Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with unemployed

Unemployed, uninsured... how do I get my medication?

Pleadthefifth — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:09:26 -0800

So, I recently lost my job and, by proxy, my health insurance. I'd been seeing a psychiatrist for over 2 years, when I was employed and insured. Together, we found a good combination of medications that worked for me and my particular brain chemistry. Now, I am running out of medication and don't know what to do or where to look for assistance. (I'm 23 and live in New York City.) I take an SSRI and a benzodiazepine daily for depression and anxiety/panic attacks. I am worried about running out of the medication as sudden discontinuation of benzodiazepines can cause potentially life threatening seizures, as well as the discomfort of sudden discontinuation of the SSRI. What can I do to avoid having a seizure and causing even more medical bills to worry about? Both of my parents are deceased and I have no family to speak of and most of my friends are in similar situations. My googling has turned up nothing of use. Much thanks for any responses.

What is a better gift for my recently laid-off girlfriend?

smoothvirus — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:09:41 -0800

One for the ladies - should I get my unemployed girlfriend some nice jewelery, or some nice green cash? So I've been dating my current girlfriend for more than three months now and things are going really well. But, she got laid off a couple of weeks ago, and she's worried about paying her rent come January if she has not found anything.

I have been in the jewelery store looking at some nice things in the $100-$200 range but have not purchased anything yet, her birthday is tomorrow. I am planning on taking her to a nice dinner tomorrow, but now that I've thought about it a bit, she might appreciate a little cash in lieu of a nice pendant.

Just for the record, her job search is going well, she has four interviews just this week. She's never been laid off/unemployed before, but I have and I never got that many interviews in a week. So I'm proud of her. She's been very worried but I have been very reassuring. I know she'll be fine.

Free Online Classes?

MrningLight — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:25:29 -0800

Hi. I'm looking to take some free online classes during my free time. Are there websites that have teachers, forums and others taking classes as well? I'm completely new to this and am just asking out loud. I'm unemployed and am trying to find a way to "get ahead" by taking free classes during the evening. I've looked at some sites that have class materials but there's no "community" involved. I recently checked out Free-ed.net and SecondLife. Does anyone know anything about that?

I look forward to any advice you have about this.

Thanks!

Dawn

Mindhack me into a smooth interviewer (in four hours).

anthropomorphic — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:10:24 -0800

I'm an unemployed third-year law student, have my last interview in four hours. Any tricks on appearing intelligent, charismatic, and, most importantly, not desperate? Have had four interviews with different employers so far, have not heard anything back. This is my last shot at employment before I go back to desperately combing job listings. Interview is with a judge in a district I've never lived in, who is of the opposite political persuasion as I am. This will be my first of this type of interview so give me your all-purpose i'm-the-right-person-for-this-job tricks.

Short term work to discover long term goals?

shanevsevil — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:52:34 -0800

I'm a new grad, only going to be in my current city for a few months, and I suddenly find myself unemployed. Oh, and I don't know what my career goals are, but I'm impatient to get started on them. How can I use my short term job hunt and work to build some long term goals? Just finished a degree in theater and nonprofit arts management, unfortunately in the last year I have pretty much fallen out of love with that profession. It would have been nice if I had realized I wouldn’t like working in the theater before getting a degree in it, but the deed is done.

I moved to another city to be with my girlfriend while she finishes with school. I had a good job with a trendy computer retailer who will remain nameless, and I was led to believe that I would be able to continue with my job at another location. Unfortunately when I got here that turned out not to be true.

I’m now hunting for a job in a city that I only expect to live in for about the next 8 months. My question is: What are some things that I can do in the short term that will both help me to find a new path and build a resume so I can hit the ground running when I move again later next year? I'll be around if there are follow up questions. Thanks for your help, internet people!

