BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.

Subject: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 05:36 PM

I was fired from my job last week. Misfortunes are not new to me. About 3 1/2 years ago I was nearly killed in a car accident. I could not keep up my attendance at work, so I was forced to leave. This happened after working hard -- days, nights, and weekends -- and doing damn good work for 23 years. I was unemployed for 2 1/2 years. During that time, I had some personal tragedies, which I won't talk about here. I was very depressed and very scared. When my money runs out, I have no family or significant other to take care of me. In June of this year, I finally found a job, and I was fired in November, ostensibly because I was once two hours late for work due to a documented medical emergency, but, realistically, because the company is losing the contract I worked on. I was so depressed that I was suicidal.

I am not a regular poster here nor a public personality, and most of you probably don't even know who I am. Nevertheless, I'm asking you for some kind words of compassion and encouragement. Please don't let me down.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 05:42 PM

Sorry to hear your news Pauline. Positive energy and Big Hugs from London. x

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Amos
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 05:53 PM

Pauline:

You can shake it off, suck it up and march ahead in your life. Please do!!

Warm regards,


Amos

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 05:54 PM

I'm sorry that you've had such a troubled time, and I wish you well.

Do be aware however that sending 'positive energy' over the internet is of no use to anyone. (OK, it makes the sender feel good, but that's about it)

If you'd like some more practical help (i.e. something that works) please give some more details of what you want to do, where you are etc. You might be suprised.

Take care, anyway.

Ed

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Marion
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 06:01 PM

Hello Pauline. I'm sorry to hear all that has happened to you. Thoughts and prayers from Toronto as well.

Please look for help if you find yourself having suicidal thoughts again - your doctor, or even a telephone hotline. Depression is dangerous, and getting through it isn't just a matter of solving your financial problems or hanging tough. The support of Mudcatters and your real life friends may not be enough either.

With love, Marion

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: PoppaGator
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 06:10 PM

Wish I could help. I went through a year of unemployment about ten years back, after risking everything to go into business with a partner.

(I know only too well how much misery loves company, so I'll prattle on about my own bad experience and hope it doesn't bore or depress you too badly. In the end, I've come out of the deal relatively OK, and I hope you can find hope in knowing that.)

We had been doing pretty well, but were still paying off startup expenses when our entire industry -- typesetting -- suddenly became obsolete and we eventually had to declare bankruptcy. Not only did I lose my current job, not to mention my business, but I lost my line of work -- *no* more jobs existed doing what I had been doing for 20+ years.

Unlike you, I wasn't alone in the world -- but having a wife and three young children entailed extra responsibility as well as providing support. I was able, at least, to provide some "off the books" help to my wife in her self-employed work, so I wasn't completely idle and unproductive during the long months of joblessness.

I eventually found a fairly lousy job, and spent about two years bouncing from one unsatisfactory job to another before falling into my current almost-OK situation. I'm still not doing as well as 10-15 years ago, but working life is tolerable, and life in general is good.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 06:10 PM

It isn't just a matter of solving your financial problems or hanging tough. The support of Mudcatters and your real life friends may not be enough either.

I'm sorry, Marion, but how could such a negative message help anyone?

No doubt you mean well, but really...

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 06:19 PM

Luck will turn, Pauline. What is important now, is not to allow yourself to slip into a negative mindset and to keep plugging. Also, consider your skills and their applicability to different jobs than the ones you have been used to. You might need some help with that, but the results can often suprise pleasantly.

Keep posting, here and in other threads. Keep contact with us. In the absence of others closer to you, most of us would be happy to act as a "family" of sorts.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: SINSULL
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 06:21 PM

Pauline,
If it is any consolation, I am out of work too and know a few others in the same boat. If money isn't a huge problem, enjoy the time off. If it is, time to sit down and figure out how to get through the next month or two.

I am sorry. Experience (my own) tells me that this is not a bad thing and you will find something better. That doesn't help when money is tight and the holidays are around the corner.

Music always help me battle depression. Play some song or artist you love and relax.

I will PM you.

Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: chris nightbird childs
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 06:22 PM

"GUESTS" don't really know what they're talking about do they. If they did, they wouldn't only be guests...

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Leadfingers
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 06:25 PM

I will go along with El G - It can be surprising what you can find yourself enjoying , when it starts out as a 'Stop Gap' job . In my case , stores work after electronics and a brief sojourn into Pro Music !! Best of luck any way , and keep 'the family' informed .

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Jeri
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 06:29 PM

Marion urged Pauline consider professional help because friends might not be enough. That was an intelligent thing to say, and there wasn't anything negative about it.

I, like Marion, would also suggest that if things got THAT bad, you call the hotline. I hope they don't get that bad.

Listen - I know who you are. You play fiddle and have an occasional uncooperative A-string. You've always made me feel welcome, and I've enjoyed playing music with you. I don't know what to suggest about finding work, but that doesn't sound like the main problem. As long as you have hope and keep trying, there's a possibility of something good happening. It's normal to feel shakey about things right now. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other, and take it day-by-day. It's the best way to get by when things are uncertain. I hope when I see you at next year's Getaway, you tell me how you had a rough time for a little while, but eventually found a great job with great people.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Cluin
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 06:34 PM

One door closes; another opens.

