Dealing with unemployment - anyone else?

[IvonaDestroi]

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 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.

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

I actually have an A, B, C, and D resume... a very fancy one on irradecsent paper with a fancy logo/letterhead and extensive listing of fashion skills (available in 2 colors), a toned down version of that on normal resume paper , a general retail resume, regular paper, with just the basics, and an in-between.


no dice.

In terms of going back, it's just waaaay too expensive... I would totally do that if I could afford it though.

It's really interesting to see how many people I know are dealing with this and how they are handling it. I'm one of 3 people that I know that's borderline homeless right now, and quite a few that have been fired recently...

[madscot13]

I'm not sure if this has been brought up yet, but you can go into forebearance due to economic hardship. It is not the best idea but by using the money you would use to pay off loans towards staying afloat in other areas it will be better for your credit than having overdue credit card bills or being evicted.

[Trek420]

I'm not sure if this has been brought up yet, but you can go into forebearance due to economic hardship. It is not the best idea but by using the money you would use to pay off loans towards staying afloat in other areas it will be better for your credit than having overdue credit card bills or being evicted.

Do everything you can to stay current on bills, stay in your home etc. Do it for the cat do it for you

Employers do a credit search these days you know.

As for the shiny spangly fashion-forward resume, what were your teachers thinking?

Frame it, don't use it. Your resume gets scanned. Stuff like that does not show up or worse.

[Tuckervill]

+1 Pedal Wench. How can you afford to go to Europe and pay your landlord and the electric company?

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Ditch the pink hair. Dress conservatively. Smile. Shake hands. Be friendly. Hide the tattoos. Sure, you want a job in the fashion industry, but there aren't any. There ARE jobs available (there always, always are), but only for the best candidates, and maybe not in the industry you want to be in.

I've been through 3 recessions in my lifetime, two of which I was old enough to be employed. As I've told my 3 children in their mid-20s, now is NOT the time to give up a paying job unless you have another one waiting, and now is NOT the time to be picky about what work you do, and now is not the time to be snooty about your self expression.

If you go back and ask a place why they turned you down and find they don't like pink hair, or thought you weren't serious or whatever, take it to heart and make the change.

You're broke and owe money. Fashion and attitude are luxuries you cannot afford. Check them at the door. Ditch the shiny resume, too.

Karen

[Grog]

Temping agencies?

[IvonaDestroi]

+1 Pedal Wench. How can you afford to go to Europe and pay your landlord and the electric company?

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Ditch the pink hair. Dress conservatively. Smile. Shake hands. Be friendly. Hide the tattoos. Sure, you want a job in the fashion industry, but there aren't any. There ARE jobs available (there always, always are), but only for the best candidates, and maybe not in the industry you want to be in.

I've been through 3 recessions in my lifetime, two of which I was old enough to be employed. As I've told my 3 children in their mid-20s, now is NOT the time to give up a paying job unless you have another one waiting, and now is NOT the time to be picky about what work you do, and now is not the time to be snooty about your self expression.

If you go back and ask a place why they turned you down and find they don't like pink hair, or thought you weren't serious or whatever, take it to heart and make the change.

You're broke and owe money. Fashion and attitude are luxuries you cannot afford. Check them at the door. Ditch the shiny resume, too.

Karen

Ummm... wow. Well Actually Europe would be paid by the deposit I get back from moving out, which is just enough for a ticket. hence the 30 day notice... I've lived in cars and squatted before, I actually don't mind doing it when travelling because it's -very- worth the experience.

I'm really not being picky, at all. Most places I've applied, the hair isn't a big deal, that's kind of a typical type of thing you see out here. Just that one peets might have issues because its right in the financial district, but as the other interviewer said, they don't have any actual rules about it. Well, in any case, the other Peets didn't hire me so I don't see why they would.

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???

Well, you get that same feeling from this side of the tracks...

One of the reasons I moved here was specifically because there was not only an amazing music scene, but also because people are a little less hung up on appearances out here. I'm not saying it's a huge difference then most other places, but it's definately noticable.

And one more thing, the shiny resume was not my idea... I had to make it like that for a portfolio class in school, where they wanted them to be over-the-top. Don't ask me why. But it actually looks really nice, it's not like glitter or anything, just a light luminescence when held up to the light.

[PamNY]

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???

Dye my hair pink to keep my dog? You bet.

Is self-employment an option? Pet sitting, dog walking and house cleaning all pay pretty well once you get a client base. For pet sitting, you might partner with a vet tech to offer services like insulin injections for diabetic cats. All of the above jobs could be combined with something like a bike courier job.

Do they have walking tours in San Francisco? A punk tour guide might have a certain appeal. You'd have to educate yourself on history, etc., but that is doable.

Good luck. I don't envy young people graduating in this economy. On the bright side, you will be able to drive your grandchildren bonkers with the stories about how you suffered.

Pam

[beccaB]

A few thoughts here...

I have known "punk" people, kids mostly, and they have been nicer and more respectful of others than the "normal " kids I work with. I am a school bus driver.

I have a bachelor of music degree, performance unfortunately, otherwise I might actually be working in my field .

I chose the job I have because it was a good one to get to know the school community where my kids attend school and the hours are good for my family's needs. I only earn around $20,000 a year, but it is decent pay for the hours I work, and my husband still has his job.

You should look into that. I don't know of one single school district that isn't desperate for subs. Driving a vehicle that big is a challenge(the learning part) Did not come naturally to me, but I had a good driving record and my instructor was willing to spend time with me.

I don't know if any of this will help. I'm 47, with teenagers and a husband, so obviously at a different stage in life.

Good luck, hope something works out for you.