Praise the Lord, I'm Employed!!

I'M BACK!!  Did you miss me?

Boy, I've got to tell you, the last few months have been memorable, to say the least!  After weeks of sweat, tears, and intense prayer, I am happy to report that I am gainfully employed!  (Hold for applause.)

For a while there, I was getting so desperate that I would've settled for ANY job, but I've actually landed one that I like very, very much.  What's my new position, you ask?  I'll give you a hint:  if you were to visit Nashville and wanted to take a tour of the presumably haunted buildings in the downtown area, who ya gonna call?  ME!!  I'm the brand new guide for Nashville Ghost Tours!  Yay!!

Oh, my friends, it's such a wonderful job!  I get to meet people visiting from all over the country and share with them the wonderful history and ghost stories of my newly adopted hometown!  I just couldn't love it more, quite frankly.

But I must say, the process of gaining employment was quite frightening, indeed. I had no idea how impersonal and harsh the job search could be, or how completely it can crush your soul if you're not careful.  I'd show up in person at shops and temp agencies, only to be given a business card and sent right back out the door.  They'd tell me to apply online and attach my resume, they'd call if they decided they needed me.  I spent hours in front of the computer, searching and applying, knowing that everyone who received my "theme park performer" resume was probably having a good, hearty laugh at my expense.

I actually learned a lot from the process, however.  And if you'll indulge me, I thought I'd share my newfound knowledge with you.  I know in today's economy, there must be others in the same "employment-seeking" boat as I was just a month ago.  Here's a list of a few things I learned:

Don't be afraid to inform everyone you know that you need a job.  I was a little embarrassed to admit I was in need, but that quickly faded when I realized I was forming a whole supportive "Team Joan" that was on my side.  It was actually my friend, Keith, who heard that the ghost tour people were hiring, and sent me an email with a link to their website.  Otherwise, I never would have known and would have missed the interview date.

Find a support group to help.  Mine was invaluable.  It was a free "business transitions" group that actually met at my church once a week.  They specialized in helping people who had recently been laid off or who were new to the area and needed to find work. They presented guest lecturers each week who addressed everything from "How to Network When You Have No Network" to "Personal and Career Branding."  Not only was the information helpful, but the support of those who had once been unemployed and had now found work, saying to me, "Don't give up!  It WILL happen for you!" was priceless.

Resist the urge to "hibernate."  After spending several days emailing resumes and filling out online applications, all with no response, I must tell you, all I wanted to do was retreat to my girl cave, lock the door, and pull the covers over my head.  I actually did EXACTLY that one day.  Then I passed by a mirror and was a little frightened by the unkept, hopeless mess I saw staring back I me.  I vowed to try harder and avoid having to see THAT sight again!

Volunteer, it'll change your whole perspective!  Determined not to spend another day sitting around the house, I decided to stop feeling sorry for myself and perform some good deeds.  Let me tell you, it's really hard to crank the "self pity meter" when you're reading "Fluffy and Baron" to a classroom of first graders who treat you like a rock star!  Or see if you have the nerve to shed a tear for yourself after you've learned that the prayer shawl you've just knitted for your church group is going to be wrapped around the shoulders of a 30 year old cancer victim, as she begins her chemo treatments.  Suddenly, my problems seemed pretty minor in comparison.

And finally, if you're really weary and ready to give up, come by this blog and visit ME!  I'll remind you that you're awesome, amazing, tremendously talented, and DEFINITELY one of the cool people!  Hey, you MUST be, you follow THIS blog, don't you?

Thanks for your patience, everyone, it's just great to be back!  And, most of all...

Thanks for reading!!