Be heard.
Thanks to Tony Petrucci for sharing this. Unemployed people are encouraged to participate. More info...
Unemployment Success Stories
Tue, 09/21/2010 - 20:41
Have you gotten a job or started a business? Learned how to thrive as a stay-at-home mom/dad? Invented a perpetual motion machine in your copious spare time?
It's a hard world out there. We all know how shitty unemployment is. Anybody succeeding?
I'll get the party started: My business is going well. I'm going to turn a profit and become a taxpaying citizen. I'm focussed and on-task. My successes are now legitimate points of pride and my "failures" are just learning experiences. (Yay, therapy!)
Just sayin' that if a moron like me can pull himself out of the emotional and financial quicksand, anybody can.
Anybody else enjoying some sort of success that you can share with our brothers and sisters who are still in the dark place? It can be something really small.
Please share your little successes and inspire! (What's that word I used to like so much... umm... oh yeah -- exhort!)
Thu, 09/23/2010 - 13:16
#2
Why not?
You say not everyone has the luxury of just giving up the job search and doing something else. Maybe I'm overly optimistic, but I do believe that everyone has that "luxury" (and it's not that luxurious once you get down to the nitty-gritty of it -- it's a lot of work for little money at first).
Everybody -- I happen to believe -- has some special contribution to make to this world. Figure out what it is, and you'll never want for money. What can you do for people? The answer could be anything from "clean their gutters" to "optimize their entire business process." But I guarantee you that if a person thinks about it long and hard enough, they'll come up with something that they can do for people -- and get paid for it.
You could grab a squeegee, a bottle of windex, a towel, and a bucket and go out and find a few shop windows to clean -- and get paid for it TODAY if you went out and hustled.
You could take and edit video of someone's wedding -- and get paid A LOT for it. Not hard to undercut your competitors in that business.
You could draw some pictures and write some pithy messages on pretty little cards and take them around to boutique shops -- and get paid for it THE DAY YOU HIT THE STREETS with your product.
You could do bazillion things, but you need to find the one that's right for you.
For a lot of people, looking for a job is a total waste of time. That was certainly the case for me.
I strongly encourage you to at least cut back on the amount of time and energy you're putting into your job search and find some productive way of spending your time. You can really amaze yourself if you just give yourself a chance!
Thu, 09/23/2010 - 17:18
#3
As you might know
I did get a job, which I started on Monday. And I have to give props to Chuck, since he's the one who posted the info about Indeed.com, which is where I found this position. I recommend this site, it's easy to use and the jobs listed there all seem to be above board, unlike some (most) of the other job sites.
I'm on information overload right now - still in a training class and will be for the next 2 weeks - and I'm getting used to a new schedule, but so far it's good.
Anyway, thanks to all of you for being there. I'll come back and hang out, see how everyone's doing, let you know if I hear of any jobs open. I'm in the MidAtlantic, the MD-WV-VA area. Check out Indeed.com, it's worth the energy. And keep moving forward!!
Fri, 09/24/2010 - 08:24
#4
You're my hero
Indeed is totally awesome as job search sites go. I'm not kidding when I say this stuff.
Not only is it a great tool, but Indeed Jobs may just be the best way there is to support SurviveUnemployment. It's totally free to use.
Fri, 10/08/2010 - 22:24
#5
I was offered a job!
After 8 months I got a call today and a job offer. Kind of afraid to say I "have" a job until I get the official offer letter but it is looking very good. The salary is not as in the past but it’s more than unemployment. Add the drive will save me 80 minutes a day comparing it to my last job - no more highways and getting stuck in traffic jams every day! That was so stressful! If all goes well I will be working for the American Red Cross. This fits my career goals of working with an organization that helps others perfectly.
Thanks to everyone here and especially Chuck for creating this blog spot for us so we know we are not all alone. This site helped me out more times than I can count on my fingers and toes and I sincerely thank Chuck and all the members of Survive Unemployment. We are all kindred spirits holding hands and supporting each other in cyber space.
Let's hope the background check goes through smoothly - it should - I have a squeaky clean record - but have an ex-sister in law that doesn’t and she has a name very close to mine and we are only one year apart in age…. Let’s hope they don't think I am her… p.s. for those of you who don't know me, I am 57 years old and I was offered a job! They said I appeared to be very competent! So there you go - some organizations appreciate experience! All of you competent folks out there hang in there - it will happen for you too!
