UNEMPLOYED -- Week 5

Last week did not start out well. At. All.

But, let's not dwell there because I have good news!

The phone interview I had week before last led to an in-person interview this past Thursday followed by an offer on Friday and my acceptance today! I start TOMORROW. I was nervous to post this until the day was here so...

The response from a few of those I have told seems to be reluctant optimism. Wondering if this is just an in-between job or if I am actually excited about it. Ie- are you taking the first thing you were offered or...

So let me be clear, I am EXCITED.

If I am honest, I am more excited about the company than I am the job itself, however, I think I will like the job and the team I will be working with. I was hired by MANA. They are an agrochemical company and I will be doing (in essence) customer service. The company seems to really foster growth and development and as I am looking for somewhere that has career potential, I think it's a fit. I was really impressed with everyone I talked to there so while I am REALLY nervous for the newness of it all, I am ready to get back to work!

There is a twinge of... well that didn't take long... what about the plans I had for this time but... you can't relax and enjoy unemployed time. At least I am not wired that way. You feel guilty if you do ANYTHING that isn't job hunt related. You feel pressured to do things that just aren't you (like network). People ask you to do things during the day and you feel guilty saying 'no' because technically you could but if you say 'yes' you feel guilty because you SHOULD be job hunting. And you can't do anything fun because you are budgeting more than you have ever budgeted in your life. It's just all around not the "time off" people who aren't unemployed think it would be. Planning for this time is a joke.

Over the weekend I had Kairos training (in prison ministry) and the stories the ladies on the team shared, the things they have been brought through, the videos we watched of changed lives of inmates was amazing. This offer, that training, all of it reminded me how KNOWN I am and how loved by the Creator. That each of us has a tailored path based on who He's made us.

From the time I found out I was laid off I wasn't worried about the conclusion, I was worried about the DURING. I felt uneasy filing for unemployment because I strongly felt like it wasn't going to be long for me but then wisdom of others was to do it, just in case, and since I don't trust my own hearing of God I thought I was being stupidly optimistic but... I don't think I was.

I know great, God-fearing people who were, or have been unemployed for much longer than I was and I know God is in each of those stories but for ME... for who I am, how I am wired, this process going this way equates to Him knowing me and my feeling overwhelmingly cared for.
Cared for by Him. Cared for by my community. Known. Wow.

So, if you have helped me in any way in this process by prayer, job leads/hints/resources, encouraging words, read this blog, etc... please know I greatly appreciate you!

Thank you!
M

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
(yay for no more weekly blogging ;))

UNEMPLOYMENT -- Week 4

So, I don't want to revert to whining again but... this week definitely had some lows along with the highs.

Let's start with the bad news first so we end on a happy note:
1) I met with a recruiter. Two actually. Both were equally depressing for different reasons including but not limited to: one of them just wanted to know more about fundraising for nonprofits (as he doesn't place jobs for anything I am even remotely qualfied for), I said WAY more than I meant to when answering the question 'would you want to work for a nonprofit' in the negative, and also because both of them after asking what I had been making at Benevon then immediately asked "what could you live with - what is your minimum?" before telling me (in essence) that they can't help me.
It was... less than encouraging.
On the positive side, I did get some helpful pointers which is always valuable.
And am grateful for the connection.

2) Unemployment - I didn't want to file to begin with but now to make matters ickier, there was a hold on my claim so I had to go down to the Cary office (since the Raleigh office never answered the phone). It was similar to a doctor's office in the sense that I have no idea why they set an appointment time because they seem to have no intention of seeing you any time near your appointment.

Though when I finally did see a live person she was very nice, gave me a bunch of papers and told me to call a number to find out what fax number to send my paycheck stub (once I figure out how to get a copy of it since I was direct deposit and don't have paycheck stubs). I called the number when I left the office (in Cary which is significant for this next part). While on hold I drove all the way to Walmart on Glenwood, returned some things, picked up some things, drove home, put away things, used the restroom, and then was disconnected. Total time on hold -- at least an hour. I didn't try again.
Confusing.

3) My roomie for the last month moved to Chicago on Sunday. Sadness.

Now for the happy news:

1) I am blessed to know fantastic people who were very quick to respond to my email about looking for a job with lots of helpful links, tips, and kind words! Thank you to all who responded!!

2) I had a phone interview that went well and now have a second in-person interview this week.

3) The babysitting site I created a profile for last week got me a hit this week. Unfortunately I can't do it because it the same time as my interview BUT it was a promising sign that it might yield some side jobs.

Incidentally, the refrain that I feel God gave me when I was about to tears with the recruiter, totally con fused with the state, and nervous before my interview was "I am your God, you are not at the whim of these people." It was a reminder that God's purpose for me will be fulfilled if I am seeking Him. Period.
Hopeful.

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed for I am your God.
I will strengthen you.
Yes, I will help you.
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

I have remained productive which is definitely an overarching goal but I finally got a little more serious about actually applying for jobs which I think may be the key to finding a new one. ;)

Goals accomplished - Week 4:
* Sent email to contacts for job lead help
* Met with a recruiter
* Registered online with 2 temp agencies
* Had phone interview
Jobs applied to this week: 3
Total jobs applied to: 4