One Year Unemployed

[Nighthawk76]

Next month it will be a year since I was laid off from my job at the college. I have applied to over 80 positions in the last twelve months, have been flat out turned down for 60 of them and never heard back in regards to the other 20. Illinois has the highest unemployment rate in the country. I have a Bachlor's Degree in Early American History, but have been turned down for jobs at Subway and Best Buy! I've been talking to a friend in Seattle about moving out there to live with him in hopes that I might find work there. His idea. However, he has been out of work for over an year himself and has a Master's Degree.

Anyway, I know other people here lost there jobs and I was wondering how you have all been doing in your job searches?

[Retro4Life]

It's really, really tough right now.

I have a job (two in fact) but I really want to change, since my main job is one I can't stand and just keep because it provides benefits and a steady income. Anyway, I spoke with a local college job counselor and he told me that he's been telling local people who want work to "get out" of the area! That's pretty depressing, and yes, this is in Illinois.

I have a friend who's been unemployed for a year, too, in the computer design field. He just can't find ANYTHING and he devotes all his time to networking and job searching.

As much as I loathe my main job (I like my second job but it's part time and I couldn't live on it), I am grateful for it. I'm not getting any younger and I am fortunate in this climate in this area to still be able to support myself. That could change at any time of course and I continue to look for something I enjoy that has more of a future (and better pay) but for now, I'm thankful.

Good luck with your own search!

[MickeyMac]

I too have been out of work for a year, and havent had much luck in the job department here, but I am not giving up.


Shine have you considered going back to school and getting your masters??

[Nighthawk76]

Originally Posted by MickeyMac

I too have been out of work for a year, and havent had much luck in the job department here, but I am not giving up.


Shine have you considered going back to school and getting your masters??

I was working on my Master's when I got laid off. I tried to take out a student loan so I could still go to school even though I was out of work, but so many people in Illinois have been taking out student loans that the well has dried up.

[Nighthawk76]

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

It's really, really tough right now.

I have a job (two in fact) but I really want to change, since my main job is one I can't stand and just keep because it provides benefits and a steady income. Anyway, I spoke with a local college job counselor and he told me that he's been telling local people who want work to "get out" of the area! That's pretty depressing, and yes, this is in Illinois.

I have a friend who's been unemployed for a year, too, in the computer design field. He just can't find ANYTHING and he devotes all his time to networking and job searching.

As much as I loathe my main job (I like my second job but it's part time and I couldn't live on it), I am grateful for it. I'm not getting any younger and I am fortunate in this climate in this area to still be able to support myself. That could change at any time of course and I continue to look for something I enjoy that has more of a future (and better pay) but for now, I'm thankful.

Good luck with your own search!

Good luck to you as well.

[Elvis Fonzie Dean]

Consider the following:

Porn
Telemarketing
Wrestling

[Nighthawk76]

Originally Posted by Elvis Fonzie Dean

Consider the following:

Porn
Telemarketing
Wrestling

I don't think so.

[OH Nuts!]

Sadly, it is an eer's market and the excuse that a lot of eer's use that someone is "overqualified" is a lot of hooey.

Economists seem to be saying the economy is beginning to turn around, but I know that's a hill of beans when you live in areas particularly hard hit.

Two things I've done when I've been out of work and really wanted to get back were (1) register with Temp Agencies and (2) have more than one resume, one of which was "dumbed down" so it ddidn't seem that I was "overqualified". I didn't lie mind you but I did phrase the truth creatively (as in a glass of water being half full rather than half empty)

Oh I just thought of something else: aggressively apply to companies whose products or services you like and in your cover letter tell them why you like them. If I was an eer I'd WANT ee's who believed in my company and who showed enthusiasm.

You may be doing all the above anyways but just in case..thought I'd thrown in what has worked for me in the past. Good luck!!

[Retro4Life]

What's an "eer"?

[Liza]

My cousin has been unemployed since 2007. Yep, nearly 3 years now. She won't listen to any advice I give her (she knows it all) but let me share with you some of my observations:

She has a great education - went to a private univerity, served in the peace corps for 2 years and got a Master's degree in international communications.

Impressive right?

She thinks so. She's only applied for jobs in New York City, Washington DC, and Europe. For two years she refused to apply for a job that paid less than $35000 a year. I offered to find her work in a bank and she rolled her eyes. It wasn't her "area of expertise." Maybe not, but it would have gotten her out of her parents' house for the last year if she'd taken me up on it.

