Back to Work?

Many of you already know that I am currently not working.  I have not been working since January 2009.  That's about 17 months of being unemployed.  I have been unemployed by choice, I chose to leave my last job because it was way too stressful, and my life had been all about work.  I was working everyday, sometimes 10 to 12 hour days.  It was taking a toll on my life - mental, physical, emotional and spiritual.

So, I quit my job.  I spent a few months visiting family overseas.  I also did one round of IVF overseas - I didn't get pregnant.  After I got back, I was not ready to go back to work.  I wanted to take some more time off, hoping that being relaxed from not working would maybe help me conceive naturally.  I made a trip to Hawaii.  I visited a friend in Indiana.  Babe decided it was time to try IVF again.  I started blogging.  The whole time I was not working.

During this time, I did not look for a job, but I did interview for a job that was 5 miles from home.   I hated my commute in the past!  So, it was so tempting because it was so close.  The interview was a rush, just a day before I left for my Hawaii trip.  I was not ready to go back to work, but a recruiter had contacted me about this position with a great company.  It was tempting, but it didn't work out.  I'm glad it didn't because  it wasn't a good fit.

In the last few months, I have been contacted by another recruiter, Linda.  I never called her back because I was/am not ready to go back.  Due to a couple of remarkable coincidences (divine appointments?), I found out that a former colleague of mine had worked with Linda and had just started with Company C.  He absolutely loves it there and highly recommended working with Linda.  My friend Ro, also worked with Linda for a position there, though she ended up accepting a position with another company.

All this to say that I am considering going back to work.

Am I 100% ready to go back to work?  Not really.

With another round of IVF coming up in July, of course I am hoping this round works.  What happens if I do get pregnant?  What if I am offered a job?

The other big thing is I absolutely HATE, HATE, HATE interviewing for jobs!!  I can't stand it.  I hate "selling myself".  It stresses me out!  I have not been working for the last 17 months!  I don't remember much technical terms off the top of my head!  I'm going to need a lot of prep!

Did I mention I  hate interviewing for jobs?

I know that I am was/will be good at my job (I am in IT, information technology), I have been told by my past colleagues and people I worked with, so I am confident in that sense.  But to actually interview for a job, ugh... that scares the bejeezus out of me!

How do I interview for a job after not working for 17 months?

I had questioned myself, is this a good time to start looking for a job?  Here's some for and against arguments:

For

• There is a chance that Babe may get laid off in the next few months.  It may take him some time to find another job.
• If this next round of IVF does not work, we may have to start looking into adoption.  Having a job will help us save money for adoption.  Plus, it is likely that there will be some form of adoption assistance offered by the company.
• A new company may include new infertility coverage, but would I really want to consider further treatments?
• The market is starting to look better in my field.  It is not often that recruiters will call you up for jobs.  There are one or two jobs that may be "perfect" for me (not sure if I am perfect for them though).  The company is looking to fill the positions NOW.
• This company that I am looking into applying at is a large multi-national corporation with great benefits and potential career advancements.  They even have bonuses!
• I am grateful that I am able to take some time off from working (most people can't), but I also feel that if I am not going to get pregnant soon, I should go back to work.

Against

• Will this job search/interview stress me out?  I foresee the interviews (if any) will happen within the next couple of weeks.  How will this impact my IVF cycle?
• IF I get hired and IVF works, what then?  Do I continue to work with such a precious cargo (pregnancy)?  I know lots of people work while pregnant, but I worked so hard for this pregnancy!  Starting a new job and being newly pregnant is not a good combo.  Or would I choose to stay home?
• This job could possibly include a lot of travel.  IF I am pregnant, would I want to do that?

I talked with Linda again today.  I will be working on my resume, I hope to submit it to her by tomorrow or Friday.

If God is opening doors for me for a job, I shouldn't be ignoring them.  I don't want to close a door that God is opening for me.  If getting a job with this company is not in His plan, then it would not work out anyway.

I am going to trust that God is faithful and I will walk in the path that he lays out for me.

The Story Behind "Before The Morning"

I hope you had a chance to listen to Before The Morning from my last post.  I found this other video about the story behind the song and I just have to share it.  It's 10 minutes long, but so worth watching.

"Fertility and Faith" Video

Because it's Friday..... and it's the weekend........  and you're probably tired from all that reading from ICLW, here's a video instead.



If you like videos like this, check out  also these previously posted videos "Infertility Is" and "Empty Arms"