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I just learned that I will be interviewed, in person, for the contract position in downtown Chicago. The interview will be Thursday afternoon with three people. It is scheduled to last for 2 1/2 hours. For a contract position, this is a long interview. Interviews of this length can be stressful, often by design. I will prepare well, so I am hopeful this one will work out.

This financial institution would be a great place to work. From the phone interview alone, I got the feeling that I would get along well with the person who would be my boss. Whether or not this would turn into a permanent job down the road, I would be thrilled to be working again. I

Danya (imported) wrote: Sat Apr 24, 2010 12:30 pm t would look good on my resume,

too.

Finally, if I am offered this IT role I will go ahead and schedule GRS.

Danya (imported) wrote: Wed Jun 09, 2010 11:02 pm I just learned that I will be interviewed, in person, for the contract position in downtown Chicago. The interview will be Thursday afternoon with three people. It is scheduled to last for 2 1/2 hours. For a contract position, this is a long interview. Interviews of this length can be stressful, often by design. I will prepare well, so I am hopeful this one will work out.

This financial institution would be a great place to work. From the phone interview alone, I got the feeling that I would get along well with the person who would be my boss. Whether or not this would turn into a permanent job down the road, I would be thrilled to be working again. I

Danya (imported) wrote: Wed Jun 09, 2010 11:02 pm 1272076200]
t would look good on my resume,

too.

Finally, if I am o
[/quote]
ffered this IT role I will go ahead and schedule GRS.

That is a rather long interview. Stay cool, be yourself and get the job.

Mac (imported) wrote: Wed Jun 09, 2010 11:39 pm That is a rather long interview. Stay cool, be yourself and get the job.

Hi Mac,

Your advice is very good. I made the decision for this interview to avoid over preparing. My Minnesota friend says you can never be over prepared. I think I can be, like when I stayed up until 5 AM preparing a 31 page PowerPoint presentation to submit with an application.

I spent time today reviewing best practices for my IT role. In the morning, I will go over this material once more. Then I will drive to the 'L' station to catch a train heading downtown. On the way, I'll go over my resume trying to think of questions the interviewers may ask.

For the phone interview that preceded this, I had little time to prepare so I just relaxed and did the best I could. That got me the in person interview.

Hugs,

Danya

As I prepared for tomorrow's interview, I wondered how 'X' was doing on the first night of his summer session statistics class. He does well in his classes, so I am sure everything turned out fine.

We will talk in about 30 minutes. After tomorrow's interview, he and I will go to a 'free' dinner near O'Hare. It's one of those sales pitch things where they wine and dine you. Then you sit and ignore their presentation.

If I get the contract job, I will need to move much closer to downtown within a week or two. A regular commute by car is out of the question. Putting 100 miles a day on my car and sitting in heavy traffic is not something I can do. The train would save gas and wear and tear on my car. I'd still wind up spending about 4 hours a day commuting.

There's another thing to consider. The recruiter for the contract job told me I should not tell the hiring manager how far away I live. Any reasonable person would conclude that the commute is not doable on a regular basis. Even if I do not get this job, I will move to a more central location. This will make it easier for me to travel just about anyplace in Chicagoland.

It will also put me closer to 'X.' Right now, he is nearly 40 miles away.

My roommate and I have been getting along extremely well. I like where I am. There are lots of trees and birds. Last week, my roommate saw a fox run across the back yard. I will have mixed feelings leaving.

She has known from the time I moved in that I might need to relocate. This is why I arranged renting on a month-to-month basis.

Sorry I missed your call but I was happy about the news.

Hi Danya,

Thank you so much for your call this evening and for sharing the GOOD NEWS with me. Congratulations on your new position!

I just know you'll do a wonderful job and the fact that it's located downtown, a place you seem to really enjoy, is just an extra added benefit.

YOU GO GIRL!!! lalala:

Congratulations!

I have kept reading your blog looking for the day when you would find employment again. This is indeed good news!

Happy for you,

Terri

Congratulations! Thanks for the call! Good to hear from you!

Tugon, Erica Ann, Terri and Kristoff,

I just retunred home after celebrating with 'X.' Thanks to all of you for your good wishes. It is very late and I am worn out. I will write more about the new job sometime tomorrow.

I want to thank so many here who have offered their encouragement and support. Whether through posting on this thread, through PMs, personal emails or phone calls. This site is terrific and so are the many good people here.

This is just reward for all the diligence and hard work you've done...