Wish me luck! I will keep you posted.
Freckles
Fri, 10/08/2010 - 23:58
#6
Re employed
This is a great website and gave me much needed solace when I needed it. I was unemployed for 19mo. as a mainframe programmer. I had over 20yrs. exp with Wall St. Co's and saved quite a bit for times such as these. Every day I would do the same thing and look thru listings and send my resume. It finally paid off. It helped that my experience was in banking and finance. Banks are staying alive buy acquiring failed banks and they need programmers.
Sat, 10/09/2010 - 07:48
#7
THAT'S AWESOME!!!
Freckles, congratulations!!! I'm so happy for you! I started my new job 3 weeks ago and it's such a great feeling to back in the work force again. The best part was getting the letter from unemployment saying I was no longer eligible because it appeared I was working full time. I did the dance of joy in my kitchen!
Good luck in your new venture!
Sat, 10/09/2010 - 08:05
#8
Doing Happy Dance for All of You
I am glad to see that so many of us are getting jobs. I still have not but that does not slow my joy for you. Congratulations on your successes. Maybe this means the my turn is coming up. In the mean time I will continue to contribute.
Now if only the Airlines will only stop consolidating!!!! I mustn't complain on such great week for you all. You are all wonderful. I know that soon all of us will be back to work (either for ourselves or others).
;););0
Sat, 10/09/2010 - 08:13
#9
Congratulations to you Too!
Great news for you too celimck! Yes it will be nice to get back to working, and feeling like I have value again. Like Barbra Streisand sang ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ 'people, people who need people' ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ I need to be with people to keep a smile in my heart. It's going to be a little tough through December since I am taking a medical billing and coding course at night at the community college - hate to not finish since I paid quite a bit of money for it. It's always 6 of one and a half a dozen of the other but it's all going to be good for both of us. I learned though - that I can really go through a lot and still survive - I bet you did too. We are really a lot stronger than we can even imagine. You take good care of yourself and your kitty!
Sat, 10/09/2010 - 08:22
#10
You are next Fish!
I just know it! Funny thing is I changed my resume and added a professional summary section at the top. I put my computer skills next and then I tweaked it for every job I applied for - based on the job description. That's when I started getting calls and emails. I wanted to share that with you Fish just in case it may help you too. Have a wonderful Saturday!
Freckles
Sat, 10/09/2010 - 08:25
#11
Yay!
So glad for you, Freckles! Good luck in your new job. Thanks for sharing your success.
Resumes with skills/experience summaries at the top really do work.
Sat, 10/09/2010 - 09:15
#12
True!
I founnd the same to be true - when I put a skill summary at the top of the first page, I started to get responses, too!
Sat, 10/09/2010 - 09:17
#13
Many thanks
I learned the same lesson that you did - I am stronger and more resourceful at 52 than i was at 25! Good luck with the medical billing class - I've done that and it's a good skill to have.
My kitties say hello to all!
Sat, 10/09/2010 - 09:19
#14
Thanks!
your turn is coming, Fish, and soon, too, I bet! Keep on moving forward, and keep your chin up. IT WILL HAPPEN!!!
Mon, 12/06/2010 - 09:21
#15
nice
thanks for opportunity to write my expercince, but apparentliy in my 19 years in earth (too young, isn't it?) im not yet experciencing a truly success. But I know that i will learn a new things in my evreyday life and get a successful story to tell :D
______________
Tue, 12/07/2010 - 19:42
#16
Any updates?
Hi Fish, I was wondering if you had any UPDATES for us?
Tue, 12/07/2010 - 21:57
#17
Updates
Well I have a new phone interview for another airline, that will be finalized soon. The last one they wanted skills I did not have (at least not current). But I am not losing hope yet. Just hanging in there for now.
Wed, 12/08/2010 - 20:46
#18
Good Attitude
Fish, thanks for the update and I love your "attitude"....
Are you getting unemployment, I am new to this forum so pardon me if you already shared this earlier.
I had been on unemployment for 2 years after being laid off from a juvenile school at the age of 50.
It took 2 years to find the temporary job I have which started out as 15 hours, not 35.
I am busy looking for another source of income to replace this one and hoping to be able to head back home to Phenix City, Alabama.
