Long Hard Ride or 4 Months of Hell
I know without a doubt that I
am not even close to being ready for retirement and the proverbial rocking
chair. The last 4 months of sitting on my arse has proven that.
I have been unemployed since
July 1 and I start my new position with Century West Marketing November 1.
Thanks to Jim and Jimmy Latter for the opportunity.
I suppose I was a little too
full of myself when I resigned from my previous position in June 2017. I
thought to myself, “You’ll bounce back like a boss and have a job inside 6
weeks.” Terrible famous last words. I have held a job permanently since 1992
and thought there would be a multitude of companies and people that would fall
over themselves to hire me. Not so much…
I spent the first week of
July “on vacation”. It was the first time in 25+ years, that I did not have to
think about sending an email, doing a follow up call from a previous
appointment or have to get paperwork in for a tradeshow. No responsibility (or so
that it seemed) and worry and a care free existence. This will be a snap….
4 weeks led to 1 month and
then 2, then 3 months and nothing. I would sit in front of my computer 5-6
hours every day (seriously, every day) looking for gainful employment. I
made phone calls to business contacts and industry peers; nothing. At first, I concentrated on nothing but animal
health jobs, but that was not working. I
seemed to think that since I had worked in animal health all these years, I
could do anything related to animal health. Not always the case Timo. After a
few weeks, I started applying and sending resumes to any job that looked like
it might fit. Hardware companies, farming rep positions, beverage and food distributors,
the Fresno Grizzlies Triple A franchise.
I tried to not leave a single
stone unturned. I even looked into a position selling fancy
television/entertainment systems to hotels.
I would use Susie’s office
and computer to job search because I just couldn’t bear to go to my own office.
“That’s where employed people work Timothy, not vagrants like you” was my
thought process.
I started reading articles on
how to word a resume and cover letter. I made countless changes to them trying
to make them stand out. I looked into the psychology of interview questions. I was
going to be ready to kill an interview, but still nothing happened. Then, out
of the blue, I started getting phone calls and I felt I had reached the end of
this terrible journey. When it rains it pours, as they say.
I walked into several face to
face and phone interviews like I was the shit; full of confidence and bravado.
Not so fast Timmy. I started getting emails from companies I had applied to
saying “We like your experience and background, but we have chosen to move in a
different direction or pursue other candidates.” This translates, “Your too old
or you didn’t put in the right resume catch phrase.” Efff….
One morning I looked at my
resume cover sheet that I had gloriously composed and read the header,
“Professional Sales Rep With 27 Year’s Experience.” I looked at it proudly and
then, like a ton of lead, it hit me. People looking at this will probably think,
”27 Years of Experience? How old is this guy?” Needless to say, I amended that
very revealing tid bit.
Although it was only 4
months, it felt like 4 decades of no production or income. We were burning
through our savings like grease through a goose. Susie went back to work and
that made me feel like a real loser. She would leave for work and I would be
home producing zilch. I looked at selling food at festivals and events, but
nixed that. I’m kind of glad I did because I don’t think I would make a very
good carny. I have too many teeth and possess basic hygienic skills.
I would go to the grocery and
feel like I had a big ass “L” branded on my forehead. I started noticing that
the only people at the grocery store during the week were retired folk. I was
headed downhill fast and started going to the store on Saturday thinking I
would blend in better with the people who actually had jobs.
Jimmy Latter called me one
Sunday, which seemed odd, but he had just found out I was looking to find and
he had a spot for me that might work. Probably goes down as one of the happiest
days of my life.
We eventually met up and
worked out a deal that is pretty sweet. I’m back doing what I have been doing
since 2011 (independent rep group), but with a different mix of companies and a
little different territory.
This has been the most
humbling experience of my life. My brother went 8 months before he found
something, so I can’t ask for sympathy. He showed major patience and fortitude
for his situation. I just ate a lot and watched Dr. Phil and The View.
I guess the main thing I have
learned is to not pat yourself on the back too much. We are always learning and
we all need to stay focused and on track. Don’t get discouraged and keep on
keeping on.
The best thing to arise from
this ordeal is I was able to read about 5 or 6 books and split 3 cords of wood.
Ask me anything about the life of Wyatt Earp and I can tell you. I read “Ball
Four” again and have a greater appreciation for 1960 and 1970 major league
baseball players. Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata were actually pretty good
people. Ask me what it’s like to spend 4 days splitting wood.
I can tell you I’d rather be
working…
