The Invisible Man
Monday I am going for a job interview. After thirty five years in a trade; thirty five years of solid, uninterrupted years of service and good pay--I am going to interview for a job.
I was prepared for retirement. I am in the best health of my life. Because I now have the time to devote to myself. I have the benefits of a thirty year retirement plan. I live in a paid for house, in Florida!
So why am I going to this interview Monday? I don't know. The money certainly won't hurt. I guess that I am going because I feel invisible. I have my hobbies, I love to read and I have plenty of family in the area. But I have slowly winked out, like one bulb in a string of Christmas tree lights.
There is a truck in the garage, not a new one but a good one. And a gas generator, a welding machine and a torch set. I am experienced in the use of them all, not to mention a full set of hand tools. Just recently I enjoyed a small side job, making a ramp for a friend's trailer.
So why the interview? A job posted on the internet. An aluminum TIG welder is needed for a small shop in my Northeast Florida town. A welder needed, but the person would also have to be able to fabricate, do some maintenance work, even a little painting and probably some shop clean-up.
Great! I would be visible again. Needed again. But wait, there is a middle man, Tom. I have to drive into Jacksonville and interview with someone that sells employees. I bet I don't get to talk to the folks that need that "visible man." And the shop is probably just around the corner from my house.
I don't need a career, medical, dental or a 401k. I just need a little visibility. So it seems to me Monday could be a mistake. Tom sounds like a nice guy on the phone. And I know he needs to provide his clients employees. I just wonder if he has ever hired an invisible man.
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Elinbrod imagine how
http://bloggerparty.com/blog/sassys
people all over the place are feeling! This recession we are in is making it very difficult for many, many people to find decent work, and the older one is the harder it is...the only fields that are hiring are "McDonalds" etc. And the cost of living has skyrocketed but the pay remains either the same or less! You are not invisible to me!! Be sure and vote, even if you vote for the wrong guy:( At least you can say you tried.
imagine
Sassys,
You are right in all cases. But I hope you don't feel bad for me. My situation turned out real well. I am back home in Florida; and Jacksonville is a great place to live if you can get out in the woods. We are close to a waterway.
I will most certainly vote. I have registered to vote and will make the Nov. 4 elections. I signed up to work for my candidate, they are out of yard signs today. We will go tomorrow and try again.
I will operate a portable welding business to stay active. And I won't have to shovel snow this year! So life is good and I have stuff to look forward to.
I wasn't really complaining about being overlooked because of my age. In fact I have had plenty of offers to work even after posting a resume that clearly reveals my age. I am looking for something unique, after many years of long hours and missed holidays with my family I am probably looking for the job that doesn't exist. The job written about in the "invisible Man" I turned down. Tom the interviewer offered a job with long hours and weekends and I just couldn't bring myself to do it. So it certainly wasn't his fault.
He said he would look for part time and temporary work for me.
Maybe I should tell the story about being hired by AutoNation. A very interesting process that I liked; and definitely not what I am used to. Then the financial crisis hit and put that on hold.
So, can I encourage you? I am sure things will get better, the stock market is up today!