Top Ten Reasons I will Miss Being Unemployed

#10 – Showering is optional

#9 – Matching my clothes is optional

#8 – Accidentally drank too much on a Wednesday night?  Not a problem.

#7 – Cable guy gives you an 8 hour window for when he may or may not actually show up?  Not a problem – I’ll be here.  Not like I took a vacation day to wait around for him.

#6 - Preparing BLT’s for lunch rather than eating a brown-bagged turkey sandwich which is warm and mushy by the time it gets eaten.

#5 – Being able to holiday shop during the middle of the day vs battling mall traffic on the weekend

#4 – Having the opportunity to witness all of the goofy things my dog does… like the day he got himself tangled in my ethernet cable and turned around and growled at it like it had done him some sort of injustice

#3 – Staying up way past ‘bedtime’

#2 – Turning the alarm clock off – will Monster.com really care if it’s 10 AM instead of 9 AM when I log in?  Nope.

#1 – There is no #1 reason. 

I won’t miss being unemployed.  I won’t miss the indignity that comes with it.  I won’t miss the missed paychecks.  I won’t miss the general disarray of my finances.  I won’t miss feeling like I don’t have a purpose in life.  I actually and perhaps, suprisingly, will not miss sitting in mis-matched clothes, unshowered, apply for crappy jobs.  I just won’t. 

Employment suits me.  Nothing about unemployment trumps the benefits of having a job.

The Top Ten Reasons I Won’t Miss Being Unemployed

#10 – Being at functions and finding a creative way to answer the question “Julie, What do you do for a living?” and not include the fact that I spend a good portion of my day in my pajamas.

#9 – Being at functions and seeing people try to strategically run from you because they know you’re going to ‘network’ with them for jobs

“Hey you in the corner that works for a bank… yeah I’m talkin’ to you, don’t worry I don’t want to work at a bank… relax”

#8 – Not Shopping.  Ever.

#7 – Having to choose between going to dinner with friends and buying someone a baby shower gift.  Really?  I didn’t ask for you to have that baby.  And I most certainly didn’t suggest you register for something so incredibly expensive.  Not really your fault that I don’t have a job, but still….

#6 – “Dear __________” I would be an excellent candidate for your position!”  If I live to be 105 years old and never, ever, ever, have to write another cover letter.  It will be far too soon.

#5 – Standing in the unemployment line.  Degrading – yes.  Annoying – yes.  Slightly gratifying that for once I actually got to take advantage of a government program – absolutely (hence why it’s only #5)

#4 – Having to go inside to pay for my gas.  For reasons totally inconceivable by me – the Workforce West Virginia Card (which is the card they issue to people with their unemployment benefits – and trust me you’re not only one amused by the irony that it’s called “Workforce”) doesn’t work at the pump, so you have to go inside and pretty much announce to the world that you’re on unemployment.  But that’s ok, because the guy in front of you just bought cigarettes, beer and Cheetos with his food stamp money, so he’s not gonna judge.

  #3 – “Hey since you’re not working right now would you mind to [insert favor here]“  Seriously people?  How do you think I’m ever going to find a job if I spend my days being your servant?   First favor = Free, Second favor = My rent payment. 

#2 – “Your account has been overdrawn” My bank sends me e-mails when I overdraw my checking account.  I have received far too many of those e-mails over the last 2.5 months.  Pre job loss my response would have been “Julie!  You are such an idiot!  How did you let that happen???”  Post Job Loss my response was “Why did you send me an e-mail?  If I had money don’t you think it would be in there?  I mean, really, Bank, what WOULD you like me to do about it?” 

#1 – This one was tricky.  I mean the #1 spot is pretty coveted.  Income would be an obvious choice.  Maybe even a repeat of shopping – I mean that was pretty sorely missed.  But the #1 spot goes to…..

THE LOSS OF MY DIGNITY

Yeah, me and ole’ dignity are pretty excited to be reunited on January 4th.  She’s missed me.  Heck, I’ve missed her. 

It’ll be tears and hugs all around.

A Rather Significant Update

Suggestions for my new blog name:

Jobful Julie

Un-Jobless Julie

Job-ly Julie

Gainfully Employed Julie

Yep – that’s right folks… I got it!  I got THE job.  THE job that I prepared for endless hours for the interview.  The job that I thought was gone then it came back.  The job that I managed to find a way to get to Baltimore in the biggest storm of the century to interview for.  THE JOB.  I GOT THE JOB.  I am employed.  I will have income.  I will make 401K contributions again like a normal adult.  I will have stuff to do come Monday, January 4th.  In fact, I’m gonna even have to put on regular clothes and shower at a decent hour.  So long grey tank top…. I’m back.

And not a moment too soon either, because as my brother-in-law pointed out so gracefully over Christmas,

“I read your blog the other day and thought holy crap if Julie doesn’t get this job we’re gonna be in BIG trouble… ’cause she’s gonna jump off of a cliff.”

Is the blog over?  Will Jobless Julie wither away into corporate America and cease to exist?  I’m not sure yet. 

