Job Hunt - Weeks 5 & 6

Week 5

Resumes 9

Phone Calls 0

Interviews 0

Attitude: I made the mistake of reading a newspaper article about people that were moving off the unemployment rolls. Ironically, several of them had gone back to school, graduated, and still couldn't find a job. Several of them were single moms who once made 60k and were now applying for whatever they could. Their unemployment had come to an end and now they had no options. I couldn't help but be scared to death for a couple of days. Then my daughter reminded me that I always make it work. Nice that she has so much confidence in me, but geesch.

Week 6

Resumes 17

Phone Calls 0

Interviews 0

Attitude: I'm not sure how I'm feeling. I've been "doing lunch" with folks and exploring all kinds of possibilities for starting a business from home, but quite frankly, I don't want to do it in this economy. It's just too scary, on the other hand, I'm not getting any response to any resumes or anything else so I'm wondering what choice I have. It's almost as if I'm being driven in a direction, but I'm not quite sure which direction it is. So I'm waiting.....waiting.....and waiting to see what happens next.

I also have to factor in that SuperSam came to me with tears in his eyes this week wanting to know when I was going to start working at home. I told him that I thought it was better if I go back to work. He started to cry. He wants me home, they all do. Geesch, I hate that pressure.

My car is not back yet either. Should be done with a new engine and new transmission by the end of next week. When they removed the engine, the transmission was apparently rubbing which caused all the other problems. I knew that the transmission was having issues, I just didn't want to deal with it. On a positive note: the shop will only be charging me their cost for the transmission with no additional time or extra fees. For whatever reason, I've found favor with them. Still, this is going to take a huge chunk out of savings aka the money we are basically living on in addition to my unemployment. Sucks.

And the positive: Everyone is just so darn happy. The kids had a half day yesterday. We took the bus all over. It was so fun and quite a life lesson for them. Nothing like observing people who have made really poor life decisions to bring home the "stay in school/stay off drugs" message. Regardless, it was delightful and so much fun for all of us!

Persevering onward!

Job Hunt - Week #4

Resumes: 4

Phone Calls: 1

Responses: 1

Attitude: The one employer I spoke to was a CEO who wanted someone to travel with him and manage his life. Ok, I've done that for 30 years and can do it in my sleep. Boring, but I am willing to do it for the sake of my family. I asked him about his travel as I would be going with him. Mostly Chicago and New York with a couple of times a year to Africa and Europe. Ok, been there, done that. How much do you want to pay for it? I always negotiate this up front because when I work jobs like this, I have to hire a live in nanny. I stopped doing this kind of work because I wanted to be home every evening with my children. Still, I was willing to suck it up. His response to the salary question. $9.00 an hour.

He is willing to pay me $9.00 an hour. Sorry, I had to say it again. Now a live-in costs me about $15 an hour plus room and board. I explained that to him and his response was that people are desperate and he believes he can get it. Ahem, I told him that he probably can, but that he would get what he paid for. We didn't bother to meet in person.

While I'm enjoying the time with my children, we did hit a major snafu this past week. My car "blew a rod" and while those who understand "car speak" know what that is, I have no idea.

Anyhoo, the rod went through the block going 65 miles an hour on the freeway. The tow truck driver said it was probably a miracle that we weren't all killed. I suppose that is why my post from yesterday is so precious. The laughing children in the pictures could have been dead children.

My mechanic is a good guy and he and his wife seem to always look kindly on me. I think it is because she was once a single mom. Originally, they quoted me $3500, but they are looking for ways to reduce it as they go and have the price down to $2800.

I should have it back by the end of next week, so for the time being we are a family without a car. I thought about buying another car, but I know what I'm dealing with in this one and I certainly can't take on a car payment at this time.

So there you go....the rest of the story.

The rain has returned to Western Washington, of course we now walk to school more than a mile, a total of four miles a day for me. It was cleansing yesterday in the rain and my children and I enjoyed stomping in the puddles.

Still, life feels tenuous right now.

I want a job. I want my children to have what they need. I want to find an employer who actually values what I do for them. I want to ward off this feeling of anxiety that wakes me every night at 2:30 am. Sigh.

Job Hunt Week #3

Resumes Sent: 9
Phone Calls: 0
Responses: 0
Attitude: We had a major run of the flu this past week.

Job hunting took a back seat to being a mom.

I'm ok with that.

Got my first unemployment check.

Half of what I would normally make.

I seem to be ok with that too. I'm beginning to wonder why I'm not more upset about this.

Middle of the Night

Panic attacks suck.

Yesterday, I couldn't even find a job to apply for....today, I can find them....if I take a pay cut of $25K. Hello? That is almost half.

My friend pointed out yesterday that no one in my profession changes jobs in the fourth quarter of the year. She pointed out that I need to be able to get through January unless some miracle happens.

Another dear friend pointed out that she is in the same position that I am and has been there ten months.

Unemployed ten months. I just wanted to hug her.

But in the middle of the night....I'd just like the pain in my chest to go away, my breathing to return to normal, and my family to be safe.

For the first time, I'm feeling a tad scared.

Job Hunt Week #2

Resumes Sent: 15

Phone Calls: 2

Responses: 2

Both telling me they will keep their eyes open for me.

Attitude: My previous employer followed through

for which I am eternally grateful.

Since I know you are reading my blog, thank you.

Job Hunt Week #1

Resumes sent: 34

Phone Calls: 17

Responses: 1 letter from a temp agency saying that

they don't have anything right now.

1 phone call from a contact

telling me to hang in there.

Attitude: Good. Finances are in order

at least through October

as long as my previous employer

follows through on promises.

A tad worrisome I must say.