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.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
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.
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.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
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.
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.
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