I've always found that to be the case, even if it takes a little while for that new door to crack.

Don't give up, girl. Living well (and happily) IS the best revenge.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: SINSULL
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 06:39 PM

I third Marion's comments. If it all becomes too much, get help. I was forced to by good friends when depression kept me from eating or sleeping for four days. Finally lost some weight but a bit of mind in the process too. You have friends to help you through this, lady. But if suicide is an option, get professional help immediately. Many of us here have been there. PM anyone who has posted here and they will listen.

Like Jeri, I hope and believe this is a temporary rough spot. And next October, this will all be behind you.

SINSULL, in Pollyanna mode.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 06:46 PM

Theres this line in the film The Commitments, 'its much better being an unemployed musician than an unemployed plumber'

I 'm sure that must sound flippant, but its really not intended as such. Its hard to see the good things about your life when problems loom up in such a way but as the poet auden says 'life remains a blessing although you my not bless'. Just because the job hasn't worked out, you are still a lot of good things - maybe a musician is one of them - if not, I'm sure theres something that makes a day seem sweeter for you.

I was compelled into inactivity at various times in my life. My wife was disabled and there was no one else to look after her - so my career went out the window. i did all kinds of stuff. read a lot -libraries are free here in the uk. wrote a play which never got put on, and a novel which never got published - but at least I learned how useless a writer I was. Some people go through life deluding themselves on that score! oh yeh played the guitar - which is what I do now for a sort of living!

A bit like dustin Hoffman says in Tootsie, just cos your unemployed - it doesn't mean you stop working. but work for yourself!

I feel sure that your situation will improve. here on mudcat we're all wishing you all the very best, and our fingers are crossed for the next job interview you go to. keep us posted, and talk to us if it helps a bit.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Hollowfox
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 06:55 PM

Positive energy over the 'net might not work, but knowing that there are a bunch of people who igve a damn does make a difference. (Speaking from experience here.) So, your genuine purebred Midwest @$#%-reduction candle will get fired up tonight when I get home from work (a bit more than an hour), and set right next to Sinsull's.
On a more pragmatic note, stores are hiring for the holidays, if you can go that route. It's a temporary fix, but better than nothing. And temp services have helped me along in times past.
Yes, the tide will turn. Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: SINSULL
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 07:15 PM

I give up. What is a reduction candle? On sale at Pier One? Guaranteed to cause weight loss? Or will any vilely scented (read overscented) bit of wax do?
SINSULL
PS Thank you for burning one for me.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: bbc
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 07:19 PM

Pauline, I sympathize. I started work from a divorce I didn't want, w/ 2 small children to care for. I lost my 1st 3 jobs in 1-2 years each, even though I was trying my best. After the 3rd one, I was unemployed for 2 years, because I was trying to find a job that would support me & my kids in the expensive area where we needed to live, so they could have visitation w/ their dad & stay in their school system. Finally, I got to a job in a school district an hour from my home. It was small, rural, & not nearly as high-paying as some of the jobs I'd had, but they kept me! All in all, between job woes & legal battles w/ my ex, I went through a rocky 10 years or so. Now, life is pretty stable & I feel strong & self-confident. I'm a bit more cynical than I started out, but that may be all to the good. I leaned on God, family, & friends to get me through & none failed me. I wish you well; don't give up!

best from New York,

Barbara

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 07:28 PM

I haven't worked via temp agencies for many years, but sometimes they help keep the wolf from the door. Try them. Not just for office work.

Local driving deliveries jobs are good for women: in the UK they hire women for this rather than men because men have worse crash records. You often need to phone round rather than wait for job ads to appear.

You don't give us much clue what your skills might be. In the UK charities often hire women because they can get away with paying them less.

Join a union and vote - in the UK you would have had probable unfair dismissal and/or redundancy claims.

Claim every benefit you can. Pride is for the rich.

Offer to work part time as a volunteer in pro bono sectors that interest you - a paid vacancy may come along.

I know a number of people who turn regular profits from ebay trading. Find a niche, and concentrate on the content of your sale ads. Some I know use sewing skills to produce clothes and similar items. I know one male transvestite who makes a fortune selling used underwear on ebay, honestly!

If you are a keen gardner, many women would rather hire a female gardner than a male one, but this is a bit the wrong time of year. Similarly painting and decorating, but here you can try to get in on the "do it before xmas" routine.

Above all concentrate on being inventive and opportunistic. You will have to fight: do it intelligently, and good luck. I hope this reads helpfully, and not as "brace up and get on with it" for that is not what I mean.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: akenaton
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 07:43 PM

Pauline I dont usually get involved in personal threads, but I was touched by your post .
You sound a good and sincere person and I hope things take a turn for the better in your life.
Im not a religious man but Iv found that in life the bad things you suffer are often compensated in some way.