Should I quit looking in the legal field and become a stock broker?

xspot — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:41:33 -0800

Out of work law school grad thinking about looking into another career...looking for suggestions....how about a stock broker trainee...? Some background info. Living in NYC area. Recent law grad from 2nd tier school, crappy grades. Majored in finance as an undergrad. Failed the bar first time, worked for a year (non-legal field), out of work for another year before I retook and passed three state bar exams. Since then I've been out of work for another year+. I havent been completely out of work during those 'out of work' times but nothing that I'd put on a resume.
The legal job market seems esp. tough. Amazingly, I've interviewed with a couple of firms for entry level attorney jobs since passing the bar but I know for a fact that two of the firms hired people with 5-6 years experience. Ugh. Have also applied for a bunch of attorney fed/state jobs with no luck. I've known that my prospects for finding a an attorney job in this climate was slim, but I wanted to at least get licensed and was hoping for some luck but I'm now more than ready face 'reality'.... so I'm looking/thinking about a new career path.

Two main questions:
1.Suggestions on a new career path? I know this a ridiculous question to ask to strangers but I'd love to hear some new voices/opinions.
2. There've been alot of stoker broker trainee jobs listing recently...What exactly does a stock broker trainee do and is it worthwhile? Would my law degree/finance degree help at all at getting and keeping this job?

Looking for nonlegal work as a JD was tough, I imagine it'll be the same with a law license. Should I mention that I'm licensed to practice law or that I even went to law school? I definitely dont mind starting from the ground up in a new field but I'm hesitant to switch fields and 'waste' my law degree/license. How hard would it be for me with become an attorney again after working in another field for 4-5 years without any legal experience? Despite how it sounds I dont feel like I HAVE to be a lawyer, I just would like to give it a shot but I'm tired of waiting and not making steady income! I'm not necessarily looking for suggestions in finding legal work, but suggestions or advice would really be welcomed. Thanks.

Am I too old andf experienced to be a bar-back/bartender?

TwilightKid — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 07:35:30 -0800

I'm 37, Male, College Degree in Business, Married with two kids in New Jersey. Spent the last 15 years working in an shrinking industry. I have decided to go back to school during the day to earn a degree in a different field where job prospects over the next decade will be in a higher demand. Looking for ways to bring in some money right now....(more after the jump).. Without going into details that don't play a role in my question, I think I want to bartend or even bar-back a couple of nights a week to bring in some cash....I batended in college for a year, almost 20 years ago. I know drinks have not changed that much over the years.
There are over 100 wedding, catering, banquet halls within 20 miles of me, if not more....Going in with my resume, as is, my qualifications obviously don't line up exactly with the kind of people they usually get applying for these positions.
Do I have any kind of chance of landing a job? Do they want younger kids? What can I do to my resume to improve my chances? Should I explain my situation in the cover letter, and stress how my age and professional experience will prove to give the wedding hall' a more stable and responsible bartending hand?

I'm sure I am not the only unemployed person looking to get into these positions. I am hoping someone could provide some advice or guidance on how I can get to the top of the list of candidates for these positions?

How to be considered a local candidate for jobs anywhere in the US?

ender6574 — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 07:12:05 -0800

How do I make it clear to potential employers that I am literally willing to drive anywhere in the united states for a job interview, and instantly relocate there if I get the job? I would like to be considered a local candidate for open positions anywhere in the US. I am currently unemployed and looking for work (I do pharmaceutical R&D). Right now I live in Los Angeles, CA, but am going to leave town in 2 weeks. I have already made arrangements to ship my important possessions back to my parents house in Michigan, and to sell, donate or trash the rest of my possessions except what I'll be taking with me in my car. I'll be traveling with camping gear, food, clothes (including a suit for interviews) etc.

My first destination will be Seattle, WA, where I'll be staying with a friend for an indeterminate number of weeks. Then on to Denver, CO where I'll be staying with my brother for an indeterminate number of weeks. From there I'll make my way back to Michigan where I can stay with my parents or some close friends rent free for a while until I find employment.

In preparation for this I've been applying for jobs throughout the country but especially in Seattle and Denver, hoping to get interviews in both cities while I'm there.

The problem is that almost every job I apply for asks me for my address. I'm using my parents address as my permanent address, but a lot of companies only consider local candidates for their open positions.

