I had a crazy easy interview with another entertainment temp agency this morning. I didn't even have to take their computer tests. It was just, "Oh, you seem like a great candidate, we'll get you out there to assist some top people." There's also some bad blood between them and another agency that put me through the ringer when I first moved to L.A.
As with my parking sticker, I may have suffered for nothing for the past five months. Although now the city has screwed up the parking records and denied my roommate a new sticker because I have one.
After the interview I met a date in the grounds of Greystone Mansion and Park in Beverly Hills. Very peaceful spot in the middle of the city.
Showing posts with label temping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label temping. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Another Week, Another Roller Coaster
I found out yesterday that the current tenants in my condo in Austin will be moving out in May. I'd be lying if I said I'm not sorely tempted by the prospect of throwing in the towel on L.A. and moving back. But, despite what appear to be my dismal prospects here, it does seem too soon to make that decision. There's some hidden parties up in those hills, and I'd like to attend a couple before splitting town!
I do think my decision to leave Austin and try something new was a sound one, but I'm just not sure I can build a life here, for reasons out of my control.
In terms of my workplace, I've taken a look up the ladder, and my desire to move upward has been, uh, greatly tempered (oh, how interesting this blog could be if I didn't feel I had to edit myself). Not to mention that almost everyone over the age of thirty appears hitched. Right now I'm just trying to cope with my current position, hoping it will at least cover the bills and that I can stick with it long enough to give L.A. a real chance. I love the short commute and the hours (I work a later shift) and have been pretty successful at walking into the job in the mornings with a good attitude. But then I encounter the chaos and find myself in yet another impossible, no-win situation, and I want to run screaming from the building! I'm still in the temp period and so could decide it just isn't working out, but I'd like it to work, for a while anyway. At least now I'm starting to have conversations with coworkers.
A different temp agency called me this week, dangling an interview for another temp-to-perm job. It was at a higher level, but the compensation, although slightly better, wasn't enough for me to take the risk. In truth, none of these jobs pay livable wages for a city this expensive. I've learned the hard way not to think of the people who work for employment agencies as job counselors. They are more like used car salesman, and if you're lucky, you'll end up with something you like reasonably well that has a minimum of problems. I've also seen some friendly personalities turn on a dime when I didn't behave a certain way. Enough said.
I went to the dentist this week and, big surprise, he told me I've been grinding my teeth at night.
I'm nearly finished with "The Royal Nonesuch" and recommend it highly. The author started a "naming" company while in Los Angeles, and I appreciated his insight on that type of business, as I temped for a "branding" company a few months ago. I definitely don't have the personality to work in marketing, although my skills would lead me there.
I know that if I go back to Austin I'll just be facing another long hard job search. I've started running the numbers and wondering whether if I moved back, found a roommate, and sold my car, I could survive on a part-time job at the Starbucks at 45th and Lamar (for the health insurance). Sadly, I think there's no way to get off the treadmill, if you want to eat.
I'm becoming happier and happier that I don't have kids!
I do think my decision to leave Austin and try something new was a sound one, but I'm just not sure I can build a life here, for reasons out of my control.
In terms of my workplace, I've taken a look up the ladder, and my desire to move upward has been, uh, greatly tempered (oh, how interesting this blog could be if I didn't feel I had to edit myself). Not to mention that almost everyone over the age of thirty appears hitched. Right now I'm just trying to cope with my current position, hoping it will at least cover the bills and that I can stick with it long enough to give L.A. a real chance. I love the short commute and the hours (I work a later shift) and have been pretty successful at walking into the job in the mornings with a good attitude. But then I encounter the chaos and find myself in yet another impossible, no-win situation, and I want to run screaming from the building! I'm still in the temp period and so could decide it just isn't working out, but I'd like it to work, for a while anyway. At least now I'm starting to have conversations with coworkers.
A different temp agency called me this week, dangling an interview for another temp-to-perm job. It was at a higher level, but the compensation, although slightly better, wasn't enough for me to take the risk. In truth, none of these jobs pay livable wages for a city this expensive. I've learned the hard way not to think of the people who work for employment agencies as job counselors. They are more like used car salesman, and if you're lucky, you'll end up with something you like reasonably well that has a minimum of problems. I've also seen some friendly personalities turn on a dime when I didn't behave a certain way. Enough said.
I went to the dentist this week and, big surprise, he told me I've been grinding my teeth at night.
