One Step at a Time
Ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu, said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” I realized that taking the first step is the hardest part.
No Regrets
When I first found out that my company was closing, the news didn’t entirely surprise me, but it still upset me. I had dealt with hiring freezes, low pay, and even furloughs, but I had always had job security. Having spent the majority of my career working for universities, I knew moving to a private company was a risk, but it was the perfect opportunity for me to challenge myself and advance my career. I was not prepared to navigate my layoff, but there is no regret.
The company gave a severance package which included job coaching and resume services. The experience wasn’t the best. The person helping me with my resume did not understand a marketing project manager's responsibilities, which was a common issue. They made suggestions that didn’t fit my skill set or changed work descriptions, making me feel like I was lying! The service also offered classes to help with everything from the interview process to cover letter writing. Most of these classes were taught by self-important individuals who shared basic tips I could easily find online. My actual coach would invite me to set up meetings, but never had open times until after my three-month service was over. So, no help there!
Forget the Classics
I went back to the classics, spending hours on job boards and networking sites, applying for numerous jobs, creating custom resumes and endless cover letters. I tried making new connections on that famous social media app for job hunters (you know the one!), but nothing worked. Companies often sent me automatic rejection letters and reposted the job a few days later. Multiple recruiters also tried to scam me, and I was frustrated with the entire process.
At first, I did get interviews – dozens of them! I would meet with a bunch of people for weeks, and then… nothing! The ghosting was real. Even with follow-ups, I would never hear back from anyone. Occasionally, someone would be kind enough to tell me that they were going with another candidate. I appreciated having closure, but I often faced disappointment. This cycle was never-ending.
I think several factors contributed to my experience. The job market felt saturated. Anyone can post jobs online, even if the jobs aren’t real or exist only to make investors think a company is growing. Then there’s the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) that you are always trying to” beat” by having the correct keywords in your resume. It is not designed to help job hunters! So, after a draining and discouraging 18-month search, I decided to cut back on the time I spent job hunting and focus on other endeavors.
When All Else Fails, Craft
I dabbled with Etsy for several months while looking for work, and started with a print-on-demand business that had little success. Then I switched to making holiday wreaths. I won’t go into too much detail; I am still not ready to share the tale. The wreaths were far more successful, but honestly, I didn’t have the necessary space at home to maintain it. The economy was still bad, making it difficult for me to sell the rather intricate and expensive pieces. Luckily, my mom, who was also my best customer, helped me out by buying tons of gifts from my site 😀
Let’s Begin
I also took a temporary position working with students in my best friend's school district. The pay was decent and I enjoyed the daily routine. The job interested me, and I hoped it would open the door to future opportunities, but it didn’t work out. Of course, I kept searching for a job, but after more than two years, I was ready for a break. I needed to take a step back from the constant disappointment and focus on a new beginning.
The most difficult decision I ever made was deciding to stop my job search. Thankfully, I could afford it, not everyone is blessed with the option. Honestly, I needed the chance to reset and remove the constant stress that invaded every aspect of my life. I felt like a total failure, but it was the perfect opportunity to explore more for myself.
I contemplated the blog idea for a few months and decided to go for it. So, I signed up for classes and set myself on a path to something more – a path I almost abandoned. Lao Tzu was right: a journey begins with a single step. The first step is the hardest, but it is also difficult to stay on the path. I am glad that I did!
