It's been a long year and a half. After around 200 applications, dozens of interviews, and numerous on-site screenings/peer interviews, all rejected along the way, I finally start a new position Monday. I'm really looking forward to it too. I have no idea why it took this long. I gave the same answers to the same questions to numerous companies, but all of a sudden, I heard words that I no longer thought I'd hear. "We'd love to have you."
This has been a very humbling journey. I really thought I was being rejected due to my age (54). Ageism is very real, and it was one of the reasons I was let go from my previous position. I gave up hope after applying to a position that was the entryist of entry level positions and didn't even get a call back a few months ago.
I looked at different business opportunities to carry on. I've been trading stock options to stay afloat, not really having to dip into our savings (thankfully). I contacted a local hot dog stand that was for sale, but that fell through. I was looking into food trucks, but the regulations are ridiculous. I considered going back to school to get my CFP and help people with their finances. I got into woodworking and started building an inventory of items to sell on ETSY or FB Marketplace. None of it was working out.
I renovated my oldest daughter's basement last year, and I refurbished my youngest daughter's house to sell this year. I took it as a sign from God that He must really want me to do that kind of work. I'd never really considered handyman/construction before. So, I started my own LLC and worked part time at the township. My business started getting a lot of jobs from putting furniture together to whole room renovations. I was working afternoons and making almost as much money as I was at my last job.
And then out of the blue, I got a call for a job in my "profession". Of course I considered it. Of course I interviewed. Of course I gave the same answers to the same questions I've been asked a hundred times over. I went into the office. I took the facility tour. Blah, blah, blah. But they offered. So, it's real. Starting Monday, I'm no longer an unemployed schlub. To those of you who have offered support over the last year and a half, thank you. To those in chat who've listened to my rants, they will continue until morale improves, but thanks for listening. I'm very thankful for this opportunity.
It's been a long journey, but I'll leave you with this. Deport every illegal alien and demolish the H1-B, H-4, OPT visa programs into a million pieces so no American worker EVER has to go through what I've gone through over the last 19 months. This is a homegrown problem facilitated with bullshit laws that protect foreigners and harm Americans. These programs have to end. They aren't making America great. They're destroying this great country from within.
But nonetheless, I'm thankful for this opportunity that begins next week. I'm really, really looking forward to working in an organization that is growing faster than they ever thought was possible.
@nexusothecrisis I got my car windows tinted and a few days later I went back to the store to tell them how much of a difference it made and to thank them for doing a great job. I felt like they had never heard that before.