Certainly between working (hehe, I’m gonna be working), ski patrolling, skiing, trying to maintain friendships and some existence of a social life, traveling for work (hehe work), being on the board of a non-profit, and let’s not forget the maintence and well being of good ole’ Tucker, I’m gonna be a busy bee come January 4th.  But I will say this, I’ve got a few more things on my mind.  A few more little tid bits that Jobless Julie wants to share before her 5 minutes of internet blogging fame goes by the wayside.

Don’t delete me off your ‘favorites’ list just yet.  But do feel free to say a big prayer of THANKS on my behalf – the big man deserves it for managing to pull this one off.

Back to reality…

You’ll all be happy to know, I made it to Baltimore and even had time to meet up with JewliWeb at BWI for a quick lunch.  My interview went extremely well.  I felt like I had good answers to all of their questions, my much anticipated presentation went off without a hitch.  Now, all I can do is wait.  I know that they are interviewing other candidates, most, if not all of whom, have more direct experience than I do.  I’m not supposed to hear anything until next week, so I suppose I should just go into Christmas knowing that I did all I could do and not fret about things which are no longer in my control.

Reality has set in with quite a punch this morning.  I sat down this morning to respond to a few e-mails and job leads which had come in during the previous chaotic, whirlwind 72 hours.  They are all for jobs I don’t want, with salaries which I won’t be able to live on.  But this is my life right now.  This is what I’ve been doing for the last 6 months.  I guess the funny thing is, that over the course of the last 72 hours I was reminded of what I’m made of.  Putting together presentations with meticulous  detail, running around airports catching flights, hopping in cabs and barking orders, answering difficult questions with equally complex answers.  I had forgotten that I’m still good at what I do.  There’s a pretty powerful little girl tucked behind these sweatpants with a brain that is atrophying more and more every day.

As I sit here and try to motivate myself to go through these god-awful job leads forwarded by well-meaning friends, I realize that  I’m not in the mood.  I had a taste of remembering what it was like to get up early and have something important to do and I’m not quite ready to go back to the ego-busting ritual of job searching. 

For six months I’ve been looking for a job, for six months I have applied for jobs in which I was way overqualified and had only the hope of being significantly underpaid.

I’ve reached  a state of burnout.  I’m taking the rest of the week off.  Otherwise, my cover letters are going to start to look like this:

Dear so and so (I’m not taking the time to look up your name because you’re not going to read this anyway),

I’m applying for this job becauase I feel like I should, but I don’t really want it and you can’t afford me anyway.

Love,

Julie

It’s a pivotal day for Jobless Julies (plural)

Well, today’s the day.  My first job interview in 2 months.  The job I’ve really wanted since I learned about it months ago, but spent at least a month thinking the opportunity had evaporated.  Now, I find myself sitting in Charlotte at the wee hours of the morning awaiting my plane to go meet with the decision makers. 

Travel hasn’t been easy.  Blizzard 2009 that whipped up on the east coast over the weekend isn’t helping my cause.  Nonetheless, despite some altered travel plans, lots of stress and incessant checking of flight status’, I should be on my way shortly. 

Funny enough, my blogosphere pal, Julie, also 28, also unemployed, is ALSO in Baltimore today for an interview.  I’m telling you this can only mean good things for 28 year old, unemployed Julies.  I mean, really, what are the chances?  We land at BWI – hopefully – at about the same time.  Hopefully we’ll get to grab a cup of coffee and discuss how much we miss shoe shopping and take our minds off of the impending interview. 

That’s the thing about interviewing when you are completely unemployed – there is a whole new level of stress.  It isn’t just will I get the job, but it’s will I ever again buy a new pair of shoes?  Will I have to move in with my parents (gasp!).  Will I ever get to go on vacation?  Will my roots look atrocious forever? 

Send good vibes my way at about 1:00, I need them…  and remember to throw in some additional good vibes for JewliWeb too.

Bye Bye Jackson Hole…

A plane departed Cincinatti, OH en route to Jackson Hole, WY this morning at 6:10 AM.  Seat 10B had my name on it.   I wasn’t in seat 10B.  I was in my own bed.

I got the call.  The call that I’ve been waiting for all week.  All week I have sat by my phone willing it to ring – I was ready.  I had my resume pulled up on my computer screen, numerous research documents on the project and the company all keyed up and ready to review during this call if necessary.  When do I get the call?  As my friend M and I  are in the McDonald’s drive-thru on our way to J’s house to pick her up to go to Cincinatti.  No computer, no documents, barely any cell phone reception and a lady in the background asking if I wanted to super size anything. 

In spite of the less than stellar call, the guy on the other end of the phone asks if I can be in Baltimore on Monday for an interview.  I weasel around trying to find an alternative solution – ‘is Wednesday a possibility’ I ask.  He puts me on hold and comes back many minutes later to inform me that no, unfortunately, the executive is flying in from NYC and Monday is the only option.  He apologized profusely for the late notice and for the effect it was going to have on my plans.  It’s ok, I said.  This is my top priority.  I walk in J’s house.  “I can’t go.”  She looks at me with complete and total disbelief, a little smirk on her face that says “Julie, its really not funny to joke about these things” Then it sets in.  “Oh my god, you’re serious.”  Ideas were tossed around trying to figure out a way that I could have my cake and eat it too.  Ultimately, it came down to making the adult decision.  The adult decision was to stay home, get prepared, and ultimately, hopefully, get the job. 