Coming through these hardships can give you an inner strength and an understanding of the important things in life.
I sincerely hope that you find strength and happiness in the near future...Ake

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Hollowfox
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 07:54 PM

Sins, I don't have the time to give the whole story right now (library closes in a few minutes), but these are, er, unfortunate candles. they're cracked, warped, etc. The first ones were the color of s#!t. So I figured that burning them would get rid of a bit of ugly in the world. And it seems to work. Marythepyrophile

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: mg
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 07:54 PM

Good luck. It might help if yo gave a general idea of what country, state, general area you are in and what kind of work you have done or are willing and able to do...nothing worse than looking for work...for me anyway. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Janie
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 07:58 PM

Hang in there Pauline! You WILL find another job. Life truly is "one thing after another" and sometimes we get a run of the hard things. I am so very glad you are asking for help and support here, and hope and pray you will seek professional help if you need it. Will hold you in my thoughts and prayers.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Bobert
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 08:08 PM

Sniff...

I'm real sorry, Pauline... Like supreme bummmer, but...

... sounds like yer a purdy danged good worker so that is good news for yer next boss.

Until he finds you, you will be in my thought and prayers (really) so keep us posted. Okay?

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Tinker
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 09:18 PM

Hi Pauline,

Lot's of good stuff here already, but as one of the folks who've actually met you in 3D I want to add a few words along with my cyber-best. I've watched you play and bring out wonderful accents in others songs. Sometimes life goes right over the top for alot of us, and just getting through a list of must do's seems way too much, but then the sun comes back out. Especially this time of year as the days get longer make sure you're getting some sun everyday. And music for your soul. And we'll be here too...keep talking

Blessings and Light

Tinker

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: CarolC
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 09:25 PM

Well, I know that kind words of compassion and encouragement over the internet do indeed help, having been on the receiving end of some of them, and having benefited greatly from them.

So I send you those I have to give. I'm very sorry you are and have been experiencing such a difficult time these last few years. I hope that things will begin to improve for you immediately, and that you will never hesitate to reach out to others for help and/or moral support when you need it. Many of us know how it feels to be in your situation, so you're not as alone as you might think. Hang in there... things do eventually turn around.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: dwditty
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 10:14 PM

Pauline,

Guest,Ed is all wrong. Positive energy can very well be sent over the internet. I bet if you asked Catspaw he would confirm it, as well as many others here. The energy comes in different ways...from some it is prayer, others it is advice, still others send light...whatever it is, it cannot hurt to know that a large group of people spread all over the place have paused for a moment to wish you well. Don't take that lightly. In fact, breath in deeply. Inhale it. Use it as a spark to create positive thoughts. As much grousing as takes place here, I have found that even some of the crustiest of us really do care. So here are thoughts from me.

Of course, Mose Allison said it well when he sang, "I Don't Worry 'Bout a Thing, 'Cause I Know Nothin's Gonna Be Alright" but that is for a different thread.

dw

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Metchosin
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 10:47 PM

Pauline, I've never been particularly good coming up with ideas or words of advice to help people when they are going through tough and painful times in life, but I am a good listener and I know for me, sometimes just having someone listen helps.   

Unfortunately on the internet you can't tell that anyone out there is listening unless they type something, so I did. As Tinker said, "Keep talking".

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: dianavan
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 10:53 PM

Pauline - I know this is a tough time for you but remember that all things pass in time.

Take this opportunity to discover what it is you want to do. I mean it. Get creative. So many people are stuck in their jobs they never have the chance to explore other possibilities. This is also a good time to 'make family'. I'm not kidding. Cultivate those friendships. The more people you know, the better the chance of landing a job.

I know how hard it can be but it will not last. By this time next year, you will be feeling fine. The only truth is that things change.

d

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: hesperis
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 11:00 PM

Those suicide hotlines suck!!! Still, it is sometimes helpful to be able to talk to a real live human being who's trying to care about you. Assuming you can reach a live human being when you call... *rollseyes*

Anyway. I've been homeless for the past three years and was on welfare for most of my life. If not for the help of some people (some of them mudcatters) I would be too sick even to work at home.

Welfare now has programs available to those who want to start their own businesses as a way of getting off it... the info isn't readily available but the programs do exist. The programs are designed in such as way that it's almost impossible to succeed on them, but they can help.

Use the government as much as you can to get by. Seriously.

I'm married now and it'll still be a long while before both of us are out of the woods as he has some health conditions that make working difficult as well... but we're hanging on and it is slowly getting better.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: JennieG
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 02:03 AM

In December 2000 I left a secure job because I was the victim of bullying by my boss, and I couldn't see it getting any better. I wasn't sure I would get another job (because of my age, and because my experience is in a particular field) but since then have had 3 - all found because in each case a friend had contacted me and said "we need someone where I work, are you interested?" I have been in my current job since April 2002 and plan to stay for a long time yet.
Let as many people as you can in your area - friends - contacts - know you are available. I don't know if the informal networking works where you are, but I have heard that only a very small percentage of jobs are ever advertised, the rest are filled by networking and word-of-mouth.
Meantime don't be hard on yourself!

Cheers and hugs
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Ellenpoly
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 02:08 AM

Well you obviously knew to come to the right place, Pauline!

There are lots of us at MC who have tales of woe, and I agree that the ability to share them, and ask for a little positive energy to come your way is a good start.

But I also agree that you need to watch yourself carefully and not fall into a depression. This is imperative for you to be able to move forward.

So please take the advice of everyone here, and help yourself first in whatever why you can, then find those who are in a position to be of support and service.

Mostly, remember that all things change. It's both a blessing and a curse, but in the end, it can be very comforting to know.