I would like to be considered a local candidate for positions anywhere in the continental US because, if I were to secure an interview anywhere in the US I would drive myself (camping along the way or staying with people I know) to wherever I had the interview and either stay with someone I knew in town or put myself up in a hotel. If I were to secure the job, I would drive from wherever I was back to the the job location, find an apartment and move in, have my parents ship what I need back to me and use the money I have saved up to buy the furniture I need. Thus, I can become a local candidate anywhere in the US with just a few days notice.

The problem is that the system is not set up handle that. I've explained my situation to recruiters / recruiting agency's asking them to look for jobs for me anywhere in the US but they all say that they need my address, and that my file will be handled by their office nearest my address (looking for positions near that address). Jobs I apply for online ask for my current address.

I'm looking for any advice on how to overcome this problem. I've changed my resume so that it has no address, only my cell phone number and email address. The only solution I can think of would be to make a separate resume for each city that shows that I live at a fake address in that city so that I look like I'm local. This would probably work but it's dishonest and doesn't sit well with me.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I am in despair

lndl — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:06:06 -0800

I think I'm broken. How can I see any hope? Ok bear with, this is NOT a Singles ad. Just giving the context...

I'm mid forties male. Single, but with a fiancée whom I adore. We don't live together yet (for unrelated reasons to this post) but plan to marry in two years. Always highly introverted, but not shy as such. Intelligent. Educated. (Incl. Couple of Master's Degrees that I've done in my spare time in the last few years). Also into plenty of activities, (running etc). Great physical shape. Live in small town in middle of nowhere because of ill mother. Don't drink, smoke etc.

Terrible mental shape though. And that's the problem.

Worked in various parts of IT past 28 years. Starting working out of school and did all my degrees in spare time. Never desired money., which was ok as I never made much. Enough to pay the bills.
Have 3 fantastic grownup kids (early 20s) and a crazy ex-partner. No career planning but changing jobs, etc moved me around a lot for years. Last 10 years working for 1 company.

Two years ago after having been put in a terrible position by company I started suffering from stress (didn't know what it was for months, shocked to discover I could suffer from it, in my case being nauseous all day and unable to eat). After months of illness I had to take 3 months off. After going back to work nothing happening there.

Finally laid off middle of last year. A lot going on in my life at the time including mother terminally ill meant I decided to take a break for 6 months or so. First break in my life. Seemed like a good idea.
Unlike those with loads of money I had saved the past 8 years since seperation, "just in case", so I could pay my mortgage for 2 years if I lost my job (Have been laid off twice previously).

6 months passed and personal life was still difficult. And by that time things were falling apart in the country (I'm in a European country, BTW) like elsewhere. Found myself unable to get motivated. Had been seeing a psychotherapist since stress event. Ok but didn't lead anywhere. Had to stop though at beginning of this year due to financial constraints.

Had been on a few different mild anti -depressants for 3 or 4 months but stopped for various reasons incl. didn't like sensations produced, preferred to handle it through exercise. Also think studies show anti-depressant SSRIs fall into placebo category.

And now, well, by now I've fallen into a trough of despair.

Mother still terminally ill, but surviving. Plenty of exercise but have to force myself as I no longer care. Eating and sleeping messed up, classic depression symptoms. Only see fiancée at weekends, luckily for her, that makes me feel better in the short term.

<>>
I don't ever want to to back to IT is one thing I've learned. Not that I seem to have a choice. The few jobs available are in manufacturing and whenever I've applied they say I've been away from manufacturing too long (because last job was customer related). In a year I've only applied for about 30 jobs and not got one interview.
In fact my Master's degrees were in a different field so I could change career, the environment, and now no-one cares about that AND I have no experience there.

All the things I imagine you saying about me, "just get on with it", "stop feeling sorry for yourself" etc I say about myself and worse. I find myself literally unable to look at myself in the mirror sometimes.
The only emotions I feel strongly are negatives, despair and hopelessness, self-hatred and self-abegnation.

