Time passes...

it is a fact of life, time passes, jobs come and go, people come in and out of life. Just the way things go.
My frustration today still stems from the unemployment situation. Now mind you, I do have a "part-time" job, so I have not been sitting at home doing nothing. I have been working, as well as applying for numerous jobs in various fields. The problems seems to be, that I do not get the interviews. Or if I DO get an interview, there is always someone "better qualified" (and I would like to point out in those instances, it was someone who already worked for the organization!).
I don't want to work in retail or sales. Simply said, that is not my forte. Yet I repeatedly get job listings for those jobs. Even when I contact the person or organization and tell them point blank that I am not looking in that arena, I still get the information. I know that it is because the three most recent positions listed on my resume show me in "sales" type positions. It is like people are not reading beyond those positions to see that I was an administrative assistant for seven years prior to that. Or that I have a degree in Public Affairs. How do I get people to read "below the line", so to speak? I am amazing at handling paperwork, coordinating schedules, managing events and pretty much any office related type activity. I make the magic happen. Yet I can't get a job. It is beginning to seem like a lost cause.
I wonder about all the other talented, credentialed people out there who are not working in their area of expertise. Then I wonder about the people who are working in those areas, and what the heck is the difference? Is it simply a matter of "selling" oneself better? How does one "market" themselves to potential employers? I am seriously considering putting together a marketing package and sending it out to companies that I would like to work for. That may be the ultimate way to go. Everyone seems to think I am good at selling, so why not try to "sell" myself and my skills?
In a way, it seems kind of cheesy. I mean clearly there is a need for people to do paperwork. I know this because I see the ads online, in the paper and hear about them through word of mouth. I apply for these jobs and I am either told I am overqualified or that someone else is better qualified. I can't possibly be both, can I? I suppose it depends on the position, but there have been jobs that I applied to that I actually did everything they were asking about in prior jobs, only to be told that I didn't have the "right kind" of experience.
Of course, the most frustrating is an organization where you cannot apply through their online app without first answering "qualification" questions. This in itself isn't bad, as it screens out those who don't have the qualifications. However, once past that screening, after the application is submitted, you never hear another word from them.
Well, I shall press on and see what I can find. It is still early, and I know that there are jobs out there, in fact, the perfect job for me is out there! We just need to cross paths!

Well, it has definitely been a while. I ended up being evicted from my apartment and moved out of Texas to Oregon. Yeah, I know, quite a change. But, when you have nowhere to go, you aren't really picky about weather.
I am still looking for work, but I DO have to say that I have had more interviews here than I had in Texas, just haven't found that one job yet. Haven't given up though.
I'm trying to hang in there, although it is tough. I really need a job. It begins to effect your self worth when you aren't working. I have been trying to fight off that "useless" feeling that I have come close to all to often lately. So far, I have been successful, but I don't know how many more times I can face it off and walk away. I know I'm not the only one facing this. I read posts online all the time that talk about the effects of long term unemployment and the still difficult job market. I have hope that it will all work out. Too many good people ended up losing their jobs and at this point, many of us are facing losing everything. I have everything in storage - my life fits into a 10X10 storage space - and I am in danger of losing that now too.
I'm willing to work to save everything, I just need a job!

Starting over in the middle

With the start of the new year, everyone promotes how we get a "fresh start" on things. I certainly hope that is the case. I have been looking for a full time position since August 2008. Don't get me wrong, I have a part time job (have had it since September 2008) and I have worked several temp jobs, but that elusive full time position is still just out of reach.
On the surface of things, it looks as if the job front has opened up a bit over the past few months, but even so, I am still unemployed. I've had several interviews, all of which seemed very promising - some even slipping up and referring to the job as "my" position and talking about looking forward to "working with"me", but I guess that is just wishful thinking on my part.
Everyone who sees my resume says that I have excellent qualifications, and a great work history. But I am not getting past the interviews. I have tried calling to see if there is a specific reason, but each time I am given a run around. No one has ever provided a specific reason, they all just tell me that they decided on another candidate.
So What am I to do?
I still have bills to pay, yet between my part time job and unemployment, there is never enough money. I have applied for food stamps, even though late last year I was not approved. I have no medical insurance, yet I need to get prescriptions and I am due for tests related to thyroid cancer that was removed several years ago. I seem to live in that gray area where I make too much for assistance, yet not enough to keep my head above water for long.

I will keep plugging away, keep applying for jobs and hoping for the best. That is all I can do. I have an appointment for assistance next week - hopefully they will be able to help me get things on track.
Hopefully, this year will be better!

Does anyone know....??

Does anyone know why when things appear to be improving they will suddenly crash? Or, why the light at the end of the tunnel invariably becomes an optical illusion? It seems that every time I get close to something job wise, it gets snatched away or moved further with more hoops to jump through before I get an answer. I'm all for making sure you are hiring the right person - one who is qualified and will be able to do the job - however, when it seems to take forever, that is a bit of overkill. Why have people in for second interviews AFTER sending them to HR to discuss benefits? When did this begin to be the norm? I really don't care about the benefits until after I get the job. I mean, I certainly want health insurance and such, but I really don't need to know about it until after I am hired. At this point, I am focused more on the job and how I can be productive in it. Let me start working and then we can talk about benefits.

It's been a while

Well, it has been a while since my last post. Although things have improved on the job front, I am still looking for that elusive full time position. I am currently working part time and although it helps, I still am not bringing in enough money to meet the bills.
I am still playing one against the other with the car payment and the rent. I am down to owing less than $1500 on the car, but the rent is behind a month and a half. That should be down to a month shortly as I get a check soon. The car folks are still threatening to repossess and the apartment folk are talking about eviction. I often find myself wishing that I could just get $4000 to pay everything off and bring me to an even playing field. To some people that seems like a small amount of money, but to some it is more than is imaginable.
With this, I again hope to send word out to the cosmos that I am still hoping for some assistance. Giving up is not in my nature.

Some things just aren't meant to be..

Well, last post, I was filing for bankruptcy. However, I haven't. It seems that the cost of bankruptcy is more than I can afford. Guess that just wasn't meant to happen for me. So, here I am, still trying to get money together to pay my bills, still trying to find work and still trying to save my car. I have some help coming soon, I just hope I can forestall everyone until midweek, when I should be able to set things straight.
On the job front, I had a great round of interviews for a fantastic position and I am still waiting to hear a decision. I was one of three candidates who made the final round of interviews, so I have a one-in-three chance of getting the position. Here's keeping my fingers crossed.
On a more personal note, I have been thinking a lot about old friends and trying to locate some of them online. Haven't been very successful yet, but still hoping. I have been having some very vivid dreams, and while I know that that is just my mind wandering, I can't help but wonder if it is fueling this search.
Well, more ramblings on that another time......

Bankruptcy??

I tried to avoid this for as long as possible, but now it seems as if it is the only option left to me. I am going to see an attorney tomorrow to check into filing for bankruptcy.
I hate to do this. It is against everything I have ever felt. I had been involved in one before (against my will) but it was my ex's doing.
I see no other choices at this point.
All because I need about $2000 to get things caught up. Everyone seems to want everything now and I just don't have it now.
I have been looking for work, but whether it is my old boss' doing or the economy, nothing has come through.