[mimsyborogoves]

Well the only reason I told him was because I needed a schedule adjustment so I could actually go to the interview; the last time I was interviewing I just told him I had an appointment and he thought I had to go to the doctor. I didn't want him to think something was wrong with me, lol. My boss actually told me to take any job offer that pays more than what I'm making now cause he thinks I can do better than what the store's giving me. (He's been getting hit with our store's mess too and even said he was thinking about stepping down himself) In fact, during one of my status checks a while back he offered to give me his contact info for reference purposes. That's kinda sad, isn't it? Lol well, it's good that he'll be a reference; I just mean its just sad that its gotten to the point where so many employees, including managers, feel that way about our company.

But thank you for the job search advice! I'm going to be working in the schools once I graduate so anything that involves education/library/children is what I'm looking for in a full time job. School media specialist few!

[pnkrckpixikat]

Lauren! How'd the interview go?

[bargoo]

I agree with Jiffypop, never, ever tell your current employer that you are going on a job interview. Never. I usually say I have a dental appointment, that is not a lie, I do ,sometime.

[mimsyborogoves]

The interview went so/so. I didn't feel like I blew the interview, but I didn't feel like I was definitely getting the job either. The people interviewing me seemed very neutral and they told me they'd have a decision sometime this week and would call me either way. The interview was Monday, and I haven't heard from them and I'm kind of starting to get nervous although they could potentially call me sometime within the next week. I personally feel like if they weren't all excited about me then I probably didn't get it.

My current company cut our hours -- not just mine, but my department's. Pretty much as soon as my boss told me and left my department I went in the fitting room and burst into tears because I felt like my back-up plan was gone. I spoke with him and he said he'd try to give me as many hours as he possibly could and that he understood, and when I asked him again about the full-time thing he acted like he didn't know if it was actually going to happen or not. The manager in charge of making that decision is on vacation this week -- so should I ask him about it again after he gets back or leave it alone?

Positive side of things is I have another interview on Tuesday for a part-time library assistant position. Not the full-time dream job I hoped for, but it's related to my field and if I get it, it'll supplement my current income. My co-worker mentioned paying rent with my loans and getting food stamps... it's tempting, but I don't really want to do that if I don't have to but I almost feel like I will have to temporarily if I want to keep my apartment and not stay at home for another year. It's all kind of overwhelming, and especially when my classes start, I kinda feel like I won't have a life at all. But I won't be at my parents' house, so I guess that's better than nothing, right? Right.

How do you stay sane working 2 jobs + going to school?

[NemesisClaws]

Ok, first of all, do not panic and secondly, you are not alone in your job situation. My workplace has been downsizing like you wouldn't believe, and I'm currently facing both pay and hiring freeze.

I'm also having an unpaid furlough day every single pay period for the rest of the summer. Definitely taking a bite out of my paycheck here.

With all of the expenses that I have, I sometimes wonder what in the heck I'm gonna do. And I live at home by the way.

Just take a deep breath, and keep focusing on your next move. I think the library assistant thing would be great for you. It's low stress, and I think you might have time to do some schoolwork if they'll let you, but that's up to the boss obviously.

And if you don't get that job, just keep trying to get another one till you do. Don't give up, and don't take out a loan. That is just another way to get yourself even deeper into the hole, so don't do that.

But if you feel the need to get food stamps, by all means, go for it. Every little thing can help out.

As for me, I'm focusing on trying to get a second part time job myself. But it has to be one that justify the price of gas. No point in doing 20 hours for minimum wage. It just won't be enough money for me personally. So it's been a bit slow going trying to find something...but I'll get there eventually.

Don't despair, and keep the faith.

[mimsyborogoves]

My loan I'm talking about is a student loan, which I'm gonna have to have to afford school. It's the only financial aid I got offered; although, my grandad said he'd help me pay for school but he didn't say whether he was going to pay it all or just this semester. Either way, that money's supposed to be for school. I could potentially just let it go into overage and use the refund check, but there's always that thing of having to pay it back and like you said, I don't want to go into more debt than I have already. The good thing is I'm moving smack dab in the middle of the city with loads of potential for part-time income, so I think I'll be okay in that department. It's just a scary thought! I thought I'd be fine and that got thrown in my face. Life is real, lol.

[EagleRiverDee]

Originally Posted by Desiderata

One popular misconception, I think, is that HR is there to help you. They may be kind or sympathetic people, but their responsibility is actually to the company.

This.

You also risk upsetting your supervisor and his supervisor by going around them.

I would continue to seek full time employment elsewhere, and meanwhile make yourself absolutely indispensable at your current job so that they have incentive to give you f/t hours and make you a regular f/t employee. I would not share with anyone you work with, including your supervisor or HR, that are looking for work elsewhere or even that you're unhappy with your current status.