Well Heeled Blog > job search

Are We Forgetting Our Unemployed?

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In the best of times, it’s tough being unemployed. Today, unemployment is long, discouraging, and financially devastating experience for many Americans. As I read the newspaper and hear talking heads discuss the jobs market and the economy at large, though, I am struck by the fact that most of the conversations glides over the 9.1% unemployment rate; the plight of the individual seem to be missing from the national discourse.

It’s as if… most of the us has moved on. The ones who kept their jobs or found jobs after the 2008-2009 period are busy working, and the ones who didn’t watched the number of their remaining unemployment checks dwindle. To add insult to injury, unemployed folks are not considered an influential voting bloc, so politicians don’t have an incentive to even count the them as an important constituent.

Are we forgetting the unemployed Americans? The unemployment rate dropped to a still sky-high 9.1%, partly because many folks have simply given up hope of finding a job in a dismal market. In fact, the percentage of Americans who are working is the lowest in almost 30 years – only 45% of people over 16 are had a job in 2010. The 99 weeks of unemployment insurance has run out for a lot of people, leaving them to get burn through their savings, cash out retirement funds, move in with family members, or taking early Social Security payments.

Now, unlike in 2008 and 2009, the massive layouts seem to have ended (knock on wood). I remember that several of my friends were laid off in those years. One girl I knew was out of a job for 18 months. I remember the frustration and self-doubt after I went on interview after interview without an offer. Fortunately, though, my friends and I found jobs again.

But what about those people who didn’t find jobs? The longer you are unemployed, the more difficult it is regain employment. Many recruiters and HR managers prefer currently working or recently-employed candidates. Workers lose skills, confidence, and contacts the longer they have been out of the market. If you are older than 55, the cards are even more stacked against you.

I don’t know what the exact prescription is, but I think we need to do more to help our unemployed folks, especially the long-term unemployed.

Thoughts? Do you think the unemployed has been neglected?

Getting a New Job: Next Step of Career Confirmed

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jumping businesswoman downtown Getting a New Job: Next Step of Career Confirmed

The job

So… I got a new job! This is going to be a great next step of my career: I’ll be working in a business development position with exposure to C-level executives. My team has a direct impact on the company’s top-line growth – very exciting, but also high-pressure. (By the way, I actually wanted to share the news yesterday. But it was April 1 and I didn’t want to be accused of pulling an April Fool’s prank!)

I began seriously interviewing in January 2010. From September to December 2009, there was very little movement on the jobs front. For the last few months, however, I felt a marked improvement in both the quality and quantity of job listings and invitations to interviews. Many job leads I received from people I knew, however this job I actually found via online. After three rounds of interviews (including one with the CEO) and a background check, I was extended an offer.

Salary negotiations

Once you get over the excitement of a new job offer, you move on to the realities of salary negotiations. My original base salary was lower than I had expected, so I negotiated a $2,000 increase. I wouldn’t say I did the best job negotiating, not by a long shot, but I did it. I tried to be confident, positive, and professional. I emphasized my experience and fit within the organization, and reiterated my interest in the position. Even though I would’ve loved a higher than $2,000 increase, I am proud that I negotiated. After all, negotiations aren’t about getting everything you want, especially in this market. But knowing when to push (and when not to) helped us secure a deal that both parties can respect and agree to. Given everything, I am very happy with the new job offer and excited about the position.

My new target compensation (base salary + bonus) is a double digit increase over my previous target compensation. [I'm taking between a 5% and 10% decrease in my base salary, but my target bonus as percent of salary has increase significantly]. Having such a big portion of my total compensation as bonus means that it’s a bit challenging to budget. The wisest course will be to live and save on my salary, then allocate the bonus when it comes.

