Never Stop Learning

I came across this neat website today. For those of us that are job hunting and could use a few more skills to boost their resume, you may want to check this out.

http://www.learnatest.com/LEL/index.cfm/general

Sign up is free as long as you have a library card. They have tips on creating cover letters and resumes, along with popular software tutorials.

Switching Gears

My current job search has come to a screeching halt. The funny thing is I knew this was going to happen all along. In December I was diagnosed with a condition called chiari malformation and syringomyelia. Basically, my brain doesn't fit in my head and is wreaking havoc on my spinal system. I will be having surgery next week to fix the problem (hopefully.)

My biggest concern now is how do I make money when recovery make take up to four months. I don't know what lies on the other side of my surgery. That's what scares me most of all.

Patience

Today is different.

I sat in the school parking lot, waiting for my daughter to get out of her clarinet lessons, and I was also watching my son's football practice. I could hear his coach's voice calling out the roll call. How lucky my son is to have such a great role model as his coach. My daughter walked out of the school giggling with her best friend.

I don't want to take these things from them, and that's just what I'd be doing if we had to move. I have discovered that I am an emotional basketcase. I spent the better part of the last four years working my butt off to get a college education, and I now I feel like I'm back where I started. I am constantly reminding myself how lucky I am and I need to just be patient. Even if we do have to move, I know it would be for the best. Being able to provide for my family and putting smiles on their faces continues to be my ultimate goal.

Sacrifice

As a mother, I know all too well about sacrifice. At this point in my job search, I am wondering how much, and what exactly, am I willing to sacrifice for a job.

Do I uproot my family from their home in the hopes of achieving my career dreams? Or do I keep my family safe at home and take a slightly less desirable position?

I know I should just be thankful for any job that comes my way, but I also feel I shouldn't give up on my dreams.

...frustrated.

The Job Lottery

Ahhh...the thrill of job hunting. What?! You don't think scouring the internet for hours a day, on the off-chance that you just might find something, is exhilarating? Ya...me neither, but when I do finally come across a posting that meets all my criteria, I do a little happy dance inside. 

I look at job hunting like the lottery. You have to play to win, and these days, the odds aren't in your favor. This is what I have been doing to maximize my chances:
      1. Always, always, always, customize. I edit my resume and cover letter to meet the desired skills the employer is looking for.
      2. Friendly help. I recently reached out to a few former college classmates. One even put me in touch with the hiring manager at his firm. I even contacted a former supervisor to see if there were any openings, and to my surprise, one had just popped up. 
      3. Volunteer.  I volunteer at the local metroparks. The skills I have learned there can be easily adapted to other situations. For example, my interactions with the public can readily translate to a customer service position. Also, it definitely a positive to show involvement in the community.
       4. Limit the amount of time spent looking for a job. I think this is the most important thing you can do. I realize that not having a job is placing an undue burden on my family and with that comes a variety of emotions, from frustration to depression. I spend a couple hours a day looking for and applying to jobs. This also includes the time it takes me to adjust my resume/cover letter accordingly. Trust me, your mental health will thank you later.

The fruits of my labor are already paying off. I have two interviews next week. To those of you that are in the same position, good luck and happy hunting.

Without a Safety Net

I cried the entire way home. How was I ever going to go back to this place? My husband would kill me for wanting to quit already, but then again, neither of us imagined this. “Should’ve gotten a nursing degree,” I mumbled.

*    *    *

I thought getting a college degree would solve our problems. I’m indecisive by nature, so much so that I typed this sentence four times. So when I decided to be a geology major, I was surprised by how good it felt to be studying something I was going to love to do for the rest of my life. At the time I began college, none of us realized how hard it would be to find a job when I was done.

After graduating in December, I decided to take some time off from pursuing my master’s due to health reasons. I spent the following three months frantically trying to find some type of employment. When I was finally given an opportunity to do something geology-related and get paid really well for it, I jumped on it. The downside, I had to live in Pennsylvania for weeks at a time. I soon realized that it was a lifestyle change I was not ready to make. 

So I quit.