I took this job in Orlando, Florida and staying with my daughter and her roommate and splitting expenses 3 ways which does not leave much to send back to help my boyfriend with our house expenses. But like you, I am optimistic :)
Fri, 12/10/2010 - 13:40
#20
Unemployed
I agree that being unemployed is depressing! Today is the first day I have not cried or had a knot in my stomach. I hope we all can continue to write our feelings and I am glad I found this site.
Sun, 12/12/2010 - 15:07
#21
answers to your questions
No, I am not receiving unemployment. I left the work force welling a few years ago to support my hubby's career in the Navy. But with the cost of living going up faster than our pay I need to go back to work to help support the household. But I keep plugging along. It will take time, but it will happen.
Tue, 12/14/2010 - 11:41
#22
crying
And it is so interesting (to me at least) how people handle things so differently. I broke down and started crying last week, and I have not cried about my situation in a very long time. The only way I can describe the feeling was "tired". I am so very tired of living in limbo---emotionally, financially and physically.
Tue, 12/14/2010 - 21:12
#23
Hang in there
I feel for you. I'm not ashamed to say that I cried more than a few times during the darkest days of it. Crying serves a purpose. Not only is it alright to cry, it's good to cry when you need to.
It gets better.
Tue, 12/14/2010 - 22:04
#24
Hang In There
Keep on hanging on. It has to get better, at that is what I am counting on.
Tue, 12/14/2010 - 23:58
#25
Crying too
Just got another email rejection letter after four phone interviews, two tests, and a series on in person interviews. That is just one of many I have gone through. I do not know how much longer I can stand it and hold on.
Wed, 12/15/2010 - 11:47
#26
When one way is not working.....
Hi Everyone!
Yes, I can certainly identify with the tears and sometimes we need to cry to cleanse our emotions.
When the famous internet job search was not working for me, I decided to work on my blog "A Story of Hope" and figure out how to get some income into my hands.
At age 52, I was able to get a temporary job July 23, 2010 and will be right back looking January 28, 2011 when I head back to my permanent home. Yes, took leaving my family for 5 months (will be 6 months next month) to get a job and staying with my grown daughter and her roommate. I split expenses 3 ways with them which does not leave much over to send home (lol).
Don't give up and if you have the time, stop by my blog for some "unconventional" ways to get an income during this economy.
Chuck - how is the NEW job doing :)
Happy Holidays to Fish and the rest......
My Blog: A Story of Hope!
http://survivingunemployment.weebly.com
Wed, 12/15/2010 - 20:19
#27
The new job is awesome
I put in very long days and have worked through two weekends, but I love every second of it. I'm so grateful to have a job, to be challenged, to be part of a team. A regular paycheck is nice too.
Will blog about it if I get a weekend this week.
I love your attitude. Keep moving.
Wed, 12/15/2010 - 21:00
#28
Looking forward to that blog
Chuck:
YES, please blog about it when you can. I know you have to be careful about what you say due to the agreement you had mentioned in one of your blogs.
And I am so glad you are still able to continue to contribute to your site as to be honest, I was a little worried when I read the blog about your NEW job. But I see you were able to balance both - awesome :)
Thank you,
Sun, 12/26/2010 - 11:06
#29
Christmas/Survival
Hope that all survived the Christmas Holiday and now on to the New Year. My hope and wish is for all of us to be employed in the first quarter of 2011. Have a safe and happy New Year!
Tue, 05/10/2011 - 15:02
#30
Well I have been working for
Well I have been working for an IT company and lost my job at Christmas I have since started building websites for people online and earn a few quid to put on the table i helped script this site: http://sainsburysjob.com just the web design!
Mon, 07/11/2011 - 18:15
#31
Make do with what you have
Hi I'm Mathy,
From London-UK. First what a great site you have Chuck. Second I have been doing something with my handful of time I have been getting to know myself a bit more and accepting who I am from the bottom. I lost my dad and my job 4 months ago. I new that before that would happen I would do something to change my forthcoming job-loss. So I decided to blog and try every new experience as a play-idea until I can find myself. I started with blogging, then performing storytelling and now on the 26th of Jully I am organising and facilitating for a storytelling event. Yes I am excited. It has both helped me with my job-loss and personal Loss but it's helping me to find myself everyday.
