Dealing with unemployment - anyone else?

[IvonaDestroi]

So I graduated with an associates degree a month ago, in fashion design. Whilst in school, I, as is typical, amassed a massive amount of student loan debt. I was getting unemployment and barely scraped by with the loan disbursments and unemployment combined. Not all my bills got paid, esspecially towards the end. Fashion school, unlike most other fields, is extremely time and labor intensive and I was already at 80 hours a week with school, so part time work was really out of the question.

I was excited when I graduated. Finnally, I could work HUMAN hours again! At first I thought I thought I'd find something relavent to my field, or at least an internship and then I could do retail or something in the meantime.

Within the first week of job hunting, it was apparent that this was not going to happen. I called EVERYWHERE I could think of to see if someone might be hiring, posted resumes online, checked craigslist everyday, and within my field not even a single flicker of hope.

Ok, then, I thought, well I'll just have to do something else in the meantime. It's been a month. I've applied at 20 places, and out of those I got 1 interview. Retail jobs, fabric stores, cafes, restauraunts, bike shops, you name it, I've looked it up and called every single related bussiness I could think of to check if they were hiring. The reason I've only applied at 20 places is because EVERYWHERE I called was NOT hiring. In fact, at least 5 of the places I applied at were not hiring at the moment.

So here I am. My 2 very high interest credit card bills have gone unpaid for 3 months. My unemployment ran out, and can not be extended. My bank account is almost empty. On the first I am putting in a 30 days notice on the room I'm renting, because I don't have enough rent money for after next month. In fact, my bank account barely has next months rent and this months electric bill and that is it, down to 0. My phone gets shut off tomarrow. I'm considering not paying the electric so I can have a phone for possible job interviews, for which hopes are clearly dwindling. I got food stamps on Friday. I have 2 cats that I have absolutely no idea what to do with. They will NOT go to a shelter. Over my dead body...

I have an interview on Monday that I will probably not get, because I already know I don't match what they are looking for. (It's peets coffee but its a very bussiness oriented one, very button up location, and I have pink and blue bihawks and tattoos.) I'm going anyway, of course, and putting my best foot forward. Just not counting on it is all.

With my new degree, I'm over qualified for the types of jobs I've had before. Those employers seem to be preffering younger kids, still in college or high school, whom they can manipulate more easily for less pay. I'm willing to take the same pay, but at 25 and educated, and I'm a little harder to treat like crap, and they seem to know that. They're not interested in me at all.

On the other hand, the few and far in between jobs that are in my field, are definately not looking for someone who's wet behind the ears at the moment, seeing as how they have dozens of applicants, most of whom are more qualified then me.

So, in a month, I am homeless. I'm going to try to couch surf for a couple of months and find ANY job hopefully in the mean time and save up some money and go to Europe. I've done this before in both the states and canada, and I know that a one way ticket is all I need. The kitties are my main worry through it all.

It's extrememly stressful and depressing, the bills are just piled up and now I won't even have a place to stay. I'm trying to stay positive but hope is just dwindling...

Sigh. Anyone else in this boat? How have you been dealing with it? Any advice?

[Grog]

Hi Ivona.

I'm really sorry to hear about your situation, although I have no advice to offer. I'll be on the job market in the fall and I'm not looking forward to it.

So, in a month, I am homeless. I'm going to try to couch surf for a couple of months and find ANY job hopefully in the mean time and save up some money and go to Europe. I've done this before in both the states and canada, and I know that a one way ticket is all I need. The kitties are my main worry through it all.

I just wanted to suggest to you that entering Europe might be a bit more difficult than entering Canada on a one-way ticket. Especially now. [It is, by the way, pretty tough to enter the United States (as a non-citizen) on a one-way ticket if you can't prove that you've got loads of $ and good reasons to go back home. Even in good times.] If you don't have substantial money, a home address in your country of residence, and the looks of someone going on a short holiday (or a business trip), and they sniff that you might come to work (without a permit) customs officer could very well turn you around.

I don't mean to scare you, but it's a move you might want to consider carefully. Perhaps others have different experience and will share. I guess it also depends on the country you try to enter, and the timing.

I hope both you and your kitty find a good home.

[VeloVT]

I can imagine how frustrating this is.

