Sun, Aug 25th, 2013 -- 10:57 am

EVERYONE PARTY, it's time for Sam's Guide to Job Hunting!

Woo.

I got an email from someone this morning who wanted to ask me about my system for jobsearching, so I wrote them a probably overlong letter and then realised, yes. It is time. I've been jobsearching for six months and I've reached the deadline where I switch over from "find a new job" to "find housing closer to where my current job is moving to". And I have learned a lot from being able to jobsearch while not having to stress about actually having a job, because I have one already, so I thought I would share my system.

It's important to note at the outset, though, that the specifics of this system may not work for everyone. You have to find what works for you. That being said, this system is designed to minimize the amount of a) work and b) thinking you have to do. The latter is important because thinking is hard and causes anxiety and if you have depression, you are likely to find any reason you can not to think. This isn't a character flaw; it's brain chemistry. So. Minimal thinking required. Whatever your system, spend each day wondering "how can I do less work?" and you will find yourself getting more done.

I've got an outline at the end for people who don't want to read every damn thing I say. :D

LET'S GO JOBSEARCHING. Hold on tight.

( Sam's Job HuntCollapse )

Conclusion

All of this seems like a ton of extra work, I know. But it's extra rote-work. Everything I've talked about -- keeping a spreadsheet, making folders, making templates -- is stuff that you can do on autopilot once you get into the habit. It's mindless work that you don't have to expend any actual brain effort on; plug names in here, get output there. This replaces the difficult, messy, confusing, anxiety-inducing mental work that jobsearching usually requires. It takes about the same amount of time and much, much less energy, so that you can get more done and be less afraid.

Reading this, however, is a lot of mental effort, so here's a quick breakdown. This is also a good checklist until you get into the habit.

( The Good Parts VersionCollapse )

So, there you have it. Good luck jobhunters, particularly those of you who are unemployed or fresh from school. Remember that even if you do everything in this post, you may not get many interviews; right now is one of the worst times since the Great Depression to try to find a permanent position that pays a living wage. If you are sending out applications, you are officially doing your best; the rest of the responsibility lies with the employer, and their failure to hire you is not your failure as a person.

It's a hard grind, and I wish you all the best.

Thu, Jan 21st, 2010 -- 02:36 pm

This post was checked for broken links and updated in February of 2017, but some information may still be inaccurate. This is intended as a guide; if you find the information below is in contradiction to the government websites that are meant to guide you through this process, the government is (slightly) more likely to be accurate.

So, I was working on my student loans at my desk today, and had to stop to explain to someone the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, and like three more people stopped to listen, and THAT IS HOW I ended up giving an impromptu lecture on student loans, which is ironic considering I can't do my own taxes and sometimes have trouble with basic addition.

But as long as it's in my head, WANNA HEAR ABOUT IT?

If you live and work in the US and a) have student loans, b) don't have much money, c) (optionally) work for a not-for-profit, THIS IS THE PLACE FOR YOU.

( Sam Explains Forgiveness, US Government style.Collapse )

AND THAT'S WHAT SAM HE KNOWS.

I should have a "how-to manual" tag.

Also note to self: I will be eligible to apply for PSLF status in April, 2020.

Sat, Feb 14th, 2009 -- 06:54 pm

I'm cleaning out my email (can you tell?) and a couple of people recently reminded me that I still had not reposted the rules for Emperors, the fortunetelling betting game played with Tarot cards. The rules were one of the casualties of the hack, but fortunately when Cartographer's Craft was typeset it was included as an appendix.

The amusing thing about Emperors, which was originally invented for a fanfic called Pilgrimage but used in CC as well, is that while it's actually been played by Cafe members, and apparently has had some popularity in certain circles, I've never played it. I have a couple of decks of Tarot cards (one of them my own hand-drawn invention) and I know people who read Tarot, but for one reason or another we've never sat down to a game. And if we did I'd probably have to consult the rules for the first few hands, just in case...

You will note I've included one variation at the end of the post. I love hearing about variations and just in general about people playing the game, so if you play it or have stories about it please feel free to share them.

( The Rules Of EmperorsCollapse )