Best Wishes to you...xx..e

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Gurney
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 02:38 AM

Pauline, sympathy from me because it has happened to me, one too many times.
I'm a bloke, so along with the sympathy, I'll offer you my fix.

The last time, seven years ago, I started my own business. This was a worrying punt, as I had absolutely no business experience, but it has fed my family for those seven years. I've always been a handyman, and now I'm a professional handyman, with more work than I need.

I wouldn't recommend my line unless you have experience, but there are opportunities everywhere if you have a talent.
You could swallow your pride and 'phone previous employers asking about temp. work.
Interior painting and decorating, including rag-rolling. Wallpaper-stripping, all you need is a steamer and a short ladder. Gardening, particularly weeding. Domestic cleaning, babysitting, clothing alterations. All these are jobs that don't require great strength or investment, and here at least are in demand. Maybe others can offer more ideas.   Best wishes.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,SueB
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 03:03 AM

Oh, hell. I've been there. Do your best to work the system - there's all kinds of money and assistance out there, but you have to grub for it - you have to ask the right question of the right person at the right time, so ask a lot of questions. If you go somewhere determined to get help, don't take no for an answer - don't leave without SOMETHING to show for it, even if it's not what you came for, even if it's just information or a referral or somebody else to talk to who might know of something that can help you. Somebody above mentioned temp jobs - temp jobs are great, and I've gotten at least three fulltime permanent jobs by starting as a temp. Just be as professional as possible, and don't let the temp agency send you on too many envelope stuffing jobs, because those are always deadend. Also, sign up with more than one agency. Some agencies have training centers where you can work through tutorials for computer programs you're not familiar with, too. School systems are always looking for subs, too, if you can stand the kids.

My heart goes out to you, and what Cluin said is absolutely true.
--Suzanne

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: open mike
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 03:26 AM

a while back i was experiencing many many changes in mylife..
parents dying, seperation and divorce from hubby of 25 years,
children leaving home, and to top it all off, just lately my dog died.
sounds like some sort of twisted country song...
but some how, just somehow, if you can find it in you to see
the problems as opportunities....chances to change, see things different
and go in new directions (like was said earlier...a door opens when one
closes) The best help i found when i was floundering around with all the losses was a book by pema Chodron, a buddhist monk or "nun" called
"When things fall apart" "Heart Advice for difficult times" and if you
want to p.m. me with you raddress i will send you a tape of her reading it. with hopes that it will help in some small way. Laurel
i hope you have a tape recorder/player...

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 04:02 AM

From what someone else says - you are a performer.

What I didn't realise for many years is that this marks you out over a lot of people and means you have a lot more bottle than most and probably skills.

One job I really loved was being an instore Santa Claus. Its like being a star. You walk through the store with all your gear on and you outshine evrybody.

the nice thing is, unlike Elton John, who is stuck with being a star. You can take all the gear off, the beard and everything and go back to being you. It really weird walking through the store and nobody looking at you. Ten minutes before you were a cynosure.

If you get the buzz from audiences, unlike most people who just get attack of the willies, there tons of career opportunities. You don't have to be out of work. Took me AGES to realise that.

Right now, I do a gig for old peoples homes. You have to think carefully what they want. Its not doing maybe what you dreamed of when you first played guitar - but its using talent to give people what they want. the trouble is with your situation I guess blind panic sets in - why wouldn't it.

But trust me, if you're a player theres ALWAYS stuff out there.

Thinking of you and wishing you all the best.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,Mingulay
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 05:59 AM

Just a note for Chris Nightbird, sorry you feel the way you do about guests, but some of us can only access the net from work and so (at the moment) have to remain as guests. As soon as I can find a reliable and (very) cheap PC for home I shall join immediately. From posts you have made in the past I am surprised at you.

That apart, I know just how Pauline feels. Been there, done that, left wearing nothing but the T shirt. Sort of OK now, but at times it is a very narrow path to tread.

Love to all

Pete

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: fat B****rd
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 06:05 AM

All the positve and loving words already sent and all the best from Charlie (fB)

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Bassic
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 06:07 AM

There is enough negative energy around in the world as it is........especially in your world at the moment Pauline, because of your circumstances.
That negative energy cancels out the positive energy that we all need to be sucessful. It eats up the "get up and go", the "roll your sleves up and get on with it", the creative energy. That creative energy is what we use when we are being sucessfull and feeling fulfilled. We all have varying levels of creative energy and the draws on that energy are different for us all depending on our circumstances.
In simple terms.......we get depressed when the negatives start to outway the positives. Because of your current circumstances the negatives are outwaying the positives at the moment and the feeling of depression that comes with an excess of negatives is a completely normal reaction to have, so dont think there is anything "wrong" with you. As the positives start to return, the mood will lift.

Where do we get those positives from? For some it will be from their loved ones, for others it will be from their skills and tallents, for others it will be from very deep within themselfs because of their faith, or because they have an exceptional personality, or have been lucky in their upbringing. For you at the moment, some of it is coming from here in Mudcat.
Take the possitive good thoughts here and use them to find more......do some "feel good" stuff, take the flickering of a smile that comes from the good words here, share it with someone, the bus driver, the check out girl at the store, turn it into a grin, because they will probably give you a grin in return. Thats how the positive energy that you need gets built. Work, good luck, success will return as the smile does, it just seems to work like that!

