"Me & My Gray Suit"

So, I decided yesterday afternoon that I would like to write a book. The title of this book is going to be, "Me & My Gray Suit," and it will be dedicated to all professionals who have gone through, are currently going through, or will go through the ups and downs (mostly downs) of finding a suitable job in a new city.

I've officially been in Corpus 5 weeks now, and am still unemployed. Which, according to the media, isn't such an uncommon thing in our society now. It seems we currently have the highest unemployment rate in a couple of decades. Oh, but my friends THERE ARE JOBS OUT THERE. I'm thinking, maybe the 5+ percent of us Americans who are unemployed simply haven't found the RIGHT one yet. Or we're just too dang picky or lazy.

Ok, back to my life. I've sent in countless resumes, applied to countless positions online, and still no job. Don't get me wrong I've been offered PLENTY of jobs, but none that would be a step forward in my career. Here's what those around me are hearing (i.e. Austin):

- "No, I don't want to make that amount."
- "No, I don't want to work in a cubicle ALL DAY." "Why?" "Because I wouldn't be able to concentrate with people talking next to me AND I'd want to stick needles in my eyeballs from boredom!"
- "No, I don't want to work for someone in trouble with the IRS."
-"No, NO, NOOO!"

Am I selfish? Am I spoiled? Am I picky? Or have I simply just not found the right job?

The thing is I KNOW WHAT I WANT TO DO. I know what I love to do. I know what I'm good at. And, I simply haven't been offered a job that fits. I think I have to fit a job as much as a job fits me.

In fact, in a crazy attempt to find a job, I've actually been applying for jobs that I'm over qualified for. My shortest interview: 11 minutes; start-to-finish. My longest interview: 2 hours, 45 minutes. The longest interview was with a placement agency and involved lots of testing. (Mindi, I made a 93 on my Excel test. You're proud, right?)

So far today I've applied for 2 jobs. And, one of my biggest thrills each week...the RUSH of opening the job section in the Caller-Times on Sunday. I get my highlighter or pen and go on a hunt. Some weeks, NOTHING....other weeks, LOTS of opportunity.

The following is a list of phrases I'm tired of hearing:

-"Corpus is a unique town. No jobs pay much."
OH BUT YOU SHOULD SEE THE HOUSES. AND EVERYTHING IS MORE EXPENSIVE HERE THAN MARSHALL.
-"People in Corpus live beyond their means."
-"It's all about who you know." This I know is true.
-"It's going to take a while to find the right one for you."
Blah, Blah, Blah

Here's the deal....I KNOW there is a job for me. I KNOW I will find it. So, once again I am clinging to a certain scripture...a promise that God will provide as He always does. Because, even though I'm out like a scavenger looking for a job as a scavenger in a desert looks for food, the Lord already has it planned. It's all taken care of, the papers have been signed, the job is aligned and there's going to be a good conclusion to my book. Hopefully, a happily ever after.

"Wait for the Lord. Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Psalm 27:14