A new and improved employment opportunity

Long story short, due to no fault of my own I was let go from Deseret Book. This left me with no steady source of income, no benefits, and an uncertain future. This was a nightmare realized. I worked hard every day getting unemployment benefits going and searching for new opportunities everywhere I could. I must've sent out about 50 resumes/applications and interviewed several times before being offered a job opportunity with a place called 'My e-Biz' doing primarily Ruby/Rails web development. Not only is it closer than Deseret Book was to my home but it also pays better. Things are going well so far, I like the job and I think it likes me too.

So, the story had a happy ending (so far anyway, I don't want to jinx myself), but I learned a lot during my 2.5 weeks of unemployment. Here's a few noteworthy tidbits.

• When/If you lose your job, don't lose your family, religion, and friendships right along with it. Grasp these other aspects of your life more tightly instead of letting the stress of joblessness cause everything in your world to crumble all at once.


• Don't waste time being angry or planning vengeance. Batman makes this look like fun, but in reality your time and effort is better spent pushing forward.


• Do not give up. Not having a job creates a dark cloud that overshadows everything you do, it's always in the back of your mind. Let that ugliness further motivate you to keep going.


• Keep your professional skills sharp by allocating time to flex them everyday.


• You are not alone, others have been where you are and are willing to help. Ask others for leads and follow-up on everything that comes your way.


• It may feel like it, but it is not the end of the world.


• The state and federal government have some really great programs out there to help people who are unemployed, take advantage of them.