anyone else unemployed?
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Cosmic Bus
pristine morning snow
Tideas said:
This is retail we're talking about, not any type of skilled profession. I have no applicable education beyond a HS diploma and am desperate for work... good or bad economy, where am I going to run off to? I would kill for a job and some income at this point.
Zoe said:
Not the exact same job: I continuously took on new/additional responsibilities periodically during those years. The company always wanted the dependable full-timers to be able to do a variety of tasks, so I started as a sales/register clerk, moved into inventory, then promoted to a supervisory position there; later I handled all the store's merchandising, was crosstrained in the cafe and later managed that for a while, was promoted to head up the cash office and payroll, so I was doing all the previously mentioned duties on a regular basis in addition to dealing with hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, doing hiring and training, store audits, getting managerial training, etc... All of this is on my resume, as well, and in a good amount of detail. It's not like I'm underselling myself. This is precisely what B&N was looking for: someone who knew books, retail, was reliable, flexible, and was willing to be trained in multiple areas of the store. By just being me, I had already done 75% of the work for them! Nope, sorry, seems that kind of experience isn't what they want. I'm getting pissed off again just thinking about it.
None of this matters much anyway, because all potential employers see is "Oh, lots of retail experience. You're pretty much useless in the real world."
I will probably get my History BA this year. I know it's useless but I just need one more semester to get it. I took a year off to get a job and make some money but it ended terribly. Spent most of the year depressed. Still happy to be graduating though.Quick said:
The best thing you can probably do with a LibArt degree is work at an tutor or intern at some gov/state non-profit. Maybe try to make some connection for a job in the future. Then get another job part-time job working retail. A few people I know are doing that. :/
Ivan A Nguyen
Member
Someone should link the college humor's honest grad school infomercial to this. Just keep racking up that debt.Quick said:
x Power Pad Death Stomp x
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Cosmic Bus said:
This kills me. I didn't get the office job I applied for because "another candidate has office experience". Running a 3 million dollar a year retail store isn't enough multitasking experience, apparently. SMH
smokeymicpot
Beat EviLore at pool.
Just got a job at some local grocery store. I feel like a dick though I will be moving to Columbus Ohio in a few weeks.
Squirrel Killer
Member
I was thinking pretty much along the same line until I talked to one of my wife's friends whose husband is going to be unemployed who's a civil engineer. Unless one of the three civil engineering firms in their town is hiring, he's screwed. At least I can (and have) fit my liberal arts degree in to a number of different positionsQuick said:
Quick question if anyone knows the answer, in CA, if you're collecting unemployment and then start an LLC because you want to begin your company, are you no longer able to claim your benefits? Can you just keep filing since the chances of two government entities speaking to one another about your particular case are slim?
bodyboarder
Member
I got a call back from a recruiter about a job I applied for and they want me to go in tomorrow for a "assessment session". However I just found the job where to apply directly. Would I be better off applying directly or going through the recruiter (and jump through their hoops)?
Cosmic Bus
pristine morning snow
Rejected by both Target and fucking Wal-Mart. hangingnoose.gif
Guts Of Thor
Thorax of Odin
I applied at United Airlines a couple weeks ago and haven't heard back, should I give them a call to check my status or just move on?
Guts Of Thor said:
Call them. It can't hurt to see if they passed over you or not.
Cosmic Bus said:
Could be worse, rejected by JC Penny outright just after I complete the application. It's like "why did you make me fill this out if you're just going to tell me LOL NO?"
ThisWreckage
Banned
Underemployed. If I don't find full time work with benefits soon I'm going to go back to school. If you're not in the medical field or the military then you're more than likely fucked. I know people from various majors that can't even find part time work.
ThisWreckage said:
Know the feeling. Graduated with an English degree in writing. Originally hoped to go to law school but changed my mind after an internship. Impossible to find anything. Guess I either need to find out how to apply my BA to something useful, network better and prove my value, or go back to school with a genuine plan. I just don't fucking know anymore.
Makes me wonder why I even went to college. I could have had a job after high school and gained necessary experience. I went to a well respected HS and I'm someone people want working for them. Probably would have survived all of those layoffs.
