I use this thread as a reminder of how good I have it at my current job.
anyone else unemployed?
- Thread starter MPW
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I use this thread as a reminder of how good I have it at my current job.
krameriffic
Member
A friend of mine got a mechanical engineering job with GE through a staffing agency: http://www.adeccousa.com/Pages/Welcome.aspx. It's a 1-year contract position that doesn't include benefits, but it's a job in the field that shows on a resume as good, relevant engineering experience.
Aesius
Member
How the hell have you been unemployed for five years? How old are you? Do you live at home?
Kylie_Karnage
Neo Member
I've started working on a couple websites (some gaming wikis) that I'm going to try to help my income with, but that's almost a full time job in itself.
Forsaken82
Member
Man, I hate adecco... sadly though, they aren't the worst Contractor I have had...
Word of advice, stay the fuck away from Tekmark Global Solutions.
Bleh, this thread makes me more depressed. Unemployed as well and not sure what to do anymore. Live in a small town (like 5k pop) and have literally applied for just about every place in town (outside of smaller shops but those are generally family run around here) without any success. Not having spending money for new games and stuff sucks but what really drives me crazy is living with my parents, specifically my mom who is always on my back about not having a job.
"If you really wanted a job you'd have one by now" "I'm going to be taking care of you forever, aren't I" "I wish I could sit around in bed all day like you", crap like that gets old and I know it's not healthy to be around but I don't really have a choice until I can dig myself out of this mess. Like ugh, it's not like I actually want to sit around all day but I've put in well over 30 applications or so at this point with only one interview, the more I put in the more hopeless it all feels.
Being unemployed sucks so hard.
"If you really wanted a job you'd have one by now" "I'm going to be taking care of you forever, aren't I" "I wish I could sit around in bed all day like you", crap like that gets old and I know it's not healthy to be around but I don't really have a choice until I can dig myself out of this mess. Like ugh, it's not like I actually want to sit around all day but I've put in well over 30 applications or so at this point with only one interview, the more I put in the more hopeless it all feels.
Being unemployed sucks so hard.
After working an intern job for over a year (part time/decent pay though!), I finally got on full time (benefits and all) after one of the regulars moved on to a different job. Persistence is key with these kinds of things, don't give up! I had to go through a lot of stuff during my internship, including "promises" of getting on full time soon etc etc...
I can't give much more advice than persistence. If you are still young and your parents are cool, I think getting experience (even if it is free/volunteer work) is critical. I was working for free for a IT department to get experience while working at Target and going to college getting my Bachelor's of Science. It is really rough trying to get that first job, but if you can get experience while you go to school or while you are working part time at another spot you can start to compete for those jobs that require 2 years of experience.
I can't give much more advice than persistence. If you are still young and your parents are cool, I think getting experience (even if it is free/volunteer work) is critical. I was working for free for a IT department to get experience while working at Target and going to college getting my Bachelor's of Science. It is really rough trying to get that first job, but if you can get experience while you go to school or while you are working part time at another spot you can start to compete for those jobs that require 2 years of experience.
I turn 26 this year. Still live at home.
Well not constantly unemployed, but I still haven't been able to find a full-time position. The places I've worked at have either gone out of business or lost a big chunk of their budgets.
Edit: IN my fifth year. Not five years. It was four years last month.
I've gotten two jobs from a temp agency. Both manufacturing jobs. One was for Intel working at a FAB in Arizona. The other was for Vasey thin film in Niagara falls NY. So they can be helpful. Buttttt they did fuck me over when I got laid off from a job and was collecting unemployment. They offered me a job a hour away but I had no way to get there. So I turned it down and they reported me to unemployment. I then lost said unemployment and had to pay some back.
SpaceBridge
Member
I'm considering resigning from my 7 year retail manager position because a new district manager wants to demote me to assistant manager to make space for an external hire.
