Dan is Saved Part II: Electric Boogaloo

Yup, it's true.

I'm employed again, or rather will be as of Monday, March 6th. This time around I'll be working as a Project Manger for an Internet Marketing Company. It's a small company, but seems like a pretty good opportunity so I'm excited.

Plus, it seems my unemployment period will be little more than a month this time around, which is significantly better than last year.

Funnily enough, I had two offers this week -- the one I've accepted and another from a larger, more stable, more reputable company. While the other offer was certainly intriguing, they were offering quite less money and I've had to turn it down, even though in the long run it might've been much more lucrative.

In either case, it's all good. But please -- stay tuned for next year when we try and go for Three Januaries of Layoffs in a row! Can it be done?

- Dan

Updates

A few weeks have now passed, and I'm still unemployed.

This year, however, I've noticed a significant uptick in potential opportunities. Thus far I've had at least five interviews, with two more scheduled for tomorrow.

No offers yet, but I believe it took me a couple of months last time 'round to get this many interviews.

So keep the fingers crossed.

That time of year again...

Yes, it's the end of January and we ALL know what that means -- time to get laid off, again!

Yay.

Found out this morning that my company was letting me go. They loved my work, thought I was a great asset to the company, and really wished they could keep me but the business and economics just weren't there. Wrapped up what I could and was done by lunch time.

And so the job search begins again. Of course, this time I don't have quite the severance package I did last time and nor do I have any savings to rely on, so the pressure's really on.

Keep an eye on savedan.com for updates; I'll post an updated version of my resume and what I'm looking for. And I'll try to keep everyone updated.

Oh, and feel free to send me some cash or buy me some stuff from my Amazon.com wishlist; links over there on the right.

Dan is Saved!

No, I've not found Jesus or religion.

I've found something even better -- a job.

Yes, finally, just after the six month marker, a job offer was received and accepted. Doing exactly what I was looking and hoping to do, for a company that seems pretty cool.

Unfortunately, I don't start until 8/22 so the month of August will still be rough -- especially considering I've not yet even paid my rent. But once I get through August...

All will be well.

So thank you to all you (what, 3?) readers of SaveDan.com for your help, support, and various attempts to find me gainful employment. Donations are still being accepted if you want to help me get through this month, or if you'd like to buy me a congratulatory present off of my amazon.com wishlist, or if you'd like to buy me something nice for my upcoming birthday.

Sorry, had to get one more plea in there. But seriously -- thank you all for your help! I'll update again when I have more information so y'all can know that I'm settling in nicely.

I am now one of them...

I have successfully completed my first ebay auction. By biggest fear, my trouble with getting things into the snail-mail system, has been overcome and the package has shipped.

Now more auctions have to go up.

I've completed my inventory of all the many many many comic books. I've purchased bubble-wrap. More boxes are en route.

Now more and more auctions must go up.

Despite all that, I don't see me having enough for rent on Monday. Here's hoping for a miracle!

Countdown to Dan Crises

Important upcoming dates for Dan

August 1st: Rent is due. Right now, I don't or won't have it.
August 7th: Dan turns 30.
August 15th: Deadline for lease renewal offer, which is a sweet deal I'd hate to turn down.
August 31st: Lease ends, and if I've not renewed I'll need to find a new Fortress of Solitude.

Speaking of such things, in my attempt to make my rent I'll be selling stuff. Lots of stuff. Most notably, I'm attempting to sell my collection of approximately 5000 comic books.

ebay auctions will be here: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZeagleeyez1l6n hopefully, once I get my act together and assuming I can keep affording the listing fees. First auction is live.

I may try www.craigslist.org as well, depending. Ideally, I'd love to sell the whole kit and caboodle for one lump sum, but have a feeling I'll do better selling sets of things.

If you're a collector with some cash and interested in what I have, shoot me an e-mail -- I've sorted the collection and am beginning to inventory it now. Lots of stuff from the '60s through today.

Of course, I'm still accepting donations, gifts, or job offers.

As for existing job offers, still waiting on three companies with whom I've interviewed. Hopefully will hear something soon, but definitely not in time for rent....

Day 139

Things are not going so well.

Let's recap the companies I've met with thus far in my unemployment ordeal:

• Company A: Was bought out by their rivals, and thus no new hires.
• Company B: After several rounds of interviews, during which it was made clear to me that the company was NOT looking for a project manager with a programming background, the company decided to change the position and look for a project manager with a programming background.
• Company C: Went through several rounds of interviews before the company underwent a management overhaul. The recruiter I've been working with has had no new news for me, and today I say on craigslist.org that the company has posted an ad for the position I interviewed for over a month ago.
• Company D: Really liked me, according to the recruiters. So much that in the interview they brought in another department head as there was another position I might be interested in. Ultimately decided I was not the right fit.
• Company E: First interview is this upcoming Monday. We'll see what happens.
• Company F: Out of state company located in New Orleans. Seemed excited to see my resume and my e-mail interview responses. Ultimately decided to go with a local candidate.

Not included are the hundreds of positions I've applied for. I've varied my cover letter, varied my resumes, all to no avail. I've hit craigslist.org, hotjobs.com, monster.com, dice.com, and more. I've submitted my resume to Temp agencies to get something going so I can at least have a little income. I've sent my resume to friends and family, in hopes that someone may know someone who may have a job for me.

Nothing.

And now it's June 16th. My rent will be due on July 1st, and as it stands I'm not going to have enough to cover it, even with my unemployment checks. Then there are my utilities, and those extraneous things like food and toiletries.

Oh, and to top it all off? Seems I owe some back taxes to the tune of somewhere between $5,000 and $7,000. Payment due immediately.

Next step is an attempt to sell more of my belongings in the hopes that somehow I can make up enough money to at least get through this month.