Laid off--Support thread

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Thanks for the tip about changing a comma or a period on the resume, I didn't realize that would bring my DH resume back up to the top.

Hang in there everyone. You all are in my thoughts.

 

[JoyG]

What is Cha Cha?

I skimmed the posts and couldn't find an explanation of what that is. My dh is looking for work. He's been a stay at home dad for years and now is having a really hard time getting back into the market. He has been driving limos part time but we need more than that.

 

[kathianne]

What is Cha Cha?

I skimmed the posts and couldn't find an explanation of what that is. My dh is looking for work. He's been a stay at home dad for years and now is having a really hard time getting back into the market. He has been driving limos part time but we need more than that.

If your dh would prefer to stay at home for circumstances, here's a website he should check out

www.wahm.com

its a discussion board like this, its called Work at Home Moms, but don't let that put him off, I think about 20% of the participants are guys. It discusses ways to earn money at home, including Cha Cha. I found my work-at-home job through them, its filling in the gaps now. They also discuss Cha Cha, basically you do searches for questions people text in, you find the answer then its texted back to them, that's how I understand it, it pays about 10 cents a question, I understand people can pick up a few hundred extra a month, easy money from home and legit, you should investigate it.

Good Luck

 

[kathianne]

Ok, ladies, lets post what we do on a day-to-day basis to help get us through these times!

Budget tips, recipies, whatever!

Here's what I'm doing today---

Clean up the house extra nice
Have scented candles lit
cook a nice pot roast and a yellow cake fresh out of the oven
got my hair cut and did my own highlights, I already had purchased the highlight kit, it came out great!
put on make up for the first time in ages
bought some new blouses (on sale, of course)

So what's that got to do with anything? Everything! We all need to keep our spirits up, if I look good, I feel good, my dh comes home to a pleasant atmosphere, he feels better, that attitude projects in his job search.

We can't walk around all doom and gloom or that does you in right there. The thing is to live like you want to live and your attitude will follow. No, I'm not going on a silly spending spree, farr from it, outside of the blouses ($4 each at Macys on sale with a coupon) and the haircut was free with a loyalty card and points, I haven't spent anything, just got my act together, when dh comes home tonight he needs to feel that all is well in his "castle" Also, no more talk about the sick cat, I'm handling that.

I really feel its so easy to slip into a funk in a situation like this and that's the worse thing you could do. Things will work out, they always do, we're not on skid row, we need to tighten up but need to feel good about ourselves, too.

Also, I'm putting out feelers for a job, I currently homeschool my son, but whoever gets a job first the other can homeschool, we can tag team ds. I'm looking for anything that has benefits, Cobra is killing us!

So, lets all share our "tip of the day" to stay positive!

 

[T. Lynn]

I have an interview tomorrow so I'm trying to keep my hopes/spirits up as well. Doing anything possible to get the job, thus giving it more than 100%.

* I'm cleaning up the house (laundry, dusting, everything) - incase they want me to start Monday, it will be nice to home home to a clean house
* Picking out my attire - looking professional and don't want to be scrambling in the morning with appropriate jewelry
* Researching online - thinking of every possible question they may ask and being prepared to answer
* Finishing up my portfolio - I'm very good on the computer so I've printed out flyers, brochures or things I have done to display my creativity
* Lighting candles - smells good in house and keeping me in a good positive mood

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I sort of hate to share this because companies are on the look out for how they can save expenses but seeing the COBRA posts made me cringe (having paid lots of money for no usage by me in the past). I went back to school mainly because I needed a new skill and partly because I needed insurance. State tuition + school insurance closely equalled similar benefit private party insurance in cost....plus you get bonuses like student discounts, a state of the art recreational facility, an opportunity to see corporate recruiters etc and no need for any sort of exam. Turned out I made the decision just in time too because I had to go to the emergency room shortly after it started. All for a minimum of 6 credits a semester. Had I actually paid the SAME premium for private party my share of the costs would have been much much higher.

Thanks for the info on WAHM...I got laid off in 2002 and have been working this and that temporarily ever since. First over qualified, then out of the business for too long...even took a job with the IRS so I could prove I hadn't been in jail (resume gap). Really hoping my school pans out. I'd be happy with making half of what I did in 2002.

