Reply #36: My job ends January 17th.

[Lisa0825]

I am a Recruiter at UTMB. My job title is HR Generalist, but 90% of my experience is in recruitment

I have known it was coming for almost 2 months, so I have been searching every resource I can find. The thought of being out of work during a recession/depression scares the shit out of me. I have had 3 interviews, 2 rejections, and 1 "haven't decided yet." I have 2 interviews next week, and I REALLY want one of them. It would be a good job with a relatively stable company, a raise, and keeping my short commute. All the others are at least an hour's commute, but that's life in this area. I found out today that my boss has already called the recruiter to offer a "pre-recommendation" on me. I hope that helps!

I am on several sites and networking groups:
CareerBuilder
Monster
HotJobs
Jobing
Job.com
JobFox
ItzBig
LinkedIn
InHouston
HRHouston
SHRM
TalentBar
Houston Networking News

I have signed up for search agents for about 30 different companies, and I have about another 30 that don't have search agents bookmarked to check weekly. Each week, I target another geographical area around her to go for a drive and see if I am missing anyone.

In addition, since this massive layoff was announced, other hospitals and other companies have been contacting us with their openings, so I occasionally get a good HR lead that way too.

I have started studying for my PHR certification, and hope to take the test when it is next offered in May. If I happen to be out of work that long, at least I will have that to add to my resume by then, and most jobs I have applied for have mentioned it as "preferred."

I am actually still working right now. I could just sit at home and still collect my paychecks until mid January. But I feel it makes me look better to stick it out, plus it gives me a feeling of stability and structure for the time being. When January 17th comes, I am going to focus on studying for the test and try to stay on a business-like schedule so I don't get lazy. I tend to get really lazy when I have too much free time!!!