I am unemployed and getting depressed...

[micknpluto]

It's been almost two months since I lost my job. I feel like I am never going to find a job. I worked for this company for almost five years. I only worked for two different companies in sixteen years, Im scared I was making good money, I cant go on much longer without working. I had enough money saved to get me through these last few months. I think I give up on the job websites. I don't know how many resumes I sent, besides a few offers that weren't what they seemed, nothing has come of it. From what I hear, the highest percentage of people find jobs by friends, family...by telling EVERYONE they know they are looking for a job. Maybe I don't know enough people? I want this sick feeling inside to go away. I want to work again, I feel like such a loser. This has never happend to me before.

With the holidays coming, I don't know what to do? I have a great family and wonderful friends who support me no matter what. Im sure they will understand if I cannot buy presents this year. everyone said, don't worry you will land on your feet, everything happens for a reason. If this is true, why is it taking so long?

I appreciate you guys, The DIS.
Thanks for being there and listening..

 

[golfgal]

Hopefully with the new year things will look better. I know the major employer in our town has a hiring freeze on until after the first of the year when their new budget year starts. Maybe you will have some luck then. It might be helpful to post what state you are looking for employment in and what you do, maybe someone here can help.

 

[Tiggeroo]

just curious, what do you do for a living. Is your industry in a slump? That could be the problem. You might have to think outside of the box to get the job now. Maybe take something similar but not the same. Maybe relocate or at least travel a bit for awhile. DH has twice in the past five years had a job where he drove at least an hour and a half. It stunk but it was work and if we felt it was a permenant thing we would have moved.
Are you sure your previous employer is giving you a good reference? The reason I suggest taking a job a bit out of your comfort zone is that I feel employers like you better when you are working for somebody else.

 

[goofyforlife]

Have you tried a headhunter?

My sister in Philly just re-entered the workforce after 1.5 years off (home with my nephew) She works in an office (logistical admin stuff).... but the person may have leads in many fields.

but if you want I could ask her which headhunters helped her out......

Also a good tip would be to register with as many temp agencies as you can....

I got a full time job once within two weeks after registering with a couple....

 

[C.Ann]

First of all, don't let the "gift-giving" thing get you down.. That's not the true meaning of the holidays - although we're clearly made to feel differently with all of the commercial pressures out there..

Secondly, what kind of work do/did you do? Are you focuisng your search just in specific areas related to your former job? If so, take a close look at what you did and how that might apply to a different career.. With being unemployed, this is the perfect opportunity to go off in an entirely different direction..

I know it's hard, but your "value" in life is not determined by your job and what you do.. It's determined by who you are as an individual..

Just tie a knot at the end of your job and hang on.. Something will come along and eventually you'll look back and see that good has come from bad..

 

[TRUFFLES13]

As of next month I will also be unemployed. (hate that word). Our company is closing, I have worked here for over 25 years. I never had a resume. I have sent out a few resumes, but nothing. Everything I also see is so much less than I make now. I know I am going to worry big time!

 

[denisenh]

DH has been unemployed for the past 2 months too. I understand how you feel because that is how DH feels as well. It is scary but what is the worst that could happen?
I bet that as soon as you accept the fact that you CAN deal with the worst that could happen, a good job will come along.
In the meantime...Take a shower and get dressed everyday, no matter what. Go for a walk. Smile. You are alive! There is a WHOLE world out there. Go do something new. Talk to anyone about anything. Ask what they do for a living and enjoy your little bit of converstation.
You will be fine. I just know it.

 

[micknpluto]

I thought about reaching out to my local DISers, maybe someone close by knows of a company who is hiring. I worked for one of the biggest rental car companies (I wont name them). The last 16 years of my career has been in sales, customer service and management. I have always been a great employee and liked by all (at least I thought). I am open to anything. I wouldn't mind a career change. Maybe Im being too picky? I really don't want to get into the same exact thing I did before, it was very stressful. My Mom said it was probably a good thing, since I wasn't very happy and I complained all of the time. I would love to get an administrative position. The only problem is, Im not very familiar with the different programs like EXCEL and stuff like that. Most administrative positions require this kind of knowledge. If anyone has any suggestions, Im open, Im all ears..

 

[vettechick99]

I'm in a similar situation. This time of year is awful for finding work, so I feel your pain.

I have a few suggestions. First, you have to get out of this depression. It comes across in your resumes, cover letters & interviews, so do something that will make you feel happy!

Second, contact a career counselor and have them help you rewrite your resume. Or even post it on here and we can give you some tips!

Third, if your experience qualifies you for a headhunter, contact those and really sell yourself. The more people working for you, the better off you are.

Lastly, network! Let everyone you know that you are looking for work. It's all in who you know, not what you know.

Good luck -- Your luck will turn around!

 

[grlpwrd]

My dh's career is very unstable so I can relate about being unemployed. He's actually been laid off many times in the past 8 years.

Would you consider temp work to not only tide you over, but for improving skills? I know many job placement companies that provide access to temp jobs, but you also obtain computer skills. Many times, too, the temp jobs turn into something permanent.

GL!

BTW just read your profile .. might help to turn on some Jimmy Buffett!

 

[ducklite]

Go to a local temp agency and sign up. They have computers with programs that you can use to learn Word, Excel, and Powerpoint, amongst others. It's free to use their training!

They can try to get you temp work--reception jobs which generally require few computer skills, but will allow you to learn some of them on teh job, or even customer service positions.

In NJ (unless things have changed) you can work and earn up to "X" and still get unemployment--so check into that! Your income plus unemployment could have you near where you were, and you'll be learning new skills and out in the workforce networking.

