Layout:
Home > Patient Saver is sick/Further job complications

Patient Saver is sick/Further job complications

December 11th, 2010 at 07:59 pm

...just a bad cold, but I hate being sick!

I finally had to take off Friday from work, which meant I lost $400, but oh well. I only plan on taking the Monday after Xmas off, and that's it.

I had been feeling relatively positive about my chances of getting this job on a perm basis. After all, I've gotten positive feedback from several avenues, and the 2 other temp writers hired have also left.

But they still wanted to advertise the job. I guess from a due diligence standpoint, they couldn't just say we want Patient Saver. They wanted to see who else was out there. But I learned recently that when they weren't happy with the quality of the candidates that the employment agency was sending them (they chose not to interview any of them), they decided to rewrite the job description and repost it. The problem is, they CHANGED the job description so that instead of it being a 100% writing job, which I'm well qualified for, they're now looking for someone with strong writing skills PLUS the technical expertise, ie, someone who can use this software program (Camtasia) and actually build out the tutorials they produce.

I don't have the technical background, though I could certainly learn it. They know that, but i guess they're looking for the "perfect" job candidate, if indeed someone exists with both the writing skills and the technical skills. Usually, people are good at one or the other. Maybe that's why most companies I've worked for have one or more dedicated writers, and several designers, but not people who do both. You're just using different sides of the brain.

So i was really crushed when i learned they changed the job description. I was told i'm still considered a candidate, but you would tend to think if they wanted me, they'd know right off; if they're still looking for someone better, i doubt they'd change their mind and come back to me.

So, the guy i report to on a daily basis was very kind to give me a printout from the company's careers website with a job he thought i should apply for. Even better, he said he knows the hiring manager and can put in a good word for me. I asked him if he knew something i didn't, that maybe i'd been ruled out for the original job (working with him) and he said no, but he confirmed there was now greater emphasis on the technical skills, and he didn't think i should put all my eggs in one basket. It's not his decision, but I'm sure he has input.

Anyway, i was very grateful that he was trying to help. (He would get a $1K referral bonus if I were hired.) He said, "I'd hate to lose you, but if this doesn't work out, it'd be better for you to move to a different job in this company rather than go outside the company. I certainly agree! He mentioned that the salary range for the 2nd job was the same as the job he has, whereas the original job was one step lower. I need to find out what that range is.

The thought of possibly going back to collecting unemployment is incredibly discouraging. I hadn't really considered that a possibility these past few months. Although you've probably heard that Congress extended unemployment for a year, my situation going back to unemployment would be much worse due to the lack of the COBRA subsidy. I was able to live on unemployment by cutting way back on expenses, and so I avoided spending any of my own savings for an entire year, no small feat. But with the lack of the COBRA subsidy, that wouldn't be possible, becus i'd be going from paying $178 a month for health insurance (for one), to probably well over $500 a month.

So what happens in the next few weeks is incredibly important and depending on the outcome, will mean a huge difference in my life. What a contrast. Scrounging again on unemployment, searching for work again for who knows how long, or landing a great job with a global leader and cushy salary that will help me accelerate my long-term goals of paying off the mortgage and building my retirement nest egg so i can retire earlier than age 60 (possibly). Such a stark contrast.

5 Responses to “Patient Saver is sick/Further job complications”

  1. Ima saver Says:
    1292099929

    Gosh, I sure hope that things work out for you, job wise. Feel better soon!!

  2. frugaltexan75 Says:
    1292110791

    Ouch! That really stinks. I hope that things work out for the best - one way or another.

  3. HouseHopeful Says:
    1292164191

    Feel better soon!

  4. CB in the City Says:
    1292165425

    I'm so sorry to hear this. It is a tough world out there. I am lucky to be employed, as I, too, am more of a writer and less of a techie in my job -- and the field is definitely shifting toward technical.

    Hang in there. You have already proved that you are amazing at frugal living, and if you really have to, you can do it again.

  5. Dido Says:
    1292690177

    Sorry to hear about the change in the job description, but hope you can land another job in the company, and sorry to hear that you are sick.

    I know exactly what you mean about the health insurance stuff...I am dealing with that now. I ran through the subsidy last month....in 2009 I was paying $164.50 with the subsidy (Sept-Dec), in 2010 Jan-Nov, it was $189, then for Dec, I'd run through my 15 months so I paid $540. If I don't have another plan figured out by Jan 1, it will be $605. I'm trying to figure things out in the next week or so...definitely don't want to pay $605. I have been reading a good and informative book...here's the associated website with the book link, but lots of info on the site too: http://www.besthealthinsurancebook.com/. I think I'll end up with an HDHP/HSA combo and a premium of about $300/month. Not as good as $189 but a lot better than $605. I'll post on the details of my decision once I've decided.

    Good luck with the job stuff and I hope you end up being able to avoid going back to unemployment. The good news is that since you've been off of it, you'll file a new claim rather than reopening an existing one, and that resets the clock for counting weeks for the various Tiers.

    I really wish I didn't know as much about this stuff as I've had to learn the past 16 months!

    Hope your cold is feeling better by now.

Leave a Reply

(Note: If you were logged in, we could automatically fill in these fields for you.)
*
Will not be published.
   

* Please spell out the number 4.  [ Why? ]

vB Code: You can use these tags: [b] [i] [u] [url] [email]