Back to work!

I got a job! Nine months and 10 days since my Oct. 29, 2010, layoff, I will start my new job Monday. YAY!

Can I just say I have never, ever, ever worked so hard to find a job before? All that hype about a crappy economy and job market? Sad but true.

By my count, I did at least 13 in-person job interviews, and I count at least another four phone screeners (though I'm guessing that I am forgetting some now -- who knew my Google calendar erases crap after a while). I did this with two interview suits in my closet, one of which didn't fit after October because I was pregnant. I wore a LOT of large, strategically placed scarves, let's just say.

I never counted how many jobs I applied for online and either heard nothing or got immediately rejected. But there were a bunch.

Highlights and lowlights:

• I had one interview where the guy was having some, um, stinky issues in his small, windowless office. That was awful.
• I had a guy interview me three times, tell me I was his top candidate and then two days letter have his HR department send me a form rejection email. He was a putz anyway, but still.
• I had three job interviews the week before Christmas, got rejected for one and the other two -- well, still never heard anything to this day.
• I did three interviews at another place where I did really, really well -- until I opened my mouth and told them I was pregnant and due in 3 months. Never heard from them again. Would you have rather I waited to show up for my first day of work to tell you that?
• I did have two instances of places where I interviewed at each several times, and someone was nice enough to call me and let me know I didn't get the job. I really, really appreciated that courtesy.
• I interviewed for a job with the title "thoughtpartner". I should have known better.
• I interviewed with one place and seriously, have had, like, five meetings/interviews with these folks since last August. They still haven't filled the position.
• I had a guy ask me to send him writing samples, ideas, etc., which I did within hours of our meeting. To this day he hasn't acknowledged receiving them, despite my several, polite-but-persistent emails.
• The Illinois Department of Employment Security office in my hood seriously has some of the nicest people working there. They were so kind and helpful with my unemployment.

I counted 17 revisions to my resume during this period. At least that many cover letters. I got better at cover letters, I think.

To keep sane,  I ran 400 miles over my layoff and did too many yoga classes and workout DVDs to count. I think I read about three books. Guess I could have been better about hitting the books!

But the best part of the last nine months? Having Baby C in March. She's 4 1/2 months now, grabbing toys and giving half laughs, half squawks to her brother, daddy and me.

So what got me here today? It started on a cold, January day. I was on a treadmill at the gym, depressed, so I was trying to run off some frustrations. I caught something on TV and decided screw it, I'd go volunteer. At least I would be doing something useful and hopefully I'd make some good contacts. I did. I have a job now. Had I not just been so fed up that day with unemployment (pregnancy hormones probably aided my frustration level, whistle whistle) I would still be trying to scrape my way in somewhere.

Thank you, God.