Looking ahead

I decided to accept this new job because it’s a great opportunity to challenge myself and to step up my game, so to speak. People have gone on from this position to top-5 business schools or managerial positions within the company. I am open to different opportunities for growth, but right now I think it would be an excellent foundation for business school in 3 years. I am so happy and thankful that I found a great position amid almost 13% unemployment (that’s California for you). I’m excited that I’ll be:

  • Embarking on the next chapter of my career, with a great new job, where I will have the opportunity to make an impact within the organization, work with – and learn from – really smart people, and continue building my experience.
  • Making and saving money again, now that I’m in a hurry to make up for lost time, I’ll have some very aggressive savings goals listed here later. 2010′s #1 priority would be to save as much as I can in 401K and max out Roth IRA. I also want to give my parents a weekend trip – at a bed & breakfast in Santa Barbara, perhaps?
  • Giving back to worthwhile charities and organizations, because as important as saving is, I also want to cultivate a spirit of generosity in my life. I want to give to places that share my values and advocate causes close to my heart.

Thank you’s

Throughout this 6-month journey there were many people who have given their time, energy, and expertise to help me. I am deeply grateful to all of them.

One of the people whom I met via blog is Manisha Thakor – yes! the personal finance expert and published author has become one of my biggest mentors. She leads a hectic schedule with media, writing, and speaking engagements, but has always made time to provide insights and encouragement. I’m not quite sure where she finds the time, but I hope one day I can be to another young woman the mentor that Manisha is to me.

Many bloggers friends have been, in a word, amazing. Revanche and I commiserated quite a bit while we were both job-hunting. Her common sense advice and superb editing skills have helped me tremendously. And every time I ask for crossed fingers, she goes above and beyond and crosses all her appendages! icon wink Getting a New Job: Next Step of Career Confirmed Mapgirl and Cal Girl Finance gave me resume advice and job search tips. Kim’s Kitchen Sink, Dazed In Los Angeles and Budgets Are Sexy were my sounding boards on issues such as salary negotiation, career management, and thank you letters. Sam commented that things would look up in the first 6 months of this year – let’s just say that I’m glad he’s right.

There are so many of you that I still haven’t thanked by name, but I truly appreciated every comment, every email, every note (or tweet!) of support. You guys have stuck with me for a long time, and I’m glad that I have good news to share with you.

image source: topimages.blogspot.com

The Black Suit: What Every Woman Needs

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The perfect black suit is a staple in any professional woman’s wardrobe. This weekend, I bought a brand-new black suit from Banana Republic. It cost quite a bit ($140 for the blazer, $55 for the pencil skirt, and $55 for the matching shift dress, and that’s including a 30% in-store coupon). However, I’ve had my current suit since 2004, and I figured with all the interviews I’ve been having that it’s time for a new ensemble.

Banana Republic Black Suitt The Black Suit: What Every Woman Needs

Why the perfect black suit?

Although there are many great dark neutrals (charcoal gray is one of my favorites, navy can also be very chic), it’s a rare woman who cannot benefit from a well-structured black suit. Black is sleek, versatile, and professional – it’s a stylish body of armor in which we are prepared to take on the world. When I put on a black suit, I am ready to do battle get the job, close the deal, make the case.

With that said, here is my guide to buying the perfect black suit for women:

1. What to buy: If possible, I’d like to buy all 3-4 pieces of the black suit in the same fabric: the blazer, the skirt, the pants, (and possibly the sheath dress / tank dress). I didn’t buy the pants this weekend because I have a pair of pants in the same wool at home. Having a variety of matching pieces will help you mix-and-match to get the most wear out of your suiting.

2. Fabric: I prefer a lightweight wool suit that is suitable (pun intended!) for three seasons of the year. Wool is considered the most professional and conservative fabric choice for a suit. Even though there are many cute options in cotton satin or linen, wool is a far “safer” and more durable choice. Avoid blends with too much polyester. I like my suit to have a hint of a stretch, so I find the 4% Elastane in the Banana Republic suit appealing.

3. Style: Classic is the way to go for a professional black suit, especially if you only have one. Of course, if you get a second suit you can be a little more adventurous with the styling.

  • Blazer: Classic means a 2-button or 3-button blazer (2-buttons are more flattering on petite ladies), long sleeves (no 3-quarter sleeves), and single-breasted with a notched lapel.  Mandarin or cut-out collars are very stylish, but might be too casual for a formal environment or an interview.
  • Skirt should be pencil or a slight A-line, with a slit in the back for movement.
  • Pants can be flat-front or pleated, although I’d say for 99.999% of women (who are not 6′ feet tall models) flat-front is infinitely more flattering. The leg should be straight or a slight trouser cut.
  • The sheath dress can be sleeved, sleeveless, or with capped sleeves (like the one I got). You’d want it to look professional enough to wear on its own in the office. Make sure the style flatters your body type. For example, I am quite petite, this means I have to make sure the bottom hits just above my knees -but not any higher- so that I don’t look frumpy.