Anne

 

[micknpluto]

I am registered to one employment agency and I havent heard from them yet. Its been at least month since I registered. Im not sure if they are considered "headhunters"? Where do I find headhunters?

Another thing I wanted to tell you guys...

I have a relative ( a cousin) He is very political in this area. Not only is he a big attorney but he can get people county/state jobs that you only get from who you know not what you know. My Mom told me to call him. but I dont consider him a very nice person. We dont talk to them that much. They seem to be the part of the family who make the rest of us feel like we are below them, like we are insignificant in comparison. Maybe its my imagination, maybe he really isnt this way? I went to him a few years ago for some advice and he totally blew me off, he wasnt very helpful. Since then I always said I would never talk to im again. My Mom says sometimes you have to swallow your pride. She wants me to call him and explain my situation. I feel weird calling. I need to get up enough nerve and just do it.

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

I too was unemployed for a couple of months. It was hard not having a job and not being able to find one. But I waited it out, and now I have the job I really wanted. Network, let everyone know you are looking for a job. Unfortunately it is all about who you know. Sometimes you might be highly qualified for the position but unless you know someone at the company, your resume won't get out there. I too tried the online job search and it returned nothing. Try a temp agency. I know a few people who have gotten jobs that way.

As for learning new computer programs, try looking into what is offered at local community colleges. I know a community college by me offers adult education classes and many are geared towards those who would like to learn MS Office products.

Anyway, good luck. It just takes time.

 

[ducklite]

I am registered to one employment agency and I havent heard from them yet. Its been at least month since I registered. Im not sure if they are considered "headhunters"? Where do I find headhunters?

You need to keep in touch with them. Get up every morning and get dressed for work. Call them at 8:00am, and tell them you are available and can walk out teh door with three minutes notice. Trust me, you'll get their attention. When you signed up, did you go and do any testing? If not you need to. And go in and use those computers to learn skills.

Anne

 

[Jockaroo]

Just wanted to wish you luck. Try not to be depressed--I know that is hard. My position that I loved was eliminated in Feb. 2002. I took a job in another field that I hated and promptly quit. Then I went back to school. I graduated in May and have been sending resumes out, but no luck yet. Like you, I am getting discouraged, but trying to keep my chin up! Honestly, this is a horrible time of year to look for a job. I keep hoping that my field will pick up in the new year. I'll be sending good thoughts your way. One piece of advice I can give is that when you feel down, go to your family and best friends--the people who care about you can really give you support right now. And of course know that you have tens of thousands of Dis friends sending pixie dust your way through our computers!

 

[chell]

Temp agencies are a great place to start for the type of work you are looking for. As someone else said, working through them will also give you some experience that you need and help you learn programs like Excel.

Also, call your local library to see if they offer free classes in Excel. The libraries around here do - I didn't know this until my step-mother told me last week as she is also unemployed and doesn't have all the skills she needs with computers.

Good luck!

 

[sk8belle]

Is there a Randstad by you? They are a temp company with offices all over the world, so you might want to check. I've used them twice and think they do a good job placing you. They pay fairly well, and the one I used even provided benefits.

Good luck. I recently went through the job search process myself, so I know what a struggle it can be.

 

[diznygirl]

I'm another one who suggests a temp agency. I've done a lot of temp work - and some of the assignments were long term (one was three years!). When that one ended I had another job lined up the next week.

You do have to call them every morning to get their attention. Also, find out if there are any others and sign up for them. I worked for AppleOne and I found that I needed to sign up for two of their offices separately. I also got more work for one than the other.

Good luck!

 

[micknpluto]

Just wanted to wish you luck. Try not to be depressed--I know that is hard. My position that I loved was eliminated in Feb. 2002. I took a job in another field that I hated and promptly quit. Then I went back to school. I graduated in May and have been sending resumes out, but no luck yet. Like you, I am getting discouraged, but trying to keep my chin up! Honestly, this is a horrible time of year to look for a job. I keep hoping that my field will pick up in the new year. I'll be sending good thoughts your way. One piece of advice I can give is that when you feel down, go to your family and best friends--the people who care about you can really give you support right now. And of course know that you have tens of thousands of Dis friends sending pixie dust your way through our computers!

Thanks Thanks to all of you....
I appreciate all of your responses..

 

[LuvTigger]

I agree with the temp agency idea. I would also suggest to sign up with more than just one...it's okay to do that (I signed up with 3, and decided to stick with one of them that I liked the best). That way you open up more opportunities for jobs.

Have you considered doing seasonal work, just to have a small amount of income coming in through the holidays? I agree that you should not dwell on the gift-giving, as everyone who knows you will understand. However, I'm sure that it would help to have some kind of income, no matter how small. I'm sure there are many retail stores looking for seasonal help right now, and you never know, you might meet some good contacts that way.

As far as your cousin goes...can you mom or someone else in your family talk to him for you and just as a "by the way, micknpluto is looking for a job if you happen to know of anything." That way, you don't have to swallow your pride and deal with someone you don't really want to deal with.

I have to admit that I got my last two jobs through someone I knew, and I am so grateful. When I was looking, I was working temp jobs, and I was talking to my friend who remembered that her mom was looking for someone at her office. To make a long story short, she hired me. It was only a clerical position that didn't pay much, but it was still more than I was making before. That led me to meet other people who knew someone who is working in the office I currently work in, and now I feel like I have a "real" career, and have earned some pretty nice salary increases. You may have to settle for a lower salary at first, and work your way up to what you were earning before as well.

Good luck, I hope you keep us posted!