Let me share my story with you, briefly.
I was out of work for over two years. A combination of ill health and geography kept me from finding anything I could do to earn a living. Eventually, I ran so low on funds and housing options that I had to move in to a homeless shelter. It is not an experience I recommend.
Things began to change for the better seven months ago, when friends helped me move out of the homeless shelter and come here to Provo, Utah, where the economy was much more vibrant, open and growing.
I emailed hundreds of resumes out to the many companies looking for employees here in Utah County. In all that seven months, I only got two calls for a job interview. The first one led nowhere; they never called me back. But the second one resulted in an invitation to go to work for a new, prestigious company in Orem. I was initially very excited, until I learned that they expected their employees to work at least three Sundays every month.
That kinda threw a monkey wrench into the works . . .
I asked them if I could have a few days to think about their job offer; they said, of course -- but only a few days. After that, they would have to hire someone else.
While I was wrestling with the problem of either working on the Sabbath or not working at all, I attended a Job Fair at the Utah Valley Convention Center in downtown Provo. I was really hoping and praying that this would result in another job offer, but all the companies at the Job Fair were groups I had already sent resumes to -- so I left them a copy of my resume and began to walk back home, feeling very discouraged. What was the point of attending the Job Fair? There were no opportunities there. On my way home I passed a commercial language school, where they teach foreign students enough English to help them pass college examinations in the United States so they can attend schools such as BYU and UVU. There was no sign in the window advertising for Help, but I had one resume left, so I just walked in and left it with the receptionist. Several days later the language school called me in for an interview, then called me in for a second interview, and then hired me.
The school had not been advertising for Help, but they were looking for it nevertheless. I just happened by at the right time and had the right skills.
Woody Allen has said "80% of success comes from just showing up."
Had I not made the effort to show up at the Job Fair I would not have found the language school, and my new job.
The Lord is anxious to bless us, but we must show Him we mean business. Besides emailing out resumes, we've got to be willing to get out there in person, to pound the pavement, to look for work. It's not always easy or pleasant, but eventually it WILL bring results -- in ways that perhaps we never even thought of!
So keep your chin up, plan your work and work your plan. Most importantly -- Just show up!
Tim Torkildson.
I can be contacted weekdays at tim.torkildson@nomenglobal.com
My phone is 801-377-3223 ext 107.
