Venting - Road to a Solution?

I don't know about you, but when I'm frustrated, the first think I want to do is vent to any willing listener. Since I left the company I was at for 8 years, I've yet to find co-workers I can truly trust and depend on again so it's not an easy task at work. Unfortunately, I then turn to my husband who, bless his heart, just isn't the perfect resource for this. He either tells me work is just work and I need to worry more about my family, ignores me because he dislikes the personal negativity that sometimes coincides with the venting or just listens providing no feedback. I suppose this means the only way I'd be satisfied is if he completely agreed with everything I said. So if I don't feel fulfilled after letting out my frustrations to him, I generally turn to my mom because let's face it, aren't your parents supposed to be the most supportive people on your life? Well, my mom, bless HER heart, tries her best. However, she was a teacher and then has held various administration assistant type positions - very worthy experience, don't get me wrong, but she has difficulty relating to me. If you are a Friends fan, I liken it to Chandler - no one really knows what he does or can explain it to others. So, my mom listens to me very patiently, tries her best to understand and then attempts to come up with solutions to my complaints.

Yesterday, after hanging up with my husband, I promptly called my mom and once again, she was completely supportive and thoughtful, but her answer was for me to start over with a whole new direction. I agreed with her to a point, but then when I went home, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I don't want to start over. Although it's quite a lofty expectation to ask a 17 year old barely ready to leave high school to make the life altering decision of choosing a major, I am pleased with my degrees and certifications. I just have to figure out a way to make them work...and I will. Someday my mom will be able to explain to her friends what it is that her middle daughter does!

I believe my biggest issue is not correctly assessing my background to select the positions that best fit me. I've had quite a few interviews and I know I look good on paper and can easily answer any behavioral question or provide examples of how I've led teams or dealt with difficult people. I just don't go after the RIGHT jobs, rather, I just tell the interviewers that I can take on any challenge. My goal next time is to make the hiring manager want me on their team for specific reasons MORE than I want to be on the team. It's time to take some control and although easier said than done, I think possible.