Unemployed -- is there any hope left?

[acawap]

I need a pick me up.

I've been unemployed for over a year since my company folded at the worst possible time (thanksgiving time, 2008, beginning of recession).  I have been offered 2 jobs, only to have the position closed for economic reasons before I started.  I have applied for over 1000 positions -- just had an interview for a job that I was perfectly qualified for.  They didn't ask me any personal or professional questions, only hypothetical "what would you do if..." stuff, that I thought I answered decently, but just heard I didn't get it.  I don't know the exact #, but I know there were a LOT of applicants.

Anyway, if I didn't get that one, I am about ready to give up hope of ever finding a job again in this economy.  That's why I'm doing all of these make money online deals, trying to find a few ways to make a couple bucks.  Anyone else in that boat?  Is there any hope??

[erikap8383]

I have been unemployed for almsot 2 years and the days go buy quick when your not working. I really need to find a job though because im going broke now.

[mc1962]

Hang in there and do not lose faith, Maybe it is time to start looking in other areas of work?  Something is better than nothing?  Just a thought.  Good Luck!

[albertnbub]

I totally understand.  My wife has been on disability for 3 years now and even though I make decent money with her only receiving disability it is such a struggle

[karenkpc]

I agree, it may be time for a change in professions.  some states have programs within their Vocational Rehabilition programs to help with that.  temp agencies can help for the short run.  go outside the box too when looking, explore less common job search engines.  I hear you, it's a horrible place in which to find yourself.  my experience is when the traditional stops working, go after the non-traditional.  also google work at home mom forums and see what you can discover in there about legit telecommuting jobs.  hang in there!!

[rcbrad]

I have been out of work for about a year and a half.  Our company consolidated and many of the jobs went to India.
There is not much out there, but tons of competition.  It has been a struggle to find something that pays what unemployment pays.  One of the best things you can do, is just cut back as much as you can.  Just try to hang in there-things are going to take years and years to get back on track.  Most likely I am going to have to settle for a job that pays much less that what I was making.

[samrhett2]

My heart goes out to you.  I know that if I were having to look for a job right now it would be tough.  There are usually about five jobs in the paper here on any given day and most of them are for selling time shares.  We are a resort community, so anyone who has worked in a restaurant can usually pick up a position making good money at the right place, but if someone here was looking for an office job, factory job or anything like that I think you would be out of luck.

How about temp work?  Is that possible?  Maybe if you could get your foot in the door somewhere and prove that you are a good worker, it would open up some doors.  You know temp work is not just for secretarial jobs anymore.  Don't know what your profession is, but that is just a possibility.  I have also read that some people have been able to get permanent jobs by volunteering and then networking.  For example, volunteering at a hospital or library or private school would put you in touch with all kinds of people that you might not otherwise meet.  

I sure hope things get better for you.  It sucks to be uncertain about your future, but whether you realize it or not looking for ways to earn money online can really help build up some marketable skills.  If you build a blog or website to get referrals for FC, then you all of a sudden have acquired a new marketable skill or your resume.  Even learning to use Facebook and Twitter is starting to be a skill that some employers want.  Learning to make and upload a video.  Learn to use PowerPoint if you don't already know how.  Anything new you can learn or classes you can take could help and it certainly never hurts.

[acurtsinger2]

243,000 people went back to work in March.  I think that is a decent sign of improvement.  About 58,000 was for census workers, but that is better than it has been in 4 years.

[stokeman455]

    I`ve been out of work for over a year. I am a construction worker by trade, but there`s very little work right now and it does`nt look good any time soon! So what I did was change careers. Now I`ve enrolled for College to major in Substance Abuse Counseling. I received a grant and a loan, so I hope that will help me help others!   

[DrkDraco]

There is work every where just make friends and ask
OR
JUST
DON'T
BE LAZY 
 

[prillycake]

Maybe it's the jobs that you are applying for. Try to settle for a job that you are over qualified for, for now. It won't be your dream job, but hey it will be some money coming in. I'm talking about cashiering at Meijer, or Taco Bell or a busy grocery store that you live by that is always hiring. You can't be too picky in an economy like this. I say take what you can get. You can check the craigslist help wanted section too. Lots of new jobs are posted everyday you just have to browse around. Hey and you still have Fusioncash!

[Ant29]

243,000 people went back to work in March.  I think that is a decent sign of improvement.  About 58,000 was for census workers, but that is better than it has been in 4 years.

Uh you do realize that census workers is a temporary job right? What will happen to the job numbers after the census is over?
Somehow the stock market is going up for the past couple of days. I wonder what is causing it?

[robintz]

I am a independent debt counselor working at home.  My work load has gone down at least 75%.  You would think that people in this industry would be busy.  Wrong...  People aren't working or working for far less than they have in the past.  Therefore, they can not afford to pay their debts, they are barely making rent/mortgage and keeping food on the table. 

It is bad times, my husband is working for 1/2 of what he usually makes.  We are both doing anything we can to bring in extra money while looking for better paying jobs.

It is unfortunately an employers market.  They know they can get a lot of bang for their buck!  Where my husband works, the owner reminds them all on a daily basis how lucky they are to have a job, and proceeds to treat them like animals.  Then he tells them if they don't like it, there are 1000's of people out there who need a job.

[atvgirl1]

I believe the United States is in a sad affair and something is in need to turn around for our country or we will be like other countrys they provide aid to.  Its sad when they give everywhere else but can't help the poor and needy in our country.
 My son has been unemployed for 1 1/2 years has a baby on the way and unable to find work.

[acawap]

Maybe it's the jobs that you are applying for. Try to settle for a job that you are over qualified for, for now.

It's not that simple.  I have over 12 years experience testing software, and was paid very well for several years.  Because of that, when I apply for any type of customer service job or anything outside my field, I get ignored because they think I'm just going to leave when I find a job.  In honesty, I would, but after a year and a half of looking and finding NOTHING I don't see why that's such an issue these days.  I've applied for dozens if not hundreds of jobs that I was over qualified for.  I even tried 'dumbing down' my resume for some of them (I didn't want to outright lie, so I just made them sound less technical and simpler).

I could potentially do day labor or something, but I have a torn rotator cuff from an injury several months ago and a bad back from a car accident last month, so that's not even an option.  I'm about to start my own web design company and try to take this on myself.  While I know web design, I don't know anything about running a business, and that's my own stumbling block at the moment (but pushing forward anyway!)