So close, and yet so far

[days_unfolding]

I had sent a resume in response to an ad for a part-time salesclerk in an audiobook store. Friday I had a phone conversation with the hiring manager, during which she suggested that I come take a look around the store. So yesterday (Saturday) I did look around the store.

I really liked the store. It has a terrific selection of audiobooks. I found several of them that interested me.

The hiring manager was working in the store, and we had a long conversation. During the conversation, she acknowledged that the job was a good fit EXCEPT that she didn't want to hire someone who might find a full-time job and then leave. She wanted someone who could make a year's commitment to the store.

There wasn't much that I could say to that. I commented that I've gone this long without a full-time job, so I wouldn't assume that I'd find one quickly.

The manager has a friend who's a technical writer, and she offered to give her a copy of my resume. She also gave me a one-month rental of an audiobook for free.

I really liked her and the store. Drat.

Then I had a strange series of events. While I was at the South San Jose WalMart, a strap of my backpack broke. I drove down to the Gilroy WalMart at which I had bought the backpack. I found one backpack left. Then I found myself looking at the calendars. I found myself reading a Christian-themed daily calendar. The entry that caught my eye was one in which some of the disciples were fishing, caught nothing, and stopped fishing. Jesus tells them to try again, and then they caught fish. Exactly the position that I'm in ("casting my net" and "catching" nothing). I still keep "casting my net". The thing is though, dealing with discouragement IS a problem, and I'm not sure what to do about it.

Comments

[cyberpigue.livejournal.com]

I have the same problems with discouragement. I try to focus on future events, keep myself busy with whatever is at hand (and put something at hand if there isn't), and keep moving.

All easy to say, but doing is harder, but doing is effective.

Sorry this is dragging out for you. Maybe you could advertise to do things for people. Dog-walking, shopping, personal organizer, etc. What do you like to do and how could you do it for people? Maybe you could be your own boss? Just trying to think...

[days-unfolding.livejournal.com]

What do you like to do and how could you do it for people?

The first thing that I think of is reading, which leads me to a bookstore.

I like cats. I could pet sit for cats, but I'm a little scared of dogs since I was bitten several years ago. (There's also a lot of competition between per sitters around here.)

I could run errands in lieu of a part-time job. I don't think that I could make enough money at it to replace a full-time job because this is one of the most expensive areas in the country.

Hmm...

[cyberpigue.livejournal.com]

Maybe you could place an ad offering to read to someone's elderly mother or father. Usually folks in that situation just want to be with someone anyway. The reading part might make it easy to get the relationship going. You might be surprised what someone will pay to ease their conscience of not having time to sit with their parents themselves. A few hours a day in five different homes a week might easily beat a part time job's pay. All you have to lose is the money for the ad.

Check this (http://www.domystuff.com) out. Search for stuff near San Jose. This is a good way to get started, and once working for someone you can suggest other things you could do for them and ask them to spread the word around to their friends. Maybe there is stuff you could do that people don't realize they need - like reading to elderly parents, or kids, organizing a kitchen, garage, etc.

People LOVE to tell their friends how smart they are and how they found the BEST person to do stuff for them. You could be choosy and try to work for folks who are able to appreciate $$ what you do for them. Their friends are probably able to appreciate it, too. Don't settle for less than you deserve and recognize that people will pay you fair money. When I sold cars I often found myself reminding folks that they probably spent $30 or more on pizza a month, "What would you rather have that pizza, or the 4WD model?" Most people just want you to help them justify what they want to spend anyway. Whether they quit eating pizza or not, they usually decide to spend the $30.00. Your part is simply to deliver the value for what they spend. That's not unethical.

You could set folks computers up for them by making them a Google calendar account, teaching IT to send them reminders of birthdays, occasions, etc. Organize their data into a logical scheme. Organize pictures, files, music, etc. Build them simple databases or spreadsheets. Think about what you can do, and about how even the stuff you don't love doing isn't that bad if it isn't all you do. Dunno... just thinking aloud.

Meanwhile, you could do your favorite gig at the library searching the racks and while you're there look for ideas on organization, time management, etc. Don't just line up their jars, plan their kitchen, make nifty shelf labels, do the ordinary in an extraordinary way. Read up on sales/speaking - that helps you sell yourself. I perceive you to be bright, energetic, competent, disciplined, thoughtful, etc. That's without you trying to sell yourself.

[cyberpigue.livejournal.com]

This is interesting. Maybe not your cup of tea, but something that might spur ideas.

http://www.craigslist.org/sby/dmg/436329793.html

I did this search and found lots of different stuff.

http://www.google.com/search?q=personal+assistant+san+jose&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=FFl&start=0&sa=N

[days-unfolding.livejournal.com]

I just found a Craig's List listing for a learning-disabled person in college who wants someone to help plan her work for her. Sounds like it's right up my alley. Thanks!