Job Stuff

[wintergreen48]

Well, this is kind of interesting, at least, to me it is.

I've reported to the Bored about how I was canned from Capital One (my last actual day of work was December 3, 2007, at which time I went on 'redeployment,' which meant that I didn't have anything to do for sixty days other than try to find another job at Capital One, and then I was officially laid off as of February 3, 2008). Capital One is a very generous employer-- if you are going to get fired by someone, you want to get fired by Capital One-- and they have been supporting me for the past year: my severance package included my full salary (with medical benefits) for one year (the last payment was deposited to my account today), I was paid a nice 'performance bonus' in March, they paid out on all my 'long term incentives' (stock grant stuff-- before the stock tanked), they provide tons of money to be used for 'retraining' (which I spent on a LOT of continuing legal education stuff-- I've got about two years of CLE credits now), all sorts of job finding assistance, and probably more that I can't remember right now.

Knowing that you will continue to get a paycheck for a year after being laid off (actually, 14 months if you count from my 'redeployment' date) does ease the mind greatly, but I really thought that I would catch on with someone fairly quickly, and that I would get to enjoy a little double-dipping (since my severance would continue whether or not I found a new job). Alas, that was not to be: my job hunt was largely unsucessful, in part because I have limited my search parameters because I do not want to leave this area; I had a really great opportunity with the Federal Reserve, but they wanted me to work in DC, which is kind of a long commute from Richmond, and the Richmond area companies that most needed my talents, well, they are themselves laying off people right and left (except for the ones that have already gone through bankruptcy).

What did happen is that in December I was contacted by a recruiter for a consulting firm, which was looking for someone to take on a contract role, which happened to involve work in one of the areas in which I happen to be a bit knowledgeable, and which happened to be with Capital One, of which I happen to to be a bit knowledgeable: I started a temporary assignment with Capital One on January 5. This sort of involved some double-dipping, since I am getting paid my Capital One severance (well, I was getting paid that severance until today; today's payment is the last), plus the paycheck from the consulting firm. This project with Capital One runs through the end of this month (i.e., another two weeks), although the consulting company for which I work was pretty sure that the contract would be renewed and that I would be able to hang around a while longer. But the contract will not be renewed...

Well. This consulting gig has gone pretty well (They like me! They really like me!) and Capital One decided that they need someone to do what I do permanently, and on Wednesday they listed a new job, which involves doing what I am doing on a contract basis, plus managing a couple other functions; this is kewl, because Capital One has a general hiring freeze right now, and it is hard to fill existing positions, much less create new ones. I posted for the job on Wednesday afternoon. Capital One has an extremely complex hiring process (when they hire), which includes a lot of 'testing' (you have to take a series of what amount to math tests, mostly intended to determine how 'analytical' you are, and IF you pass the tests, THEN you get to go through a lot of behavioral and other kinds of interview screenings). They decided that I did not have to take the tests (as it happens, only two attorneys who have ever applied to work for Capital One have ever gotten a perfect score on the tests, one was a guy who was a math instructor before he went to law school, the other one is a guy who posts on this Bored from time to time, but I will not bore you with bragging, I mean, identifying who that is), and they knew me well enough (I worked here for over 12 years, for heaven's sake) that they did not really have to interview me, and they made me an offer yesterday, which I have accepted.

The job is a small step down in 'grade' from where I was before, and that involves a bit of a pay cut from where I was before (Capital One really IS a generous employer: I used to get paid an obscene amount of money, but in the new job they will only be paying me slightly more than I EVER hoped to earn, an amount that is as much or more than any of the other jobs I have been looking at over the past year). My consulting gig ends on February 27, and I start with Capital One itself on March 2 (big change: I get to carry a blue-green 'Associate' badge instead of a yellow 'Contractor' badge; blue and green are much more my colors). All my benefits will remain what they were when I left (i.e., I get four weeks vacation rather than the three weeks that most people get, and I am already vested in the 401k plan, although right now the 401k is more like a 201k).

