Day 167

#np - Spiderwebs by No Doubt

I used to screen ALL of my phone calls.  Seriously, I hate talking on the phone.  I think it stemmed from answering the phone so much at the admissions office.  The last thing I wanted to do when I got off work was answer the phone.  

All of that changed, however, when I started looking for jobs.  Now I cannot rely on caller ID to tell me who is calling.  And my optimistic, overanxious mind wonders whether the random area coded caller is a person calling to offer a job interview or a telemarketer.  So I answer in anticipation that maybe my time is coming and the person on the other end LOVED my resume and wants to hire me outright.

But let me tell you, it's been more telemarketers than anything.  I'm trying optimistic though.  In a recession where the federal government is slowing their own hiring rate and local and state government won't feel the effects of the economic recovery for 12 more months, optimism is appropriate, right?  

Well, maybe it's not what most people default to but the alternative is complete and utter depression over the current job market and fear of not being employed come July 15th (when my money and lease runs out).  And surely that's not healthy.

I suppose it depends on what day you check in with me.  Some days I'm not worrying at all. I talk with my classmates and we're all positive.  We report on jobs we've applied for, others we were rejected from (because we were so grossly under-qualified, usually), and our dream jobs that aren't open but we look for everyday. Other days I can't imagine ever finding a job that is fulfilling and supports me financially.  I would post my application-to-interview rate but that would just be depressing.  

But today I woke up choosing optimism.  Tomorrow may be different but I hope to ride this wave for a little while.  Check back with me in May.  In the meantime, you can bet I'm not screening my phone calls until I find a job.