Those of you post-grads figuring it out in your 20s (or 30s) doing odd jobs, waiting tables, jobs not nec. related to your major, where are you now? What advice would you have if you could go back and do it again?
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posted by bluelight
on May 22, 2013 -
34 answers
I just got laid off from my job, and I've booked a few freelance gigs here and there and have some ongoing freelance writing stuff as well. Do I need to report this income when I earn it, or when I get paid? (This is in California).
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posted by ablazingsaddle
on May 21, 2013 -
7 answers
Should I stay in the job I've always wanted (at the expense of a dream) or go on the trip that I've always wanted (at the expense of stability)?
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posted by liquorice
on May 2, 2013 -
25 answers
About 8 weeks ago I sliced the flexor profundus tendon that allows the tip of my right pinky to function. I had surgery and have now subsequently re-severed the healing tendon, requiring ANOTHER round of surgery to try to repair again. Should I go through with this? Issues related to post-operative depression, unemployment, and general existentialist angst inside. See
previous.
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posted by jnnla
on Apr 16, 2013 -
11 answers
I'm an American living in working in Tokyo, but am planning on moving to the states in a few months. I will leave my current job in a month that is providing insurance and take a month or two off to get my affairs in order. What are my options for insurance after I resign?
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posted by princeoftheair
on Mar 24, 2013 -
6 answers
I have been working with a staffing agency who placed me in a really great (contract) job last year, which ended in October. I have been keeping in touch with the rep who was working with me ever since, checking in once a week to see if anything had become available. Last month, my grandmother passed away after a very long illness and I got wrapped up in the various family-related things that obviously came along with that, and therefore I stopped checking in with the rep for a while (it became a much lower priority). At the same time, my friend offered me some extremely low-paying (to the brink of me basically doing it pro bono), intermittent consulting work on a project just to help me keep somewhat busy during the boring slog of unemployment, which at least allows me not to have a huge gap on my resume and my LinkedIn profile. Because this happened right around the time my grandmother passed, and because this consulting work is most definitely temporary and not income-sustainable, I forgot to inform my rep that I'd taken on this work. I am now concerned that I have committed a major faux pas professionally. Help me understand if I have or if I am overreacting.
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posted by thereemix
on Mar 14, 2013 -
14 answers
I’ve shuffled the words around so many times, they’ve not only lost all meaning to me, but actually blur in front of my eyes. I’m starting to make really dumb mistakes. Until the end of year 2 of underemployment, I had a few friends who were willing to give my applications a once-over, but I’m now embarrassed about asking for help so often. How can I stay on track? Any advice on a check system to minimize errors?
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posted by nelljie
on Mar 6, 2013 -
9 answers
I'm in MA. I'm about to give my two-weeks, but I'm guessing they're going to tell me to just leave. Could I apply for unemployment to fill the gap between the job I'm leaving and my new job?
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 12, 2013 -
22 answers
I am between jobs, looking for work, and am really struggling. Please help me figure out how to cope and keep moving forward. I am stuck and scared.
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posted by thereemix
on Feb 6, 2013 -
23 answers
Laid off and underwater. . . are there any programs that can help me to keep paying our mortgage?
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posted by Kalatraz
on Jan 30, 2013 -
6 answers
My boss and I agreed I am not right for my job. How can I be eligible for unemployment while not having a black mark of being fired for future employers?
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posted by lacedcoffee
on Jan 16, 2013 -
11 answers
Unusual combination of pending unemployment, upcoming (home equity and car) loan needs and a long boat ride requires the mefi thinktank for logistical scenarios and a bit of education about said loans. We are looking for the smartest approach to the coming year and could use more brains in the mix.
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posted by anonymous
on Jan 12, 2013 -
7 answers
Job hunting and money hacks for less-than-shoestring budget while returning to school? Help me not become a fatality of class warfare. Very complicated and snowflakey stuff inside.
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posted by Ephelump Jockey
on Jan 1, 2013 -
20 answers
Calling all Mefites who are good at composing emails! I am struggling with verbiage in an email I am sending to someone regarding a potential employment opportunity. Please help this nervous going-on-3 months-unemployed job seeker not screw this up. Tasty plate of beans inside.
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posted by thereemix
on Dec 27, 2012 -
16 answers
I’ve been researching a lot, and have read time and time again, that during interviews, you’re also interviewing the employer to see if you’re a “good fit” together and that you should never seem desperate for a job, but rather, you should pretend money is no object and you’re only there because you think it would be fun, etc. The question is—how do you do this when you are in fact desperate for money and you need a job ASAP? (long-winded details behind cut)
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posted by camylanded
on Dec 16, 2012 -
19 answers
I have a feeling that I am going to be laid off at my review next week. Since I suspect that this is coming, I would appreciate any suggestions on what I should say at the review and also, what the next steps I should take are, particularly things that I may not think of or overlook during the somewhat emotional time. Further details on my particular situation inside...
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posted by anonymous
on Dec 3, 2012 -
13 answers
I work for a small non-profit in WI and the organization is about to close its doors. Because we are so small, the non-profit has not had to pay into the state UI fund. I don't know what that means for my ability to collect unemployment.
