I am among the millions of Americans who are currently unemployed. I am not included in these statistics because I do not receive unemployment. I suspect if you counted people like me the unemployment rate would be much higher than the currently reported rate of 9.0%.
I spend a big chunk of my day searching for jobs and an even bigger chunk applying for the few available jobs (that I am also qualified for) I manage to find. It's stressful. It gives me a headache. I push through and I try to apply for as many jobs as possible despite how stressful it is.
When I'm not applying for jobs, I'm reading articles on how to get a job. So far these articles haven't been particularly helpful, but that doesn't stop me from reading them. It also doesn't stop me from trying the advice listed in such articles. Sometimes the advice works and I get an interview. Sometimes it doesn't. I've had a few interviews, but no job offers. I'm not really sure why I can't seem to get over the interview hump and get hired.
I am a good employee, a hard worker. I have good references. I have job experience. I'm well educated. I'm well spoken. I have excellent communication skills. I know my way around a computer.
I really don't know why I can't seem to get a job.
I do know that a job isn't everything. I am blessed to be surrounded by loving and supportive people. I am blessed to have the knowledge I have garnered through a college education. I am blessed to be able to sit down and write a short story if I so choose. I am blessed to have a roof over my head, a beating heart in my chest, and breath in my lungs. Not having a job isn't going to take those blessings away from me.
I might not be able to afford much of anything right now. I might struggle horribly financially. I might have terrible credit and pennies in my bank account. Having a job would certainly make these things easier. Having a job would certainly take away some of my bitterness (at not having a job) and sadness (at not being able to get hired). But having a job isn't going to alter the blessings I already have. The people who love me don't love me because of my employment status. The people who know me don't respect me based on my ability to find paying employment. Not having a job may cost me material things, it may cause me stress, it may even bring days filled with depression--but not having a job doesn't cost me the love and respect of those I surround myself with. Sometimes it's nice to remind yourself that not having a job (though it does totally suck) won't take away the love and support of good people.
So if you are one of the good people providing me with love and support during this difficult period, thank you. I really do appreciate it.
Jennifer: I am so sorry to hear about your employment problems. I have been recently unemployed as well. For a year, actually! I just started a job last week, even when I had lost all hope. I also wondered why I kept getting interviews, but not jobs. Since I know I'm a good employee and am not a psycho ax-murderer, I told myself it was only because there were probably hundreds of others that interviewed for the job. I told myself that I would get a job when someone recognized me for the valuable worker I am, and that the job would probably be best suited for me as well.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, there's no real advice to give on what to do, where to look for jobs, or what to wear to an interview. I think the best thing is that you keep truckin' on, even though it's terrible and overwhelming sometimes.
Best of luck!! :)
-Alyssa