Another job thread-- tale of a job search

[Flubber]

You probably don't recall but I posted a few months ago about a job offer I ultimately did not take. I was tempted but it wasn't as good as my then existing job despite the fact that all was not great. The lack of "greatness" made me our fourth "departure" from a team of 10. The package was generous and I debated taking 6-12 months off but instead comitted to some new construction at my cabin and some home renovations (that will culminate in a 60 inch TV-- maybe bigger if the price comes down -- Asher I will be seeking your advice later this summer once the carpet and painting is done) so after 2 weeks of self-contemplation -- read this as skiing world class resorts on a beautiful spring weekdays -- I launched my job search.

I have applied for 9 jobs, mainly through headhunting firms unless indicated otherwise... I was picky and although these jobs vary a bit, all were for commercial lawyers-- in house--all have links to the oil and gas industry and 7 of the 9 involve smaller teams of 1-4 lawyers. All were based here.

1. Mid-east oil company-- Applied- got interview--told I was a strong candidate that essentially came second (whatever !!)
2. Asian Oil company-- applied after interview list compiled but got added-- did not make short list for second interviews
3. Major fabricator-- applied after interview list compiled and did not get added-- just as well as they were really focused on adding a woman as their exec team was all male
4. Pipeline and energy facilities owner-- applied-- one of 6 interviewed-- one of two that had second interviews--- pending
5. Asian subsidiary oil company-- applied-- they went to offer with someone else within a week of my application so I was likely too late
6. Major EPCM -- applied-- one of 3 interviewed-- had second interview with team-- references checked-- third interview by videoconference with top lawyer is later today-- pending
7. Major EPCM #2-- applied --one of 6 interviewed (mine was yesterday). They originally indicated second interviews for selected candidates probably in 10 days but mine is now Friday -- THey accelerated things once the headhunter learned that I had a third interview elsewhere --- I am one of two people doing second interviews and they plan to do a 3 hour thing where they take me to lunch
8. European Oil company-- Online application process-- received confirming email-- deadline is in a couple of weeks
9. North American Oil Company-- Online application process-- never received confirming email as stated in FAQs-- Emailed tech support and got generic email saying they may not respond due to email volumes. One week later I receibed an email from a tech support person saying the application had been received and they did not know why the job did not show in my account . I replied with a further inquiry and got a generic email saying they may not respond due to email volumes LOL. I don't have a LOT of confidence that this will ever get to the right desk.

I see about 5 other things for which I could apply but none look superior to my pendings. There's one I will look at more seriously but the rest are not looking like a good fit on initial reading even though I am qualified

So the stats

0-2 on automated processes currently but both remain pending

7 out of 7 in being forwarded on by the headhunter to the client
5 out of 7 in being interviewed
3 out of 5 in being asked for a second interview

I am hoping to see an offer sometime soon from either job 4 or job 6 while number 7 is promising as well although the headhunter indicated they ranked the top 2 equal after round 1 so them accelerating a bit was not a sign that I was top choice. Its the same headhunter on job 4 and 7 and she told both clients about my impending 3rd interview on job 6 (different headhunter)
(since she gets paid only on successful placement of course)

If I get an offer soon , my hope is to negotiate a late August start so I can enjoy the summer (my seadoos are in for a tuneup!!) without a job hunt hanging over my head and without any concerns about work issues. Then I can start with my full (prorated of course) vacation allotment available for ski season and Christmas and whatnot.

THought it might be nice to share given the negative job threads

[Asher]

Good luck

To counter-balance the negative, the tech market is just booming. Can you be a lawyer for one of those companies instead? The people are nicer and cooler than those oil company squares.

I'm talking to a company whose position offers a 35% raise (and other benefits) compared to the current job (and is in Calgary, unlike most jobs which require a move to California, Washington, or Massachusetts).

Where did this job market come from??

[Flubber]

Where did this job market come from??

OIlsands

It pushes everything. I am not at all worried since the job market is so very good. IF I wanted to be working already I could have jumped back into private practice . But the oilsands is employing so very many people that it pushes everything else. all the money and royalties and spin-offs make for a pretty healthy alberta economy-- JUts hope the price of oil stays up

Can you be a lawyer for one of those companies instead? The people are nicer and cooler than those oil company squares.

I could try but I have a LOT of oil company and construction experience that employers like. At a tech company my experience is less applicable. Also frankly I have mainly been doing searches of "legal counsel Calgary " and I don't recall much coming up with respect to computer companies. I suspect most don't have the volume of work to warrant a full time lawyer on staff so they use outside counsel. Perhaps the ones that do need an in-house counsel already have them

[loinburger]

Also to offset the negative job threads and to lend credence to Asher's statement that the tech sector is booming: I recently decided to move from Ohio to Idaho because my brother + sister-in-law basically said "hey, move out here and you can hang out with your nieces (ages 2 and 4) and babysit or whatever," plus my parents were retiring to Idaho. So I was applying to jobs in a very limited geographical area (Boise). I started sending out resumes on February 20th, had a phone interview on March 5th, and had an on-site interview + job offer on March 16.

[Flubber]

Also to offset the negative job threads and to lend credence to Asher's statement that the tech sector is booming: I recently decided to move from Ohio to Idaho because my brother + sister-in-law basically said "hey, move out here and you can hang out with your nieces (ages 2 and 4) and babysit or whatever," plus my parents were retiring to Idaho. So I was applying to jobs in a very limited geographical area (Boise). I started sending out resumes on February 20th, had a phone interview on March 5th, and had an on-site interview + job offer on March 16.

THats good and quick

My processes seem slower. It seems to go

1. meet with local supervisor
2. Meet with rest of team or HR or biggest client group
3. Local supervisor does reference check

and THEN they recommend you to their senior folks who want to give you the once over as well


Did a third interview today and they say they may want me to do a 4th. Have a second interview on Friday with someone else so I am hoping something breaks soon