Diary of a recessionista: I'm back in a job and boy it feels good
Monday December 07 2009
After several interviews in the past few weeks I was made an offer that I have accepted with great excitement. Santa came a little early and gave me exactly what I wanted for the New Year -- a full-time job.
I'm covered in bruises from pinching myself with excitement and, after six months of keeping afloat with freelancing combined with many quieter weeks where I gloomily accepted the dole, it couldn't have come at a better time.
By the time this article is published, I will be in the middle of my first day. I expect exhaustion to hit me like a steam train in my first week, as I adjust once more to alarm clocks and early nights -- but I absolutely can't wait.
The past year has been a career rollercoaster, after being let go from two jobs. The first was a long, drawn-out process, with many whispers and stress-inducing rumours that cast a dark cloud over last Christmas. The worst-case scenario -- that several of us were to be let go -- came immediately after the holidays, coinciding with me moving into a new apartment.
Shocking
Luckily, I wasn't out of work for long, but no sooner had I settled into my next job than I was handed the much more shocking news that they were unable to renew my contract after the initial three months.
This one hit me harder in some ways as it was so unexpected, but I soldiered on and spent the past six months building on my CV, working from home on different projects.
Armed with references but no job, I built up my freelance portfolio and did what I could, making a firm promise to myself early on -- I would make the most of this period in my life and not see it as a depressing slowdown in my career. Instead, I made sure I did all the things people complain they never have time to do, and I think I did pretty well.
I'm just glad that I can now spoil everyone over the festive season, and hopefully far into the New Year as well. I'll keep you posted!
- Niamh Hopkins
