And it turns out I know some great people!
As you know from a few posts ago, I had to start a real job search in the last couple of weeks. I had been looking about once a week on Career Beacon, Monster, Workopolis as well as on the career pages for NBPower, the NB Government and UNB. I had applied to a couple of jobs here and there, but only ones that I was really really interested in. When I found out I had no job, I started applying for anything that seemed remotetly interesting and that I thought I was at least almost qualified for.
At the same time, a friend from WAY back (University days) saw my post through Facebook and asked what type of work I had been doing and offered to pass my resume on to people in the government. Sure! Doesn't hurt to try that way too! This was Friday the 30th, I think. We also got a hold of another friend of ours who's dad works at another consulting firm in town (AMEC) and got his info Wednesday the 4th. Between those two contacts, I had an "interview" on Thursday night on the phone with AMEC and an "interview" with Supply and Services (Buildings - Planning and Project Development) on Friday afternoon last week (5th and 6th). By Friday afternoon I had one written offer and one verbal offer. Crazy fast.
Anyway, I thought long and hard about it over the weekend and yesterday. I spoke to a couple of friends that work for the government and decided to go that way. The job is a casual position for 6 months (can get extended up to 1 year) and it has no vacation or benefits, but there's going to be a term position that will be posted shortly that they want me to put in for and it will have some benefits. Still no pension, but it seems to be the path taken for getting in permanently with the provincial government. After 6 months of being there, I can start putting in for any internal jobs as well, so that will be key. Once I get on permanent (I'm not daring use the word "if"), I can buy back the years in pension, I guess.
The job looks really interesting to me - planning and managing building projects for the government (ie: new construction, renovations or extensions for schools, colleges, prisons, offices, etc.). Basically leading a team of architects and engineers from conception to awarding the bids. I'm taking a pretty big risk (the other job was permanent and had good benefits), but hoping that it will all pay off in the end.
The greatest thing: it's a 36.25 hour work week! Crazy! 8:15 to 4:30 with an hour lunch! Who has an hour for lunch?! Oh yeah! Me!! Perhaps there will be more running and exercise in my future... Time will tell... It looks like I'll be starting on the 23rd, so I have a little bit of time to get Nicholas settled into his daycare and aquire a bit of a government wardrobe!
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4 comments:
Congrats Julie!!!! Sounds like a great opportunity.
Well done Jules - I would have been all about the cushy government job too. ;)
Like I said, the gov't job will be good for family life!! 36.25 hours a week! That is great! Looks like Provincial gov't is a little cushier that the Feds!! :)
Seriously though, my advice, after been in the private sector, try not to get too accustomed to the slow pace.
Hey Julie...just getting caught up on the Mason Family news. I had coffee with Sandra today, so she gave me the top headlines. Now I've got the details. Sounds like you had you choice of jobs, and the project management sounds great for you. I can't believe you're going back to work, that year went fast huh?!
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