I'm so happy for you. Now show them what a wise decision they've made dragonfly

butterflyjack (imported) wrote: Fri Jun 11, 2010 9:14 pm This is just reward for all the diligence and hard work you've done...

I'm so happy for you. Now show them what a wise decision they've made dragonfly

Hi butterflyjack,

Thanks for your kind words. You are right on. I need to show them that they made a wise decision and I will.

Hugs,

Danya

Told you you were amazing. I'm ecstatic someone else saw it. Best wishes.

Transward

transward (imported) wrote: Sat Jun 12, 2010 2:55 pm Told you you were amazing. I'm ecstatic someone else saw it. Best wishes.

Transward

Hi Transward,

I am so happy I have gotten to know you a bit. As I wrote to you, I am simply being myself. I do not feel amazing, although I appreciate your comments a lot.

If I ever get out your way, I would love to meet you.

Best wishes,

Danya

Danya (imported) wrote: Sat Jun 12, 2010 4:19 pm Hi Transward,

I am so happy I have gotten to know you a bit. As I wrote to you, I am simply being myself. I do not feel amazing, although I appreciate your comments a lot.

If I ever get out your way, I would love to meet you.

Best wishes,

Danya

Even before the current economic bad times, transwomen (and transmen) lost jobs way more than they should. Too many times I have had them cry on my shoulder, try, try and then sink into despair, apathy, often drugs and drink or worse. Plus I feed the homeless and formerly homeless, the drunk and the crazy, so maybe I don't see as many success stories as some, but I think the way you just kept charging, just kept battling, earned you the title Amazing.

Treat yourself accordingly.

Transward

After reading Transward's generous comments and good wishes, I am stunned. In a very good way. I am honored by everyone's comments here.

I spent a wonderful Friday with 'X' at the Art Institute. After delaying the trip to let crowds disperse after the ticker tape parade celebrating the Blackhawks' win of the Stanley Cup, we arrived at a very crowded downtown Chicago. The Blues Festival had started in Grant Park. Some streets near the park were blocked.

'X' and I shared some wonderful moments at the museum. He made no attempt to soften his voice when he had negative opinions on some of the art work. Several guards chuckled at his comments.

By the time we entered the new Modern Wing on the second level overlooking Griffin Court, I was tired and need to sit. 'X' joked with the young man and woman at the beverage counter. Then he sat next to me and we did what we do very regularly. We talked and then kissed, a lot.

I turned to look down the expanse of Griffin Court and beyond over the ultra modern Millenium Park. I wished I had my camera. The court and park are extensions of each other and the overall effect is stunning.

The museum just extended its Friday closing time to 8 PM. At around 6, a jazz quartet started to play on the main level of Griffin Court. 'X' and I stood with the gathered crowd to listen. As the group began a new piece, an improvisation on an old song, 'X' started to sing to me. He has sung to me before, but never in a public place. He was not singing softly, either. Two of the musicians looked right at him, but not unkindly. The man next to us said we could go out on the floor and dance.

I was overwhelmed by the combination of the wonderful arcihtectural space, the surrounding art, the very fine music and 'X' singing. I started to cry, a common reaction when I cannot contain my happiness.

I realized later that 'X' had done something remarkable. He managed to keep singing through the improvisations of the quartet and end just as they stopped playing.

I will start my new job on Monday, June 21 - the summer solstice. A good omen, perhaps.

As for the job interview, the recruiter told me she has not seen a hiring decision made so quickly in the last 18 months. I found out I had the job as I was on the 'L' returning to my car. I am very fortunate to have landed this position.

I was disappointed to learn the recruiting agency does not offer benefits as good as I had thought. That's OK, I will get everything to work out.

Sometime in the coming week, I need to find a new place to stay. The four-and-a-half hour daily commute from my current location is way too far. I need time for a life in addition to a job. I hope to find a small studio or one bedroom apartment near public transportation.

I will also contact several GRS surgeons and make a decision on which one to go with. The waiting time for surgery can be many months, but I am hopeful I can shorten this a bit.

Hi!

Finally some good news!

Hope you´ll do well and even in spite as I understood it it is just for a period of time you manage to get it prolonged.

Greetings

John

Danya (imported) wrote: Sat Jun 12, 2010 4:19 pm Hi Transward,

I am so happy I have gotten to know you a bit. As I wrote to you, I am simply being myself. I do not feel amazing, although I appreciate your comments a lot.

If I ever get out your way, I would love to meet you.

