I wanted to pop in and give my readers an update on what has been going on these last few months.
1. Army- Sean still doesn't have ratings, which is fine because it gives us more time to job search and try to find a place to live once we're out. More on that later. His packet was turned in for a rating in November, so we think it'll be any day now that we get those ratings, but I'm in no hurry to find out. I'm really just hoping for at least 30% for him, as I think that will be best for him (and us) in the long run. We're still enjoying Ft. Sill. I love it here and I still don't understand why people complain all the time about it. I recently found out that there is a supposed amazing Filipino place in town and I'm eager to try it. For Valentine's Day, Sean and I went to the new Greek place in town, which was delish. I was very impressed with it.
2. Jobs- I hate applying for jobs. HATE IT. I hate tweaking my resume and cover letter for every single job that I apply for. However, what I hate even more is not getting a single interview for any job that I've applied for. I really don't get it. Sean and I visited a career counselor for resume help, so I don't think it's my actual resume, but I'm wondering if it's my sketchy job history since I've been a military spouse. Sean is even more discouraged than I am, because he feels every business that claims they go out of their way to hire veterans is not upholding that promise. He had one interview, which we were really hoping he would get and he didn't, so it was back to square one. I actually applied for what I consider my dream job about a month ago. It was a digital content writer for the Tourism and Recreation Board here in Oklahoma. I'd be editing guidebooks and other info about the State and I submitted my best example of my resume, cover letter and even a writing sample that went exactly with what I'd be doing in the actual job. Did I hear from them? Not even a peep! One thing that concerned me was the fact that the closing date for this job is not even until July, so I'm not sure what is up with that. The only downfall to the job is that I'd be based out of OKC instead of Tulsa, where Sean and I prefer to live, but it was something I didn't mind doing. If I don't find something soon, I'm going to be temping, which isn't the end of the world, but it wasn't what I thought I'd be doing at age 30.
3. Home- our grand plan was to find a house in the Tulsa area and close on it before Sean got out of the Army. We planned on getting a home loan through a VA agency and we actually were somewhat approved, but we can't truly be approved, because neither of us have a job outside the Army. The most ridiculous thing about all of this, is that the loan guy that Sean spoke with, told him that if he was ETSing, they would have pre-approved us, but because he is being medically discharged he can't. Umm....what sense does that make? Either way you are getting out of the Army! So now it appears we'll be finding a rental house or an apartment until we have jobs and can look for and close on a house. I'm hoping the time in a rental will be short, like six months.
4. Health- I've been having issues with fatigue off and on since I had mono in college, but it's been particularly bad since we moved back to Oklahoma. No matter my activity level, I often feel tired a couple of hours after I wake up and in the afternoon too. I've also gained 15 lbs since June, which is NOT normal for me and with various other symptoms I've been concerned I might have an issue with my thyroid. My grandmother actually had hers removed, so it wouldn't be out of left field to think something might be wrong with mine. I actually had a doctor's appointment about it today and will be going in Monday for blood work. I would just like to get to the bottom of it, because what I'm feeling isn't normal for me.
I think that's all for my update. I'm going to do my very best to post soon, as I have some fun info to share with you guys.
The job situation is so frustrating. We got to Fort Drum in February of last year and I didn't find anything until the summer, and it didn't really start for real until the fall. I just believe that if you stay motivated and proactive, something perfect will come your way. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI hear you about the job thing. I applied for a job with post here in...October. Interview? January. Employment paperwork today. Potential start date. "Maybe April?" Crazyness!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely hate applying for jobs as well. I'm actually lucky that I got a job through a temp agency, and after about a month just answering phones they discovered my background and gave me a job based on what I could actually do. The funny thing is before I got the temp job with them, I applied for a job and heard nothing back. Not the most conventional way to get a job, and doesn't quite work if you're looking to move somewhere based on a job, but it worked for me.
ReplyDeleteAnd, can't wait to hear about the fun info!
My Husband threw our plan of not getting out unless he had a job out the window. Seriously, I almost had a heart attack! However his Uncle gave us this jobsite that is geared towards Veterans. I really hate most jobsites online I feel like they must hire every single person that says they got hired through their site, haha!
ReplyDeleteI'm not an advertiser or anything of the sort, I swear. Just a stay at home Mom/former Milspouse (Got out last June, hubs got a job mid July). Anyways the worst that could happen is your Husband/or you isn't interested in the jobsite.
www.orioninternational.com
It's not like an online forum, they do regional job fairs, you submit your resume, sign up for a fair, go and they give your resume to the companies then help set up interviews at the fair. (Some have to do more interviews after but it's all worth it in the end)
Man, that's a lot of fun! I feel you on the updating/not updating. I think I just assume everyone can see my Facebook. Oops. Looks like we had the same design thoughts too!
ReplyDeleteAnd, I think you may be a little bias towards Oklahoma. Just a little. :)
The med board thing is crazy stressful :(
ReplyDeleteAbout the house... why did he tell them he is being discharged? We got approved for a VA loan with no issues based on my husbands e6 salary alone, regardless of him getting out. They wouldn't even look at my income and did not even factor it into the amount we were approved for.
Is Sean doing an internship? Michael was given a time frame of about 6-9 months from the time his findings were submitted to the board but I don't know. It's still all so stressful. They do internships here at Fort Carson with whatever you want to do on the outside (if available.... I haven't heard of it not being available tho since it's basically free labor on Army time). Is he doing Voc Rehab? I think that's what it's called? There are a lot of programs out there.
I hear you on the job situation. I lucked out and was able to transfer from Germany but with the budget cuts, it's impacting where I work. Thankfully not my hours but some people are down to 4 days a week now. Have you thought about volunteering? Maybe that could get your foot in the door? If that job doesn't close until July it could have something to do with maternity leave for someone or something like that
The job market is really really tough right now. I know you probably have already looked but have you tried the site usajobs.gov? Give it a shot because they have a lot of jobs on there.
ReplyDeleteGirls need such information. Im so happy to found this blog.
ReplyDeletehouse hunt pro