H20

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love the idea of numbers and advising job seekers to use numbers to highlight accomplishments during the interview process. As part of the Regional Training Team, it is how we have always trained others when it comes to highlighting production value with potential new employers. I will share some numbers with you now and you can decide whether you see this glass as half empty or half full.

President’s Day was February 15th, 2021. We experienced an arctic blast that could be felt throughout Texas and beyond. It was 15 degrees outside when the power shut down by 12:00 noon at my home. Power did not return until 4 pm but went off again at 8 pm that same night. Once day 2 arrived with an indoor temperature of 37 degrees we were unable to feel our feet, hands, and were no longer able to keep warm. There was no choice but to leave. Unable to find a nearby hotel after placing 10 phone calls I sought out the nearest warming station and spent 2 days there and 7 in a hotel. (It has been 9 days without H2O at home as of today, February 25th, 2021).

With broken pipes and no running water at home, we will have to leave the hotel soon. The numbers are just too high and adding up daily. And though I am insured, with a high deductible, my claim is on an “undetermined hold” because the plumbing job is yet to be assessed.

2 weeks before President’s Day, we were told what “not to do” in the event of a power outage and below-freezing temperatures. I know folks who tried each suggestion, the results were the same – broken pipes! Many homes were left virtually untouched with residents having humorous stories of survival to share for years to come. Weather events are known to be random.

It has always amazed me that H2O, so life-sustaining and impossible to live without, is also extremely capable of causing such massive destruction in a matter of seconds! Human beings can exist for days without food. At 74, Mahatma Gandhi proved this correct by lasting 21 days without food. However, we can only last 3 days (+-) without water. I had clean drinking water from the beginning!

I am on at least 5-6 of “The Best Plumbers in Houston” lists for the 1st appointment with estimated wait times of 2-3 weeks. Unfortunately, this is realistic as demand is significantly higher while supplies continue to remain dangerously low. I along with millions of others in Texas continue to wait for H2O. My glass is currently half full…

In the meantime, I will share a just few resources with you. I searched the following phrase online, “Where to get Free water in Houston, Texas” and received About 243,000,000 results (in 0.75 seconds)! If you do not need this information, share it with someone else who may still be…waiting.

• Where to get free water in Houston, Texas
• The best 10 Laundromats in Houston, TX
• Angie’s List Nearby Plumbers in Houston

Generally, we are instructed to use words for numbers, but on a resumé using the actual numbers allows employers to easily see how productive our skills are. After all, according to Grammarly.com, “numbers can disrupt readability” and that is exactly what we want.

For more information on job search preparation, please visit us at Workforce Solutions.

Frieda Carmouche is a member of the Regional Facilitator team specializing in training, assisting students, job seekers, employers and career center staff throughout the Gulf Coast region. As Facilitator, she is comfortable with individual coaching, as well as large group presentations. Frieda has proven experience in training jobseekers within various age groups, ethnicity, and cultures regardless of ability or social-economic status. As of October 2019, she has been given the honor of serving as the Regional Team Mentoring Coach to further assist in the career development and growth of newly hired Training Facilitators. She obtained her BFA in Graphic Communications and minored in Psychology from The University of Houston Central Campus. Frieda is a native Houstonian with a passion for workforce development and has been employed by Workforce Solutions for over 20 years.