Looking for Work

I have been looking for work,

Yet it continues to elude me.

I don't mean household work.

There is plenty of that kind of work surrounding me.

And regardless of how much of that kind of work I accomplish,

it seems to always be there.

I am just looking for work, 

a job, 

some place that will pay me for completing tasks efficiently and on time.  

2 years and 6 months ago I blogged about my career/job/work 

http://jbrownflash.blogspot.com/2008/08/careerjobwork.html

At that time the unemployment rate was quite low and finding a job for most teenagers was as easy as applying at the nearest fast food restaurant or gas station. 

A lot has changed in the past 30 months.

A lot has changed in just half that time.

Its been 15 months since I left my last job.  

There are times I miss the work I did at Habitat for Humanity. 

I miss the ministry aspect of that job.

I miss the committees, 

the Habitat families, 

and I miss the construction work.

I don't miss the interoffice politics and struggles.

I left at the right time, 

for the right reasons.

And I have no regrets.

But its time to start looking for something.

My challenge is I am not alone in my search for a job.

I join my son, 2 daughters, a son-in-law, a former co-worker,

and thousands of fellow Oregonians.

Finding employment is vastly different now, 

than it was in August of 2008.

Oregon has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country.

In many cases adults are competing for the same minimum wage jobs as the teenagers. 

I have written and re-written my resume countless times.

I have submitted more online applications than I can remember,

and waited patiently to hear back from anyone.

All I hear is the chirping of crickets.

I am keeping myself busy with writing for a blogging service,

but that work doesn't come frequently enough to keep me out of trouble.

My photography and writing fill some of my time, but that doesn't put food on the table.

I thought about going back to school to complete my degree.  

But I have kids in college.  

It doesn't make sense to add more expense to the already unaffordable college bill.

This sounds like a lot of whining and complaining.

That is not my intent.  

I am mostly puzzled.  

I don't know what else to try.  

I have a strong skill set that would fit well in most any work environment.    

I am competent with both PC and Mac computers.  

I am detail oriented, focused, and organized.   

Being able to multi-task is ingrained in me.  

I also have the skills to evaluate and analyze various topics and situations and communicate effectively with others.   

I am a very quick study and don't shy away from difficult tasks.

I am committed, responsible, and time oriented.  

I have always been intuitive, insightful, and good with people.  
Communicating well with others has been an integral aspect of the various jobs I have held over the years.  It comes naturally to me.  

I think these skills would make me a great employee ... anywhere!

But I don't have a degree.  

I don't have that piece of paper that says I paid thousands of dollars to an institute of higher learning.  
I don't have the magic key that gets your foot in the door 
in a skinny job market that is fat with job seekers.

So I will continue to put my vast job skills to use here at home,
budgeting, establishing menus, streamlining food costs, 
mediating teenager disagreements, networking satellite siblings, 
communication specialist, scheduling queen, fulfilling janitorial duties, 
lawn and landscape care, packing/moving/transfer/storage guru, 
minor auto repair mechanic; including auto detailing, 
inventory & ordering supplies, and any other duties as assigned...
At least until a paying job comes along.

Steppin' out with DWNTWN
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