Being unemployed really sucks

[Herky]

I lost my job due downsizing at the end of March and finding a job has been a struggle. I've done different levels of sales ever since graduating from college back in 2000, and am ready to be done with sales. I'm burnt out and even though the money was good at times, I want to switch career paths. Everything I'm applying for I'm either overqualified...or underqualified for and there are lots of hiring freezes going on around here as well. I did have a 2nd interview with Frito Lay and am supposed to get another interview later this week. Other than that my phone has been quite even though I've been sending my resumes out weekly.

I am collecting unemployment, but $642 every 2 weeks after taxes won't even pay all the bills. Thankfully, my GF (who lives with me) has been very supportive. We've made some social changes (stopped going out, eating in more, cutting back on going to the movies...ect) which we hope to carry over to when I do get a job. I took back our HD digital cable box last week as well which lowered our cable bill a lot. We had been saving for a house and don't want to dip into that fund, (plus I was saving for a ring) so we are getting by billwise.

Sorry for the rant, and I'm not feeling sorry for myself, but I just wanted to get it off my chest.

[The Chef]

Re: Being unemployed really sucks

I hear ya, same boat here and same outcome so far as well. Oregon is a terrible place to live and work, imo, there is nothing redeeming about this garbage state.

[youvalss]

Re: Being unemployed really sucks

If u need some1 to listen to u just keep posting here - that's what I do when times r getting tough. I can identify with u. I've been unemployed for almost a year prior to my current job. I work here for 2 months now but with every day passing I think more and more about quitting. I can't stand this place - and after an input talk yesterday it seems like they're not satisfied with me either. So what I wanna say is I know u need the money and all that, but don't start working at a place u can't see yourself working at. It's better to be unemployed for another 2 months than starting and quitting after a short time. At least that's what I think... And since u're not married and don't have kids u have less responsibility, even though it's not right to be unemployed.
So don't worry, things will get better. It's just like dating: u lose some OK/so-so girl and find an amazing 1!

[Herky]

Re: Being unemployed really sucks

What's up with places wanting people with college degrees yet offering $12 per hour? I don't get this job market. 5 years back it was so much easier and I had less experience.

I think it might be time to head back to college since my experience is so one-sided. It's tough to change career paths right now and I need to get a degree in something meaningful. Computer programming here I come in the fall semester. Time to get my high school and college transcripts sent to the local community college. They offer a 2 year program and it's something I want to do.

Rant over.

[baumy300]

Re: Being unemployed really sucks

Hey, sorry to hear that bro. The same thing happened to my dad last October, and he as well had to collect unemployment. It took him almost 6 months to find a respectable job again, but in the end it all worked out OK.

Keep the faith and try to stay strong. If all else fails we still have AD to keep our chins up this fall :wink:

[countryboy]

Re: Being unemployed really sucks

sorry to hear guys.

Hope everything works out for the best.

[stewaat]

Re: Being unemployed really sucks

OP I feel you man. I got laid off about a month ago and looking for jobs is like finding a needle in a haystack. My last job consisted of mostly data entry and was so simple I felt embarrassed to truly describe what I did daily.

I have a degree in Finance and the jobs that I think I'm qualified for are looking for people to hit the ground running. The worst thing is I found a job a while ago I really wanted...and this was an entry level job. I interview and fail to get the job because the person who got the job was middle aged and had several years of experience. Job market is crap right now.

It's also crazy to think that the middle aged guy took a job with a salary of $34K.

[bad_philanthropy]

Re: Being unemployed really sucks

I hear ya, same boat here and same outcome so far as well. Oregon is a terrible place to live and work, imo, there is nothing redeeming about this garbage state.

No sales tax and it has some nice sights. But other than that I agree with you. My wife is at UO but I have been doing freelance consulting for eight months and despite living in Oregon, have done work in California, Washington, and BC, everywhere on this damn coast but Oregon. Between the economic climate in the state and the ridiculously overpriced property values I can't wait to get out.

