Fourteenth week-Only young pretty well educated people need apply

Fourteen weeks-It doesn't seem that long. Yet by now I should have had a job. At least that's what I keep telling myself. I suspect there is a good reason for it. Right now the only reason I can come up with is that I'm too old. Yes, I know there are laws about ageism on the books and that an employer is not supposed to discriminate against those that have been in the workforce for a long time. Yet I can't help thinking that it happens all the time, especially now when it seems that everybody and their brother is going after the same jobs. The fact is that it's very difficult when you reach a certain age to find meaningful work that pays well. It doesn't help when all the so-called experts tell you that you might as well quit while you're ahead or pretend that you are years younger.

As I said in earlier blogs, I'm not quitting. Yet I don't want to masquerade as someone I'm not in order to compete in the job market. I want to utilize the skills I do have, but finding it extremely difficult if not impossible to get the word out that I'm earnestly seeking employment. This is not the only barrier in my success. I'm not pretty. I don't dress pretty and don't put on airs. I resent the fact that nine out of ten employers supposedly select the "beautiful" people over those that don't look good. It shouldn't matter how a person looks unless he or she is going to be seen by the public. The only exceptions are that they, at the very least, should have clean clothes on and be relevantly neat in appearance. I can't help thinking about those that have gained weight and are now being systematically discriminated because of it. If the person can do the job, he or she should be hired regardless of their size. The only exceptions are for those positions that require a person to be a certain shape...ie. model.

My heart aches for these people. I feel their pain because they are the homeless and destitute. Thankfully I'm not there yet. I do have my education to fall back on, and have been debating with myself as to the viability of going back to school. Yes, it will cost too much money to go right now. Yes, I know there are scholarships available, but do I really want to put myself in debt. No. Yet every job description I read has too many requirements that I can't hope to fill. So, where am I to go? I don't know yet, but my heart aches for the disenfranchised that have no place to go but the streets.

Thirteenth week-At A crossroad

This week is the toughest week for those of us who have been unemployed. If you are the least bit introverted like I am, this week will test you to reach out. I am at a crossroad in my search. I can go on spinning my wheels or I can push forward like I promised myself I would do last week. The sting from last week still hurts, and it's hard to move forward. Yes, I know that feeling all too well. Psychologists tell you that these are negative thoughts that don't belong. So the first thing we all need to do is focus in on the positive, and not the negative. What drives you? What are your passions?

I'm working on a new elevator speech that tells people who I am. I am a writer who has a passion for local history and am currently working on a major project that deals with local history. In my search, I'd like to find out what motivates a business to establish themselves in a particular town. (Yeah, I know...too wordy.) But how do you put together an elevator speech that draws the person in and more important allows them to help you without feeling like you've used them? This is what I'm struggling with now.

I need to make that first step. Yet, like most who are introverted like me, I struggle with this too. If I stop to analyze my reaction, then I'll probably chalk it up to nerves. I know it's more than that. I know that I need a purpose in life, a position where I can make a difference in someone's life and feel good about what I'm doing. That is why I'm at a crossroad.

Twelfth week-Pushing on

I got another "blow" to my self esteem this week. Because I made a stupid error, I've been chastised for it. Unfortunately this doesn't just affect me. It affects my family as well. Due to this error, I'm without any income coming in. It's a very scary situation and one that I wouldn't wish on anyone. I guess that this is a lesson, a very bitter one which will linger for awhile.

I know I must push on, but it's very hard. I am desperate enough to take anything right now. I'm betting that there are quite a number of people in my situation as coffers go empty and the requirements to receive compensation become more and more strict. What's even more frightening, however, is how many people are being disenfranchised due to a number of circumstances. I've had my eyes open lately because of my own situation.

I thank God I still have Internet access at home, but wonder about all those people that are cut off from it. What can they do? There is no paper forms (that I know of) that they can fill out to apply. Everything is on the Internet and woe if you don't know it! I've been thinking of that a lot as I work on finding a job. It definitely is not easy. Too many are in this position because companies move jobs overseas, leaving Americans out of work and struggling to survive.

Will I survive this? I don't know now. I'm betting that most, if not, all of you have experienced this crisis and there are many survivor stories out there. I'd like to hear them. Let me know by posting comments below.

Eleventh week-Desperation week

This is the week where the "rubber meets the road." For some of us, this week signifies that everything you're done before has to be laid aside and a new "slate" must be taken up. For others, this week will signify that you reached the end of your rope as far as searching for employment. Still others this week signifies that it's time for desperate measures...ie: taking any job available as long as it pays money and you can keep a roof over your head. I have to admit that the last two times I've been unemployed I have taken jobs that were available out of desperation. There are probably many that can admit to this as well.

This is the time to execute your plan. What plan will you execute? First, list all the businesses in your area. Plan on cold calling at least one business each week. In the meantime, you need to scour the employment websites and commit yourself to applying for at least two positions. (Yes, I know that it's like throwing a dart in a very large well.) Second, talk to a friend and/or one of your references. You should have at least three. Make a point of keeping them posted either via e-mail(most prefer this) or by calling them.