Confidential!

Scribbler, aka Baron, made a comment on my last blog about job searching, and keeping things quiet versus being open during a job search. I should probably talk a bit about what it's like doing a job search in this field, so that readers out there know context.

Now, I don't know if this is for everyone, or just me, but in general I'm very open about talking about looking for a job. First off, at least in this situation I'm in now, it's because I actually still like the job I'm in. I'm very open with the fact that I do enjoy my present job, and I'm not looking under a negative cloud. It's just that it's time to find some new challenges with work. If I do end up staying here for longer, I can find different challenges with my present job, but it's becoming tougher and tougher to do that, without people going, "Why don't you find a better job out there?"

I obviously tell my references/supervisors that I'm looking, and my immediate co-workers. Of course, friends and family hear about it in a different context. With colleagues who I don't work with in an immediate way, if they ask the question, I'm open about talking on the topic of my job search. And, I'm also willing to strategically let it drop in conversation, if I think it could help with my search in some way. That may sound a bit more scheming than I actually am, as it's more in reference to just being willing to accept an offer of advice from people with more experience.

This year, I've been a bit more open with students I work with about my search. If they ask the question, I'm willing to talk about it, with making it clear that if I don't find it, I do still like the job I'm in. If they think I'm not really invested in staying at Dartmouth, then why would they want to work with me? As I said before, fortunately, I don't have to pretend that I like my work, I do actually enjoy it!

So, that's the context I'm in, for my job search...

Questions?

NP: The Who - Behind Blue Eyes (3 Sept 1989)

Closing!

Tomorrow is closing/move out day for all non-graduating students here at Dartmouth. I get to go around in the morning, starting at about 9am, and check all the rooms in the cluster to make sure people are on their way out. It's actually a fun time, because most people are either gone already, or are on their way to leave. Most people want to leave at this time of year, as it's really the end, for now...

Tonight, a number of us went out for CD Tricia's birthday, to a local chain restaurant called Margarita's. It's Mexican, but not the most authentic place in the world. Still, a good time was had by all, although the service was a bit slow.

Me, I got home around 8pm, exercised, and am now writing this. I was watching my new DVD of the movie "The Aristocrats" earlier, which I recommend to anyone interested in comedy, although it's not for the faint of heart... Lots of naughty language, and gross stuff abounds. Sign me up!

My general status on life right now is that it seems like a lot of things are in holding patterns. Work is good, but with doing a search, it's all in flux. I may be here in 2 months, I may be somewhere else, depending on how things go with interviews, offers, and the like. I am dealing with the ambiguity okay, but it's more an annoyance than anything else.

NP: Rachmaninov - Suite No. 1 Op. 5, 1st Movement

Hampshire!

Okay, I'm back in NH now. I arrived back from NJ yesterday (Saturday) at about 3pm, after having breakfast with my dad and stepmother at a nice little diner in the old hometown.

How did the interview go? It went well, from my point of view, although there may be salary issues that could be unresolvable, if an offer gets made to me. We'll see how it goes, if anything develops, I'll let you know.

It was good to be at home in NJ. I got to sit on my mom's roof deck and look at the ocean the first day I was there, and that evening (Thursday), watched some distant lightning to the north, also from the roof. Very cool...

Today, Sue and I went to go see the new X-Men movie. Sue's always liked the series more than I have (hello, Hugh Jackman!), but I don't actively dislike the movies. However, there was no real emotional resonance for me with the events in this film, although there should have been, as the movie was trying to press all my buttons. Ah well, there's plenty of other good movies out there to spend time on in the future...

On the way back here yesterday, I heard a bit of an opera by Beethoven on one of the NPR stations I listen to, I believe it was called Fidelius. I'm going to have to pick up a copy of it, as the bit that I heard was quite amazing...

NP: Keith Jarrett - John's Abbey