A Needle In A Haystack

Those of you who have been following my blog recently know that I was laid off over the summer.

About a month ago, I was lucky enough to be hired temporarily. This job, even though it is temporary, has been one of the most emotionally and professionally satisfying jobs I’ve had. But like most temp jobs, there is a finite end date which is coming up quickly.

The issue I am coming across in my search for long term, more permanent employment is that despite the fact that the government and the press keep saying that the economy is getting better, I don’t where the jobs are. The jobs I do see advertised are usually hover around $1o/hr salary wise. While many of these jobs are entry level, some are not, but still pay an entry level salary.

I am not entry level, I have not been for quite a while.

Is it me or am I just being foolish? If I am being foolish, please tell me so.  All I want is a job that fits my background that will hopefully be long term, that pays a reasonable living wage and provides reasonable benefits. Is that too much to ask? Or is this elusive white professional rabbit as easy to find as a needle in a haystack?

A while ago, I met a friend for dinner. He told about a neighbor of his. This neighbor has had a successful career as a librarian for a number of years. When the economy went under in 2008, like many people, he lost his job. To make a long story short, a man who has had a successful high level, high paying job for years and should be slowly moving toward retirement, had to move back to his parent’s house because the only job he could find was a minimum wage retail job.

I know I am not the only one who is unemployed or under employed. There are millions of us who simply want to get back to work to take care of ourselves and our families. I don’t think it is too much to ask, but every night that I go online and apply, it feels like I am looking for a needle in a haystack.

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