Reappraisal

Last week was stellar.  I received more mail than I have in recent years (thanks to electronic bill pay and the like), most of which I threw away and some, although it made me hang my head in frustration, I will keep.  You see, I received a sum total of three rejections last week.  Actually, two were via mail and personalized, and one was via email and very obviously an automated "thanks, but no thanks".  Considering I had only four or five active applications, these three really dwindled my opportunities, and even before I've gotten an interview.  So, I've come to a conclusion.

I suck.

Okay, maybe I don't suck, but maybe I need to do things better.  It has been nine months since graduation, and this is a depressed economy; I can't expect miracles here.  But it will be a miracle if I do get a job -- or even an interview (is that so much to ask?) -- if I don't step up my game.

I tend to try to tackle things on my own and, if I can't, I don't do it at all.  I have a stubborn independent streak that obviously needs a little bending.  So, it's time to ask for help.  I'm a shy little thing, so networking makes me cringe a little in horror, but I'm working on it.  I will check out what the career center at my Alma Mater can do for me.  I will more actively follow advice given in the past.  One such bit of advice was to become active in the Society of Ohio Archivists.  The only reason I hesitate to do so is that I don't plan on staying in Ohio (unless an awesome opportunity knocks...doubtful!) and I am unsure if I can commit to anything long term, which is the reason why I also back off from volunteering.  But you know what?  I've been hunting for a job for almost a year now; who's to say I won't still be here in six months or longer?  I'd never accomplish anything if I let something that might happen get in the way.

I am also going to ask -- nicely -- for feedback from some of the institutions that found me unsuitable for their positions.  I think it will be a great way to help me to become more suitable in the future.

And then, fine (fine!), I'm going to up the numbers and apply to more jobs.  I know I said I don't agree with that strategy, and I will still be generally selective (what good will I be to an organization if I just want the job for job's sake and am not really invested in it?), but I will open my standards a bit.  Yes, I will.  I've just got to.

So, yes, this past week was a stellar one, and very dispiriting.  But I never forget that while I search for that first position in my chosen profession, I am lucky enough to have a full time gig to pay the bills and the student loans (many job ads require as a qualification a demonstrable commitment to public service, and when I think about the amount of money I owe for a library degree -- one of the ultimate public service professions -- I'm pretty sure that alone demonstrates commitment).  

Now time to beg at the feet of those who turned me down...