Help! My Portfolio Has Been Hijacked by City Hall

In September, I interviewed for what I thought was an amazing job. It was for the public information officer position in my hometown of Hoboken.  I met with our interim mayor at the last-minute, over a holiday weekend, and thought it went fabulously. She took my portfolio and asked for my references.

She said the position needed to be filled immediately, but weeks went by and there was no follow-up. When I checked in, I was told interviews were still being conducted. I was cool with that. The job market has changed drastically and it’s not the same finding a gig today as it used to be. Whereas two years ago, you may have gone on one or two interviews within two weeks, these days, you may go through three to five over a two month period.

As the weeks progressed, I heard nothing. Ok, I thought, maybe the position was on hold while she was running for permanent office; maybe it was canceled due to lack of funding; or perhaps it was filled internally. Whatever the case, it would have been nice to have received a follow-up, but better yet, to have gotten my work back.

I called and emailed the mayor’s office for weeks with no response. The mayor had given me her personal email but my attempts proved unsuccessful.  I left messages with people in her office who promised they would relay my concern about my portfolio but still no movement. I reached out to the mayor’s aide who at one point said he’d get me my stuff by the end of the week, only to be forgotten about.

HELP! My press portfolio is being hijacked in city hall! Ok, I am being a bit dramatic here, but seriously, I brought great samples of my work to this interview because it was something I wanted; I truly wanted to impress. In this economy, it’s sin that anyone would ignore repeated attempts to get someone’s work back. Being too busy is not an acceptable reason. I’m a resident (an unemployed one at that!) of your community; please, show me a little respect!

I shouldn’t have to write a blog to get my work back, but maybe it will work.

Does Your Doc Owe You Money? I’d Bet My Co-Pay On It…

How many of you actually know what your explanation of benefits are? Sounds boring, I know. Until recently, I never really knew myself, primarily because I didn’t bother to pay attention to them. If something came in the mail that said I was not responsible for any payments and/or it was covered by my benefits, that was all I needed to know.

Now that I am paying my own health insurance out-of-pocket (with some government aid thanks to Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which reduces the cost of COBRA for the unemployed), I look at everything related to my health bills a little more closely, including my EOBs.

It has come to my attention in recent months, that I sometimes pay a co-pay at a doctor’s office when I actually don’t need to. I’m usually only shelling out about $10 to $20 a visit, depending on the type of doctor I am seeing and I’m ok with that, because when I receive my EOB, it tells me if I actually needed to pay a co-pay or any other charges. The EOB is a complete breakdown of what my doctor charges for the visit, what my insurance company pays the doctor, what I am responsible for, and what costs were not covered, if any. It is, as it states, an explanation of your benefits.

As these annoying pieces of paper kept arriving in my mailbox, I started realizing that I was paying doctors when I didn’t need to. Since there were lots of lines and numbers and insurance jargon I didn’t quite understand, I called my carrier to make sure I was understanding this correctly.

What I heard on the other end shocked me. My doctor(s) receives these same EOBs. They see that I am indeed, not responsible for these co-pays and by law, are supposed to refund me my co-pay upon receipt of this document. Let me just tell you, checks are not miraculously showing up in my mail. Are they showing up in yours?

So I have to call my doctor(s) and explain which isn’t a big deal; well, most of the time. Sometimes they want a copy of the EOB (which I can easily obtain through my online account), sometimes they already have it on file. However, there are times when I get the run around for a measly $10. One doctor made me wait four months for a refund. I was told my doctor was too busy with patients to approve this. My insurance company finally called and just like that, the check was in the mail the next day. I’ve already been refunded nearly $100 in the last 2 months in overpaid co-pays! As I mentioned, it is against the law for physicians to not refund you your money (if you are owed money) when they receive this document, because they are receiving an overpayment; they have already been paid by your carrier. That is what you pay for by having benefits (whether you are like me and pay for them out-of-pocket or you are on a company plan).

I urge you to take a few minutes out of your hectic day to go over your explanation of benefits. While it may seem like only a few dollars, it all adds up in the end. If 4,000 people aren’t refunded their $10 co-pay, that’s $40,000 lost to working Americans. And we all could use an extra few buck in our pockets, couldn’t we?

The Death of the Mix Tape

Remember the mix tape? You know, the cassette you played in your car or your Aiwa stereo boom box that was a compilation of everything in your life? For those of you who forget or may not even know, mix tapes were way before CDs and archaic compared to iTunes.

I recently went home to my parents’ house for a visit and we purged the basement. I love purging. I feel like a weight has been lifted from me when I purge; even if it’s not my own stuff! This time, there was a lot of my things to get rid of, including my cassettes.