Aesius
Member
What kind of job is it? And what's so bad about it?
if you're 7 years into the actual position, i'd say you have a lot of reason to go above him and fight that. sounds like BS. he can't just do that.
SteveWinwood
Member
Got a job.
It's not exactly what I thought it would be
But it's stay a paycheck
And it won't look too bad on the resume.
It's not exactly what I thought it would be
But it's stay a paycheck
And it won't look too bad on the resume.
SpaceBridge
Member
I've tried to push back on this matter, but upper management is on her side. I went to see and employment lawyer, and was told that a company has the right to demote without cause if they deem it necessary as long as they continue to pay the same salary (which they are) or it would be considered constructive dismissal. I'm trying to get let go so that I can collect severance and termination pay but it's very difficult.
I am willing to take a look at any of you guys resumes, maybe I can help out fix anything or give pointers on how to improve it. I don't have much time on my hands with work and a pregnant wife but am willing to help fellow GAFFERS as much as I can.
Usually I am the go to guy for people that need resumes where I am at, also been in a management position for a while so I know what people look for. That is my experience.
You can remove your name and personal info. PM me if you wish.
Also, a few tips:
- On Careerbuilder.com make sure to update your resume once a month or so, it will put your resume to the top of the "new resumes" as far as I know.
- Network with people as much as you can. Call your old managers, see if they have something lined up. (How I got my last job)
- Indeed.com is your friend, use it.
- Search for local temp agencies, call them up. Usually they will help with resumes and have positions that require less experience.
- A friend of mine got a job driving around and handing out resumes to local Law Firms, private businesses, stores.
Next I can give a few pointers for Interviews.
Usually I am the go to guy for people that need resumes where I am at, also been in a management position for a while so I know what people look for. That is my experience.
You can remove your name and personal info. PM me if you wish.
Also, a few tips:
- On Careerbuilder.com make sure to update your resume once a month or so, it will put your resume to the top of the "new resumes" as far as I know.
- Network with people as much as you can. Call your old managers, see if they have something lined up. (How I got my last job)
- Indeed.com is your friend, use it.
- Search for local temp agencies, call them up. Usually they will help with resumes and have positions that require less experience.
- A friend of mine got a job driving around and handing out resumes to local Law Firms, private businesses, stores.
Next I can give a few pointers for Interviews.
Unless you're involved in some kind of slave labor you should just man up. There's a lot of people in this thread that would look at you with disgust for quitting a job due to stress. People with families they're struggling to support because they're unemployed, and here you are whining.
Keep your job, look for something else. Don't take the easy way out. They have to pay you the same thing, so you lose your title - big deal. You're still the assistant with the 7 years experience. The new guy will probably need your help to get up to speed and you can work with him instead of against him.
If you can't get along with the new guy, then get a new job lined up and leave gracefully. Again, this isn't the kind of climate where you should just throw away 7 years at a job over something petty like your pride.
I was finished my second year of University around late March/early April and immediately set out to find work for the summer. I thought it would be a piece of cake considering I had a long summer ahead and ample time to get myself out there.
Nahhh.
As of now I still haven't found anything between my small town (17k) and a huge city. 60+ job applications later and the only thing I've managed is a few interviews that ultimately didn't lead anywhere.
Kind of paranoid that I won't find work this summer at all, and that it might be even harder to find a job next year (due to studying abroad last summer I haven't had a steady job since 2010). In the meantime just have to keep trying I guess...sorry to hear the struggles in this thread, hope things pan out for all of us soon enough.
Nahhh.
As of now I still haven't found anything between my small town (17k) and a huge city. 60+ job applications later and the only thing I've managed is a few interviews that ultimately didn't lead anywhere.
Kind of paranoid that I won't find work this summer at all, and that it might be even harder to find a job next year (due to studying abroad last summer I haven't had a steady job since 2010). In the meantime just have to keep trying I guess...sorry to hear the struggles in this thread, hope things pan out for all of us soon enough.
