Who else is job hunting right now?

[RUDisney]

Isn't that the way it usually is? Feast or famine.

I hope he gets 2 offers and accepts the one he wants most.

 

[sallysmom]

Twenty-plus experience in book publishing (marketing) and I'm now seeing only entry level positions in my field. Still trying to figure out where to go from here...

 

[mrs_hower726]

I'm still in the hunt for a job teaching music, graduated with my masters in 2008 but had to take a year off to help my mother with her battle with cancer (she's fine now thank goodness) and there were only a couple of positions that were available in the area for this year and I didn't even get a call for an interview.

I'm in school again to become certified in special education, I am confident that I will be able to find a job in a year. In the meantime, I am subbing and volunteering.

 

[disney1990]

I have been unemployed since February. I have had no luck finding something else and these days I apply for anything I can find.

 

[MushyMushy]

My son got the Walmart job!

Now let's hope the rest of us have the same kind of luck.

 

[RUDisney]

Please give him a hug from all of us and wish him well!

 

[MushyMushy]

Well, guys, I got an interview next week! It's teaching adult education classes for computers and GED prep.

The bad news is, it went from full time to part time (about 15-20 hours a week ) and no benefits, but it's a foot in the door.

Wish me luck!

 

[RUDisney]

Best of luck to you! Will it be a contract or will you be able to continue to look for FT work?

At least it's better than subbing. You'll at least be able to schedule your time.

I hope you get it!!!

 

[ajk912]

I love the idea of a support thread!

I am also having a lot of problems job searching. A few years back, it was no big deal to find a daytime hours only job. Not anymore. I am looking for something that I can do 10-3, Monday through Friday, but that has a big enough staff that if I won't be horribly missed when I can't be there because I need holidays off. My DH needs 100% availability for work, so I cannot count on him to watch the kids, ever. No free childcare around, and I really don't have the time to do a mom-babysitting-swap because except for those hours, I am shutting kid from one activity to the next, games, church, etc. If I had ONE kid, ok, I could probably swing a few hours of childcare for the weekend availability that everyone wants. I can't swing it with three kids, no way, no how.

 

[MushyMushy]

I love the idea of a support thread!

I am also having a lot of problems job searching. A few years back, it was no big deal to find a daytime hours only job. Not anymore. I am looking for something that I can do 10-3, Monday through Friday, but that has a big enough staff that if I won't be horribly missed when I can't be there because I need holidays off. My DH needs 100% availability for work, so I cannot count on him to watch the kids, ever. No free childcare around, and I really don't have the time to do a mom-babysitting-swap because except for those hours, I am shutting kid from one activity to the next, games, church, etc. If I had ONE kid, ok, I could probably swing a few hours of childcare for the weekend availability that everyone wants. I can't swing it with three kids, no way, no how.

Have you tried banks? Or the local school districts? You could be a substitute... either teaching if you have the credentials or support staff. Are there any small, private colleges around? I worked in a college bookstore and my hours were great for that, and we were never open on a holiday.

Just a couple of ideas off the top of my head! Good luck.

 

[DisneyJules]

I'll join this group! My term position is up December 1st, I've applied to about 15 positions within the past month. I did have one GREAT interview and then didn't get the position. How frustrating. I'm getting very antsy as I absolutely need a job to pay my bills like everyone else. So I am praying that I will find something before December 1st. My current employer fromthe start said that they were sure they "could do something for me," at the end of my term. But employers say a lot of things so I don't want to count on this, plus I've asked them on a few occasions and they still didn't know. Not holding my breath. I guess all you can do is keep on applying. Good luck in your search!!

 

[MushyMushy]

My interview is today! Please send some pixie dust and luck my way.

I've only ever been on a couple of interviews in my life. Most of the jobs I've gotten were either handed to me or I got them because I tested well for them. I'm so nervous!

 

[SC Minnie]

My interview is today! Please send some pixie dust and luck my way.

I've only ever been on a couple of interviews in my life. Most of the jobs I've gotten were either handed to me or I got them because I tested well for them. I'm so nervous!

Good luck!!!!! I hope you get it!

 

[RUDisney]

Talk yourself into not being nervous... at least talk yourself into acting like your not nervous.

Situp and lean into the person to whom you're speaking.

If you haven't already, google interview questions so you'll be prepared with some good answers.

After the interview, make sure to write a personal thank you to the person/people who interviewed you. That always makes a good impression because so few people think to do that.

Best of luck to you!

 

[sallysmom]

Question for those on unemployment: If you decide to go back to school, can you still keep getting those checks? I have no idea how I'm going to pay for schooling (but will of course apply for any scholarship I can) but if I can't keep some income coming in, there's no way I can do it. Any suggestions?

