The end?

Over the past week, I've been talking to a friend of mine about working as a consultant in the short term as I look for a job. She's been consulting for years and she tells me consulting can even be a good long-term career. You don't get some of the benefits of full time work, but the freedom and high hourly rate often offset the sacrifice of traditional employment benefits.

To assess the situation, on Tuesday I checked in with my friend's local marketing consultancy. They had me in with a client the next day and yesterday they offered me a 90-day consulting position. That was fast. But there is a catch, I can't start the job until I pass a background check.

I filled out the background check papers and signed them yesterday. The consulting firm still doesn't have the results as of today, but they should be back Monday. And if I pass, my employment would be immediate. This would be a good thing, too, as my unemploment insurance coverage runs out today.