I'm nearly finished with "The Royal Nonesuch" and recommend it highly. The author started a "naming" company while in Los Angeles, and I appreciated his insight on that type of business, as I temped for a "branding" company a few months ago. I definitely don't have the personality to work in marketing, although my skills would lead me there.
I know that if I go back to Austin I'll just be facing another long hard job search. I've started running the numbers and wondering whether if I moved back, found a roommate, and sold my car, I could survive on a part-time job at the Starbucks at 45th and Lamar (for the health insurance). Sadly, I think there's no way to get off the treadmill, if you want to eat.
I'm becoming happier and happier that I don't have kids!
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Bird in Hand
I accepted the Hollywood Boulevard gig with the urban development company on Friday and start Monday. It's temp to perm, so there will be some time for me to try it out before going permanent.
Of course, several hours after I accepted the job, the Entertainment Placement Agency called to find out if I was still available. First time I've heard from them since going in there. As expected, I did not score an interview with The Big Important Talent Agency, and I do not know what else the agency was calling about, as I had to tell them I was no longer available.
Oh well, "a bird in the hand..."
Of course, several hours after I accepted the job, the Entertainment Placement Agency called to find out if I was still available. First time I've heard from them since going in there. As expected, I did not score an interview with The Big Important Talent Agency, and I do not know what else the agency was calling about, as I had to tell them I was no longer available.
Oh well, "a bird in the hand..."
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Alice in Jobsearchland, Part II
I got firm today about two things: no more driving to Santa Monica and the desire to find permanent work. It worked on both counts, with a temp job offer in WeHo and a job interview at Hollywood and Highland.
Santa Monica is not that far away in terms of mileage (maybe 8 miles?) but it takes at least 40 minutes in the morning and at least 1 hour in the evening to travel to and fro from this area of town.
I would advise anyone considering a move here without a job to locate yourself in Santa Monica. Seems like a healthy job market there (thus the traffic).
Santa Monica is not that far away in terms of mileage (maybe 8 miles?) but it takes at least 40 minutes in the morning and at least 1 hour in the evening to travel to and fro from this area of town.
I would advise anyone considering a move here without a job to locate yourself in Santa Monica. Seems like a healthy job market there (thus the traffic).
Friday, March 16, 2007
Temping Reconsidered, Part II
I had a discussion with my current temp agency today and it was suggested I look over their permanent job offerings and let them know what interests me.
There are several decent-paying admin jobs in my immediate area of town, from Hollywood to WeHo to Beverly Hills to Century City. So I am now switching strategies and hopefully can line up more interviews for permanent positions in the case I don’t get a job offer from the cruiseline. Only one of the positions is entertainment-related, but, other than trying one more time with the personal assistant agency, I no longer have the stomach for the entertainment industry run around, at least not right now.
I realized after posting yesterday that May is just around the corner—only about six weeks away. I think that is way too soon for making a decision about returning to Austin, so hopefully a decent-enough job will come through by then, one that will allow me to spend at least another year or two evaluating Los Angeles.
There are several decent-paying admin jobs in my immediate area of town, from Hollywood to WeHo to Beverly Hills to Century City. So I am now switching strategies and hopefully can line up more interviews for permanent positions in the case I don’t get a job offer from the cruiseline. Only one of the positions is entertainment-related, but, other than trying one more time with the personal assistant agency, I no longer have the stomach for the entertainment industry run around, at least not right now.
I realized after posting yesterday that May is just around the corner—only about six weeks away. I think that is way too soon for making a decision about returning to Austin, so hopefully a decent-enough job will come through by then, one that will allow me to spend at least another year or two evaluating Los Angeles.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Temping Reconsidered
After my interview on Monday, I debated about calling in to the temp agencies or taking the rest of the week off, with the hopes that I would get a job offer soon. Out of guilt that I was wasting the week and that I needed to reestablish contact with two of my agencies, I called into one on Monday, but they didn’t get back to me with any work. So, after more internal debate, I called into another one on Tuesday.
It’s always a gamble. The agency may call with something appealing, or they may call with something that you don’t want to do, and then if you say no, there’s a mark against you.
This time I gave them my geographic parameters, and of course they called immediately the following day with an assignment outside of those parameters but with a promise that it would be a “fun” job in the “publishing industry” doing administrative work “for a trade show.”
So with visions of myself blowing up balloons for the booth of a book publisher, I acquiesced. It didn’t help my decision-making powers that the agency had woken me up and needed someone within the next two hours.
