finding the right lure

My patience is short. Looking for a job, though a challenging treasure hunt for the perfect position, is painful to me. You try to summarize your professional life into one, single spaced, wide margined, 8 1/2 x 11 masterpiece and send it out into the world like a worm on a hook, hoping to land the big one.

I feel like I'm chasing Moby Dick this time around. It all seemed simpler three years ago when I was looking for a job. Now, there are intricate and time sucking online applications, personality tests, essay questions. Last night I spent almost two hours applying to just two jobs.

I've enjoyed sorting through job descriptions. For the first time, I now have exactly what I want to do in my sights. I found a peach of a job, dropped my line and now am waiting for a bite. And waiting.

a Ray of change

Ah, it's strange how you can ignore some of your favorite artists for awhile, dedicating listening time to new things, and just one song can pull you back into the fold. Fuel For Friends posted a link to a new Ray LaMontagne tune and though I'd ashamedly fallen out of love with Ray, I knew I had to have it. I soon realized how much I've missed hearing his lovely songs. I know you'll love it too.

My parents today helped me make a huge decision. I've been thinking pretty seriously about picking up and moving to Boulder, CO. My very good friends, Amy & Mike, moved out to CO about this time last year and the more they talked about living there, the more I wanted to get out of the old RIC and try something new. I'd planned a visit for mid-October but after spending just a dinner with them when they were in VA in July, I decided that instead of just a visit, I was ready for a change in venue and that I'd stay.

So, ok, the decision was not that sudden. I put in my research and have been bombarding Amy with questions about her new hometown. I also got my resume in order and have been applying for jobs. My friends in and out of Richmond are in approval and full of encouragement. My friends in Boulder were especially encouraging with generous offerings of a place to stay until I could settle in. One of the last pieces I was missing to make the decision official was the support of my parents. I don't think I've been in need of it as much at any other point in my life. I laid down my plan for them this morning over breakfast, while visiting for the weekend, and they too were encouraging and immediately started planning their trip for a visit -- to a town I don't even live in yet! Their excitement and support made the decision official.

Next step. A job. And not just any job, but one that will allow me to continue doing what I do now. The number of really specific openings I've found have been encouraging. I also learned the recruiter networks in the Denver area are tight. My resume was passed from my friend in Bouler to the agency that helped her find a job. Within 24 hours I received a call from a recruiter who'd been passed the resume through a chain of three other recruiters who knew he was looking for someone with my experience and skill set. The job would require an hour long, one-way commute but I've decided not to rule it out just yet.

And, now, I wait -- and prowl the internet for viable job openings. I've found Indeed to be quite helpful. It's a job search engine that does all the internet prowling for you, collecting openings from other major search sites.

Lastly, I'd like to add how freaking excited I am at the prospect of having a state other than VA in my return address for the first time in my life. Simple pleasures from big decisions. Boulder or bust!