Legend of the Career Seeker

[sinkwriter]

I say to you a la Bridget Jones's Diary:

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.


Some of you lovely f-listers already know my plight (laid off quite some time ago, still unemployed). Well, I've been growing more and more frustrated with this position, this lack of purpose, and how nothing seems to be changing or moving in any sort of way.

Therefore, I decided to go at it from a different angle. I called a local college and requested to meet with a career counselor. I thought maybe I might be able to gain a new perspective, get some fresh ideas, gather up a better plan of attack, because clearly what I'm doing now is not working.

Their first available appointment? December 1st.

I made this appointment over two weeks ago, so... you can see how bad it may be for everyone out there, how many people are unemployed and looking for guidance, if the counselors' schedules are this booked up. That makes me sad.

Anyway, I've got one week to go before my appointment, and they just sent me a background form. In trying to fill it out, I feel like this:

*head desk head desk head desk*

Because some of the questions are really difficult. For some, I haven't a clue how to answer. After all this time spent out of work, after all the frustration and worry and disappointment, it's become challenging to remember that I was actually good at anything. It's tough to tout myself or assign proper value.

For other questions, I can only imagine the blank stares I might get if I answer them the way I'd like to -- either because I want to answer sarcastically, or because I fear there's nothing I can say I want that they'll be able to help me attain, or because I fear they'll automatically say they don't think I have what it takes to do it (I'm too old, too fat, not smart or talented enough).

For example, one question was about what my gross monthly earnings are (or were) in my most recent job. And the next question was: What do you think you are really worth to this job? (Yes, they emphasized it with those italics.)

How the hell am I supposed to answer that question? Um, how about... I'm priceless. (End sarcasm here) I work my ass off. I learn fairly quickly. I stay late. I help others with their projects. I try to do the very best I can, even under extreme circumstances.

But is that really what they want to hear? And what's any of that worth in this economy where companies want to get employees as cheaply as they possibly can?

The most difficult questions were these:

Describe your ideal job.
What makes this ideal job so great?

And this delightful gem at the end...

Do you think it is possible for you to get a job like your ideal job?


Way to make me feel confident, you bastards.

I don't know anymore! I just feel like I'm floundering and I need to do something, anything, to get some forward momentum in my life again. I can't keep living like this. It's slowly but surely chipping away at me. Truthfully (yet with tongue firmly in cheek), I need purpose and I need joy, damn it.

Comments

[geezbones.livejournal.com]

Aw Sherry *hugs*

Just answer the questions the best way you can and wait for the appointment. That's the most important thing. Not what is written on a stupid paper.

I'll cross my fingers for you, and remember that you do deserve joy in your life. :)