Job Search: 45.2 > 47

[AlendaLux]

The question: "What should I prioritize in my job search? What’s the best place to look?"

I’m a freelance writer and editor, and I live in a fairly remote area that really only offers tourism jobs. Last summer, however, having decided to take a systematic approach to online job boards, I found a work-from-home editing position that turned out to be the best paying job I’ve had in years.

I’ve enjoyed making good money, but there are some problems: I don’t feel very connected to my co-workers, I don’t feel like I’m making any sort of larger contribution, and the assignments have strict deadlines, usually within 24-48 hours, even on the weekends. The biggest problem, though, is that the work is seasonal, and will soon be providing too few hours for me to earn as much as I need to.

Hence this reading. On the practical level, the question means, “should I rely again on online job listing boards to find my next job, or should I take a more direct approach to get a job more like what I want--that is, should I look for companies and organizations doing things I’m interested in and approaching them directly to see if they need remote writers?”

On a deeper level, the question is a set of questions about money vs. passion: "Should I look for work that appeals to me more? Can I find that work? Will it pay enough? Will looking for such a job distract me from finding something more lucrative, if less appealing?"

At any rate, 47 seems very much in line with my situation, but like most of the others who have posted 45.2 > 47, I have trouble figuring out how the two hexagrams relate, or how I should respond. I'm getting a "keep doing what you're doing, things will sort themselves out eventually if you focus on the practical" vibe from 45, but the emphasis on self-reliance and authenticity in both hexagrams makes it tempting to think I'm being told to hold out for something that really suits me.

Any insights would be appreciated!

 

[laperdida]

should I take a more direct approach to get a job more like what I want--that is, should I look for companies and organizations doing things I’m interested in and approaching them directly to see if they need remote writers?”

Many of the interpretations I've read on 45.2 talk about being "drawn out" or led to join with others and making small but sincere gestures. Which, at least to me, suggests doing what you say here. Making a sincere effort to connect with others on a personal level--letting these groups and organizations know that you admire/respect their work and would love the opportunity to be a part of what they do. Maybe this could also mean joining writing/editing groups on, for example, LinkedIn.

 

[AlendaLux]

Just checking in again on this one. I find it ironic that, given what we've been through this year, it turned out that a lot of people were going to feel disconnected from their work thanks to the pandemic, and that by April I would be grateful to have work that didn't depend on the physical presence of customers or clients. What's more, I ended up asking for less work from this employer as the "season" started up again because helping my kids with schooling turned out to be such a demanding job on its own. I feel, however, that I haven't given much in the way of effort toward finding connection with people whose work I admire—but that, again, is the sort of thing that happens during a pandemic. In other words, my concerns have sort of moved on from here, partly as a result of realizing all the things I should be grateful for.

 

[diamanda]

Thanks for updating the thread. What an interesting reading.
45.2 > 47 gathering dries up.