Finding a Job in a Bad Economy

re: Finding a Job in a Bad Economy

SavvyFrugality — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:58:29 GMT

@CheapNLazy

I have been in the exact same position in which you currently find yourself. During the recession of 1991, I found myself out of work and I was unemployed/underemployed for a good 6 months. I racked up huge amounts of debt and it literally took my family years to dig ourselves out. Like you, I also had many reasons why there was no "opportunity" and I couldn't get a job. Looking back, I would have, should have, taken the first decent opportunity that came along, no matter what it was. Look, a job is a job, and if you're working and making an income, at least you'll be able to make it through a rough time until something else comes along. It's easy to get depressed and feel like giving up. In fact, during my stretch of unemployment I actually did stop looking for work and just spent the day sleeping and watching TV. I reasoned there were no jobs, so why waste my time, right? The fact of the matter is no one will just hand you a job. You either have to hunt one down or create one for yourself by freelancing or starting your own business. The tips I gave in my post were written from the standpoint of someone who has been out of work, and the things I should have done back then to get myself back in the workforce. You don't need to have an actual job interview to practice for an interview. Have a friend or acquaintance do mock interviews with you and be brutally honest with your about your interviewing skills. If they aren't comfortable with that, there are usually job skills training courses available through job training centers, universities or vocational schools. You can never have enough training or education. People who tell you that you are "overqualified" are really telling you that they don't want to pay you what you are worth.

By the way, I finally ended my six months of unemployment when my jobless benefits ran out. I sat down one day with the Yellow Pages and cold-called every business in my job field until I found one that had an opening. I scheduled an interview and a week later I had a job.

You do what you have to do. Good luck. I hope you find something soon.

re: Finding a Job in a Bad Economy

CheapNLazy — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:00:12 GMT

Network - Joined a group in desired field but all are self-employed w/o

employees (1 has 1 employee/not hiring more). And no

professional groups for ex-Office Managers, Admin Asst,

Clericals, Escrow, Delivery, manual labor. From other coast.

Prepare - Too late, dh/I out of job since May.

Expand - Too late, would if could.

Freelance - Still trying.

Educate - Hundreds of people w/more experience & education getting

the jobs that I easily qualify for. Further over-qualifying

myself with more education that I can't afford won't help

Strategize - Did. Sold house & 1 car, Moved from West Coast (no

jobs) to bigger metro area on East Coast (more jobs but

more applicants), and since May economy is worse.

Make finding a job your new "full time job" -I do.

Be very good at interviewing - Fair & can't practice for real w/o oppty.

Stellar resume - Fair. I suppose

Identify other jobs - Yes, manual jobs (except UPS packing - bad back

& no health insurance to help it), Walmart, everything

(except the astronomical # of scam "jobs" advertised,

and not restaurants because I have a chronic cough).

Move to jobs - Mentioned above. Expanded to state search.

Also can't afford another move w/o job(s) in place.

Sorry, just venting. I need job opportunities, not career advise.

re: Finding a Job in a Bad Economy

cheapChic — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 01:00:41 GMT

Live without the fancey things of life, we all did it before why not again....I dare you...:)-

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re: Finding a Job in a Bad Economy

agent see — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:18:44 GMT

Think education. Classes to help you add to your skills to a completely different line of work. Funding can be provided by companies, grants, and dear old uncle Sam.

School can also be ways for you to meet new contacts to find jobs or chances to do things you might not have at regular company jobs.

Education can make you more valuable at your current job or land you that raise that might otherwise not be obtained.