Packed and ready to go is an understatement

So, in a matter of hours, M & J will land in the Tetons and spend the next 4 days crusing down the slopes at Grand Targhee with multiple feet of fresh powder under their feet.  I will be preparing for the interview, presssing my suit, and making last minute tweaks to my resume. 

Unless you’re a big skier, you may not totally understand the sacrifice that comes with bagging a trip to the Tetons.  I’m in this mood of excitement for the interview and total sadness over my missed trip. 

I will say this – I’m taking my A game on Monday.  I’m gonna rock that interview.  Because the only thing sadder than missing a trip to the Tetons is missing a trip to the Tetons for an interview for a job I don’t get.

Hopin’ and a Prayin’

My phone rings.  I jump.  I look at the caller ID and I sigh.  Not the call. 

This reminds me of a situation that has replayed itself many times over in my dating life:   Why do guys ask for your number and then never call you?

Let’s bow our heads, shall we?

Remember the post last week about the dream job that was either in Memphis or St. Louis?  Well, that dream job opportunity in those far away lands had developed as a result of my quest to obtain that same job here – the only problem was that there was someone who already worked for the company who wanted to be relocated to take the job that’s in my backyard.  Since the location I wanted wasn’t available the company suggested I apply for the openings they had in Memphis or St. Louis.  Ultimately, I decided, in spite of this position being a job that I really wanted and would really enjoy – I need to stick to my guns and remember why I relocated to WV in the first place.  Happiness.  I’ve had professional success and joy in my job before and when you have no happiness in your personal life, I’m here to tell you that professional happiness isn’t worth it.  So, I tucked that job opportunity away with the many others that just didn’t work out. 

Then, a funny thing happened.  I got an e-mail.  Internal candidate who was going to relocate decided another market was preferable to him.  The opportunity re-emerged.  I’m expecting a phone call any minute to discuss next steps.  A potential interview is on the horizon.  It’s no where near a done deal yet – I still have lots of selling of ‘Julie’ to do.  Lot’s of convincing that in spite of my lack of direct experience, I’m still a great candidate for this job. 

I’ve done all I can do.  I’ve researched the program, the company, drafted well articulated letters to the hiring managers, met with employees to learn the ins and outs and to develop a well versed understanding of the role. 

Now, all I can do is wait for the call.  And pray.

I would like to apply for the position of “Housewife”

Seriously, I could spend all day just doing stuff around the house and running errands.  Right after my job ended on October 15th – I stayed pretty busy getting all sorts of little projects done.  I figured, at the time, that after a few weeks I would begin to find myself a little bored.  Well, here we are folks – almost 2 months into this ordeal and I STILL have a ton of stuff to do.  Clean the house, grocery shopping, walk the dog, feed the dog, run the dishwasher, christmas shopping, christmas wrapping, get the car cleaned, drop off the recycling…  The list goes on and on.  Throw a husband and a couple of kids into the mix and now I clearly see how people make this a more than full time job.

I’m on board though.  I think its kind of fun.  Of course, in the middle of it all, I’m also trying to find a job and work on my Master’s degree – thus keeping myself squarely in check that until further notice, the bills are paid by me and me only.  So, as much as I may enjoy running errands and keeping a tip-top shape house in order, those chores are going to have to take a backseat to job applications, networking and grad school paper writing.

But as I find myself occupying entire days getting these things done – it does make me wonder… how did I ever have time to work??

It’s ‘Ms.’ not ‘Miss’

As mailboxes across the country fill up with holiday cards this month – I thought I would use this forum for a slightly off topic discussion: correct titles.

A little history.  In the late 1600’s, the title ‘Miss’ was born and is short for “mistress” and was used to announce unmarried women – why all unmarried women were considered misstress’ I don’t know… that’s not quite fair if you ask me.  In the mid 1900’s the title “Ms.” was developed and was part of the women’s movement to create equality between men and women, the driving force being that whether a woman is married or not is irrelevant and her title shouldn’t denote that fact.  So, in short – Miss for unmarried, Mrs. for married and Ms. for that person that you don’t know if they’re married or not.  Simple enough, right?  Nope.  Here’s the thing – as the title ‘Ms.’ has become more prevalent over the last 60 years, Miss has become standard for young girls.  Changing the meaning behind the title ‘Miss’ to be for young girls and ‘Ms.’ to be for women was not really the purpose behind the creation of ‘Ms.’, nonetheless, that’s what happened.  Back in the 1600’s when you were either married or 12 the title Miss probably made a lot of sense – there really wasn’t a need for an ‘in between’ title.  In 2009, however, it does not make sense to address an unmarried adult in the same manner you would address a 12 year old. 

I have a mortgage with my name on it, a deed to a vehicle with my name on it, an investment account with my name on it and I accomplished all of that without a ‘Mr.’… I’ve earned ‘Ms’.

Adjust your address books accordingly.