No Sick Days When You're Unemployed

Yup, you guessed it. I'm sick. I have bronchitis and I feel miserable ... Coughing my fool head off, headache, and chills and sweats. BUT, there is no break from the unending job search cause you are sick. I've still got to check the job posting websites, submit my resume, and wait for the disappointment.

There are no sick days when you're looking for a job. If I'm not diligent about my search, then Unemployment doesn't have to pay me. Not that they are paying me anything now that I'm temping. But, I still have to file to keep my claim active, which means I still have to apply for jobs.

What a pain. I'd just like to sit home and veg for a change.

I had two telephone interviews this past week. Both positions were for Executive Assastant to senior level executives. Both jobs were over 30 minutes from my home and both commutes would be terrible...with traffic and stop and go on most days. The real problem, though, was the salary. They were paying what I was making 10 years ago.

Now, I'm a realist. I know that I may have to take a cut in pay from my previous salary. However, that big of a cut (over $10K) is bad enough alone. Then, when you add in the awful commute, it suddenly become not at all with it.

Not only am I physically sick today, but I am also emotionally sick and tired of looking for a job!!

It's been a while ...

Yea, yea, yea ... I know it has been a while since I posted.  Gimme a break.  I had Christmas to get through then I spent a week in Vegas with my sister, cousin, friend, niece, and three other 21 year olds.  We took my niece and three friends for my nieces 21st birthday.  Then I had to spend a week regaining a bit of self esteem after spending a week in Las Vegas with four gorgeous 21 year old girls.

Hmm, my job search ... what's been happening lately.  The engineering firm that I interviewed with twice decided they found a candidate who more closely matched their needs.  Great two wasted 15 mile (each way) trips, plus the time involved in getting ready and going to the interviews.

The week before Christmas, I had an interview with a firm in our downtown area.  I thought it went well.  Actually, it went so well that the lady who interviewed me (I was going to replace her because she was leaving as of New Year's Eve, told me that I would receive a call during the first week of January to schedule a second interview.  Yipee, a second interview, then I must have done very well.

Well, I didn't get a call -- what I got was an email.  Yup, an email stating they the appreciate my interest in the position and that they would keep my resume on file for six months.  As if I hadn't even come in for the interview.  What's up with that?  My guess, it was a family run company, so I'm thinking kiddie whined to Daddy that he/she wanted the job and was mad that it wasn't given to him/her.  So, I'm out, kiddie in.  OH HOW I DO HATE NEPOTISM.

I really can't stand when companies ignore you like you don't have feeling and if you do, they don't matter.  Yes, local country club, I'm talking to you.  You know who you are.  I interviewed at a local country club.  The interview went fairly well, I think.  It wasn't a slam dunk, but I think I held my own.  The guy told me that if I thought of any questions, that I should feel free to drop him a note.  Well, I did think of two questions so I sent him an email.  Then -- nothing.  No response.  It's been a week and Nada.  I'm wondering where the courtesy is anymore.  I mean, he didn't even have the decency to tell me that after the interview he didn't think it was a good fit.  He simply ignored me.  I guess I don't matter.

To be honest, I have been temping at a local community college.  The money stinks though.  It's less than half of what I was earning at my previous position and just slightly more than unemployment.  After I factor in fuel costs, I think I'm earning exactly what unemployment pays.  If I also factor in drive time, I'm probably earning less. So, I'm getting dressed, putting on make up, driving 12 miles each way, for nothing more than I could have earn staying home and collecting unemployment.  Hmmm, does that make sense?  I don't think so.  So why am I doing it? Because I'm nuts.  I say it is to keep my skills sharp, but in reality, it it because I'm crazy.

I don't think I mentioned that unemployment deducts my earning from the temp job from what I make on unemployment.  So, now, I'm working 40 hours a week, plus spending several hours a day looking for a permanent job, and I'm earning the same amount as if I were sitting home just looking for a job.

I AM CRAZY.

One good thing, I got a iPad for Christmas.  So now I can look for a job, write in my blog, surf the net, and play cards, all without leaving my bed.  Laziness has found a new tool.  I really do love this iPad.  It's great.  I wish I hadn't taken the temp job because then not only would I never had to get out of my pajamas, but now I'd never have to get out of bed.

Only four more weeks of temping and I'll be back to getting paid by unemployment to look for a job.

  Take it from me, it doesn't pay to take temp work while on unemployment.  Unemployment Insurance will punish you for trying to be productive while looking for a permanent position.

As I've said ... better me than you.  And today, I've taught you a valuable lesson.  Stay unemployed; it's easier.  Oh and enjoy the iPad, it is the coolest, most expensive deck of cards you'll ever own!