I am having to do exactly the same myself at the moment, life has just thrown me a couple of "curved balls" and so I am topping up the positive energy wherever I can at the moment. Its happened to me before and I am sure it will happen again at sometime in the future, life is like that these days, we just cant "control" everything. However, the "scared" feeling isnt there this time, because I know from the last time it happened, that it is possible to get through it and come out the other side.
I also know that the best thing I can do to help myself is to feed my positive energy as much as possible, thats what makes me employable again, makes people want to be around me, makes me successful again. Gives me back my energy for life.

So, dont put all your energy into trying to get a depressed person a job......that is never easy! Use some of your energy on you, on putting that smile back, and you have already started on that road by coming here. You have dicovered one of the secrets of the mudcat family......it actualy works! Why do you think we have so many misserable folks posting here? (I mean the ones that make being miserable an art form!) They keep coming back time after time! Its because they know they will always find a smile here somewhere!!! :-)

Best wishes from Hull (un-misserable capital of the mudcat world ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Jeanie
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 06:25 AM

Wishing you well, Pauline. To all the good things people have said here, I would add that it's important to take some kind of positive action *every single day* in seeking out new work opportunities. I know, for myself, that that alone makes me feel better and helps to stop me fearing the unknowns ahead. I do "a little bit of this and a little bit of that": different jobs cobbled together in varying combinations, which has kept the wolf from the door for many years since I've been on my own with my daughter. Now, my current major source of income suddenly appears to be drying up, and if I don't do something about it, I'll soon be in deep water. It's a case of keeping eyes and ears open and recognizing opportunities. From past experience, great opportunities often come in small and totally unexpected packages.   

I agree with what people have said here: for something new to come in, space has to be made for it. Life has a way of creating those spaces, whether we want them or not ! Living in that space, until it is filled by the "something new" is inevitably a scary time, but made less so, hopefully, by trying to see it as a necessary part of the process.

Hoping you recognize new, good opportunties every day,

With Love,
- jeanie

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 06:45 AM

Sorry to hear about your job loss, i hope something decent turns up.
As someone already said try the agencies,also In big shops, Argos etc they are taking temporary staff on for xmas, even if you only get a tempoary job, it will pay a few bills, and give you something to put on your CV.
If you play an instrument, have a go at busking, you might make a few pounds/dollars etc.

good luck.

john

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Dipsodeb
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 08:45 AM

Oh Pauline I'm sorry to hear of your situation. I know just how you feel we are going through the same crap at the moment but the idea about the agency work may well turn out to be a good bet.
My hubby started work with an agency today. He registered 2 days ago and they rang this morning and have sent him off on a job already, god knows to where he didn't even know what he was going to be doing it was all abit vague and very surreal BUT!! it was a quick result and we know that some moneys coming in the door and foods going on the table and the dreaded direct debits will get paid.
Keep your chin up and take note of all this wonderful advice I will be. (((Big Hugs)))

~Debs~

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Dewey
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 08:52 AM

Pauline,

Lincoln said:

"People are about as happy as they've made up their minds to be"

Yet Lincoln's life was one tragedy after the other: deaths of loved ones, failed businesses, a decade or more of bankruptcy, depression and a never breakdown etc. He LITERALLY failed at everything he did.

But through all his turmoil, crisis and self-deprivation he went on to become the most Successful and important Presidents in U.S. history, and a giant of a leader.

The facts are, that despite his nervous breakdown and tragic life in general. he gained complete control over his mind.

Your difficulties will not go away, No one's every do. They may in fact get worse, Lincoln's certainly did for the majority of his life.

The things that separates you from you difficulties, and you ability to manage them, (or at least cope with them) is in fact YOU.

You may not choose to manage them right now, that too is YOUR choice, and is not necessarily bad or unhealthly, we all have different levels or tolerances toward the tasks we are trying to do, and the difficulties we are trying to surmount.

If I were in your situation (and based on your personal comments) I would be more concerned with controlling my happiness and well being, rather than worry about whether I was suceeding or failing at this or that, or whether someone approved or dis-approved of me or my performance.

You are you own person, in charge of your OWN happiness, you cannot rely on others to make you happy. You cannot even depend upon you employer to keep you on, should he/she see to it necessary in his/her right to replace you, (maybe it was for his/her betterment as well as your own) this too is a matter of attitude and choice, the boss's as well as yours. (i.e. the way you internalize your self talk)

Every hardship in life has a seed of an equivalent benefit. Any multi-millionaire worth his salt will tell you this absolutely true.

If your attitude is positive (and you are a happy person) you will see the benefit in the experience, which usually is ten times more perfecting than the so called difficulty you were worried about (that you saw in the problem)

I am unemployed too, just as you and for the same length of time. This is more common than you realize today! I am very poor as well.

BUT I AM HAPPY AND HAVE PERFECT PEACE OF MIND, I LEFT A BAD ENVIRONMENT BEHIND AND DECIDED I WOULD NEVER BE UNHAPPY AGAIN, DESPITE POVERTY, AND I AM STILL VERY VERY POOR! MY CIRCUMSTANCES STILL AREN'T THE GREATEST, YET I HAVEN'T HAD A BAD AND UN-HAPPY DAY SINCE LOSING MY JOB. I WILL NOT ALWAYS BE POOR, BECAUSE MY MIND IS DESTINE TO GIVE ME A BETTER LIFE SOMEDAY, I AM IN CONTROL OF MIND WHICH IS ALL THERE IS TO THE MATERIAL WORLD AROUND US, THOUGHTS ARE THINGS GOOD OR BAD!

