Dan Holt Updates

I was contacted yesterday about a contract job. The job is with a military organization in a field for which I am overqualified. However, the job will almost certainly pay more than my unemployment checks. I am faced with a huge dilemma.

For one, this job is below my skills and will most likely never lead to a position with the challenges and salary that I deserve. A second downside is that the position lasts a mere 60 days. The final downside is that during those 60 days, I could be working on getting the jobs that I do want and that would pay me what I am worth.

The only reason I would have for taking this contract position is for the money it would pay, and the short-term effects of receiving that money. Still, I am torn. My ethics dictate that if I take this contract for 60 days, I will work the entire 60 days. But what if another of my jobs, including an almost perfect job I applied for last week, requests a start date before the 60 days is up. Basically, should I put my full job search on hold, or restrict my start date, for a limited term job that offers relatively low pay with little likelihood of leading to a position more fitting for my background?

I mentioned in $100K to Nothing that I was selling my house. Well, it’s more like trying to sell my house. It’s pretty hectic to get a call that we have to clear out in an hour—frantically clean up toys, vacuum, throw dirty dishes in the dishwasher, wake up the baby, and find somewhere to go for a couple hours. All this and the last potential buyer stepped out of his car, looked at the slope of the front yard, said nope, and drove away. Well, he made the grand total of potential buyers that have at least come to our house climb toward 10.

So, this week, at the urging of my wife and our real estate agent, I reduced the price. Assuming I sell at the new price, I will still walk away with enough equity to pay close to one year’s rent for an adequately sized apartment or rental home. So far, no new bites, but we’ll see what happens in the coming weeks.

It’s been months since my job was eliminated. Although I have not yet landed a new job, I have been working tirelessly (and at the same time exhaustingly) to find that job. I spend hours scouring job boards and researching companies for which I have applied to become an employee of. In between those activities, I spend more hours reading and responding to emails. Above all, I worry. I worry while I’m performing these acts and I worry when I take a break. Last night, I stayed up until 3:30 a.m. worrying and watching bad television. My main worry: money.

My severance checks have stopped long ago. My unemployment benefit dollars are stretching to  cover as much of my expenses as possible, and I am soon to break the seal on my emergency fund. But, fortunately, I am not financially in panic mode. It will be awhile before I get there. That is something to be optimistic about, when all else seems futile.

I hope I find a job before my next post, and I hope you do to.