I have been unemployed since June. It’s been terrible. It’s embarrassing and emasculating. I just can’t seem to get a job anywhere. I’ve been sending out five to seven applications a week and I’ve gotten exactly two interviews. Neither one panned out even though I felt like both interviews went well.
The worst part is, I’m not just applying to apply. I only apply to jobs I know I can do and do well. I spend time on each application, adjusting my resume and cover letter to fit the job I’m applying for. That’s why I’m only applying to about one job a day.
I have plenty of experience in a lot of different areas. I’ve worked in insurance compliance, anti-money laundering, and exam writing. I have a current teaching certificate and taught for a year. I have worked in a warehouse, restaurants, and retail. I’ve been a manager, oversaw facilities, and done inventory management. I was also a college tutor for seventeen years. The thing is, I don’t think all this experience is helping me at all. I think it’s more likely that it’s leading to age discrimination. There’s no way to hide how old I am. When they see that I graduated college in 1996, it’s obvious that I’m around 50.
I got laid off from what I thought was my career a little more than five years ago. At first, I saw it as an opportunity. I could take their severance and spend some time finding something I loved. But I haven’t been able to find regular employment since. Part of that was due to the pandemic. But that’s no longer a good excuse.
They say on the news that the economy keeps adding record numbers of jobs. Every time I hear it, I find myself somewhere between discouraged and incensed. Where’s my job?
My unemployment benefits will run out in less than two months, so I’m taking a momentous step. I’m going to start substitute teaching again. It won’t come close to paying the bills, but it does pay a little more than unemployment. At least some money will be coming in.
I’m not even sure why I’m writing this. I put that I’m “Open to work” on my LinkedIn account. Maybe this is the same thing. I’m getting a little desperate, so I’m hoping to cast a broader net. Maybe someone will read this and think, “Hey, my place is hiring.” I’ll do just about anything that pays the bills. I’m a quick study if I need to learn anything new.
I guess I’m just frustrated and wanted to vent. I’m less than two months from 50 and I’m a substitute teacher. It’s not the life I envisioned for myself.
