Unemployed Rant

[K7IA]

Furiously looking for a job, filling out applications forms and liquidating your assets that ends in series of failures to get a job will only increase your frustration. At some point, it will cause you to underperform in a key moment, make a mistake or even irritate the person who will give the verdict on you

Instead - even if you are a professional - getting to know people with common interests, in that sense socializing but with real face-to-face communication, being there when you are needed with the necessary skills and know-how yields better results and doesn't happen in only hollywood movies. Utilizing what you have got - along with your assets - does not require scientific knowledge.

Determination, openness to communication and the ability to comprehend what is going on around you are key factors if you want to be successful. You don't need to be uber-skilled to earn a living.

Believe me, get some expertise while you are young, don't just work. It is immensely more difficult to seek a job when you are over 30 with no concrete and noteworthy work experience.  

[relic2279]

Furiously looking for a job, filling out applications forms and liquidating your assets that ends in series of failures to get a job will only increase your frustration. At some point, it will cause you to underperform in a key moment, make a mistake or even irritate the person who will give the verdict on you

I completely disagree with this. Because I've done just that and it has worked.

You say "not to do it" but you offer no reasonable answer, recourse or alternative.

A person has bills to pay, perhaps kids to feed, a car payment, maybe a mortgage, or at the very least, rent.  How do you suppose a person stay afloat financially in a situation like that with no job or viable income, while waiting for your "communication, comprehension and networking skills" to payoff?

Eventually, you will lose everything. You don't take risks with your life. Find a lower paying, low skill job to keep you afloat until you can land a better job.

[K7IA]

Furiously looking for a job, filling out applications forms and liquidating your assets that ends in series of failures to get a job will only increase your frustration. At some point, it will cause you to underperform in a key moment, make a mistake or even irritate the person who will give the verdict on you

I completely disagree with this. Because I've done just that and it has worked.

You say "not to do it" but you offer no reasonable answer, recourse or alternative.

A person has bills to pay, perhaps kids to feed, a car payment, maybe a mortgage, or at the very least, rent.  How do you suppose a person stay afloat financially in a situation like that with no job or viable income, while waiting for your "communication, comprehension and networking skills" to payoff?

Eventually, you will lose everything. You don't take risks with your life. Find a lower paying, low skill job to keep you afloat until you can land a better job.

I have done what I have said, and it has worked. In fact I am just like Morita of Honey and Clover, I disappear for a few weeks and return with $.
Why would I write something that is doomed to fail? It is only natural that people have different experiences, don't you think?

I stated a reasonable answer to "not to do it", in fact this is the alternative. I am not trying to save the world with a single opinion.

Accepting the immediately available lower paying job is an option and has nothing to do with taking risks. You take risks by planning or by becoming an entrepreneur. What risk do I take by applying for a job in the nearest McD ?

You loose everything only when you die.

[surdumil]

When you are just starting out after coming out of school, you are at a pretty sizable disadvantage since many employers prefer experience over credentials.

Be prepared to move to where you can find employment.  As you accumulate experience, your ability to win a job offer near your preferred location will improve.

If you can manage to come up with membership fees for 6 months or a year (which is a pretty meager fee, really), join a Toastmasters club and improve your impromptu speaking and business meeting skills.  The impromptu speaking skills are invaluable for handling job interviews and for functioning within an organization.  For most professions, employers will be looking for that.

[relic2279]

I have done what I have said, and it has worked. In fact I am just like Morita of Honey and Clover, I disappear for a few weeks and return with $.

Yes, but that is more like the exception to the rule, rather then the norm.  

I stated a reasonable answer to "not to do it", in fact this is the alternative.

Yes, but you worded it like a fact, rather than an opinion or alternative

You take risks by planning or by becoming an entrepreneur. What risk do I take by applying for a job in the nearest McD

When you are down and out, you don't take risks. You cut and accept your losses. You build back up what you lost and recuperate.

[K7IA]

I have to admit that my initial response was based on my interpretation of microeconomics that "you work because you are qualified to do something that other people are willing to spend money on and the result is income" which is not even suitable in a village economics any more.

After all these years, I still can not digest the fact that "you have work because you are alive and you need money to survive".

Supply and demand curve simply irritates me when it comes to humans and I really despise those who are desperately trying to quantify humans and their worth.

If you are down and out and you have mandatory responsibilities to fulfill, I guess it is better to seek any opportunity to work rather than rob the nearest bank or commit a crime.

Just don't forget that you are human being.

[mgz]

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.

<- was unemployed and got a job, my job hunt involved sitting home most of the day sleeping and grabbing lunch with a couple friends while making about 2k a month after taxes taken out from my unemployment.

