The Unemployment Support Thread

I was out of work from September to February. Had to sleep on my sisters couch and had my Mercedes Benz repo'ed. Relocated in Feb. Renting a nice townhouse and about to buy another car (at an insane rate). It gets better.
 
JW32Hoops said:
I got laid off right before Christmas. Took a 6 month vacation, collected checks from the Governator, now I'm back on the 40 hour/week grind. I applied to jobs on Monster, CareerBuilder, Craigslist, etc...but 99% of the interviews I got were from networking. It really is who you know. Circulate your resume among your boys, ya never know. A friend of a friend of a friend could help you get your next gig.
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I spent about 4 (completely wasted) months looking for work over the internet. It can be uncomfortable contacting former colleagues who you maybe didn't have a perfect relationship with to ask for help, but its the best way to get interviews.
 
lozgod said:
I was out of work from September to February. Had to sleep on my sisters couch and had my Mercedes Benz repo'ed. Relocated in Feb. Renting a nice townhouse and about to buy another car (at an insane rate). It gets better.
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Thanks for sharing. Nice to hear good news for a change. I know even though times suck that with perseverance I will find a good, steady job. Didn't help, though, when my motor was trashed this weekend and I'm out another $2000.
 
ABNRanger said:
Hey guys been a while since I have been on here, ironically my first time back I have to report that I was laid off. Oddly, I am not mad at being laid off, I am mad at the way they did it. They kept telling me that if I decide to leave, give them at least a two week notice. I went on vacation, then the first day I return, they greet me "hey zay glad you back, hope you had a great time". Then at five, they call me in and let me go. So much for loyalty. That is one of the reasons I miss the Army, they NEVER lay people off, no matter how bad the economy gets. Oh well, I will go ahead and push my business. I build media center HTPC (home theatre PC). But, I also do IT consulting. (this is not an aadvertisement) check out my site: Invalid Link Removed. I think it was a sign for me to make that move. I had been planning and thinking about it for a while. So this might be the push I needed.
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Sorry to hear about that mate. And yeah the Army will never lay you off, even if you wanna be laid off lol!

Hopefully your IT biz will explode. Custom gaming rigs are also huuge at the moment. If I ever get back on my feet I want to build myself one. But most people cant, and you could make a good buck on helping them out.

I was considering Army/Marines myself, because honestly if this Job doesnt come through Friday/Monday(final decisions of the Iron Workers Union), I wont make it anymore. Besides, there is NO replacement for the comradeship I felt during my short stint the army when I was a teen. Just something the only color there is Red, the color of blood, that you will damn well shed for your fellow soldiers if you had too. Well, most of em lol
 
I simply pulled my ski mask out of retirement, shook it off, and voila, now I am employed. Nah JK, I have been using the Texas work force, Career Builder, Monster. If your background is in IT like mine, then Dice is specifically for that. Robert Half is a recruiting company that caters to IT careers.
 
ABNRanger said:
I simply pulled my ski mask out of retirement, shook it off, and voila, now I am employed. Nah JK, I have been using the Texas work force, Career Builder, Monster. If your background is in IT like mine, then Dice is specifically for that. Robert Half is a recruiting company that caters to IT careers.
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Thanks for this! I have been looking for a good IT resource for a long time.. not much available up here in MN
 
Heat Miser said:
As the title states - I got hit!

Last week - 01/15/09 I was laid off. Been with them for three years.

I have been very blessed recently as I have not been out of work for nearly 5 years. There was a patch there about 7 years ago when I had some setbacks. Those setbacks made me a better man. Here's to the better man that is on the way.

Romans 5:3-5
"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

Galations 6:9
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Don't feel like you are alone. If you need support - look no further.
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I spent nearly 4 months of the last 12 out of work. I'm sorry to hear that you are still unemployed. Don't hesitate to follow that link and use it :)
 
Hope you all are doing better.

I'm steadily working 20-30 hours each week so I'm basically breaking even. Been very fortunate to have good friends and family help me out. I have a 17 y/o daughter in her senior year of high school and damn if that's not expensive.
 
I was officially out of work one year on December 5th 2009. :(

In that time I had ONE interview and I don't know how many rejection emails/letters. Usually I never hear anything.

I get aggravated being out somewhere and seeing a total idiot barely capable of speaking coherently yet working, and I am a member of the International High IQ Society yet unemployed.

To make matters worse I fear my wife's employment (our means of support the past year plus) is endangered. If it is to pass as well I am quite unsure as to what we will do. I told her today to copy her contacts list so we have people to call and ask for work if need be.
 
I'm fortunate to be employed. Unfortunately my wage is 20% less and I am working 30% more hours.

Situations and circumstances have moved my life into a season of hard work and long hours.
 
How's everybody doing these days? I was breaking even for a while but eventually got laid off again.

Two years away form a degree so not sure what route to take anymore since nothing appears secure these days.
 
David Dunn said:
I'm fortunate to be employed. Unfortunately my wage is 20% less and I am working 30% more hours.

Situations and circumstances have moved my life into a season of hard work and long hours.
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Wow!

Very poignant bump.

The above still stands.

