Jim,

Unfortunately it usually takes a lot of job applications, interviews, etc etc to get a job. It rarely happens in one fell swoop these days. My attitude now is that each application and interview is good practice. I am refining my skills at convincing people how good a prospect I am to hire.

On the other side of the coin, I do firmly believe that sometimes not getting the job means that it wasn't right for you, in some way. Sometimes, too, it is just that the competition was really tough.

I just got (yet another) rejection letter, but I was very much in two minds about the job because it was working in isolation - I've had a lifetime's worth of that already - and also it would stop me from doing the freelance work I like. So the rejection letter was a relief.

I got a 40 hour per month contract the day after the interview and that job is right up my alley. If I had been offered the other job and accepted it then it would have probably stopped me from doing the one I really wanted.

You never know what is around the corner, but you won't find it unless you keep an open mind and keep doing the hard slog to find it.

Helen