Unemployment sucks

[supernova]

I rarely post a gripe or blue thread, but I just can't let this go any longer. Here goes.

I'M SICK OF BEING UNEMPLOYED!! I got laid off end of August 2002.

Since then I've belonged to job hunting/networking groups, I have ongoing relationships with about four different recruiters. I scour the employment boards and the want ads nearly every day. I also read the HR sites for the big employers here in my area, universities and such and apply for the things I think I'm qualified for. And I've gotten maybe 10 interviews this year. I've even come close a couple of times, but no cigar. I feel like I've done everything I know how to do. . . everything except stand on my head naked on the conference room table. And I don't even know if that would make a difference.

And all I've gotten for my efforts is... I'm tired. Tired of fighting this fight. Tired of looking for something that, as Gertrude Stein pointed out "there is no there, there." Did I mention how tired I am of my family asking "Have you found a job yet?" I know they mean well, but it's getting frustrating having to give the same old "No." in response.

This really steams me because I though TW was the one thing I could live with and make a decent living, "decent" meaning pay my bills and save a little for my wrinkly rocking chair years. And I am good at it. I have the glowing performance reviews and awards to prove it. I never wanted to be the CEO or even the division chief. I just wanted a job to do that I could do well and with it pay the bills and a few entertainments. Is that really too much to ask out of this life?

Great timing, eh? What's getting to me is the waiting. I'm sick of waiting. I feel stuck about what to do next.

What about moving to a different area of the country? I hate to do that. My home is here. My family is here. Plus, on the practical, brass-tacks side, I own this house outright. Living is cheap. It's the reason I've been able to finance being unemployed this long. But even that cushion that I had built up for myself is disappearing.

I suppose I should feel grateful that I've been able to tread water this long. And I do. I'm appreciative of the fact that this situation hasn't fallen into the "it could be worse" category. I am thankful for all the bullets I've dodged this year: sick at the beginning of the summer, but I got well; was able to afford a major plumbing overhaul; I can pay property my taxes.

*Sigh* I'll pull out of it. I eventually do. But right now, I'm just stuck in the doldrums, looking for some bit of inspiration from somewhere and not finding it. I think I need a hug.

Thanks for reading this.

[UrbScotty]

1. Just hang in there! (nt)

[supernova]

3. Thanks

I've never felt this "in-between" vagueness for so long before. I've always gone on to the next thing rather quickly. But not this time. :evilfrown:

[Kamika]

2. Did you ever consider opening something of your own?

Maybe become a consultant? or open a small shop or something? Maybe there are others who wants to invest in it.. you should check out what might be needed where you live

[supernova]

5. I've considered it, Kamika

Being my own boss is definitely more appealing as time goes on. I don't know much about it though.

[Kamika]

7. You don't really need to know that much

The bank will say the most important stuff.. then it's good if you know someone who has a clue about economy..

Hardest part is really figuring out what to do open.. besides the most obvious stuf like corner shops etc

[supernova]

11. Your enthusiasm

is much appreciated, Kamika. :D

I hadn't thought of opening up something that is totally unrelated to what I have known before, but it is something to consider.

[Catfish]

4. I feel for you

and I'm not even unemployed yet but will soon be. The worry about the future can consume you, it's hard to think of anything else. One day I think I must move someplace else (there aren't any jobs here in this rural area) then I think that at least the cost of living is low here. I don't want to relocate at random because I don't know if my chances for a job will even be better. I know there are people far worse off than I am and I try to remind myself of that.

Anyway, I hope that something good happens for you soon.

[supernova]

8. Another woman at my church

was relocated her 2 months ago by the bank she worked for. Yes, that's right -- "worked" They laid her off right after relocating her! :grr:

Yes, it would take a lot of careful thought for me to relocate, esp since I'm tied up here.

My only other option at the moment is to take on some temp work. Wow! Flashback to administratives days, which I hated. I was so glad to finally find TW because I could get out of the office pool. But, oh well. I guess I have to go back to survive.

[Catfish]

16. Yes

I've thought about relocating and then what happens if I can't find a job? At least here I have some friends, etc. To be unemployed in a strange place and not really know anyone would be horrible. What I dread is the aimlessness of days, even looking for work will not fill up a day like working. I actually like working. I think the hardest thing will be to maintain confidence and self-esteem.