SpaceBridge
Member
It's partly a pride thing, yes, but also how would it look on my resume that I went from manager to assistant. It looks really bad. I actually want the time off. I've been working non stop for the past 7 years with a total of a combined 4 weeks vacation time off. I feel burnt out and emotionally not in a good place.
if you take the advice of starting to look now while this bullshit transition happens, i see no need to update your resume with the "demotion". So it won't really look bad right now. hell, even if you stuck it out for another year or longer i'd tell you to just leave it as manager.
SpaceBridge
Member
I haven't made any decisions yet, and I do have at least two months worth of savings to live on. I have a meeting tomorow where I will say that I accept the demotion. I'm just very uncertain about my future at the moment.
I spent 6 years in the military with very little time off. Trust me, I know how it is. If you just up and leave, or somehow get them to let you go, then you'll quickly realize how much you miss working. Sure, time off is great, but don't take work for granted. There's a reason why depression runs rampant amongst the unemployed - we're creatures of habit. We need something to keep our minds and bodies occupied.
If you really don't want to work there anymore, then start looking for a new job now rather than later. Take the initiative. I used to be a Technical Manager at my current employer. I spent 6 months doing that job, running a shift, managing employees. I was damn good at it too. But, you know what? It wasn't challenging enough for me. So, instead of quitting I fought for a better position and they created a new position for me catered towards my skills and interests. Now, I'm happy as a lark.
The moral of the story? If you're not happy with something, fight for what you want. It might be difficult, it might not happen right away, but there's always opportunities out there. You don't have to settle for less.
Two months will be gone in the blink of the eye. Consider that carefully.
Legal assistant. I wouldn't say the job in itself is bad but I just have horrible anxiety all of the time to the point that I can barely get any work done or feel any enjoyment. I think I might need to see a therapist.
SpaceBridge
Member
Well thanks guys for the advice.
AKingNamedPaul
I am Homie
I came in here to read stories and feel better about myself, because I have a well paying job.
Definitely agree with this. I mean, money and livelihood are the primary reasons I'm looking for a job, but it's also because eventually, not having anything to do every day sucks the life out of you.
I'm genuinely interested in helping people in here when I can (my company is usually hiring), but yes, I do also have a well paying job which allows me to work from home.
Yep. When I finished my time in the military I came home and because I had so much leave saved up they had to pay me for it. So, I spent 2 1/2 months doing absolutely nothing except sleeping till noon or later and playing video games. That was my routine. Just sitting around doing nothing and going nowhere.
I'm lucky in that I maintained my technical skills, so I went out and applied for technical support position at a small web hosting company. They hired me with little effort (I applied, answered some questions via email that same day and was hired 6 hours later - no lie), and while my boss wasn't all that great, and the work was pretty crazy for the pay I was getting, it was a good learning experience and in the 6 months I was there I went from the bottom to one of the most proficient admins because I kept learning.
So, exit company 1 and enter company 2 due to my inability to get along with the CEO of company 1. I've been here for over a year and a half now and it's been quite a trip. This company recognizes admins that excel at their jobs and you're given promotions accordingly. I applied as a Level 2 administrator, they hired me as a Level 3 administrator and within 6 months I'd obtained the Technical Manager position. I've also received two raises in a year and a half.
Hard work pays off.
Okay how do you get past this "Entry Level position: 3 years of experience required" bullshit? Where do you GET that experience?
Oh, and what exactly is Technical Editing? My portfolio is built up for writing and editing right now, and "Technical Editor" comes up a lot. What is it?
Oh, and what exactly is Technical Editing? My portfolio is built up for writing and editing right now, and "Technical Editor" comes up a lot. What is it?
Experience is either going to be from past jobs, internships or anything you may have participated in college that would meet the requirements of said position. Don't take the years of experience to heart - almost all employers will mention it, but they will generally overlook it if you impress them during the interview or show them that you are the best fit for the job. Just apply - the worst thing they'll do is turn you down.
