Another Brick in the Wall

Last Friday, I tried to sign up for unemployment, but I still haven't received my health insurance card, so I'll have to go back in a week or so and try again. I've also signed up with a number of short term employment agencies, in hopes of earning some money while I hunt for a real job. People seem somewhat taken aback when I present them with my university degree - they find it hard to believe that I'd actually be willing to mop floors or work an assembly line. But at the same time, they don't have anything else to offer me. I'm not even qualified for the job usually reserved for the lowest of the low - call centers. They all want people who speak Swiss German. But luckily, that doesn't bother me - I'd have to be really desperate to want to work in a call center.

Meanwhile, it is now only one week left before Mikes exams start. It is going to be a couple of trying weeks, I'm afraid. He is already so tired and stressed out, I have a feeling it won't take long until he starts having trouble sleeping. And that would be bad news for his performance on the exams. And the worst part for me is that there isn't really much I can do to help.

Jobhunting season

Well, it's been a while. We're both pretty much illness-free, although Mike still needs a check-up. He's starting to feel quite stressed about his exams next month, so we haven't really done much lately - he is either working or studying all the time.

Last week I had my first job interview, which went kind of OK considering that I had completely the wrong education for the job. They were looking for someone with some serious sales experience, but I made a good enough impression that the woman interviewing me agreed to keep my application and get in touch if none of the other candidates worked out. It would only be a half-time job, with really bad pay, but it would at least help me get a foot in the door of the Swiss job market.

And I have a long list of places that I'll be sending spontaneous applications to - but the chance that anyone will read it and go "Oh, exactly what we need" isn't really that good :(

I'll keep you updated...

I'll be back...

I want to apologize to all my, apparently, four readers - I've been a bit unavailable lately. Managed to fall ill (not mono, though, something quite different) and haven't had much energy to get into town to the library. Right now we are at Mike's parents' house for dinner, so I probably shouldn't hide in the basement for too long. But I'll be back. Soon. I promise.