Musings On The Search for a Job

Sometimes we need reminders from the world that we are on the right path. 

Lately, I've been trying to work out why I am so unadventurous creatively speaking at the moment, when I actually have loads of spare time. I have also been trying to work out how to get a job. I've been job hunting for quite a few weeks now, several more than I ever really expected to be. 

I started the 'funemployment' journey with an absolutely gigantic, unwieldy list of life maintenance tasks and proposed actives to check off in order to keep myself from going insane while I looked for a new job. I started quite well but my interest in The List soon waned, and I don't think I have even glanced at it for about a month now. I have to admit, I've started to wallow.

Trying to hone your message to potential employers and recruiters is exhausting. What exactly do I want to do with my life?  (Now say that again but in bullet points). How can I package up my achievements and aspirations and best qualities into an attractive and succinct highlights reel?  And searching the job ads online? After a while they start to blend and merge and go fuzzy before your eyes, until you're afraid you may inadvertently skip over your dream job because you've done nothing but skim for 4 pages. And then you begin to doubt all of it; everything you've ever told anyone, including yourself, about who you are and what you want to be and do.

It's fair to say I have had some ups and downs in the last few weeks. But you may be surprised to learn that today has been pretty good. I've managed to drum up a few hours casual work a week which will start in a few days time. And the best thing of all happened this morning to make my day feel like pure sunshine. And to remind me of that path, which for me is about finding work where I can connect with people, work where I have colleagues who mean more to each other than just someone to borrow a stapler from. I acted as referee for someone and I am just so excited to think that she has this wonderful opportunity awaiting her. I got a little choked with emotional on the call too, thinking about how great she was to have by my side in the open plan trenches. It reminded me of the best that a team, a co-worker, and a workplace can be. Awwww!

Further Pootling About on the Interwebs

One of my absolute favourite artists of all time is Degas, and I took the liberty of borrowing his artwork to illustrate my state of wallowing. You might want to know more about this painting, L'absinthe, or perhaps an overview of the man himself.