As it turns out, the company is a publisher of a couple of trade journals and the job is strictly data entry. Three full days of repetitive, mind-numbing data entry. I have to be here at eight, which means I have to get up by 6 a.m., since of course the job is again near Santa Monica. At least this time I get a real computer chair.
Needless to say, I’m in a black, black mood. They have already asked if I could come back next week, and I, of course, said no. Thank god I had the presence of mind to tell the temp agency that I was only available through Friday.
Oddly, at lunch today I ran into one of the few people I know in Los Angeles.
Anyway, I am planning to take next week off to regroup. I already did a review of my finances last night, and I’m not yet in a place where this type of soul-destroying work is financially necessary.
I’m really hoping that the travel industry job comes through. I liked the people, the offices, the hours, and the location, and the job sounds interesting. It’ll be tough to live on half the income I was making in Austin when it is so much more expensive here, but I’ll just have to hope for the best in terms of future job prospects with the company.
As I see it, if that job doesn’t work out, I have some combination of the following options:
1) Telling the temp agencies that I am now primarily interested in interviewing for permanent jobs and will only accept one-day temp assignments (out of fear of getting stuck in another unbearable situation).
2) Revisiting the personal assistant placement agency with an updated resume.
3) Picking a date at which I end the career exploration and submit an application for Los Angeles Public Library (which isn’t a sure thing, as they have a preference for Spanish or Asian language speakers, and there’s no guarantee they would have an opening within what I would consider a reasonable commuting distance). I have to keep in mind the city training that would be involved and the probable six months without benefits and decide whether I want to go down that path here. Perhaps a part-time librarian gig would be the answer.
4) Making a decision by May 1st that I will return to Austin and telling my real estate agent not to lease my place after the current tenants move out in June. This would be motivated by the desire to reduce my “burn rate,” since my living expenses in Austin were 1/3 of what they are here. I would then just make the most of my last two months here and would travel to Santa Barbara, Laguna Beach, etc. I’d like to stick it out a couple of years, though, so I hope the job situation isn’t bad enough to drive me to retreating that soon.
It’s always a gamble. The agency may call with something appealing, or they may call with something that you don’t want to do, and then if you say no, there’s a mark against you.
This time I gave them my geographic parameters, and of course they called immediately the following day with an assignment outside of those parameters but with a promise that it would be a “fun” job in the “publishing industry” doing administrative work “for a trade show.”
So with visions of myself blowing up balloons for the booth of a book publisher, I acquiesced. It didn’t help my decision-making powers that the agency had woken me up and needed someone within the next two hours.
As it turns out, the company is a publisher of a couple of trade journals and the job is strictly data entry. Three full days of repetitive, mind-numbing data entry. I have to be here at eight, which means I have to get up by 6 a.m., since of course the job is again near Santa Monica. At least this time I get a real computer chair.
Needless to say, I’m in a black, black mood. They have already asked if I could come back next week, and I, of course, said no. Thank god I had the presence of mind to tell the temp agency that I was only available through Friday.
Oddly, at lunch today I ran into one of the few people I know in Los Angeles.
Anyway, I am planning to take next week off to regroup. I already did a review of my finances last night, and I’m not yet in a place where this type of soul-destroying work is financially necessary.
I’m really hoping that the travel industry job comes through. I liked the people, the offices, the hours, and the location, and the job sounds interesting. It’ll be tough to live on half the income I was making in Austin when it is so much more expensive here, but I’ll just have to hope for the best in terms of future job prospects with the company.
As I see it, if that job doesn’t work out, I have some combination of the following options:
1) Telling the temp agencies that I am now primarily interested in interviewing for permanent jobs and will only accept one-day temp assignments (out of fear of getting stuck in another unbearable situation).
2) Revisiting the personal assistant placement agency with an updated resume.
3) Picking a date at which I end the career exploration and submit an application for Los Angeles Public Library (which isn’t a sure thing, as they have a preference for Spanish or Asian language speakers, and there’s no guarantee they would have an opening within what I would consider a reasonable commuting distance). I have to keep in mind the city training that would be involved and the probable six months without benefits and decide whether I want to go down that path here. Perhaps a part-time librarian gig would be the answer.
4) Making a decision by May 1st that I will return to Austin and telling my real estate agent not to lease my place after the current tenants move out in June. This would be motivated by the desire to reduce my “burn rate,” since my living expenses in Austin were 1/3 of what they are here. I would then just make the most of my last two months here and would travel to Santa Barbara, Laguna Beach, etc. I’d like to stick it out a couple of years, though, so I hope the job situation isn’t bad enough to drive me to retreating that soon.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
The Beleagured Temp
Exhausting day yesterday. Filled out all the applications and tests at the entertainment placement agency and while doing so my cell phone kept ringing with other possible temp assignments and job interviews. Finally I was asked to step outside in the hallway to take the calls.
