Oh yeah, unemployement ended a few weeks ago, folks!

So... I spent much of the summer unemployed due to a interesting ending to a job, which I had started in March and been 'let go' of in May - still ridiculous, but I have a kick ass job now so take that, sucka!

My job really is kick ass too, like woah! I could not have asked for a better job or company to work for. Just over three weeks ago I had actually taken a job at another company, a local security company as a customer service rep on the phones, bleh! As happy as I was to be offered something, I really didn't want to work there, but I really did try... the two and a half days of training that I attended.

But to back up a bit... the day that I decided to accept that other job I had received two phone calls, almost back to back, for jobs that I was really interested in. I didn't want to get too excited, but I was jumping up and down inside. I scheduled and interview for one of them and it happened to be on the same day as my first day of training at that other job.

My interview was with TechMediaNetwork, a company I had previously interviewed with earlier this year from a job opening one of my friends that works for the company had introduced me to... so they knew who I was already - which was awesome. I went in for the interview and it was hands down the best interview I had ever been in. Everything was just so great - the people, well the crowd of people that were in there were so awesome, nice, and just provided a great environment for the interview.  The interview was on a Monday and they said they were going to make a decision pretty quickly so I should know by mid-week.

I continued to attend training with that other job and on Wednesday when I came out of training there was a missed call and a voicemail from TechMediaNetwork. As I listened to the voicemail (in the parking lot of that other company) I immediately broke down in tears. I was offered the job, an incredible job and I composed myself and called them back. I gave them a verbal yes for acceptance of the job over the phone and signed the employment offer the next day.  Two days later I started the job and now two weeks later I an incredible happy to be with TechMediaNetwork as a writer.

I've never had a job that I love so much that I'm excited to go to work the night before, but this one is that way! I think my friends are tired of me saying how much I love my job, but I REALLY, REALLY DO LOVE MY JOB!! I love every aspect of it and my coworkers are SO amazing and have been SO welcoming!!

Unemployment was interesting. I have never been unemployed before and certainly never been unemployed under those circumstances, but it was definitely interesting. At first I was completely devastated, called mom the moment it happened, bawled of course, and spent much of that evening totally freaking out. I immediately applied for unemployment benefits, even though it wasn't much, and began searching for jobs that night.

For just about exactly two months I had applied for  40+ jobs, interviewed with about a 1/4th of them, had second interviews with about an 1/8th of them, and received zero offers of employment. I started to wonder what in the hell I was doing wrong. I had a stellar resume, had perfected the interview process, and felt great after many of the interviews. My mom just kept telling me, "The right one just hasn't come along yet, Kira. It will happen when it is suppose to happen." - Something no one wants to hear in circumstances like that, but my mom was amazing during those two months, in fact my entire family was amazing - so much support and love was thrown my way, it was overwhelming.

During those two months, so many people asked me if I was okay, and each time I would answer, "Oh yeah, I'm doing fine." A response I often give when I'm maybe not doing so well, but say that anyways. But, much to my surprise, I really was doing fine. One day I realized that giving people that response was complete truth. And I couldn't figure out why I was doing so well despite unemployment and frustration in finding a job. But, alas, I was doing just fine!

But then it hit me... during those two months I had opportunities with my freelance sports writing gig with KSL.com that I wouldn't have had if I had been working. The month of June was full of opportunity to meet and interview the US Women's National Soccer Team, a team I grew up idolizing as I played soccer all growing up and into high school. I spent four days with the team in their trainings and was able to interview just about all of them once and many of them a few times.

Opportunities that I would not have had if I had been working. And as crazy as that is, there's that.

As I think about it, I really don't know how I survived on unemployment benefits, but I did and it was a very humbling experience.

Thank you to my family, friends, and random acquaintances for all the help and support you gave me during the last few months. It was greatly appreciated and made unemployment a lot easier.