quick story: em the hunter--update #1

I'm still pecking away trying to land a new job. It's been since Sept 25, and money is now a serious problem. I’ve still got a few good prospects, but each has each has pluses/minuses, and the process is soooooo slow. I'm progressing with some, and adding new prospects in the event that wave 1 does not yield a job. Here's my update:

New! Editorial Director, medical education projects: This is my best opportunity. The current editorial director is a former colleague who contacted me to see whether I was interested in coming on board. Um, yes. And she is advocating on my behalf with the company president. It's a lateral move, so presumably the money will be commensurate with my experience, and it's not a 100-mile drive to the office. Hiring experts say the best way to get a job is via networking, so I'm very hopeful about this one.

Editor, dental publications: Would be a reprise of working for Charismatic but Volatile Executive, but this time at the company that he started when he left my former employer at the first acquisition. Trying to navigate these complex financial times himself, he can only offer 60% of my last salary. Welcome to 1995. Ouch.

Editor, retail publications: Step down both financially and professionally, just not sure to what degree. Not a bad commute (25 miles of highway). Have met with them twice now, the first session consisting of a personality test and several aptitude tests. Welcome to 1979. Guess I faked my way through, however, since they called me back in for more interviewing. According to HR director, it could be several more rounds--including a dinner out (?!)--before a decision is made. Note to self--elbows off the table.

Editorial director, medical projects: Right in my wheelhouse--variety of media and topics, fast pace, good company. But! A 90 mile commute.They've gone silent on me.

Update! Community publisher, physician networking Web site: Electronic media is where I need to go, given the die-off among print publications. Interesting work too, involving courting of key opinion leaders, acquisitions, long-range strategizing, audience generation efforts, and writing and editing. But! Would entail moving from lovely Trenton NJ to a suburb of Boston. Not impossible, just daunting. I had 3 long telephone interviews before they went silent for 2 weeks. Received an email Friday--they want me to come to Boston to interview in person. Yes!

Update! Senior editor, medical publishing: A women-owned medical communications company, I’d be taking a step down, financially and professionally, but it seems like a great place to work. Another 90-mile drive to the office, but as a nonsupervisor, I think I could finagle a work from home arrangement. Had a second round of interviews, this time with the 3 principal owners (tough talkers). They like my resume but do not immediately see a fit for me in their organization. They offered some freelance editing, which I took, as a means of assessing my editing chops (suffice it to say it has been a while since I had to get into the nitty gritty of a manuscript). In waiting mode.

New! Another colleague received an offer from a headunter and referred it to me. I had a very nice talk with him Friday night, and he's very optimistic about my chances to find something good. He has put me in the running for a good job in Big Pharma. Not a bad place to be in uncertain times.

New! Had a nice long interview with the headhunter for a medical education project director opening. Job is right up my alley as far as skill-set and salary. Drive is in the vicinity of 1 hour 1 way--doable. Headhunter thinks I have a chance!

Lock and load.

Denny Crane.

Comments

Best of luck huni - I am sure that you will do well. It's important to remember when you walk in there to dazzle them.... they need you. they want you. they'd be crazy not to!

Posted by: loulou | November 19, 2008 at 02:55 PM