It's official, I'm unemployed.
I just filed for unemployment benefits for the first time EVER. As a contractor, I knew my contract was finite. The end came slightly more abruptly and in a less courteous manner than I'd have hoped for, but I knew it was coming. The nice thing about being a contractor is that you do know it's going to end. When I was let go/downsized from a job before it was a surprise and upsetting. This time it was a good thing. Being without a paycheck isn't a good thing but getting a final answer was. VMC was being mysterious about what they were going to do with me (end my contract, move me to another department) and that made me more anxious than having a decision.
I'm working with several contracting firms and recruiters. I'm applying to everything in the field and can interview any time. It looks like there will be several projects starting in October and I should be well placed to take a position on one of them. Lots of options too: local, travel, longer term, very short term. Hmmmm, what will be next on my agenda?
I am in that old catch 22. I wanted to travel but didn't have any time to do so with work and no vacation days. Now I have the time but since I don't know when the next paycheck will come in, I shouldn't spend hundreds (or thousands) of dollars on a trip just yet. When I lock in a new job, then maybe. Although, Portland and California are so close they don't really count as travel, right?
With that, I'm off to a phone interview. Fingers crossed!
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