The Bear Facts...

I have been unemployed for over a month now. After my ex-friend and ex-employer discharged me for reasons unbeknownst to me or anyone else, I listed a resume on Monster.com.  After posting my resume, the only responses I received were from financial investment firms that are looking for investment reps. A few years ago when I was unemployed, I received an offer from CIti Financial and the offer sounded promising. After going through a 4 hour seminar, the Citi representative informed everyone there would be a $125.00 training and class charge. At that point the really great job offer didn’t sound all that great anymore.  I reviewed all the open listings, (some listings were several weeks to one month old), and applied for several “open” positions. After several weeks of waiting for return phone calls, I determined I would have a better chance of finding a Dairy Queen in the middle of Death Valley.

After no success of obtaining a request for an interview, I started to weigh all my options. One option was to become a hermit. Job description is extremely desirable, but the pay wage isn’t all that great. Besides, being a hermit, one starts to talk to rocks and trees and actually receiving an answer. Another downside of being a hermit the only company one would have is a cat or dog. Being a hermit, one doesn’t have any human contact. I also don’t think I could live without my television, DVD’s or VHS videos. While searching for possible opportunities and to drown out the sound of the phone when creditors call, I play a movie or two to keep me entertained. I think I have watched all three seasons of Emergency! Four times in the last five days. I’ve watched “From the Earth to the Moon” twice and “Goodnight and Good Luck” three times.  I also don’t think I could live in a cave as I can’t stand to be dirty and am very meticulous about my appearance and hygiene.  Can you imagine me being the only hermit who takes a daily shower and puts on deodorant and cologne to smell good? So, after a short, (and extremely brief), consideration, becoming a hermit was out of the question.

Next possibility was becoming a professional blogger here on Fox Chicago. Hours are great, description is easy, but, again, the pay wage is a little less than desirable.  Besides, Fox Chicago already has several professional bloggers like Steve canton and Mark Allen. I would hate to take away business from the two bloggers with the highest soap boxes and the biggest axes to grind. One thing in favor of me becoming a professional blogger, despite having Dyslexia, my grammar, punctuation and spelling is a far cry better than some of the axe grinders and soap box artists on the Fox Site.  But, with fears of Jesse Jackson knocking on my door for taking away topics from Mark, I decided not to pursue the professional blogger angle.

It is no secret I am an animal lover. I have one dog, one cat, (the cat and dog take turns terrorizing each other), and one bird. At times I can see a little thought bubble above the cat’s head containing a steaming bird on a silver platter as she watches the bird licking her mouth. I contemplated being a dog walker, but, it’s hard enough to pick up doggie doo from my own dog. Dead bodies I can handle, open wounds, not a problem. A person’s guts hanging out or splattered all across the room or floor, no problem. Picking up dog doo, yuck. Don’t ask me why, I find it discussing and have gag reflexes. When I walk my dog I usually bring one bag for her droppings and one bag for my barfing. So, walking dogs was not in my immediate future.

On Monday after not receiving any responses from any of the monster postings I responded to, I decided to take matters into my own hands. A fresh and new opening was posted for an armed officer at a Chicago area hospital. No interview there, just a remark my resume looked promising and if the director of security was interested, I would receive a phone call. I also applied at a large security agency. A request was made for me to come back for an interview yesterday. The base interview with the recruiter at the office went well I would think. I was referred to the director of security at a building where there was a possible opening. After that interview, I think I would have a better chance of obtaining an open space in a lifeboat on the Titanic than I would have of getting the open space. I was open and honest with the director because I believe if one lies and the lie is discovered in the future, undesirable repercussions could result. I informed the manager of my involvement with CAPS as well as being a judge for the Chicago Board of Elections. I was also asked if the position was my first choice. Being the dummy I am and totally honest, I said “no”. I told the manager I originally applied for an armed position that was listed on the job opening list, BUT, the position had been filled, so, at this point I will take anything I can get. Yes, I know, I hear the airplane nose diving toward the ground, crashing and burning. The manager informed me the officers with seniority are currently playing musical shifts and as soon as everyone finds a shift they are happy with, a possible offer of an open shift could be made. Needless to say, I think I blew that interview and possible employment.

