Days of Yore: The Epic Quest for a Job

This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far

To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell
For a heavenly cause

And I know if I'll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest

And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star

- Don Quixote de la Mancha
The Man of La Mancha, music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion

Image by New Africa on Adobe Stock

As a fan of both musical theatre and high adventure, "The Impossible Dream" seemed an appropriate start to this post. The job search has been the great quest that most adults encounter at some point in their lives and careers, in some cases multiple times. The means of the quest have changed over the years.

Continuing with the theme of musical theatre (since we all know how extremely accurate that is), the musicals Thoroughly Modern Millie and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying give us a glimpse into the methods of job search in the 1920s and 1960s, respectively. In Thoroughly Modern Millie, Millie Dillmount physically goes to different businesses to speak to them in person. I am guessing her aim in wanting to find a boss she could marry was likely not typical, but it does indicate the need to go physically and search that way. In How to Succeed, J. Pierrepont Finch ("Ponty") is also going to businesses on foot to find a job. But he has obtained a book with specific instructions, not only on finding a job, but also on getting to the top quickly (which he does within a few days). That show is satire, so again, much of it is not typical, but it also shows that the job search was more of a physical endeavor than it often is today. Of course, even today doing it that way doesn't hurt (at least i don't think it does), but things have changed considerably.

In 1935, the US government created unemployment insurance to help job searchers while they were searching for work, by temporarily providing a salary to help in paying bills. These days the requirements vary by state, but you generally have to be actively searching in order to get it. Washington State requires that you do at least three job search activities per week (which could include sending a resume, doing an interview, taking a course on work-related skills, and other things) and keep a log of it. Every week you have to file a claim and report what job search activities you did that week, in addition to certifying that you were "able and available" to go to work, and a few other requirements.

How did we search for jobs in the past? As mentioned above, people generally went to businesses and talked to the people there to find out if they were hiring. Newspapers had a "Help Wanted" section where businesses could advertise job openings, providing brief job descriptions (usually only a few words due to space restraints and per-word charges from the newspaper) and contact information. Many people searched the Yellow Pages in the back of their phone book and called businesses to find out if they had openings. When I was in college, our career center on campus had bulletin boards where they posted job openings sent to them by local businesses, as well as on-campus jobs. Colleges provided "work study" positions as well, so that students could have an income while attending classes. This was also nice because work could be scheduled around classes. I worked in the libraries both at Edmonds Community College and Seattle Pacific University when I attended. When I returned to Edmonds Community College, I took advantage of a "worker retraining" program related to unemployment, where I had an income from the state while attending school. This did not replace tuition, but it was a big help. This program is related to unemployment insurance, but differs in that you are learning a new skill to become more marketable, rather than searching for a job.

Image by New Africa on Adobe Stock

Even in the old days, there was a lot of calling potential employers. In the past, it was when responding to want ads. On the phone you could schedule a time to come in and bring your resume, possibly schedule an interview. While interviews were almost always in person in the past, it has become more common to do them over the phone in recent years. However, it is still common to do them in person. An interview would often consist of questions to assess a person's fit with the company and how well they might do the job in question. They may also include assessments either on computer or using a typewriter or other means to show how well the candidate can do the job. Most commonly, the phone interview these days is used in the initial screening process. If the company wants to proceed with the candidate, they may schedule a second interview in person.

Another option that worked for me in the past was going through staffing agencies. They contracted with companies looking for temporary workers, also called temps. Companies would need temps for various purposes, such as a limited project that will only last a short time, covering for a worker out on vacation or maternity leave or other kind of leave, or for any number of other reasons. Some temporary positions were considered "temp to hire," in which case the company would contract the person on a temporary basis to get a more practical idea of their fit. If they do well, they can be converted to a permanent employee. Most of my positions in the past have been with the help of staffing agencies. An agency placed me at Wireless Advocates in 2017 for a "3-4 week" position, which ended up getting extended multiple times, and finally became permanent at the beginning of 2018. It lasted until the beginning of 2023, when the company went down. My initial interview for Wireless Advocates was over the phone. I would have another interview, in person this time, a few months later when they were considering converting me to permanent employment.

While I was working at Wireless Advocates, COVID changed everything. We transitioned to working from home in March of 2020. This was a new experience for me, and I was impressed how well our team adapted. It was also great, as I have been taking care of my parents, and I was more available for them while still being able to devote much of my time to my job, often even doing overtime. I was thankful to have a steady and dependable job when so many people were unemployed due to the pandemic.

