In a message dated 01-11-20 02:41:14 EST, Christopher Wise wrote:

<< Beth, you are not alone.  I'm beginning to become
 concerned, though hope that persistence and patience
 will pay off.  >>

and...

<<Hang in there.  I'm sure that there are a lot of us
out there.>>

The latter is precisely the problem.  There are too many people competing for
a small number of jobs.  I hate to sound negative, but I think it's important
to be realistic.  When a field is overcrowded, not everyone will succeed in
finding a job, no matter how persistent they are.  Period.  Do the math.
Persistence and patience are necessary, and yes, wearing a suit to an
interview, but they're not enough.  As someone else said, you may well need
connections, plus luck.  But you know, even if a pool of 100 people,
competing for 20 jobs, all had equal patience, persistence, connections,
luck, superior qualifications, and Armani interview suits, 80 would fail to
get a job.  And don't wait for me to retire: I'm told that I won't be
replaced if I leave or die!

I think it's extremely important to have an alternative plan when you're
competing in an overcrowded job market.  Keep your options open, and be ready
to fall back on another career (whether related or unrelated to your primary
focus) if it proves necessary.  You can still continue looking for your first
choice after you (temporarily) give up and pursue another line.  Ironically,
I took a museum job at a time when the museum field was not overcrowded, but
my original career choice was too competitive, and I've tried to make the
most of it.  I became just as passionate about my second choice as I was
about the first, and my regrets are minor.  While I sympathize with your
problem, I think it's important to set a time limit and be ready to move on
to something else if necessary.

David Haberstich

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