The Trials and Tribulations of Obtaining Employment
Finding a job... it's almost like dating. It invokes the same neurotic behavior as those engaged in finding a significant other. I would know... I was once single and dating, and now, I'm desperately trying to make an honorable woman of myself by finding employment.
You see, three weeks ago, my husband and I moved from the East Coast to San Francisco so that he could start his new job. He's a hot shot now... high rise office with a view, dinner meetings with restauranteurs where famous chefs personally prepare his meals, fully stocked company refrigerator filled with every kind of beverage including the very chic Vitamin Water. I come off like I'm irked, but the truth is I'm not competitive with him, and I wholly support his successes. However, his amazing success does make me wonder... what happened to me?
I graduated from a decent university, went on to get a Masters degree -- in a fairly useless field -- but I have a diploma nicely framed to show for it. I worked hard for four years... gaining confidence and promotions along the way. And then, I moved to the East Coast for my man. Uprooted myself from everything I had built, and moved for LOVE. So romantic! The problem? I was so in love, I forgot to plan my life. I just moved across country and relied on love to take care of everything. Well, love doesn't get you a job. Love doesn't advance your career. So I took a job that wasn't much of a career developer.
Two and half years later, I'm back here, in the city that I love, but I'm too unemployed to focus on just how beautiful it is here. Everyday, I scour the web looking for opportunities. I revise the same cover letter over and over again to fit different job descriptions. With each revision, you feel as though you're peeling away every last layer of sincerity and dignity, passionately declaring your interest in positions loaded with business acronyms you don't even understand! But it has to be done! And then I click on "submit" -- the button that sends these carefully crafted documents that spell out your life ambitions into the abyss. Is there someone out there receiving and reviewing? Or is it really just a black hole of hope? So I assume, because I must believe in the system, that there's got to be someone there... but then, the next question becomes: Why haven't they called? And here's where I turn into that insecure little girl at 24 with all those annoying questions that indicate the need for some serious therapy... "Why haven't they called?" "Is it me?" "Did I present myself correctly?" "Did I come off too eager?" "Not eager enough?" "Am I good enough?" "Is it a turn off that my name is spelled with an 'S'?" And on, and on, and on... Don't get me started about what happens after I get an interview...
Anyone out there feel my pain? Would love to commiserate.
You see, three weeks ago, my husband and I moved from the East Coast to San Francisco so that he could start his new job. He's a hot shot now... high rise office with a view, dinner meetings with restauranteurs where famous chefs personally prepare his meals, fully stocked company refrigerator filled with every kind of beverage including the very chic Vitamin Water. I come off like I'm irked, but the truth is I'm not competitive with him, and I wholly support his successes. However, his amazing success does make me wonder... what happened to me?
I graduated from a decent university, went on to get a Masters degree -- in a fairly useless field -- but I have a diploma nicely framed to show for it. I worked hard for four years... gaining confidence and promotions along the way. And then, I moved to the East Coast for my man. Uprooted myself from everything I had built, and moved for LOVE. So romantic! The problem? I was so in love, I forgot to plan my life. I just moved across country and relied on love to take care of everything. Well, love doesn't get you a job. Love doesn't advance your career. So I took a job that wasn't much of a career developer.
Two and half years later, I'm back here, in the city that I love, but I'm too unemployed to focus on just how beautiful it is here. Everyday, I scour the web looking for opportunities. I revise the same cover letter over and over again to fit different job descriptions. With each revision, you feel as though you're peeling away every last layer of sincerity and dignity, passionately declaring your interest in positions loaded with business acronyms you don't even understand! But it has to be done! And then I click on "submit" -- the button that sends these carefully crafted documents that spell out your life ambitions into the abyss. Is there someone out there receiving and reviewing? Or is it really just a black hole of hope? So I assume, because I must believe in the system, that there's got to be someone there... but then, the next question becomes: Why haven't they called? And here's where I turn into that insecure little girl at 24 with all those annoying questions that indicate the need for some serious therapy... "Why haven't they called?" "Is it me?" "Did I present myself correctly?" "Did I come off too eager?" "Not eager enough?" "Am I good enough?" "Is it a turn off that my name is spelled with an 'S'?" And on, and on, and on... Don't get me started about what happens after I get an interview...
Anyone out there feel my pain? Would love to commiserate.
posted by Sindy at
5:31 PM
1 Comments:
sin, when the love didn't feel like it would come or be quite right, it all fell into place. it isn't easy being patient, but that'll happen for you with this whole employment hunt too. you'll see. it somehow all works out in the end. i know everyone says that, and it isn't believable sometimes, but i really and truly know in my heart that it does. you're so smart and talented, it can't not work out for you. you'll see...
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jennipah, at 6:10 PM
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