Burton Speaks

They say that getting a job is a lot like getting married. You're making a commitment to spend a lot of time with someone, and you want to make sure you'll get along. Getting it wrong means misery, but getting it right can be delightful. I've been job hunting for months now, and while I've turned down some opportunities that were wrong, I'm having difficulty finding the one that's right.

The hardest part I have is with the process. I'm applying blind to a lot of places, because neither the school nor I seem to have a large, relevant network in Portland (where I really, really want to be.) Companies seem to like to shunt you towards their online application service, but the problem is there's no loop closure. I put all kinds of time and effort into the application, just to hear... nothing.

I've been told time and time again, "Don't take it personally." Don't take the fact that I'm being judged unworthy of a callback based on my resume (or, in some cases, and interview) personally? That's pretty difficult. Perhaps it's that I take pride in what I do and who I am, but "not taking it personally" is something I've having a rough time with. I'm a smart, hard-working, amazing guy. I'd be an asset just about anywhere. The chirping crickets out there are starting to get me down.

Perhaps it's not me, however. Only a few of my classmates in the MBA program found employment in Portland. Many have gone to Seattle, but some have gone as far as Montana and Texas to find gainful living. Like I said, I've turned down offers because I know where I want to be. It could just be the local economy. Will it change? Will the right opportunity come along soon?