I took the Burns depression checklist recently from the CBT book "Feeling Good Handbook", and I ranked as "Extreme anxiety" and "Severe Depression". Like I didn't know. I wonder if I've had the so-called "nervous breakdown".

If I was a different person I'd probably think very seriously about suicide but I could never do that to my family. Plus I'm an atheist so I don't see the point, I'm not going anywhere after.

I do often feel like I want to die.
I feel like "'I'm done", like I've been swallowed whole and spat out, found wanting, finished at 45, even worthless, compared to the people around me.
I don't want to worry my fiancée with the true depth of my despair, she already knows it's pretty bad. I don't have anyone else to talk to as my sister is also under the same stress of looking after our mother. But I no longer think talk is a solution either.
Not that I have any idea what the solution is. Bad things happen to god people. In my case I am making them happen to myself because I seem unable to pull myself out of this.

This wasn't me. With those who know me well I'd be seen as someone with mental and physical drive. E.g I did a sailing course a few years ago. A friend immediately said, "I expect you'll be doing a global circumnavigation next year". That's how people saw me. Always pushing myself mentally and physically. Always trying to be a decent man. Always wanting to do a good job. Always wanting to look after family. Always wanting to understand. Always wanting to enjoy life in my own way.

Now, I'm mostly nothing. And I'm writing to the internet for hope. Damn, can you imagine how fucked-up that is?

I need health insurance (me and everyone else...)

greta simone — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:10:37 -0800

Ohshitfilter: Temporary health insurance options in NJ? I just moved from NC to NJ five weeks ago, after finishing a Masters program. My student health insurance ends on August 14, and since I have not been successful in finding employment (as I had hoped) I need to come up with a plan.

I have heard of COBRA, but I also heard that the State of New York does not accept COBRA. This is a problem for me, because my residence in NJ is temporary and I plan on moving to Manhattan or Brooklyn in the next few months. Secondly, I can not prove residency in NJ as I am not on the lease and have no bills in my name (staying with a friend). Am I screwed? I cannot seem to find the information online that I need.

I need the the cheapest health insurance I can get that will also cover prescriptions in some form (I have allergy and asthma and BC meds I must take).

What are my options? Please point me in the right direction or to a place where I can at least get more information.

Help!
Thanks.

I'm a quitter.

SassHat — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:20:43 -0800

So I quit my job. Now what? Creative unemployment ideas, plz. Yes, I know it's INSANE to QUIT in this ECONOMY. I'm not asking about that. I'm not going to tell you my financial outlook other than to say, let it be. My sanity is way more valuable to me than the job was, so I'm on hiatus for a bit.

How should I use this indefinite stretch of "free" time? I need a break, but I also need structure (and money, if possible). Temporary or permanent relocation is on the table, and assume the freedom to live anywhere in the US or Canada, and willingness to travel. Limitless resources are not available but I am willing to invest in worthwhile experiences.

What I'd like to know is, now that I've given my two weeks' notice, what can I do in the time between now and...whenever I buckle down and get a day job again? I am especially interested in creative volunteer opportunities, or options which provide some income while still not being a traditional day job (ie: working tourist visa, etc).

How can I look after me when I've wrapped up all I have with HER?

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 12:28:12 -0800

I'm almost 30. I'm unemployed. I may or may not be able to attend college this year. I am halfway across the country from my friends and family, can't move in with my parents, don't have a license, and I am going to have to divorce my wife of four years. Where do I start? (Warning: Long) I live in Texas in the DFW area. My wife is on permanent disability. My work experience is in web design and graphic design, but I'm completely self-taught. Lack of a degree has held me back from some better paying jobs. I've applied and been approved for "social economic circumstances" at this college, they just have to get it processed at the board of Education-- it's very likely that I'll be covered for the cost of tuition but I have no idea if I'll now receive a grant or be allowed to take out enough in loans to cover living expenses for a year.

After years of trying, joint thereaphy, talking , begging, pleading, it's becoming clear that we're just not right for each other. Close friends have repeatedly pointed out I'm in an emoptionally toxicc situation, and I'm finally frustrated enough that as much as I love my wife and as afraid as I am of losing what little I have left, we are going to have to get a divorce.

