anyone else unemployed?
- Thread starter MPW
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CrankyJay said:
Listen to this man. Most of the time, when people put up an advertisement for a job, they put pie-in-the-sky requirements. If you know you can do the job, or you think you're even remotely qualified, then you need to apply. The worst thing that happens is that they never get back to you.
The first time I saw the job listing for my current position, I thought I had no chance whatsoever. They were asking for years of experience when I had barely any. Yet, here I am, and have been happily working here for the past 10 months.
I'd also advise people to look for local recruiters in their field. It's how I got my job. I had been looking for five months before I hooked up with them, and they got me a job in 17 days. My girlfriend in a different field just hooked up with a different recruiter and got a job in 9 days.
Just avoid any recruiter that asks for money up-front. That's a scam. You want one that only gets paid when you get a job.
BTW, we're both in Massachusetts.
water_wendi
Water is not wet!
So ive been unemployed for almost 3 years now. i had been employed since high school and for the following 15 or so years straight. My last job i had at the same company for a decade until their bankruptcy in 2008.
ive gone through my entire savings. My unemployment benefits have been exhausted. Before losing my job i had almost zero credit card debt. Now i have $10k racked up to take care of problems that have arisen while unemployed (burst water heater, air conditioner problems, sometimes utilities, car stuff, etc). ive had a few close calls with my house but had been bailed out by last minute sales of my possessions or help from family. Once i was so up against the wall i had to take out money from the credit card just to make mortgage or face foreclosure (thats a huge part of why my cc debt soared so quickly).
ive applied at hundreds of locations and have had only two interviews. Thats two callbacks in three years of looking for work. My house is upside down so that makes picking up and relocating difficult.
So yesterday i get a call from a friend who tells me about an open position with one of his old employers. He put in a good word for me with the manager. ive just updated my resume to fit the position and i have an interview in a couple hours. If i dont get this job im pretty much done.
ive gone through my entire savings. My unemployment benefits have been exhausted. Before losing my job i had almost zero credit card debt. Now i have $10k racked up to take care of problems that have arisen while unemployed (burst water heater, air conditioner problems, sometimes utilities, car stuff, etc). ive had a few close calls with my house but had been bailed out by last minute sales of my possessions or help from family. Once i was so up against the wall i had to take out money from the credit card just to make mortgage or face foreclosure (thats a huge part of why my cc debt soared so quickly).
ive applied at hundreds of locations and have had only two interviews. Thats two callbacks in three years of looking for work. My house is upside down so that makes picking up and relocating difficult.
So yesterday i get a call from a friend who tells me about an open position with one of his old employers. He put in a good word for me with the manager. ive just updated my resume to fit the position and i have an interview in a couple hours. If i dont get this job im pretty much done.
water_wendi
Water is not wet!
Thanks. And yes i have. i figured i could get into something like that because i thought there were always positions open but maybe there are just too many unemployed flooding them. Unemployment is at 15% where i live.Darkman M said:
The two places i did interview for were after i took up a strategy of using an asset i had that many unemployed people do not.. my car. After i started focusing on jobs where i would be a delivery person or courier i had those two interviews in somewhat quick succession (they occurred over a period of three months).
Its extremely frustrating since every job ive ever held has come about after at most two weeks of looking. When weeks turn into months and months turn into years, ive come to exist in a state of perpetual hopelessness.
Joel Was Right
Member
I know how that feels. I once contacted a retail chain here that had 96 stores in the city. Called them up, sent CV's but not a single reply back. I've made about 30 applications in the last week, but its difficult in finding feasible vacancies. One of the websites I use has a figure of how many applicants there have been for each job, and some garner hundreds! It's so deflating that I often don't even bother to apply then
water_wendi
Water is not wet!
Interview went well. However i need to pass the credit/background check and seeing as how my credit has just this week been ruined because i cant pay my credit card bill, its pretty much game over.
i have another interview tomorrow but right now i dont expect it to go anywhere.
i have another interview tomorrow but right now i dont expect it to go anywhere.
demosthenes
Member
Stabbie said:Hey guys, you're not alone:
:lol
I'm recently unemployed, and pounding the pavement.
I just had a phone interview with the unemployment office (California). They were checking up on my application, and they told me I'd have to wait 10 days to see if I was approved.
Has anyone else experienced this? The guy was unclear under what circumstances they would deny benefits.
Please advise. And thanks.
I just had a phone interview with the unemployment office (California). They were checking up on my application, and they told me I'd have to wait 10 days to see if I was approved.
Has anyone else experienced this? The guy was unclear under what circumstances they would deny benefits.
Please advise. And thanks.
dark_chris
Member
I've been unemployed since that thread I made back in January. Feels bad man.
The only way I been getting through stuff is my freelance photography - from models to weddings.
The only way I been getting through stuff is my freelance photography - from models to weddings.
Cosmic Bus
pristine morning snow
Meus Renaissance said:
This drives me nuts, too; it's one of those catch-22 situations where if they aren't willing to give you a chance, then how can a person ever get the goddamn experience needed?
