Emotions of Job Hunting & Interviews for the [f]unemployed (illustrated with terrible quicky drawings)

     I finally feel like a whole, sane, healthy person.  It has only taken about 8 months to recover from the last few months of my last job.
     This is excellent news since I'm now fully dedicated to the job hunt.  My state of mind in the application process and interviews is open, excited, and relaxed.  I have much to give to a company and it turns out that there are some really exciting opportunities out there.  Who'da thought you could be excited about going back to work?  Well, I may actually be if the right opportunity presents itself.
     This was not the case in February or even over the summer.  I remember interviewing for positions in January and February and hoping not to get an offer so I would not feel obligated to take it.  I'm too competitive not to give it my best shot, however, and there were offers that presented themselves (which I turned down).  I kept thinking, I should take this job. But in the end, I just needed a mental break.  I'm glad I did give myself a mental break.  Whoever my new employer will be, will get not only a capable hard-worker, but also a positive, happy employee.
     The job hunt is emotionally challenging at times.  In earlier months, part of the challenge was that emotionally, I just wasn't ready to work.  Now, that is not the case.  It is still challenging.  Job hunting is like ceramics - you can't love it until it comes out of the kiln (especially if you are me, since my clay skills are dicey at best).

        So, here's kinda how it feels:
1. Finding an interesting job posting that you are qualified for: surprise & happiness :) makes my breakfast taste a little better (when I'm not so surprised I spill it all over myself).  Gives you the stamina to keep looking for additional jobs.

 2. Updating Cover Letter & Resume for said posting: feeling accomplished.

3. Filling out institutional forms: frustrated and annoyed that it takes at least an hour.  Must. Get. Up. For. A. Min. &. Get. Snack. (once completed). Sometimes it can take me 3 hours to apply to a single job posting.

 4a. Getting a call about a position you applied to 2 months earlier: Confusion...then excitement!

 4b. Getting a call about a position you just applied to: They LIKE me!  They really like me!

 5. Phone interviewing: stressful, frustrating.  I find it difficult to represent my full self over the phone.  While I feel none of my phone interviews have gone poorly, I still much prefer interviewing in person.

 6. Scheduling an in-person Interviews: Yay!  Trying.Not.To.Get.Too.Excited...

 7. Driving to an interview: Oooooh...I no longer want this job (after seeing the commute).  BUMMED because the job is interesting in & of itself & I'd be a rock star for them.

 8. Public Transport/walking/biking to an interview: feels good.  Opportunities still exist where I won't have to purchase a car!

9. Waiting...on one hand I'm anxious to know, but on the other hand, I can stand a little more time off since I've not yet found the ideal position.