We have a joint checking account. Were are living on a fixed income right now-- her on disability and myself on unemployment benefits while I look for work. Our saving have been wiped out by both economic hardship and ,medical bills on her end last year. We share a house with two other adults (also both an disability), and said adult's step children. I moved to TX 4 years ago to be with my wife. Her mother passed away two years ago, and aside from her brother, she doesn't keep in touch much with her family. The other housemates are very close with her. I have no family here other than my brother in law.

I don't have much to my name that's JUST mine. I have an ikea sofa-bed, a desktop computer system and what would work out to be several garbage bags of clothes. I have a newly-married friend of mine back where I come from NJ that I've known since high school that has offered me crash space in his basement till I can get on my feet, if need be, though I'd have to somehow move myself and my stuff UP there first.

There is a foreclosure on my credit rating from 4 years ago when we went upside down on the house we got right after we married and I was laid off/

I am sure that while we'd both want a divorce (she's been the one to suggest a divorce several times in our rocky relationship), it may be contentious. I have no money for a lawyer, and I know I'm going to be stuck living here in the house till we ca n afford the dicorce. Asking for a divorce is going to be painful enough. It's going to be painful even when it's something we both want. And even though we're sleeping in seperate rooms, we're by neccessity going to see each other a lot just in day to day activities in the house.

How can I start with this divorce? What checklist do I need to do (I've done my free credit check already)? How do I approach a lawyer with no money? And how can I help ME survive when I've wrapped up everything around her?

Followup questions to whatdodidonow@hotmail.com

Health Insurance for an unemployed recent college graduate.

leybman — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:29:54 -0800

What should a recent (unemployed) college graduate do to get health insurance in Indiana? ` I need some desperate help. I just graduated from college, but am now officially uninsured. My parents' plan covered me only until I was a student in college. After that, I'm all on my own. I have tried to get prior insurance but none have given it to me. What I need is some advice on where I can go to get insurance in Indiana for someone like myself, unemployed, living at home, without any money to my name. Does anybody know if I even qualify for medicaid in Indiana? What should I do?

And oh yeah, my parent's COBRA plan is simply too expensive to afford. It would wind up costing something like 300 dollars per month alone. Simply unfeasible. any advice is welcome.

Attending a conference-no affilliation

sandra194 — Thu, 14 May 2009 19:07:36 -0800

I will be attending my professional association's conference this year. I am paying for everything myself because I am now unemployed. What can I put on my badge as my affliliation since I am no longer with a company. I'd like to let people know that I am available and looking for a job or I'd like it to say something about me professionally in 3 words or less :-)

How do I assess my role and responsibility for housing an unemployed person in these economic bad times?

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 19:31:15 -0800

I have been housing an unemployed friend for the past six months. How do I assess my role and responsibility for housing them in these economic bad times? Last year this person was laid off, quit their next job (which meant they were no longer eligible for UI), went traveling for awhile (partially to look for a job in another state), and then returned and needed a place to stay. They moved in with an expectation that they would find a job and new housing in a few weeks. That didn't happen.

They pay no rent or utilities. They had a few temp jobs but were let go before they were completed. They would admit that they have problems with finances. Last year they got a car loan for a pricey used car (which imo is now a burden). They have no savings. Food stamps are used up way too quickly (imo). I have provided some financial assistance during this time. They occasionally have interviews for permanent work but nothing has come from that yet.

I feel like I'm paying for their past decisions. Trying to help them learn better financial habits (or giving pretty much any advice) usually doesn't go over well. I have a smallish one-bedroom apartment so space is limited. My personal life/privacy has been on hold during this time. Oh, did I mention that this person is an ex? Yeah.

Neither of us has many friends so it's not as if they can hop over to a friend's couch on the other side of the city.

On the flip side, I try to be helpful to fellow humans. I'm well aware of the high unemployment rates, etc. and I don't want to toss someone out onto the streets. A few weeks ago we struck an agreement that they would find new housing by the end of this month. (This seemed achievable as they were about to embark on a decent paying two month temp gig. But they were let go after calling in sick on day three.) I have a feeling that they will soon have reasons why moving out is an unreasonable demand.