Technical Editor is generally someone that is going to edit for proper grammar, punctuation, paragraph usage, and so on and so forth. Their job is not to edit the content, but to ensure that the writing is technically sound. It's basically copy editing. The definition and duties can vary from place to place, though, so don't be afraid to ask for clarification on what the duties will entail. Obviously, they want you to understand what you're applying for.
But this shit even comes up for retail jobs, which I stopped applying to because of those personality tests.
I just answer them how they want most the time. I don't think they are a great tool to tell you about someone.
SpaceBridge
Member
So I had my meeting with the district manager. I accepted the demotion at same pay. So why do I feel like shit right now. Like a failure at my job.
Freeza Under The Shower
Member
I don't really believe that adsense income on 'generic' content is really a good way to produce income. Or at least not one that has you produce more than 'how to' ad infinitum.
The 'HowToBasic' youtube channel is essentially a parody of this, but has in the process become succesful itself. Much like the Daily Show or Colbert Report can make fun of the news, but they will never produce their intended results: to make people smarter in what news / information they choose to begin with.
That wouldn't be quite as entertaining, after all.
The most reliable manner of making money remains selling (the fruits of) your labor, unfortunately.
Gameboy415
Member
In Japan, a photo was required on resumes for English teaching positions.
I was working several part-time teaching gigs simultaneously during my last year over there and I remember submitting my resume and photo to every single one of them.
When I came back to the US in 2010 and started applying for jobs, it didn't occur to me that I shouldn't have a photo on my resume so I think I may have screwed myself over.
Ironically enough, it was a Japanese recruiter that eventually told me to remove the photo.
I've been unemployed now for about 4 months, but I left voluntarily so I'm not collecting unemployment benefits. I haven't actively looked for a new position because I've been making a decent living off of eBay sales. I'm mainly selling off my enormous action figure collection I amassed up through High School and then kept in storage for ~10 years. However, I'm gradually approaching the day that I will run out of stuff and will have to find a real job again.
I've gotten lots of offers via CareerBuilder but the jobs are either absolutely awful (call center jobs, commission based sales, etc.), or the pay is really low (~$11/hour).
I was pulling in between $18.75-$40 an hour in Japan for a job I actually enjoyed and it's depressing as hell to think my only choices here are awful jobs that pay nearly half as much.
I'm looking into publishing a book via Amazon so hopefully that will be a minor success, but as my Magic 8-ball always says, "outlook not so good" in terms of finding a decent job anytime soon.
Best change that attitude, you seem like every bosses worse nightmare.
What is this. Seriously?
Swallowing my pride today and hittin' some retail stores where I have colleagues and friends to try and get something goin for the summer until the couple interviews I've been promised with HR/agencies come through.
Whoever said above that unemployment sucks the life out of you is right; you literally feel like there's nothing to get up for every morning. It's agonizing! But I have a good home and family and can't complain. Pushing forward. Something good'll happen soon.
Sanky Panky
Banned
Unemployed-GAF,
So I had a fight/argument with my gf yesterday. She is employed right now making about $14k in take-home pay, is not working in the field she wants, gets home tired always, etc etc. She has a master's in African Literature, so obviously the market is not overflowing with these jobs. She has tried to find a good job for 5 years (2 year break for school), so essentially she has lost all hope.
I was trying to be encouraging to her, suggesting concrete ideas like applying to 2 jobs per day, and branching out into other fields. She took this as me lecturing her, patronizing her, implying that she is not good enough or hasn't done enough, etc etc. She said I sounded like her dad and friends.
So my question for you guys is, what do you find to be the best form of support from your close friends and family? What things upset you? do you just rather people back off and let you do your thing?
It affects both of us, but I'm just going to back off from it. I just hate the defeatist attitude.
So I had a fight/argument with my gf yesterday. She is employed right now making about $14k in take-home pay, is not working in the field she wants, gets home tired always, etc etc. She has a master's in African Literature, so obviously the market is not overflowing with these jobs. She has tried to find a good job for 5 years (2 year break for school), so essentially she has lost all hope.
