Last night I worked at a job fair my company was sponsoring.  We’re so busy that we’re desperate for more employees.  And, as I remember from going to job fairs during my year of unemployment, there are plenty of people that are desperate for work.  Especially full time permanent work.  Paying a decent wage and providing benefits.

As I sat at my table watching a steady stream of people coming in, clutching their resumes with hope in their eyes, I remembered the job fair I attended last summer.  It was for people over 50 and there were hundreds of us waiting in line before it opened.   Last night my eyes gravitated to those people my age, over 50, those hoping against hope that they had the skills we needed.  Those with years of experience but trying to look youthful, technical, engaged and relevant.

As I interviewed people, I was looking for specific skills because we’re too busy to spend much time training.  We need people that can jump right in and produce.  Sadly what I heard too often was vague descriptions of generic skill sets.  These were people that certainly could learn the job, but didn’t know it right now.  Or worked in the industry long ago before times changed.

Which made me realize, totally realize right down to my toes, how lucky I am that the bank welcomed me back.  Because once upon a time, not so long ago, I was that over 50 person who worked in the industry a long time ago before times changed.  They were willing to give me the benefit of the doubt, and I’m doing my best every day to give them back everything they expected.  And more.

Last night?  I found two people that might fit into our group.  One was older, one was younger.  We’ll see how it all turns out.

I hope the rest of them find their permanent jobs soon.  I wish I could have adopted them all.