3. Fit: This is the most important aspect of a suit. If it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t look good. It can be a challenge buying blazers for me – most of the time I get that unsightly gap under my arms because the armholes are cut too large. So I was very happy when I found a blazer in my size – and no tailoring needed! That made paying $140 a little easier. But if you need a tailor, go get one. The money will be well worth it. Tailoring = looking like a million bucks.

4. Where to buy: I’ve seen nice black suits for reasonable prices at Banana Republic, J.Crew, Ann Taylor, and Ann Taylor Loft (use coupons liberally, if you can). If you have the budget to splurge a bit, I’ve heard very good things about Theory or Tahari. Those who want a more feminine cut cannot go wrong with Nanette Lepore (although I’ve seen the prices. And they scare me).

7 Steps In Overcoming Rejections In Job Search

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rejection 7 Steps In Overcoming Rejections In Job Search

Rejections during job search are disappointing, to be sure. Nobody likes to be told that they were qualified candidates, but the management has decided to go in another direction. In this environment, however, rejections are common-place through out the job search and interview process. After the initial disappointment wears off a bit, there’s really only one way to act, and that’s to handle this setback like the smart and competent professional that you are. Speaking as a job-hunter with, ah, some experience in this subject, I have found 7 steps that help in overcoming a rejection in a job search.

1. Don’t take it personally: It’s hard, but being rejected for a job is not the same as being rejected as a person. It’s not. Repeat it to yourself if necessary. There may be a thousand reasons why you weren’t hired for a particular position – and many of them you can’t control. Learn from the experience, but don’t dwell on it.

2. Do something active to help clear your head: I’ve found that physical activity helps me push through the initial doldrums after a rejection. If running helps you clear your mind, go make a few laps. If video games helps you work through your feelings, get ready for the God of War (some would claim video gaming is “active” – I neither agree nor disagree icon wink 7 Steps In Overcoming Rejections In Job Search ). When I’m feeling down, I tango, preferably to fast and furious music. Bring on the endorphins!

3. Be professional: Rejection is a part of business and it’s a part of life. Behave with dignity, graciousness, and professionalism, and you’ll never look back and have that moment of “d’oh! I can’t believe I did that.” Send the Human Resources contact or your interviewers an email thanking them for their time and ask them to keep you in mind if another opportunity opens up later.

4. Be thankful: If you had gotten that job you were interviewing for, it would’ve been really easy to have gratitude. But even in rejection, you have learned things, made contacts, and improved your interview skills.

5. Ask for feedback: There’s never any harm in asking politely “What can I do to make myself a stronger candidate in the future?” Some people will tell you, some won’t. Sometimes the feedback will be concrete (“we wanted you to have more experience in marketing”, or “your analysis of this case study was too disorganized”), and sometimes it will be more subjective (“we went with someone who was a better fit”). If you do get feedback, thank the interviewer. Feedback can be valuable information for you to incorporate into your future job interviews.

6. Reach out to people: Talk to friends who get you, and mentors who can advise you. I was feeling bummed out a few days ago, and my friend sent me this email that’s part hilarious, part heart-warming. It was great. And I felt better after I read it. I also connected with a smart and accomplished lady, whom I consider a mentor and a great role model in career AND in life – her encouragement and insights are priceless. People’s willingness to help and share their thoughts never fail to surprise me.

7. Keep moving forward: Immediately after I received a rejection, I applied to two more jobs, and I was pleasantly surprised when I got another interview a few hours after I emailed my resume. Do not let a rejection become a crushing blow, instead, treat it as an impetus to move forward and be prepared for the next opportunity on the job search.

This post was included in Carnival of Personal Finance and the first edition of the Yakezie Challenge Carnival.

