Discussion Forums > The Lounge
Unemployed Rant
MerryLilith:
--- Quote ---If you're seriously putting that much work in, and not finding a job, then you're gonna have to lower your standards until you do find a job.
You will have to accept the reality that everyone who gets a degree doesn't "automatically get a job". You may need to quite literally suck it up and work as a receptionist, cashier at a gas station or cook at McDonalds.
--- End quote ---
I understand that, but the reality of the job market in Seattle is not as simple as you make it sound. 2-3 of the jobs I apply for are in my field. The rest are receptionist, office help, marketing, hotel/travel industry jobs. I am also limited in that I can only apply for full-time positions as a condition of collecting unemployment here in WA. I don't make the rules, I just have to follow them. :)
--- Quote ---Sorry if I offended you. I live in Britian, like the OP. I got no idea on the situation in the US, but I know EXACTLY what it's like here in my home country. It's probably very different.
--- End quote ---
I wasn't offended, but I do see this attitude a lot. It's not that we aren't trying. The economy sucks everywhere.
I also have a friend who lives in Maryland that makes 3 times what I do a week on unemployment and spends most of his time in bars. So I do understand the frustration from the other side when I see people taking advantage of the system.
--- Quote ---f you're really desperate, join the military. I doubt they'll turn you away. and if it's anything like the states it makes getting a job afterwards easier.
--- End quote ---
I would love to join the military, but my health makes that downright impossible. I have tried to enlist in the past and found out the hard way. It's a wonderful suggestion and you're right military service looks amazing on a resume after you leave. One of my instructors first learned her field in the military and the if she is an example of the kind of PhT's they turn out then I would love to get that experience.
--- Quote ---Sometimes its not what you know but who you know. I have gotten jobs in the pass because either someone I know told me about it or new employer was one of my customers (I worked in retail related businesses for a long time).
Funny, I was just talking to a friend about this. Knowing people is a great tool in finding jobs. Hell I can say that every job I've ever had, even my current job at UPS which I've had for almost 7 years now, was from knowing someone. You have to know someone who can get you a job somewhere. At UPS, we hire more people who are friends/family of people who work there, than people that apply online. I've never actually met one person at UPS who was hired from applying online, and I ask every new person.
--- End quote ---
I agree that networking is wonderful. The situation here in Seattle unfortunately means that since everyone is networking with everyone else, were all still trying to get the same jobs. As I wrote above,
--- Quote ---I am in my school's career rep's office every week for a pep talk and to see if she has heard from any prospective employers that haven't posted an ad online yet.
--- End quote ---
They have 2 different types of reps; one works directly with the students, the other directly with the business. And because the reps know us personally they can usually get the ball rolling for us. I also keep in contact(facebook, email) with classmates and teachers to see if there is anything they have heard within their own organizations.
While I was typing this I got a call from my career rep, she wanted to let me know she had made some backdoor attempts to find out if I position I interviewed for last week was planning on calling me. She didn't find out anything but she also reminded me that June was looking up as far as new positions being created.
mgz:
quite simply put, you are doing something wrong if your apply to roughly 50 jobs a week and are being denied positions in all of them. Possibly think about reworking your resume.
Also think about looking for positions further away or positions that always have a demand that dont really care about many things. I dont give a shit about the job market in seatle because i know i get emails everyday from career builder about jobs, they even tell me the avg number of applicants for that job, the ones with few applicants you can usually bet if you remotely fit their qualifications and arent a fucking retard you can get the job.
And lets not forget about the wonders of a temp agency, they can and will find you jobs that are usually temporary work for a couple of months based on your qualifications. Many of these jobs are jobs that you can earn a permanent position for if your not a retard.
2nd edit - most of the places that have online applications still give you information for contact. If your applying to 50 jobs a week or 40 a week with 10-20 a week being in the field you want them to be chance are you arent doing proper follow up with these places to actually give them the impression your interested and want to work.
9/10 times the person who calls up and checks in once every couple of days to see how the process is going gets a better response then the person who submitted the resume and never checked back again.
and for shits and giggles
--- Quote ---Q.
