The job hunt that wasn't
The short version: I'm employed as of tomorrow. I didn't send out a single CV. I probably won't be going to Pennsic.
Those of you on my friends' list know that I had an interview today at the Canadian Institute for Jewish Research. This came about because two weeks ago, I visited Fred Krantz, one of my favourite professors at Concordia, who happens to be the director of the Institute. He mentioned that they had a position opening up, and that I'd be a good candidate for it. Yesterday I got a call asking if I could come in for an interview; today I met with the research chairman (Baruch) and the assistant director (Josh), as well as with Prof. Krantz. I was their first interviewee, and mostly on the recommendation of Prof. Krantz, the interview was 45 minutes of us getting to know each other and them asking, "Can you start tomorrow?"
I'll be Josh's assistant, and my job will be pretty varied: research, writing, editing, reception, fund-raising, etc. The entire office consists of about 7 people, so you get to wear a lot of hats. It's a full-time job, 9 to 5 with occasional evenings and Sundays if they've got a lecture or seminar going on. On the other hand, I'll automatically get the Jewish holidays off, which is a perk.
On the downside, the pay is very low compared to what I'm used to. For the first three (probationary) months, I'll be taking a 40% pay cut compared to what I was making at Softitler. For the following three months, it'll only be a 30% pay cut. On the other hand, the pay should increase over time, and it looks to be interesting, challenging work.
The other downside is that I'll almost certainly not make it to Pennsic this year, and maybe not for the duration I work for the CIJR. Their main fund-raising campaign is in August, and it's really an "all hands on deck" sort of affair. I'm bummed out about this. But, as they say, we shall see what happens.
So that's my story. My "job hunt" didn't involve sending out a single CV, and the one interview I had was to ask if I could start tomorrow. There are worse fates. For all of you out there who are still unemployed, my fingers are crossed for you (though obviously not when I'm typing).
Those of you on my friends' list know that I had an interview today at the Canadian Institute for Jewish Research. This came about because two weeks ago, I visited Fred Krantz, one of my favourite professors at Concordia, who happens to be the director of the Institute. He mentioned that they had a position opening up, and that I'd be a good candidate for it. Yesterday I got a call asking if I could come in for an interview; today I met with the research chairman (Baruch) and the assistant director (Josh), as well as with Prof. Krantz. I was their first interviewee, and mostly on the recommendation of Prof. Krantz, the interview was 45 minutes of us getting to know each other and them asking, "Can you start tomorrow?"
I'll be Josh's assistant, and my job will be pretty varied: research, writing, editing, reception, fund-raising, etc. The entire office consists of about 7 people, so you get to wear a lot of hats. It's a full-time job, 9 to 5 with occasional evenings and Sundays if they've got a lecture or seminar going on. On the other hand, I'll automatically get the Jewish holidays off, which is a perk.
On the downside, the pay is very low compared to what I'm used to. For the first three (probationary) months, I'll be taking a 40% pay cut compared to what I was making at Softitler. For the following three months, it'll only be a 30% pay cut. On the other hand, the pay should increase over time, and it looks to be interesting, challenging work.
The other downside is that I'll almost certainly not make it to Pennsic this year, and maybe not for the duration I work for the CIJR. Their main fund-raising campaign is in August, and it's really an "all hands on deck" sort of affair. I'm bummed out about this. But, as they say, we shall see what happens.
So that's my story. My "job hunt" didn't involve sending out a single CV, and the one interview I had was to ask if I could start tomorrow. There are worse fates. For all of you out there who are still unemployed, my fingers are crossed for you (though obviously not when I'm typing).