When Wireless Advocates folded, I once more filed for unemployment, and found a changed method. Many of the requirements were the same. However, in the past, we were required to go to our local WorkSource office for an orientation session. They didn't ask me to do that this time (though they did state there was a possibility they may require me to go at some point). Methods of hiring had changed. Staffing agencies post their openings on their websites, and I didn't have as much success as in the past at contacting them. For the first time, much of my job search was done on LinkedIn. In the past I had posted my resume there, but I hadn't done much job searching there. LinkedIn has also added some excellent courses that I have taken to help with job skills as well as blogging.

Years ago, I often used online job boards, such as Monster.com, CareerBuilder.com, and others. This time, I used LinkedIn, indeed.com, and a few others, but didn't have as much success on the boards that worked in the past.

Image by New Africa on Adobe Stock

When doing interviews this time, more were over the phone than ever before. Rather than do it in person, some were done over Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other online video chat services. After an initial phone screen at USI Insurance in Seattle, I was invited to the only in-person interview I have done during this job search. I was truly excited with how well it went. This one seemed a perfect fit. My amazing previous manager was a tough act to follow, but this manager seems an excellent candidate. Following that in-person interview, I had another interview over the internet with a manager in another state.

All that to say...

Today I start my new job at USI Insurance! I am super excited for this new adventure, and I can't wait to get started!

Five Years

This past Wednesday I posted about doing a word of the year rather than New Years resolutions. My words for 2023 are Beginnings and Sunrise. This was my word for 2018:

I posted that picture 5 years ago when my job, originally slated to last 3-4 weeks, changed from contract to permanent. The contract position began in April of 2017, and my first day of being an official employee of Wireless Advocates was January 8, 2018. It was an incredible experience, and there were tears of joy. One thing that meant a lot to me was when my manager informed me that it was a "no brainer" to convert me from contract to permanent. As a contractor, I set records in order processing, both personal and in our department. I continued that in my new permanent role.

The past five years have been amazing and challenging. I could not have asked for a more incredible, cohesive team, and my manager has led it masterfully. We are like family. I have grown professionally and as a person, and have shrunk in weight. (😀) I sometimes felt my manager believed in me more than I believed in myself, and she has never failed to be a massive encouragement any time I was second guessing myself (and other times). This job has taught me so much. We have been through a lot as a team. I found out I have ADHD, which was a big help in understanding and working with challenges that I've faced over the years. A coworker lost his mother to cancer. My manager has lost several relatives, and gained a grandson and a little sister. I have learned that our nation hasn't come anywhere near as far as I previously thought in ending racism, considering the horrifying discrimination and loss my manager and other coworkers have faced. I lost my dad shortly after my manager lost hers. My car was totaled in an accident. I love that I've been here long enough to be amazed how fast my manager's children are growing, and to cheer them on as well. I got to hang out with coworkers after work. The job has been challenging and incredibly rewarding. The tough times and the good times have brought us closer. One time, the TARDIS even landed on the roof of our building! (Well, technically, it was an Instagram filter, but close enough.) 😀

Working with managers and salespeople around the country, I have learned from more than just our immediate team. We supported them, and it was awesome talking to some of them when they visited our national headquarters. Over the past month, one former District Manager in particular has been an incredible encouragement and cheerleader to everyone in the company on LinkedIn, posting inspirational messages daily.

When COVID hit, we transitioned to working from home, and the transition was surprisingly smooth. Our management and team have met virtually on a regular basis, and we have remained as cohesive as ever. We have even to been able to meet in person on occasion. As difficult as COVID has been, I have been thankful to be working from home now, as my parents have been needing more assistance, and I've been more available for them, while still being able to do my job and even work overtime.

The news last month that our company is no more was difficult for everyone. It was tough enough for us at national headquarters, and we got 2 months notice. I feel for my colleagues around the country who had no warning, and kiosks closed suddenly. That has happened to me once before, and it was not fun. However, on the flip side, it has been exciting watching on LinkedIn and other social media as managers and associates around the country have rallied around each other, encouraging each other, supporting each other. I'm so glad to see when colleagues have posted that they are starting new jobs.

With just under a month to go for those of us at national headquarters, our job searches are continuing apace. I'm excited to see where everyone will end up.

I have been with Wireless Advocates officially for five years now (about 5¾ if you count my time as a contractor). I'm thankful that I was able to make it to 5 years, and I wouldn't trade this time for anything. I'm looking forward to the next phase.

