Good News from the US
Thursday, January 5th, 2006 -- J. DoeLast night I received a phone call from my mother who is in the US. “Did you send your resume to an insurance company ?” she asked me.
“No” I responded, dumbfounded that she would ask me such a question. How would an insurance company in the US even know that I’m planning to relocate there? Then, just like a lightbulb turning on in my head, it came to me.
“No” I said again. “I didn’t send my resume there, but I did put it on Monster.com. They might have seen the resume there.”
“They probably did.” replied my mother. Then she gave me their phone number and told me that they left a message for me to call them back on her answering machine.
Today I called them. The lady answering the phone was not the one who left the message. I asked her to speak to X. She replied “She is not here right now.” And then she asked me “Are you calling from out of the country?” Maybe I’ve been in Italy too long because instantly I became suspicious. I answered curtly “Yes. Why? Is that a problem?” and she answered in the same nice voice “No. It’s not a problem. I guess this call is expensive, so I’ll direct you to another person.” I was astounded. Why would a stranger even care that I’m spending a lot of my money on a phone call or not?
Anyway, the other person, a man, picked up the phone. The insurance company is opening a new office and are having several orientations where they explain about the company to several people at one time and then interview them for various positions, especially sales positions.They need people to see their insurance policies to people, mainly older people.
I finally told him “Thanks for calling, but I’m not interested in sales positions.”
He replied”That’s OK. We have several openings in our management trainee program too.”
Then I said. “I’m not interested in a management trainee program.” (and all this is from a girl who for years complained that noone wanted to offer her a job (other than cleaning toilets).”
Finally he said “Well, we have some administrative assistant positions too, some jobs are part-time and I think some might be full-time.”
“OK” I said. And then I signed up for an orientation. He told me to bring a hard copy of my resume with me because afterwards there will be interviews.
I am 98 percent sure that it won’t amount to a job, but it is an interview with a prospective employer, and knowing how I do terrible on job interviews the experience of just having an interview will be more than helpful. I am glad to be able to have the experience of the interview, and I am more glad that someone even looked at my resume and wanted to speak to me.
Sounds to me to be bleak also. I went on one interview just like that when I was in California for a short time before moving to Canada. It was commisson based but a good exercise for an interview. Like you said, its good experience at least.
At least you get this sensation you’re moving forward, you know? An it also mean you have a good resume, it’s good for you. In Italy you just get those rude high walls in the form of human voices. Blah. Looking for a job in Italy without links is worst than, I don’t know, the worst thing ever. Good luck for the interview anyway. Who knows…
Thanks Expat Traveler and Corpodibacco
I don’t think any ‘job’ will turn out. I’m really doing it for the interview experience. It’s been so long that I’ve been on a job interview. I could use the practice. I haven’t had interviews here in Italy. I usually get rejected after the employers read my Date of Birth!
I am very happy that they called me just from my resume though. (I almost told the guy who was setting up the orientation ‘Do you know I’m 38 years old? Do you still want me?’ but then I caught myself. He doesn’t care. Only in Italy is that an unmarketable age!)
Thirty eight is a perfect age for initiating a new career. A small suggestion; make the interviewer right. I think that you are going to do great!
Ray has a wonderful point. Don’t get down on yourself. And by the way, I’ll probably be going what you are going through by next year too. (looking for a job that is.)
I loved the interviews. It was the jobs that I didn’t like. LOL
Personally, I don’t think being 38 is a negative thing for a job for several reasons. I’m so sick and tired of hiring 20-25 year olds because they all seem to think they’re doing you the favour by working for you. They haven’t had enough time in the ‘real’ world and therefore, do not know yet that jobs do not grow on trees. Most have no real responsibilities which keep them worried about whether or not their work is up to par. The ‘over-30s’ we’ve hired actually appreciate being hired and do their best to stay employed and they don’t spend 4 out of 8 hours at work talking to their girlfriends and friends on the cell phone.
I wish you the best of luck in your new career…whatever it is and wherever it is.
Another point about thirty eight. First I must admit a bias. I have had hundreds of people in my employ and have found that women are more reliable than men. They are more responsible, they are more honest. They don’t cheat as much on their expense accounts. Most of all, they put a full day without the usual disappearances for various excuses.
Most of all, I find that they want to achieve and be recognized for their achievement. I think that someone thirty eight is perfect. They will not be coming in hung over from being out too late the previous evening, they will know that this is a serious effort that is required and they will do their best to achieve.
They should also make sure that when they interview, they percieve what the objectives are, and in whatever way they can, express their desire to see that these objectives can be achieved.
Thanks for the support Seawitch and Ray,
I think often about the times when I was in my 20s and was working. I never was a bad worker, one that came in to work late or left early, or one who shows up drunk, or even disappears for a few hours only to talk on the cellphone to friends, but I too think that I will be a much better worker now than I was before. Mainly because of my experience of not being able to find work because of my age I will appreciate more those who do hire me.
And thanks for the added interview advice.
Good luck in the future Expat traveler. I’ll keep you updated on my job search.