ThisWreckage
Banned
TheTowel said:
I'm very fair. I also majored in English so I understand that my marketability isn't high. That still doesn't explain why my ex college roommate who has a computer science degree is working part time at a Lowe's in Home and Garden. Or why my friend's wife has been laid off two times from teaching because of state budget cuts. Or why her husband, who majored in business, is working part time as a loan shark. Or why my friend who majored in chemistry is working as a meat cutter at the local grocery store. Like I said before, certain degrees are more desirable, but nepotism and connections are completely ruling the workplace. Pray you know someone or join the military. Or go back to school and go into the medical field.
This thread makes me sad and is the reason why I appreciate both my jobs despite not being paid what I would like to. For all of you that work retail apply to Abercrombie and Fitch they're always hiring at this time of year and the job is very easy to get as long as you present your self well. Tip: the very first thing they will ask of you is to tell them a fun fact about yourself and the last question is where do you see your self in 5 years (typical I know). gook luck to those that are interested.
Jamesfrom818
Banned
I'm Asian. They won't hire me.Panzon said:
Vicetrailia
Banned
Panzon said:
I'll do it, but I'm a male and I'm black where as all I see are white females working for the multiple AF retailers in my town so we will see.
I have nothing to lose anymore. Those questions are easy to answer, but when they ask about the latent period in my work history I'm going to lie.
"There has not been a lot of opportunity for employment in my field yet (not a lie) so I spent my time taking classes (true), getting certified (lie) and doing community and volunteer work to keep me busy (lie)." Obviously I'll say it better than that but you know.
If I tell them that I have been doing contract work then they will just look down on me :/.
"I was a patent researcher and drafter"
"Sweeet for who!"
"Blah-blah, end result they find it was contract work"
"Oh well, sorry".
Cosmic Bus
pristine morning snow
Managed to get into a group interview for Urban Outfitters this Sunday. I applied last December and was passed over, so we'll see if it goes any better this time.
BeautifulMemory
Member
Best of luck!Cosmic Bus said:
ThisWreckage
Banned
I'm giving it about three or four more months and then I'm going back to school. I'd much rather educate myself or learn a trade instead of working three days a week while killing myself the four days I have off trying to find a new job or another job.
Cosmic Bus
pristine morning snow
Full Recovery said:
Very nice. By choice or by lack of other options, either way I think it's admirable that you're learning a trade. My dad owns a small refrigeration and air conditioning maintenance business and is getting to the age where he'd like to retire, but there's practically no one qualified or even interested in taking over. This type of work will always, always be in demand, and it's unfortunate that most people our age are so averse to working with their hands.
bodyboarder said:
It might be a good idea to call and talk to HR at the company, I would think, and just see what they recommend. It might actually be a good idea to apply both ways, that way you get a few more people seeing your name and looking at you for jobs. I don't know if that could actually cause an issue which is why I'd recommend asking them about it.
DoomGyver
Member
By choice, anyone can bolt stuff together but not everyone can weld. If I'm with the company for a year or so it will give me great job security and pretty much guarantee that I won't be laid off unless the economy gets extremely bad. Being certified in MIG welding also opens up a lot of doors. I also learned because there are a lot things I want to make by welding, particularly in aluminum.Cosmic Bus said:
I'm assuming this is ok but I thought I'd throw out a possible job prospect for anyone in their service area. Frontier Communications: http://hostedjobs.openhire.com/epos...n=app.allpositions&company_id=15798&version=1 seems to have quite a few job openings at the moment. Especially the technician jobs, you don't really need experience for from what I've seen although I'm guessing it will depend on where you are and how competitive the market is. Benefits are also ymmv because they are based on union contracts but they're very good in my area.
I've been working there for about a year and I like the company a lot so far and the benefits and pay are very good. Prospects as far as moving up seem very good too. Should probably say I'm not a recruiter or anything, I just spent a year out of work and I know how difficult it can be to think of the next place to even try sometimes.
I've been working there for about a year and I like the company a lot so far and the benefits and pay are very good. Prospects as far as moving up seem very good too. Should probably say I'm not a recruiter or anything, I just spent a year out of work and I know how difficult it can be to think of the next place to even try sometimes.
silentspork
Member
1stStrike said:
This is very much the case. My company has expanded their work force by 20% in the last year alone, and my department is personally bringing on another two people in a couple weeks.
BeautifulMemory
Member
And remember there's always QA...at least it's moneyVox-Pop said:
Quick update..
Financial Aid came through. My EFC (estimated family contribution) was 7070.. basically no chance of a grant/work study. After providing proof of unemployment, etc, they got my score down to 600, which opened the door to a full grant for the next two years which should be enough time to finish my degree.
