Replies

A major ping to all those who have participated in the "Hard Times Saloon" thread... and to others that I know have been recently experiencing problems in the job market.

My apologies for not being on top of this thread to try and keep it going. To tell the truth, I found one of the very first suggestions so helpful that the day after I started this thread, I started a business. So I started being very busy right after starting the thread, and I've never gotten back to it until now.

The business, I still believe, is viable. It's been four months, and it's still not anywhere near supporting us; but I still believe it has the potential to do so.

In 4 months, I've brought in about $2500, and kept about $1700 of it. Yeah, chicken scratch, I know, but it's something at least. And I've gained some experience.

I'm doing freelance computer technical support, as suggested by one of the early posters. The most difficult thing about it has been getting enough customers, and getting repeat business.

But I'm sure there are some things, marketing-wise, that I could be doing better.

Besides the business, I'm doing some menial labor as well. Between the two, we're barely able to squeak by.

I did have two job interviews today (for different positions at the same company), which I think went well. Perhaps the only difference will turn out to be that I was able to be much more confident in a job interview, because to be honest, I'd like the job, the pay would be great, but I'm no longer utterly desperate, since we're at least surviving, and I think I should be able to build the business if the job thing doesn't work out.

(Knowing how much I'm making at this business, and knowing that I view my whole situation as being improved, should give you a very faint clue as to just how $*!tty the last two years have been.)

Kind of the difference between Algore and GW Bush in the 200 election. Gore's attitude was, "I've GOT to be elected President. If I'm not, it'll be like the end of the world." Bush's attitude was, "If this President thing doesn't work out, I've still got a life."

So... I'm still living in the Hard Times Saloon, but plotting an escape. I don't know yet how it will happen, but I'm increasingly confident that, sooner or later, it will.

So how's it going for you?

So how's it going for you?

It's going fine now. My former company called me back the first week of November. Although I'm not developing anymore, I am in the wireless/data security (integrity assurance) side of the game now.

They sure have become paranoid since I left. But no matter. I'm now a paid geek again!

Well...I am very happy to say that about 2 months ago, after 6 months of being on unemployment, I landed the best job I've ever had -- in financial terms as well as the work itself. And I've moved to a new city to take the position and bought a great new house (it was a requirement of my work that I live in a particular city).

I urge everyone to hang in there and keep on trying, sheer persistence seems to win the day more often than anything else. And it seems like nothing will ever work out (I know I sure felt that way a lot and for a long time), but if you keep trying you give yourself a chance.

I'd have never thought it while I was going through it, but the hard times too, they pass.

Thanks for the ping. I'm unemployed again, this time by choice.

I enjoyed the work very much at my new job, and didn't mind the long hours, but it was tough to get off to visit the family on the weekend, since the job was out of town in New Jersey. The cost of temporary living arrangements was also very expensive.

I had to have surgery, had an auto accident, and made a decision to go home after eight months. The loneliness was getting to me. I have to pay back the moving expenses now.

I'm unemployed again in the Research Triansle Park area, but my spouse is working. I had a great Thanksgiving with all the family. My daughter was married yesterday. Now, I'm ready to try again with a positive attitude. So far no interviews, but I am hopeful that this is the beginning of a real recovery.

In the meantime, I'm working on a software project of my own to keep up my skills and maybe sell it.

At the job I had, I'd estimate about 80% were Indians, and most were Visa workers. I'm keeping up with the offshore story. It looks like some companies are starting to re-evaluate this option.

I hope everyone is starting to do better.

I missed this thread when you first posted and just now discovered it.

The enthusiasm of some of the posting is contagious.

Your story is super - and I particularly like the gore/Bush analogy!!!!

I've been self-employed doing lobbying and media relations type work for more than 15 years, mostly via the internet....but about 2 and a half years when we decided to move, the last of my clients decided they didn't need my services any longer - it taking so long to sell our house has really put a hurt on us financially. And there is not much call for the kind of work I did in this area.

I'm hoping that doing some freelance writing will work for me. One local paper has brought me on as a contract writer and I hope I can either get more work in other areas like that or at least do well enough to land a more permanent gig with the paper.

Good luck to all and I hope this thread keeps up!!!!

Since my sources for IT contracts have dried up, I've been doing several things, including playing music (it paid my tuition in college, and helped even after graduation), and now I'm working in a retail store where the owner wants me to design a web page at this ungodly low hourly wage (I've refused). He actually complains even when I stop long enough to trim my fingernails. So I flipped him a quarter for the time, and then he complained of my attitude ... but he kept the 25 cents.

This is a nightmare, but I'm learning stuff even now, plus it continually prompts me to keep looking for a real job as well as considering options for opening my own business. Anything to get out of that store.

I found a job 500+ miles from home in my field (programming commercial s/w), although it is a contract job. From 4/03 to 11/03 I sent resumes all over, but it wasn't until a month ago that I found anything. In twenty years, I've never seen a job market as bad as this one. It is and has been tough financially and emotionally.
I'm slightly hopeful that the job market will pick up. However, I'm still angry with how much of our technology and manufacturing is being given away; even to hostile governments like Communist China. America will not survive as we know it if our corporations and Congress continue with the current trade policies.