How do people deal with eventually giving someone the boot when doing so could lead to Bad Things?

A cheap replacement for Seroquel?

Anonymous — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 21:04:56 -0800

PsychMedFilter: A cheap replacement for Seroquel? I'm bipolar. I take Lamictal, Lithium and -- my favorite -- Seroquel. I just lost my job. And my health insurance.

I can find the Lamictal and Lithium for fairly cheap without insurance. But the Seroquel, and even its generic, Quetiapine, is killing me.

My doc is set on keeping me on the Seroquel; I can't blame him -- the stuff works wonders. I'm looking at different state and nonprofit programs for possible assistance in covering the cost.

But I'm curious. Have any bipolar MeFi-ers switched from Seroquel to something else and found it to be as effective?

I'm not just lazy, I swear.

sunshinesky — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 23:24:42 -0800

Currently job-hunting, to no avail. Even McDonald's hasn't called back, wtf? How do I make my husband understand? I am currently getting professional guidance on the resumé front, but it doesn't seem to have helped. Money's tight- how do I handle this situation? The hubby is sure he could go out and "find a job today" , but apparently I'm not so skilled or lucky. He has a career in a field that's not likely to lay him off, but we could still use the income. I can't even get dish-washing jobs- "we don't hire girls for that" is the chorus....

How can I get him to see I'm trying and how can I improve my chances in the shitty-job-market? I'm undereducated in a university-town and have spent my last year very much underemployed. I'm in school part time now, trying to improve future-chances, but it had has no effect but negative on the current situation... Help?

Ne'er-do-well needs a job. Bit terrified.

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:51:33 -0800

Never really worked before. Soon to be single mother. Need career. Told I can write well. What can I do? I'm in my 30s but I've never been in the working world. I'm in the process of leaving my severely alcoholic husband. We have a very young child. I don't need a job tomorrow, but relying on alimony for the rest of my life is not a great idea.

I have never wanted a career. I have no idea what to do.

I have maybe 35% of a BA, and I defaulted on my student loans so loans are not an option now. There is an outside chance that with a great deal of good luck with the alimony, generosity from my parents, etcetera, I might be able to go back to school part-time in the years between now and when my child starts school, but I've got no idea what I might study.

Over the years I have complained to counsellors, to a widely published advice columnist, to a friend who works full-time as a writer, to all manner of people, about being unemployable. The answer has always been a scoffing one: but that's ridiculous; you write so well. Anybody who can write as well as you isn't unemployable.

Work-averse as I am, I'm up to doing what's necessary to get myself ready to generate a respectable, stable income for my daughter. But I have no idea where to start. I have to stress here that I have absolutely nothing to put on a resume. No formal volunteer work, nothing. Over the years I've dabbled in all sorts of dilettantish unpaid stuff, but nothing has stuck. I have no experience, no qualifications.

I have no idea what to do with the endless "But you can write; of course you can work" "answer" to this. Even my father threw that at me, which gave me pause. Writing skills and 95c will get me a bus ticket, so far as I can see it. The comments are based on things like letters and internet postings, not a salable or formal body of work. I have thought lately about putting a portfolio together, but I'm struggling with it, and have no idea what I might do with a finished portfolio.

Perhaps there are a few college courses I can take that would qualify me to be a particular type of hack?

The writing aside, what sorts of things involve a relatively short and cheap training period resulting in relatively well-paid and stable employment? I don't expect to like work a lot, so won't be disappointed if it's not terribly pleasant. 'Respectability' is important for reasons I can't quite explain. And I want to give my daughter a nice home, but I have no great lust for money; an ideal job would be one I don't have to work full-time at to get by.

I suspect it's obvious that I need somewhat dumbed-down help, here. If I did need a job tomorrow I would be in a terrible spot; I have no idea how I'd even get a job at a restaurant at this point. I'm also starting to wonder if I'm wise to find volunteer work asap just to have one line to type on a resume.

