Yesterday I pulled out all the stops. I identified three places where I could possibly start working soon, all conveniently located in Old Montreal. I decided to give them all a visit to possibly set up an interview later this week or next.
Company #1
This company actually makes video games, although it's unlikely that you've heard of any of them. They do stuff mainly on mobile devices and web sites. I sent my resume to a contact that I have there, a really nice guy. He sent it off to his boss, although they needed to know what I was looking for exactly, and what they had to offer. After walking and talking for a quarter of an hour or so, it seems as though the only fit would be for me to start as tech support making $25K a year. That would be the equivalent of going back in time seven years, but then again, if they call me, I really don't have many options open to me right now. He would push for this because it may help him get out of the job situation he is in right now, which would be him doing tech support and being the web master, all for $27K. It's the situation that I would want the least, but it's the one that I could leave the quickest.
Company #2
I stopped off at zura's company to discuss with her what I could do there. She set me up to talk to one of the principal sales engineers. It was a good conversation. He thought that I could be an intelligent person working on the sales team concentrating on the business intelligence market, although thinking about it now, I think I'd rather be on his team. It fits better with what I want to do in the future. I'll have to let him know this.
And then the dickweed tells me that my experience wasn't coming across.
We had spoken for 15 minutes about sales, the BI industry, all the things I had done over the years (with a strong emphasis on the BI industry). I even offered to go over point by point how I fit their criteria. He wouldn't have it. He wanted to bring someone else in there to talk to me to help him evaluate me, but that person was in a meeting. He said that he would try to get that person to talk to me later this week, but I think that he was blowing smoke up my ass.
And then when I told him my salary expectations, I got a bad feeling. As though he was laughing at me. If I don't get that job, I will curse him and all his family. This experience was hard won, and I won't let anyone just spit on it like that.
Company #3
Last week, or the week before, I had a meeting at a placement agency. The woman told me that I would be great for this company, and that they are looking for sales guys right now. She sent my resume off to them, but I haven't heard anything. I've always been told that my resumes are impressive, but maybe my experience "wasn't coming across". I decided to pay the company a visit to see if they had filled the positions. I dropped off my paper resume and took a copy of their annual report. Of course, I got no answers, and I know no one there. I'll have to use the friend-of-a-friend angle on this one.
Incidentally, the reason why they need sales guys is because last year, half the team defected and formed their own competing company, probably taking their contacts and customers with them. This resulted in Q4 losses of $850 000. They are also in the midst of a consolidated class action lawsuit, AND are under investigation by the SEC. All this from their annual report. I've read a lot of these, and this is by far the most interesting I have ever read. It's got intrigue, suspense. All it needs is sex and maybe a murder or two.
I had a very hard time sleeping last night. I have to go to the HRDC office today in an attempt to clear up this fiasco. I am very scared, but there's nothing for it. I am convinced that I am lost here, but you never know. I haven't felt this way in years, and I hoped to never feel it again. I had dreams and imaginings of going insane over all this. Insane, like in a straitjacket rubber room insane. Permanently anxious, scared and crazy. And above all, ashamed.
God.
Anyway, maybe things will get better. They have to.
In other news, happy no smoking in public places in Quebec day today! I wanted to have a little celebration tonight, but due to present circumstances, that's not happening.
UPDATE: I just received the following email from Rose.I know you are concerned, staring at the empty space in front of you like that but, I wanted to let you know I’m confident in you. I know you will figure this out.
We have to expect difficulties until we are done with our projects.
This is such an important email. I feel a little better. Actually, I suddenly feel a LOT better. I am going to grab some food, clean up and explain to HRDC that there must be a mistake. I feel less afraid now. But I have to wonder, will the next two years (say) be like this?
Rose gets big hugs tonight.
Mmn, that is exactly the right email you needed to receive at that exact moment. Kudos to Rose, and to you, too. It'll all turn out fine, you'll see.
I got your back, mate. Anything I can do. I've been trying to track down the U-S contact... but it seems as though they've disappeared without trace. I'll continue to do so. Do you need help with placement agency contacts? Email me.