OS Unemployment Club

[Hassan Darkside]

Gentlemen, I have created this exclusive club for all of us who are out of work for whatever the reason may be. In a time where we may spend our 40 hour work weeks at home, secluded, we must come together and unite. Maybe together our collaborative morale will reach a point where it is the equivalent of the normal laborer.

So, roll call! Who's jobless (and hopeless)? How long have you been out of work? Any degrees or certifications? What do you do to pass the time? How do you pay bills? Make money? How bad is the struggle? What have you had to sacrifice? Any advice to fellow club members? What do your prospects look like?

Join me my brethren. We are the 7.8%!

[MrChainsaw]

Re: OS Unemployment Club

Haven't had a job since I moved up here in late August. It's been so weird. Until that point not a day had gone by where I wasn't employed since I was 16 (I am now 24). I've been applying at a crapload of places, hoping someone will call me back but no luck at this point.

To pass the time I do homework/watch a lot of TV/read/play video games. Being in college helps make unemployment at least somewhat bearable, but my funds are starting to run dry so I hope I find something soon.

[Jr.]

Re: OS Unemployment Club

Been unemployed since July. Previously worked as a recruiter for an online university. I hated the job, but it paid well.

I have my MA in sport psychology (graduated '11). Played college baseball, been giving lessons and doing some coaching to make money, but mostly I pay bills from my savings and unemployment that I'm receiving.

I just accepted a job to be an assistant baseball coach for a D3 school in California, but the position only pays $5,000 for the year, so I'm going to need another job to make ends meet. Hopefully my MA will help me land a teaching gig with the school, but I'm not banking on that.

I pass the time with reading, working out and video games. It's great and sucks at the same time.

[BatsareBugs]

Re: OS Unemployment Club

Good luck looking everyone. I was in the same boat a couple of months ago. Just try to stay optimistic and keep finding things to do until an opportunity presents itself.

[Herky]

Re: OS Unemployment Club

My fiancee has been unemployed for a few months now. She was a web project coordinator and her company lost their biggest account and the downsize began there. She has a degree in English but we back to school for degree in web development a few years ago. I actually met her in class.

Jobs are fairly lean right now but we are hoping things start to pick up.

[bigbob]

Re: OS Unemployment Club

I lost my in August 2011.

I've applied to hundreds of places since January and still nothing. I've had interviews, sometimes second interviews, but never walked away with a job. I'm hoping this week that I get a call from the Hospital here, because that would mean I got a job! :-)

Good luck to everyone else.

[khaled]

Re: OS Unemployment Club

I've been looking for a job since summer of this year. I pay off my bills using student loans, but I live with my parents(I go to college close to home) so really just I pay for gas, eating out, some groceries, phone etc.

[JBH3]

Anyoner here ever thought of joining the military? You'll learn a skill, and only have to do 4 years. You will also earn education benefits (post 9/11 GI Bill) which is good for 15 years from the time you get out of the military and also pays a basic allowance for housing/subsistence.

If you're under 30 you should look into this.

If you're a college grad you should think about joining a branch's officer corps.

I cannot tell you how invaluable the experience and intangibles gained from the military help you. It is a unique and fullfilling experience.

Think about this: My wife is a college grad w/ a masters in education, and I have not finished college yet but I am making $74K/yr and she is making about $55K/yr. The trade/skills I learned while in the Marine Corps pushed me into a DoD civilian job and I have been able to make a comfortable living for myself and family.

Yes I had to make a lot of sacrifices from the ages of 19-24, but they have more than paid off in the long run.

[JODYE]

Re: OS Unemployment Club

I can attest to that as well, especially if you get a special certification while in the military.

I currently work for a military contracting firm, and most of the guys we bring on that have a certification or experience in a special field, say Fitness Training/Small Arms Repair/Systems Analyst etc. come on for no less than 70-75k.

Depends on the contract and our budget as well, but that is usually the range for what they start at, some even above 100k.

[Hassan Darkside]

Re: OS Unemployment Club

I've considered it, just not very deeply. I have tons of respect for my friends and others who go that route, though. As of right now I already have a bachelor's degree and feel like I've worked too hard to get to this spot to turn around and go a completely different direction. However, a few more months of unemployment may change my thinking completely. Currently I'm in the interview process and waiting to see how things shake out. I'm determined to have something lined up by the end of the year, ideally by Thanksgiving.

[JODYE]

Re: OS Unemployment Club

Yeah. I was just concurring.

I've never been in the military. Have had friends that went and my father was in the 82nd Airborne.

Definitely takes some sacrifices going that route.

[bigbob]

Re: OS Unemployment Club

I'd never go to the Military.

I'd have to cut too much weight for it, at least 120lbs.

While it crossed my mind, it just wasn't something I felt like doing. My dad was in the Marines for years, I believe my Grandfather was in as well. A lot of my good friends are in the Military now, one just came back from Afghanistan.

[ScoobySnax]

Re: OS Unemployment Club

I know it's pretty tough out there for a lot of people right now. There are so many people competing for very few opportunities, so it's hard to get a look.

However...

Keep your head up, fellas! Keep chugging away at apps and something will turn up soon. In the meantime, you'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

[Bighoff]

Re: OS Unemployment Club

Been unemployed almost 2.5 years aside from the odd jobs pulling cable, fixing computers, or making speedy deliveries. It's getting rougher since my savings is about as dry as the Sahara. The only thing I got going for me is finishing school and getting my bachelor's degree. I'm hoping to get my A+ and Network+ certifications in December and land a gig before I graduate. I keep being told they want at least some experience or certifications to hire someone. I have become quite the house cleaner though, my whites have never been whiter, and I can sit a Lazy Boy like no one else. Good luck to all in the struggle, keep your chin up and that resume ready.

[JerzeyReign]

Re: OS Unemployment Club

Anyoner here ever thought of joining the military? You'll learn a skill, and only have to do 4 years. You will also earn education benefits (post 9/11 GI Bill) which is good for 15 years from the time you get out of the military and also pays a basic allowance for housing/subsistence.

If you're under 30 you should look into this.

If you're a college grad you should think about joining a branch's officer corps.

I cannot tell you how invaluable the experience and intangibles gained from the military help you. It is a unique and fullfilling experience.

Think about this: My wife is a college grad w/ a masters in education, and I have not finished college yet but I am making $74K/yr and she is making about $55K/yr. The trade/skills I learned while in the Marine Corps pushed me into a DoD civilian job and I have been able to make a comfortable living for myself and family.

Yes I had to make a lot of sacrifices from the ages of 19-24, but they have more than paid off in the long run.

I can attest to that as well, especially if you get a special certification while in the military.

I currently work for a military contracting firm, and most of the guys we bring on that have a certification or experience in a special field, say Fitness Training/Small Arms Repair/Systems Analyst etc. come on for no less than 70-75k.

Depends on the contract and our budget as well, but that is usually the range for what they start at, some even above 100k.

More information would do wonders. I'm 6 years in and I'm coming up on reenlistment next year (ETS Nov 2014) -- not sure if I want to stay in or not right now. I'm an E-5 about to go for my 6. I'm a medic (one deployment under my belt and it looks like my 2nd will happen next year) with a lot of experience. If you guys could just give me tips on what they are looking for on the outside I'd greatly appreciate it. I'll start working on it now to meet that criteria.

Thanks for any assistance you can provide.