Yep, it's been almost a year since I have posted here. It's been a quiet year for me. No work and all play - but on a really tight budget.
The highlight of my year was running my fastest half marathon in June and then a week later going on a cruise with my father and lil sis through the Baltic Sea.
I've really enjoyed not working. Especially after working at a place that really mistreated me. I was so happy to get laid off that I stretched it for as long as I could. So I've been halfheartedly searching for a job for many months and now that I'm facing a potential cut off from my unemployment benefits, I am actively searching for a job. It's mentally challenging to search for a job in this downtrodden job market.
When I apply for a job posted online, I'm literally up against 100 other applicants who are just as qualified. Example: Hans tried to get me into the mega company he works for and 150 people applied for his old position. No joke. Even with his recommendation, I didn't even get called in for an interview. Yet, I submit my resume/application daily to multiple online sites. One of which, I have a paid membership to push my resume "to the top". Or so they say.
Needless to say, I am frustrated. I knew this would be tough, but in 15 years, it has never been this tough for me to find work. I can only hope that friends and fellow colleagues who have offered to help, will follow through.
On Thursday evening, I was feeling really down because the last interviewer still hadn't contacted me either way regarding a job that starts this Monday. (I also feel it is really rude to leave people hanging after an interview.) A gym friend took me to free Bingo at a nice neighborhood restaurant to cheer me up. A chance encounter with an old friend who came in with her husband for dinner, really cheered me up. She told me that the movie studio she works for is looking for people and she would recommend me. Crossing fingers that this job lead will pan out. I would love to work at this studio! And it's a short commute too.
Financially, I need to find a good job by Halloween. Mentally, I need to find it sooner. I'm starting to feel like a loser.