Officially Unemployed

Yesterday was a holiday so I couldn't deposit my check, or go to the library or file my claim at the unemployment office. So again today I woke up, got dressed and actually put on make-up so I could go out and run these errands.

I spent two hours at the unemployment office. I've been there three times now, the first time to get the information, the second to sign up and this last time to sign up now that I'm eligible to sign up.

They are very pleasant there and they say reassuring things to you about your job search. I'm rather amazed, it's as though they really want you to get back to your profession so that you can be happy.

There's a short orientation where they explain the process, then you go to a computer to input all of your information. When you are done, they take two copies of your official separation papers and from here on in you do your claim on line. After a few weeks they might ask you in to do a workshop, if that's the case you must then submit a green log form showing all of the information from your job search. It's hilariously old-school. What's the address? To whom did you submit your resume? What's his or her phone number?

It's as if they missed the Internet all together. People asked questions, "What if you submitted to a company that didn't list their name?" The answer, "Then don't put that one on the sheet." Seems simple enough to me.

At about 7 PM last night our doorbell rang. I thought it was the neighbor and her dog stopping in to get warm before continuing her walk, but no, it was UPS delivering my developmental materials from the outplacement firm. I thumbed through the book and it seems straight forward enough. They pretty much say that rather than blindly submitting resumes to job listings that the successful job seeker bothers hiring managers. This is probably why that information is usually a closely guarded secret.

I'm pretty good at social engineering, I can call into places and get people to give me information. The information that I received says that it takes about 30 to 50 contacts before the average person gets a job. They also say that most job seekers don't devote the correct amount of time to the job search. Both are probably true, but I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

There's a conference call on Thursday with the outplacement firm with me and some of their other clients. I'm reserving judgment. I'll let you know how it all goes. I did draft another resume, complete with an objective: A sales position that will allow me to combine my love of teaching and mentoring with my skills and experience in sales.