You get no mercy when you sit and make excuses why you arent getting jobs. I know the reason i didnt get a job was because i want about 2 or 3 months off cuz at my last job i rarely got to take a day off. So in 4 1/2 years i had maybe a week of time i TOOK OFF.

But sitting there saying the state wont let you get a part time job etc etc. Is bullshit as i posted in response to the person who claims they apply to 10 jobs a day and cant get a fucking job.

[MerryLilith]

I'm replying to as many things as possible. So understand that something said before or after what "you" wrote may not have the same tone of voice behind it. 

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.
thats from the washington state unemployment site. So in short go fuck yourself bum
http://www.esd.wa.gov/uibenefits/faq/faq-ui.php

You know what, Fuck you. I never asked for your 2 cents and I'm not planning on taking it. You said yourself that you don't give a shit about the job market in Seattle(it's spelled with 2 t's), but that's my primary concern. The market here is SATURATED with people looking for work. Which means that I do have to apply to 40-50 jobs in a week if I want to get even ONE call back in a month. You can go ahead and criticize all you want, you can tell me that CareerBuilder/Monster/what-have-you shows jobs avaliable. But guess what? In Seattle the only "jobs" listed without hundreds of applicants are those that have SCAM written all over them. So, sorry if I don't think that you being able to use your google-fu to one up me on knowledge of WA laws/Job Search sites/whatever makes your "advice" worth anything.

<- was unemployed and got a job, my job hunt involved sitting home most of the day sleeping and grabbing lunch with a couple friends while making about 2k a month after taxes taken out from my unemployment.

So you gamed the system and you think everyone else does? Well, good to know your an asshole who only considers your own actions and not those of others. Your experience was yours and mine is mine. Don't even think you can compare the two because they are vastly different. I also wonder if your experience was during a recession and if you'd still be unemployed if it was.

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.

THANK YOU!!
I think the OP wanted to start a thread where those of us in this position could commiserate together and be mutually supportive. That hasn't happened.

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.

How is taking part in a system that I pay into "Coddling"? I make half as much a week on UE then I did working and I work just as hard on a day-to day basis as I did when I had a job. Actually, considering my last job I work harder.
Do you think I like being on UE? Until it happened to me I thought that I would never allow myself to get placed in this sort of situation. But I made some life choices about 4 years ago that have come back to haunt me. I made a mistake in moving to the west coast, I know that now but the old adage about hindsight is still accurate to this day.

Believe me, get some expertise while you are young, don't just work. It is immensely more difficult to seek a job when you are over 30 with no concrete and noteworthy work experience.

THIS! I turned 30 this year and a lot of the "Oh, you're fresh out of school. Isn't that cute" attitude employers are willing to show the 20-somethings has all gone. Which is why I went into a training program so I could become a CPhT. I now have a vast knowledge of policy/procedure, pharmacopoeia, techniques. I just don't have the experience to go with it at the moment.

[vuzedome]

You know how to cook?
If yes, go to the nearest Chinatown, say you can cook, and you're an assistant chef, work your ass off while trying for others.

Can't cook?
Too bad, but try going to the nearest Chinatown anyway and see what is available.

Never give up, never back down, if you're willing to work, regardless of the conditions, there're always undesirable or unfavorable jobs that people just don't want that you can fill.

[mgz]

I'm replying to as many things as possible. So understand that something said before or after what "you" wrote may not have the same tone of voice behind it. 

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.
thats from the washington state unemployment site. So in short go fuck yourself bum
http://www.esd.wa.gov/uibenefits/faq/faq-ui.php

You know what, Fuck you. I never asked for your 2 cents and I'm not planning on taking it. You said yourself that you don't give a shit about the job market in Seattle(it's spelled with 2 t's), but that's my primary concern. The market here is SATURATED with people looking for work. Which means that I do have to apply to 40-50 jobs in a week if I want to get even ONE call back in a month. You can go ahead and criticize all you want, you can tell me that CareerBuilder/Monster/what-have-you shows jobs avaliable. But guess what? In Seattle the only "jobs" listed without hundreds of applicants are those that have SCAM written all over them. So, sorry if I don't think that you being able to use your google-fu to one up me on knowledge of WA laws/Job Search sites/whatever makes your "advice" worth anything.

<- was unemployed and got a job, my job hunt involved sitting home most of the day sleeping and grabbing lunch with a couple friends while making about 2k a month after taxes taken out from my unemployment.

So you gamed the system and you think everyone else does? Well, good to know your an asshole who only considers your own actions and not those of others. Your experience was yours and mine is mine. Don't even think you can compare the two because they are vastly different. I also wonder if your experience was during a recession and if you'd still be unemployed if it was.

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.

THANK YOU!!
I think the OP wanted to start a thread where those of us in this position could commiserate together and be mutually supportive. That hasn't happened.

