5 Lessons in 18 Months
By Morgan O'Donnell - Red Raven Circling
For over a year I have been searching for a “sustainable” job. I have applied for full-time and part-time jobs. I’ve investigated freelance possibilities and contractor positions. I have crafted hundreds of cover letters, revamped my resume numerous times, and networked both online and in person. I’ve talked with friends, family, mentors, and even worked with a career coach. I have interviewed, been led astray, and even turned down some offers. I’ve gotten so sick of reading job ads that I started crafting my own. But that’s all over now! I have finally found—what I hope/believe is—a sustainable job situation.
Before we start popping champagne corks and pouring the bubbly, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on my job search and what I’ve gained besides a job. At first glance, it may seem like I lost eighteen months of my life. It’s true there were times I became discouraged and thought about giving up. After all, I had a decent job with benefits, a roof over my head, food on the table and money to work on some smaller green projects as well as buy a few of life’s little luxuries. In reality, this job search has given me a variety of learning experiences. Here are five of the lessons I learned:
1. Know Yourself
For me, it started in January 2008. I had just had one of “those” birthdays. You know the ones, where you step back and reevaluate your life? I also had just started a graduate class called the Politics of Writing with an inspiring instructor and a great group of writers. It was during this class that my ideas started to crystallize and I knew I had to give writing an honest try. However, being a financial worrywart, I knew that I still needed the security of a job. The compromise I came up with was to look for a part-time job. This solution would give me the financial security I needed along with time and energy to pursue my writing projects. However, this was a lesson that I had to keep relearning and re-evaluating, especially as I watched the economy tank.
For me, it started in January 2008. I had just had one of “those” birthdays. You know the ones, where you step back and reevaluate your life? I also had just started a graduate class called the Politics of Writing with an inspiring instructor and a great group of writers. It was during this class that my ideas started to crystallize and I knew I had to give writing an honest try. However, being a financial worrywart, I knew that I still needed the security of a job. The compromise I came up with was to look for a part-time job. This solution would give me the financial security I needed along with time and energy to pursue my writing projects. However, this was a lesson that I had to keep relearning and re-evaluating, especially as I watched the economy tank.
2. Ignore the Negative
While I was searching for a job, I networked and let a variety of people know that I was looking for a job and what kind of job I was interested in. After awhile I learned that some people were not always so supportive or helpful. For example, I had one friend who routinely sent me job ads for positions that were high-powered, high stress, full-time jobs even though I had repeatedly told her that I was looking for part-time work, preferably something that didn’t consume all my creative energy. I got the feeling that she thought I was silly, irresponsible, or that I shouldn’t waste my time pursuing writing. Maybe she was jealous that I was taking action towards my goals and hopes. In any event, I had to quit discussing the job search with her (as much as possible) and simply ignore her comments.
While I was searching for a job, I networked and let a variety of people know that I was looking for a job and what kind of job I was interested in. After awhile I learned that some people were not always so supportive or helpful. For example, I had one friend who routinely sent me job ads for positions that were high-powered, high stress, full-time jobs even though I had repeatedly told her that I was looking for part-time work, preferably something that didn’t consume all my creative energy. I got the feeling that she thought I was silly, irresponsible, or that I shouldn’t waste my time pursuing writing. Maybe she was jealous that I was taking action towards my goals and hopes. In any event, I had to quit discussing the job search with her (as much as possible) and simply ignore her comments.
3. Sidestep the Sweet Talk
Although the friend above sent me full-time job ads, it always “felt” negative and therefore was easier to ignore. It was much harder for me to ignore full-time job leads or offers when they came from people I admired and respected, especially when the offers came with a nice salary and title. I won’t say I wasn’t tempted because I was. Still, I was slowly learning to trust myself. For one such job lead it came down to the cover letter. I got stuck and couldn’t go anywhere with it. After wrestling with it for several days and making no progress, I learned that the position had been closed. Instead of feeling disappointed, I felt relieved and I realized that the problem with the cover letter had been a sign from myself that I didn’t really want that job.
Although the friend above sent me full-time job ads, it always “felt” negative and therefore was easier to ignore. It was much harder for me to ignore full-time job leads or offers when they came from people I admired and respected, especially when the offers came with a nice salary and title. I won’t say I wasn’t tempted because I was. Still, I was slowly learning to trust myself. For one such job lead it came down to the cover letter. I got stuck and couldn’t go anywhere with it. After wrestling with it for several days and making no progress, I learned that the position had been closed. Instead of feeling disappointed, I felt relieved and I realized that the problem with the cover letter had been a sign from myself that I didn’t really want that job.
4. Help Others
In a job search it is easy to get overly focused on yourself. After all, you are constantly writing cover letters discussing your skills and achievements. I was no exception. It became a relief for me to be able to take the focus off myself by helping others. I decided to focus on my roles in Toastmasters as a mentor and a club officer. Helping my fellow Toastmasters reach their goals energized and motivated me to continue pursuing my goals.
In a job search it is easy to get overly focused on yourself. After all, you are constantly writing cover letters discussing your skills and achievements. I was no exception. It became a relief for me to be able to take the focus off myself by helping others. I decided to focus on my roles in Toastmasters as a mentor and a club officer. Helping my fellow Toastmasters reach their goals energized and motivated me to continue pursuing my goals.
5. Focus on Success
One thing that helped sustain me during my job search was focusing on the successes I had in other areas, even if they were small successes. I submitted and had two poems accepted for an anthology. Although one poem was later cut due to space, the editor’s encouragement to submit it elsewhere buoyed my spirits and the success in that area helped sustain my job search. Also, during this year and a half of searching, I fell into a side avenue of writing – coaching writers. Working with these writers and helping them focus on their goals was rewarding, especially when one writer completed the first draft of her novel.
One thing that helped sustain me during my job search was focusing on the successes I had in other areas, even if they were small successes. I submitted and had two poems accepted for an anthology. Although one poem was later cut due to space, the editor’s encouragement to submit it elsewhere buoyed my spirits and the success in that area helped sustain my job search. Also, during this year and a half of searching, I fell into a side avenue of writing – coaching writers. Working with these writers and helping them focus on their goals was rewarding, especially when one writer completed the first draft of her novel.
You may now uncork the champagne!
Need some more ideas or inspiration? Try Zen Habits!
Need some more ideas or inspiration? Try Zen Habits!
Editor's Note: Congratulations Morgan - I love success stories! To read more about Morgan's sustainable job search success read her post, "Mornings". Even better, if you are looking for a top-notch freelance writer with a green passion, visit Morgan O'Donnell at Red Raven Circling to learn more.
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