I hesitate to ask this question, because I'm sure there are a whole lot of reasons it could seem annoying or loaded or what have you, but is there any possibility you could move in with parents/other family for a short time while you look for work? It wouldn't take care of your debt, but it would be a temporary home and would hopefully allow you to search without piling up more debt...

re jobs... would it be worth trying to network a bit? talk to friends with jobs, professors who might have leads? my bf is an architecture professor and he has been getting loads of emails lately from former students who have been getting laid off in this economy, looking for advice...

best of luck to you...

[IvonaDestroi]

I can imagine how frustrating this is.

I hesitate to ask this question, because I'm sure there are a whole lot of reasons it could seem annoying or loaded or what have you, but is there any possibility you could move in with parents/other family for a short time while you look for work? It wouldn't take care of your debt, but it would be a temporary home and would hopefully allow you to search without piling up more debt...

re jobs... would it be worth trying to network a bit? talk to friends with jobs, professors who might have leads? my bf is an architecture professor and he has been getting loads of emails lately from former students who have been getting laid off in this economy, looking for advice...

best of luck to you...

Yes, I've considered the (sigh) parents thing, but honestly my mom lives in a tiny out of the way town and if I cant find work here in the bay area, where pink hair and tattoos are normal, the chances of finding something in a tight knit little community like hers is rather unlikely. Also, she has been out of work for quite a while herself and just now found something after 6 months. Financially I don't think it'd be fair to give her that additonal burden right now.

[Softie]

I have managed to avoid your situation, but I've spent most of my adult (18-28 with only 2 years off college) life in school, and my bf just went through the long struggle of looking for work (in CA), so I completely understand.

On a job application note, I actually know someone who left her Masters degree off her resume for retail/entry positions (omit talking about the fact you were in school), which she was looking for to make ends meet. Basically, she felt it was a big sign saying she's leaving ASAP, even though it was the only work she was able to get while building up her private practice. You might want to consider that option.

Also look into friends or family that might take your cat in for a few months. Relocating to another area might help, especially if it's one with more jobs available. Ask everyone you know for job options, and even consider looking for free lance work, hemming clothes, yard work, house cleaning, child care, anything you can do even for a little money. You might also want to see if anyone you know is willing to let you live with them in exchange for you caring for their home and/or child. Find all the charity sources you can in your area and actually use them (such a food bank). You may be able to get student loan repayment deferred, if you haven't looked into that yet. Your former school may also be able to help with options. Universities tend to hire people to do cleaning of residences when all the students move out for the summer and also tend to rent out rooms to the public over summer when students aren't using them (pretty cheap usually). Search over seas / live in nanny positions if you have any experience with children (even a sibling). Also, be very blunt and talk to everyone you know, family, friends, profs, and let them know how badly you need work, and ask for ideas.

Good luck

Also try to get a line of credit with the bank to pay off your credit card bills, it would be at a lower interest rate, but could also be hard to get while you're not working.

[Trek420]

What they all said.

You're going to need electricity and a phone unless you have an old rotary or phone that does not plug into AC adapter.

Can you get a roommate so you stay in your pad, share expenses?

Also I don't wish to critique your hairstyle, for your major and career it's perfect. As you interview rsearching the company and their corporate culture is key. I'd stop short of stalking outside in the parking lot but get an idea of the corporate culture.

Some companies are accepting/encouraging a creative style. Just off the top of my head in SF the corporate headquarters of the GAP, Northface is here, Nomadictraders, think bike gear SOMA, Cliff bars ... lots of clothing companies and bike stuff.

But when you go to an interview and see employees creatively wildly dressed they HAVE the job. You are applying.

Can you go to a beautician school and get a deal on a do, just ask them "can you make this a tiny teeny bit more business like?"

Peets though, I think they'd be cool with it. Go for it! Good luck.

Does your school have a job board? Back in the day when I went to CCA they did. Check their opportunities.

Sell your own work like here www.etsy.com/

[IvonaDestroi]

I just wanted to suggest to you that entering Europe might be a bit more difficult than entering Canada on a one-way ticket.

.

Luckily, I was born in Poland and have family there, who I will at least be visiting. After that my plan is London, where my cousin lives. I'm hoping I kept my Polish citizenship when I was naturalized (I was 3, naturalized as a refugee), because if that's the case then I have membership in the EU.