After looking over my resume I was told by the entertainment agency that I had no applicable experience and that asking for a minimum annual salary in the mid-thirties (and I had swallowed my pride writing that down) was an outrageous expectation for the entertainment industry. Yet in the same breath they found a position at a Big Important Talent Agency and called them extolling my virtues.
Afterwards I had to hustle down to Santa Monica for an afternoon temp job at an investment company. I was the receptionist, and it was one of those stressful positions where I felt the roof would cave in if I dropped someone's call. Then I had another dinner date.
I was absolutely beat by the time I got home. I was told I would need a suit for the interview with the talent agency (if it happens), and I need one for another interview this week anyway, so I planned to go suit shopping today. Woke up this morning with a headache and an agency calling me with a one-day job. I told them I couldn't do it and they definitely sounded disappointed.
This is getting difficult.
After looking over my resume I was told by the entertainment agency that I had no applicable experience and that asking for a minimum annual salary in the mid-thirties (and I had swallowed my pride writing that down) was an outrageous expectation for the entertainment industry. Yet in the same breath they found a position at a Big Important Talent Agency and called them extolling my virtues.
Afterwards I had to hustle down to Santa Monica for an afternoon temp job at an investment company. I was the receptionist, and it was one of those stressful positions where I felt the roof would cave in if I dropped someone's call. Then I had another dinner date.
I was absolutely beat by the time I got home. I was told I would need a suit for the interview with the talent agency (if it happens), and I need one for another interview this week anyway, so I planned to go suit shopping today. Woke up this morning with a headache and an agency calling me with a one-day job. I told them I couldn't do it and they definitely sounded disappointed.
This is getting difficult.
Monday, March 5, 2007
Back to Business, Part II
Had an interview today with an import/ export company for the travel industry. The experience had me feeling like I was in a Coen brothers film.
Found out import/export and hospitality are two of the biggest industries behind entertainment here.
A connection was able to get me an interview with a big entertainment temp agency in town that I had previously not heard back from. That is tomorrow morning. Then I have a temp job in the afternoon at an investment firm in, yes, Santa Monica again. That agency initially wanted to send me to Encino for the week but I told them I couldn't do it. I still have to work in another permanent job interview this week that's in my area of town.
Starting to feel a bit bedraggled...
Found out import/export and hospitality are two of the biggest industries behind entertainment here.
A connection was able to get me an interview with a big entertainment temp agency in town that I had previously not heard back from. That is tomorrow morning. Then I have a temp job in the afternoon at an investment firm in, yes, Santa Monica again. That agency initially wanted to send me to Encino for the week but I told them I couldn't do it. I still have to work in another permanent job interview this week that's in my area of town.
Starting to feel a bit bedraggled...
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Back to Business
So now I have to get back to business because I have two job interviews this week and need to do my homework on the companies. I had to cancel the trip to Santa Barbara in order to do so. I hope I can sleep tonight. Both positions barely pay enough to scrape by on, but perhaps I need to swallow my pride (and financial concerns) and accept that as part of the transitioning process. The employment agencies who arranged the interviews are, I'm sure, taking a nice cut. Neither of the jobs are in entertainment, although one job is not completely out of that realm.
In regards to the entertainment industry, maybe I'm a victim of ageism, as I'm no longer in the desired 18-34 age demographic, so I'm not as easy to exploit salarywise and perhaps am seen as not having "my finger on the pulse."
Thank God the word-processing temp job is over. I went to yoga after work on Friday and my toes spasmed into a misshapen pretzel. That's how messed up my body was after sitting in a hard plastic chair for three days.
During my lunch break on my last day, I walked around the Yahoo! campus, which was down the street, caddy corner to Universal Music Group. That's definitely where all the young people are. Google, a logical place of employment for a former librarian, also has a campus in Santa Monica. Maybe I should have located myself there due to the increase in new media companies in the area (and thus the increase in traffic heading that direction). But I really can't drive there and back every day. It took half an hour just to get from Santa Monica to the 405, which is about a third of the way home for me.
In regards to the entertainment industry, maybe I'm a victim of ageism, as I'm no longer in the desired 18-34 age demographic, so I'm not as easy to exploit salarywise and perhaps am seen as not having "my finger on the pulse."