I am going to see an unemployment office as soon as possible, but I would appreciate any info from MeFi about whether there are ways I am eligible to receive benefits, if there are specific questions I should ask the UI office, and whether there are other state or federal benefits available to me as I look for a new job.
posted by anonymous
on Nov 30, 2012 -
3 answers
i am five months pregnant, in NYC and just got fired from my job... now what?
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posted by sabh
on Oct 23, 2012 -
17 answers
I just moved to a big city after graduating college in August. I'm not sure exactly what I want to do, and I'm not the most ambitious or confident person, to say the least. I have a somewhat untreated case of ADD, but I don't take my meds anymore; I'm finding coffee and exercise are much better.
Anyways, I have gotten two different pieces of negative feedback on my phone behavior with people who had the potential to give me a job; they both basically said I sounded unenthusiastic. What is a good way to remedy this?
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posted by bluelights
on Oct 19, 2012 -
28 answers
Just how tough is the minimum wages and/or temping jobs market? If I were to move to Chicago tomorrow, how long would it take me to get some sort (any sort) of employment?
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posted by geegollygosh
on Oct 7, 2012 -
11 answers
How do you draw boundaries when you don't have the grounds to? Specific to first-gen East Asian immigrant family...
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posted by ichomp
on Oct 7, 2012 -
9 answers
2012 has not been my year - it has been 5 steps forward, 4 steps back (sometimes 6 steps back) trying to rebuild my life. I'm left now where i was at the beginning...broke, unemployed, frustrated, depressed. What am I doing wrong? Or is the Universe really just hating me this year?
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posted by assasinatdbeauty
on Oct 5, 2012 -
20 answers
I'm badly depressed and anxious. And I've got the worst job of my life - I'm 42, so that's saying a lot - complete with a boss I despise and who seems to despise me. My therapist thinks I should quit. Um, hello? Realistically, what can I do? Special flower BS inside.
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posted by Jaie
on Sep 22, 2012 -
26 answers
What else can I do as an employer to motivate/accommodate my depressed employee? Or, barring that, fairly and effectively end our engagement with him?
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posted by anonymous
on Sep 4, 2012 -
19 answers
After being out of the job market for two years and becoming a stay-at-home mom, should I take an entry-level job, even if it's a big step down financially?
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posted by clarequilty
on Aug 25, 2012 -
10 answers
Why doesn't Obama or any politician for that matter use graphs to explain things? For all of their sophistication in Internet and social media, why doesn't the Obama campaign just go on television and show the American people a damn chart? Are we that stupid or am I missing something here?
posted by jasondigitized
on Aug 19, 2012 -
22 answers
I'm a recent unemployed graduate who's stuck in an abusive household. Please help me develop a wellness strategy.
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posted by Ashen
on Aug 13, 2012 -
67 answers
My clinical depression is getting worse and I think I need to quit my job, but really need the income. I'm in Massachusetts.
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posted by anonymous
on Jun 18, 2012 -
16 answers
May be let go for sales performance, company wrote "general misconduct for not achieving monthly target"...is this a play on words to deny me unemployment insurance?
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posted by Wazooga
on May 26, 2012 -
17 answers
Can you walk me through the steps/documentation necessary to collect Pennsylvania unemployment while maintaining a "sideline" business?
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posted by anonymous
on May 20, 2012 -
3 answers
How can I make myself employable / find a job in any writing or editing fields, with a BA and MFA? (in the Atlanta area, if it helps.) Snowflakey details abound.
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posted by adrianna aria
on May 19, 2012 -
9 answers
At a work-life crossroads: 23 years old, college grad, getting laid off, about to get married and buy a house, struggling to find the next job, in school but thinking about going back for more degree(s). Seeking general advice on my next steps.
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posted by wansac
on May 18, 2012 -
13 answers
Career coach or someone who can help me find/get a job in my field (social work/non-profit)? Getting desperate and losing hope after three years of no luck. In NYC.
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posted by greta simone
on May 11, 2012 -
14 answers
I'm unemployed and broke, and my husband's big 30th birthday is right around the corner. He went all out for my 30th, so I feel horrible that I can't afford anything nice. Suggestions?
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posted by emily37
on May 4, 2012 -
17 answers
GTD Filter: How has GTD helped you in your experience of unemployment? I'm looking for a system to organize my thoughts, structure my time, and keep me working toward goals without losing steam. Google-fu is failing me, thanks in advance!
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posted by luciddream928
on Apr 29, 2012 -
6 answers
What is it like to be on unemployment? Specifically, I have a few questions about being on unemployment I'd like to ask.
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posted by Fister Roboto
on Apr 24, 2012 -
9 answers
I need the EIN from a 1099-G from The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance. Does anyone know where to find this?
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posted by Piglet
on Apr 13, 2012 -
1 answer
What can I do to improve and make the most out of my involuntary unemployment? I lost my job nearly six months ago, and though I started out optimistic and productive, depression and feelings of uselessness are starting to get the best of me.
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posted by anonymous
on Apr 11, 2012 -
11 answers
