Day 117

I have been unemployed for quite a while, huh? Thank goodness for that temp gig that broke up the monotony and hopelessness! My rejection rate is about 7%. Applications that have gone into the abyss is 87%. Actual interviews are 5%. I have 8 staffing firms looking for a job for me. The fear hasn't set in yet since I figured out my unemployment will last until the end of September and I haven't had to use any extensions. Then I can go to Tier I which is 20 weeks. Tier II is 14 weeks. Tier III is 13 weeks. But I have read that these extensions are only good until December 31, 2010. So I'll just use up Tier I.*

I have been fairly focused on applying for any analyst jobs that I am qualified for. Since that title-centric search isn't panning out, and I read this article, I have been sending out my resume without my MBA information for a wider array of positions. Maybe that can swing my interview rate up?

I am also flailing a bit about career plans. One day, I think pursuing a PhD sounds great. The next day, I am researching about how to become a voice-over artist. I wish I had a calling darn it. Every job I have had was just about paying the bills. Some wound up being more enjoyable than others but nothing spoke to me as something I want to do for the rest of my life. Another career flail is going to school to become a Rabbi.

Being unemployed for so long isn't like a really long vacation. Sure, it felt like that for the first couple of months. Sleeping in, getting to do anything you wanted during the day... But the more out of sync you are from all the regular working people, the more isolated you feel. TGIF has no meaning to the unemployed. Why am I still guzzling down coffee? It's not like I have to keep myself awake for a presentation or a meeting. Speaking of Starbucks' light frappucinos are awesome and only 140 calories. I could also work for the FBI...

As a wrap up, I felt pretty hopeless and anxious lately but dumbing down my resume made me feel like I have other avenues to explore. Unfortunately most of the local job fairs have had horrible companies attending (AFLAC, Lia Sophia jewelry etc.) I have actually been eyeing grocery store help wanted signs lately. It's important for me to do as much as possible to find a job and not to rule out any possibilities (which means letting go of some ego/snobbery issues).

*EDIT: I can't go onto any tiers unless the Senate approves the emergency unemployment extension. MA's Scott Brown voted against the extension. Feel free to express your outrage to him.

Futurama is Back Thursday June 24!

Life is Actually Looking Up!

The good lately:

1) I have found an awesome therapist who I see weekly. It's a perfect fit for my personality and goals. Plus, the therapist is a man. I usually avoid male therapists due to bad past experience. But this guy is so good, he's gender neutral in our sessions.

2) I fixed my unemployment problem on my own no help from Kforce. I got a sympathetic and detail oriented DUA rep on the phone last Wednesday who fixed my claim while I was on the phone with her. I was singing her praises over and over and she did this. Sure enough, I got 2 weeks of unemployment in my account Friday.

3) I finally got my Federal Tax refund which turned out to be more than I expected! 1/3 went to bills, 1/3 in savings and 1/3 in checking.

4) I am getting a Wii with some of that 1/3 in checking tax money. It will be nice to get something fun for myself.

5) I had a really good job interview Friday. It was one of those marathon meet with 4 people interviews. I flagged a little in the middle but ended on a high note.

Prisoner of Bureaucracy

The temp job I had from April to early May was through Kforce in Boston. I really liked the rep who placed me but the administrative support and communication was incredibly lacking. It also doesn't help that the company's head-quarters are down in Florida which translates into a lot of errors and communication problems. My assignment ended May 7 so I had to re-open my unemployment claim. Of course that took a month to go through so I went through all my temp job money in May just to afford life.

Luckily, I got all those weeks of unemployment money paid back June 2. So, I used most of that to pay off bills. Then came the next day to submit my weekly claim (June 6). The system alerted me that there was a problem with my claim. Oh crap. Sure enough, June 8 and 9, my bank account did not receive any deposits. So, I had to call Unemployment, wait on hold for 45 minutes and then find out that Kforce misreported my end date on my assignment as May 18!

I wasn't too surprised considering how horrible the agency has been with paperwork and details. So, I had to call Kforce and ask them to fix this. That was on Wednesday. Thursday I had to call again for a status update. I was assured that they were working on fixing the situation. Since I don't trust the person I spoke to, I tried calling Florida head-quarters. Just a maze of voice-mail. Friday I called Unemployment to check and see if they had received the correction. On hold for an hour. Nope, they haven't received anything and I might owe them money for those "extra" two weeks I have been "overpaid". This is when I started having anxiety attacks and getting really angry.

I was supposed to get a phone call from Kforce Friday. I did not receive one. I did get a pointless email that evening. I have filed a Better Business Bureau complaint and have lined up an employment lawyer just in case. I have also been staying up until dawn because I just can't fall asleep with all this crap going on. Knowing how long it takes MA unemployment to process anything, I'll probably not get benefits this month at all. I'm hoping venting and writing down this situation will help me get some sleep tonight! Moral of the story: Kforce is a horrible staffing agency, avoid them at all costs.

I am Very Proud of My Brother

Today, my brother got his certificate in Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency. He has worked really hard for this certification and planning for his future.

Based upon the many depressing/realistic speeches at the commencement ceremony, I do not envy The Class of 2010. My graduations (1995, 1999 and 2007) were all about promise and making the future better. Oh how naive...

Dieting, Getting Healthy, and Stuff

Sunday May 23, I started a new diet plan. Basically, I am taking what I liked from my last successful diet - calorie counting and a food journal - and I'm trying to add in other stuff. I used this detox kit for the first week:
There wasn't any fasting or creepy caffeine pills involved. Overall it was a fairly mild cleanse that definitely helped with belly bloat. This week I am taking the probiotic pills. I am definitely losing weight because clothes are fitting better.

I also found a new therapist who I am really happy with. We're working on getting healthy and the unemployment situation. Health-plans have so totally changed in the past 3 years regarding behavioral health! Last time I had a therapist, I had to deal with a lot of authorization codes and payment headaches. Now? I can just go to a therapist who is in my network for 12 session per calendar year. No referral or authorization headaches. Thank God! Fewer hurdles seeking help is a good thing.

The reason why I have picked now to reign in my binge eating? #1 I saw a picture of myself in a bathing suit and #2 I don't have a Thyroid problem but I am vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D is the sunshine vitamin that helps bones absorb calcium and a deficiency can be linked to obesity. So, yeah when health problems crop up due to weight, it's time to lose some pounds!