“Surrender comes when you no longer ask, ‘Why is this happening to me?’ Acceptance of the unacceptable is the greatest source of grace in this world.” – Eckhart Tolle.

Home milk delivery was removed over time, with the last deliveries in the 1990s—a date that shocked me a bit, as I would have guessed the 1970s. This week, I learned about “dark factories,” fully automated sites that are only illuminated when workers need to service the equipment—a location silently pumping out product as we sleep. Companies have trumpeted that automating processes would free workers to engage in value-added activities. When will automation replace such value-added activities, and what do we do then?

Over the past month, I have been preparing to look for a freelance job in technical project management. My certification had expired, so some studies were required to renew it. My resume was also structured for government contracts, which meant it was about 40 pages long and needed to be restructured and reduced! A daunting task at one time, but not now. I asked ChatGPT to review and summarize it into four pages, which it did within a minute. Not just quick but good! I also asked it to create a cover letter that I could retrofit based on the job posting. Again, a response in seconds. A new age is upon us!

The next question was how to look for a job. I told ChatGPT what I wanted and asked for suggestions for the next steps. I received a list of about five sites with a short review of each. Whatever happened to hearing about an opening, typing up your resume, and dropping it off at the company’s reception?

Each site contains filters that allow me to search for precisely what I would like in a job—remote, freelance, full-time, salary, location, etc. Having whittled down my options, I was ready to apply! Not so quick! Each site has its way of ensuring it receives compensation for its troubles. Understandably, as there is a cost to their service, some ask for a monthly subscription, others ask for payment to see more information, and others still allow you to be seen higher on the company’s list of potential candidates for an extra fee.

 I’m starting to wonder when ChatGPT will begin doing the job I am looking for. Until then, I will surrender to this next life chapter. So far, my resume has been sent to 5 companies with no response. To be honest, I don’t even know if they have received it, but I feel I must trust the darkness, as there is no receptionist available to receive my printed copy.