New year, new start, new job. Finally.

Hey guys. These last few days I've been having major bloggers block. I seriously have no idea what to write about and am more inspired to crochet than blog right now. But I do have some happy news that I wanted to share.

I scored a job interview (thanks to Craigslist) for a data entry position yesterday....only they didn't give me a data entry job, they gave me a more challenging job as a public records researcher. Basically it's an HR job where I'll be verifying information on job applications for companies that require their applicants to get a background check. And I was offered the position before I left the interview. That has never happened to me before and it felt really good. I'm most excited about getting to feel like a human contributing to society again. And I did something that I have never done in an interview before, which may or may not have been a deciding factor about getting the job, and at this rate, I really don't care: I sort of begged.

At the end of the interview, the lady asked me if I had any questions and I said no, but I wanted to tell her something. I told her that even though I have xray work on my resume and xray certifications, it doesn't mean I am going to leave this job for an xray job in the extremely rare occurrence one comes up, and to please not let that influence her decision because I've been passed over on jobs for that reason before. And it's true, any job I've applied to that wasn't an xray job, the interviewer would ask me what I'd do if I was offered a position at the hospital "down the street" (like that would even happen), and if I would leave. And I've always thought that was such an unfair thing to ask, that I considered leaving my xray experience off my resume completely so I could avoid having to explain myself. Being an xray tech almost seemed to be a curse.

I've seriously have given up on having a career in radiology. I'm so sick to death of even thinking about it. I can't even say the word xray or online application without rolling my eyes and wanting to puke all over my computer screen. I'm going to keep my certifications up to date because I did work my ass off to get them, but I am not expecting to ever work in a radiology department again. Even though it paid great, there are ZERO opportunities out there. And it's unfortunate because after all these years, xray was a field that I honestly felt I belonged in after thinking and dwelling over what career I wanted to finally go into. I had found my niche. I really loved being an xray tech and I was good at it.

I'm not the only one struggling. On LinkedIn, I joined a few groups for xray techs, and nearly all the postings are about how people can't find work and what to do. The schools are pumping out techs and no one is retiring and there is literally no need for new techs, and if there is a need, they already have someone in mind so good luck trying to get your foot in the door. It doesn't matter if you had a 4.0 on your final college grade, received 10 awards of excellence, 3 college degrees (which I'm sure will make them say 'oh, you are overqualified for this job so we are going to choose another candidate'), or amazing letters of recommendation. It's all about who you know and not what you know. And that's some fucking unfair bullshit.

I've been out of work for a year and 2 months, and yea, some of it was my own fault (I quit my job in November 2011 because I couldn't take any more of the graveyard shifts, and also because I knew we were moving across the country a few months later in 2012). But I have still searched nearly everyday for a job in radiology, sometimes there were a few openings here or there, sometimes there was nothing for weeks at a time. But when there was an opening, I'd apply, fill out their online application, copy and paste my resume and cover letter, redundantly upload my resume and cover letter, answer their questions about if I was male, female, white, black, green (which I also think is bullshit if they are going to hire me based on my race or gender so I always declined answering), only to have heard back from 1 company, which I wasn't selected for anyway. And instead of emailing me or calling me to tell me I didn't get that job, 10 minutes after I sent her an email asking, she sent a generic copy & pasted response of "You have not been selected for this position. Another candidate has been chosen bullshit bullshit bullshit" email. I was seriously enraged that she couldn't take 30 seconds of her day to personally tell me. She would have never told me NO if I hadn't pursued it. Is saying no to someone really that hard?? It's because of experiences like that, where people are afraid of manning up and telling you, "I'm sorry, but NO," that I will always respond to people with an honest "no" if necessary instead of no answer at all, even if it makes me sound like a cold hearted bitch. There are some things more important, like someone anticipating an an answer about getting a job, than my own insecurities.

So!

I am doing what I have to do and am moving the hell on and am thankful that I can finally stop thinking about finding a job. What a relief! And while I'm waiting for my bloggers block to go eff itself, I'd like to post some tips about job searching and what I've learned over the last year later this week.