I normally keep my blog to travel and/or music updates, but I am assuming that many of you would be wondering about what is happening on the job front. Here is an update.
So. The situation here is not the best. That is putting it mildly.
In typical Jenelle fashion, out of all times to move to America… and then make that New York… there couldn’t have been a worst time to be looking for a job.
If I don’t find employment in the next couple of weeks, I’ve decided I’ll be home by the end of the November.
Not by choice. And I am not happy about it.
I love it here, this is the best city in the world (sorry Melbourne-people who preach otherwise) but I am not prepared to watch my savings dwindle (and also not being able to do anything because of my trying to be financially responsible) while I wait around for a job.
I have not been granted one interview for any library position I have applied for. Make that ANY position I have applied for.
With that, the temporary agencies here are either extremely slack, extremely shady, unreliable, have no positions anyway (even if they advertise that they do) or don’t understand my work background and/or what I can do.
I’ve dumbed down my resume, responded to Craigslist ads (which has just resulted in my spam count growing in my inbox) and have been applying for anything admin/data entry/secretarial even.
To coincide with this, I’ve been served by librarians at my local library who refuse to smile and/or get off their chair to assist patrons and where it is such an effort to just scan a book. Yet I don’t even garner a response when I have applied for a job there. After seeing this happen in two branches, I was horrified.
I don’t want to feel that this has been the biggest waste of time/energy/money and a big chunk of my life (I know deep down it hasn’t) but it is starting feel like it.
In the meantime, I will be attending the NYLA Conference in Saratoga Springs. A nice little program and ALIA take note.. for three days, the unemployed librarians rate of $50. Seriously! For a 3 day conference! Add in addition, an Association joining rate of $25… amazing!! It will be lovely to do some sightseeing around, from what I have been able to tell, is an amazing town while also listening in on some great sessions.
If I wanted to return to Melbourne, I’d be fine with this situation. But I don’t. I don’t want to leave here. But I feel like I am forced to. It is not that NY has been too hard, or I am out of my comfort zone – exact opposite. I am probably too comfortable and at home! It just seems like there isn’t a place for me here.
Everything else has gone AMAZINGLY WELL… apart from this.
I am sure if I was able to stick around, things would come my way. But that is taking a massive gamble. Just say they don’t?
Then I was thinking, the money I would spend on a flight, would be another months rent. So maybe I should add another month on? But when does one bite the bullet and make a final decision?
Yes, I would keep my green card but really – not sure what use it would be seeing as I would have to be back in a year anyway. I don’t know if I could go through all the upping and moving again.
Any advice that any of you could impart would be greatly appreciated.