It has been a while since I updated this, and my last post sounded pretty dire so...

Once in a while you have to hit the bottom so that you can recognize the opportunities that are placed before you. After only a few months at the previously mentioned position I have secured a job with the state of Maryland.

I am once again in a position where I have the comfort level and security that I felt was lost. There is a ton of room for advancement (I have already applied to a NEW position that will move me up a pay grade) and they will pay my tuition up through a Doctorate!

The sky is once again the limit.

It is not the fall that kills you but rather the sudden stop at the bottom!

After 19 years at the same company this wolf finds himself downsized and on the out side looking in. 41 years young, Bachelors Degree, 20 years of experience in corporate life with a wide and varied skillset.....no problem bouncing back right?

Wrong! The job market sucks and the job search process has changed drastically. No longer can you approach a company, resume in hand, and expect a fair chance at getting to speak with someone. Now, a semi-conscious receptionist points to a sign with a web site on it or hands you a business card with the same.

Sites like careerbuilder and monster work the same way. Anonymous applications are now pouring onto HR desks from people (who in a lot of cases) would NEVER have applied the old way. Under-qualified, under-aged, under-everything...but because it is so easy and anonymous..they do it.

The result is a saturation of e-mail boxes and a delution of the job pool. Today it is more luck than anything. Companies are not only accepting resumes ONLY online, but they are not even reading them. The high volume of incoming applicants has forced them to employ software that pre-screens the documents for key words before it is even passed to an HR HUMAN to see..

Wrap your head around that..your entire chance of landing a job with some companies does not lie AT ALL with your skills, experience or talents but rather in your decision to use the correct words when composing your resume.

So.Many talented individuals find themselves in underpaying and less desirable positionsjust to get an income stream of some sort, which then ties up time to find better positions (or at least fill out on-line applications and pray) The position this Ulfric was forced to take fits that mold.

On paper it sounds great. Casual dress code, call center support for select clients. Typical IT atmosphere where things are open and kind of fun and friendly. BUT once you remove a layer or 2 and see the poor pay structure and less people friendly aspects you realize they have to operate that way to keep people at all. You can tell a lot by a companies net nanny. It blocks virtually NOTHING..except job search sites like monster and careerbuilder..

Wanna search porn..go ahead, Gamble..no problem,..Hell we don't mind if you sit around and play WOW when you are not taking a call..but look for a job?..NO!

Rock bottom..I have heard of it, now know what it looks (and feels) like.