With great risk comes great reward they say. Sometimes great risk also comes with a setback or two. We haven't had many cards fall our way since selling our stuff and depleting our savings during our move to Texas. In fact, other than the fact that we are living with family rent free (which is a huge blessing and for which we are and always will be extremely thankful for) - not one card has fallen our way since we left Washington. Yet.
When we left, we had a solid offer on our house. The buyers were friends of ours who had a "pre-approved" loan, but subsequently fell through before closing due to unforeseen circumstance, which was no fault of their own. We were understood what happened, but were still disappointed. We were disappointed that our newlywed friends weren't going to be able to buy their first home together. And we were disappointed that we weren't going to be able to use money from the house sale to get ourselves into our own place. I think it's safe to say that everyone ended up disappointed with the outcome. The house has been on the market for 3+ months now, only one of which we occupied.
"OH, but what happened with that job offer you had!?"
Glad you asked. The great job offer I was given based on the business owners 'word' that the job would be here when I got here, to which I also gave him my word that with that offer he gave me I was coming to Texas hell or high water, disintegrated. Yep, that's right. D-I-S-E-N-T-G-R-A-T-E-D. And right after we got here, of course! You know, right after we quit our good jobs, sold half of our stuff, piled the family into our now one remaining car and put everything we owned into U-Haul and trailer, and then moved 2500 miles from home. All the while depleting our savings in the process. Great timing, huh? So much for taking someone on their word.
So now there's no job lined up and we don't have any money from our house sale because it never went through. We are unemployed, broke and paying bills using my VA disability which doesn't cover the half of it, all while living in my best friend's garage.
Why don't you just go back to Washington?
We can't go back to Washington because we can't afford the trip. Even if we could, we probably wouldn't be able to get our jobs back. So yeah. Welcome to the land of the Suck.
Job Hunting? What's that?
This is new territory for me. I have NEVER been without a job involuntarily. EVER - and I started working twenty years ago. I've now been unemployed for over two months, had multiple interviews, and not a single job offer. It's been a humbling and an aggravating experience to say the least.
Here are a few things I learned a few things recently:
1. My Army training and management experience doesn't amount to shit in the real world. It doesn't matter how much responsibility you have, how many people you managed, or if you military speciality has a civilian equivalent. If it's not exactly equivalent to a civilian job and you don't have those civilian certifications. Sorry for ya. Enjoy minimum wage or the unemployment line. Thanks, Army!
2. Unless you have a college degree (of any kind) you don't amount to shit either. No one cares what your major was or is, only that you have a 2 or 4-year degree of some kind. If I got a bachelor's and majored in underwater basketweaving, I would be better off than touting my military experience. Especially when pursuing a leadership role. It's incredibly frustrating after the Army spent so many years training (brainwashing) me to believe that my experience gave me a step up over everyone else.
3. Since I apparently don't qualify for mid or upper-level management positions, I thought I'd try starting from the bottom and working my way up. I have no problem proving myself. OH, but too much experience makes you overqualified for most jobs too apparently. Well, shit.
So as you can see, the whole process is incredibly frustrating. I just want to take care of my family and provide for them in the way they deserve. But, I also want to spend time with them which is why I recently turned down an offer as a long-haul truck driver.
What about the VA? Won't they help you with work and training?
Yes, of course, they will help! But first, you need to go wait in line for a few hours or so at the veterans benefit office, and then get directed to fill out a bunch of paperwork, only to be told it would be at least 4 weeks before anyone would get back to you to schedule an appointment weeks later just for a briefing. Oh, you're unemployed? Sorry for ya! I'm still waiting on that call.
Even now, I'm really trying to be optimistic. I'm trying really hard. This smile of mine looks legit, right? I do have a lot to be thankful for throughout all of this, though. My family is still healthy, well fed, and we have a roof over our heads. That's what really counts.
I keep working on my resume and have expanded out my job search to jobs that I otherwise wouldn't have ever applied to. You know, like sales jobs. ::SHUDDERS::
Both the wife and I continue to look for jobs and continue to get promising interviews. We know it's just going to take some time and a near infinite amount of patience but, we'll get there. Just have to stay the course, stay focused and driven, and as Joe Dirt says, "You gotta keep on, keepin' on!"
If anyone has any lead's on any jobs, in the San Antonio area please let me know.
Stay frosty out there.