I'm much more than my CV

I've been looking for another job. Sort of. I've enrolled with a few job seeker websites but so far haven't had an interview.

I realise my cover letter leaves a lot to be desired, but I've never been one to blow my own horn. Besides, I have no idea how to market the skills I have, which have absolutely nothing to do with my qualifications and have everything to do with the way I do my job.

For instance, I have a pretty good long-term memory. I can remember customers from several months ago and something we might have discussed, even without looking up notes. I've surprised people a few times with what I can remember. I'm not saying I have a photographic memory; far from it. However, I do think it's a skill. The big problem is, it isn't something I can put in my CV.

I am pretty good with numbers. While I'm no expert in calculus or geometry, I can still calculate an amount fairly well without using a calculator, although I have to admit it is a lot faster with one. I can remember phone numbers and I'm good at determining where someone lives based on their phone number.

Someone commented to me: "Wow, you really know your stuff." I take the time to get familiar with what I'm doing. I don't know if that's attention to detail, but whatever.

This is the kind of thing I can reveal at interview stage. The problem is, how do I get to the interview stage? How do I get past the HR department or whatever and get them to look beyond my CV and my terrible cover letter. I know they're terrible, but I really don't like trying to sell myself. I live in hope that my skills and experience speak for themselves.

The worst part? I'm going for jobs that I really don't want. I don't want to be working in customer service. I want to get back into reporting. Yes, I have been out of it for five years and I haven't done much in the way of journalism since then, but I'm still writing. Yet it's not enough for potential employers. I have to be 'current'. How can I be current when I don't socialise, don't have the money to do so and am stuck in a job for forty hours a week that has nothing to do with current events.

I'm tired of never getting what I want out of life. I hate the fact that I may be stuck in the same job, doing exactly the same thing for the next twenty years. Yes, I'm negative, but put yourself in my place. Watch people you know get everything they want out of life, but it just passes you by. You'd feel this way too.