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.

How is taking part in a system that I pay into "Coddling"? I make half as much a week on UE then I did working and I work just as hard on a day-to day basis as I did when I had a job. Actually, considering my last job I work harder.
Do you think I like being on UE? Until it happened to me I thought that I would never allow myself to get placed in this sort of situation. But I made some life choices about 4 years ago that have come back to haunt me. I made a mistake in moving to the west coast, I know that now but the old adage about hindsight is still accurate to this day.

Believe me, get some expertise while you are young, don't just work. It is immensely more difficult to seek a job when you are over 30 with no concrete and noteworthy work experience.

THIS! I turned 30 this year and a lot of the "Oh, you're fresh out of school. Isn't that cute" attitude employers are willing to show the 20-somethings has all gone. Which is why I went into a training program so I could become a CPhT. I now have a vast knowledge of policy/procedure, pharmacopoeia, techniques. I just don't have the experience to go with it at the moment.

i dont give a shit if you want to ignore or take my advice it doesnt change the fact that you said your state only lets you get full time jobs which was complete bullshit.

I live in an area that is more clusterfucked with people then seatle so dont cry about saturated job markets. I live 20 minutes by train from NYC 30 minutes by car from philly and live in the most densely populated state in the country. If i can find a job pretty much anyone should be able to unless you are doing something wrong.

And the reason i pointed out that applying for 50 jobs a week is fucking stupid is because you do no follow up. One of the lectures i had to sit through while on unemployment here in jersey is nonsense about how if you follow up with the assholes your applying to you increase the chances of them contacting you by a silly amount because if nothing else it gets your fucking name in front of someone.

This is something your definately NOT doing if your applying to 50 jobs a week

[MerryLilith]

i dont give a shit if you want to ignore or take my advice it doesnt change the fact that you said your state only lets you get full time jobs which was complete bullshit.

I live in an area that is more clusterfucked with people then seatle so dont cry about saturated job markets. I live 20 minutes by train from NYC 30 minutes by car from philly and live in the most densely populated state in the country. If i can find a job pretty much anyone should be able to unless you are doing something wrong.

And the reason i pointed out that applying for 50 jobs a week is fucking stupid is because you do no follow up. One of the lectures i had to sit through while on unemployment here in jersey is nonsense about how if you follow up with the assholes your applying to you increase the chances of them contacting you by a silly amount because if nothing else it gets your fucking name in front of someone.

This is something your definately NOT doing if your applying to 50 jobs a week

I went back and re-read what I wrote and I was less clear than I thought I was. So I apologize for that. Let me be clear now. Applying for part-time employment does not count towards the quota of jobs I have to apply for each week. That is what I meant to say, obviously I failed in that.

You're from Jersey? Well, that explains everything! (j/k) Even I will agree that finding employment in NYC/Philly would be difficult in this economy. There is also a difference in how east coast/west coast businesses seem to operate. The slower pace of the Pacific Northwest is clearly evident when trying to find a job. I applied for a position at the a particular hospital in the Inpatient Pharmacy in March. They only started interviewing last week. BTW, they were interviewing 4 people for 3 positions. I made it through hundreds of other applicants so I'm not doing anything completely wrong.

I agree with the idea of calling HR and getting your name to the top of the pile, but the reality is that new application screening software makes more of the decision than humans do. If I miss a keyword by using a synonym and my application gets thrown out, they usually don't even know who the hell I am when I call.

I probably am doing a few things not right, but comparing myself to acquaintances here in Seattle who are in the same position as I am we're all striking out more often then not.  
 
edit: corrected a spelling error.

[mgz]

i dont give a shit if you want to ignore or take my advice it doesnt change the fact that you said your state only lets you get full time jobs which was complete bullshit.

I live in an area that is more clusterfucked with people then seatle so dont cry about saturated job markets. I live 20 minutes by train from NYC 30 minutes by car from philly and live in the most densely populated state in the country. If i can find a job pretty much anyone should be able to unless you are doing something wrong.

And the reason i pointed out that applying for 50 jobs a week is fucking stupid is because you do no follow up. One of the lectures i had to sit through while on unemployment here in jersey is nonsense about how if you follow up with the assholes your applying to you increase the chances of them contacting you by a silly amount because if nothing else it gets your fucking name in front of someone.

This is something your definately NOT doing if your applying to 50 jobs a week

I went back and re-read what I wrote and I was less clear than I thought I was. So I apologize for that. Let me be clear now. Applying for part-time employment does not count towards the quota of jobs I have to apply for each week. That is what I meant to say, obviously I failed in that.

