We are off to see the Wizard

As I discussed last week, I was required to attend a session at the unemployment office.  Well, last Tuesday was the day and it was, lets just say it was interesting. I felt like I had been picked up by a tornado and dropped in Oz!  This whole process of searching for my last best job has been like traveling down the yellow brick road.   Where will this search take me? How many cowardly lions and witches do I have to run into before I get back to Kansas?

I arrived at the WorkOne office promptly at 9 am as instructed and took a seat. The Wizard was at her desk trying to get the computer to boot up.   I was given a form to fill out that was quite lengthy and  I questioned some of the questions, such as who my next of kin was.  Why would the unemployment office care?  If I died tomorrow my benefits stop immediately.  I also noticed the Munchins all around me.

I kept answering the questions and when it came to "What was your hourly wage at your last job?" I kind of got stuck because I didn't know where this form was going and I had already provided all of this information when I filed for benefits.  I asked the Wizard in charge why they needed it and she said it was to match us to open positions that they had.  I chuckled, as I have conducted job searches on the WorkOne website and I get ZERO matches.  Apparently Supply Chain and Purchasing are not jobs that they are familiar with.  

But maybe the Wizard can help!  I asked her if they would make me take a job at McDonald's or some such other place. She said no, they can't make you work, but you have to show you are looking.  Looking I am doing, but thank god. Can you see me working at McDonald's?  Picture this scenario:

- Woman walks into McDonald's and stands in front of me at the counter contemplating the vast and diverse menu, and stares, and stares, and does not order, continuing to try to figure out what to order.

- Type A Linda the new cashier , McDonald's newest counter person patiently waits for 5 seconds then shouts "it is fast food for crying out loud, that means you have to order it fast. How difficult can this be?"  I yell as the manager escorts me out the door.  

Yes, good thing they won't make me work at McDonald s.  

Onto the session.  I had a cynical view when I came in, I was not sure what to expect; I was not  hopeful that I would gain anything useful out of being here for three hours.  When the session started the Wizard introduced herself and said we would get a chance to introduce ourselves later on. First she wanted to go through a PowerPoint presentation, which included how to use the internet, how the work force has changed since the 1980's (that was useful).  Very condescending almost, is how I felt.  I was thinking "can I get up and leave, I felt this was for  people who had no clue?"  I did sit right next to the door and I swore if they discussed knife skills, that was it, I was out the door.

But, I stayed, what else did I have to do?  As the morning went on we finally got to introduce ourselves.  Linda, our Wizard started out asking for volunteers.  As I listened to the introductions I thought that this is the place for most of these folks, they need the help.  When it came to me I toned down my introduction and focused more on how I could help some of the folks in the room.  One woman was laid off from Molly Maids and wanted to start her own cleaning business. I told her I would hook her up with my sister who started her own cleaning  business. One woman was a program manager and felt her scope of looking was limited as she had worked at Raytheon. I told her not to feel that way, her PMO skills were transferable to any industry and I had some contacts for her.  At that point the Wizard told me it was not networking time and basically stop talking!  I was deflated..................

In the networking session I connected with the two ladies again and discussed my womens'  networking and mentoring group and getting connected and helping them out.  I guess it wasn't such a bad idea to go to this session as I was able to  help some folks out in their job search.  I didn't sign up for the "counseling sessions" as I didn't feel that they would have much to offer me as I am working with multiple recruiters at this time. Besides, this would free up time for other more needy folks.

We got a tour of the facility by the Wizard, quite entertaining to hear about the copiers and free wi-fi for use!  I know, I am being cynical but I guess I need to put myself in someone else's shoes.  I am very fortunate to have what I have.  Actually, I am not fortunate, I worked very hard for what I have and I am proud of my accomplishments.  Everything that I have I have earned with hard work and saving. It has nothing to do with being fortunate.  How can we get that into people's heads?  That is all it takes, hard work and some sweat equity and yes you can have things.

I am not one for handouts and taking unemployment  is hard for me, but why shouldn't I? In my 30 plus years of working I have never had to take unemployment.  Some would say I was lucky, I would say I worked hard and my employers knew it.

 

When we were finally done just after noon all I wanted to do was click my ruby red shoes and head back to Kansas!  But instead I snuck around the corner and climbed into my Mercedes and drove home.