Now she's depressed and mean-spirited. She can't find any work - even part time at a jewelry store, and I think it's because her attitude comes through in her interviews. Honestly, I wouldn't hire her.

So back to my point - here's my advice:

Although it can be really heart-breaking and discouraging you've GOT to be positive and enthusiastic about each opportunity that you find. When you get an interview, pretend it's your first one and put all your energy and determination into it. When I went for my promotion I wasn't the most qualified, but I had a ton of enthusiasm - I honestly think that's what got me the job. My boss picked up on it. My attitude was basically, "I don't know if I'm the most qualified, but if you pick me, I'll work my butt off for you!"

Best of luck to all who are looking, and chin up

[JoPol_wannabe]

In a month it will be a year since my Fiancée was laid off from his job also. My fiancée worked in Manufacturing and that was what got hit the hardest last year. But since then he has had several part time Jobs and he has gone back to school but allot of the places he applied for full time haven't been hiring. But this past month he applied at 2 places, one is a place where they put up gain bins and the other is a manufacturing plant that makes Bullets. Both places are hiring, so in the next couple weeks he could be fully employed again. I have a feeling that jobs are going to be picking back up because the place where my fiancée was laid off last year is starting to get more business so don't give up hope Shine somewhere out there is a job for you, if anything else you could always go and take classes to be a CNA there is always work out there for people in that field or you could apply to work in the kitchen at a nursing home or a Hospital and you don't have to be the cook you could apply and be the dishwasher or something like that. But I wish you good luck and I hope something will come along for you soon.

[jasonbigley]

Our area has been hit very hard as far as unemployment. It will almost be a year for me that I have been out of work. We just lost two more area businesses recently. I have applied to places like Subway, WalMart, Rite Aide, and Wegmans and I never hear anything from them. They say that the economy is getting better, well it probably is in Washington, but not in a lot of other areas.

[OH Nuts!]

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

What's an "eer"?

Oh, sorry for the confusion - I was using "eer" as an abreviation for employer. "ee" is for employee.

[OH Nuts!]

Originally Posted by Liza

My cousin has been unemployed since 2007. Yep, nearly 3 years now. She won't listen to any advice I give her (she knows it all) but let me share with you some of my observations:

She has a great education - went to a private univerity, served in the peace corps for 2 years and got a Master's degree in international communications.

Impressive right?

She thinks so. She's only applied for jobs in New York City, Washington DC, and Europe. For two years she refused to apply for a job that paid less than $35000 a year. I offered to find her work in a bank and she rolled her eyes. It wasn't her "area of expertise." Maybe not, but it would have gotten her out of her parents' house for the last year if she'd taken me up on it.

Now she's depressed and mean-spirited. She can't find any work - even part time at a jewelry store, and I think it's because her attitude comes through in her interviews. Honestly, I wouldn't hire her.

So back to my point - here's my advice:

Although it can be really heart-breaking and discouraging you've GOT to be positive and enthusiastic about each opportunity that you find. When you get an interview, pretend it's your first one and put all your energy and determination into it. When I went for my promotion I wasn't the most qualified, but I had a ton of enthusiasm - I honestly think that's what got me the job. My boss picked up on it. My attitude was basically, "I don't know if I'm the most qualified, but if you pick me, I'll work my butt off for you!"

Best of luck to all who are looking, and chin up

I think your advice and insights are so right on. Doing almost any kind of work in the interim is an EXCELLENT idea for quite a few reasons. One, it gives your day structure. Two, it brings in some $ even if it may not be a lot. Three, when you do get an interview and the employer asks what you have been doing and you tell them I've been temping, doing something part-time, or even a full time job you're overqualified for - it sends a signal that you're proactive and VERY WILLING to work and that you're not going to be the type of employee who will look up their nose at challenging assignments.

Personally, from what you relate, I think your cousin's approach and attitude is very counterproductive - but sadly, there isn't much you can say to someone who believes they know it all and when you make constructive suggestions responds with a "yes, but..."

[OH Nuts!]

Originally Posted by jasonbigley

Our area has been hit very hard as far as unemployment. It will almost be a year for me that I have been out of work. We just lost two more area businesses recently. I have applied to places like Subway, WalMart, Rite Aide, and Wegmans and I never hear anything from them. They say that the economy is getting better, well it probably is in Washington, but not in a lot of other areas.

Consider following up with them every week and a half or so. If you can, send the companies or human resources personnel who have been especially nice/helpful a thank you letter. I'm willing to bet eagerness and enthusiasm will eventually win someone over. Good luck!