fuzzy end of the lollipop.

And now the conservatives are scrambling to make sure this isn't their Waterloo. The good news for them is that liberals, for the most part, aren't mean people. We don't kick when you're down. It's one of our differences. That will let the talking heads have their space to rewrite history to show how they were victorious; the whole, "bipartisan opposition to the bill" and "48% opposed the bill" (missing some 13-16% because it was too conservative) arguments.

The conservatives continue to emulate the actions of the school yard bully. Once their threats and bluffs are called and they're given a bloody nose, they still bluster and foam so that people who didn't notice the punch might think they got the better of the deal.