The hardest part during all of this, (aside from losing track of what day it is
) is feeling like I'm taking advantage/getting a hand out. I've worked hard all my life, watched my dad work 2 or 3 jobs/overtime/etc you name it.
Don't get me wrong, my family could really use the help, and I have no intention of just riding the system, but I'm being realistic about the job market so I won't get too depressed.
On the plus side of this, I'm getting a small pension from my old company, and the state just notified me of a program to help make house payments for 2 years with 0 interest, provided I'll be living in my house for the next 10 years (which I will be). I'm tempted to utilize the program, since it'd help take care of some expensive medical bills.
But like I said earlier, there's still that nagging feeling of "I could maybe handle things without assistance -- sure it'd be a lot tougher, but I could probably make it work". Am I just being weird?
The main reason I'm contemplating any of this stuff is for my family. Less worry is less stress on everyone. I'm looking at it as a great opportunity to go back to school, get some stuff done around the house, and try to improve my health.
Ah well, thanks for letting me babble..
Financial Aid came through. My EFC (estimated family contribution) was 7070.. basically no chance of a grant/work study. After providing proof of unemployment, etc, they got my score down to 600, which opened the door to a full grant for the next two years which should be enough time to finish my degree.
The hardest part during all of this, (aside from losing track of what day it is
) is feeling like I'm taking advantage/getting a hand out. I've worked hard all my life, watched my dad work 2 or 3 jobs/overtime/etc you name it. Don't get me wrong, my family could really use the help, and I have no intention of just riding the system, but I'm being realistic about the job market so I won't get too depressed.
On the plus side of this, I'm getting a small pension from my old company, and the state just notified me of a program to help make house payments for 2 years with 0 interest, provided I'll be living in my house for the next 10 years (which I will be). I'm tempted to utilize the program, since it'd help take care of some expensive medical bills.
But like I said earlier, there's still that nagging feeling of "I could maybe handle things without assistance -- sure it'd be a lot tougher, but I could probably make it work". Am I just being weird?
The main reason I'm contemplating any of this stuff is for my family. Less worry is less stress on everyone. I'm looking at it as a great opportunity to go back to school, get some stuff done around the house, and try to improve my health.
Ah well, thanks for letting me babble..
Cth said:Quick update..
Financial Aid came through. My EFC (estimated family contribution) was 7070.. basically no chance of a grant/work study. After providing proof of unemployment, etc, they got my score down to 600, which opened the door to a full grant for the next two years which should be enough time to finish my degree.
The hardest part during all of this, (aside from losing track of what day it is
Don't get me wrong, my family could really use the help, and I have no intention of just riding the system, but I'm being realistic about the job market so I won't get too depressed.
On the plus side of this, I'm getting a small pension from my old company, and the state just notified me of a program to help make house payments for 2 years with 0 interest, provided I'll be living in my house for the next 10 years (which I will be). I'm tempted to utilize the program, since it'd help take care of some expensive medical bills.
But like I said earlier, there's still that nagging feeling of "I could maybe handle things without assistance -- sure it'd be a lot tougher, but I could probably make it work". Am I just being weird?
The main reason I'm contemplating any of this stuff is for my family. Less worry is less stress on everyone. I'm looking at it as a great opportunity to go back to school, get some stuff done around the house, and try to improve my health.
Ah well, thanks for letting me babble..
I think so. I'm like you were I hate to take any assistance (including when people would give me little jobs and try to pay me while I was unemployed, I would always try to do it for free. I didn't want a handout especially not from my family. I'm no leech, dammit!) but you just have to realize that those programs are supposed to help people like you and they're not entirely altruistic. People who get through college average quite a lot more than people without their degree during their life. They want you to get your degree so that you can make them money in the skilled workforce.
It's tough when you have a mindset like yours and mine. I got a debt at a hospital forgiven due to poverty when I was out of work and it was such an amazing relief to not have to worry about that but I felt like such a slimeball for taking it at the time. But it was put there for a reason and it was to help people in my position. It's the same for you.
Even though I have a job, and I am looking for additional work and applied for a retail Vodafone position (though I'll be applying for some additional freelance stuff later). Denied straight away. I got an interview for a human resources position a while back but didn't get this. Makes you wonder what you need to do, and what they really want in applicants.
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