When my mom asked if we could get rid of them, I blanked. How could we throw out my tape collection where I first heard Whitney belt out “Greatest Love of All,” Bon Jovi croon “Born to Be My Baby,” or the theme song from “St. Elmo’s Fire?” Forgetting the actual tapes I owned, there were literally hundreds of mix tapes I had created over the years. Seriously, I didn’t get a CD player till I was like 19!

I made mix tapes for everyone and everything. If I had a house party, there was a mix tape. And there wasn’t just one – I had a slow jam mix for late night, a party mix for when things got rowdy and a mix of the two. I made mix tapes for my friends. When someone went through a break up, there was cassette full of depressing tunes to listen to while they cried their eyes out. When we all decided to get into shape, there were motivational mixes to pump us; when someone got their license, there was a driving mix; when we went on a road trip, prom, the shore, you name it, there were tunes to accompany us.

And of course there were mix tapes for your man, full of love songs, both happy and sad. But the best mix tape, at least in my mind, was when you got one from someone else, (i.e. a guy). Whether it was a boyfriend or a guy you liked, or even a good friend you crushed on, the fact that a guy was sitting there pushing play, record, stop, and perfectly mastering the set-up of each song for your personal enjoyment, sent chills down the spine.

So now, I was left to decide if I get rid of all those good memories. While I couldn’t physically watch them on YouTube or instantly play them on my Mac, they held a little piece of my youth that always made me smile, even if some of those times were the most difficult I thought I would ever endure (if I only knew then what I know now!).

I told my mom I needed to think about it and the bag stayed in the basement. While I contemplated getting rid of them, I realized, um, hello, I don’t even have a tape deck anymore to play these damn mixes. But they’re still there, collecting dust, until I’m ready to let go. iTunes Genius has nothing on my “Serious Depressing Mix Part 5″ or “Kathy’s Motivational Mix.”

Stuck in Neutral

Right now, I’m stuck in neutral. I’m not quite moving forward, not quite moving backward, just kind stuck in the middle, not quite moving at all. My best friend told me this one day, and I have used the term ever since. Too bad it’s gone on for the last six months.

Believe it or not, I think a lot of us are stuck in neutral, which isn’t a bad thing, but it’s not a good thing either. I guess it’s kind of like being content when you analyze it like this.

While not working right now has curbed me from doing things I’d like to do, such as see more of the world or buy a house, I haven’t hit rock bottom where I am living off my savings or wondering where my next meal is coming from. I feel a little like Goldilocks – everything is just fine, but nothing is really being accomplished.

For some it isn’t being unemployed, it’s being stuck at a dead end job they know they can’t leave (for one reason or another), for others, it’s being in a relationship that isn’t going anywhere.

For all the things that don’t happen in a good way, bad things aren’t happening either, so you count your lucky stars. But it’s OK to be selfish and want those good things. Sooner or later, you figure that you’ll move up the ladder because we all have to make room for the next person. In the meantime, I’ll be here in neutral until the gas pedal is ready for me to give it a go.

The Curse of the Internal Candidate

Have you ever been the internal candidate? You know who I’m talking about…the employee who is in line for a promotion or moving on the next level at their company. It’s really great for staff morale when companies promote from within; it shows a sense of loyalty and commitment to employees, but it really sucks for the folks that are applying for those same jobs and have no idea the gig has already been promised to someone else.

I completely understand hiring someone from the inside for a new position. They likely have more knowledge on the product, client or brand; they know the style of the company, office and its co-workers; and they’ve probably already been doing something similar to the job at hand for a period of time. It’s great when a corporation moves an assistant to a managerial position. Not only does it show their faith in the candidate, but it lets other employees know they can move up the ladder too.

Now on to us job seekers. It’s so unfair when we apply for a job and get called  to an interview when the job has already been given to another person. As you’re sitting there interviewing, the office manager is ordering new business cards for Johnny Appleseed, who accepted the position two weeks ago. I don’t understand the laws behind posting jobs that have been filled and I certainly don’t think it’s right to put unemployed people through the hassle and disappointment of an interview.

It takes work to interview, much less apply. You prepare, you prep, you research. You write a cover letter, sign up for the company’s job posting/HR portal, divulge your salary history.  You also take time out of your day, maybe find a babysitter for your kids, spend money on public transportation or gas. Either way, you are making an effort and the people interviewing you know all too well that Johnny starts next week and they’re just killing time with you because they have to.

I wish there was a way that companies could just let job hunters know which positions are truly available to them and which are not. It’s a waste of time for HR, recruiters and those of us looking for work. Why put anyone through the hassle of applying, let alone interviewing, when there is no hope for them? Don’t we have enough hopelessness in the job market already? There is zero reason for posting a job that is already promised to someone else. Perhaps a new law, clause or disclaimer can be created on these postings to save everyone some time, energy and frustration. Maybe something like, “Please note – this job has already been awarded to an internal candidate.” Point blank.

