I've been laid off for 6 months now. My unemployment is about out. I don't know if I'm ellgible for an extension. I have no skills except computer skills and the market here is real tight now. I've only had one interview in 6 months; that was in Des Moines, Iowa. I've never seen a job market this bloody bad. A recruiter told me that companies are getting thousands of fake resumes. People are that desperate out there.
Hey Phil, sorry to hear about your situation but you're right, you're in the same boat with a lot of us. First things first . . . find out about your unemployment so you know where you stand. Computer skills cover a lot of ground and I don't know where your interest lie. How do you feel about thinking outside the box?
A couple of suggestions: your local SBA-SCORE office probably holds low-cost, 1 day workshops that are useful for small business owners. A great way to increase your knowledge in a particular area and a great way to network. They also offer free counseling to small businesses. Who knows? You might decide you can go into some kind of business for yourself. Craigslist - check out the short term opportunities (temporary, part-time, contract, internships) as a way of improving your skills and networking. Make sure you ask for references. LinkedIn.com is a professional social networking site and has a lot of information posted on the job search, career group bulletin boards. Volunteer for a few hours each week at a non-profit. It's all about meting people and networking. Meetup.com. Everything from toddler play groups to book clubs to hiking and kayaking. Events are usually low cost, often free. While all of this is going on, don't forget to take care of yourself - physically and mentally. Walk an hour a day, go out and have fun and don't isolate yourself. Best of luck to you.
sorry Phil, I hope things turn around for you. I always heard that computer skills were an asset to have. Have you looked into government and civil service jobs?
Dear Philbo2u ~ So sorry to hear that you are in the situation so many of us are, or have been. It sucks! I was laid off in January of this year and spent 5 miserable months looking for work. I finally was hired for a job starting June 1. I took an extreme pay cut and don't really like the job, but it's a job..full time with benefits. I'm not using any of my 30+ years of skill sets as an Executive Assistant and feel like a robot. I don't look forward to going to work and am still devastated from my lay off from a job I loved. Anyway, it sounds like you have excellent skills and it seems like computer people are the ones they are always looking for. Don't give up. I'm pretty sure unemployment has been extended and you should definitely look into it. I'm so sorry for all of us. I don't the country will ever recover from this administration. Just my opinion. Best of luck. Something will come your way. Keep the faith and keep us posted.
Hello Phil- you have good advice from the folks above. I agree with the last person who says this administration does not get it. I have sent this article to all my state reps and senators with a note about jobs for older people. You might find it interesting and forward it to your state reps and senators.
Hey Phil, don't give up there is allways a bright side,your still alive, I had same problem but found the best thing for me, go to www.LOOK NOW MAKE MONEY>COM. enter access code 166238 then call 877-747-0932 when your done I went from making nothing to alot of money in few short months if you will take the time to check this out. Have A Great Day, I know I will.
Be wary of www.......look, I made $100,000 last week just from my computer....Of course some may be ok??????? Phil I hope by the time I'm writing this you have had some good news, I know it is hard but try to keep you spirit up, your not alone...by the way do you spell you name with one L or two? Me, just one and it bugs me that everyone want to put two LL in it....
Hey there Mr. Cosmicdude,I'm sure that not all people can make that much money, but have you taken the steps to try. I have and I make more now than I ever did busting my butt in the trades. I don't have to get dressed up I can sit and drink coffee and do how much work as I want to and the money just keeps rolling in But if you don't even try how will you know. But I agree with you I was wary at the start too. but Thanks for the posting, I will keep doing what I'm doing and making money!!
I'm about ready to try anything. I was laid off in Feb, 2009 and have been trying honestly to find a new job since July, 2009. I was hoping the new year would bring some releif, but it's not looking very promising. I'm 61 years old and have been working for over 40 years. My last job was in project management and construction specifications with an architectural firm in Memphis, TN - I had been there 8 and 1/2 years when I got laid off. I'm still in the devastation stage, but I'm not ready to admit defeat yet. Surely there is a place for experience and a great work ethic. What are you doing to make so much money silver? How did you get started? Did you have to put in up-front money? Good luck to everyone looking for a job and hang on to what you've got if you still have a job.
I feel everyone's pain, I have not had a full time job for 4 years, lost one when I had just bought my condo, was home sick with the flu, the boss wanted me to come to work sick but of course I was too ill to so they fired me over the phone, yeah, nice company. So....I've only had about 4 temp jobs which each lasted about 2 weeks, ugh.
Hang in there everyone, it's a tough road out there. I don't know what to tell you. I just worked a temp job last week, it was just a one week project, but at least more money coming in. Even the temp agencies don't have work, I am registered with 3 of them. I guess my best advice would be to register with as many temp agencies as you can and keep phoning them each week about temp jobs to tide you over. That is what I do. Also, go out of your comfort zone, if you have to travel farther for a job then you have to, that is what I had to do on my last temp job, I hated the commute, but it brought in needed money.
I will take any job at this point, even a retail job for minimum wage if I can find one, those are hard to find too.
Dear Phil, I'm right there with you. However, I would like to suggest the book "What Color is My (your?) Parachute" to start giving you ideas for the job search. Also, "The Job Hunters Survivial Guide" by the same author is wonderful.
These resources are teaching not only ME, but my college graduating child about how to REALLY view your skill sets. It's amazing how many skills I really have that I just thought were "just being me".
I am also back in college and working toward grad school to be a college professor, but at my age, it's hard. IF you need extra skills, don't be afraid to go get them. You'd be surprised at how much financial aid is out there for older adults. Thus far, I have only paid $600 for my BA out of my pocket and that does NOT include loans. Being out of work just makes you more qualified for federal grants that don't have to be paid back.
Seriously, check out those book from your library and see what it shows you. There is also a website www.jobhuntersbible.com to go with them.
