To start, I called about a job I had really, really been hoping would come through...and was told interviews had already been conducted. I opened my e-mail...and saw that I had been rejected for yet another job that I really thought I had a chance at getting. It was a big time blow, one that I should probably get used to after hearing some serious horror stories about extended unemployment in the current economic climate. But oh my, it hurts. I've never had trouble finding employment in my whole life. I've always gotten the job I wanted, nailed the interview, got the callback. Now, I can't even get my foot in the door. To date, I've applied for 5 jobs and been rejected 5 times. It seems like a very small number in comparison to people who have been unemployed for weeks, months, years even. At the same time, I have a sneaking suspicion that that number isn't going to stay small for long. Things are rough and getting rougher, and it's high time I start thinking of some new tactics, because what I've always relied on doesn't seem to be working anymore. It's time for a new game plan--and the name of the game is being aggressive.
I'm going to start by seriously tearing apart my resume and cover letter. I'm not applying for K-12 jobs, because frankly, they don't exist. So, I'm planning to downplay the "elementary" portion of my resume and highlight the "media" angle. I am technologically savvy, and I know I have transferable skills, but something about the image of a primary-grade librarian isn't doing it for the private companies and higher ed positions I'm targeting.
Probably because they're thinking of this:
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| Storytime, anyone? |
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| Hello, Web 2.0! |
Not that there's anything wrong with storytime...it's just that it seems to be conspicuously missing from job openings of late, and I've got many other skills to offer. The second thing I'm going to tackle is my reluctance to follow up. I waited almost a month to call on one of the jobs I applied for...and when I finally did, I didn't like the answer I got. I think I was afraid to call because I was afraid I would be told exactly what I ended up hearing today--I didn't get chosen for an interview. But really, what would the harm have been in hearing that a heck of a lot sooner? And even worse, maybe the answer would have been different had I stepped up and been a little pushier than I've been in the past. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, right?
Tonight feels particularly sad because I know as of this evening's board meeting, I'm officially unemployed next year. My position has been abolished. Gone. No more K-3 library media specialist. Sigh.
On a happier note, Sarah and I got together on Saturday and decided the best way to solve our problems is to make cake. What problems doesn't cake solve? (Well, maybe weight problems. Anyway...) We're really interested in exploring making some baked goods as our livelihood. It started as sort of a joking "wouldn't-this-be-fun" idea, but the next thing you know, there's a few people interested in the possibility of our services, I'm calling the Department of Health about approving one of our kitchens, and we're meeting tomorrow to practice making cake. I promise to post pictures of our adventure tomorrow.
There's something very exciting about the idea of self-sufficiency, especially in light of the seemingly never ending stream of discouraging news. The mental image of a cozy kitchen filled with baked goods lifts my spirits in what has otherwise been a pretty dismal stretch. I'm not delusional enough to think it will replace the income I'm going to be losing, but it's a start....and I'm in control of the decisions I make regarding it. Right now, that seems to be the best feeling of all, when so many things that affect my life, my future, have been largely taken out of my hands...maybe for now, it's exactly what I need to feel okay.
Photo Credit here and here.
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