You're from Jersey? Well, that explains everything! (j/k) Even I will agree that finding employment in NYC/Philly would be difficult in this economy. There is also a difference in how east coast/west coast businesses seem to operate. The slower pace of the Pacific Northwest is clearly evident when trying to find a job. I applied for a position at the a particular hospital in the Inpatient Pharmacy in March. They only started interviewing last week. BTW, they were interviewing 4 people for 3 positions. I made it through hundreds of other applicants so I'm not doing anything completely wrong.

I agree with the idea of calling HR and getting your name to the top of the pile, but the reality is that new application screening software makes more of the decision than humans do. If I miss a keyword by using a synonym and my application gets thrown out, they usually don't even know who the hell I am when I call.

I probably am doing a few things not right, but comparing myself to acquaintances here in Seattle who are in the same position as I am we're all striking out more often then not.  
 
edit: corrected a spelling error.

and let me be more clear, just because you arent doing something incorrectly doesnt mean you are doing it in a way that equates to you getting the most responses from people and getting your name in front of people.
The unemployment offices here in jersey will actually work with you on your resume and you can submit it to the unemployment people and they will actively help you get jobs. And just because you dont get credit for applying for part time jobs doesnt mean you cant get one instead of complaining about no work.

And its kinda normal that calling the people they wouldnt know who you are, thats why you start asking questions and more or less get you in front of them.

[ervy]

I've jumped on this thread late but maybe that's a good thing. You guys seem to be running in circles.

This guy was simply looking for sympathy, particularly from other unemployed people. I think he's been trying as hard as he can and has failed. Think from his perspective. Would you want a bunch of people with jobs lecturing about the things you're doing wrong? Or would you want some understanding? Think of an instance when you've given it your all but come up empty-handed.

From one unemployed loser to another:

Keep your head up, something will come along.

[relic2279]

Would you want a bunch of people with jobs lecturing about the things you're doing wrong? Or would you want some understanding?

I'm pretty sure I'd want a job above sympathy. I'd take any tips that might help me get a job. Lectures included if they contained any helpful advice.

[ervy]

He said from the start that he was venting and needed some emotional support. My point is, he doesn't, and shouldn't, care about what you would want. This thread is supposed to be about him.

[relic2279]

He said from the start that he was venting and needed some emotional support.

he also said:

"I feel so desperate for work yet I still wonder why I'm finding it so difficult to get any???"

And the first reply in this thread, my reply, addressed exactly that question.

My point is, he doesn't, and shouldn't, care about what you would want. This thread is supposed to be about him.

This is the internet. Specifically, a forum for discussion. Other people posted in this thread with unemployment problems of their own. Once they did that, it no longer became "about him".

[ervy]

Right thanks... truly appreciated

Heheheheh....

Just keep looking for employment and start considering options you might not have before (without going into the realm of illegality, mind you) ... I am sure something will turn up for you.

Best of luck.

Just that little paragraph there helped.

I'm pretty sure if I fully explained my situation you guys would then understand but at the moment it's a case of overcoming a brickwall followed by a mountain. I'm sorry for snapping, it's  just such a stressful time right now.

"Just that little paragraph there helped."

Odds are he's not going to be using this forum as a guide to finding employment. My suggestion from the beginning was that you try to be more receptive. That is all. It's not that I thought you gave bad advice or anything...

Geez, four posts in this forum and I'm already involved in a spat. I'm sorry relic, can we be friends? I'll give you the last word (as far as our dialogue is concerned).

[relic2279]

I'm sorry relic, can we be friends?

I'm drinking right now, so everyone's my friend

[ervy]

hahaha

I raise my disgusting, warm forty to you.

[southerndoom]

I feel for ya man.I was having the same problems up until a few weeks ago.
I was unemployed off and on for about 6 months.From Sept to Oct.Then Jan-April.
It sucked. Florida is really bad right now for jobs.I think we have one of the highest
unemployments rates right now.I went to every cheese job i could find and couldnt
get work.Applied to every job in my field i could find and no luck.Unfortunatly
my field is a little odd cause its pretty small and Florida has a ton of competition down
here.I happened to apply for a job and finally getting a call back.Luckly thanks to my
expirience,prepairedness and decent talking skills i got the job.I feel pretty lucky cause
i too was almost out of money and at my wits end.Luckly i have good friends/family who
helped keep me afloat during my unemployment.I didnt get the money i desired but i have
40 hours a week,full benefits(which are pretty killer actually),yearly decent raises and the
job is as secure as one can be these days.i know the company is not going anywhere and
unless i really screw up my position should be fine.Yea i had to make some compromises but
thats life.

I did run into something similer.I couldnt take a part time job because i would lose money
doing so.Between the Student loan break i got,unemployment checks and the additional
costs of going back and forth to would it would not have been worth it.So i can understand
the need of getting a full time job.

Good Luck!