If you want to see Derrick Washington flash a broad grin, just ask him about his family.
“My 4-year-old is a boy right to the core,” he says with a deep laugh. “He’s always jumping off things, scratching himself up, then bouncing up to climb again. It’s been a joy to spend time with him.”
That’s been the blessing of losing his full- time job last year, he says. Most would agree that the 42-year-old has had a rough couple of years. He was one of the owners of a restaurant in Aurora that fell victim to the economy and closed in 2009, and he hadn’t drawn a paycheck since 2008.
But while Washington enjoyed his three years in the restaurant business, he’s not interested in going into the same line of work.
“We had a good run,” says Washington as he waves and greets the staff at a bakery tucked into the Stapleton neighborhood. “It was great experience, but you put in long, long hours, and there were many restless nights. I’m a hard worker, but I’m also a family man. My wife and kids, 4 and 15, have helped me through this rough time.”
Washington’s skill set is broad. He has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of New Mexico. He has run a real- estate business and a restaurant. And he’s a minister.
His faith and his family have gotten him through tough times, as has his volunteer work.
The former college football star enjoys coaching kids.
“Through my church, I met a young man who needed a little help, so I mentor him,” says Washington, who was born in Virginia and moved to Colorado in 1981. “I’ve also been a youth counselor and a math tutor.”
His ideal job, he says, would be as a coach, teacher or facilitator with kids. With his budget background, he’d also be interested in working in finance, ideally for a school district.
“While I’m picking up part-time work here and there, we’ve drained our savings,” Washington says. “I’ve been working with the Census Bureau, but that’s about to go away, so I need to get serious. We really want to hold onto our house.”
His wife, who works part time in a middle school, has been an incredible support to him, he says.
“Pam is laid-back but strong,” he says. “She’s been helping me look for opportunities.”
While working with kids would be his ideal job, Washington has also focused on a few other job fields. He’d be interested in using his accounting and management skills in the health- care field, or any job in a green industry.
“With my background, my work ethic and my skill set, I know I’d succeed in many fields.”
To those in his situation, Washington has advice.
“Yes, I used to get down, but I changed my mind-set,” he says. “I decided to do everything possible to find a job. I look at this as an opportunity to grow and overcome challenges. To see what I’m made of.”
He also made a decision to quit worrying about the small challenges in life.
“Stop worrying about those little things,” he says, and flashes that grin again. “I’ve drawn closer to my relationship with the Lord. I’ve drawn closer to my family.”
Washington’s positive attitude and strong skill set will help him find a great job, predicts Richard Lewis, founder, president and CEO of RTL Networks Inc. Lewis met Washington through the Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce.
“He was selected for a leadership program on the strength of his resume and his interview skills,” Lewis says. “He struck everyone on the committee as a very hard worker, and his background is full of success stories.”
It is one thing, Lewis says, to be successful. It’s another to be successful and still reach out to the community.
“I was blown away by his business acumen and his support for the community. During off hours, his restaurant would open its doors for groups that needed a meeting space. And during the holidays, he fed the homeless. I was saddened to hear the economy was too much for his startup business.”
Unemployment hasn’t changed Washington’s altruistic nature.
“When we fed the homeless at the restaurant, we understood that sometimes people need a hand up, not a handout,” he says. “I really would love to work in a profession where I help others in some way. I tell people out there who are in my situation, don’t get discouraged. Be strong. Things will work out.”
Have a job for Derrick Washington? Send info to dpliving@denverpost.com.
Tips for job-seekers
Jim White, director of public affairs and marketing for Volunteers of America (), and Stephanie Klein, who runs a staffing agency in Denver called the Boomer Group (theboomer ), offer these tips:
Value first: “The problem with being out of work for a long time is that you forget your value,” says Klein, who specializes in dealing with veteran workers who are between jobs or semi-retired, and finding them permanent work. “The longer you’re out of work, the less ability you have to articulate the value you’ll bring to an organization. So step one is to remember what your talents are.”
Pep talk: Start by looking over some of your previous performance evaluations, Klein says. “That clearly shows your strengths. Get out to trade shows and events. Find a coach. It’s difficult for people navigate this job market on their own.”
Be specific: “This isn’t a market for generalists,” Klein says “People want to hire those with very specific skills. Know what field you want to go into, and note the skill set you’ll be bringing to that business.”
Volunteer: White says he’s seen a lot of unemployed people who are volunteering. “There are many reasons to do this,” he says. “It gets them out of the house, and that’s a big thing. At home you think about the fact that you’re not working. Volunteer and you’re around very positive people. You have the satisfaction of doing good deeds, and you meet people who might tell you about a job you weren’t aware of. Finally, you realize that even if there’s a cloud over your head, you come to understand that there are people in a much worse situation. Your situation will improve when you find a job. Not everyone’s will.”
