I can breathe again. That is such a relief. I was seriously freaking the hell out. But, everything is working out now. I'll explain it all. I had intended on going back to the unemployment office yesterday morning and applying for benefits because I am in dire need. Well, actually, no. But, that's only true because I haven't had to pay any bills yet. But, those due dates are approaching and considering the week wait without benefits and then the delay between when they go into effect and when I actually start receiving them... Well, that could be halfway through January and I'd be homeless by then if I couldn't manage to find employment. Even if I did, I might not start receiving paychecks until about the same time. So, I decided it would be better to not wait any longer even if that would mean collecting about $400 less per month than if I could manage to hold out until January before filing. Anyway, I left the house yesterday morning bright and early with the intention of filing for unemployment in Charleston, but I didn't even make it out of town before I remembered to make sure I had all my paperwork in order. I pulled over at a gas station to make sure. I had all the forms filled out and ready in a binder. I had my GPS, because I get lost in Charleston every single time (even with it). What I didn't have was my social security card. I can't honestly remember the last time I actually needed that card, let alone saw it. Fortunately, I saved myself a wasted trip to Charleston when I discovered I didn't have it. Unfortunately, I spent the next 24 hours looking for it in vain. I did make sure to multitask and use the opportunity to not only search through everything in my apartment but to organize and reduce the bulk of my possessions as well. Seven garbage bags of actual trash, five garbage bags of future Goodwill donations, and three totes of sorted and packed belongings later - still no card. I did manage to find my birth certificate and my ServSafe certification. I also found my scores from the practice ACT from... over a decade ago. That's a slap in the face. I then revised my plan. I would go early the next morning to the social security office in town to start the process of acquiring a new card. Then... well. Then I'd figure out the rest of my plan in play. It would all depend on what happened at the social security office. Everything would be determined there.
This worried me greatly for a few reasons. Mainly, not having that card means not being able to apply for unemployment benefits but it could also mean not being able to complete pre-hire paperwork in the event that I am successful at finding employment before I get my replacement card. That is assuming they wouldn't be able to provide me with a temporary card in the meantime, which would just be my luck. So, I'm back to freaking out again.
I use this time to research unemployment benefits. The website made it abundantly clear that I would need my social security card to file. While I was aimlessly browsing the site, I stumbled upon something else quite by marvelous accident. State job vacancies.
I used to have a job like that. I was an idiot and left it in the hopes that I was pursuing something better and more lucrative. It wasn't a career position. It wasn't even full time. So, it's not like I was giving up a government pension or anything. Still, I was an idiot for leaving it for this new world of shit I find myself in.
Alot of the postings were simply and continuously accepting applications to create an applicant pool in anticipation of an actual need for one but the positions weren't vacant at all. A few were. These had closing dates, prerequisites, location assignments, salaries, benefits, vague descriptions. Very typical that last bit. I found one in particular that suited my needs and experience. The salary range was considerable and the high end of which was comparable to my previous one. Better yet, it's a full time permanent career position. I almost peed myself. Seriously. I was and still am that excited. The posting closes this Thursday. I submitted my application yesterday morning and received instant confirmation by email. I have to take the exam tomorrow (Thursday) in Charleston. I called and confirmed that would be acceptable. The deadline is midnight and I will be considered as long as I complete all the prerequisites by then. The evaluation process could take 2-4 weeks after that, but I would know something one way or the other. That's more than I can say for all these other job applications. The silence is aggravating. Anyway, I'll be taking that exam on Thursday evening. That's after I inquire about getting a new social security card tomorrow and then hit up the DMV for my vehicle registration and state driver's license. By the time they process my application and test results, I'll be a legitimate, card carrying West by God Virginian. Believe it.
Do I sound revved up and cocky? Yeah, I can not wait until the interview. I'm hungry. Starved. Ravenous. I am getting that fucking job.
But, that's not even the best part. What about applying for unemployment benefits? I seem to have omitted that part of my revised plan. Yes, that is true. I did intend to add that in there somewhere until a few moments ago. I have been checking the status of my termination for weeks now. At some point yesterday - probably while I passed out for six hours in the midst of my crazed search for my social security card - my termination was officially finalized. It's official. I'm unemployed. Release those funds! That transaction is currently pending. Very, very exciting. I can survive until January now. Far beyond actually, but I will be applying for benefits at that time and everything will be fine while I wait for the results from my application and test.
Stated simply: Getting fired might be the best thing that's happened to me since transferring to West Virginia. Seriously. That job... that career... that industry... I never actually wanted any of it. It's a funny story actually. I'll tell you all about it in my next post which will probably happen sometime after my excursions to various official offices and a long, peaceful nap. I don't want to digress any further.
This is what I want. I really hope it happens for me. If not, that's fine. It's not ideal and I'll be greatly disappointed, but it'll be fine. At least I don't have to worry so damn much anymore. Actually, I don't have to worry at all. Something is going to happen for me and I can wait comfortably until it does.
Optimism is delicious. Try some.
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