In November 2007 I started my quest to find a stable and secure job. Central Oregon was once the fastest growing area in the nation and now the economy has delivered the construction boom a fatal blow. I saw it coming but I could have never guessed how bad it would get. Fifty Three applications later and after months of searching, my new Covington job is 6 hours away (in good weather) from my primary residence. The simplest of luxuries like buying a newspaper is now one of my guilty pleasures.

I’ve owned my home for many years but borrowed money from a family member using my home as collateral. I haven’t paid a penny towards the principle and now owe interest on the interest. At age 54 I’ve had several interviews that I thought went well but at least one job went to a much younger and a far less skilled person. My confidence had been shaken after having several close calls but no job offers. Finally, in September, I got the call on what I have called my “dream job”. The job fit my qualifications to a tee; it pays well and offers good health insurance benefits. Did I mention I get to plunge an occasional plugged toilet? I came to my Covington job interview with a bruised ego and a humbleness I hadn’t owned for many years. This was a technical interview and it seemed at times my interviewers weren’t completely happy with my answers. I scrambled to save myself by clarifying my answers. The interview was to be 45 minutes and quickly concluded when the 45 minutes was up. As in my previous job interviews I was told it would take 2-3 weeks before I’d hear back about a 2nd interview or an outright job offer. I drove to my son’s house in Portland and at 7:45 the next morning I got a phone call. It was the selecting official and he said one of the other applicants interviewed extremely well. I braced myself for the worst after hearing that, and the very fact I was getting a phone call the day after the interview. To my delight they really liked what I had to offer and wanted to get the paperwork started. Yahoo! I’ve worked 5 weeks now and have settled into my 40 year old rental. After living 42 years in Central Oregon where it rains 8 inches a year, I find myself in suburban Seattle where it will rain 57 inches a year.

I am sleeping a lot better these days! Todd