Welcome to the "Hard Times Saloon!"

8/6/2003 | Luke Skyfreeper

[Luke Skyfreeper]

Over the last few months, I've run into quite a few other Freepers who are either unemployed or underemployed, and generally going through majorly tough times in this economy.

So I'm starting this thread as a "watering hole" for all of us here who, like me, are currently living on the edge financially and job-wise.

Of course, you don't have to be in dire straights to join in the discussion. You can simply be interested in those of us who are.

In fact, since one useful function of this thread can be to pass on job-hunting tips or maybe even letting a job-needing fellow Freeper know about a suitable possibility in your town, any Freeper who drops in might just find him/herself able to actually help a fellow Freeper or two.

Now one of the main things I expect to happen in this thread is a bit of mutual encouragement. We who are job-hunting need to keep our spirits high, sometimes in the face of months, even years (gulp!) of discouraging news -- and we can help each other do that.

The goal is to make it out of joblessness/ underemployment, and into Prosperityland. Our joblessness /low income is hurting not ourselves, our families, and even our ability to make a positive difference in this country. So let's get encourage each other, cheer each other's progress, and celebrate when one of us gets a good job.

One ground rule: If what you have to say to someone else here isn't uplifting and/ or helpful to that person, then please don't say it. (And of course, no advertisment-type stuff, either). OK?

If you know other Freepers who'd like to drop by, give 'em a ping, and let's get going.

By the way, anything you'd like is on tap here at the Hard Times Saloon: cold milk, fresh-squeezed lemonade, frozen milk shakes, even [shudder] Bud Light... but you have to pour it yourself. 8-)

[Doc-Joe]

I'll just say that teaching isn't for everybody. Although my teacher evaluations have been "unusually high for a new instructor" (as per the Dean of Students), I wanted no part of it. Teaching is a lifestyle. My hours were 8-4, but I frequently found myself up until midnight preparing for the next day. Being that I am still in my early 30's and have an unbelievable student loan debt, it wasn't worth the cut in pay.

[Doc-Joe]

CC = Community Collge? Yes. While it is different from "grade school and high school," there are unique problems associated with it. Ever been asked out by attractive students (early twenties) and had to decline due to ethical obligations? Ever had to tell a student, 20 years your senior, that their excuse wasn't good enough?

Honestly, those weren't the real problems. It was the preparation. I took the job knowing that I'd be facing a substantial cut in pay. What I did not accurately predict, however, was the hours of prepartation needed for each school day. I basically surrendered my personal life in order to teach. It put a significant strain on my relationship with my kids and girlfriend. I received "unusually high marks" for a new instructor, but it came at a price.

[Starwind]

Alas, dear lady I'm in rather remote location. I know of no leads, nor even any people in your zipcode. Genuinely sorry I can't help a daddy and his family.

[Marauder]

I was looking for something to do after winding down a career in high-tech sales and a nasty divorce, barely maintaining myself and child support payments by playing music and working as a carpenter during the day, when I started dinking around with dBase III+ as a viable computer language.
I soon discovered FoxBase (now Visual FoxPro) and sort of fell into the e-whirlwind that became the dotcom bubble, and three major cities and many lucrative development contracts later, here I sit again in the same small town I was in when I started. Mrs Marauder and I figured it's a lot cheaper to be unemployed in this small town than in a big city, where our house payments were four times the amount of this one.
Back to playing music, but since I'm in my sixties now, I think I'll just take it easy; find a job in a small retail store - musical instruments or building supply - and relax. Kids are all grown, so the only pressing need is house payments and groceries. Don't really wanna retire yet.