I WOULD MAKE MY OWN ENVIRONMENT AND MY OWN HAPPINESS. DESPITE THE OBSTACLES.

3 years ago I had a decent job and bought an old trailor to start out in life in.

I thought I had it made, I worked hard, paid cash for it, Then decided since I didn't have an issue with money I would tear it up and re-model it from scratch (i.e. building materials at the time were not an issue for me)

Then like you I lost my Job, I couldn't afford to buy the materials, and I had foolishly torn the heck out of it. Destroying any of its potential value. People thought I was crazy. Looking back, I guess I was. But I did have a slow recovery and a good attitude through the re-building process.

Anyway my point is two of the worst possible things had now happened to me, both of which are now working to my benefit.

1. After tearing the place up and not having any skills to put it back together, the best sheetrocker/carpenter in the entire town, helped me put it back together at a very low cost, he even found throw away materials I needed to do the job, most were free, He only charged me for the labor which was VERY reasonable. By tearing the place up, I discovered something very destressing: water damage to the studs, I was told in a couple of years the trailor would have been condemned. This gentleman fixed that up as well, not only saving my home, from the utter destruction that I might not have even noticed, but increasing the bank value of my home in the process, AND THIS IS THE GOOD THAT CAME OUT OF THE WORST POSSIBLE SITUATION IMAGINABLE, A POSTIVE SEED OF AN EQUAVALENT BENEFIT.

2. I have been un-employed for 3 years, and the jobs in my town are impossible to sustain any form of income. THE ADAVANTAGE HERE IS THAT I HAVE HAD A LOT OF TIME TO PONDER MY SITUATION, This time is perfectly necessary and had literally forced me into finding and going in a new direction. i.e. a home-based business. And I could never have found such a business I had been working solely at my dead-end job of before. EVERYTHING HAS A PURPOSE, A NEGATIVE ONE IF WE SEE IT THAT WAY OR A POSITIVE ONE IF WE CHOOSE TO BE RESOURCEFUL AND SOLVE THE PROBLEM THAT IS IN FRONT OF US.

***I would have NEVER gotten the help on my trailor if I hadn't been un-employed, and been a hardship case. Also I wouldn't have done as well of a job had I been over-welmed with the problem and had gone it alone.

The person that was sent into my life to solve my problem was sent there because my mind was concnetrated on the things I wanted and the persons I needed to get them, not solely on the "problem" itself.

There IS such a thing as MAGIC and it will not work in a negaitve mind.

I firmly believe, that my un-employment will someday be solved, I've tried a few businesses so far, But I really didn't fail as much as I produced I result, or made a distinction to lead me forward to something feasible.

--Keep You Mind on the Things You Want, and OFF of the things you don't!
--Use your imagination and the friendly cooperation of others to get the magic going in your life that you need to move forward.
--Don't Depend on Others, or circumstances to make you happy. Just Decide to be happy instead, And learn what there is good in bad circumstances, usually they are PRICELESS OPPORTUNITIES to move forward.

You are are responsible for your own happiness,
Not you Boss!
Not this Message Board!

Live your life!
Be your own Person!
AND Be happy and positive despite life's obstacles.


Dewey

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: MMario
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 09:17 AM

Pauline - while I can't claim to know you well - I have met you. As a matter of fact - one of the "moments" for me at this year's Getaway was having you come up and greet me and swap a few words. I've seen you play - I've watched you at various workshops and performances - and I'm wishing for you that glow I've seen you get when you sink into the music.

Intellectually I'm sure you know that if the company was losing the contract it has no bearing on you or your work...hopefully you will know that in your heart as well, if not now then soon.

See you in October!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Maryrrf
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 09:21 AM

Been there, done that. It can be very depressing. But in my case just when things looked very bleak a job came through - not the greatest job but the pay is decent and I'm getting back on my feet financially. You will get through this. It's hard to say "enjoy the time off" because you're worried and what money you've got you're afraid to spend - so that limits your activities). Gird yourself up and start looking for another job. You will find something. Meanwhile - know that you aren't alone - lots of us have been in your situation and have come out of it. That's why you're getting such a response to your post. Sending positive thoughts, for what it's worth!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Dewey
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 09:43 AM

The following are some great books to develope your Positive Mental Attitude and Problem Solving abilities.

1. Norman Vincent Peale, "The POWER of Positive Thinking"

(Great Book which will show you how to get rid of those knots in your stomach and replace them with peace of mind)

2. Napolean Hill, "THINK and Grow Rich"

(Thoughts are THINGS when mixed with definiteness of purpose and a burning desire to succeed. i.e. your state of mind (organized positive thought suggestion in a spirit of expectancy) triggering your positive pyschic 6th sense which will guide you effortlesslhy toward your goal and the others sympahtetic to your goal. Thoughts begin with your STATE OF MIND. THIS IS A PROFOUND BOOK SECOND ONLY TO THE BIBLE WHEN PROPERLY UNDERSTOOD, THOUGH FEW ACTUAL UNDERSTAND ITS MAGIC AND WISDOM AND SEE IT ONLY AS A PUMP UP BOOK. TOO BAD BECAUSE IT IS USED AND ENDORSED BY BILLIONAIRES AND U.S. PRESIDENT'S WHO IMPLEMENT ITS SECRET FORMULA DAILY!!! (A TRULY LIFE CHANGING BOOK, NOT JUST A BEST SELLER PUMP UP!)

