Filling out forms, standing in line.
Billy Joel, Allentown (of course)
I think that the last time I filed for unemployment was when Joe "someone-has-to be-last-in-their-class-even-at-Harvard"* Marshall fired me back in 1985, although perhaps I filed twelve years ago when I got laid off. I certainly was entitled, but I don't remember.
I didn't file the day my contract at Robert Half ended, and three days later they had a potential job for me, but that did not pan out, so yesterday I finally filed.
The Robert Half thing was a bit annoying. Every time I talked to the recruiter, things had progressed a little further. We sent your resume. She likes your resume, thinks you'll be perfect. She needs to get it approved. We're talking about timing now. Then, forget it. It never got approved; it's "dead in the water."
The fortunate thing is that I was already beginning to doubt. It all sounded too much like the type of progression I would make up to keep someone's hopes alive. In reality, things don't typically happen in that sort of smooth, linear fashion, moving forward one little step every 2-3 days. So I was not really surprised. They don't have anything else in the pipeline right now, so I'm back to contacting my network and looking through job listings.
Next time, if there is a next time, I will file for unemployment on day one.
I have to remember not to expect too much right away. This whole contracting model is a bit of an experiment. I have met people who have done it for years, but no one I knew well enough to ask how much they made every year. It could be that it isn't a good plan for the primary breadwinner. Or it could be that it's like starting your own business, and it takes some time to get it going. I'm beginning to think that the most likely outcome is that someday I will start somewhere as a contractor and eventually accept a permanent position.
Next time they add a little blue line to the chart above, I will be one of the 360,000 or so filing a new claim. It's not a lot of money, but it will be nice to have.
*Thanks Tom -- an unforgetable classic line.
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