Dealing with unemployment - anyone else?

[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]

+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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Totally regardless of your principles, it's just a cold hard fact that pink and blue mohawks, tattoos, punk-ish clothes, body piercings, etc....are going to drastically cut your success in job interviews for 'regular type' jobs. Like it or lump it, that's just how it is. You must make your own choices, of course.
I wish you luck, I feel for you.

It may not be quite so easy to get into Europe with a one way ticket and no job or money.

My younger daughter (27) just got her 4 year Masters Degree in metal smithing and jewelry design. She is HUGELY talented, hard working, artistic, and creative. But there just is no work out there in creative art/design for young people in this recession.
But she's a go getter, and not only does she work for us doing sometimes boring technical illustration (which she did for years all through school to pay her way), but when things got more scary after graduation, she applied for and got a bank teller job to make ends meet. She presented a professional image for her interview, underwent a three week training course, and now has a steady job there at the bank that she can actually walk to from her apt. It's a job, it pays bills, and she's really glad to have it right now. She has a corner of her apt set up as a mini jewelry workshop area, she is not giving up on her dream.
Most of us older women here on TE have likely had a LOT of stop-gap jobs during our lives that were not our dream jobs and not even decent jobs, but they were jobs that put food in our mouths during hard times. Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do.
But if you really want to get a stop-gap temporary job, give yourself an image checkup.

[shootingstar]

Don't forget to use the food bank.

No shame in that. I knew a Canadian woman who was an ex-nurse (nurse on cruise ship, intensive care nurse in Swiss hospitals), later trilingual receptionist (German, French and English) for the Canadian embassy overseas for 7 yrs., returned to Canada, did 2 yrs. college to change careers...but was abit in debt. So she went to the food bank for a few months.

I hired her in during one of my former jobs.... she had the formal training (in her career switch/college degree), her 2 non-English languages were used for some minor translation and research work for agency contact internationally, her ex-nurse background was useful for paramedic/emergency care research questions.

If you claim other language fluencies in your resume, in addition to English, make sure you can genuinely be able to speak the language properly to assist clients with accurate translations who are in need of services if you work in a service related /client-facing job. Most people I know are only strong at most, up to 3 languages, with any 4th language and up, as quite secondary and patchy. If they are fortunate for the 3 languages, for all 3 fluencies: speaking, reading and writing. I'm only commenting, depending if you choose to note Polish in your resume.

I omit my Chinese language designation....I cannot assist in accurate, smooth communication...though I have been asked in 2 different jobs I've held.

[redrhodie]

Time to start thinking creatively. You're a designer. What can you make with little money, and sell on the street/fairs/parks? Think cheap, fun, and easy.

Can you silk screen? Can you turn old into new? Use your skills.

[jessica47201]

Well, if I think about it, I sorta sold out. When I was growing up all I wanted to do was have tattoos, dye my hair crazy and rebel against society and be an individual, you know express who I thought I was. I know that's not what you are trying to do, your actually working towards a career, but I've been in the military now for 12 year, I'm 30yrs old and here I am smack dab in the middle of conformity at its greatest, never where I thought I would be. But I know that when I'm out of uniform, I can be who I want to be. I managed to get the tattoos I always wanted, granted I can't dye my hair pink (I always wanted to do that, seriously) but my hair is super short so when I'm out of uniform I spike it up some and sometime use the washout dye. But my husband and I have a house to live in, cars to drive and our 2 cats that are extremely over-weight!!! Granted we don't have any kids, which I hope we start trying soon but, in the end we are happy and healthy and at least one of us has a job!!! Even if I had to sell out alittle!!!

[NbyNW]

A friend of mine told me about this website:

www.teachstreet.com

It looks like a great way to advertise some skills that other people might pay you to teach them. For starters, you could teach people how to hem/alter their own clothes. I realize this isn't necessarily rocket science, but with your training you probably know some tricks of the trade that make the task easier/faster/more polished.

Good luck!

[indigoiis]

Now might be a good time for you to read "What Color is Your Parachute?" - written over 20 years ago, it is still relevant to today.
In fact, the dude who wrote it is having a workshop in SF:
http://www.jobhuntersbible.com/

Start positive: you are LUCKY. You are at the beginning of your journey and keep your mind open. Some of the things you say might come across as sounding defensive (because you perhaps assume you are being judged - perhaps rightly so) but a defensive tone is VERY apparent in interviews.

Start visualizing what you want and then make it happen. Even if you have to flip burgers or wear a smock at a grocery store for awhile, you are the mistress of your own destiny and you need to NETWORK and get yourself out there in order to create your path. If that means going to after-hours social events for your field, to fashion shows (where you can hand out business cards - make some if you haven't already) - alumni events - get your face where people will see it again and again and again. Volunteer at the university where you got your degree as a mentor. Volunteer for a fashion house. Find the time - make the time - to make your career.

A fellow TEer once said to me, as we were watching a bike race and hanging out with my daughter, "she looks like she's going to be a good art school candidate. Have you thought about working at an art school - could help with tuition...?" and right after our conversation, I applied for a job at the art school. It was a bet I was making for the next eight years of my life as my daughter finishes high school and (maybe?) goes to art school. But it was a direction I had to take a leap of faith for because it is something I want for her. Identify what YOU want for YOU and make it happen!