I will give the agency I interviewed with yesterday a little time then I will apply somewhere else. One of the worst parts of being in the situation I am in right now is the financial situation my former employer has put me into. I am currently attempting to hire an attorney to pursue legal proceedings against my former employer, but, I have not had much success at this time. I have a claim with the Labor Board and am waiting to hear from them. But, the financial ruins my ex-employer left me in have really taken a toll on me and I know it is effecting any applications I am submitting.

I still can not understand how an employer or possible employer can determine what kind of employee a person would be by running a credit check? I am not going to buy the company; I just want to work for the company. At one time employment was determined by work ethics and determination. These days, employment is determined if you have a good credit score. “Yes Mr. Smith, I realize I have been late four times in the last five days, but I pay my credit cards on time! That has to be worth something”! “No sir, I don’t have any experience in dog walking, BUT, I do have a credit score of 688”. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize that mixing Chlorine Bleach with Ammonia was hazardous, but, I pay all my credit cards, my mortgage and the payments on my Mercedes every month. I will try harder not to poison the rest of the workers next time”. Before my ex-employer drove me into virtual bankruptcy, I was making payments on time as well. Just because someone has a high credit score it means they have good work ethics? I’m sorry, I do not believe that. To me all a high credit score proves is they know how to shop, juggle bills and make payments. Paris Hilton has an impeccable credit score.  Have you ever watch her perform any work related tasks on her “Simple Life” television show? All the girl knows how to do is spend money. I really wish employers would start rating employees and possible employees on personality, work ethics and experience rather than if a person can spend money and pay their bills on time. If I am considered for an open position I want it to be because I am intelligent and I know the field I am applying for. Not because I know how to juggle 50 credit cards by doing balance transfers every month to avoid interest payments and monthly payments.

Girls have it a lot easier. All a girl has to do is flash a smile, flirt with the employer a little and they have the job. Then when the employer gets a little friendlier, “sexual harassment” is stated and instant job security! I’m probably going to catch a little, (or actually a LOT), of grief over that statement, but, it is said in humor. At least most of it is anyway. I actually have known females like that. Actually I worked with one who purposely dressed provocatively when she would come into the office. I know what you are thinking and I know what you are going to say. Let me put it this way; wearing jeans to the office is ok. I personally don’t think jeans are acceptable attire for an office or a work atmosphere. Wearing ultra low-cut jeans with a whale tail to the office, I’m sorry; I do not see how that kind of attire is acceptable. If a female wants to dress like that to go clubbing, that’s fine, knock yourself out. Wearing ultra low-cut jeans with her undies showing is an office no-no. The office is a professional atmosphere, not a night club. There are ways to look good and dress professionally when you come into the office. A person should not dress like a street walker when they come into the office. I am there to work not see if you buy your underwear from Victoria’s Secret. Maybe what I should do is work out, get myself into top physical condition, buy a pair of extra tight pants, find a female employer and see if I can obtain a job on my looks rather than my experience. Uhh, EMPLOYMENT experience.

So, as of 18:30 hours, (6:30 P.M. to you normal people), I am still unemployed with deteriorating hopes. At this point dog walker and hermit are both sounding really good. If worse comes to worse, I’ll go to FOX, pass myself off as a has-been private investigator and con them into giving me my own television talk show. I mean, if Jerry Springer can have a talk show anyone can! From what I have seen, it's simple; you antagonize your guests, entice fights between them and let them beat the snot out of each other on network television. Then at the end of the show, tell an endearing story about your childhood to make everyone feel insignificant. How much easier is it to get a paycheck?

Yes, I will admit I am a tad discouraged and with all the other problems I am encountering, at times I do feel down. I will muddle on, keep my head up and keep fighting for new employment. Someone somewhere will realize what I have to offer and will take a chance with me. The way I look at it is someone else’s loss is another person’s gain.