I’m not talking about dating. (It’s been so long since I was actively dating I can’t remember what that kind of rejection feels like.) No, I’m talking about rejection in the job market. Today, I called the local upscale grocery store where I had submitted an application last week and was told the usual spiel “Reviewing applications; Will call when there is an opening and if you fit our needs”. Blah, blah-blah, blah . . . blah-blah-blah.
I mean, my resume doesn’t scream manual labor but I’ve got a strong back and a good work ethic. Besides, if anyone knows anything about the computer support field, they would know you spend most of your time picking up and moving around computers and printers. Granted computers, and especially monitors, have gotten lighter over the years—I can remember back in the day when a high-end 24″ graphics CRT monitor would require two people to lift and move it—but laser printers and networkable fax machines are still heavy. I’ve got the strength and stamina to do manual labor (and the willingness). All I need is someone to offer me a job. Sigh!
I have to check again but I think I am up to 80 83 applications submitted so far this year (actually since mid December 2008 when I finished my masters thesis). Once I get my internet access squared away (tomorrow, I hope) I will have an easier time of searching online for jobs.
I have been in contact with a reference through a friend-of-a-friend situation about doing IT work in the education field but I am awaiting a callback from this woman. I am not looking to her for a job but rather to gain some insight on how best to enter the educational IT support field here in Madison.
I am at the laundromat now—Someone in this strip mall has an open WiFi network—but I will be going to the library this afternoon to a) get legitimate internet access and b) do some searching through the library’s employment-finding materials. (The latter might require a trip to the central library downtown.)
I think the only thing in my favor right now is the fact that the holiday season is approaching and there will be some—not a lot, but some—extra hiring during this time. If I am lucky, I should be able to put together several part-time positions during the holidays to get at least some money coming in. We’ll see how that goes.
