How Can Looking For A Job Still Make You Feel Like A Bum?

Oh, unemployment, thou art the bane of my existence. I've been out of work since October and let me tell you, finding a job has been insane. Part of me wonders if there isn't some mean spirited person running around, contacting the people I apply to and telling them not to hire me, not to even call me. Sure, I was let go from my last job, but it wasn't for anything crazy. It's not like I'm some loose cannon waiting for a chance to explode. I am hard working guy and I'm good at what I do. So you know what that means? That's right, NO ONE WILL HIRE ME. At least that is what it feels like. I honestly now have more applications out now that I have ever had in my life. Managers duck my calls like a wide receiver ducking defenders (that's a football reference for the non-football people).

Maybe it's my degree. I have an English degree, but I am not applying (for the most part) to jobs that require a degree. Maybe they think I'm over qualified or that I will dump them as soon as that big job comes in. So they don't call back. It's silly, but it's more like their a boy not sure if the girl who gave him her number wants him to call; he wonders if she is interested. She is, even though this example is kind of a poor choice as I am not a she, but, yeah... I want to work, and I want to work for them. I wouldn't have applied, and I definitely would not have called back. However, it appears that you cannot flirt sweetly enough in these dark economic times. You must find a way to bring down the hammer, or find that one person who is willing to take a chance on you. I want that chance. I work hard and learn any job quickly. I hear those are important things.

One thing I have learned is how to fill out an application. Not that I didn't have this knowledge before, but I know it better than ever now. I'm sure I will have nightmares about filling out applications for the rest of my days.

My roommate Jon states that jobs should just hire me because I'm just that good and they should know it when I walk through the door. Of course he is just being encouraging, but, at the same time, I would love it if I just walked in and they knew I would be a hard worker and a great fit. My dad has convinced me that I know my stuff when it comes to things I have applied for, especially when I applied to have a job at a T-Mobile dealer. I've all but given up on that job ever coming through.

I did "have" a job. I was "hired" on to be a cafe cook. Now, you may have noticed I used quotations there. If not, you might think about investing in glasses, it will save you on headaches and your eyes from getting worse. See, I am very helpful, I provide a free eye exam with my blog post. Any way, I came into work for this cafe one day for a very short period of time, which was to be "training." I was told I did well, and then was given a meal as payment. That's right, I worked for about two hours for lunch. Now, I was told I would be called within the week about my hours (this was a Monday). I waited, then called back. Three times, and then I was told by my dad not to call back. If they wanted me, they would call me. I guess they didn't want me, I never got that call. Then I learned that this same location has been under new management/ownership three times in the last three years, so maybe it was for the best.

However, I now wish there was a way to make money filling out these applications. I do so many a day I have to rack my brain to remember who has an app from me and who I'm looking at applying to. I need to sit down and make a master list, which I may do tonight. Seriously, I could open up a business, Nathan's Applications, "You want them filled out, we get them filled out." Sure, it would start off small at first, and I would only have a few clients. Then, as time went on, especially as people were hired, I would expand. At some point, I would hire on new employees, and even set up a website and a Twitter page (businesses have to have a Twitter page these days). Ironically, new employees could not use the service to apply, because our application would be the pre-interview test they would have to pass. Over time, the company would grow, and I would retire early as I sell the company for a multi-million dollar deal. I wouldn't let the new found wealth spoil me though. Oh no. I would still live like I was middle class, just middle class with a whole lot of disposable income.

My point is that someone should hire me so I can stabilize just a bit so that trying to become a freelance writer doesn't seem like a far off pipe dream that I will never be able to gain. I could be a star, just give me a chance to shine! That, and some income is good for things like bills and what not...

Three in One Day!? MADNESS! (Or Freetime?)

So, this is a shout out to all none of you that are still reading my blogs. This would be my third post this day. (First on Following Christ, then on Starlight Ponderings, and now here.) (Did I really need the link to the blog you are currently reading? Maybe that's not the question, but rather, why you are questioning the question of questions. Yeah... Make sense out of that one.)

Any way, down to the posting. many of you people who don't read my blog are asking, why the no posts? Well, because you don't read my blogs, you didn't see I covered that already and so there. Really, the reason I am posting this is to tell absolutely no one (if there is like one real person who reads this, I apologize, I just know that I get some of the dumbest ads in the comments) about Stuff Christians Like. I picked up the book a few weeks ago and had a great laugh. Then I went onto the blog that started it all, and laughed some more.

I think what I like the most about Stuff Christians Like is that it flies in the face of the myth that Christians can't be funny. In fact, there's a post and an entry in the book about that very thing! How awesome is that? I'll tell you, it's about as awesome as a hot cup of coffee with the perfect mix of cream and sugar with a bagel on the side and some Jack Johnson playing in the background. (That's right, I linked you to the man's website so you can see how wonderful his tunes are. Take your time, I'll wait.)

In short, what I am saying, is to read some of the entries on SCL and laugh a bit, because we know this post ain't doing it for you. (But pity laughs are welcome, just so long as they don't sound like pity laughs. I can't stand it when someone laughs and it sounds like they're forcing it, you know? They say beggers can't be choosers, but forget that mess. If you're gonna pity laugh, laugh like you mean it. Sure, it may take you a while, and you may have to take laughing lessons, but it will be worth it. Then, you can pity laugh without hurting that unfunny friend's feelings, or laugh at your boss' jokes and not get fired. You'll thank me then.)

Any way, to quote many a blogger of yore, I will be posting more. I really will. Why? Because writing is in my blood, and just between you and me and any one with an Internet connection that happens on this blog post, I'm going into the writing biz and blogs are awesome for that. Plus, I can post what I want.