Following are some of the most amazing people I've ever had the honor of working with:

My amazing manager with her
well-deserved Employee of the Year
Award in 2018

Possibly one of my favorite pictures
that I've ever taken!

Quarantine Playlist

 March 2020

This was my last post for All Things Broadway's blog, which is no longer online. It sort of fizzled out due to the virus shortly after this. We have come a long way since I wrote it nearly 3 years ago, and I am grateful we now have vaccines and have learned a lot more about COVID. But it has still been a difficult time, and we are not out of the woods yet.

Masked up on Broadway, September 2022
(You may notice the picture is backwards,
as this is the back of the sign)

---

These are scary times. With the coronavirus going around, many of us are stuck at home. Many with jobs are working from home. Many are out of jobs. Many people have the virus. Life has changed drastically in the past few weeks in ways nobody could have predicted.

The theatre community and other kinds of artists have been hit hard. Broadway and the West End, as well as multiple other locations around the world where shows are produced, have temporarily shut down. Actors like Aaron Tveit and Chad Kimball are currently recovering from the virus. We’ve lost some of our older actors, such as Terrence McNally and Mark Blum to it. [Update, 2022: We have even lost younger actors, such as Nick Cordero, since I wrote this.] During this time it is easy to go stir crazy with our social distancing and avoiding large groups. Many of us have varying degrees of sickness. Depending on our mood at the time, there are any number of things we need to hear.

Sometimes we want to commiserate about the problem. Sometimes we need cheering words. We need to laugh. But we also need to be sensitive about words that may help one person, but will be harmful to another.

Since music and theatre are often healing balms, I thought it might be helpful to come up with songs that may be helpful during this time. Depending on your situation, please feel free to listen to ones that you find helpful and ignore ones that don’t speak to you. Everyone’s taste is different, and I tried to find a variety of different kinds of songs that speak to different needs during this crisis. They follow, in no particular order.

“You’ll Never Walk Alone”
From Carousel
This is a great reminder. So many of us are lonely during this time while we are physically distant from each other. No matter what goes on, we need to remember someone is always there rooting for us, in spirit if not in person. We need to remember to “walk on through the wind, walk on through the rain, though your dreams be tossed and blown.” You will never walk alone.

“No One Is Alone”
From Into the Woods
This is a similar reminder. We may lose people we love and admire, but we are never alone. We need to come together and support each other. Let us lean on each other and support each other.

“Pile of Poo”
From Emojiland
The release of the cast recording of Emojiland could not have come at a better time. Sometimes we need reminders to “remember who you are is what you do when life hands you a pile of poo.”

“Empty Chairs at Empty Tables”
From Les Misérables
This time is incredibly difficult for everyone. Odds are you know someone who has the virus (you might even have it), and thousands around the world have died from it. Sometimes we need to lament those we have lost. We need to let our emotions out or we will go crazy. [Update, 2022: Having lost my dad to a stroke since writing this, this song is even more emotional and meaningful to me.]

“Prayer”
From Come from Away
This is one of my favorite Broadway songs, and a constant source of comfort. We need to pray (whatever that means to you) for peace, and we need to work to spread it. Let’s be channels of peace, not divisiveness.

“Spread the Love Around”
From Sister Act
This is another song encouraging us to spread love and kindness to others. Everyone is having trouble right now, and we all need to give and receive love.

“My Favorite Things”
From The Sound of Music
These are scary times. Sometimes we need to distract our minds by thinking of things we like. “Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens,” among many other things, can be very comforting. Simple things can be powerful.

“Impossible”
From Cinderella
With everything going on right now, sometimes we are tempted to conclude that the idea of things getting better is impossible. Will our governments agree on anything? Will we find a vaccine and cure for the virus? Impossible! “But the world is full of zanies and fools who don’t believe in sensible rules, who don’t believe what sensible people say! And because these daft and dewy-eyed dopes keep building up impossible hopes, impossible things are happening every day!”

“You Will Be Found”
From Dear Evan Hansen
This is another source of comfort. Life is tough. Especially right now when we are distancing ourselves from each other, it’s easy to feel alone. But always remember, even if you feel lost and alone, “someone will come running.” There are people there who will find you and reach out to you. You can even be that person for someone else. Let’s find each other and support each other through this tough time.

