Unemployed :(

[Disneyfan1977]

Hi All
Been unemployed since 3/1/10. Got laid off after 17 years with my company. No severance. I'm a sad girl. I worked there since I was 15. I have no college degree and the only thing I have is a part time job as a clerk in an office.

I have looked everywhere and was wondering what some other tactics people have used to find a job. I use careerbuilder, craigslist, and go to some of the bigger companies in my area and look for openings but as of now, I have nothing. I had one interview set up for the July 14th. My sister died the night before and I still went on the interview and didn't get (hindsight is 20/20, I shouldnt have went because emotionally I wasn't right).

I hate being on unemployment, I'm depressed. The only time I have ever NOT worked is to give birth to my children. Any advice from my fellow Disney lovers who have been in a similar circumstance???? I really want a full time job.....

 

[sophie832]

Sorry to hear about your situation

I am speaking for my DH here...he's been unemployed since January of 2009 I know it's hard for him, even with the unemployment (which will definitely end in December...the end of the 99 weeks). He's been passing the time by gardening and working on his photography, and he's also finished his AA degree and is starting an online Bachelor's program. If school isn't an option for you at this point, I would say keep doing temp/part-time work to stay busy. Also, try and go to the places you'd like to work and get some face-to-face time with someone who works there...anyone. Even if you just get to drop off a resume, I think it's better than online searching. DH has only had 4-5 job interviews since he's been unemployed, and I think a big part of that is because he is mostly applying online. If you are going to stick with online applications only, then another thread on the DIS helped DH to find www.indeed.com for job searching. Most of all, try not to get discouraged. This economy is so rough...I always remind DH that he's not the only one.

I'll try and send some good vibes your way

 

[Safetygirl]

My husband has been unemployed since last July. He has had at least 20 interviews, but no job offers. Most of the jobs he is interviewing for are at least half of what he used to make. I wish I had some advice other than letting you know you are not alone.

 

[karice2]

I am not sure if you have thought about working for the government. Try www.usajobs.gov. The process can be long and tedious but they bennies are good and they will definitely work with you if your position is downsized. Try some of the defense companies. They have a lot of stuff going on right now.

Have you also thought of being some sort of entrepreneur? Right now senior services are big, virtual clerical work, handy husband. If your husband is good with gardening, I would be "pimping" him out to people who are not good with it. Oh wait, that was another poster. The tone is still the same though.

 

[Disneyfan1977]

Thanks everyone. I realize I am not alone. Funny how you never think it will happen to you than....BAM...its happens to you. Its tough though. Our income is down big time and its so depressing.

I will try indeed.com and I have tried usajobs.com but haven't found anything so far but will go back and try it again.

 

[abmitch01]

I just read the other day that the home health aide field is expected to grow by 50% over the next decade. I know at my employer, they pay for the training and are always looking for people who are motivated to work and plan to stick around a while

I'm sorry you're going through this

 

[Disneybuckeye]

Network. I went back to work last November after 9 years of being a SAHM. I immediately got a job with my manager from my last job that moved out of the state which was when I quit working to stay home. I just contacted her and asked if she had any suggestions and she brought me in for an interview. Make sure everyone you know knows you are looking. Good luck!

 

[cheriemek]

No advice, just lots of good wishes that things work out soon for you.

 

[MotherofLandon]

My DH got laid off in June, we found out in May that I was expecting. Last month I was placed on Short Term Disability for pregnancy complications.
It sucks and it is super stressful. But you are definitely not alone. I would consider going back to school, look into grants and aid avalible to you. I think it would make you feel productive and also give you a leg up for getting a new job.
Best of Luck

 

[Vivianne]

Hi All
Been unemployed since 3/1/10. Got laid off after 17 years with my company. No severance. I'm a sad girl. I worked there since I was 15. I have no college degree and the only thing I have is a part time job as a clerk in an office.

I have looked everywhere and was wondering what some other tactics people have used to find a job. I use careerbuilder, craigslist, and go to some of the bigger companies in my area and look for openings but as of now, I have nothing. I had one interview set up for the July 14th. My sister died the night before and I still went on the interview and didn't get (hindsight is 20/20, I shouldnt have went because emotionally I wasn't right).

I hate being on unemployment, I'm depressed. The only time I have ever NOT worked is to give birth to my children. Any advice from my fellow Disney lovers who have been in a similar circumstance???? I really want a full time job.....

Well, if my opinion amounts to any more than a molehill..you have my admiration. I respect people that are trying in a very hard downturn.

