Got a Job!!

Well, it took me 3 and a half months and about 1000 resumes, but I finally got myself some work. In hindsight, had I thought about it, I would have saved the paper I sent to countless potential employers and just focused on what I know: work. I thought my 20 years in the navy, coupled with the fact that I have a college degree and supervisory experience would get me a foot in the door and well on my way to my next career. I thought that I was qualified for some sort of management, even at the entry level. Boy, was I wrong. Maybe I tried too hard, maybe I truly don't have what employers are looking for or maybe I simply put together a lousy resume'. Since I was 16 years old and looking for work I have never, ever had trouble finding a job. I was a young, strong kid that showed up when I was supposed to and worked like I was supposed to and I wasn't afraid to get my hands dirty doing hard work. I drove a forklift, stocked shelves, waxed and buffed floors, cleaned toilets, pumped gas and bagged groceries. I didn't mind. I delivered pizzas and tended bar (after beginning as a barback) and had a ton of fun doing it. So, what happened? Why can't I find a career?

Well, I was getting absolutely no responses to my applications, and I was beginning to get a bit scared. I found a temporary job helping out at a contracting firm. It was ok, I made $12/ hour, but I knew that I was going to continue to look for more meaningful work. I learned a lot about the construction industry, but was under no false pretenses that I would be able to make a career of it- the guys I worked with had all been doing it for 20+ years. I simply don't have the time to invest 20 years into something to build up a business. I need to make myself a career right now. Anyway, work fell off and I was sent home for a few weeks, so I really began hitting all the job sites for potential work. Nothing.

OK, so I picked up a job tutoring a couple hours per week, but it surely wasn't enough to pay the bills. In fact, as of this writing, I haven't gotten my first paycheck even though I've been tutoring for a month. I should get the first check in a day or 2. Still, things were starting to weigh heavily on my mind and I was becoming a little bit worried. Finally I got a call to come into Dominoes Pizza for and 'interview.' Yep, I had to interview for the delivery driver job! OK, so the manager had every intention of hiring me (I guess) and the job was technically mine to lose, so I was on my best behavior, tried to be as personable as possible (harder than you might think, for me) and answered all the questions respectfully and honestly. So he hired me. Wow, what a relief! As silly as that may sound, I couldn't believe how much relief I felt when I got the job! Thank the Lord above! As hard as it may be to believe, I am looking forward to delivering pizza! It may not be the be-all-end-all, but I will be bringing a little money into the house. Who knows where this one might end? Management? I don't know, maybe later. Right now, I'm happy to be contributing to the household.

The day after I found out that I had the job, I got a call from another job that wanted to interview me. Another part time job making $11 or so per hour, about 15 hours a week. Again, I doubt that this one will lead to a new and rewarding career, but I am glad to be getting the call. Maybe it will work out- I'll find out Monday when I get the final interview. I also got another call on a job I applied for to be a home survey taker for a research company called Westat. I had to do a 'reading' on the telephone and I guess that the company decided that my voice was acceptable (they probably accept everyone that wants to do it...) and they are going to give me a chance... in a couple months when a position opens up. Still, once I have three jobs (4, if you count the tutoring) I should be bringing in quite a bit of money. So, things are looking up, even if I don't have the job I thought I was going to get. But all is well. When things aren't going your way, go with what you know. That's what I am doing. I know how to work. I know how to be on time. I'm not afraid of getting dirty.