Thank God the word-processing temp job is over. I went to yoga after work on Friday and my toes spasmed into a misshapen pretzel. That's how messed up my body was after sitting in a hard plastic chair for three days.
During my lunch break on my last day, I walked around the Yahoo! campus, which was down the street, caddy corner to Universal Music Group. That's definitely where all the young people are. Google, a logical place of employment for a former librarian, also has a campus in Santa Monica. Maybe I should have located myself there due to the increase in new media companies in the area (and thus the increase in traffic heading that direction). But I really can't drive there and back every day. It took half an hour just to get from Santa Monica to the 405, which is about a third of the way home for me.
Friday, March 2, 2007
TGIF, Part III
This is my last day at the temp job at the private school. I’ve been sitting on a hard plastic (at first, metal) kid’s chair for three days straight, fixing a scrambled word document. It’s a very New Age-y school, but the “open heart” does not seem to apply to adult temps. Then again, I’m not paying tuition.
I’ve had to get up at 6 a.m. every morning in order to make it here on time. After this week, I have definitely ruled out working in Santa Monica, due to the drive (although that qualifies me as extremely wimpy here). What’s made it even tougher is that I had my usual night of insomnia the night before the first day and only got about four hours of sleep. Yesterday, probably because I was unable to make it to the gym and had been sitting all day, I had another night of insomnia and got a total of two hours of sleep. I’m shot, what with the lack of sleep and the back and hip pain from this chair.
Also, as soon as I arrived at this job, another agency called me with a job in Beverly Hills. Sigh. Them’s the breaks.
I have had fun outside of the job. Tried out salsa dancing at Monsoon on Wednesday and had drinks at the lovely Casa Del Mar last night. Had to cancel my tennis game today though due to exhaustion.
I may be interviewing for a job next week at the headquarters of a luxury cruiseline. The office is very close to where I live, which is becoming a top priority.
Looking forward to the weekend. There’s a trip to Santa Barbara in the works.
I’ve had to get up at 6 a.m. every morning in order to make it here on time. After this week, I have definitely ruled out working in Santa Monica, due to the drive (although that qualifies me as extremely wimpy here). What’s made it even tougher is that I had my usual night of insomnia the night before the first day and only got about four hours of sleep. Yesterday, probably because I was unable to make it to the gym and had been sitting all day, I had another night of insomnia and got a total of two hours of sleep. I’m shot, what with the lack of sleep and the back and hip pain from this chair.
Also, as soon as I arrived at this job, another agency called me with a job in Beverly Hills. Sigh. Them’s the breaks.
I have had fun outside of the job. Tried out salsa dancing at Monsoon on Wednesday and had drinks at the lovely Casa Del Mar last night. Had to cancel my tennis game today though due to exhaustion.
I may be interviewing for a job next week at the headquarters of a luxury cruiseline. The office is very close to where I live, which is becoming a top priority.
Looking forward to the weekend. There’s a trip to Santa Barbara in the works.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
The Lady Gives A Little
Two people told me this past weekend that I had to give L.A. at least two years to show me her charms. What's funny is that I had already decided I had to stick it out for at least two years.
Things are looking up already. January is a slow month for the Industry and business in general, so maybe that explains some of the sluggish response to my early job search efforts, but things seem to be improving. I accepted yet another temp job in Santa Monica, at a private school, for the rest of this week, simply because I have to be out there anyway for dates after work. I also agreed to an interview, through the same agency, with an international business that sounds interesting. I also figured out the temp agency for the studio closest to me, Fox, and talked to them today about temp work. I noticed from their website that they have a substantial library on the studio lot-- something for me to think about...
Things are looking up already. January is a slow month for the Industry and business in general, so maybe that explains some of the sluggish response to my early job search efforts, but things seem to be improving. I accepted yet another temp job in Santa Monica, at a private school, for the rest of this week, simply because I have to be out there anyway for dates after work. I also agreed to an interview, through the same agency, with an international business that sounds interesting. I also figured out the temp agency for the studio closest to me, Fox, and talked to them today about temp work. I noticed from their website that they have a substantial library on the studio lot-- something for me to think about...
Monday, February 26, 2007
The Commitmentphobic Temp
I temped at a one day gig at a hip advertising agency in Santa Monica today. They wanted me to stay on for a longer term temp assignment, but I turned it down. Tough decision, as I could have created a career path there, and most of the staff was around my age. I don't think I want to drive to Santa Monica every day though. It only took 40-45 minutes, less than I expected, but I think that would get tiring over the long haul.