 

[apirateslifeforme]

Question for those on unemployment: If you decide to go back to school, can you still keep getting those checks? I have no idea how I'm going to pay for schooling (but will of course apply for any scholarship I can) but if I can't keep some income coming in, there's no way I can do it. Any suggestions?

See if you can get in through the WIA program! I'm doing it right now...the state (or rather, a charity) pays for your schooling, and you keep getting paid by unemployment. You sort of have to pick from a list of acceptable programs, because they won't simply pay for you to return to school; what I was told is that "It's not for a job change, it's for a job upgrade." I was doing data entry, and now I'm pursuing an accounting assistant certificate. Still an office job, but I'm learning some new skills. There is also a cap on the funds; I am getting up to $5k. Anything beyond that would be my responsibility.

I had to first see a specialist at our Job Works office and be certified as a "dislocated worker." There are 3 criteria that have to be met; "have to be terminated or laid off," "is eligible for Unemployment Compensation," and "is unlikely to return to a previous industry or occupation." Once I had that, I was registered for a WIA Orientation, which is just a meeting to learn what the program is and what you can do with it. I was given a very large packet of forms to fill out; financial stuff, a job log showing that I was trying and failing to find work, etc. Returned that to Job Works, then some weeks later a caseworker called me for a one-on-one meeting, after the previous paperwork had been accepted and signed by a supervisor. We talked for about an hour about what I've done, what I was looking to do, etc. Filled out more paperwork and waited for my voucher to come through.

In the meantime, my caseworker told me to contact the school and talk to a counselor, which I did. I had to fill out a FAFSA, which of course showed that I wasn't eligible for financial aid of any sort. Once I did that, and once the WIA voucher came through with the required signatures, I was able to register for classes and buy books. The school accepted 2 classes that I took 17 years ago, so I am taking 2 classes this semester, 2 next semester, and then I "graduate" with my certificate. I pay nothing...WIA pays for the classes, the school fees, the books, everything I need. I can't say that it's been easy to go back, but I'm glad I did!

Just wanted to add...I'm not the first person I know to do it. My mother and a friend of hers both did it some years ago, and now a former coworker is also going through it with me (a different area of study, however). Our orientation meeting was PACKED, so a lot of people are finding out about this and doing it.

 

[sallysmom]

Wow. Thanks for the info, apirateslifeforme.

I'm in New York so I'll start with contacting my local job works office. Not sure if I'll qualify since I'm looking to leave my field and go into nursing but maybe there are other alternatives. It's certainly worth asking.

Good luck with your schooling! And the inevitable job hunting that goes along with it.

 

[MushyMushy]

Thanks for the advice, RUdisney! I hadn't thought of a thank-you letter. Do you think it should be typed or handwritten? Card or letter? Can you tell I never do this?

I had looked up interview questions last night, but they didn't ask any of the typical questions. The interviewers put me right at ease and they were both so nice and friendly that I have no idea if they LIKED me liked me, or were just that nice. I think more than anything, they were asking me questions to see if I'd fit in. My qualifications are spot on, but I got the feeling they really wanted to see if I had a good attitude and how I felt about community services in general.

The job is part time -- only 15 hours, but I can still substitute teach for extra money. I really want it even if it is part time! I'd love to get my foot in the door at this organization. It's a non-profit and has so many different services for our community.

 

[babytrees]

My interview is today! Please send some pixie dust and luck my way.

I've only ever been on a couple of interviews in my life. Most of the jobs I've gotten were either handed to me or I got them because I tested well for them. I'm so nervous!

Before this joblessness (I am 10 months unemployed) I had also always had jobs handed to me.....20+ interviews and I am praying for a job to fall in my lap.

 

[LivingtheWDWdream]

To those searching for jobs, don't give up I wish I had this thread for the past 12 months! I was unemployed from 9/3/2008 until TODAY! I had been so discouraged but I kept going. I would apply for every job I saw, whether I qualified or not, figured someone sometime would have to bite and want to interview me. I interviewed a few times but what changed at Yesterday's Interiew was I went into it with a "failure is not an option" attitude, I was confident, I was comfortable and I think I wowed them because they said they couldn't decide for another Week but called first thing this morning with a exceptional offer.

I start in 2 weeks and So please don't give up, when the right thing comes along you will get that feeling, go in with a "failure isn't an option" attitude and just do your best and wow them! You will find something and you will do well!

So from a Formerly unemployed DISer to Current Unemployed DISer's YOU CAN DO IT!