I am presently interviewing for a 25% increase in wage yet possibly less hours.

The cost of making the extra money is killing my mental and emotional health. My family needs more than my paycheck. After enduring the complete lunacy at my present employer for 12 hours a day there is virtually nothing left of me when I get home.
 
DGSky said:
How's everybody doing these days? I was breaking even for a while but eventually got laid off again.

Two years away form a degree so not sure what route to take anymore since nothing appears secure these days.
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The only thing lacking in my resume is a degree.

If it were me, at your age and nearing completion, I would persevere to see it fulfilled.

Education is priceless.
 
With two years to go I am not sure what degree to pursue and at age 42 I know I cannot make a mistake in choosing the degree not having the luxury of starting all over. Frustrating. Plus the difficulty in affording the degree.
 
I have a degree and it's not doing crap for me. Granted, I have a BA in Criminal Justice and I'm not applying to any law-enforcement openings, but I do have experience and a minor in marketing and business management (which are the positions I'm applying for). I filled out about 15 apps over the last couple of weeks and not a single call back.

I am totally losing faith in the online application process. I could so easily sell myself if I had an interview.
 
Irish Cannon said:
I have a degree and it's not doing crap for me. Granted, I have a BA in Criminal Justice and I'm not applying to any law-enforcement openings, but I do have experience and a minor in marketing and business management (which are the positions I'm applying for). I filled out about 15 apps over the last couple of weeks and not a single call back.

I am totally losing faith in the online application process. I could so easily sell myself if I had an interview.
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have you tried any temp services?
 
:sad3:

I ended up taking a minimum wage job just to do SOMETHING.

It is way below my skill, way below my intelligence, but I got to do what I have to do. And I hate every damn second doing it. :aargh4:
 
bigrobbierob said:
:sad3:

I ended up taking a minimum wage job just to do SOMETHING.

It is way below my skill, way below my intelligence, but I got to do what I have to do. And I hate every damn second doing it. :aargh4:
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Know this all too well as I was in a comparable situation not long ago.

There is a very basic problem that cannot be solved by positive thinking, reaffirmations etc., and it is this: the US economy is not producing enough jobs for the unemployed PLUS those entering the job market as college graduates or high school graduates / GEDs. Another words, some people can and often will search as hard as they can, they will not find a job and their chances to find one even if demand increases gets dimmer because long term unemployment makes you less desirable in many employer's eyes. Talk 'bout a vicious cycle.
 
I go to a bible study that's also a support group for unemployed men. The unfortunate side is that while I'm young and single, most of these guys are married with kids. I feel for them.

Anyways, they seem to think that networking is really the only way to pick up a job these days. Much like me, they've found the online application process to be complete garbage. I talked to a guy there today that said he pumped in about 3-4 apps/day over a long period of time, but just recently got talking with a guy that helped him out and he had 3 interviews last week.
 
They say the economy is picking back up...I don't see it. I lost my job a few days ago, nothing much. but it allowed me to work while going to school. Now I am scrambling to find something, doesn't matter at this point I will flip burgers.
 
SpargelJanusz said:
Know this all too well as I was in a comparable situation not long ago.

There is a very basic problem that cannot be solved by positive thinking, reaffirmations etc., and it is this: the US economy is not producing enough jobs for the unemployed PLUS those entering the job market as college graduates or high school graduates / GEDs. Another words, some people can and often will search as hard as they can, they will not find a job and their chances to find one even if demand increases gets dimmer because long term unemployment makes you less desirable in many employer's eyes. Talk 'bout a vicious cycle.
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part of it is the basic supply vs demand issue. Too many people have skills in areas with low demand, and shrinking or at least non growing demand
 
Irish Cannon said:
Nothing wrong with that at all man.
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I'm making honest pay for honest work, but it still feel bad being almost 40 and that's the best I can find atm. Most of my fellow employees could be my kids! lol

SpargelJanusz said:
Know this all too well as I was in a comparable situation not long ago.

There is a very basic problem that cannot be solved by positive thinking, reaffirmations etc., and it is this: the US economy is not producing enough jobs for the unemployed PLUS those entering the job market as college graduates or high school graduates / GEDs. Another words, some people can and often will search as hard as they can, they will not find a job and their chances to find one even if demand increases gets dimmer because long term unemployment makes you less desirable in many employer's eyes. Talk 'bout a vicious cycle.
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I look at it as a learning experience...for me and others. For me I learned humbleness. For others, I try to teach the kids there lessons in life so maybe some of them won't make the mistakes I did. I must do that pretty well because quite a few come to me for advice.

DGSky said:
Hence my hesitation with choosing a degree, but I need to decide soon.
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I'll tell you something I have found out the past 2+ years....the education scale has changed. It's an employers market and they can be picky. Basically what requires an Associates before now requires a Bachelors, what required a Bachelors now requires a Masters, and so on.

If all you have is a high school education you are pretty much screwed....experience be damned. A LOT of weight is given to having a degree.
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My turn to ask for advice!