I was trying to be encouraging to her, suggesting concrete ideas like applying to 2 jobs per day, and branching out into other fields. She took this as me lecturing her, patronizing her, implying that she is not good enough or hasn't done enough, etc etc. She said I sounded like her dad and friends.
So my question for you guys is, what do you find to be the best form of support from your close friends and family? What things upset you? do you just rather people back off and let you do your thing?
It affects both of us, but I'm just going to back off from it. I just hate the defeatist attitude.
I am a college student that is currently unemployed as well. It certainly doesn't feel good, but I try not to let it get to me. Around my area, no one wants to hire someone that can only do the work part time. This school semester I will be part of a research group that (apparently) will be eating up a lot of my time, so I can't do much work over the semester.
I am hoping that for the next semester I can land a paid internship with the aid of my professors though. I suppose I don't have too much to complain about on this front, but I am unemployed never the less.
I am hoping that for the next semester I can land a paid internship with the aid of my professors though. I suppose I don't have too much to complain about on this front, but I am unemployed never the less.
I've worked many retail positions and a few retail. None have asked for a photo ever. They are going to see you when they interview you anyways, why would they want a picture? That's part of the reason for the interview, is to make sure you take care of yourself and not a slob.
So, I'm posting in this topic not because I'm unemployed, but because I've been looking for a new job while at my current one. My gf got laid off recently and is looking, and she recently moved in with me finally. We don't have college experience, I'm working at a mom and pop thrift store as a manager making a little over $20,000. There are no benefits, and I can pretty much throw on any movies and browse the internet as much as I want. I wish I was at a faster paced job though. I moved out of living with my roommates last year, so I haven't been able to pay much towards debt the last year, and I've had a few medical issues come up. (nothing debillitating or life threatening as far as I know)
Optimally I want something that will net me $30,000 with benefits. The plan is to have my gf enroll in college next year to become a paralegal, since they have a lot of successful lawyer family friends. I didn't know what I would go to college for, so I didn't go. I figured I could work my way up the retail chains, and go back after I made manager or something. Unfortunately that didn't work out, particularly with retail doing so badly in the economy. I have 10 years of customer service experience with 5 of those in management. I also have about 3 years of experience in a restaurant. I've been applying to places since september, and haven't found anything better.
I had a real close great opportunity with an Amtrak listing, that would have been in seattle 45 minutes away as a train attendant, and start out at like $18 an hour and go up from there. They were hiring for 10 positions, and my interview went perfectly. I later found out they decided to move those positions to chicago instead. It was devastating. I haven't given up hope though, and I'm determined to get a job there know that I've learned how they work as a company. Sounds exactly what I'm looking for. Too bad I don't know anyone that works there to give me a reference though.
In conclusion I was wondering if my fellow gaffers could give me recommendations on where to apply to, or where to look into with my experience. I didn't think of amtrak until a few months ago, and that turned out to be a great opportunity. So I'm open to the notion of their being great opportunities I'm qualified for that don't necessarily post their openings on job websites.
So I had a phone interview yesterday for a pretty interesting sounding position. I thought it went well. The woman I spoke with isn't in the HR department but is working closely with the hiring manager. After we talked a bit she told me they would like to have me come down for an interview at some point. I got an E-mail in today from the company's HR department telling me that I am no longer being cinsidered. Ugh. I'm hoping against hope that somehow the woman I talked to will have the ability to keep me in the running for the position. But I'm not really expecting anything now.
I guess it wouldn't hurt to post this, but I live in Jacksonville, FL and I'm having a really tough time finding a job for the rest of the summer and the fall. I won't be going back to school until the spring, so I need something to keep me busy ( and make a little money on the side) or else I'll go crazy. If anyone in the Jacksonville area knows any places that are hiring, or just looking for seasonal employees, I'd greatly appreciate it if you could give me a heads up. Thanks .
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bengraven
Member
I had an interview two weeks ago for a shipping/receiving job that went so well that I got a second interview with the vice president (apparently out of 32 applicants, only 4 made it to the second interview, so that felt good). Of course, the second interview felt great, but I received the call later on that someone else was chosen.
Had another interview set up for Cox tech support. They did a phone interview and everything sounded great, so they said they'd call me back. I get a call back from them (though a different person) and they set up the interview for 10am the next day. They say they're going to email me the details, but I never get the details, so I call back the original number and leave a voice mail requesting a callback. I get a very sober call back from the original phone interviewer and she's like "I don't know who set up the interview, but we don't do face to face interviews like that...you have been mistaken, that wasn't us that called you". The next day I get an email informing me I was no longer in the running for the position. WTF.
Thankfully I had an interview yesterday for a job I have a strong feeling I'm not going to get, because not to be sexist, but I feel like they're going to want a middle-aged or young woman for the position and not a 340 pound man (medical receptionist position - ever see a man doing this other than on ER? Me neither). That said, the two interviewers were very positive and seemed to like me and liked that I had computer tech in my background because they're all very computer illiterate, so who knows.
Had another interview set up for Cox tech support. They did a phone interview and everything sounded great, so they said they'd call me back. I get a call back from them (though a different person) and they set up the interview for 10am the next day. They say they're going to email me the details, but I never get the details, so I call back the original number and leave a voice mail requesting a callback. I get a very sober call back from the original phone interviewer and she's like "I don't know who set up the interview, but we don't do face to face interviews like that...you have been mistaken, that wasn't us that called you". The next day I get an email informing me I was no longer in the running for the position. WTF.
Thankfully I had an interview yesterday for a job I have a strong feeling I'm not going to get, because not to be sexist, but I feel like they're going to want a middle-aged or young woman for the position and not a 340 pound man (medical receptionist position - ever see a man doing this other than on ER? Me neither). That said, the two interviewers were very positive and seemed to like me and liked that I had computer tech in my background because they're all very computer illiterate, so who knows.
The Horror the horror
Banned
What's good, GAF? Am stuck in a bit of a dilemma...
Last month, I accepted a position (after being unemployed for a month and a half) that requires two employees to maintain it. The other employee who works with me is getting married and will be out for weeks in September, leaving me solely in charge of the day-to-day operations. NO ONE ELSE BESIDES US KNOWS HOW TO RUN THE SYSTEM. Now, the dilemma...
I've been offered a position to another job, for better pay, benefits, and it's closer to home. There's no way my current employer will match it. If I were to leave, they're going to need to bring someone in ASAP to teach them the system and standard operating procedures in a month (not going to happen). Essentially, the department and the company would be screwed if I were to leave now, unless they can convince my co-worker to take a shorter break for the wedding and abandon the subsequent honeymoon altogether.
Most would advise me to look out for my own interest, but I'm not sure if it's an entirely professional thing to do. I certainly don't want to burn any bridges or make enemies...
Thoughts?
Last month, I accepted a position (after being unemployed for a month and a half) that requires two employees to maintain it. The other employee who works with me is getting married and will be out for weeks in September, leaving me solely in charge of the day-to-day operations. NO ONE ELSE BESIDES US KNOWS HOW TO RUN THE SYSTEM. Now, the dilemma...
I've been offered a position to another job, for better pay, benefits, and it's closer to home. There's no way my current employer will match it. If I were to leave, they're going to need to bring someone in ASAP to teach them the system and standard operating procedures in a month (not going to happen). Essentially, the department and the company would be screwed if I were to leave now, unless they can convince my co-worker to take a shorter break for the wedding and abandon the subsequent honeymoon altogether.
Most would advise me to look out for my own interest, but I'm not sure if it's an entirely professional thing to do. I certainly don't want to burn any bridges or make enemies...
Thoughts?
RoninChaos
Member
... what? So he should just work without being compensated?
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