Day By Day© by Chris Muir.

November 13, 2005

Republicans Need Not Apply?

I've been looking for a new job. Why? After all, my current job isn't terrible, and there's plenty of room for growth within the company. However, the commute is killing me (2.5 hours each way). Plus, my husband has a new job that takes him 50 miles in the other direction, and I would like to be closer in case there's a problem with the kids during the day.

I've been sending out resumes left and right, and have had a couple of those initial screening phone calls, but that's it. I am looking both in my current field and in the field I hope to be in--education. I received my teaching certification in the spring of 2004. So what is it? Is it the economy? My skill set? Or something else?

My mother and one of my sisters are absolutely convinced that my blogging activities are holding me back. They think that prospective employers receive my resume, punch my name into a search engine, and come across all of my blog writings. (I'm not using my entire name now, but I was in the past--and once on the Web, always on the Web.) I never blog about my company (why bite the hand that feeds you?), so why would prospective employers care?

As you may or may not know, I live in the Northeast--Connecticut, to be exact. And this area of the country is not exactly known for its conservative politics. There are conservatives scattered around but overall, it's a haven for liberals.

Unless I'm applying to work for a Senator or Congressman, my politics shouldn't matter. An interview should be based upon my experience and qualifications for the job. But if my mother and sister are correct, then those who are looking me up and deciding not to have me in for an interview because I hold conservative views are a bunch of hypocrites. Under the EOE law, no one may be discriminated against because of color, religion, etc. Why wouldn't the same be true for political persuasion?

I'm not entirely convinced of their theory, but what do some of my readers think? Could this be true, or are my mom and sister (my sister hasn't had to look for a job in almost 15 years) simply making me paranoid???