…can still make a real mess out of your room. Picture it, not at all Pinteresque or
clean. Every surface is covered with
bits of wardrobe, casualties of my manic quest to piece together a faintly
professional outfit. We're not even
talking interview material ― just 'presentable'. Interview will be a whole different post.
I had a meeting a few weeks back with a helpful gentleman
who looked over my résumé and offered some job hunting advice. This was lovely of him. And it is not his fault that I came away
feeling bewildered, because that is where I live these days. Among
other questions, he asked, "If you cannot get any editing work or writing
work or administrative work, what kind of job would you want instead?" and
honestly, I don't know. Banking? Web Design?
Underwater Welding?
I imagine there are lots of jobs I am qualified to do (or,
let's be honest, qualified to learn
how to do), but it's hard to find them.
I spend hours searching, until I feel like I've clicked every link and
visited every job site and Googled every keyword.
This is
it, I think blearily, I've reached
the End of the Internet.
I struggle to find my footing here. Few editing jobs call for less than four
years experience, but I need work to get experience. Someone told me that I should have more
confidence in the way I present myself, but he didn't mean a general confidence
in my ability to do a good job and figure things out. Rather, this is supposed to be the sort of
confidence that allows you to say, with emphasis, "These are the things I
do, these are the good results I have produced, and this is the kind of job I
want (complete with appropriate job title, i.e. Assistant Manager of Bowling
Ball Juggling)." But specifics also come from experience.
I have been
told to be careful "not to get myself locked into a bad cycle" and to
"aim for jobs that will contribute to your long-term goals" and that
"it's all about who you know: networking is key."
Networking. Cue
the introverted paralysis. I have extroversion in me, but put me in a room full of professional people and tell me to
"go forth and network!", and my inner recluse will peer through the
peephole and sadly inform you that Sarah is unavailable for duty, on account of
being dead.
But I know that even when the internet ends, the people
still have ideas. So out the door I go. I dress respectably (hence the
wardrobe carnage) and attend a networking lunch.
I introduce myself and make conversation. Don't get me wrong, it's not all paper cuts
soaked in lemon juice. For it to be all
bad, the people would have to be all bad, and they're not. Still, there is a lurking thought that the point of being here is to make contacts, which leaves me clammy
and nervous and unlike myself. It also
skews the expectations. Networking-on-purpose feels
like a constant, unfocussed interview because each person wants to hear my
elevator pitch.
Referring back, it's difficult
to have an elevator pitch if you don't know exactly
what job you're hoping for. I attempt a
pitch anyway. I try to be confident, but
stop short of lying; to be polished, but conversational ― and it's not impressive.
I finish my best effort…....
Man I am Talking To: "One thing you might consider
doing is composing a short description of the work you've done and the kind of
job you want; have you ever heard of an elevator pitch?"
Oh dear. Wasn't that what I
just gave you? Apparently not. Okay, okay, Sarah, no time for self-recrimination ― time to roll with it.
Me: (ruefully) "Yes, I have! It would seem I … don't have one."
Him: (agreeing seriously)
"No, you don't."
Rimshot. Fair enough.
Fortunately, as I'm about to leave in disgrace, my networking reputation
is salvaged:
A man, who is older than my father, asks me out. On a date.
I am no closer to having a job,
but it would seem the outfit is a winner.
Or
something.
Score.
What is the take-home lesson here? Surely there is something redeeming to
pull out of the awkward! I need a
moral, and I need it now before this blog post gets too long.
How about:
Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it.
There's more than one way to skin a cat.
Prayer is always a good idea.
A life lived in fear is a life half-lived.
Platitudes are trying to the soul.
And hopefully, what doesn't kill you…
…makes you stronger.