Saturday, April 24, 2010

Business Cards, Websites and Dove Dark Chocolate



So, I've been sending my website around to potential employers and have been getting good feedback. And I had 1 1/2 interviews last week! (One in person and one on the phone...which I guess counts as a half;) Another potential employer said to me, "Wow, is this website what you have to do nowadays to get a job???!! If so, I might never leave my position!" We both laughed...me in a "ha, ha, that's really funny, but I'm pouring my soul out here and need moolah now" type of way.

It's wonderful to hear that you have great skills and are doing all of the right things on your job search. It's not so great to hear that they still gave the job to someone else. It's even worse to hear that they'd totally give you the job, but their funding just ran out. It's a bit of an emotional rollercoaster ride...psyching yourself up for supreme greatness and then consoling yourself after the rejection with Dove chocolate and friends that say, "they're a fool for not hiring you!"

So, this past week of job searching has led me to think a lot about identity. I am currently labeling myself as a "Consultant." As in, "Hello, I am Elise Young and I am an International Development Consultant. Here's my card as proof!" And although this is an important step, and for some, a very important career path, it doesn't feel quite right. I miss belonging to something organized that is greater than myself...a church, Bread for the World, Graduate School, a campaign to cut world hunger in half. Yet, the biggest adventures in life so often start with a jump out into the unknown, label-less void. 

This is the hardest, longest search that I've ever had to find and claim my work identity. Perhaps this means that the end result will be even larger and more meaningful than I could have first imagined. Until that point, though, I'm holding on tight to my Consultant business cards, secret stash of Dove Dark Chocolate and supportive group of friends.


And to all those of you who are searching for your own work identity, please remember this: who you truly are is never defined by what you do, but by how you share yourself with the world.
Peace and work blessings.

5 comments:

  1. Hi Elise,
    'm job hunting, too, but really have just started.
    It sounds like you've had a really tough time. I'm glad you're using this as an outlet.

    Have you signed up with politemps.com? It's a little off your area of focus, but they do some work with advocacy groups and might have something for you.

    -Sue Casey

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  2. Hi Elise,
    Love the new Blog idea and can so relate to your journey, especially to feel connected and the desire to more than contribute, to make a difference! You definitely do make a difference my dear friend!

    This week I meet with a friend who works for www.piconetwork.org and yesterday I went to a retreat sponsored by www.pachamama.org. There are elements of each that might generate some interest and maybe even career opportunities for you and others!

    Look forward to reading more but I hope this leg of your journey is a short one!

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  3. Hi Elise! While not currently on a job search, I appreciate your blog! Thanks for sharing your journey.

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  4. Chocolate business card printing is a ideal choice for business or organizations.
    Plastic business cards.

    ReplyDelete