Also, I've really warmed to the idea of getting exposed to L.A. through temping, and now I'm reluctant to tie myself down to one workplace. I need to get over the insomnia attack that hits me every night before starting a new job though. And, unfortunately, this city is too expensive for me not to commit to a full time job within the next few months.
This past weekend I went on dates with men who have worked in the entertainment agency through temping. One got his temp job by going directly to a studio that has it's own in-house temp agency. I should look into that. Another used my first temp agency and was placed immediately at a studio, where he has worked ever since. *Sigh.*
But now I'm even wavering on my commitment to work in entertainment...
Also, I've really warmed to the idea of getting exposed to L.A. through temping, and now I'm reluctant to tie myself down to one workplace. I need to get over the insomnia attack that hits me every night before starting a new job though. And, unfortunately, this city is too expensive for me not to commit to a full time job within the next few months.
This past weekend I went on dates with men who have worked in the entertainment agency through temping. One got his temp job by going directly to a studio that has it's own in-house temp agency. I should look into that. Another used my first temp agency and was placed immediately at a studio, where he has worked ever since. *Sigh.*
But now I'm even wavering on my commitment to work in entertainment...
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Back to the Beach
I had an interview with another temp company this morning. Headed back over to Westwood, the area of town I'd been temping in. This interview was a great experience; I really liked the staff and felt they were very supportive and agreeable. I got a call from yet another agency this morning, so I may be interviewing again this week.
I had to take all the computer tests again, so after the process was over I felt the need to hit the beach! It's been almost six weeks since I've been to the coast. I haven't wanted to go on weekends due to the crowds and the traffic. This time I took the 101 and exited Topanga Canyon Road to get to Malibu. I stopped and hiked Topanga Canyon for about an hour and then drove through the tiny town. It's a little slice of hippieville bordering the multi-million dollar homes in Malibu. But, let's face it, the modest houses in Topanga are probably astoundingly expensive. Then I drove on down to the water and strolled along the beach for a while.
Then, of course, I had to drive back in traffic, but I didn't hit the road until 6:30 to avoid the worst of it.
My plan is still to get busy with some short-term temp work over the next couple of months that will leave me with occasional weekdays off to continue exploring around L.A. I'm hoping to have found a full-time job that I'm enthusiastic about within 3-6 months. I could also go back to the "personal assistant" agencies at that point with a great deal more knowledge of and work experience in L.A., but I'm thinking now that I am just going to find a good job fit through temping.
I had to take all the computer tests again, so after the process was over I felt the need to hit the beach! It's been almost six weeks since I've been to the coast. I haven't wanted to go on weekends due to the crowds and the traffic. This time I took the 101 and exited Topanga Canyon Road to get to Malibu. I stopped and hiked Topanga Canyon for about an hour and then drove through the tiny town. It's a little slice of hippieville bordering the multi-million dollar homes in Malibu. But, let's face it, the modest houses in Topanga are probably astoundingly expensive. Then I drove on down to the water and strolled along the beach for a while.
Then, of course, I had to drive back in traffic, but I didn't hit the road until 6:30 to avoid the worst of it.
My plan is still to get busy with some short-term temp work over the next couple of months that will leave me with occasional weekdays off to continue exploring around L.A. I'm hoping to have found a full-time job that I'm enthusiastic about within 3-6 months. I could also go back to the "personal assistant" agencies at that point with a great deal more knowledge of and work experience in L.A., but I'm thinking now that I am just going to find a good job fit through temping.
Friday, February 16, 2007
TGIF, Part II
Today is a very special TGIF, as it was my last day on the temp job! They made some noises about offering me a permanent position, but I definitely need to temp myself around before making a commitment. The thing about generic admin work is that you can do it anywhere, so I might as well wait for the right place.
I probably shouldn't have started working so soon anyway as it made it almost impossible to get out and about in L.A. in order to weave a social web. Oh, the old J-O-B, that monkey on my back! I'm going to take a week off and apply to another agency, but then I'll have to get back on the treadmill.
This weekend should be fun; I have a brunch (in Sherman Oaks), a birthday party (in Pasadena), a date (in my neighborhood), and a swing dance (in Los Feliz). Lots of driving around...
