they pay to kiss your feet

since there's no one else around, we let our hair grow long and forget all we used to know. then our skin gets thicker from living out in the snow.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

screw perspective - or the curse of the roller coaster ride.

being unemployed is like being on a roller coaster.

one day, things are looking great from above. networking is happening. people are giving you work. jobs are available. your poop doesn't stink.

and then the next day, you're plummeting down some random hill, bleary-eyed - unable to see a foot in front of you. because your unemployment benefits have, news-to-you, run out. and the government has not planned to extend them again.

and you really count on that weekly check. because it pays for things like food. your car. and utilities.

it got you through the last year.

and then, it's gone.

and the "funny" part about it is that to make the money it was paying, you would have to work a 40-hour a week, low-paying hourly job.

which means you would have zero time for interviewing for salaried jobs in your field. the field in which you possess more than 8 years of experience. and a damn-good degree from one of the most well-respected universities to get that sort of degree from.

and a resume that boasts awards. and promotions. and references that don't suck.

but still, when you apply for jobs and land interviews, you hear that you're too creative. that you will just get bored and leave. that they can't take that sort of chance.

even if you tell them that yes you will stay. you have tons of other creative outlets.

and for the first time, your creativity starts to feel like a curse. because it's keeping you from a paycheck.

see, perspective gets suddenly turned upside when it's hard to tell who's steering the ship.

1 Comments:

  • At 9:34 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    In my job search, I've found: You're too much of something. Not enough of something else. You're too experienced. You lack the experience we need. Yep, some employers think you're brilliant and others barely deign to spend the allotted 30 minute interview with you. It's maddening, frustrating and can be downright depressing. Believe me, I know exactly how you feel! (And I'm at least 20 years older, so I've got the added fun of convincing employers that I'm not going to toddle off to the nursing home any minute and that I do indeed use and understand social media.) Please don't take this as preaching... but you've got to/must work hard at that perspective thing. Otherwise the rollercoaster will cause you to upchuck a lot of negative unproductive unappealing crap. My perspective is that this job-hunt experience is like looking for your life partner. You can't pair up with everyone you date. You have to choke down a few dinners, endure some horrible sporting events and family gatherings and unload all kinds of emotional baggage before you find the Right One. I believe it will be the same with you and your job. And me and mine. Hang in there!

     

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