Throwaway is mefithrowaway@live.com.

Rewarding myself for uh getting massively into debt and not finding a job?!

whoaali — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:58:34 -0800

So just how irresponsible and how much of a mistake would it be to take a month long post Bar trip to SE Asia when I am 1) unemployed and 2) massively in debt? I just graduated from law school and am currently studying for the bar. Everyone else is planning their post bar trips and I really want to be doing the same, but unlike most of my friends I do not have a job lined up. And the chances of me getting one at this point or at any point before I pass the bar are pretty slim. Furthermore, even if I got a job, it almost certainly wouldn't start until September or October. I also don't foresee a lot of interviewing to be going on in August, however I could be wrong on this point (although I've had one interview in 9 months so I'm not too optimistic).

So here is the potential plan, despite a ridiculous amount of school loans, I do have a decent amount of money in savings, that is more than enough for me to go on this trip and live off of for easily 6 months after. I go to SE Asia for 3 or 4 weeks and then come back and try to find a job for the hundredth and something time.

I really want to do this basically because I used to live in SE Asia and I haven't been "home" in over 5 years. I also see this as one of my last chances to take a trip like this. Firms simply don't allow you to take the sort of time off needed to fly this far away, let alone at a time when all of my other friends will be there.

So am I being ridiculously irresponsible by spending this money (and time) to go on this trip when I have no job and really no possibilities of paid employment or is this the kind of thing I'll look back on in 10 years and wish I had done?

how to get a paying job while still serving as an unpaid, live-in caretaker for a family member?

lovecrafty — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:04:59 -0800

What can I do to find a job when I've been out of the traditional workforce for several years? Of course, there's more to it than that. The situation: I am currently my grandmother's live-in caretaker--I went straight from grad school to this. She needs someone to be with her almost all the time. She's reasonably healthy physically (for 86), so she doesn't need much help with things like bathing or eating, but she does need a lot of company and help remembering things, especially in the evenings. Moving out is not an option--I want her to be able to live in her house for as long as possible, and there are some other family members who do not feel the same way. (That could be a whole other question someday.)

When I first moved in, I had some money I'd inherited from my great-grandmother (other side of the family). But now that's all gone, and I need to find work. Problem is, I've been out of the workforce for five years and haven't got any current references that aren't relatives. I've completely lost touch with all of my friends and former co-workers.

I've recently started volunteering at a few places that are related to my graduate degree (MLIS), which will hopefully be useful later on. But right now, I am having a very hard time finding even a temporary or part-time thing. I'd just like to be able to contribute to the household funds and still be able to be with my grandmother in the evenings, at least.

I'm finding this job hunt to be very disheartening, especially since I never had much trouble finding jobs before. Coupled with the stress of caregiving, I'm really starting to feel depressed. I need some good, solid advice on what I can do to improve my chances for getting a (daytime, part-time to maybe full-time) job.

So, any advice from people who have re-entered the job force after a few years 'off' would be great. Also, any ideas on how to explain the work 'gap' on my resume would be good.

Need side job advice for lacking income

macsigler — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 11:04:27 -0800

What can my wife and I do to supplement our lacking income? We're newly married college students and I'm unemployed. She has a job as a tutor but it's still not the greatest pay. My wife and I are trying to think of something that I/she/we can do on the side to maybe earn a bit of extra income at least until I can get a decent full-time job, maybe even after, possibly one day turning it into a sort of small business. We're having trouble thinking of what we could do, though.

I love computers (I plan on studying computer science this upcoming fall semester), although I'm not too terribly skilled at the moment. I am studying up, though, and try to tinker around when I can, and study C++ and some basic web design as much as possible. I also love languages, and learned Tagalog (Filipino) fluently as a missionary living in the Philippines. I also like cooking. I like playing games but that doesn't really help me earn a living so I try to avoid it lately. ;)

She likes doing crochet and knitting as a hobby, but she's not really passionate about anything that I can think of, except maybe reading. She loves to read.

