(Via The War on Folly)
Well, not really. One thing I’ve been surprised to discover is that I don’t have oodles and oodles of free time like I was expecting. Or at least I don’t have oodles of time sitting around with nothing to do. There’s always stuff to do. Or stuff to recover from having done last night.
I feel like I should’ve been paid this week for writing two long tests for some possible job with a big company that’s big enough to have its applicants write multiple tests. Or maybe I should be paying them to write the tests, because it was all very reminiscent of university; especially the staying up late to get things done bit, and the lots of drinking afterwards. I’m pretty sure from this last test that it will be the last I hear from this company about the position, which is sad because I want the job, but at the same time, I’m scared about how many more tests there might be. If I really liked tests that much I’d still be in school.
Above was my very ergonomic test-writing setup, which you may feel free to copy for your own home office. It was great until my cat started sneakily curling up on top of my notes when I needed them. I think secretly she doesn’t want me to work ever again and is trying to sabotage my opportunities, but explaining that welfare will not pay for her extravagant lifestyle is lost on her. Neither did she grasp the concept that I was applying for a job that would have me working from home, which is exactly what she would want. Fine, cat, I hope you’re happy when we end up in a cardboard box.
I know I shouldn’t care what others think (unless those others are awesome), but I’m getting slightly annoyed by people talking to me as if my still being unemployed after a month is proof of laziness or general incompetence. I also pulled my application for a potential DBA job last week because the recruiters were being jerks and talking to me like I’m a poor desperate sod who would do whatever they said. I have since learned that that is expected behaviour from recruiters, which is now making me sad and questioning humanity as a whole.
All I know is, I’m needing this time off, and anyone who questions that should perhaps come over so I can tell them in detail how hard I’ve been working these last four years, and then promptly bite their head off to prove that I’m still in the process of recovering from the chronic stress. That’ll show them.
By the way, if you are a potential employer who googled my name when I applied for your company, hi! I’m not this weird in public, really I’m not. You want to hire me, you do. The doctors say I am ready to rejoin society.
Don’t give up and ignore the sleazy recruiters who are no better than unscrupolous used cars salesmen. Their attitude changes once you have a job and they start courting you.
And definitely don’t spend your money on booze instead of feeding the cat.
Time off is the best cure for work stress. Enjoy it while you can! It did wonders for me.
Embrace the downtime. And to anyone who challenges you, ask them how long it’s been since they valued their mental health well enough to give themselves a break. If they’re harassing you it’s probably because they’re jealous. Last I checked, you were an adult with relatively high intelligence, it’s not like you’re some dilettante.
The fact that you are unemployed is not your fault – it is your employer’s. You did not quit your job and you are not lazy. As hard as it is try and enjoy at least a little of this time off. I know I was a complete stressed out freak after 1 month of unemployment however the extra four months I got off after being really, really sick was very helpful. I have a new job now and I am able to do it.
Cut yourself some slack. Sleep in and have fun. Send out your resumes to jobs you want and ignore the idiots.
And yes those freakin tests suck!!!
“I have since learned that that is expected behaviour from recruiters, which is now making me sad and questioning humanity as a whole.”
Not *all* of us!
Some recruiters actually appreciate the crunch that we have when it comes to recruiting (especially for high-tech positions) and do everything we can, from initial contact all the way through to on-boarding, to present a great “first impression” of our company. It’s too easy to lose employees now-a-days to behave any other way than this. Any recruiter acting like that in 2008 (and going forward) is a moron and not fit to recruit, IMHO.
@dearheart Yeah, I know there are some good recruiters out there, but I guess I was surprised when I complained to people about these ones and they were not bemused like I was. I’m thinking of writing the company they’re hiring for and telling them why their recruiting methods are wrong.
Send Shebang to work
it is time she earned her chow
November comes soon
I love to do lists. And photos of hand written things on blogs.
Also, I can’t believe people are bugging you for one measly month of unemployment! Time off is good! Rest and balance = good!
Never feel you shouldn’t have taken this time off. Anyone who actually knows you, knows you needed it, and know how much it has benefited you! We like happy Gill!
is it possible to travel on unemployment benefit/insurance?
@mmonk By bus, maybe. It’s $435/week minus taxes. That doesn’t pay for much.
Just discovered you via @dbarefoot on twitter. I hope you find a job, maybe you should make a fun “hire me” video and post it to FB, Vimeo, & Viddler.