The Hardest Part of A Job Search

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One of the hardest part about conducting a job search is the waiting. Waiting to hear if your resume made it to HR, if you got an interview, if you’ve moved on to the second interview, if you got an offer.

I have a couple of prospects right now that I am waiting on. I’m trying to strike the right balance between patience and persistence (and never dip into annoyance territory), and, well, wait. All the while thinking good thoughts, crossing my fingers, and searching out other opportunities.

And doing the 30-Day Shred. icon smile The Hardest Part of A Job Search

A few people have told me that things are looking up, I have’t seen many signs personally, but I hope they are right!

If you have tips or suggestions on how to handle “the wait”, share them in the comments!

2009 Goals Update: The Weird Thing Is

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…that even though I was laid off a few months ago, I have accomplished most of the monetary goals I’ve set out in December of 2008 (and my follow-up goal made in January 2009).

1. Max out Roth IRA: $5,000 – Done.
2. Contribute to 401(k): $5,000 – Done. I actually contributed $6,000 for 2008, not including employer match.
3. Retake the GMAT (and get a better score) – Done.
4. Apply to 6-7 graduate schools – Postponed. I want to get more experience before I go back to school.
5. Run a 5K race – Ha. Ha. Ha. I don’t think this will be done. Or even attempted. At all. A complete FAIL.
6. Go on a trip with CB – Will be done by December! To only The Most Magical Place On Earth!
7. Increase my Freedom Fund by $5,000, from the 2008 year-end balance of $27,000 to $32,000 – Done. I actually began my unemployment with $35,000 in cash. I’ve had to take money out of savings to supplement my unemployment (mostly for travel to interviews and for the Disney World trip), so I think my cash balance right now is around $33,000.

In other news, I have submitted my resume for a job that I am really excited about. The position sounds right up my alley in both the general field and the area of specialization. I know the competition will be intense, but on the other hand, I wouldn’t be human if I said I absolutely have NO hopes up. So please, say a prayer, think good thoughts, or cross your fingers for me. I appreciate it.

So even though I think about how much I could have saved had things been different, I have to be proud of what I have accomplished… perspective, right? icon wink 2009 Goals Update: The Weird Thing Is

3 Months In, 3 Months to Go

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(Or why when unemployed, you need to keep moving – literally.)

When I was laid off 3 months ago, I gave myself 6 months to find a job in the States before I turn to working in China. I realize that the market is tough right now, and even though things might be slowing recovering, I am not going to sit out a year of my career.

I need to get moving, and China (because of my language background and its stronger economy and rising stature as a world economic power), is a logical fit. To be honest, I would prefer to stay in the States and possibly move to China at a later point in my career, but that all depends on how the job search pans out in the next few months.

On the bright side, I am thankful for a lot of things related to this period in transition: I have taken the opportunity to work on a couple of freelance projects, develop new skills, strengthen my language abilities, improve this blog (hopefully you guys agree? icon smile 3 Months In, 3 Months to Go ), adopt new hobbies, learn to cook, and spend more quality time with Mom. So it’s definitely not all doom-and-gloom.

But now I am at the halfway mark of my time line. I’ve sent out numerous resumes and had a handful of interviews. It can a roller coaster because sometimes, you just can’t help feeling really excited about an opportunity or an interview, and then to be told “you are a superb candidate but we just can’t give you an offer right now.”

That is why, when you are thick in the midst of a job search, you need to have a physical activity – one in which you can go and just do – and leave the thinking and the over-analyzing behind for a moment.  Then of course, there’s the exercise endorphins that will really, really help you. Some people swim. Some train for marathons. I pull on my stilettos and go tango.

Somehow, it feels strange that 3 months has already passed. The truth is, sometimes I am afraid I’ll never catch up – in terms of finances, career, life. And the moment I think that, I stop myself. Because that thought is ridiculous and irrational, because I will catch up.

**This week, I participated in:

Freedom Fund – It Gives Me Freedom (or, How I Really Feel)

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A long-timer commenter, Onegirl, asked some insightful questions on my previous post. I imagine other readers might have similar questions, so I wanted to offer my thoughts on the subject.