I have a friend that did this quite regularly to England and was deported a few times back to the U.S. (free trip home?) and now he's gone back there and gotten married and has a job.

Hopefully all will work out... I wouldn't even be so worried about all this except for the cat thing...

[shootingstar]

I'm hoping I kept my Polish citizenship when I was naturalized (I was 3, naturalized as a refugee), because if that's the case then I have membership in the EU.

I have a friend that did this quite regularly to England and was deported a few times back to the U.S. (free trip home?) and now he's gone back there and gotten married and has a job.

Looks like the Europe option is next stage? Hopefully after getting a job in U.S. to pay off some of your credit card debt 'cause it'll just repile up faster when you start off in Europe with the euro currency that's stronger. Family and friends only tolerate free visits for ...not long.

How far will you go....landscaping, farm work? I knew women who did the traffic control work on construction sites... These are areas that will accept resourceful people who will work hard temporarily for a few months.

And don't look to get yourself deported...like that friend of yours. It'll be probably recorded somewhere permanently with a federal govn't dept.

Yes, of course employers do look for "fit". As you know, you can use any public library to check your email account, jobs. If you apply for any office job, do not eliminate your degree at all. General trend is that many employers seem to accept the notion that even lower office jobs can be filled just fine by university/college grads. Try to view the reality that finishing a college/university degree means that you are capable of reaching a goal in a structured way.

There's several of us in TE forum looking around for work...including myself. Life can pull some unexpected punches... at any time.

[jessica47201]

Well I don't really have any advice, just something that happened. I didn't lose my job, but my husband did. We actually met there. He had worked there for 10 years and then they canned him!!! So I was left there all alone to fend for myself, I felt like I was working for the enemy. We are pretty much blue collar workers. We were working in a Warehouse for a large home improvement chain. It was really good money for us, but then he was fired! He was making $20.15 an hour because of his loyalty, but that is also probably what got him fired. So while he was on the job search, collecting unemployment, I was getting my hours cut and we were watching our saving account fade away. So in return, I started looking for a new job. I found one, took the job, but it has its price. Since I'm in the National Guard, I found a job with the military, but now I'm away from home 4-5 days at a time, which sucks because we miss each other but then on the other hand, I'm making more money than I was and we are paying our bills. But he is still on the job search and his unemployment is about to run out.

I know this is going to sound WAY bad, but if you are looking for just a job to get the money flowing again and not a career, maybe you should dumb yourself down some in your resume'. If your resume' is scary people away because you are over qualified, maybe you should leave some of it out. I wish I could put it another way but "dumbing" is the only way I can think of. I hope everything works out for you!!

[Trek420]

Jessica & Jessica DH, I'm very sorry to hear that.

Ivona and all, not an HR expert and no training in that as such. I would recommend creating and A and B resume.

A is for the dream job, or the job that in time once they realize they can't do without you could become the dream job. That's the one with the degree, work experience, projects you've managed, all of your awards and such.

B resume is "I just want a job, don't want to intimidate you with my brilliance, skill, experience and education".

Don't lie, both are accurate but one's just a little toned down.

Frankly, Ivona as you can see families with decades of experience and probably multiple degrees are having problems. I remember during the last recession listening to Duck on Wheels and my mutual brother counseling our mutual niece. She'd just completed her undergraduate work at Cal with a bachelors. He advised "now is not a good time to be in the work force, stay in school and when the economy recovers you'll be prepared."

She went back to school, has her Law degree from Stanford. Her partner's an electrician and even his work's a little slowed but she's in good shape.

I know you're tired of being a "starving student". Can you stay in, go for a Bachelors?

[shootingstar]

I forgot...can you be a bike courier?

Actually I'm not kiddin. A good friend of mine was a bike courier in Toronto for 9 months after finishing university.

to make a super long story short...she is now transportation policy analyst for govn't.

At another firm, the receptionist's son was a bike courier in Vancouver for 7 yrs. before he helped run a shelter for the homeless..

[IvonaDestroi]

I forgot...can you be a bike courier?

Actually I'm not kiddin. A good friend of mine was a bike courier in Toronto for 9 months after finishing university.

to make a super long story short...she is now transportation policy analyst for govn't.