3. Maxwell Maltz, Psycho-cybernetics.

(People cannot change until they change the way they view themselves and heal the emotional scares within them.)

4. Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends And Influence People
(A profound book about Leadership and Spiritual maturity when dealing with others in your home, community and business. Teaches the discipline of showing appreciation, discernment and understanding to those we serve and those who serve us as well, and the value we can place in lasting and enduring friendships.)

These are ALL life changing books that will effect everything from you home and environment and yourself in a most positive way if read with serious conviction and desire to apply them.

Dewey

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 11:11 AM

I'm one of those currently without income and scrambling for another job, but Curmudgeon is currently employed (geez, wouldn't it be nice if we could be employed at the same time?!?) plus he just (as of last week) started collected Social Insecurity. But I've been un- and underemployed when I've been alone, too, (or worse yet, married to my alcoholic ex-husband).

You've applied for unemployment benefits? If they turn you down because you were fired "for cause," fight it. Present your case logically and you'll win.

Like Richard says, "Claim every benefit you can. Pride is for the rich." Do what you have to to keep body and soul together. It IS worth putting up with the bureaucracy and filling out steaming piles of paperwork.

Keep your spirits up!!! Do positive things! Map out your job search. I know it's a heck of a lot more tiring and time-consuming to be looking for work than actually having a job, but ya gotta do it and you've got to do it every day. Find time to learn some new skills, too, if you can. Take advantage of having a, uh, "flexible" schedule. Don't forget to keep in touch with friends. And let them buy you lunch or feed you and tell you about jobs. Let EVERYONE know you're looking.

I got laid off from my comfortable 10-year job four years ago when the economy started going to hell in a handbasket. I'm a graphic designer/digital pre-press production person, etcet etcet and my former employer felt so bad about laying me off they gave me a couple freelance clients on a platter. So I had to buy a new computer (etcet etcet) and set myself up freelance. I also got a part-time job in the industry before they dried up. In the past 4 years I've been putting together a package of part-time (not necessarily in my field or paying what I get when I'm working in my field), freelance (don't forget you have to pay self-employment taxes on this), and temp jobs either through an agency (which specializes in creative jobs, graphics & editorial) or independently hired.

Things work out for the best. Really. I was majorly disappointed in not getting an editorial gig in February with a local publisher (PLUS my major freelance client brought everything in-house). But Tom landed in the hospital in April for major heart surgery and I wouldn't have been able to hold that job and do all the stuff I had to do because he was in the hospital and because we had NO income (other than my $58 week from unemployment), no savings and no insurance. (Talk about steaming piles of paperwork.)

Shortly after Tom could drive again, etc. I got a wonderful temp job. I think both the employer and I fantasized about it becoming permanent, but after the woman I filled in for came back to work and their seasonal rush was over (after 15 weeks instead of the 6-8 they said originally), they didn't have the work to justify keeping me on. However, now they know me and like me and I can fit in seamlessly whenever they need me again.

But now I'm out of work, collected the last two payments on my last unemployment claim (from the part-time job that fired all the part-timers just before Christmas last year) and can't file again until after the first of the year. We're still getting food assistance from the local food pantry, thank goodness. There's a whole bunch of programs we're ineligible for simply because we own a house. (Despite the fact it's falling down around our ears and costs us less in mortgage/taxes/insurance than anything we could rent.)

I know it's hard to "enjoy" having the free time when you're scrambling for enough to pay the rent/phone/electric and food bills. The hardest thing I ever had to learn is not to "worry" about money -- I get "concerned" but not worried. When you need it, it comes. But if you use your time in a constructive, creative, positive way, you're a lot less likely to succumb to depression or feelings of hopelessness. Don't cut yourself off from friends.

I'm full of advice -- now I need to stop reading Mudcat and check my on-line job sources, send out a few resumes, let a few more people on the list know I'm looking again, etc. And cross some more stuff off my DAILY To-Do list (which I make up first thing in the morning, even when I'm working.)

Hope this helps.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: grumpy al
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 02:03 PM

Hi Pauline,
I was out of work for four years, a while back, I thoroughly enjoyed it! Sure money was very tight but there are always cash in hand jobs about. I know the system has tightened up now but I believe you can still go on training courses and get extra money on the job seekers allowance. So why not have some fun, learn somthing new, maybe, but try and think of a way to turn this bit of bad luck to your advantage.

Good luck and very best wishes
Grumpy

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 02:33 PM

Thank you all so, so much for your responses. I've found a lot of caring and wisdom here, so much, in fact, that I need time to digest it all. I intend to PM some of you in the near future, but right now I'm overwhelmed with the work of looking for a job and pulling myself together, and I have to pace myself.