It seems that all of your posts lately have been talking about spending money or remaining on a budget. Are you sad you don’t have a job? Are you trying to remain positive for your readers? I’m sure some days you are feeling bad or sad, but I’m not really getting that vibe. Do you not want to share that with us? Just curious. How is your freedom fund coming along? Is unemployment enough to keep you happy for now? Are your parents helping you especially since you just moved into the cool new place?

Everyone deals with not having a job differently. Here’s how I chose to respond to my situation: I gave myself 3 days of “free-for-all”: sleep in until noon, mope around if I wish, watch TV online, eat whatever I want. Then, the free-for-all is over. I’m not going to feel so bad or anxious that I impede myself from the next goal, the next opportunity.

Financially, I am not worried about the next 9 months (I sincerely hope my job search doesn’t extend that long – I’m working on a few opportunities that I hope will bear fruit before then. One involves living overseas). Unemployment benefits cover all of my day-to-day expenses, and I have cash savings that will go quite a ways, especially if I move back home. My parents treat me to dim sum more often, but other than that they don’t give me any money (although knowing that I have their support is invaluable). 

I said before that the uncertainty is unnerving, but the possibilities are exciting. I stand by that. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to be rah-rah earning no income is great - I want to be progressing in my career and making money. But here’s where having a Freedom Fund is so wonderful – it allows me the opportunity to conduct my job search aggressively, not desperately (I don’t write about interviews because they fall into the no-blog-about-work policy). If I need to travel to hold informational or formal interviews, I can afford the gas or the plane ticket. If I want to take advantage of my free time by taking classes that will be personally and professionally enriching, I can do so. It gives me peace of mind.

So, do I feel bad or sad sometimes? Yes, I have my moments. But they are just that - moments. They don’t overwhelm me nor stop me from doing what I need to do. Do I want a job? Of course. Am I enjoying the chance to do things that I haven’t had time to do before (travel, dance lessons, etc.)? Well… yes. Does having a Freedom Fund, being young, and having the emotional support of my parents make me feel eager and ready to embrace what might come tomorrow? Heck yes. icon smile Freedom Fund It Gives Me Freedom (or, How I Really Feel) I’m determined to take advantage of this time the best I can so that when I look back on it, I can say, wow, I really did something cool, and not, wow, I had all that time and did nothing.

Job Fairs: How to Prepare So You Stand Out

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jobfairs 300x280 Job Fairs: How to Prepare So You Stand Out

Job fairs can be a great opportunity for applicants to interact with many different companies. But if you don’t prepare adequately, job fairs can be a disaster. Last week, I attended a job fair – prior to the event I debated whether I should go. I had heard the horror stories about long lines that snake twice around the city blocks and the paltry company-to-applicant ratio.

In the end, I’m glad I decided to go. I had a good experience because the job fair had a good ratio of companies to candidates and I had very clear and realistic expectations going in (make contacts with Companies ABC & XYZ), which I fulfilled.

Here’s how to figure out what job fairs are worth a visit and to prepare for job fairs so you stand out among the other applicants.

Before Job Fairs:

1. Determine if this job fair is worth your time and effort. Look at the requirements for attendance – for example, some fairs require a 4-year degree, others don’t. Some fairs are specialized (i.e. teaching professionals or high-tech workers only), others are general. Look at the location (is it 15 minutes away? 3 hours away?).

2. Go over the company list (most job fairs would offer this information online) and pick 2-3 companies that are your top choices.

3. Spend 30-40 minutes researching your top choices, particularly on any programs / specific functions you are interested in. Spend another 10-15 minutes studying a few other companies that you are interested in.

4. Print out copies of your resume. Make sure your contact information is correct! I’d suggest 2 copies for each company you plan to visit. Then add another 5 just in case.

5. Get to the job fair early if you can. It’s an advantage to be among the first group getting in the door.

At Job Fairs:

1. Hit your top 2 or 3 companies first – they might become much busier later in the day (this was my experience).

2. Be attentive, engaging and personable.  Be proud of your accomplishments and don’t apologize for being out of work. Ask good questions that let recruiters know you’ve done your research, but don’t act like a know-it-all. Try to get at least 5 minutes of quality time with them, but don’t monopolize their time if there are other applicants waiting. Get a business card and thank the recruiters for their time.

