Thursday, August 28, 2008

Next Stop: New Job?

I haven't written much about my job search since my last interview which went amazingly well but for which I was ultimately not offered the job. From the wording of the rejection letter, it appears I was definitely one of the final candidates but that it came down to experience that I was lacking. I got over it pretty fast owing to the fact that 1) I like my current job well enough and 2) I am on an eligible list of candidates for a better job and eventually my number will come up.

But there is trouble in Chinatown lately at my job and so I have been quietly looking around all that I can. Some of this "looking" means investigating the evil evil private sector. And, as luck would have it, I got a phone call today from a certain regulated industry: I have an interview next week!!

Conscience talking here: do you want to work for regulated industry? I thought you went to school to do good in the world? I thought you toil away in a low-paying public service job because you like helping people?!

Well, conscience, that's sort of true. There's lots of other factors involved as well and none that I can fully explain here in order to protect my identity. But I have known that it would be possible for me to cross over to the private sector eventually and substantially boost my salary. I just wanted to get more experience before I did that.


But, going on an interview can't hurt, right? Well, perhaps, and here's why: I have to take the bus. I know this sounds lame to the 99% of the world that commutes daily but I picked an apartment only 4 blocks from where the majority of jobs were in my city on purpose. I like walking. I like my downtown area! Alas, this job is out of town by about 15 miles. I know it shouldn't be a huge factor, but spending almost an hour and a half on a bus every day will add years to my life! And I will have to wake up earlier. And I won't get to go home at lunch anymore.


Oh well, wish me luck!

9 comments:

laughing808 said...

I suggest trying, you never know there might be some good you can tend to with this position.

good luck!

Anonymous said...

Good luck!!

Anonymous said...

the interviewing, submitting resumes, etc, is always good - keeps you ready should a perfect job come up. think of it as polishing, and if you get it and want it, then yay! bonus!

Lucy said...

Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Interviews are always good even if just for the experience. But you're right, it is about achieving a work/life balance, and if commuting would throw your balance out of whack, maybe it's not the job for you. Good luck whatever you decide to do! :)

Daizy said...

Perhaps if you get the job and like it you could join a carpool. That would cut down on the bus time. Personally, busses make me car sick.

Good luck!

homeinkabul said...

I love buses, better than the subway, which gives me the creeps for some reason. The trick is to go before or after the jam-packed rush. This is usually about a 10 minute difference. I find that the buses come more often in the morning but if you time it just right, you can get on the bus, have 2 seats to yourself and read your magazine/listen to your ipod without being crammed in. Try it! :)

Escape Brooklyn said...

You have nothing to lose by interviewing! Would the commute be 90 minutes total or 90 minutes each way for this commute? The former is doable but I've found extreme commutes (like more than 60 minutes each way) to be unsustainable.

But either way, nothing to lose by pursuing the opportunity!

Sallie's Niece said...

The commute would be about 90 minutes total a day. The job is only about 15 miles away but an express bus would take about 40 minutes plus a short walk after that. A carpool is a great idea though and I think I could probably find one easily enough. First I have to get the job though and at this point I don't know how I feel about it yet.