Excuses... I mean Reasons why it's so hard

Over the past months I've been working at a TV station here in Houston. It's an good job at a good company, but it's only a weekend thing.

A friend of mine wondered recently why I'm having a bit of a hard time finding a full-time weekday job here in the US. There are actually several reasons. Here they are below...


The recession

The US is experiencing a recession right now. People are getting laid off left and right so companies can cut losses. Of course if companies are firing, they won't be hiring.


US Radio is hurting

Why don't I go into Radio here? Well, it's hurting more than other industries here in the US. Listeners have so many more choices (mp3 players, satellite radio, illegal downloading/CD copying/file sharing, Satellite Radio, Internet Radio, Hi-Def Radio, YouTube, etc.). That's why...


I'm changing career paths

I'm using this move to the US as an opportunity to start fresh in a new field. I need to go somewhere that's more stable than Radio. Unfortunately, the drawback is that I need to find a company willing to take a chance on me. That's difficult given the economic situation here.


I'm from the Philippines

No, I'm not a victim of racial discrimination or anything like that. It's just that i don't have many local professional references. Most of the references i have are from the Philippines and may be difficult for companies to contact or confirm, due to time zone and distance obstacles.


It has been a big challenge looking for work. The process has tested me mentally and spiritually. I have had a few good leads though. None of them have panned out yet, but I have faith that I'll end up where I belong. I just have to keep looking for jobs as hard as I can.


(By the way, I do have one big job. Hopefully I'll find out by next week if they'll hire me. I'm done with the interview and they're currently doing a background check. I want this job so much that i don't want to jinx it by naming it here.)