Best wishes,

Danya

Thats iy lovely lady I am very much glad and hope you will even be happier in your new position...we will all looking forward hearing from you about now your recent position

wishing you all the best from Istanbul

Cheers

hakan a.k.a Dorian Gray

EricaAnn (imported) wrote: Fri Jun 11, 2010 9:37 am Hi Danya,

Thank you so much for your call this evening and for sharing the GOOD NEWS with me. Congratulations on your new position!

I just know you'll do a wonderful job and the fact that it's located downtown, a place you seem to really enjoy, is just an extra added benefit.

YOU GO GIRL!!! lalala:

By the way EricaAnn although we celebrate the good news for Danya's new position I had to say that your new hair style is just terrific and really fitted with you, I and I am sure lots of your friends also love that new style

Go Danya and Go EricaAnn

We simply love you ladies

Greetings to you from Istanbul

Cheers

Hakan a.k.a Dorian Gray;)

Hi!

John (imported) wrote: Sun Jun 13, 2010 4:06 am Finally some good news!

Hope you´ll do well and even in spite as I understood it it is just for a period of time you manage to get it prolonged.

Greetings

John

Hi John,

All of this will work out, whether or not this job gets prolonged. I am getting more excited about getting back to work.

Before the start date, I have a lot of tasks to get done. Including finding a new place to live and some simple, inexpensive furniture.

Hugs,

Danya

kizahakan (imported) wrote: Sun Jun 13, 2010 4:45 am Thats iy lovely lady I am very much glad and hope you will even be happier in your new position...we will all looking forward hearing from you about now your recent position

wishing you all the best from Istanbul

Hi Hakan,

It is a treat to hear from you! This new position is truly a te

kizahakan (imported) wrote: Sun Jun 13, 2010 4:50 am rrific opportunity. I will let people know how it goes.

By the way EricaAnn although we celebrate the good news for Danya's new position I had to say that your new hair style is just terrific and really fitted with you, I and I am sure lots of your friends also love that new style

Go Danya and Go EricaAnn

We simply love you ladies

Greeting

s to you from Istanbul

Cheers

Hakan a.k.a Dorian Gray;)

Erica Ann does look great with her new hair style. I saw her recently. I wonder where she got that blouse?? She looks great in that, too.

Thanks for writing and the good wishes.

Hugs,

Danya

Congratulations Danya. What can you tell us about the job?

Mac (imported) wrote: Mon Jun 14, 2010 12:34 pm Congratulations Danya. What can you tell us about the job?

Thanks, Mac.

I can tell you that this job is not in Information Technology (IT) at all. Although the role I am filling is often considered an IT function and my last job was in an IT department.

What it comes down to is that the new job is, in a sense, the purest practice of what I do. Ideally, this job is supposed to be largely independent of the type of technology used to create the product (solution). Most often, the ideal is not met by a long shot. That it is in this company is something really exciting. I can't say more than that now.

I will make this clearer by the end of the week.

Hugs,

Danya

Congratulations on the new job. D:D

Also on insurance (even if its not perfect) Today is (how many) days of rain. I think the volcano in Ice Land is dumping extra grit and changing our weather a bit for the cooler and rainy.

Thanks, MrT.

When I got home this evening, I had an email from a corporate recruiter for a permanent job. She wants to

Danya (imported) wrote: Wed Apr 14, 2010 3:43 am have a phone interview tomorrow

or Thursday. I won't say more about this now.

I am also pleased that an agency contacted me about another contract opportunity today in the northern suburbs. I am a good fit for this.

A third recruiter told me I am under serious consideration for a contract job in Minneapolis. It's for that major retailer based there that beings with a 'T.' Now that I have things going here, I will tell this recruiter I am not interested. If it were a permanent position, I would be very interested.

All of this activity is good. It tells me that if the new jobs ends without an offer of permanent employment, I will have other job options before long.

This afternoon, I went downtown with 'X' to take care of more business for the new job. After that, we went to talk with a company that is supposed to help you find an apartment. I concluded their business is a scam. I will either find something on my own or go with a reputable realtor who works on apartment rentals.

I missed a recruiter email that went to my junk folder. A fourth recruiter has expressed interest for a contract to hire postion in the western suburbs. I'm not sure how to handle this one. No, I am sure - I will check it out.

The apartment finder people (see last post) wanted rental and security deposit money up front before showing apartments. Even then, they promised to show no more than two places. Major red flags.

The area I am checking for apartments is much more centrally located than where I now live. It is a good location for both downtown jobs and suburban opportunities.