The Poorly Written “Form Letter Thank You” From Potential Employers

I am not a huge fan of form letters. Maybe it’s because I am a communications person, but I appreciate the personal touch of being thanked or recognized for something. Otherwise, I almost don’t want to be noticed at all.

I’m not talking about thank yous from friends or family. That ship has sailed. I’m talking about the form letter job seekers get from potential employers when they apply for a job or actually make it through the interview process, either through email or actual snail mail. Can you believe that, some of us actual get rejection letters and thank yous for applying via the U.S. Mail? Now I think that’s a nice touch, even if you are rejecting me.

I don’t mind the automated email informing me that Employer A has received my resume,  my background and qualifications are being evaluated and if I am suitable match or fit, that I will be contacted. What I do mind, is when Employer B sends me the thank you for interviewing with our company email, “It was pleasure meeting you and you were an outstanding candidate, but we have chosen to move in another direction. We will keep your resume on file for one year in the event your skills match another role in our organization.”

Really, you’re going to contact me when my experience matches another job in your company? Has any company ever done that for you? Similar positions open up all the time at companies you and I have applied to, maybe even interviewed at already, but no one ever gets that call saying, “Hey, Jane, this position opened up and it has your name written all over it!”

Maybe it’s some human resources law that says these companies need to send these types of correspondences to folks. And I understand, I really do, and I am not trying to sound bitter, I just think there is a less fake approach, shall we say, to go about this. Tell job seekers to keep looking, not that you’ll find a match for them; we know you’re not going to reach out to us if some keyword matches something on our resume with a job at your company; you must have a million resumes on file! Don’t sell us that short, please!

And while we’re on the topic of selling us short, take a look at the email below which I received this summer from an organization I applied to telling me I was not the chosen candidate. Not only was it not personally addressed (undisclosed recipients!), it left the “insert position here” empty and in plain sight for me to see!! So HR professionals, CEOs, hiring managers, whoever sends these emails and letters to those on the job hunt, please take note, have a bit of compassion or don’t send anything at all. Sometimes no news better than any news at all!

To: undisclosed-recipients

Thank you for the opportunity to interview you for the $(customtext1} position. It was a pleasure meeting you.

Although your credentials and work experience are most impressive, another candidate whose qualifications more closely meet our needs has been selected.

Your interest in this position is appreciated.

Responsibility Ain’t Much Fun

I haven’t always been a responsible person. When I was in college, I racked up a lot of credit card debt charging Cluck-U and beer. I snuck out of the house and made  my poor parents crazy. I’ve gone without health insurance because it was just too expensive when I didn’t have job. There’s a lot more in the irresponsible vault, but we’ll stop there, as I’m sure you get the drift.

With age, comes wisdom and the understanding of responsibility. I learned to pay my bills on time and that all that extra money I was paying in late fees could go to cute new shoes.  I learned to give respect to get respect. And I will never go without health insurance, no matter how much I have to pay for it (even if I come full circle and go back into debt for it!). But in the midst of becoming the now responsible human  being that I am, I  wonder what good it has actually done for me.

Don’t get me wrong…I have a roof over my head, money in the bank, no debt and great friends and family. I even scored a job in this less stellar economy. But at the end of the day, when I take a long hard look at the big picture, being responsible hasn’t been all that fun.

While I was unemployed, I wanted to travel the world, take some of my time off to explore new and unchartered territory. I wanted to visit Greece and Paris, Amsterdam and Italy.  I wanted to just pick up, break my lease and live somewhere else - another state or something, just to see what it would be like to live outside of the only thing I have known – Jersey! Instead, I took Responsibility Road. I looked for jobs, honored my lease and took smaller, inexpensive trips. I did hit Cabo with some girlfriends, so don’t feel too bad!!

I’ve always tried to live my life with no regrets. I’ve always said, “I could die tomorrow, let’s just do this! What good is money if you’re not going to spend it?” And trust me, many times I do, and I really go the distance! But I look at what being responsible over the last few months has gotten me: a job outside my industry and passion, a husband so determined to work that hasn’t found a gig, a house that we bought that we could no longer purchase because we were jobless, passports waiting to be stamped with dreams of exploring what the world has to offer.

I know this is a stepping stone as we get older and a fact of life. It could be so much worse. I just miss the days of being a little less concerned about being so responsible!

Why the Jaycee Lee Dugard Case Makes Me Angry at Our Legal System

I’m really pissed off at the system.

