Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

I have had five job interview in the last week. In just the last two days I’ve had four. I am exhausted! I would honestly rather work all day long than endure one interview.

I decided a couple of weeks ago that I was going to change my attitude about getting a job. Instead of dreading the application process I would embrace it and think positively. I decided to start a blog entitled, “Why You Should Hire Me.” When emailing my resume and cover letter to all the prospective employers I invited each one to look at my blog. One of them called me for an interview after reading my post. She also told me twice that she really liked my blog. Whether she liked it or not really doesn’t have anything to do with anything unless she hires me.

What I have learned from these last few days is this: At the beginning of each interview everyone always asked me in a surprised-sounding tone,” You’re not teaching music anymore?” It’s almost as if they are wondering out loud why I am bothering to apply for a job with them if I have the ability to work for myself and teach music. In the last couple of hours I’ve been asking myself the same question. I self-identify as a Teacher/Counselor so why I am applying for a job at the bank? Or at a home health equipment sales company processing orders for C-PAP machines and oxygen tanks? Or at the local Cash Company? I mean, what is my direction?

I would absolutely love to begin teaching music again and eventually open a community arts center for this small town that I live in. I would love to be a part of that. It would be awesome to know that I was a part of creating a place for people in this town to have a place to express their creativity and learn about the arts. I’ve been pondering this such career move for the last several months. I always come back to this question: what if it doesn’t work? The question should be, what if it does? How would I feel if someone else went through with this idea and became successful at it. How would I feel about that? I know how I would I feel. I would be devastated that I didn’t take the plunge and just do it.   

I’ve come up with every conceivable idea as to why I shouldn’t do it. I have been pretty convincing. I haven’t taught music in almost 3 years. To be honest, I really wonder if I still have what it takes. I have some great ideas, but is now the right time with the economy the way that it is? If I wait until the economy is better, I may as well give up right now. I don’t know what to do. Each place that I interviewed with stated that they wouldn’t make a decision to hire anyone until the holidays are over, which is another three weeks away. So, I have three more weeks to contemplate this decision.

Any of you who may read this blog, please leave your comment. What would you do if you were me? I should also mention that I have taught piano and violin off-and-on for about 20 years. I would love to hear from you!