 

[missj1975]

Kathianne, How did the vet appointment go?

Don't stress about tithing if you can't afford it. The church should understand. If yours doesn't, it might be time to find another church.

Good luck to everyone in their job searches.

 

[dnoyes]

I have an interview tomorrow so I'm trying to keep my hopes/spirits up as well. Doing anything possible to get the job, thus giving it more than 100%.

* I'm cleaning up the house (laundry, dusting, everything) - incase they want me to start Monday, it will be nice to home home to a clean house
* Picking out my attire - looking professional and don't want to be scrambling in the morning with appropriate jewelry
* Researching online - thinking of every possible question they may ask and being prepared to answer
* Finishing up my portfolio - I'm very good on the computer so I've printed out flyers, brochures or things I have done to display my creativity
* Lighting candles - smells good in house and keeping me in a good positive mood

Good luck tomorrow Lynn. It would be nice to see a few people make it out of this thread.

 

[T. Lynn]

Good luck tomorrow Lynn. It would be nice to see a few people make it out of this thread.

Thank you so much. I really appreciate all the good wishes. My DD wants me to get this job bad as well so it kinda adds to the pressure. It's next to my mom's house and she'd stay there during the summer instead of being with a sitter. She is so excited already but I told her I didn't get the job yet.

I'm trying to keep my head up, be prepared, look professional and go in with a positive attitude. I'll keep everyone posted....

 

[kathianne]

I sort of hate to share this because companies are on the look out for how they can save expenses but seeing the COBRA posts made me cringe (having paid lots of money for no usage by me in the past). I went back to school mainly because I needed a new skill and partly because I needed insurance. State tuition + school insurance closely equalled similar benefit private party insurance in cost....plus you get bonuses like student discounts, a state of the art recreational facility, an opportunity to see corporate recruiters etc and no need for any sort of exam. Turned out I made the decision just in time too because I had to go to the emergency room shortly after it started. All for a minimum of 6 credits a semester. Had I actually paid the SAME premium for private party my share of the costs would have been much much higher.

Thanks for the info on WAHM...I got laid off in 2002 and have been working this and that temporarily ever since. First over qualified, then out of the business for too long...even took a job with the IRS so I could prove I hadn't been in jail (resume gap). Really hoping my school pans out. I'd be happy with making half of what I did in 2002.

Hey, that's an angle I never thought of--become a student and get student health insurance! I will look into it!

 

[got2travel]

I would love to go back to school, but as a single parent, that won't work for me.

I'll be attending my first job fair on Monday. I know I'm probably going in with the wrong attitude, but I'm not expecting much from it. I really just want to go to see what they are all about. I will have copies of my resume and be dressed appropriately, but not sure I'll put myself out there too much.

Thanks to whomever posted the tip about changing a small item on your resume. I figured that updating it regularly would provide more hits, but I let it slip for a while.

 

[kathianne]

Hey, that's an angle I never thought of--become a student and get student health insurance! I will look into it!

I've looked into some universities around here and some community colleges, they do have student health plans, seem pretty good, I have to check out the details, but no where near as expensive as Cobra and will cover pre existing conditions, don't know about perscription coverage, but I'm checking into it. And I was thinking of going back for another masters or something for continuing education anyways. Great suggestion, thanks!

 

[kathianne]

I would love to go back to school, but as a single parent, that won't work for me.

I'll be attending my first job fair on Monday. I know I'm probably going in with the wrong attitude, but I'm not expecting much from it. I really just want to go to see what they are all about. I will have copies of my resume and be dressed appropriately, but not sure I'll put myself out there too much.

Thanks to whomever posted the tip about changing a small item on your resume. I figured that updating it regularly would provide more hits, but I let it slip for a while.

Good luck with the job fair!

I got a job through a job fair last year. I hadn't worked for awhile and found the whole interview process intimidating, so I thought a job fair would be a good way to get some low-risk practice. I was surprised to find a job almost the same day! Unfortunaetly I had to quit for a number of reasons and the company is now out of business, but it was a good start.

Good Luck!