3. Avoid job fair burnout. It’s probably unrealistic to go to each company’s booth – don’t pressure yourself to do so. It’s better to present yourself well to a smaller handful of companies than try to go see every company just for the sake of doing so. I decided that I had 3 places I wanted to go see, and everything else was just gravy.

4. Mingle with other candidates. I met a couple of nice people and exchanged information. Who knows, I might see an opening that they will be interested in, and maybe vice versa. Good karma never hurts.

5. Be nice and professional to everyone, including the hotel staff. One lady angrily exclaimed at the front desk that she won’t be paying for hotel parking because she has been out of work for a year and can’t afford the $10 fee. If a recruiter overhears her, what impression would that lady have created? (The job fair advertisement didn’t mention a parking fee, but a quick call to the hotel would have resolved that question).

After Job Fairs:

1. Follow up with recruiters from your top 2-3 choices and/or with whom you have established a rapport. A short and sweet email will do the trick.  Just remind them of where you met (job fair and date), reiterate your interest in the company, and thank them for their time. Attach a resume.

2.  Stop at the yellow light, especially if the intersection is in a revenue-hungry city has a Red-Light Camera. Seriously. Or else you will be end up like me and be out $500+. Hence rendering it a very expensive job fair, indeed.

Autumn in New York

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Here are my plans for my little jaunt to NYC:

1. Eat! (but I also want to keep to a budget, so this will be difficult) – please give me your suggestions for places I must try (preferably under $25 a person. Triple points if it’s under $15 a person).

2. Night Tour to Statue of Liberty: $29 – according to officials, this is a “once in a lifetime” opportunity. So I guess I’m seizing my chance to see the Statue of Liberty at night.

3. Tango: I already have a couple of classes and milongas scoped out, thanks to the wealth of information provided by newyorktango.com.

4. Office visit & informationals with a startup I’ve been doing on a freelance project for. Very excited to put a face with a name and meet some new people.

5. Campus visit to Columbia University. When I was in middle school, Columbia was my top choice for college. I once went to sleep with a copy of the brochure tucked under my pillow. Since I’m in New York City, I figured it’d be a good opportunity to check out some MBA classes and see if the school is a good fit for me when I go back to graduate school down the road.

6. Lots of walking around during the day time, just taking in the sights and sounds of the city. A little bit of window shopping thrown in, but probably no actual shopping for the sake of my wallet. 

7. Brunch, lunch, dinner, cocktails with friends. Again, did I mention that I think about food 24/7? If in doubt, please refer to 1.

8. Broadway show. I hope to get one of those cheap tickets at a kiosk 4 hours before the show starts. I really would love to see Mary Poppins, Wicked, or Chicago. Does anyone have suggestions on where / what kiosks to look for and what’s the er, strategy I should employ?

9. Shop for a little something for my landlady. What should I buy her? I don’t want to get her a cheap touristy trinket that she’ll just throw away after a few weeks (mini Statue of Liberty, I <3 New York snow globes, etc.)

10. Get souvenirs for CB, Mom, and friends. Again, ideas appreciated.

11. Catch up on Chinese homework. Because I have 3 classes the week I get back… But to make myself feel better about it, I guess I’ll budget $10 here and there to do so in a cool NYC coffee shop. icon wink Autumn in New York

After New York City, my destinations (w/in the continental US) are Austin and D.C. I don’t have any close friends in Austin though, so I might have to budget for hotels. But Austin seems like such a cool city that I really want to visit!

Unemployed or In-Between Jobs? 4 Ways to Keep Moving and Grooving

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As I enter my 3rd week of “in-between opportunities,” here’s what I’ve realized: the freedom to construct your own schedule means the responsibility to construct your own schedule.

Without a job to keep me at my desk for 10+ hours a day, it’s easy while away a whole day watching YouTube and chatting with friends (not that I have done it or anything…). But time is precious, and I don’t want this time to pass by without having anything to show for it.

