Job Fair

There was a job fair yesterday, and I decided to go. I had almost talked myself out of going, and all day I kept coming up with excuses as to why I shouldn't go. I finally just really tried to figure out why I was dreading it so much.

I was embarrassed.

Here I am, an HR professional, 20 years experience, and I'm attending a job fair aimed at entry-level candidates. I was horrified that other HR people I've worked with or know might be there recruiting and look at me with pity.

So, I gave myself a good talking to. I wasn't fired. I was laid off. I did absolutely nothing wrong, and I'm without work due to poor decisions made by executives, not because of anything I did. And even though the job fair was primarily aimed at entry level positions, you never know who you'll come in contact with. So, I put on that interview suit and headed over to the Lansing Center.

I'm so glad I went. I did come away from there with one potential prospect, and if it becomes something, it would be a welcome relief from the unemployment track. So, what I told myself was true - if I hadn't gone, I would not have met the HR person I did, and I wouldn't be talking with him about how we might work together. I also wouldn't have run into another HR person I used to work with, someone well known in the HR community here in Lansing, and someone who could really look out for me on the job front. He asked me to call him to set up lunch, and I plan to do that in the next few days.

So, I continue to search, continue to try to reach out to new areas, and I continue to keep the faith that God's going to put me where I'm supposed to be.

Here's an aside....as I was about half way through typing this, Mr. Love stuck his head in to see what I was doing. Since I was busy, he felt the uncontrollable urge to try to distract me. He began to sing one of his favorite songs.....

"My Lori lies over the ocean
My Lori lies over the sea
My Lori lies over the ocean
Oh bring back my Lori to me...."
Then he pauses dramatically and takes the biggest, loudest breath you've ever heard....and continues...
"Bring back
Bring back
Oh, bring back my Lori to me" he holds this last note until I begin directing him. Yes, I have to be his choir director or he will never finish the song....
"to me
Bring back
Bring back
Oh, bring back my Lori to MEEEEEEEEEE" last note held until the choir director cuts him off.

God love him. I sure do.