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Job Hunt - Discouraged!
This is the first time I've posted although I enjoy reading posts here :-).
I recently moved to TX to be with DH (two months ago) and have yet to find a job. I've been on four interviews now and have not been offered a position, although each time I am told that they are very impressed with me and that they will keep me in mind for future positions. I am relatively new to the teaching field (I have a year and a half of experience) so I don't know whether or not to attribute my unemployment to my lack of experience or if there's something more to it. Either way, I can't help but feel discouraged (more so each time I hear "we've offered the position to another candidate") and I'm not sure what to do next. I will be substituting once the school year starts but I feel as though this is a step back, not forward in my career. It's definitely causing a strain on my relationship, too, since I feel as though I'm holding us back from doing things we want (buy a new(er) car, save for a house, etc.). I know DH loves and supports me -- it's my feeling guilty rather than him disappointed with me.
I know that being unemployed for only two months is nothing in comparison to the amount of time some have been unemployed. I am simply struggling with how to adjust to this situation and keep it from hurting my relationship. Any advice on how to stay motivated, where to look next, etc. is much appreciated :-).
Re: Job Hunt - Discouraged!
Our household is in somewhat of the same situation. I am living away for grad school and my husband is looking for a new job in his area because he hates his current job. He's been on a couple interviews and has gotten a few more questionnaires emailed to him, but nothing more. He is working with a few different recruiters but that hasn't really helped him. I'm not sure that he's gotten any job openings from them, more just from online job sites. Luckily he still has a job, he's just looking to change jobs.
Being on the other end (I'm not looking for a job, he feels discouraged) all I can say is "we" (your DH, me to my DH) understand that you're doing your part, getting your info out there, and the real issue is that the economy sucks and it's hard for everyone looking. It's hard for us to ask too many questions about your job opportunities/positions you've applied for but have not heard from/etc because we don't want to pour salt in the wound if it's not good news, but we're pulling for you, even if we don't out right say it!
Maybe try a recruiter? I know as an SLP we can use recruiters for school jobs, I bet teachers can too! And with school starting soon there must be schools looking to fill spots asap.
Good luck in your job search- the right job will find you!
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I also am very discouraged with my job search - I'm not currently unemployed but seeking a new job. I actually feel that my experience in a way is hurting me.
In the meantime, try to get involve in volunteer work or some other experience relate to your field and network. It may help to open some doors.
I know exactly what you're going through. I taught for two years before my DH and I got married and I moved (giving up my job) to be with him because his job paid more. That was 13 months ago. I have a lot of student loan debt and without me having a steady job, we've been able to make ends meet, but that's about it. We haven't been able to save, buy furniture for our only half-furnished house, or buy a new car that we'll probably need soon (my 15 year old car can only hold out for so long.)
I spent this past school year substituting and even did a two month interim for a teacher on maternity leave. The school where I did the interim is where I subbed the most. They recently posted two teaching positions, I applied and interviewed. I was really optimistic because the principal said I did a great job as an interim and everyone there only had good things to say about me. I got the call last night that they were not going to offer me either position. I was (and still am) crushed. I really hope that my lack of experience in the particular grade levels they were interviewing for was the reason I wasn't offered a job. (But how else is one to gain such experience?) On the bright side, HR offered me back-to-back interim positions that will at least last through Christmas.
I completely understand how you feel about substituting feeling like a step backwards for your career. All I can say is that it is a good way to get yourself out there so that the right people get to know who you are. If I hadn't, I probably wouldn't have even gotten that interview. It's just an incredibly bad time to be needing a job in our field. I hope it isn't too long before that changes.
Good luck! I hope it all works out for you soon!
I just experienced a similar situation. I moved to Chicago for DH's job in December. It took me 7 months to find a job, and in that time I had countless interviews - at least 1-2 a month. It was so frustrating.
The best advice I can give you is to take care of yourself. Do things that make you feel good about you, no matter what you have to sacrifice. For me, getting mani/pedis, taking myself to the movies, things that made me happy kept me motivated.
Job searching is a roller coaster, that's just the way it is. I had many mantras, "Your job is not your career." "Your worth is not tied to your work." So many things. The key is the keep your head up and take trust in the fact that if you are working hard and hustling for that job, the right thing will come.
Hang in there, girl, it'll happen!
I myself was unemployed for 6 months before I found 2 substitute jobs. One is a child care center and one for a school district. I'm going on two years as a sub for both places. I apply for every open position that I qualify for yet here I am still a substitute. It's very frustrating.
I found a new hobby that I love so that's been good. I also have been meaning to start volunteering.
GL!
Thanks so much for all the comments, good luck wishes and advice :-). They definitely encouraged me and helped cheer me up!
I'm trying to focus on the pros of substituting (no parent conferences, more flexible schedule, etc.) to help me get through this and keeping my fingers crossed that a teacher will get pregnant haha! Also, as MarcyLT said, "your worth is not tied to your work" will definitely be my mantra from now on!!
I haven't looked at schoolspring.com yet, but definitely will take a look. Thanks for the recommendation!
Good luck to all of you who are in the same or similar situations. Hopefully, good things will come to us soon :-)!!