[Bronco69]

6. I'm in the same boat.

I know it isn't much consolation, but you're not alone. I've had a few temp jobs since January, 2001 but nothing of any substance really. Some days it takes every ounce of energy I have to not be depressed.

[grannylib]

20. Me too, I feel for you...I got laid off in August, two weeks after we

closed on a home...great timing. So relocation is out (and we have a child still in school) and it's the holidays and this state is hemorraging jobs like nobody's business.
Ah well...keep your chin up, and sometimes it helps to remember that there is always someone out there in worse shape than ourselves...

[Abe Linkman]

9. What exactly does "TW" mean, and why weren't you clearer?

n/t

[supernova]

12. TW = Technical Writing

Sorry, I sometimes over-edit. :P

[Mercurius]

10. Here's a hug...

I'm sorry you're going through that. It's horrible. I hope it gets better soon.

:pals:

[supernova]

14. Thanks Mercurius

:D

I feel better.

edit: Welcome to DU, Mercurius! :toast:

[Mercurius]

28. I'm glad to be here

Thanks!

[bushedout]

13. Know what you mean

When your family and friends STOP asking you if you've found a job yet-THAT'S when you worry.


Edit- Hi everybody!

[supernova]

15. Well, that's true

It does mean they care.

As time goes on, I feel more and more inadequate having to say that I (seemingly) haven't done much since I last saw them.

edit: Welcome to DU bushedout! :toast:

[coloradodem2005]

17. I understand how you feel.

I almost don't look at want-ads anymore because it feels like an exercise in futility. When I was in college, I busted my ass because I was afraid of failure because it would lead to being unemployed or having to take a shit job. Now, after having graduated into a terrible job market, it feels like those fears have come true, or are in danger of doing so.

[supernova]

24. Exercises in futility

Yes, that's creeping into my morale too. It's all I can do to keep that feeling at bay.

I get up and do job hunting even if I don't want to. Even if I know that the outcome won't be any different than it was yesterday. But still, I put in my due diligence. You never know.

[dawn]

18. I hear ya...I was laid off in June of 2003

I have been doing a bit of freelancing, but it's no fun. I am always chasing people down to get paid. I have been on zillions of interviews, and yes, I've had offers, but they'd require me to commute three to four hours a day or relocate. I can't, due to my husband's job.

I feel for you, being out since August 2002. I know you'll get something. That's what I always tell myself.

[dolo amber]

19. Awwww, Supe

:hug:

I hear ya, sister. The job market in this area sux0rs donkey bollocks fo' sho...You'd think with this monstrous economic upswing we keep hearing about that would change, but...:eyes:

On the other hand, Shortbus has been playing with photoshop and has done something marvelously hilarious with a pic of you, if you'd like a giggle. (You're not his only victim, so don't feel bad. ;))

Come, we build big bonfire, sacrifice office supplies...:evilgrin:

[supernova]

21. Thanks, Dolo

:hug: right back at ya. ARe you guys all well now?

Sure I send me that pic. I could use a laugh.

[dolo amber]

32. Oh yeah

We're all feeling MUCH better, thanks for asking! :hi:

I'm glad to see you got your plumbing fixed, btw, I'm sure that's a load off you mind. *No pun intended* :D

I'll have Shortbus send your pic along as soon as he gets in. ;)

[supernova]

33. Indoor plumbing rocks!

:D Oy!

Glad you all are well again. Do you think it was that bad flu strain going around?

[Kathy in Cambridge]

22. I feel your pain

I've been laid off 3 times. This last one-after only 10 weeks-really shook me.

I think it's time to do something on my own also, since most of the idiots running the companies I've chosen to work for are shortsighted and have no business sense.

This recovery is bullshit. The jobs that were created in the past two months are the seasonal, part-time Christmas jobs. So many people have fallen off the unemployment rolls due to ineligibility. What a crock.

I hope you feel better, supernova. Hang in there! :hug:

[supernova]

26. Thanks, RationalRose

I did read your thread the other day. Major suckage there.

I especially loved the backstabbing involved. /sarcasm

Yes, I never thought of myself as wanting to run my own business. But I'm seeing the more practical side of it now, even with the high risk rate involved in starting your own business.

I will ALWAYS hire me. But I don't know what services/products to sell. What would you sell, RR?