I do apply to a lot of jobs that I'm very, very capable of doing but might not have the direct experience in (along with plenty where my experience is directly applicable), and it's gotten me nowhere. I started out with loftier goals, thinking I could get something more professional and prove myself on the job, but didn't get a single response for months. Lowered expectations, still nothing, and at this point I've been applying to total bottom of the barrel shit and haven't gotten more than three interviews in as many months -- each rejected or ignored me afterwards despite that I would've been fucking stellar in the positions and had MORE than enough experience.
I sell myself very well on my resume, do great in interviews, but every attempt is dead in the water. Offices don't want me, the city doesn't want me, retail doesn't want me, food service doesn't want me, temp agencies don't want me, I'm not eligible for any unemployment... I've pretty much given up and can only hope to drag myself along financially until student loans kick in towards the end of the year and just focus on being in school.
A lot of jobs are about "Who do you know?" as well. References make a big deal. When I was employed at my previous job, they tested me to see how good my knowledge was. I passed the test and was hired 6 hours from the time I applied. I was there for 6 months and made the best of it, flying out to a convention, meeting the CEO of a datacenter and visiting his datacenter, and just getting to know everyone I could.
By the time I applied for the job I have now I had a great list of references and a lot more knowledge.
The factor here is also that my industry is still booming. It seems like everyone needs web hosting these days, and companies are growing more and more.
For those interested in anything in the web hosting industry you might want to check out WHT. There's new job offers there every day for anyone that's proficient in web design, technical support/system administration, or even sales/billing. It's where I got my last two jobs from and my current one is fantastic.
Web Design Requests
Employer Job Offers
The company I work for actually has a stickied topic on the latter forum at the moment with interviews to be held tomorrow, so if you're in the system admin field you might want to look there.
By the time I applied for the job I have now I had a great list of references and a lot more knowledge.
The factor here is also that my industry is still booming. It seems like everyone needs web hosting these days, and companies are growing more and more.
For those interested in anything in the web hosting industry you might want to check out WHT. There's new job offers there every day for anyone that's proficient in web design, technical support/system administration, or even sales/billing. It's where I got my last two jobs from and my current one is fantastic.
Web Design Requests
Employer Job Offers
The company I work for actually has a stickied topic on the latter forum at the moment with interviews to be held tomorrow, so if you're in the system admin field you might want to look there.
Finally had an interview yesterday, for a season ticket sales job. It's not what I want to be doing, but I applied because I need a reason to get out of the house and had a feeling I'd get a callback.
I really feel like I nailed the group interview, but I would still have to go through a multi-day training program to even be considered for the job, which could either be great or a big waste of time if I don't get the job.
Still, just getting my first interview in a couple months is the small confidence boost I needed.
I really feel like I nailed the group interview, but I would still have to go through a multi-day training program to even be considered for the job, which could either be great or a big waste of time if I don't get the job.
Still, just getting my first interview in a couple months is the small confidence boost I needed.
Well, looks like that interview at the place my sister works was just a courtesy. Took them 3 weeks to get back to me when they had said they were trying to make a decision within a week, and then sent the most generic email letting me know. Wasn't even addressed to me, nor was it signed by anyone, just the standard "other candidates were better qualified" drivel. Ugh.
Joel Was Right
Member
water_wendi said:
Surely if you explained your financial position to them they would realise whats up
water_wendi
Water is not wet!
Unfortunately i doubt that decision rests in the hands of the managers of the branch. They send off the info for an applicant to an investigative firm that does a full check including credit and if you have poor credit, the order comes down from corporate that you are ineligible for hire.Meus Renaissance said:
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/YourCreditRating/how-bad-credit-can-cost-you-a-job.aspx
And its not just government or banking jobs that do this. i know for a fact that Swatch stores do this for all positions, including part-time. When i left Barnes and Nobles there was talk about implementing this into the screening process. Their line of reasoning is that people with bad credit are more likely to steal (this was in the mid-90s).
Oh man. I have this shitty job, the pay sucks and it's market research. However, i hate it, i fucking can't stand it. I don't wanna work with phones anymore. However i have an offer for a place to do a masters. And i don't have enough money. So i think i might go back to it since i want to be in as little debt as possible. Yay. I am not sure if i am complaining. But thank heavens i suppose.
What a week! I found out about a job last Friday and applied. Phone interview on Monday, first interview on Wednesday and second interview today.
I'm in! After 7 1/2 months on the dole.
I used to do technical work in the booze industry and this new job is much the same but for a large bakery.
I was really lucky because every time they mentioned yeast, flour prices, packaging and delivery problems I could give them examples I had already seen from my previous work.
It's only a 3 month trial period just now but hopefully I won't make too big a fool of myself and it'll become permanent. I'm starting up an ebusiness with my sister in law too but she's going to have to do the heavy lifting on it now. Since I have a job and all!
Anyway, best of luck in all your job hunting, and I hope you all get something soon. This time last week I didn't know this job existed so it can all happen in a flash.
I'm also unemployed. I live in France, just got a degree in International trade...
I'm spending most of my time trying to run my online game http://www.origins-return.com...
At least I have the the time but not a good thing, no money coming in XD
I'm spending most of my time trying to run my online game http://www.origins-return.com...