[King Prout]

Hrmn.
Best I can offer right now is a distillation of painfully-bought wisdom:
1. Never trust anyone.
2. Never assume anything.
3. If it ain't in writing, don't believe it.
4. Before signing, be SURE to see a copy of their annual review forms/protocols.
5. Always quote a price higher than you think you deserve.
6. If you do not ABSOLUTELY NEED IT, then you ABSOUTELY MUST NOT BUY IT.
7. Credit is the Devil's work. Cash and carry ONLY.
8. Diversify. Never stop adding/honing skills. Never stop looking for another job. It is called "having outs".
9. Your family/life is more important than your career.
10. Most important: You do NOT work for them - you work for yourself. Even if you are employed by another, this remains true. They rent your time and talents, you rent out your time and talents in order to see to your own ends. They do not own you unless you let them.

[umgud]

bumpity, bumpity, bumpity

[Utah Girl]

I have several leads for Quality Assurance testing in Utah. Do you have a ping list? If anyone is interested, freep mail me, and I will give you the details. Apparently QA is the hot job right now, the company I work for has placed 25 QAs in the last couple of months. My pay is competitive with my previous place of employment and they appreciate me. :)

[Utah Girl]

Thanks! I just started my new job today, I think it is a good fit for me. I'm very lucky and very blessed.

[Libertina]

I'm really happy for you Utah Girl!

[cyborg]

BTTT... this is a good thread!

[Big Guy and Rusty 99]

Orlando, FL checking in. been out of work since lst March. partly because I was laid off when my company closed down and partly because I was staying home to help my pregnant wife later my baby daughter. looking for work again. have tons of call center/customer experience.

[InShanghai]

Great idea-BUMP!

[BushCountry]

Bump

[Scott from the Left Coast]

Hey great idea!

I'm unemployed too. Out since May...bit of a different story:

23 years in state government, was axed by a new RAT executive director at the agency I worked at in senior management for over 8 years. A political casualty in my far out leftist state!

Sent out over a thousand resumes (to hiring authorities) and applications to specific jobs that I've come across. Gotten about 6 interviews, haven't really come close to success yet. It's brutal just finding things to apply for: With 23 years successful experience, over 10 in senior management (as a director, lobbyist, public info officer), and a graduate degree, I'm applying for entry level clerical and delivery-boy type positions now!

Quite a bummer, feels like careening off a cliff. I've got some thing in my favor for holding out for awhile -- no debts, my cars and house are totally mine, completely paid off, no kids and a wife who doesn't care (even encourages) a move if necessary. But it gets a bit dicey counting the days until unemployment runs out.

[Constitution Day]

FYI.

[Scott from the Left Coast]

Check out Career Builder on the web for your area...I have run across quite a number of listings for call center experience (I don't have that direct experience, but in PR and stakeholder relations, I've kind of "danced" around the customer service area a bit, so I check them out regularly.

Of course, if it's like the things I've been applying for there'll be 500-600 resumes for each opening.

[Zavien Doombringer]

Thanks!

[Scott from the Left Coast]

Damn fine list...can't find even the slightest thing there to disagree with.

[Luke Skyfreeper]

Scott, welcome to the Hard Times Saloon!

Yep, that's the current economy for you. Fortunately, it sounds like you're a bit better fixed financially than some of us.

Speaking personally, I have to say it's also a bit reassuring to share experiences. It helps get rid of (for me, at least) any feelings of, "What's wrong with me? Why can't I get a decent job?"

The response to my starting this thread has been quite gratifying (if not overwhelming!) Do be sure to read through the posts so far for ideas, tips and encouragement. Can't speak for anyone else, but I know I personally have already found this thread helpful! 8-)

Apologies to others who've written me on this thread. Part of my problem in responding (besides the sheer volume of initial posts here) is the new momentum/ direction that one or two have given me! 8-)

[Luke Skyfreeper]

I have several leads for Quality Assurance testing in Utah. Do you have a ping list? If anyone is interested, freep mail me, and I will give you the details. Apparently QA is the hot job right now, the company I work for has placed 25 QAs in the last couple of months. My pay is competitive with my previous place of employment and they appreciate me. :)

Utah Girl, a big congratulations to you! No, I don't have a ping list at the present time. I'm trying to think through how to make this thread really helpful. Any ideas would be appreciated.