The Nightmare Goes On

I mentioned a couple weeks ago that Steven really wasn't enjoying his job. He was working as an inventory clerk, something that it seemed like anyone could do, and all the advanced skills he had developed in the past were going to waste. The technology at the company was ancient (blue screen, DOS based programs), and frustrating to work with. Steven is used to knowing what he is supposed to be doing and being able to take charge and get it done. In this job he was being micro-managed, and occasionally being asked if he had yet done something that he'd had no idea he was supposed to do, or how to do it. In the past, Steven has always been very good at separating work and family - and not letting work cut into family time. He was frustrated when he received work related texts and emails in the evenings and weekends.

Not happy with the situation, when he was approached about interviewing for another job, he agreed. This other job would involve being in charge of a new technology upgrade, coming up with and implementing new procedures, being the go-to person for anyone with questions about the new software and making protocol decisions that would have far reaching influence. The company also had a policy of good work-life balance, something that was lacking at Steven's current job.This sounded like a job that he could get excited about.

The day after this interview, Steven had his first business trip - to a resort town a 3 hour drive away -  to count  inventory at a lumberyard there. They worked into the night, and then worked most of the following day (Saturday), before returning home. He realized he really didn't like having to go on business trips, and when, on Monday, it was suggested that he spend a week working in a Wisconsin lumber yard - "to get the feel of the company", I think that was the last straw. Compared to the other job he had interviewed for, the job he was at was misery. After much prayer that evening, we received an assurance that we would "be okay" if he quit, and so, on Tuesday morning, he did. He had worked for two weeks, enough to earn one paycheck.

That was last week. Yesterday he learned that the company he had interviewed with had "decided to go in another direction", so we are back to square one. Steven is interviewing with a recruiter for another job right now.

Last night, Steven was telling me that being unemployed was like being in a ship on the sea with no wind, not moving anywhere, and at risk of major cabin fever (and I might add, at risk of running out of food and fresh water before reaching our destination). Working at a job he hated was like being on that same ship in a fierce storm, being blown and tossed with no control of direction, and at risk of capsizing. Of the two, he prefers to be becalmed, though what we would really like is a steady wind in the right direction. We are wondering what we need to be doing - how to properly trim the sails or whatever while we wait for God to send that life saving breeze.