“The World Has Gone Insane”
From Jekyll & Hyde
This is sung by a desperate man who is feeling the effects of a terrible disease that is slowly consuming him. He begins the song as a frantic doctor and ends it as an evil maniac. I hope nobody goes through the horrifying transformations he does, and thankfully that isn’t a symptom of coronavirus, but I think many of us can identify with Henry Jekyll more than normal.

“Singin’ in the Rain”
From Singin’ in the Rain
Rain is a funny thing. Sometimes it can be refreshing, and other times it can be annoying, and sometimes even dangerous. But there’s always a positive side. Rain can cause a person to slip, and it contributes to erosion, but it also washes away bad things and nourishes the ground, making things greener. Coronavirus is much more dangerous than rain, but there have been reports all over the world of pollution clearing up, canals in Venice becoming clear. That doesn’t diminish the horror of sickness and death, but there is always a silver lining, and always a reason to sing.

“Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”
From Spamalot
I find it interesting that this song is so common at funerals. In the midst of unspeakable pain and sorrow, we can always find a bright side.

“The Next Right Thing”
From Frozen II
This isn’t technically a stage show (yet), but it’s important to remember. Since it is so new, I don’t want to spoil it, but Anna is going through a very difficult time, and all she can do is “the next right thing.”

“Put on a Happy Face”
From Bye Bye Birdie
I grew up listening to this song. It has never failed to bring a smile to my face. Whatever is going on, no matter how difficult, remember it will get better. “Gray skies are gonna clear up. Put on a happy face. Brush off the clouds and cheer up. Put on a happy face.” Sometimes that’s easier said than done, but we can always remember to look forward to this being over.

“Vidiots”
From Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
With the advent of the term “COVIDIOTS”, this song has been going through my head lately. I would caution us, though, to go easy on the people in the news reports who have made less than advisable choices during this time. None of us is perfect, and we have all made ill-advisable choices in our lives. Just try not to let your choices spread disease…and definitely don’t be so dependent on technology that you suffer the fate of Mike Teavee. 

“Anthem”
From Chess
This virus has attacked the world. All of us are at risk. The rich as well as the poor. Nobody is immune. At this time we’re all in this together. We need to come together and remember that “my land’s only borders lie around my heart.”

“Cell Block Tango”
From Chicago
Let’s all remember when the vaccine is here, that this virus had it coming. “It only had itself to blame.” I fully endorse scheming a horrible demise for this virus, and it can’t come soon enough. Let’s be sure to take out our revenge on the disease and not people, though.

“Seasons of Love”
From RENT
Hopefully this crisis won’t be around anywhere near 525,600 minutes, but we need to measure our lives in love. Some lives have shorter measurements than we anticipated. Everyone needs to give and receive all the love they can through every season.

“Please Don’t Touch Me”
From Young Frankenstein
It’s important to practice social distancing during this time. Although considering the circumstances, let’s stay farther away from each other than Elizabeth and Frederick during this song. We can always come closer and waltz a foot from each other once this is over.

“Luck Be a Lady”
From Guys and Dolls
We can always trust to luck that it will be in our favor. Maybe we’ll get lucky and it will clear up quickly. But let’s not trust solely on luck. We need to do what we can to help luck along and slow the spread of the virus.

“I Whistle a Happy Tune”
From The King & I
As mentioned before, this is a scary time. One technique when you’re scared is to whistle or sing a happy song. Sometimes that can go a long way to cheering you up and conquering your fear.

“The Play”
From Be More Chill
There’s something therapeutic about listening to a virus being destroyed. If only this one could be defeated with something as simple as Mountain Dew Red!

“One”
From A Chorus Line
You are unique. You may also be one person in quarantine. There is nobody quite like you. You are definitely “one singular sensation,” and I am rooting for you!

“For Good”
From Wicked
Last, but certainly not least, let’s look for the good in each other. This is sung by two dear friends who are saying good bye to each other and realizing that, for all their rivalry and disagreements over the years, they have had a profound and good influence on each other. How have your friends and family influenced you? We need to support and lean on each other during this difficult time if we are going to get through it. Just don’t lean on people literally, as we need to keep our social distance. We also need to remember the loved ones we’ve lost and let them live on in the way we choose to live.

This is by no means a comprehensive list. There are so many other songs out there that are appropriate during this time. But I hope that gets you thinking of songs that might be helpful to get you through this. It will end, and most of us will come out on the other end.

Love to everyone!

Steven Sauke is a Broadway fan who has been through a lot and has been helped considerably through the years by music and art. Much of that has been from musicals.