So this has worked out pretty well for me: I got a year long paid vacation (from the date of my 'redeployment' in December 2007 through all of last year), I was able to do a bunch of travel (was able to spend time with the Wonder Child at his duty station when he was called onto active duty, spent a few weeks in Europe, went to Key West and Chicago and other fun places), I found someone to spend the rest of my life with (well, I found her at Capital One, but we didn't get really involved until after I left), spent a lot of quality time at the gym, remodeled part of my house, all in all it was a pretty good year.

So, with all the dismal stuff going on, I thought I would share something very positive, at least, positive from my standpoint.

[DevilKitty100]

Just goes to show that good things do happen to good people.

I'm happy for your good fortune.

[ghostjmf]

wintergreen48 says:

extremely complex hiring process (when they hire), which includes a lot of 'testing' (you have to take a series of what amount to math tests, mostly intended to determine how 'analytical' you are

Interesting. I know some people who would probably not have their jobs, which involve these skills, if given such tests.

[NellyLunatic1980]

A very intriguing and inspiring story, wintergreen. I'm glad to see that everything is continuing to work out for you.

[Rexer25]

It is refreshing to hear a story with a good ending these days. Congratulations.

[Catfish]

Congrats! It's always good to hear good news!
Love,

[silvercamaro]

Wonderful!

Fantastic!

Happiness!

[Flybrick]

Way cool at the turning of fate.

Congrats!

[Beebs52]

YeeHAH! I love this post of yours. Loveitloveitloveit. Keep it going!

[peacock2121]

This makes me smile and smile.

I want to buy stock in you.

[a1mamacat]

They are soooo lucky to get you (back) LOL

Congrats. Well deserved

[christie1111]

This is so terrific.

Awesome news on a few fronts.

Combined with Brick's post, this has been a good day job-wise for the Bored!

[tanstaafl2]

It is certainly great news and all.

I think I might even be willing to consider a modest cut in pay if I could first have a 14 month paid vacation at my current salary! And I know that you didn't know at the start of the "vacation" that it would turn out reasonably well so that was a bit of a cloud hanging overhead.

But after reading all this I just can't for the life of me imagine why financial institutions are having financial problems!

Good thing there is that whole bailout program...

[gsabc]

To me, the best part is this:

... I found someone to spend the rest of my life with ...

Congratulations on all counts!

[mellytu74]

Happy stories from wintergreen make me happy!

[MarleysGh0st]

Congratulations, you ol' HENRY, you!

While it shows great common sense that CapOne decided that they didn't need to administer the tests and interviews to you again, admit it--you're just a little bit disappointed that you can't take the test again.

Because BBs enjoy tests of this sort!

[Bob Juch]

Whoo hoo!

Talk about falling into the cesspool and coming out smelling like a rose!

I have good news too: Charles Schwab is giving me an interview this evening! They finally unfroze my job!

[secondchance]

Terrific news, all around!

[Bob78164]

Congratulations! That's wonderful news. --Bob

[tubadave]

Congratulations, wintergreen, and best wishes for continued good fortune to you.

[BackInTex]

Sounds like the only way it could be better is to be 1 mile from your house.

[dimmzy]

I like reading posts like this!

[ghostjmf]

congrats on the job, wintergreen, & best of luck on the interview, BobJ.

It occurs to me that when layoffs occur, re wintergreen's job, there ought to be some kind of "openings at the same firm" dept so that they didn't have to take the hit of a "paid vacation year" for someone they actually could use & wanted back, but didn't seem to know it.
And, of course, the paid vacationers have much more fun if they actually know it is only a vacation, & not "jobless year".

They're supposed to have that "we interview our recent layoffs 1st" policy for the union employees at RichU, but when they don't want to, they restructure the new job descriptions, plus qualifications, so as to get around hiring people with X-ty years of service already, which will have to be paid out at pension time. Of course, once they've restructured they might make the job attractive to an internal transfer, who is also supposed to get "1st interview rights". I'm sure there are ways around that too.

"The person for this job must have naturally blue hair!"

[TheConfessor]

Congratulations! I found the audio press release:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLEGcD0FCNk

[kayrharris]

Congratulations. It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.