[Kathy in Cambridge]

41. I have been thinking of doing one of those product marketing gigs

like Market America while I decide what to do. (Website: http://www.marketamerica.com/maIndex.cfm)

I was also thinking of real estate (my husband's field) or an independent sales rep since I have a lot of contacts. I also may do a 180 and go back to school, but given my few talents (they are of the verbal and analytical variety) I have no idea what to focus on. Law School? Too much reading but definitely suited to my personality. Business school? An MBA is pretty much useless these days.

This is the first time in my life I've felt a little lost. I have always been career-focused and have worked in sales pretty much my whole life. But I'm enjoying my time off focusing on getting in shape and spending time with my family and friends.

What would you do? Any ideas?

[TXvote]

23. maybe a true life haha will help

So, I was unemployed for a loooooong time and one Sunday there was an add for someone to scoop dog poop put of people's back yards for $9/hr, company vehicle provided. As far as job listings go in my community, this is pretty good pay, so I applied. What finally got to me about the absurdity of months of job hunting was when the 23 year old manager look up at me and said
"Don't you think you are a little over qualified for this job?"
And I replied "I should hope so."
and he said, " I just don't see putting you through all this extensive training and then having you leave for a better job."
I could hardly crawl out of the office for laughing so hard.

Hang in there.
Peace,
Teresa
www.votervirgin.com

[supernova]

27. LOL!

Real-life absurdism at its best.

Are you still looking also? Hope you find something soon.

[Overkil]

25. Try this one on for size........

I was laid-off in Jan 02 from my job of 10 yrs. To make matters worse we (wife and four kids) had sold our house a few months before and were living with my mother until our new house was ready. Laid off two weeks before closing on the new house. We backed out of the new house, lost our $6k down payment. I took the first thing I could find (at a third of my old salary) and we moved out of my mom's living room into an apartment. Stayed there for 16 mons. and bought a house a few months ago - 300 sq feet smaller than the one we moved out of and half the size of the new house we walked away from. Talk about moving backwards! But atleast I have somewhere to go everyday and people that appreciate what I do. It's a nice job to have until the right job comes along. Hang in there - it's always darkest before the light (or before it goes pitch black - I can't remember which) :)

[supernova]

29. So sorry about the

house development. :-(

But you do have a roof over your heads. That's the most important thing.

Hang in there - it's always darkest before the light (or before it goes pitch black - I can't remember which)

*cruel laughter* you got that right. Right now, I am grooving on the blackness. :evilgrin:

[populistmom]

30. My dad's been out of work for 6 years

He's an attorney who does real estate/zoning and planning stuff for schools and other municipal buildings. He's 57 with no health insurance. He does a lot of independant consulting and gets by, but no full-time jobs have panned out for him.
It's pretty bad out there. I hope you don't have to move and things look up for you soon.

[supernova]

31. Eek!

6 years? Well, at least he does have consulting work. It's hard to imagine an attorney NOT getting work. Hope he is able to work something out.

[populistmom]

39. What happened

Partially it's his age I think and age discrimination is hard to prove. He also got on the bad side of our corrupt Repug governor with a project he was working on. He knew too much (ethical issues with contractors) and was a scapegoat. He's just one of many bodies along the way of a corrupt state government.

[GOPisEvil]

34. Hang in there!

I wish I had something more to offer than moral support. I have confidence in you!

:hug:

[supernova]

35. Thanks, GOP

That helps A LOT! ;-)

[SOteric]

36. Oh you definitely need a hug!

:pals:

Have you considered branching out into other things for a while or even permanently?

You have a computer, maybe a resume-writing service can bring in a little side-income. Maybe freelance research or writing and submitting a few articles in areas in which your knowledge/interest excels..?

[supernova]

37. Yes, I have

but I've kinda gotten stuck as to what, exactly I should be branching out into.

Ideally, I would love to sit all day and write, anything really -- essays, a novel or two, articles. Except for poetry. I used to write poetry as a child, but I lost the knack somewhere around 7th grade. :shrug:

[RebelOne]

38. I've been there. too. But when you least expect it, the ideal job

will happen. Don't move if you are happy where you are and especially if you own your home outright. That would be foolish. At least you have the security of a roof over your head. Best of luck and I am confident you will come out of this.

[Breezy du Nord]

40. You're welcome

By the way, what's this I hear about the Johnny Depp fan club? :loveya: