Starting the Job Search from the Ground Up

Today I wipe the slate clean and eliminate the obstacles.  This has been an interesting year but I've eliminated one job title from my list.  Time to start over.

I have to admit that I've been lazy, but perhaps I can call it processing.   

I've had numerous calls from recruiters this year.  The statistics and distributions of job type and industry has given me some information on the job market.  But what do I want?  It is time to get of my rear in gear and hit the pavement to figure that out.

I have had three interviews this year.  One of them was close to what I used to do as a scientist minus the beakers and lab equipment, but the other ones were pretty different.  The problem was that I was not ready for theses interviews.  They plopped into my lap like a gift from heaven, but I was not prepared.  "Chance favors the prepared mind,"  as someone once told me.  My mind was definitely not prepared.

Even if other people help you, if you are not ready yourself you will not be able to seize the opportunity.  So I finally woke up and walked out of my cocoon and went to a series of four seminars through the local job networking group.  It made me stop feeling sorry for myself and swept the cobwebs out of my brain.  I like to envision them that way.  They are the negative thoughts that linger and fester in there until we take some action to clean them out.

Life can be a positive chain reaction once we start moving in the right direction.  Thanks to my friends and family, I've been able to realize that I'm not a loser just because I don't have a job title.  There is the essence of me, my spirit and my personality that no one can take from me.

I am back in high gear looking for the yellow brick road and my ruby slippers.  I've already written my career marketing plan.  I am working on my handbill and my list of industries and companies.  I'm ready to figure out what I want to do for the rest of my life!