Currently, I work as a teller in a bank. Following three months on the job, there is one thing that I am certain of...it is not my life's calling. I took the job as a way of getting my foot in the door, hoping it would lead to a better position in financial services. In a short time, though, I have been reminded over and over again why I am not really cut out for the corporate world.
In the best of worlds, I would leave this daily drudgery. The reality is much harsher.
The job market here in South Florida is becoming increasingly tight. Unemployment rates are nearing 5%, which doesn't take into account those who have run out of their benefits and have all but given up home (only recently, I was close to being one of these forgotten souls). Competition for decent paying jobs is stiff.
My branch also happens to be home of the area HR recruiter. So I see firsthand the changes. When I first started work, there might be 5-10 people taking job assessments per week. This past week, more than 30 people (from seemingly all walks of life & levels of experience) took these tests.
People are worried, and rightly so. South Florida is classified as a "soft" economic territory. Hard hit by the sub-prime loan crisis, hundreds of home are being lost to foreclosure. Tens of thousands more are on the market where values have plunged by more than 25% in the past few months. Many would leave the area, but are stuck with mortgage principal worth more than the price they can reasonably get when selling their homes.
It doesn't look to get any better in the near future.
So, for now, I am just thankful for a job...any job.
About Me
- Blue Ice Dave
- Wilton Manors, Florida
- Just a middle-aged Peter Pan, who refuses to give up softball, DisneyWorld, and loving life with his partner.
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3 comments:
So many people tend to think life owes them. Ironically, these are also the least happiest people I know . . . then there are others, like you Dave, that are a breathe of fresh air in a smog of negativity. I'm really glad to have stumbled across your page a year ago!
Joe Joe....Life does owe me. It just happens to be more like a deadbeat Dad, refusing to pay child support.
My Mom worked at the local bank in my hometown, left that bank I think at the end of last year or earlier, and now works at another bank about 15-20 mins. away in the same County. I talked to her on the phone today and at the moment she doesn't really like her job at this new bank. I don't know what that says about bank jobs, but, I'll have to give her your number so you two can compare notes. ;-)
At this moment, we're living off of Bart's 401k and pension money. Also, my credit is great and Bart's is o.k., so that helps. We're trying not to do the corporate thing, but, we're having difficulty. I'm gonna end up getting a retail job after we make our last trip to Seattle to retrieve the rest of our belongings. Meanwhile, Bart will continue to work on putting together the business. However, the people of Paso Robles move to a different beat, which is where we seem to find problems... not in a negative way, but, in a s...l...o...w... way. Know what I mean?
Anyway, I imagine I'll be thinking along the same lines that you have, when we get back and I find a job. I've been upbeat despite all that's happened. I'll be thinking of you, sending good vibes your way in hopes that any bank changes work in your favor.
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