[BrianFifaFan]

Re: Being unemployed really sucks

I lost my job due downsizing at the end of March and finding a job has been a struggle. I've done different levels of sales ever since graduating from college back in 2000, and am ready to be done with sales. I'm burnt out and even though the money was good at times, I want to switch career paths. Everything I'm applying for I'm either overqualified...or underqualified for and there are lots of hiring freezes going on around here as well. I did have a 2nd interview with Frito Lay and am supposed to get another interview later this week. Other than that my phone has been quite even though I've been sending my resumes out weekly.

I am collecting unemployment, but $642 every 2 weeks after taxes won't even pay all the bills. Thankfully, my GF (who lives with me) has been very supportive. We've made some social changes (stopped going out, eating in more, cutting back on going to the movies...ect) which we hope to carry over to when I do get a job. I took back our HD digital cable box last week as well which lowered our cable bill a lot. We had been saving for a house and don't want to dip into that fund, (plus I was saving for a ring) so we are getting by billwise.

Sorry for the rant, and I'm not feeling sorry for myself, but I just wanted to get it off my chest.

I feel you. I work for a GM supplier (DMAX, home of the Duramax Diesel) and just came back from an almost 3 month layoff to find they were cutting 290 jobs, roughly 1/4 of our workforce. This was after having our hours cut from 66hrs/wk for 5 years. So I can feel you on the finances. Had to give up the HD box as well, and sold a couple of HDTV's I had to make ends meet. (I had 4, so no big loss.) But somehow I made it and learned that I don't need nearly as much as I thought to be "happy." For now my job's safe. They'd have to shut down for me to laid off permanently. But we might have some more "down weeks" if sales stay soft.

I'm praying something comes open for you. Keep your chin up and never give up hope. Remember it's always darkest before the dawn. This is just a little bit of time. Don't let it steal your joy..... Peace, Brian

[Bighoff]

Re: Being unemployed really sucks

The job market does suck. You just have to keep pounding on doors, eventually one will open up.

[rockchisler]

Re: Being unemployed really sucks

The job market does suck. You just have to keep pounding on doors, eventually one will open up.

Well it still sucks out here I am looking for production supervisor position in automotive field, I will have to leave Michigan if I am to get one maybe out west somewhere..

[bkfount]

Re: Being unemployed really sucks

this does indeed suck, as I'm going through it too.

I graduated college in May of 2007, then took a year long internship. I've been looking hardcore since June, and have thrown my resume everywhere, occasionally getting interviewed. I'm confident with what I'm experienced in and feel that I do give good interviews.

I know these people probably wish to lean on candidates with more experience, but I know I could do the jobs I'm applying for well. It's utterly deflating being notified in a brief email that they are going with someone else for whatever reason, putting you back at the starting line. This last one was hard, as I got hyped up for it, since it was everything I wanted.

[av7]

Re: Being unemployed really sucks

Ya my mom is dealing with this, she's been unemployed since last December and has had a whopping 3 interviews for project management jobs.

It sucks for alot of people that are either over qualified or dont have the experience for a certain business despite having 30+ years of project management. She doesnt have a degree but when she learned all of her programming, it wasn't required but now it is so that hurts as most want a degree to brag.

It'll be nice when the market picks back up.. who knows when

[stewaat]

Re: Being unemployed really sucks

Yea I'm waiting on hearing back from the Charlotte Police Department. The process is taking forever. The city council has to approve my application and then I'll be notified if I've been accepted into the academy, which starts in January.

I was recently hired at a restaurant but they are taking forever to open, so I'm stuck without anything for another week I guess. I really want to hear back from the police department, I'm fairly positive that I'll get accepted. I don't know any reason I wouldn't.

I had a degree in Finance, got a job in Finance, then was laid off for economic reason and they used LIFO (last in, first out) to get rid of some people. I hated that job anyways...cubicle life is not for me.

[MassNole]

Re: Being unemployed really sucks

It is frustrating. I often ask what I did wrong, I went to school got good grades and good experience and the market is just dead. I have decided to start my own practice for now, it wasn't my preferred choice but right now it is the best one.