So to Elizabeth-
I understand the pain and the frustration that you feel but weither you have a job now or not, accept yourself. Accept the unemployment and yes maybe you need to create your own opportunity.
This is mine whathejobisthis.com
Tue, 09/27/2011 - 22:44
#32
I think I might succeed!
I was laid off at HP a few weeks ago after they got rid of their tablet business. I waited in unemployment lines and it seemed like forever and ever (and ever, OR NEVER) until I could find a job. It's like nobody cares that you spent four years of your life getting a college degree (I went to NYU, for crying out loud!)
But last week, things started to look up (somehow, right?). My friend told me to go to job4joe.org/apply and look on their site. Apparently, they're a non-profit that's exposing people to potential employers, like what happened with Ted Williams back in January. It seems effective, and at this point I'm willing to try anything!!!
Check it out, maybe it'll help you like it'll (maybe) help me? It seems really cool what they're doing and it's a legitimate non-profit initiative.
Here's the link for those of you who are interested: job4joe.org/apply
Thu, 10/06/2011 - 23:36
#34
Volunteering/Taking classes
Hello! My name is Indira. I've been unemployed for 8 months. Tomorrow, I'll be volunteering at a local Latino community center teaching ESOL. I'm glad that I found this website. I've been going through an emotional roller coaster since I got laid off.
I've also been taking courses at the local community college. It's really a great way to learn new skills and boost my self-esteem. I visit my local Career One Stop center at least once a week and network with job seekers like myself. I check the bulletin boards and attend workshops such as Resume writing, Interviewing skills, etc...I've realized that I've been working jobs that I really don't like. I do have my ups and downs. But I'm trying to keep hope alive and stay positive.
Throughout this difficult transition, I've learned that I never took the time to develop many hobbies. I spent so much time working, going to school, and having babies that I never took the time to come up for air and breathe. I've realized that I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up, even though I'm 39 years young :) I've also realized that many of my decisions (getting married, having kids) I've made were to make other people happy. Unfortunately, I kept putting my own personal needs on the side and became resentful and angry with my friends, family, and coworkers.
I've also been doing a lot of soul searching. I've allowed fear to keep me paralyzed and languishn in unhappy situations. In a way, I'm kind of glad that I got laid off. Now I don't have to worry about returning to that God awful job. I felt that teaching special ed. students was no longer fun or fulfilling. I also got burned out. I've also realized that I love my own children, but I don't like dealing with other people's children....
By the way, I found this wonderful website on Google.com when I typed "Unemployed and depressed" in the search topic area... I'm thinking about creating my own business as a homeschool teaching consultant. However, I'm not sure if that's truly what I want to do... Don't know how to get started. I'd appreciate any help you can give me...
P.S. I've been giving a lot of thought about becoming a clinical psychologist. Many of my family and friends tell me that I'm a great listener and I'm really good at staying neutral....
Fri, 10/07/2011 - 20:13
#35
Listen to your heart
You're definitely on the right track.
Find a quiet place, clear your mind, and ask to be shown the way. You will be shown.
After that, it's up to you to do the stuff you will know you need to do.
Thanks for sharing and best of luck.
Tue, 01/24/2012 - 11:58
#36
Unemployed and still hustling
I've been unemployed for a while now and have long exhausted my 99 weeks of unemployment. During my unemployment I got found motivation by way of Craigslist and have since written an Ebook called The Craigslist Hustle that has helped many unemployed individuals stay afloat during these hard times. Feel free to check out the book on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/The-Craigslist-Hustle-ebook/dp/B00589WXSU
I hope this is inspirational to someone out there and may God continue to bless you all.
Ithink that more of us, if not all of us will end up doing the same thing. If you can't get a job, then go make one. You had something about unemployment being the solution. I have being noddling around with this idea for a couple of days. Instead of thinking of unemployment as a problem, why not think of it as a solution. What if those of us who can just GIVE UP looking for a job with someone else? Just give and do somthing else?
Not everyone has that luxury but I think I am on to something. There is nothing more demoralizing than putting out tons of resumes and getting virtually no results. I think the psychological of damage of this is really starting to sink in with me. It occurred to me that what I really want to do is produce SOMETHING and stop feeling so damn useless.
I am seriously thinking of giving up my job search altogether. I mean really give up and go volunteer or write a book or find ways to help people. Anything now that is positive would be better than this endless, pointless battle I am fighting to find work.