 

[kathianne]

Hey, dh got a call tonight, scheduled an interview for Friday!

Its a great sounding job, so lets hope!

Also, I'm going to a job fair Monday, so we have options!

 

[CarolA]

Depsite what people say, I think headhunters just muddy the waters. He's had interviews that went so well they all but hired him on the spot, then just nothing, not even a flush letter, he had to call the headhunter, then told it was given to someone else.

All headhunters do is get in the middle of the process. They just bring to the employers what the employers can find on their own on Monster, etc. The they want an "updated" resume, they tweak on it a little, then the headhunter owns it. any job that is a result of that resume they get a commission for, oftentimes one year's salary. That's some $$$!

Let's face it,neither of have skills so unique to need a headhunter to match us up, and when the employer is interested they are scared off by all the legal hoops they must jump through in order to satisfy the HH. Then even if you apply for a similar job with the same company, using your own resume, not the HH's version, the company is nervous about crossing some gray area about who "owns you" and the commission, so they just ignore you.

HH's love to scrub those boards. Its a good deal, just place a few people a year and you can make $$$, all probably in your spare time!

I found a job last year just like that by going to a job fair, job fair on Monday, interview on Wed, hired on Wed, started the following Monday. But I had to quit it for a variety of reasons and they're no longer in business so I can't re-apply. But I found out by cutting out the middle man I got more in less time!

Best to go the old-fashioned route and just apply directly. There's a lot of activity generated through Monster, etc, but it just results in a lot of spam, headhunter's looking for low-hanging fruit, that's about it.

WOW! So you are cutting off a lot of job opportunities right here.

LOTS AND LOTS of companies use recruiters to avoid having to deal with the DELUGE of useless resumes they get when they post a job.

I got several leads and was offered a great job via a recruiter. That job (which I turned down, but passed on to a friend) was NEVER posted on their website (which was not even a company I would have looked at anyway) was never posted on monster, career builder etc.. So with this attitude I would have passed it up! And the recuriter found me on careerbuilder.....

Actually the "old fashioned" route for me and my laid off co-workers was the LEAST effective route. Of the 10 of us I kept up with all of us either got jobs via recuriters or personal contacts. (I was hired by one of my old clients for example) With the economy the way it is they are overwhelmed by resumes. A good recruiter will have 'prescreened' you and be able to tell the company if you fit. Yes, some of them (lots of them actually) are idiots, but nothing ventured nothing gained! But cutting them off is going to be costly!

Now if they want a fee up front they are NOT what you want, but I worked with several during my job search and they got me in a lot of doors I couldn't have opened on my own (or wouldn't have even KNOWN about!)

 

[Disneydreamer5]

I hate that I have to BUT I have to join this thread. I too was laid off from a Title Company on September 11th. Of all the days I know.
I am trying to find work but there is just nothing out there.
I am getting unemployment benefits but its less then a 3rd of what I was making and its just terriable, thats the best way to describe it.
I have 5 children and I don't have to tell you I am dreading the holidays.
Everyone in my extended family has money and we always do a grad bag for the children,there are 17 neices and nephews, I hate the thought that we can't be in it this year and I know the guilt of being the only family not buying is going to be an issue and my DH will end up saying we will be in it but we can't afford to be in it and its just a real painful situation.
People with money really don't understand those of us when we say we don't have it this year. Like when I say I am broke I have a total of $35 in the bank, no savings no cd's, no stocks, no nothing! Literally living one day at a time. Some people just don't get it and I don't know how to make them understand. My DH works very hard and the last thing he wants is anyone pity but why can't they just see it from our point of view and say hey ya know what? Its a hard time right now for everyone and lets just buy for our own familys and leave it at that? Any advice how to deal with this would be great.
One another note I want to say that I am glad I found this thread and I wish you all good luck in keeping your households afloat.
God Bless us all and help us to keep focus on the good things as there are many things to be greatful for as another posted stated, we have our familys and our health and at the end of each day that is most important thing in the world, everything else is replaceable.
My thoughts and prayers are with each and every one of you in this situation.