At another firm, the receptionist's son was a bike courier in Vancouver for 7 yrs. before he helped run a shelter for the homeless..

You know what, I can't believe I havn't thought of that! Hmmm....

[alpinerabbit]

Europe would be paid by the deposit I get back from moving out, which is just enough for a ticket.

And how do you get home if it doesn't work out?

This isn't some little fashion game for me either, I've been in the punk scene for 10 years. It's my LIFE, my personality, and who I am. If an employer can't accept that then they are not accepting ME as a person, and that would be a serious issue. I'm not changing myself because others want to be discriminatory. It's not snootiness. I'm a friendly, organized, and well adjusted person.

I'm a pagan druid and I don't run around at work in my regalia. I'd love to get green extensions (that has nothing to do with my spiritual views) but I have opted not to do it, nor do I walk around in "just anything" when seeing customers, although I prefer jeans&sneakers.

You want a career, you are on the asking (or almost begging) side, you have to swim with the current, not against it. I know it borders on prostitution - you are selling your life for money.

The punk style just doesn't cut it unless you apply to a punk fashion store. You could pass if you land an interview as a fashion designer.

I forgot...can you be a bike courier?
Actually I'm not kiddin.

You know what, I can't believe I havn't thought of that! Hmmm....

But if you decide to do it - make sure you have medical insurance. It's a dangerous job.
You could do it and at the same time ask for a job at every door you call.

p.s. no offense meant - but I've seen you misspell words. Check your portfolios, letters and cvs for spelling.

As a final pc. of advice, a cousin studied fashion and she went for a secure, well paying job soon after graduating. The downside of that is that it was not in fashion, and it is unlikely she will ever get a foot back in the door to a job in fashion.

So you have to decide if you rough it or go for security now. I see your debt is an added burden.

p.p.s. have you tried Monster?

[Tuckervill]

This isn't some little fashion game for me either, I've been in the punk scene for 10 years. It's my LIFE, my personality, and who I am. If an employer can't accept that then they are not accepting ME as a person, and that would be a serious issue. I'm not changing myself because others want to be discriminatory. It's not snootiness. I'm a friendly, organized, and well adjusted person. What if someone demanded you drastically change appearance in order to work somewhere, what if they asked YOU to dye YOUR hair pink? - would you do it???

If I were hungry enough, and about to lose my home AND my cat, that would be a big FAT YES.

It's just hair, you know. It will grow back.

One of my very best friends in the whole world is about 75% covered from head to toe in tattoos. She was punk before you were even born. But now, she's a stay at home mom of three in a big fine house behind a gate, married to a company man and spends her time playing tennis and throwing parties for her charities. She still rocks the punk hair every once in a while, but I can guarantee you she never once thought she would be where she is now. You'd like her a lot. I'm sure she'd tell you that you're putting too much mojo on the pink hair. It is amazing what you would do without when you're about to starve.

Karen

[andtckrtoo]

If I were hungry enough, and about to lose my home AND my cat, that would be a big FAT YES.

It's just hair, you know. It will grow back.

One of my very best friends in the whole world is about 75% covered from head to toe in tattoos. She was punk before you were even born. But now, she's a stay at home mom of three in a big fine house behind a gate, married to a company man and spends her time playing tennis and throwing parties for her charities. She still rocks the punk hair every once in a while, but I can guarantee you she never once thought she would be where she is now. You'd like her a lot. I'm sure she'd tell you that you're putting too much mojo on the pink hair. It is amazing what you would do without when you're about to starve.

Karen

I agree with Karen. I live in the Bay Area, too, and while this area seems very accepting of people regardless of what, that does not always apply when you are talking about offering jobs. There may be no "rules" against it, but many of the employers I know would take one look and decide that you are too different and would not fit in, even though you just might. By toning down the hair and dressing more conservatively you may be able to convince people you would fit in, then gradually add yourself back into the mix. It's an employers market right now.

I also think you should try the temp agencies. If you can type, file, etc - you can earn some money while trying to find a job. I actually found a permanent position by working in a temp agency - and the temp job and the permanent job were in two different fields. I just had to get in the door and show them I was willing to work.

Once you have some stability, start pushing for a job in the industry you want. People hire people who have jobs. It's a sad and frustrating fact when you don't have one.