Thank you to those of you who sent me well-wishes after I lost my job a week ago.
I thought that would be devastated by losing my job. I was shocked by the swiftness and finality of it, but I was not surprised. They say that job loss is one of those things that everyone will go through at least once in their lifetime. Well, I guess I can cross that off my bucket list. I did spend one day feeling depressed about my lot in life. And not one former co-worker has contacted me to say anything. It’s like I never existed. But I was only down for that one day. I’ve found that another emotion has taken over.
Relief! I really was not happy there. And now I’m happy that I don’t have to put up with some things that I had to deal with all the time. I should have made moves to get out sooner, but I felt trapped by my debt. So they made the move for me. Now, I feel like I have a chance to make a fresh start. When I say fresh start, I mean finding a career that is better suited to me. And I would do that, except that I don’t have the time or money to start over. I have debt that is accruing interest daily. I do want to get my side projects off the ground, but those take upfront money to make happen. So, right now I’m in a holding pattern. I have tons of ideas and the time, but not the money. I am in emergency finance mode until I line up another job.
On that front, I have spent the last week applying online for jobs. I have submitted about 15 applications. That may not sound like a lot to some people, but in my small niche industry, that’s a large number. Most job postings in my specialization are for senior level positions. I’ve applied for all decent jobs at junior/mid-level that I can find that are here on the West Coast.
Here is another issue. I like the small city where I live, but it is rather provincial and not diverse at all. My dating life has been nil. I’d like to move to a place that is more cosmopolitan and multi-cultural and where my dating prospects will hopefully be better as a single woman. I don’t want to move to the middle of nowhere just to have a job. No offense if you happen to live in the middle of nowhere. But it is another thing that I will have to keep in mind depending on how long I am out of work. Hopefully, I won’t have to make that decision. I will see what happens.
Good news!
I have an interview. This was a job that I applied for before I was let go. I’ve gone through two rounds of interviews with them by phone. The second one I was sure I bombed. I was in a tricky situation because during the first interview I had a job and right before the second interview, I no longer had a job. I had to explain that I was no longer employed and why, etc. The interviewer did not seem very interested, and the interview only lasted 30 minutes instead of 1 hour. I was shocked when I was notified that they want to fly me out there for a third round, all-day, face-to-face interview. When I saw the email, I thought it was a mistake. No mistake. I’m guessing that the first interviewer liked me and overruled the second one.
It is a senior position. I must have applied while in a state of delirium, because the job is too senior for me, but who knows. In my field, our interviews are 4 to 8 hour gauntlets, complete with a project exercise, a portfolio presentation, and back to back interviews. This interview will be an 8 hour one. I do frazzle easily, so I’m not getting my hopes high on this one. However, it does give me something to hang on to for right now. I haven’t heard back from any of the other places I’ve applied to. If I can make it out of this interview without embarrassing myself, I will consider it a success!
On the personal front, I still have not told my family. My parents will flip out and overreact. They will do this because I “don’t have a man to take care of [me].” My siblings will be concerned but more steady. I will have to have “the talk” this weekend.
In my next post, I’ll give a run-down of my finances and what my emergency budget and strategy will be for the foreseeable future.
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“Debtor’s prison is real, and opportunity cost is a bitch.” (DDSW)
Double Debt Single Woman 
I hope all goes well with the interview!
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Thanks!
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Hey! I hope that things are improving for you. I have worked in a position for the last 10.5 years and my resume has not grown; it has actually declined. No opportunity for advancement, no professional growth, no pay raise for the last 4 years, staff incompetence, etc., have made me miserable. I am in a smaller city with less opportunity, expensive housing, and no dating prospects. I wanted out and started applying for other jobs, beginning in 2007. My efforts lacked focus. I had student loan debt, I was paying off my car, I was working one full-time and one part-time job. I had no idea where I should go. In 2008 my mother was diagnosed with cancer and I was able to help her during treatment. And so I stayed here.
My mom passed away last April, and on that day I was scheduled to single-handedly put on a fundraiser for my place of employment. No effort was extended by my employer to help me and I was not allowed to miss the event. I decided that day that as soon as I could leave this job I would.
My car was paid off in 2010. I paid off my student loan this February. My rising lease is over on May 7. I turned in my resignation last week. I am moving to a more diverse city, in another state, on May 7. A friend is subleasing his apartment to me ($150 less per month than I pay here). My part-time retail job has transferred me, though it will barely cover rent. I have enough in my savings account to make it 3 or 4 months without a full-time job. I’ve applied for many but fear that I am not getting interviews because I am not living there. I do have a phone interview tomorrow, though.
It IS a relief!
Best wishes on your change for the better.
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I’m glad that you’ve made things happen in your life. I am doing what I can as well. I’m in planning mode. Thanks for sharing your experience!
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