It is important for her to keep this facial hair regrowth under control. Nearly all the remaining hair is now of a much finer texture than when I started. The treatments are working. I think it is important to my job search, and eventual employment, that I not have much visible facial hair. We are just about there, although I still need months of treatment to fully eradicate everything.
A few days ago, I wrote to my dislocated worker counselor in Minnesota. I wanted to update him on my progress and say 'hi.'
This is his response, in quotes, to which I have added my comments. He is very good at what he does and I always appreciate his help.
"Thank you Danya for keeping me up to date on all your efforts. I do think that things are slowly improving in the job market."
I agree, my own experience tends to support this conclusion. Things are still extremely difficult, though, for many people without work. It bothers me, from time to time, that little news coverage is given to the plight of those who have been unemployed for many months.
"I believe that when someone has a vast amount of experience and knowledge like yourself sometimes it can be a bit of a disadvantage. But I do not want you to settle for less. I understand that you do not need specific directions, but I want to remind you that because of your exemplary skills, you might find it more difficult to find a job that is a good fit. Please keep this in mind."
I did not tell him that I did not need specific directions. He came up with that on his own. I am, though, slightly concerned that I may be at a disadvantage. I am finding it is difficult to find a job that is a good fit. The fact that I am transgender may also make finding a good job more problematic. I always work on the assumption that it will not and I never go into an interview worrying about it. Just as I do not worry about my age, although I am prepared to address concerns about my age. If my TG status matters to a particular employer, then that is not a place I want to work. This issue has the potential to significantly reduce the number of places that will hire me. The fact remains that the unemployment rate is much higher among TG folks than it is for the general population. Still, several people who should know tell me that my experience and education should make this a relatively uncommon road block.
He is not my only advisor who says I should not have to settle for less. I do not know this, however, but I assume I will not. I also assume that, despite the bleak news on the economy, I will find a good job. I have got to maintain this outlook. There may come a time, however, when I have to settle for less. I am working very hard to see that this never happens.
"....I know and can feel that you will be contacting me to tell me that you have been hired in the near future. Please keep me up to date on the events. Also, let me know if there is any way in which I can continue to support and help you in all your job search efforts."
I'm not sure how he can 'know and feel' that I will soon be telling him I have been hired
, but I hope he is right. [He knows about all the ways I am trying to find work.] I feel this way, too. Time will tell. If I get this contract job on Friday, I will be settling for less, temporarily, but for more responsibility. Nonetheless, this is a good opportunity that would give me valuable experience. There is always the possibility that this company will decide to offer me a permanent job.He supports me by reaffirming the way I am handling my job search. That is important. The Minnesota resources for unemployed people have proven invaluable. The unemployed worker centers provided expert resources and training in networking, interviewing and so on.
On Friday morning at 10 AM, I will interview at a local health care firm for a contract job. The recruiter and I spoke today. She told me the hiring manager is anxious to meet me. I have heard this before, only to have things fall through.
She emailed me a list of questions the hiring managers at this place typically ask. She also gave more explicit instructions on ways to go about answering them. All of this is information I learned in Minnesota, but it was good to 'hear' it again. I will be well prepared.
Late Friday afternoon, I have an appointment with my gender therapist in the southwestern suburbs. This will be the first time I see her in a fancy pants suit, as I will still be wearing my interview clothes.
She will give me a 'safe passage' letter that should provide additional help in getting the important She told me that others have also found this useful for international travel. Perhaps I will catch that flight to Beijing! I think she could have mailed me this letter. Instead, she wants to discuss it. She will also charge a hefty fee, in addition to the visit cost, to provide the letter. I will take care of the drivers license early next week.
My roommate and my 'sister' Erica Ann have told me that I do not need to see everything in Chicago right now.
I am guestimating that there is a 40% chance that I will move away from Chicago for a permanent job. That time may not be far off. I feel a certain urgency to see 'everything,' although there is so much here that is not possibile.There are several things I want to do within the next month or so, in case I move soon. One of these is to hear the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in their concert hall, not at the wonderful outdoor venue of Ravinia. Another is to take a boat tour on Lake Michigan. If I can do this without spending a fortune. I also want to spend more time downtown and in surrounding areas taking photos.