It's not anything that is ultra-crucial to happen right this instant, we're not starving by any means, I just would like some ideas to help us know where to focus our attention and get something going. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

How do I get a new job ASAP?

Anonymous — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 18:23:59 -0800

So I just quit my job at the local cookie cutter super book store (think Barnes and Noble... except not). How do I get a new job pronto and make rent this month? The job at the store was awful for a number of reasons so I walked out the other day. My rent is about $700 per month. I'm a recent college grad with a degree in film. I live in Los Angeles. I've been calling temp agencies but no one has been calling me back. Basically I need a new job ASAP, specifically a full time one and that will be enough to pay rent (and $80/month in student loans). This is stressing me out hardcore, anyone have any words of advice? If there's anything you want to send me over email hit me up at mefiteanon@gmail.com.

How to stay sane while searching for work

onoclea — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 17:59:58 -0800

What do you do to stay positive and sane while job searching? I've moved around a lot over the last few years, and despite often being in a new place and enjoying the chance to explore it, I do end up with long periods of being unemployed. While the frequent moving won't be happening for much longer, I'm afraid that the fallout from frequent job searching will linger anyway, professionally and emotionally. I volunteer in ways that are important to me, which helps, but I don't want to commit to so much that I'd have to back out when I find work. What do you do, or not do, in order to stay optimistic, sane, and attractive to employers while you are trying to get hired?

How do I close my car loan after getting fired?

rhizome — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 17:26:25 -0800

I just bought a new car before getting fired two days later, and now I'm having trouble securing the loan. What do I do? Two weeks ago I bought a new car. At the time I was employed (but under a bad boss, natch). Last Tuesday I got word that I was going to be fired that day and walked out. I received a perfunctory voicemail from my boss and my final check arrived two days later.

I have enough assets to be fine with the car loan payments for 3-4months, but the employment verification is hitting a snag. I didn't misrepresent myself at the time I signed the papers, but now there's a lot of back and forth with the dealership about this. Their last suggestion was to find a friend at my old job that would lie for the employment verification. I don't think I can get someone to lie like that and besides, wouldn't that be fraud?

So, I have assets and I'm looking for a job. I'm confident I'll be making at least as much as I did at the old place, but it hasn't happened yet. I also have a bunch of 401k money that I don't think I can leverage, but it may help in documenting. What are my options, and what is the responsibility of the dealership in this situation?

Help me help my friend

Anonymous — Fri, 11 May 2007 23:02:19 -0800

A long time friend was recently laid-off. I'd like some advice on how I can help him out. As usual, sorry for the length, I'll try to keep this brief.

I am posting this as our long time friend, anon, because I'd rather not make a personal situation any more public than necessary.

My long time friend (he is more of a brother than friend), who is 45, has been working for the same medium sized company for the last 20 years. He began his career with this company in an entry level position and over time worked his way through the ranks to IT director about 10 years ago. Fast forward 9 years, his company was bought-out. Since that time upper level management has been slowly phased-out in an attempt to "manage costs." My friend's time came last week.

Naturally, after 20 years with the same company my friend is quite upset about being laid-off - not mad, but sad. I'd like to help him in any way possible with this next step in his life. Specifically, I'm not looking for advice to help him emotionally. His mother, brothers, sisters, wife, and I are doing all we can to make him feel better.

I am looking for advice on how I can help him with his search for employment.

The facts:
- He's 45, married, 2 young children (elementary school, jr high)
- He does NOT have a college education. He learned what he knows on the job - he is obviously knowledgeable, he was IT Director for 10 years
- I believe that a lot of the software used with his old company was developed in house, he had a hand in a lot of the development
- The IT Dept he managed was staffed by 20-30 people
- Lives in the NW US
- Very personable. He was well liked by his superiors, peers and those that he oversaw
- His salary was around 150K

Any suggestions on how I should go about helping my friend? I've offered to help him with his resume, for some reason I have a knack for them. What else? What types of resources are there for an individual in his position? Specific job boards (not Monster) perhaps? I'm at a loss. I've already determined contacts I have that may be of help to him, but outside of the networking aspect how do I help him out?