Do all you can to apply. I was laid off and yes I cried it's a very hard time and you feel you can't get out of the downturn. But try all you can. Apply where you can. Even if it's just another stepping stone to a better situation. DON'T GIVE UP...

All the best...

 

[peimikes]

It's strange how different our 2 economies are, US and Canada. My employer is looking for over 60 fulltime people all summer and they have had almost no applicants looking for work. I am an East Coast VP with our union and have heard of some companies looking for over 100 people with no applicants looking. People just aren't looking for work.

 

[eyor44]

Go back to usajobs.gov
Even if there isn't anything "open" in your area, apply towards whatever general job you are qualified for. Then when something in your area does become available, your resume will be in the system.

Mark the date you apply on your calendar and a couple days before the 6 month mark, reapply. Resumes are only kept in the system for 6 months.

hope you find something soon.

 

[apnep]

OP, keep you head up. I know it's not what you want but at least you have that PT job.

I agree with those who posted www.indeed.com. I recently scored a photography gig with it, and now the current job I'm about to start. It's great to search daily because it pulls listings from all the other job sites.

Have you tried to go in and apply with any agencies? I don't know what you do, but that might help...

Keep the faith.

 

[jsmith]

Even if there isn't anything "open" in your area, apply towards whatever general job you are qualified for. Then when something in your area does become available, your resume will be in the system.

Not exactly. you have to self nominate to be considered and they run a program against resume's that searches for keywords in the specific job description-then they pull those resumes and score them against the announement. Keeping a resume in the system is good-makes self nomination easier-but you need to check the site for new postings you are eligible for at least weekly.

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

Just wanted to offer support. The unemployment ride can really bring you down -- be sure to do things to keep your spirits up (volunteer, walk, watch some old movie rentals). You'll find something. Hang in there.

 

[SeansMom]

I don't know if this would work for you, but I went back to school for my Master's degree. I won't mention how much I owe in loans, but I will be doing something I LOVE and it is worth the financial burden. There is a LOT of loan money out there, and with a tight budget it may work for you. Most community colleges will let people enter at any time, so it wouldn't be too late to do all the paperwork needed for loans.

I also found volunteer work to be uplifting. It got me out around other people and as a side benefit you are networking...you never know who knows somebody who knows somebody who is hiring .

Best of luck and deepest sympathy for your loss.

 

[kjdaniel66]

Thanks everyone. I realize I am not alone. Funny how you never think it will happen to you than....BAM...its happens to you. Its tough though. Our income is down big time and its so depressing.

I will try indeed.com and I have tried usajobs.com but haven't found anything so far but will go back and try it again.

Sorry for your situation and I do hope it gets better. My brother in law was laid off last year too and it's hard on my sister's family. He works temp in the winter so it is even harder to find only summer employment.

That being said......My sister and I decided to get into business together. She was a stay at home mom. We became jewelry consultants on the side. We go and do the home parties and present the jewelry. We have a blast doing it together as a team. The company offers 50% of total sales which is great commission...better than most places. we are really new at it..just started. We had 3 parties and 1 book party. We have already witnessed some ups and downs with cancellations....and trust me...it stinks. But when the parties do work out the money is good and the parties are fun.

I am not trying to sell you anything. All I am trying to do is tell you what we decided to do. My sister hasn't worked in 10 years so this is definitely helping her confidence. There are a ton of companies out there with great opportunities like this one. We spend like 4 hours on a Saturday and we are done. It depends on where you live too. We are in a very rural area and it makes it difficult sometimes.

(When I was searching for jobs I had a resume on monster and always checked my local paper)
Hope everything works out for you.

Kelly J. Daniel

 

[lovesmurfs]

Have you tried registering with an employment agency? My company tends to hire on temp-to-perm people, and it might be a good way to get your foot in the door. I also used it to realize what I wanted to do (and what I DIDN'T want to do).

 

[BrightScouter]

That was pretty much going to be my suggestion also. I found my permanent job recently after being unemployed for a few months myself. But, I also got a short term contract (3 weeks) through a headhunter. I also got a couple of interviews through them with companies that didn't post on the internet for another week or two. So, they can be helpful.

 

[disneyofcourse]

A am sorry to hear about your situation. When looking at craigslist make sure you look at all the jobs available. Look at all the sections and keep an open mind. Any job is better than no job at all. Have you contacted local pet sitting companies to see if they are hiring? They usually don't require anything except for a working car, phone and computer and well-you.