The Job Hunt

I often get asked if I'm rich, or well off, because I'm a writer. Well, I wish I could say yes, but like most writer's we have to work day jobs, or other jobs to pay our bills, and to take care our family's needs and to support our writing craft. Nothing is free.

I have recently started looking for a job. My husband relocated to Washington state starting a new career. Unfortunately the new career doesn't pay enough for me to get to stay home, I have to work too. I'm on my second week of trying to find a job. I've gone to numerous companies already and like anyone who is looking for a job, it is disheartening.

Most of the people I have encountered have been nice, one in particular has been extremely helpful. I won't give names and the company, because they don't know I'm writing about them. This lady, we'll call her Dori, went out of her way and gave me websites to go to for tutorials that would help brush me up on my computer skills and other things, letting me in on what the company was going to do and the tests they give potential applicants. When asked what kind of college degree I had, I told her I didn't. I never went to college, but I want to work in the office. Dori smiled and said that she to did not have a college degree, that she only had her high school diploma as well, and that she was there to tell me that it was possible to get to where she was at without a degree. That woman gave me hope, she was helpful, personable and friendly. I thanked her for her time and left after completing my online application. They did not have any jobs available yet, but she suggested that I check every few days, because things open up all the time.

Now, as we all know, not all job hunting goes this smoothly and not everyone is that nice, or helpful. I was driving around looking for companies to put my application in and found one that looked interesting. I thought what the heck. I stopped and went in and asked the receptionist if they were accepting applications and she said they were, that they were actually looking for someone. My hope meter jumped, what luck, I thought. I completed the application and attached my resume to it and gave it to the receptionist, I thanked her for her time and left. On Tuesday the next week, I called for the human resource contact, we'll call her, Kim. I introduced myself and asked about my application that I had turned in. I didn't expect Kim's response. She was not professional, nor was she very nice. Her clipped response and rudeness was not only offending, but had me feeling like I did something wrong by applying to the company. The woman's voice reminded me of a mother scolding her teenager. Kim told me that in no uncertain terms that the company did not accept applications when no job openings were available. There was an uncomfortable silence, because I was a little shocked by her response to me. I said to her then, I was led to believe there was an opening, which is why I filled out the application. Does this mean the application I submitted would not be considered? She flat out said, "No." in a very snotty way leaving another very uncomfortable silence between us. I said, "Okay, thank you for your time." It took everything I had not to say what was really on my mind.

I understand that people have bad days, but come on. For us who are looking for jobs, we are already stressed. We need a job, or we wouldn't be looking for one and we certainly don't need to be disrespected. Needing a job, shouldn't put us in a sub human category to be treated like crap. I will always remember that woman's name and I plan on living in the area for a long time. She represents that company, I wonder if she has forgotten this little fact.