At the restuarant I am now working at, I made it clear that I wanted a management position and was told there was room for moving up for people willing to work. Last week a shift manager left. How should I approach the issue with he manager? She is already aware that I have 7 years in the business and am a former manager and supervisor, as well as college training for management.
 
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I fear many Americans will be left completely in the dust and will have to move into a tent city. What's so sick about this mess is that companies sit on record piles of cash and banks were - beyond TARP - given a huge gift by being able to get money at zero percent and invest it in Treasuries with a positive yield.

I fail to understand why the government does not put more pressure on the private sector in these toughest of tough times.
 
SpargelJanusz said:
I fail to understand why the government does not put more pressure on the private sector in these toughest of tough times.
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You have it very backwards.

You realize that Wall Street is in the governments pocket, don't you? Give a million, get a billion is how it works.

The government should NEVER be putting their hands in the private sector other than to stop short-selling stocks and making the free-market climate better for businesses. - Contrary to what you're told, the government DOES NOT and CAN NOT create jobs. The government can only make things better for private businesses to invest and trade in the free market, which they're not doing.
 
Irish Cannon said:
You have it very backwards.

You realize that Wall Street is in the governments pocket, don't you? Give a million, get a billion is how it works.

The government should NEVER be putting their hands in the private sector other than to stop short-selling stocks and making the free-market climate better for businesses. - Contrary to what you're told, the government DOES NOT and CAN NOT create jobs. The government can only make things better for private businesses to invest and trade in the free market, which they're not doing.
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I do realize the government is in Wall Street's pocket, for sure.
 
Just filed for BK.

Got hired by a company five months back promising 50 hours a week, etc. Have not worked more than 25/week yet; was doing better on unemployment. Had I gotten the full time hours I would have been fine.
 
David Dunn said:
How is everyone getting along these days?
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Our salary got dropped by 7% for the next two years while the County board of supervisors got a 5% raise last year. Overtime is a thing of the past and morale sucks at work, especially if you don't have 10+ years of seniority ! I am lucky to still be employed but I've survived 2 years of lay-offs and it's not looking better. Might have to watch Breaking Bad all over again and learn how to manufacture meth LOL.
 
Sorry to hear of the challenges that still are in your lives at this time.

I was fortunate for a time where I had the opportunity to work 60 hours a week, so I did. I actually grossed more last year than ever in my career at a lower hrly wage. I was fortunate that my hard work and effort finally garnered me some recognition and appreciation and I was promoted to a manufacturing engineer. I was still hourly. Then the feast turned to famine. Hours cut to 50. Then lay-offs. Then hours cut to 40. Not good!

I worked two weeks at 40hrs and would have gone upside down had it not turned. I was moved to salary and got my promotion and the two previous years missed COL raises. My gross is 10% less than last year but I am putting in 25% less hours.

Hang in there guys!
 
Times are rough, especially for the job market in my part of Alabama. I've been out of work since our office was shut down in July. Been applying for anything and everything and had a few interviews, but no offers of employment.
 
Conagher said:
Times are tough.The job killer Obama is just making them worse.
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Well its unfortunate his only competition for office was a old guy with health problems on his last leg and his retard running mate that thought Africa was 1 country and didnt know its a continent full of many countries amongst many other intellectual insufficiencies. Only reason I woulda voted republican woulda been for a quicker means to an end of our government. Doesn't look like we have any real hope for a president we can all be proud of anywhere in the near future seeing the retardation of who's running. It's not even a matter of picking the lesser of two evils anymore, it's the lesser of two morons. Bush lowered the bar so low only rodents and pests can creep into the whitehouse. Go vote but your damned if you do and damned if you don't!
 
mikeg313 said:
Well its unfortunate his only competition for office was a old guy with health problems on his last leg and his retard running mate that thought Africa was 1 country and didnt know its a continent full of many countries amongst many other intellectual insufficiencies. Only reason I woulda voted republican woulda been for a quicker means to an end of our government. Doesn't look like we have any real hope for a president we can all be proud of anywhere in the near future seeing the retardation of who's running. It's not even a matter of picking the lesser of two evils anymore, it's the lesser of two morons. Bush lowered the bar so low only rodents and pests can creep into the whitehouse. Go vote but your damned if you do and damned if you don't!
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So very true.
 
This thread is a very humbling read and a soul enriching experience, reminded me of my time in 2007-8 when I got hit as well.

I would very much bump it, mainly because I want some of us to have a read here, especially our younger Anabolic tards
 
Subbed.
 
BUMP!

A work force reduction has recently separated me from my employer. The irony is that I was underutilized and unfulfilled to the point of being miserable. I hadn't "come alive" in my work at that employer for far too long.

Now the overqualified or the undereducated feedback and the waiting and the anxiety associated with it.

On the upside, the frustrated Dad doesn't walk in the door at the end of the day and chill the room. Some very high QT with my daughter is filling my heart with much needed joy and pleasure. :)

Just a reminder that we are still a community for support aside from the ordinary industry and sport theme of this forum.
 
Come to west Texas(Odessa / midland ) .......sooooo many damn jobs available ......can't get good service anywhere due to everyone being shorthanded ........if u want to get in the beer business email me at [email protected].
 
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