Can I collect unemployment benefits if I work part-time?
A.
If you work part-time, we reduce your benefits using the earnings deduction chart (gross earnings minus $5 times 75 percent).
You must still meet the job-search requirements while working part-time.
If you did not work more than 17 hours in any week in your base period, you may need to look for only part-time work.
Working part-time usually extends the number of weeks you can draw benefits. Additional earnings also may help you qualify for a new claim when your benefit year ends.
--- End quote ---
thats from the washington state unemployment site. So in short go fuck yourself bum
http://www.esd.wa.gov/uibenefits/faq/faq-ui.php
Ixarku:
Wow, no mercy in this place. Seriously, folks, please lighten up on the criticisms. A smidge of compassion costs nothing, and I don't recall reading posts from anyone begging for a handout -- simply some people venting some of their frustrations. There are a lot of stories out there of people losing their jobs, their homes, and everything they have through a series of bad circumstances and little fault of their own. (And, of course, a lot of stories of people losing everything due to their own stupidity.)
I know plenty of people who have been out of work for periods of time ranging from 6 months to 2 or more years, unable to find work in their fields or even in unrelated fields. Some of you guys are quick to say, "get any job you can get your hands on" but often times that low paying job may not be enough to pay the bills or feed the kids, and sometimes there are logistics that either make it impossible or not worth it to take such a job. And people DO make mistakes or act on incorrect information when job hunting from time to time... some of you guys seem to have little sympathy for anything less than perfection in the job hunt.
I consider myself extremely fortunate to have the job I have now. I've been unemployed in the past for 2 to 6 months at a time, and I know how depressing it is to job hunt unsuccessfully. I'm not advocating a society of free loaders, and I surely despise the people that abuse social safety nets. Personally, I’ve borrowed money in the past from friends to stay afloat (and paid it back), but I’ve never taken a government handout. Believe me, I recognize that sacrifices are often necessary in order to get through long-term financial difficulties. It’s simply a bitter pill to swallow, and many people have a tough time recognizing or accepting what really needs to be done to get through their particular challenges.
BuriaL:
--- Quote from: fohfoh on May 25, 2010, 12:00:25 AM ---..
you need to swallow your pride
..
--- End quote ---
For once ill agree with fofoh.
Pride is prolly one of the things i have the biggest problems with in this context. But hell.. back me into a corner i cant get outa and ill ether bite or play nice.
This is what you do:
Take a shower.
Put on some clean clothes thats not worn or identify you as a spesific type of person. You want to look "normal".
Make a list of every place you cant think of that could use a extra set of hands.
Think about what potential employers want to hear if they ask you a bunch of questions. No shit, you can steal a job in front of better qualified people if you can talk.
Psyche youreself up. You cant get a job if youre just "meh". Just repeat something motivating in youre head until you start believing. "Today iam really really happy and i smile(important) and iam gonna get a job".
Smile, and seem happy. Who want a sad, depressed employee to sell theyre stuff?
Youre prolly gonna fail. So just swallow your pride and work on the motivation. "Fuck them, they dont deserve you..".
Now think about what you might have done wrong. If theres anything, try to fix it, or cover it up. Learn from mistakes.
Go to the next place.
Repeat.
If you get a job, do at least 100% and dont fuck around.
I made the "list" for jobs where youre really desperate. If ure in that situation, a cv isnt gonna save you. You need to appear as a happy, smiling, motivated, sane person they want to employ.
If you dont believe that, think about this: I know people that have gotten jobs based on pure bullshit and lies. Its becouse they can talk.
And later when you apply for a job you actualy want, you dont have a big gap with nothing in the cv. At least you have something.
relic2279:
--- Quote from: Ixarku on May 29, 2010, 01:51:23 AM ---Wow, no mercy in this place.
--- End quote ---
Life itself shows no mercy. As much as you'd like to believe otherwise, in this reality, it's survival of the fittest. Sometimes, an ice cold dose of reality is what gets people motivated. Coddling is not always the answer.
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