It's all timing.

I was looking at the accompanying graph, from Calculated Risk, when something occurred to me.

Each time I was looking for a job, it was at the beginning or middle of a recession. Early 1970's, mid-1970's, and early 1980's.

Great timing.

I remember there being no job listings at the employment bureau, very few classified ad listings.

I was a lousy interview, and no one seemed to value the skills I did have.

No wonder I became self-employed, and no wonder I tried so hard to hang onto my business.