At least I have the the time but not a good thing, no money coming in XD
Vicetrailia
Banned
1stStrike said:
That what I did and it worked out. Hopefully he can make him work for him.
Zapages said:
Where are you ?Try the site PM live. Anyhow i was just given the "it's not you, it's me" speech from a job interviewer. About 280 people applied, so i am feeling awesome to get to the last 8. I went to the interview and answered the questions to the best of my ability. They said that on paper, my CV looked great; in person i was fucking amazing. However as a result they thought i'd be gone soon (partially true, i had applications for my masters done at this point).
TLDR: I didn't get a job because i was too awesome.
I don't know how to feel right now.
x Power Pad Death Stomp x
Member
I've been unemployed for 8 days now after working at Gamestop for 7 years and getting fired.
I'm bored out of my mind. I used to be all "those lazy louts on welfare/unemployment have it made!", now I'd ready to claw my eyes out after a week of no working. This sucks.
I'm bored out of my mind. I used to be all "those lazy louts on welfare/unemployment have it made!", now I'd ready to claw my eyes out after a week of no working. This sucks.
x Power Pad Death Stomp x
Member
1stStrike said:
Officially, "a violation of the employee handbook". They have been trying to "get me" for a few years now, I was very highly paid as a manager since I was with the company from the EB Games days. The violation was something you would give a write up to a keyholder for, not doing counts properly, but they decided to part ways. Totally my fault, I guess. I fully expect them to fill my position with someone making 23000/year.
I had kinda checked out mentally a year ago, to be fair. It wasn't about helping someone buy a game anymore, but about 7000 add ons and upsells. It was to a point where I was getting mad at customers who just wanted to come in and buy a game if they weren't also reserving things or buying warranties or a 15$ magazine subscriptions. The pressure to sell that stuff was unbearable. My annoyance over that led me to not do a task properly and they seized on that to get rid of me.
x Power Pad Death Stomp x said:
That sucks. I know how they push you towards selling that shit. I'm just glad I work in a position where I'm not expected to sell shit, just fix problems.
Better luck on your next job wherever/whenever that might be. I'd try something that doesn't involve you having to sell anything
A Human Becoming said:
lol i did that last summer and also got the boot within a week (didn't sign up enough people to make monthly donations)
did u do street or door to door?
i did door to door and i hated it (i have no clue how some people love doing this)
x Power Pad Death Stomp x said:
that's why i avoid eb games nowadays unless a good deal comes up
Well I'm happy to report I did indeed get the job over at Geek Squad. Got offered the job right when we finished. It's a counter position, but my rent doesn't care how I pay for it. Good luck to everyone else looking for jobs.Suburban_Nooblet said:
For those that have never before employed, or haven't received any call backs I offer one piece of advice to try for a week. Be sure to followup after you submit an application. It shows you are interested in the position, puts a face to an application, and shows that you aren't just spamming around. I would never have gotten this job without it (no retail experience whatsoever)... I did all the call backs not them.
It blows my mind that Best Buy requires 3+ interviews with someone before potentially offering them a position. Practically every Best Buy employee in Toronto is a lazy scumbag that is completely unhelpful, or slow.
Gamestop makes them look good by comparison.
That said, good luck with your interviews; I'm sure you won't be one of those employees.
Gamestop makes them look good by comparison.
That said, good luck with your interviews; I'm sure you won't be one of those employees.
Zombie Lyle
Member
Got rejected for another job yesterday but waiting on news from 3 other jobs.
Laurentius
Member
1stStrike said:
Listen to this guy. The web hosting industry is exploding. Everyone wants a website these days. I've been working in tech support for about five months now. It kind of sucks -- but it's a job. It's a job with plenty of hours and decent pay. And this place is growing like crazy. They're always hiring. I was under qualified for the job, but I got it, and so have others.
If there's no webhosting company near you, then learn some basic web design skills. Make a Wordpress site. That's riduculously easy, and you can find someone to pay you to do it. I'd say 80% of the sites we service are simple Wordpress or ecommerce sites run by small businesses. Who are usually clueless when it comes to technology, and will pay for a designer, even if you don't have a lot of design experience.
Look into it. Seriously.
Exclamation-One
Member
If your credit was decent 6 months ago, you should be just fine.water_wendi said:
water_wendi
Water is not wet!
Great to hear! Thanks!Exclamation-One said:
shanshan310
Member
ribbonlace said:
This is what people told me to do :'( I asked to speak to the manager, said I was here about the job, he asked if I handed in a resume already and when I said yes he went "then piss off. If we call you you'll get an interview" and walked off. Not trying that again =/
So, I have an interview tomorrow. I've actually been unemployed for a few years now, so I'm sure that will come up at the interview. Should I tell them that my clinical depression kept me from seeking a job during that time and that I've sough treatment and I'm out of the doldrums, so to speak? Do employers tend to understand the seriousness of depression and look at it as a valid medical reason for not being employed?
otakuderek
Member
lush said:
I'm waiting for my ship date for the Air Force. I'm not doing to 4 year thing as I already have my bachelor's degree, but totally for Master's they are paying. Going to make a career of it though like my father.
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