If you are a young adult who is in-between jobs right now, like I am, there are blessings to be found! You probably don’t have any big obligations like a mortgage or college tuition for kids. You’re geographically flexible. You now have the opportunity to do amazing things that will be more difficult to do later on in life:

1. Freelance Projects / Internships: I’ve been working on a couple of freelance projects (hopefully I can share more information soon). Through these projects, I will develop another set of skills, expand my network, bring in a little bit of income, and set visible goals to work towards (not having any obligations gets boring after a while). The people I’ve been in contact with are really smart and seem good to work with, and I’m excited to be partnering with them. And it’s interesting work.

I am a big proponent of freelance projects and internships. Everything that you do during this time to further develop your abilities and contacts can only help you later on. A friend of mine took an internship at a online media company and did so well that they offered him a full-time job. So now he has a new career path (that he enjoys much more than his old one) and a repertoire of new skills, thanks to that internship.

2. Hobbies / Personal Goals: Have you ever said, I wish I had the time to do XYZ? This can be anything that you’ve wanted to do – run a marathon, volunteer on a political campaign, cook a 6-course meal, write a book – now’s the time to do it, with no more excuses.

My biggest hobby right now is Argentine Tango (and salsa, though salsa is a flirtation while tango has my heart). I’ve been dancing up a storm – taking 2-3 classes a week. I can tell that my frame is stronger, my following ability is more responsive, my posture more correct. I’m still light-years away from becoming a tanguera, but getting there is half the fun, no?

3. Languages: The ability to speak and read a second (or third, or fourth) language is an enriching skill both professionally and personally.Why not take this opportunity to brush up on your foreign language skills or start learning a new language? If you don’t have money to hire a private tutor, you can enroll in community college classes or arrange a language exchange (see Craigslist).

During the next few months, I plan on concentrating on business Chinese Mandarin to prepare myself for the possibility of pursuing opportunities in China in the future. I already have a background in the language, so that helps. But I want to go from “Dinner was really nice. My favorite dish was the Kung Pao Chicken.” (conversational) to “My experience in business analysis and strategic review will help your company in its expansion efforts.” (professional).

4. Travel: Where do you want to go? What’s stopping you? I know so many people who’ve traveled extensively during their time off. This is when you can truly take advantage of mid-week airfare / hotel specials or be able to take off months to go travel the world. I have a friend who is doing a self-constructed Scuba World Tour.  You can bet that will be much more memorable than spending 6 months sleeping in and staying up late.

Where do I want to go? Too many places to count! Austin, D.C., New York, China, Argentina, Galapagos, etc. etc. I’ll try to knock several of those off my list.

The worst thing to do is to sit around and do nothing. So go do something already. icon wink Unemployed or In Between Jobs? 4 Ways to Keep Moving and Grooving If you’re in-between jobs and doing something cool, share in the comments!

Possibilities and Uncertainties

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A lot has happened in the past couple of weeks. The biggest piece of news is that I’ve joined the ranks of the unemployed. This situation is a mixed blessing – on the one hand, having no income is of course a scary experience. On the other hand, this development will give me more time to explore other ventures.

My feelings can best be summed up as “the possibilities are exciting, the uncertainty is unnerving.” I appreciated the experience at my job, but in many ways, the timing worked out and this was just the push I needed. I am really excited about pursuing other opportunities.

In the first week of unemployment, I’ve applied for UI (still waiting on the paperwork), taken 3 dance classes, cooked a nice sit-down dinner for two, revised my resume, attended an industry event, and planned a trip to New York City (informational interview + friend visit) for September. I’ve also caught up on several loads of laundry, learned to perfectly poach an egg, made cupcakes and frosting, and mastered a complex turn in salsa. Another goal is to do a Couch to 5K program before the end of the year.

During the past week, I’ve also reached out to some people that I’ve met through the blog. These people, who have started off being strangers (but whom now I consider my mentors) have generously taken hours of their time to advise me on career opportunities and review my resume. I am deeply grateful to them.

So as I look down the road to the next 6 months, I’ve feeling little apprehensive, but I’m also invigorated by the sense of possibility. I want to make sure that I take advantage of this period of time in my life – I have more time now, so there’s no excuse not to follow up on some things that I’ve always wanted to do. And on the personal finance front – yes, am I ever glad that I’ve been saving all along.