I went to lunch today with two new employees at the worksite, women in their forties, and we compared notes on L.A., the office, moving to new cities, etc. One just moved to L.A. from a major Southern city in the midst of a "mid-life crisis," while the other had left L.A. to try living in other states and just moved back. Both of them lamented the terrible singles scenes in those other locales. Ladies, there's no reprieve!
On the 14th I listened to a special radio program on the drive home featuring Pamela Des Barres recounting tales of her former conquests. It was a Happy Valentine's Day from Los Angeles.
I probably shouldn't have started working so soon anyway as it made it almost impossible to get out and about in L.A. in order to weave a social web. Oh, the old J-O-B, that monkey on my back! I'm going to take a week off and apply to another agency, but then I'll have to get back on the treadmill.
This weekend should be fun; I have a brunch (in Sherman Oaks), a birthday party (in Pasadena), a date (in my neighborhood), and a swing dance (in Los Feliz). Lots of driving around...
I went to lunch today with two new employees at the worksite, women in their forties, and we compared notes on L.A., the office, moving to new cities, etc. One just moved to L.A. from a major Southern city in the midst of a "mid-life crisis," while the other had left L.A. to try living in other states and just moved back. Both of them lamented the terrible singles scenes in those other locales. Ladies, there's no reprieve!
On the 14th I listened to a special radio program on the drive home featuring Pamela Des Barres recounting tales of her former conquests. It was a Happy Valentine's Day from Los Angeles.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Things I've Learned Thus Far
It looks like I'm going to be finishing out this three-week temp job. No early reprieve. I'm taking next week off and spending at least one full weekday in Malibu!
Things I've learned thus far:
1) Applying to job ads is a complete waste of time. I'm done.
2) Temping might be a viable job search strategy.
3) You can earn major kudos as a temp simply by showing up and breathing.
4) The anonymity of L.A. suits me at this point in my life.
5) Having friendships in L.A. does not feel that different than having long-distance friendships in other states, since the L.A. friendships are spread so far and wide.
6) Men my age have no interest in dating women my age.
7) Short-term temp jobs (as in, one week or less) are preferable.
8) It is possible to suffer from "novelty fatigue."
Things I've learned thus far:
1) Applying to job ads is a complete waste of time. I'm done.
2) Temping might be a viable job search strategy.
3) You can earn major kudos as a temp simply by showing up and breathing.
4) The anonymity of L.A. suits me at this point in my life.
5) Having friendships in L.A. does not feel that different than having long-distance friendships in other states, since the L.A. friendships are spread so far and wide.
6) Men my age have no interest in dating women my age.
7) Short-term temp jobs (as in, one week or less) are preferable.
8) It is possible to suffer from "novelty fatigue."
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Temping, Part II
I've been studying up on books about temping, but everything I've been able to find was written in the nineties. Strange there's nothing more recent, since temp agencies are some of the largest employers in the U.S.
A couple of books I checked out were straightforward manuals on working as a temp, but one book, "The Temp Survival Guide: How to Prosper as as Economic Nomad of the Nineties," was just downright subversive, although pro-temping. I'm surprised it even got published. That's what is so great about libraries-- all the random stuff you can find that has since been swept under the rug. I also read a very anti-temping and much angrier book called "Best of Temp Slave!"
"The Temp Survival Guide" put me in a better frame of mind about this temping thing. If I can keep the gigs a bit shorter and take off time to look for personal assistant jobs, it could work out. It could also give me a good overview of L.A.
A couple of books I checked out were straightforward manuals on working as a temp, but one book, "The Temp Survival Guide: How to Prosper as as Economic Nomad of the Nineties," was just downright subversive, although pro-temping. I'm surprised it even got published. That's what is so great about libraries-- all the random stuff you can find that has since been swept under the rug. I also read a very anti-temping and much angrier book called "Best of Temp Slave!"
"The Temp Survival Guide" put me in a better frame of mind about this temping thing. If I can keep the gigs a bit shorter and take off time to look for personal assistant jobs, it could work out. It could also give me a good overview of L.A.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Temping for a (So-Called) Living
So I'm currently in a temp job. Obviously there is not enough work for me to do here.
I have some funny temp agency stories, but I don't want to go into them on this blog. Let's just say that Prada-wearing devils are not only in the fashion industry! And, well, they aren't always wearing Prada.
