If you haven’t yet, click here to read Part 1.
When we left off, I was pondering the big questions in life like what do I want to be when I grow up? Then, one day in August, I got a phone call from my old boss. Can I come to work? Tomorrow? Sure thing, boss. They needed help on a project and expected to be busy, so I thought this was the end of my tenure as unemployed , but didn’t want to get my hopes up. During that time, I landed only my second interview since being laid off. I was very excited as it was for a position I was very qualified for. The interview went great, and I was called back for a second the last week of my temporary employment. I was hopeful that I could transition from that contract work, which was in fact only temporary as the potential projects never came in, to the new job without much idle time. I am not 100% certain, but I think only myself and one other person got a second interview. Unfortunately, it wasn’t me they went with. I received lots of positive feedback from them and like most things, the economy didn’t allow for two new hires. Sure it felt good to hear that I was wanted and that I got an interview among hundreds of applicants, let alone a second interview. Unfortunately, warm fuzzies don’t pay the bills.
Luckily November and December are busy months with the holidays and what not, but the realization that this thing seemed to have no end was daunting. Not to mention a very cold and snowy December kept me indoors way too much with lots of time to think. A little before Christmas, a friend who worked at the same company I had interviewed with only a month earlier contacting me and said they might be looking to hire in his department. I sent my resume and sort of put it out of my mind.
I never get nostalgic or wax philosophical on New Years Eve about a previous year, but I got teary for the first time when I saw the ball drop. I was so happy to see 2010 go. 2011 just has to be better – not just for me but for so many others and for so many reasons. You know who you are if you reading this. I am talking to you!
A few days after cursing 2010 for the last time, I got a call for an interview. I was really happy because getting an interview is a victory in itself. I went in with no expectations or misplaced hope. I had a great conversation with my potential new bosses and left feeling good. But…I didn’t let myself feel too good because the let down is something I wanted to avoid this time. In fact, I didn’t even tell anyone besides Mr. BKL or my parents about this one. I just took a different approach this time. The interview was in the morning, and by the evening, I had an offer. Two days later I started my new job.
Almost exactly a year after I got laid off, I am working again. As time went on, I was starting to think it would never happen. Especially considering the ratio or applications to interviews. Not good betting odds. People said the following to me over and over again:
1. Everything happens for a reason.
2. You will find something better in the end.
3. It will all work out for the best.
It’s true, eventually it does and it will. I had to work hard at being positive and pushing away the cynicism each time someone told me those things. I usually respond with humor in tough situations. It was my defense mechanism quite often. Mostly because I didn’t like to see pity in people’s faces. Like I said in part 1, there are much worse things in life. And though I may complain about little things on the blog here from time to time, they are mostly in good fun.
If anything the past year has taught me many lessons. I already believe I am a better person because of losing my job. And I know even with losing my job, there are others out there who have lost their jobs in much worse shape then we are. I credit my husband for keeping me grounded and being the voice of reason when my anger and self doubt crept in. His frugality, often the butt of a joke by me and some of our family before this, proved to be so valuable. He (along with family and friends) showed me and helped me believe even more in the power of faith, family, and love. With those things, anything is possible.
While I sit here and write this, the excitement and overwhelming anticipation of starting a new chapter is upon me. I am a realist above all else, but I do hope that this new beginning truly is a new beginning.
And if not, a job is a job. We need money to survive, but not much. As long we have each other, almost anything is possible.
