A look at my first time in unemployment

I have been meaning to write about this for a few days now, but never found...the time. LOL!

Monday 21st started the very first time since 2002 that I am not employed in any capacity, or at least have something lined up for after a gig I knew was finishing.

When I got the news, it was totally expected. My (former) employer kept trying to sell projects to a company that clearly didn't have any interest. I asked about moving to other clients, but not much came of those conversations. So I was already applying to jobs here and there, trying to get ahead of this situation, but alas, I didn't make it on time.

How it feels to be unemployed? Not great. I navigate between anxiety about providing for my family (yes, I'm old enough to feel that _I should be the one providing_. Yes, I know it is old fashioned thinking; but on the other hand, a natural feeling given the disparity in pay between me and the rest of the fam) and trying to stay calm because we have savings and in our profession it isn't THAT hard to find a new job.

The job market, by the way, has cooled down significantly since 2021, which is not great for me but also, makes sense and in a way I hope provides me with opportunities that are more stable and with a long term outlook. Most of the positions I've seen listed are in established companies, rather than start up-y VC backed companies. And I gravitate towards the former anyway.

How am I using my time? Well, mostly applying for jobs. But also, coding! I checked out from my local library a copy of "Cracking the code interview". I don't intend to apply for Google or Amazon etc. But just in case, gotta be ready, some other companies use that kind of process. And I'm also writing a package to sync Fastmail's CalDAV calendar to the Emacs diary (and thus calendar). This last one has been fun and engaging.

I have also successfully kept at bay my worst anxious impulses, at least for now. The roughest day was last Tuesday, when I decided to code for a bit and delay checking emails until mid morning. At 9 I went upstairs to get a cup of coffee and opened my phone to find 3 different "thanks for applying, but nopes" emails. Had a hard time for a couple hours, but some meditation and thinking later, I was able to collect myself and move on with my day.

While we are on this topic, I have a gripe to share. I know it is a complain from a place of privilege, but, bear with me: it is EXHAUSTING to read job descriptions. They are WAY too long, with so many details that don't help me understand if I am the right candidate for a given position. A lot of them say exactly the same tired things about company culture and what they look for in you (of course, you have to be a "motivated individual" and "independent thinker" and...etc). I wish we could all cut through the BS, but that's not how the corporate world is setup.

Anyway, I had an interview today for a finance company that seems pretty cool (local to me, and I have never worked in their particular line of business). I hope I did good enough that I move to the next round. And if I didn't...got to keep trying.

Wish me luck, anonymous readers.

(typed 10:16:11 PM~10:38:00 PM)