Once I figured out that finding a job in L.A. is all about "who you know," I decided I needed to get out there as a temp in order to start meeting people and trying out different companies. I actually had to use a connection to get a temp agency to call me back. None of the temp agencies that specifically feed into the entertainment industry responded, so I ended up in a general agency that has some entertainment industry clients. I felt pressured into accepting the first position offered, so I ended up in a three-week job where I am responsible for making photocopies for a medical research study. Needless to say, I didn't have a great attitude about taking the job. It's not in a field I'm interested in, I'm not learning new skills, I didn't want to commit to a three-week position so early on, the pay is low, and there are no connections to be made. My L.A. adventure came to a resounding thud upon committing to the position, and my routine has quickly become the old reliable work-gym-home. I feel like I'm just spinning my wheels, waiting for this position to end so I can resume my job hunt. It's entirely possible that I would have been better off spending these three weeks going to parties and making connections. Also, this position feeds into my worst fears about my job prospects, which are that, after working for years as a manager in the library field, the only thing I'm qualified to do is make photocopies and answer the phone. Not to mention the fear that there are no longer good jobs to be had.
On the other hand, it could be a lot worse. The people are nice, and the phone barely rings. Most days I have lots of free time on my hands (uh, like this one). The pay, though low, will at least cover my rent. I've sent off about 50 responses to job ads, which will be my one grand experiment with that type of job search, and this position gives me three weeks to see if that will result in anything (doubtful). I'm also (slowly) working through my connections, which will take time to pan out as well, so I might as well be sitting in a job.
I have this one assignment here in which I have to replace pages in binders with the new, correct pages. I do this assignment with a former doctor from Romania. We are compadres in boredom.
I have had to study up on how temp agencies work. What are my rights? Can I refuse assignments or tell the agencies what kinds of jobs I'm willing to accept? Or will that result in never being called? Can I take time off for job interviews? I still don't have a good sense of whether or not temping will pan out as a job searching tool.
I would like to try out other careers besides librarianship while I'm here (see the personal assistant post below). Outside of being a personal assistant, I am interested in other jobs in the entertainment industry and possibly in other areas of private industry as well (after six weeks I am already willing to sell out). It's difficult to career transition, and I'm in a new city to boot, so I'm trying to be patient. The process could likely take up to a year.
I have some funny temp agency stories, but I don't want to go into them on this blog. Let's just say that Prada-wearing devils are not only in the fashion industry! And, well, they aren't always wearing Prada.
Once I figured out that finding a job in L.A. is all about "who you know," I decided I needed to get out there as a temp in order to start meeting people and trying out different companies. I actually had to use a connection to get a temp agency to call me back. None of the temp agencies that specifically feed into the entertainment industry responded, so I ended up in a general agency that has some entertainment industry clients. I felt pressured into accepting the first position offered, so I ended up in a three-week job where I am responsible for making photocopies for a medical research study. Needless to say, I didn't have a great attitude about taking the job. It's not in a field I'm interested in, I'm not learning new skills, I didn't want to commit to a three-week position so early on, the pay is low, and there are no connections to be made. My L.A. adventure came to a resounding thud upon committing to the position, and my routine has quickly become the old reliable work-gym-home. I feel like I'm just spinning my wheels, waiting for this position to end so I can resume my job hunt. It's entirely possible that I would have been better off spending these three weeks going to parties and making connections. Also, this position feeds into my worst fears about my job prospects, which are that, after working for years as a manager in the library field, the only thing I'm qualified to do is make photocopies and answer the phone. Not to mention the fear that there are no longer good jobs to be had.
On the other hand, it could be a lot worse. The people are nice, and the phone barely rings. Most days I have lots of free time on my hands (uh, like this one). The pay, though low, will at least cover my rent. I've sent off about 50 responses to job ads, which will be my one grand experiment with that type of job search, and this position gives me three weeks to see if that will result in anything (doubtful). I'm also (slowly) working through my connections, which will take time to pan out as well, so I might as well be sitting in a job.
I have this one assignment here in which I have to replace pages in binders with the new, correct pages. I do this assignment with a former doctor from Romania. We are compadres in boredom.
I have had to study up on how temp agencies work. What are my rights? Can I refuse assignments or tell the agencies what kinds of jobs I'm willing to accept? Or will that result in never being called? Can I take time off for job interviews? I still don't have a good sense of whether or not temping will pan out as a job searching tool.
I would like to try out other careers besides librarianship while I'm here (see the personal assistant post below). Outside of being a personal assistant, I am interested in other jobs in the entertainment industry and possibly in other areas of private industry as well (after six weeks I am already willing to sell out). It's difficult to career transition, and I'm in a new city to boot, so I'm trying to be patient. The process could likely take up to a year.
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