When I first moved to Seattle ten years ago, I lived on my brother’s couch and looked for work for about three weeks before I found a job. I had a year and half non-profit experience, a college degree, and a lot of optimism (seen by all EXCEPT the folks at the Bellevue Square Disney Store who told me I seemed too sad to work there). I had a lot of job offers and picked one that sounded fun. I made no money but that was the trade off for no experience.

Ten years later and I’m looking for work. Why is it taking longer? Is it because I am experienced and think I know what I’m looking for? Are my standards too high? Are there just less jobs available as you get higher in the working world. I was thinking about this because I wonder when I talk to people if some of them are thinking and questioning why don’t I have a job. Are they judging me? Is she even looking for a job?? Doesn’t she want a job? Maybe she should lower her standards. (I have to say that is exactly what I thought people were saying when I went to a wedding once without date except exchange “job” for “boyfriend”.).

Why haven’t I found a job yet? Not sure. Well, as I’ve said before many of the jobs I’ve applied for are still open. Thanks much to Beyond.com for sending me a personalized email suggesting I apply for a job I’ve actually already applied to twice and not heard anything. It’s summer and a good one to boot here in Seattle so I think all of the hiring managers are on their boats or on vacation or on their decks and not thinking about work. It’s not the economy except that it is in that I need to make sure I’m focusing on jobs that are up and coming, jobs of the future, and I need to make sure I’m looking in the right places.

My Dad once told me that “You can’t pick who you fall in love with, but you can pick where you are looking”. Maybe the same is true for my next ?? What do I have going for me? I have good people skills and a good personality. Hmmm, I wouldn’t go on a blind date with me either if that was all I said about myself. How about this? I have been able to make money on the Internet which shows I’m resourceful, entrepreneurial, and creative and a bit of a fan of the ridiculous. I’ve managed to live on what I’ve got which shows I’m fiscally responsible. I answer Craigslist and job listings all the time which shows I’m optimistic, resourceful and persistent.

I did want to let you all know that I have sold 5 tips on daytipper.com AND my tips were on their front page today. Go me. Besides that I met a new friend today who asked me if I would be the selling agent for the stuff she and her husband have been storing for three years in storage lockers and sell it for them online! More importantly, I did get a week to two-week project at her office which should pay well too. Not a full time job but a telemarketing campaign where coincidentally I get to be resourceful, optimistic, creative and persistent. I’ll let you know how it goes