Unemployment

Today I had the pleasure of visiting the employment office. The scheduled meeting was to familiarize myself with the computer program that assists job seekers with finding employment. Once completing this meeting, I get approved, sign a sheet and get entered into the employment database having completed the session. It's basically a careerbuilder.com or monster.com for job seekers in Oregon. The program can be used by employed folks as well as the nearly 11% of us unemployed kind. The boil down even more, I HAD to go to keep receiving my unemployment benefit.

The session today offered a little perspective. I found myself in a room full of folks looking for work that just don't have the qualifications or the experience to find a quality job. Many of them don't even know how to work a computer, don't understand what ALL CAPS is and certainly don't grasp the value of personal presentation. As a good friend of mine states on a regular basis, if this is the competition I'm going up against for work, I'm going to be in good shape soon. I know there are many more qualified applicants out there searching for work, but as I wrote yesterday, it's all in a state of mind. I took some positive energy out of my time there and realized good things are coming if I keep doing the right things in my search.

If you haven't had the pleasure of visiting the employment office in your professional life, it is interesting. If you do happen to visit, I hope it's not under the same circumstances I had to visit for. But with anything, it's about the adventure and seeing the humor and education in the experience. I know, a little deep for me, but so true.

So long...

Well, it's almost been a month since my last post. Man, time flies when you are having fun. Since posting on Feb. 26th I have turned a page in my job search. Don't get the wrong idea, I'm still working the network, following leads and talking to folks from Oregon to Texas to Indiana. My attitude has shifted towards embracing the "now" instead of focusing so much on the "later". Yes, I want to be a part of an organization and work. Yes, I want to get back to advancing my career. But...YES, I want to take in the opportunity I have been given to sharpen my skills, enjoy my kids and dabble in some areas I haven't had the time to dabble in.

The time with my kids has been priceless and I enjoy that each day. I have also had the opportunity to volunteer my time helping others with odd jobs and focusing on what will continue to make me successful. When unfortunate things happen every person gets the cerimonious pat on the back and the overused phrase, "everything is going to be alright". I think everyone uses it because it's true...but only to a small degree. The better phrase is "well now you can focus on what you really want to do". For those of you who have uttered that phrase to me, thank you. For the one guy who threw it in my face, screw you. As with anything, it's all about the delivery and the sincerity in the message. My point is, there's only a small number of folks I directly know that have been in the same position I'm in and it's hard for them to relate to my state of mind. I'm in a good place right now, of course I would like to be in a better place, employed, working diligently for a company. Time will present that opportunity and until then, I live in the "now" working the phone, dropping off coffee to say hi, and being more than ready for the next opportunity.

A little follow-up from the last 27 days:

• I have been called for 6 interviews
• Have had 2 follow-up interviews
• Asked and received 2 informational interviews
• Had 0 job offers

Yeah, the most important number is the only one that really matters, but my progress has been adequate considering the declining economy and job market in the state of Oregon.

I'll be posting more frequently, so if I've lost you due to lack of info, come back from time to time and don't forget to tell your friends and colleagues about http://www.joshuatcox.com/.