I have been following the Jaycee Lee Dugard case since it first appeared on my Yahoo! homepage that an abducted girl resurfaced after 18 years. I thought it was such a remarkable story that a kidnapped little girl would be able to reunite with her family, while at the same time, give hope to millions of parents and families whose children have also been abducted. Of course, I assumed she’d be traumatized in some unfortunate way, but at the end of the day, she was alive, and somewhat safe.

As the story has grown legs, I have become disgusted with our legal system. Jaycee’s captor, Philip Garrido, was accused of raping a 14 year old girl in 1972, but wasn’t charged because the young girl was scared to testify. Just five years later, in 1977, he was  sentenced to 50 years in prison for sexual assault on a 25 year old female.  They released him on parole 11 years later. Jaycee was kidnapped in 1989. You do the math. Had Garrido served half of his sentence, even a third, this poor girl would have been saved from this horrific story called her life.

What makes it even worse, is that this sicko checked in with his parole officer, registered himself as sex offender in his community and no red flags were raised for the last 18 years! What good is the system if the policies put forth to keep us safe and protected from these predators are ignored? Why did Megan Kanka’s family fight so hard for “Megan’s Law?” I don’t know these people, I have no relation to the Dugards; hell, I don’t even have kids, but I am utterly outraged for them. I cannot even begin to imagine what they must feel.

When are the people who are responsible for keeping these monsters away from innocent young children, women and even men going to step up and take responsibility? What good are laws and rules if you’re not going to use them to save people’s lives? Instead of worrying about the trivial things like who Jon & Kate are dating or fighting with today, write to your local congressman or councilperson and ask for some kind of justice in your community to protect young, innocent lives, like the one Jaycee Dugard and her two young daughters lost.

I Almost Ran Into My Old CEO at Target!

I went to Target today to pick up a few essentials. The parking lot was crowded, as it always is, and I ended parking at the furthest end of the lot. It was a beautiful day, so I certainly didn’t mind getting some extra fresh air. As I was heading to the entrance, I looked passed the cars parked near mine and there it was — my old CEO’s car!

You’re probably thinking, “Who is this girl that she remembers her old boss’s car?” Or maybe you’re saying to yourself, “Cars look the same stupid, how do you know it was his?”

There were certain distinctions to this car that made me know it was his, not to mention, I was about 1/2 a mile from where I used to work. Every day that I pulled into the parking lot at my old job, I dreaded seeing that car. The man made my life miserable. He was a terrible leader, a thoughtless man, a bullsh*t artist and someone who laid me off in literally less than 30 seconds without a care in the world.  He certainly wasn’t the “ray of sunshine” I had been hoping to come save our sinking ship. It’s sad that you can be affiliated with such an amazing organization and then people come in and truly ruin that experience for you.

My mind raced as I approached the Target entrance. Would I see him (he was a hard man to miss); did I want to see him; if we did see each other, would it be awkward; would I say hello; would I ignore him; would he ignore me (probably)? Ugh, what would he think of me if he saw me scouring my coupons for toilet paper and Special K cereal? Double ugh, why did I care so much?

Within five minutes, I forgot that he may have even been sharing a shopping experience with me. It wasn’t really a big deal, it was more of a shock moment. But the thought of having to see him, even when I did look presentable and professional, disgusted me. For me, having to face a person who made my  life a living hell on a daily basis was really not how I wanted to spend my lofty afternoon!

Admit It, You Text While Driving

I’ll admit it, I am guilty of texting while driving. Well, actually, I USED to be guilty of texting while driving. I think I was more of a “texting while at a stop light” or “texting while in traffic” kind of gal, but when push comes to shove, I have to man up and admit to it.

I have full on stopped after my husband and I were in a car accident because someone was texting while driving. Everyone thinks that it won’t happen because you only take your eyes off the road for a mere moment, but that mere moment can have serious consequences.

While at a stop sign, conversing about the evening’s events, there was a heavy impact, “BANG!” We were fully slammed  by a pick-up truck. We made sure we were each OK and then proceeded to find out what happened. The driver ran out of the car and declared, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, it’s all my fault! I was texting while driving.”

We were blown away that the driver would even admit to that, but even more so that the impact was so heavy. The car we were driving and the driver’s car were stuck together, forcing a tow truck to pull us apart. The driver’s insurance will likely go up, the car has to be repaired, we felt some slight, uncomfortable back pain for a few days, and it threw a wrench in the entire evening. Thankfully no one was hurt, but was all this really worth it for 15 words of nonsense?

Apparently there is a law in something like 14 states, including New Jersey, that bans texting while driving. I never see it enforced; in fact, I see the people (cops) who are supposed to be enforcing the ban actually enabling it, it’s out there and getting more and more traction as more accidents and fatalities occur. At the end of day, think twice about sending that text message to your buddy or updating your Facebook status while driving, at a stop sign or sitting in traffic. It could turn out to be the worst message you ever send.