My work journey (getting back to work)

Day 7.
Rather than filling up the "How are you Feeling" thread I thought I'd chronicle my "adventures" in a journal format here. I need to vent and talk about the journey to remain calm and not so overstressed. So, dear reader, bear with me.

As everyone knows I got laid off last Wednesday after 5 years of an exciting project which I was in the middle of. Tough because I had invested myself and considered myself to be a team player but I did just harden my heart by reminding myself it was a paycheck. Let me leave the company last week without crying or being devastated. Helps that I have 10 months to social security and medicare (I'm in the USA).

I was contacted by the company's other division about a similar position. I interviewed by phone Friday and they want me to come in next Monday. The 90 minute interview changed to a 3 hour interview! I got two rejections today from jobs I thought I was a shoo-in. So I am now nervous about my possibilities with my former company as I think I can do the job but am not a complete fit. I mean I get along with the people but my experience is not as adequate as i think it should be.

So I am nervous. My financial planner says I could retire but the thought of paying $10k in medical insurance premiums until I qualify for Medicare scares me. The financial plan was for me to work through next year, then pt the following two years. So this messes up the "plan."

As I said, I just got rejected by two companies today. It sort of hurt but maybe it was for the best.

Day 8 I have decided to take off from job hunting and go to the senior center. Or at least the afternoon. In the meantime I will pay to keep my insurance up. Scary times ahead for me.

Hugs Cymbele

I got another interview for Tuesday. I’m going to take the interview because I might not get the job on Monday’s interview so I’m hedging my bets. But I don’t want the second job (Tuesday interview) because of the commute. But we’ll see how it goes.

I wish you good luck for the interview!

Would it be possible or worthwhile to relocate?

No it is the 15 mile commute from hell. It takes upwards of an hour in commuting traffic in the morning and similar in the evening. 15 miles in Boston area commuting. I can suck it up but it'll be during the winter months. It is a contract job but I can see if I can handle it until I get a perm job or retire.

Looks like I applied for all advertised jobs that I can do. Called recruiters. 15 min of job hunting. found a job description of the job I am interviewing for this afternoon - made me feel better. Now I know what they are looking for. I am over qualified but can do the job.

New interview for a contract job today. I liked it but am somewhat not qualified. But didn't seem to be a problem. Commute is okay. I will know tomorrow. And another interview popped up for tomorrow - a telephone interview but they might be too slow to present an offer.
The funny thing is tomorrow's interview is with a man whose name is the same as a high school buddy. He might have recognized my name but anyway it is only a phone interview.

Just got interviewed for a job by my high school buddy whom I haven't seen in almost 40 years. Went well, I told him he had to hurry as things are heating up! I don't know if they are or my mis-perception. I got a text from someone higher up in the food chain in my old company about another opportunity.

Thinking of you.

Another big interview today. Then taking tomorrow off. Spent much of the weekend reviewing technical stuff for today's interview. Filed for unemployment. Looking forward to retirement in 1 year.

Oh @cymbele sending you boatloads of positive thoughts for your interview. I know all too well the as I call it gap insurance costs until medicare.

Another weird snafu. Two other colleagues have resigned. One's last day was today; the other next week. So out of a team of 7 two will be left on the team. So they came hunting for me but I said I would go back if they gave me a 5% raise as other companies haven't baulked at that. No word subsequently and I wonder if I should not have asked for the added cash and just accepted the job back. Somehow I am a little mad that they laid me off and figured I'd accept the job (which involves maga unpaid overtime) without some incentive.

We'll see if it works out.

I would also ask for a raise. They are shrinking in folks and did not value you enough until things went South of them. Never sell yourself short and know your worth always.