Robbed of a Job

Today, Labor Day, someone made the effort to go to work and, while working on Labor Day, proceed to inform me, on Labor Day, that I didn't get a job for which I recently interviewed.

Happy Labor Day, everyone.

This was for a position with a local small business who hires telecommuting employees for their support operation. So, granted, the informing employee most likely did not "go into work", but it's the principle of the thing.

I have become obsessed with obtaining a telecommuting position. Perhaps it's my increasingly agoraphobic tendencies, maybe I actually feel I'll be more productive working from home and I'll be able to fight burnout better. Regardless the reason, I decided life's too short to do work I hate, which at this point becomes any work that requires driving to and from home.

When I was notified I'd be interviewing for this particular position, I was ecstatic. I've not been getting much in the way of responses to my applications. Part of that's because I have also been applying to entry level programmer positions. I have the education and experience to be a successful software developer, but neither the degree (yet) nor the professional experience. I've been trying to get my foot in the door, but all I've gotten so far is a bruised toe.

From the employers who have responded, I have been entirely unimpressed with their operations. I recently was hired by a contracting company for IBM. I attended the job for a week and decided to leave when I was already beginning to dread it. Usually that takes 6 months or so. But they were having me move heavy boxes of stuff rather than train me in my duties. I took it as a bad sign and also realized the work they'd be having me do would not help me get closer to being a programmer professionally.

Next was the urgent Craigslist post advertising a position for VoIP support and administration from home. I have both the experience and the motivation for this position. The ad stresses that the job is full-time and needs someone who can contribute full-time. I send my resume and cover letter and get a phone response 10 minutes later. The guy talked to me like it was a sure thing, but needed to have me interview with his partner the next week. Once again, he stressed that it was full-time work and that I sounded a lot better than another candidate with whom they spoke.

Come Monday, we interviewed over Skype. Immediately, the tone had changed. They talked to me about what the position was, but didn't really ask me questions. His partner seemed rather concerned that I had spent time in Utah. Also, they said, "Well, it's not full-time work. Right now it's maybe 2-3 hours a week or so, at most. Just configuring phones and answering questions, which may not come in at all during the course of the week." Wha? Come on, man.

They said, "We'll let you know." A marked decline in enthusiasm from my previous conversation. I decided if they let me know they want me, I probably won't take the position because they want someone who will stick with them for the long term and I can't guarantee I would since I need hours. Plus, I wouldn't feel comfortable working for people who change their story so much. Why can't I find an employer out here who doesn't lie to me?

Maybe my standards are too high. Maybe I'm not really qualified for any job in the east. Maybe I should have stayed in Utah to prevent becoming a hobo. I know what I want, though, and I don't see any reason (beyond starvation) that I should settle for less. I'm 25 and tired of taking student jobs, working long hours for little pay, doing something that I don't want to be doing for the rest of my life. I want to be appropriately challenged, respected, and comfortable.

I want to take care of my family, though. I don't know what that entails. I don't know at what point I'll give up and work at the proverbial (or literal) McDonald's. I've spent the past 5 years of my life burning out on job after job. In part, I'm afraid of having it happen again and forego ever working after that.

In the mean time, I've been keeping busy. I spend my days answering programming questions (for free) on Yahoo! Answers. It might seem like a waste of time, but I get a little satisfaction out of teaching others and helping them understand concepts while creating elegant solutions. I feel like I contribute to world community in some small way.

I also do my WGU schoolwork. I'm about to finish my first semester, being one of the top performers for students who began the month I did. I've come away with a few IT certifications and the enthusiasm to continue on to the next semester.

All in all, though, we need money and I feel a bit inadequate for not bringing it in. Nat's job only pays so much and is not guaranteed week-to-week. I feel a bit of a parasite and can only hope to contribute more soon. So I'll keep reading job postings. I'll keep applying. I'll keep hoping the day I interview is a good day for me. What else can I do?