I've applied for two jobs so far. It's hard to find something different.

[bertha katzenengel]

My skill set directs me to admin asst/secretarial work - that is, if I want to earn a living. But living near Washington, DC, I'd say 95% of the jobs are for legal secretaries.

Well, I just did that for five and a half years, with the result that I quit my job and have been loafing for a month, trying to get my BP down and "de-stress." Now it's time to start looking again.

I will work at clerical stuff but I need something outside DC. I'll even take a pay cut to stay out of DC. One of the jobs I applied for is about 25 miles southeast of home. The commute would be apx. 45 minutes. DC is 35 miles northwest of home, and an average one-way commute is almost two hours.

So. :shrug: Just putting this out to the cosmos. Any thoughts? Job hunting tips?

:hi:

[Midlodemocrat]

1. Just a thought.

In my line of work, prospect research, there is a list serve hosted by charity channel to which people post all kinds of intersesting tidbits, but most importantly, job openings.

By chance is there something like that in your line of work? I would check yahoo and see if there is a similar group. The advice can be unbelievable.

[bertha katzenengel]

2. Good advice. I will check.

While I shop for interview clothes. Why can't they put the clothing - especially skirts - on women my size? :banghead:

Thanks, Midlo. Good to see you.

[Midlodemocrat]

3. Good to see you, too!

Try Dress Barn. They have great stuff, reasonable and appropriate for folks of our *age*.

:hug:

[bertha katzenengel]

4. Thank you again!

:bounce:

[bertha katzenengel]

5. seeking any advice anyone wants to offer . . . anyone?

:kick:

thanks

[Godhumor]

6. I'm also looking to change careers

I'm a teacher who wants to get into other aspects of education--right now I'm looking at jobs for instructional design, admissions for college, and some curriculum design stuff. I am also interviewing for teaching positions, so that I know I have a fail-safe back-up if I can't branch out this year. I recommend that you interview for at least one job in DC just to make sure you have something if it is harder to find outside work.

I also just moved from DC to Rochester, NY a week ago--I got tired of teaching in the DC school system and the traffic is a killer. I can not imagine driving a two-hour commute on 495, I-90, or any of the other heart attack roads. If you can do it, all the more power to ya, but that would absolutely drain me.

[bertha katzenengel]

7. It did drain me. That commute is one of the two reasons I quit.

Best of luck in Rochester, and in your career change. :hi: