[Jean]

This challenge has perfect timing for my situation.

 

I am, since Friday, the proud owner of a termination letter, effective June 30th. While I am grateful to the Swiss unemployment system, which is very sturdy, I am prone to pursuing the wrong priorities. I am, for example, at risk of trying to get above and beyond in my current (destructive) job instead of focusing on searching for a new one that fits my expectations.

 

This challenge will be my dashboard for the coming times.

 

I'm not starting my quest as a naked lvl 1 commoner. I am TOUGH! Among the qualities that allowed me to last 5 years in that position are that you'd have to physically tackle me to take me down. I am celebrating 9 years of tanking through infinite waves of adversity under showers of "friendly" mortar fire, I know how to use my shield and I know better than to stay stuck in one place. I'll crawl if I have to, but I'll move toward the target inch by inch until I'm there, and then, I'll go for the next one.

 

Getting back up one more time than I fall is a way of life for me and that makes me invincible.

 

There are one off, monthly, weekly and daily tasks that I must perform in order to succeed. I'll complete the list as I think of more things.

 

3 main categories :

• finding new employment
• following a lifestyle/workout plan
• developping self employed activities

 

Pursuing self employment is the perfect cover for any hole that may appear in my résumé, so I am not under heavy time pressure: quality trumps quickness, I want to find the first ever job I'll join because I am genuinely attracted by it and not because I am fleeing the destructive culture of my previous one.

 

One off :

Register to the unemployment office.

Check back with reality :

• make a list of people to call and ask for feedback about the time they've had working with me.
• let them know I am available.
• if the feedback is positive, ask if I can use them as reference.

Write a prototype of work certificate I would like to receive.

Decide how I want to handle my time off during the last two months and get in touche with "HR" to discuss it.

 

Go through my phone contact list and clean it from any junk.

 

Check the requirements for the Mountain Leader certification and craft a plan to get there.

Get in touch with the Social Security office, charged with registering self employment status, check if I have to register or can pursue some activity while being unemployed.

Update my profile on our professional association's website.

Craft a website for my activities.

Get domain names for my website.

Set the website up.

 

Monthly :

May-June : send 4 applications per month.

If still unemployed after that : send 10 applications per month.

 

Weekly :

Check sites/newspaper for job offerings.

Go groceries shopping.

Batch cook 2*6 meals.

Do my laundry.

Go on the vineyard 1/week, do whatever needs to be done there or just enjoy the time if all is done.

 

Daily :

Workout or run (on alternate days).

Eat two meals.

Sleep 7h (go to bed by 10:30, no screens).

 

Week 0 looks like that :

Send application 1

 

Monday :

Running

Eat meal 1

Eat meal 2

Go to bed by 10:30

 

Tuesday :

Workout 1

Eat meal 1

Eat meal 2

Go to bed by 10:30

Get proof of residency from the Municipality

Call person 1

Call person 2

Check Newspaper 1

 

Wednesday :

Running

Eat meal 1

Eat meal 2

Go to bed by 10:30

Call person 3

Call person 4

Register to the unemployment office

 

Thursday :

Workout 2

Eat meal 1

Eat meal 2

Go to bed by 10:30

Call person 5

Check Newspaper 2

 

Friday :

Running

Eat meal 1

Eat meal 2

Go to bed by 10:30

 

Saturday :

Workout 3

Eat meal 1

Eat meal 2

Go to bed by 10:30

Groceries

 

Sunday :

Running

Eat meal 1

Eat meal 2

Go to bed by 10:30

Batch cooking

Vineyard

 

Let's do this and enjoy every part of it.

 

[Jean]

Global checklist:

 

One off :

Register to the unemployment office.

Check back with reality :

• make a list of people to call and ask for feedback about the time they've had working with me.
• let them know I am available.
• if the feedback is positive, ask if I can use them as reference.

Write a prototype of work certificate I would like to receive.

Decide how I want to handle my time off during the last two months and get in touche with "HR" to discuss it.

 

Go through my phone contact list and clean it from any junk.

 

Check the requirements for the Mountain Leader certification and craft a plan to get there.

Get in touch with the Social Security office, charged with registering self employment status, check if I have to register or can pursue some activity while being unemployed.

Update my profile on our professional association's website.

Craft a website for my activities.

Get domain names for my website.

Set the website up.

[KeysMcGee]

I know from personal experience that the job search path is not an easy one.

1 hour ago, Jean said:

I want to find the first ever job I'll join because I am genuinely attracted by it and not because I am fleeing the destructive culture of my previous one.

This X 1000. Best thing I ever did was change careers.

You looking in the same career field or a different one altogether?

[Scaly Freak]

2 hours ago, Jean said:

Pursuing self employment is the perfect cover for any hole that may appear in my résumé, so I am not under heavy time pressure: quality trumps quickness, I want to find the first ever job I'll join because I am genuinely attracted by it and not because I am fleeing the destructive culture of my previous one.

 

Keep this firmly in mind going forward. No matter how frustrating things might get, finding a new job that you genuinely look forward to is more than worth it.

[Jean]

20 minutes ago, KeysMcGee said:

You looking in the same career field or a different one altogether?

 

Thanks and welcome! And both, I had to deal with excruciating circumstances so I'm not averse to a similar position in a more reasonable environment. I'm also pursuing an upgrade on my career path more focused on my primary skillset (natural hazards monitoring) than my current job or a switch to another field where my skillset would be valuable or other opportunities that may seem attractive (finance comes to mind).

 

I'll pursue my longer term project of combined hiking/resiliency camps and make it a sustainable venture in the meantime. Launching it would be great but I expect it will take a few more years to make it sustainable by itself so it remains mainly a side project for the time being.

 

 

13 minutes ago, Scaly Freak said:

Keep this firmly in mind going forward.

 

Ohai! And thanks. This is most certainly one of my weak points: I am very likely to loose sight of it as time passes (I am VERY good at designing plans and paths forward. When it comes to enacting them, I'm more of an overenergetic kitten switching to chasing whatever whenever as their attention gets caught by the latest moving thing). I will need reminders.

[RES]

2 hours ago, Jean said:

effective June 30th.

Two month notice? I can't even imagine! 

I know you've been frustrated with your job for a while, I'm sure this will be a positive thing in the end!

[Jackdaw]

Good luck with all your goals and finding a new job!

 

I love the video and that character looks pretty cool and badass, I think I am gonna watch it

[Jean]

16 hours ago, RES said:

Two month notice? I can't even imagine! 

Three months is the norm, here, but, you know, I work public so we have "better" terms because, job security and all that. /s

 

We have both strong and very flexible labor protection: an employer can fire an employee for basically any reason they want but there's the usually 3 months notice (set by contract so can be less) and employees loosing their job get 70% of their previous salary as unemployment benefits for 1 year, as long as they've worked for 12 months during the 2 years prior to that. Switzerland is basically a very liberal society, but with strong social support. I find it to be a good equilibrium and consider myself lucky for it.

 

I'm happy with my 2 months but when you compare our benefits to what is the norm around here, that should have been a red flag. We're not even competitive with most private companies, working more hours, having up to recently less holidays, and shorter notices. They are also not afraid of using their ability to fire people, which should be rare in the public sector, and do so before actually trying to talk the issue out, which is another big red flag.

 

All in all, I'm better off and it's time to organize my time toward my own needs.

[Jean]

1 hour ago, XBlackWidowX said:

I love the video and that character looks pretty cool and badass, I think I am gonna watch it

 

Korra is awesome! I highly recommend watching "Avatar: The Legend of Korra", as well as "Avatar: The Last Airbender" (the cartoon series, not the... erm... movie? Can we call it that?) They're tales of growth, self-improvement, overcoming adversity and friendship and are masterfully done. Perfect for my circumstances.

[Renate]

19 hours ago, Jean said:

I am, since Friday, the proud owner of a termination letter, effective June 30th.

 

19 hours ago, Jean said:

Pursuing self employment is the perfect cover for any hole that may appear in my résumé, so I am not under heavy time pressure: quality trumps quickness, I want to find the first ever job I'll join because I am genuinely attracted by it and not because I am fleeing the destructive culture of my previous one.

 

Jean. JEAN!

 

Jean 👏😍

 

WHAT AM I READING!

 

Please, give me a moment to let me be excessively emotional.

 

I recommend going along with me and having a dance (flailing body parts count as dancing just fine).

 

Another option is to cheer along until I am done or your throat is hoarse and chill, I won't mind.

 

🥰🥰🥰

 

💃💃💃

 

👯‍♀️👯‍♂️👯‍♀️

 

🎉🎊🎉

 

🎊🎉🎊

 

... ✨️💃🤓🕺🤓🕺🤓💃✨️!!!

 

No idea what the last row of emojis represent but WOOOOOW!

 

I am so fucking hyped for you.

 

You deserve everything that will come to you.

 

17 hours ago, Scaly Freak said:

Keep this firmly in mind going forward. No matter how frustrating things might get, finding a new job that you genuinely look forward to is more than worth it.

 

I second this & thrice sign it with my best pen and in the prettiest version of my signature.

 

Listen. To. Your. Gut.

 

You know what is toxic work culture.

 

Yes everyone has quirks and perks. Your body knows what is good for you.

 

 

Go there early, watch the neighbourhood, do you see yourself walking there?

 

Something an amazing recruiter recommended and you maybe know:

 

when you are in the waiting room observe the personnel. Do they seem stressed and rushed? How do people respond to the boss? How does the receptionist act? Is there calm or tense silence? Can you get an eye on people's screens if they are working like robots or maybe browsing FB in boredom?

 

The environment. How is everything organized? Is there a system? 

 

I really enjoy asking 1 or two company/organisational policy questions that signal I have a vision of how the work place should be run & also check if they are open to feedback.

 

Might be good for you too with how you like to support leadership lol.  Yes I can try to hide it but it will seep out and it's part of me so best I know it is not seen as arrogant.

 

Last but not least, great challenge, following along

 

[RES]

13 hours ago, Jean said:

Switzerland is basically a very liberal society, but with strong social support. I find it to be a good equilibrium and consider myself lucky for it.

I never knew this about Switzerland, it's almost like they care about taking care of their citizens  

[Jean]

Monday :

Running

Eat meal 1

Eat meal 2

Go to bed by 10:30

[Jean]

I'll get to answering, just a bit tired for now.

 

Tuesday :

Workout 1 (no known reason, it just slipped entirely)

Eat meal 1

Eat meal 2

Go to bed by 10:30

Get proof of residency from the Municipality

Call person 1

Call person 2 (didn't answer the phone)

Check Newspaper 1

[Mistr]

This is going to sound strange, but I am so happy for you!

 

On 4/30/2023 at 9:56 PM, Jean said:

All in all, I'm better off and it's time to organize my time toward my own needs.

^^^^^^^^^^^^

This is exactly why.

 

Your current job has been nothing but headaches for you. I know that you can find a better position or pursue your own course with self-employment.

 

If you have the resources to do so, I strongly encourage you to take two weeks off after the last day at your job. Between now and then you can do many of the highly useful things on your list. When you are finally out of the high-pressure office, you will need some time for your brain and spirit to recover. Maybe you can go hiking, maybe you take a trip and sit on the beach. Go somewhere else so that you can look at your life with some distance to make things clearer.

 

It might happen that you find your dream job in the next two months. If that happens, wonderful! Start when they need you to start. If you are still looking, take a much-deserved break and just relax before moving into the next phase of your life.

[Scaly Freak]

3 minutes ago, Mistr said:

If you have the resources to do so, I strongly encourage you to take two weeks off after the last day at your job. Between now and then you can do many of the highly useful things on your list. When you are finally out of the high-pressure office, you will need some time for your brain and spirit to recover. Maybe you can go hiking, maybe you take a trip and sit on the beach. Go somewhere else so that you can look at your life with some distance to make things clearer.

 

Speaking as someone who had a trip that had been planned for over a year, right after being laid off... Mistr speaks wisely and I wholeheartedly agree with her recommendation. Taking a complete break from everything was pure gold from a mental health perspective, both with regards to recovering from the mild case  of burnout I didn't realize I had until I took this break, and for helping me process how I felt about this big change to my life. It also gave me time and space to evaluate my priorities and decide on what direction I want to take with my career from here on, which in turn helped me set a clear direction in my search for a new job. 

 

Definitely recommend taking time off and giving yourself a real break if you can.

[Jean]

5 hours ago, Mistr said:

This is going to sound strange, but I am so happy for you!

 

That is not sounding strange at all, I am very happy for me too. 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday :

Running

Eat meal 1

Eat meal 2

Go to bed by 10:30

Call person 3 (postponed it to today, to make the call more natural and address more things at once)

Call person 4 (postponed it to today, to make the call more natural and address more things at once)

Register to the unemployment office (did a last minute task thrown on me by someone I like instead of sticking to my planning, the office was closed when I got there - this is not acceptable behavior and is what I must ward against in the strongest possible fashion)

[Jean]

Alright, now I am ANGRY:

I didn't register to the unemployment office yesterday because I have prioritised handling a last minute task for someone I respect.

Today, I missed the opening hours again because I've been assaulted with last minute requests that I didn't know to cast aside.

 

I can be better than that. I must prioritize my own procedures and learn to cast my employers and colleagues aside whenever it needs be done.

 

On the bright side, my first application will go out in time and it is a job I would really like to practice.

Another bright note: there are tons of jobs to which I can legitimately apply without really having the right profile, so filling my applications quota shouldn't be hard.

 

The brightest note, though, is that checking back with reality was the most important step of all. My view is correct and I am appreciated for my work by the right circles. All is well, let's keep shining.

 

Thursday :

Workout 2

Eat meal 1

Eat meal 2

Go to bed by 10:30

Call person 3 (postponed once again, wrong priorisation in a day that had me overworked)

Call person 4 (postponed once again, wrong priorisation in a day that had me overworked)

Call person 5 (postponed, wrong priorisation in a day that had me overworked)

Check Newspaper 2

 

 

[Jean]

Friday :

Running

Eat meal 1

Eat meal 2

Go to bed by 10:30

[Jean]

Saturday :

Workout 3

Eat meal 1

Eat meal 2

Go to bed by 10:30

Groceries

[Jean]

Global checklist:

 

One off :

Register to the unemployment office. -> Do that on July 1st (been told it can't be done before the first day of unemployment, which is not true, but getting financial benefits requires a document that I can't get until I am truly unemployed, so not worth fighting for).

Check back with reality :

• make a list of people to call and ask for feedback about the time they've had working with me.
• let them know I am available.
• if the feedback is positive, ask if I can use them as reference.

Write a prototype of work certificate I would like to receive.

Decide how I want to handle my time off during the last two months and get in touche with "HR" to discuss it.

 

Go through my phone contact list and clean it from any junk.

 

Check the requirements for the Mountain Leader certification and craft a plan to get there.

Get in touch with the Social Security office, charged with registering self employment status, check if I have to register or can pursue some activity while being unemployed.

Update my profile on our professional association's website.

Craft a website for my activities.

Get domain names for my website.

Set the website up.

[Jean]

1st application is done.

 

I went to the unemployment office and have been told I had to wait until after my last day of work to register, which is not true. One form I need to give to get the financial benefits actually requires it, though, so some of the administrative work could have been done beforehand and only a few steps would have required to be done. I can handle a few months without pay so I won't fight for that: I need my energy to better recover and search for good jobs.

 

I'm behing on calling people but the first check with reality shows that my view was good and the asinineness of the situation I was working in is recognised. No real harm has been done to the image I give in my field. Getting that clear was the most important step, now to actually get a job I want.

[Jean]

42 minutes ago, Jean said:

I went to the unemployment office and have been told I had to wait until after my last day of work to register, which is not true. One form I need to give to get the financial benefits actually requires it, though, so some of the administrative work could have been done beforehand and only a few steps would have required to be done. I can handle a few months without pay so I won't fight for that: I need my energy to better recover and search for good jobs.

 

I've found a way to register online. This will give me written proof of my timely application while not creating a conflict with the person potentially in charge of validating my future proofs of job searches. ⭐ I'll give myself ⭐ smileys every time I do something smart. I've got to break with the negative environment of my job place.

[TimovieMan]

7 hours ago, Jean said:

I'm behing on calling people but the first check with reality shows that my view was good and the asinineness of the situation I was working in is recognised. No real harm has been done to the image I give in my field. Getting that clear was the most important step, now to actually get a job I want.

7 hours ago, Jean said:

I've found a way to register online. This will give me written proof of my timely application while not creating a conflict with the person potentially in charge of validating my future proofs of job searches. ⭐ I'll give myself ⭐ smileys every time I do something smart. I've got to break with the negative environment of my job place.

Two big wins given the situation. 👍

[Renate]

Cheering you on from the sidelines here 👏👏👏💃

[Jarric]

On 4/30/2023 at 11:11 PM, Jean said:

I'm also pursuing an upgrade on my career path more focused on my primary skillset (natural hazards monitoring) than my current job or a switch to another field where my skillset would be valuable or other opportunities that may seem attractive (finance comes to mind).

 

My immediate thought when I saw this was natural catastrophe modelling for insurance. Some insurers have in-house capability and some use third-party cat models. Don't know if that's something you'd be interested in, just what it made me think of.

 

I'm so, so pleased for you that you're getting out of your current place anyway. Having to fight to just survive in a job is not right.