 

[snowman1035]

Our hours have been reduced at work, I work for a title insurance company (real estate) and I filed for partial unemployment. So, I just got my first payment from unemployment and it was for $19.00!!! Now my hours went from 40 hours a week to 28 hours a week. I just about fell out of my chair! How sad, after working all these years to only get that amount. It was either cry or laugh and I had to laugh!

 

[Disneydreamer5]

I feel your pain. I too worked 3 days a week at a Title company getting really good money and the other 2 days at a law office. I was laid off from the Title company so I too have to deduct what I get from my other job from my unemployment benefits. Its total BULL what are you suppose to do with that little. Now adays especially. $19? You can get a gallon of milk, loaf of bread and maybe a dozen eggs. After working my whole life, when things get bad you have no where to turn. The best and funniest thing I heard this week is that my family of 7 can't get any help because we make too much money!
We are barely paying our bills, food shopping has been reduce to the absolute minium amount, I don't drive my car unless its for a job interview or have to pick up the kids somewhere, DH works 65 hours a week and we aren't intitled to any help, CRAZY doesn't exactly say it all but it fits. As you say tears are just about dried up, have to laugh about it or I would go insane!

 

[snowman1035]

I hate that I have to BUT I have to join this thread. I too was laid off from a Title Company on September 11th. Of all the days I know.
I am trying to find work but there is just nothing out there.
I am getting unemployment benefits but its less then a 3rd of what I was making and its just terriable, thats the best way to describe it.
I have 5 children and I don't have to tell you I am dreading the holidays.
Everyone in my extended family has money and we always do a grad bag for the children,there are 17 neices and nephews, I hate the thought that we can't be in it this year and I know the guilt of being the only family not buying is going to be an issue and my DH will end up saying we will be in it but we can't afford to be in it and its just a real painful situation.
People with money really don't understand those of us when we say we don't have it this year. Like when I say I am broke I have a total of $35 in the bank, no savings no cd's, no stocks, no nothing! Literally living one day at a time. Some people just don't get it and I don't know how to make them understand. My DH works very hard and the last thing he wants is anyone pity but why can't they just see it from our point of view and say hey ya know what? Its a hard time right now for everyone and lets just buy for our own familys and leave it at that? Any advice how to deal with this would be great.
One another note I want to say that I am glad I found this thread and I wish you all good luck in keeping your households afloat.
God Bless us all and help us to keep focus on the good things as there are many things to be greatful for as another posted stated, we have our familys and our health and at the end of each day that is most important thing in the world, everything else is replaceable.
My thoughts and prayers are with each and every one of you in this situation.

Disneydreamer5 - I am in the same boat as far as Christmas goes. We have a big family and dreading the whole gift thing. I have decided and told DH that we are only buying for the our parents and our kids. I do feel bad, but I look at it this way: Christmas is to commercial and we really need to look at why we celebrate Christmas. Our kids will not get as much this year and they are fine with that, they are older and understand. DH doesn't really like it that I don't want to buy for the rest so I told him that if I have to do anything, I am going to make them small baskets of goodies (popcorn balls, different kinds of candied applies, fudge, etc.). I figured I would just make all the stuff and break it down for each family. If the money isn't there you just can't do it and that is how I am looking at it. I know we are all going to get through this employment thing, we just have to be here to support each other and listen. We always learn from each other while on these boards. God Bless all of us!

 

[suzydisney971]

I too have to join this thread. I was out on TDI from May until September due to having my baby prematurely and he was in the hospital until August. I was supposed to return to work on 10/6 and the week before I received a certified letter that my job was terminated. I worked for a law firm and I don't think that they are telling me the truth. But they did give me 3 months severance and are paying for my health insurance until the end of the year. So now I'm looking and sending some resumes but there is nothing out there. I did post my resume on Monster.com but nothing has come of it. Thank god that the only outstanding debt we have is the mortgage. Every pay period, I always put aside some money in an envelope just in case we have a tough month and can't come up with the whole payment. Thankfully we only had to hit the envelope once to pay off a month. I'm hoping once the holidays pass that more jobs will become available. Most people don't hire around the holidays anyway. I do my surveys religiously and that extra money helps pay for my Disney vacation in 4 years. No matter how tough things get, I will always try to put money aside for a vacation even if it's years away lol.