As I see things, I can divide my problems into two big categories: finding a job and healing my spirit. Of course, the latter is the more difficult.

There is something I do that fits in both categories: teaching violin. I love it! I get so much positive energy from my students. I love helping people and making them happy through music. I develop some good friendships with my students, and, in the case of the kids, with their families. Besides all this, I get paid. MMario, earlier in this thread, mentioned the glow I get from music. I get it through teaching music, too.

Re job hunting: Teaching violin is my substitute for temping, being a salesgirl at Christmas, and doing other odd jobs. For a day job, I'm a scientist (Ph.D. in biochemistry, many years of experience in toxicology, regulations, writing, etc.). I live in a Maryland suburb of D.C. While I'm looking for a "real job," I want to teach more and to get some experience freelancing in scientific/medical/technical writing and editing. If anyone can help me with leads on freelance writng, I'd appreciate it greatly. I have some chronic, intermittent health problems (asthma, migraines, etc.), so it is hard for me to keep to a rigid job shcedule, and working at home is attractive. Of course, I like being my own boss and doing things the way I like, too.

I don't have a car and I need to get one. Any leads? How about advice on buying a used car?

Healing my spirit is so difficult and so important. I agree completely with the people who have written to say that happiness is really in my own head; that I need to think positive; and that I need to increase the positive energy inside me. Those who have written to me on this thread are helping tremendously with the positive energy. Thank you, thank you.

I have gotten past the acute phase of my depression and now I'm in the hard work and struggle phase. I know that I will need to face disappointment, depression, anger, and loneliness on the road ahead of me, particularly in the (damn) holiday season. Please continue to write to me, if only now and then. I can't tell you what a big help you are.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: grumpy al
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 02:39 PM

Hi again Pauline,
Please re read what you have just written, several times if necessary, as you seem to have have just given yourself the answers to your dilema.

luv an stuff
the grumps

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: open mike
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 03:01 PM

since yu are able to achieve Phd,
that is a sign that you can meet
a challenge and excell!!

Perhaps you could gain some insight
into your skills and posible empllyment
by simply making a list of your abilites,
affinities, etc.

both music and biochemistry !
you must have a good balance
between your right brain and left.

luck and skill will combine to
your benefit. so take a deep breath
and know that it will all work out!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: jacqui.c
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 07:39 PM

Hi Pauline

I enjoyed talking to you at the Getaway and look forward to seeing you again next year, hopefully having got past the present problems.

I can't really add anything more to what has already been said. I know that the caring of Mudcatters can make a difference in difficult situations, as Kendall and I have been the recipients of that caring in the past.

Trying to maintain a positive attitude can be difficult and is all a matter of one day at a time. Some days will be worse than others and it's just a matter then of recognising and accepting that this happens but that tomorrow will be a better day. You have some real positives going for you - your music and your obvious intelligence, and they will stand you in good stead through this time. You also have the support of a large 'family' some of whom you haven't met but who still care for their fellow Mudcatters.

I'll keep watching the thread and sending good thoughts your way.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: kendall
Date: 19 Nov 04 - 08:42 AM

I know who you are, and you might be surprised to find out how many of us know you.
The matter of losing your job; if you are sure that they let you go on some pretense that makes it look like your own fault, contact the National Labor Relations Board.
In the matter of a car; check the classified ads in your newspaper. When you find something interesting, go to your computer and bring up www.Kelley Blue Book.com and find out what it is really worth. Then go look at it. If you like it, go into the computer again and bring up www.Carfax.com. Enter the V.I.N. This will tell you if it has a history of flood or collision damage. Then hire a mechanic to road test it. These two will cost you a few bucks, but buying a lemon will cost you many more bucks, and you will be stuck with it.

Good luck to you, and remember, you are not alone.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Nov 04 - 09:42 AM

buy a used car from someone you know...that way you'll be somewhat familiar with it, and if they value your friendship, they won't rip you off too badly.....

I've had good luck (with emphasis on the word luck) with buying a van off ebay. Trick here is ask lots of questions...get a vibe from the seller. Call him/her on the phone and talk talk talk. I got a van for about $2400 whose bluebook value, according to my county clerk's office, was about $7100....the county clerk didn't like that too much and made me jump through all kinds of hoops to title it in my state, because they were losing a fair amount of sales tax they could charge me (bastards, screw them)....I got the van so cheap because the guy was moving across the country and needed cold hard cash (and I was the highest bidder, of course). I drove it back 600 miles no problem. I have driven it lots since I got it home and knock wood I haven't found anything wrong with it yet.

Sometimes you can do well at auctions also. You sort of have to know what to look for though. The ones I've been to, they don't let you drive the vehicle, but if the key is in it you can start it up, put it in gear, move forward and back a few feet, etc.

Check the oil and coolant before starting up. If the oil has white filmy stuff in it, coolant is leaking into the oil galleries, and that's not a good thing. It means the motor needs major work. Check to see if the oil looks clean. Of course, the seller could've just changed it before he put it in the auction, but if it's dirty (black) it implies some negative things about the seller, like he probably doesn't take very good care of his vehicles. Look underneath and look on the ground to see if anything is leaking out.

Check coolant and see if it looks clean (lime green). If it's rusty looking, it's dirty and hasn't been changed in a while. That can mean the coolant system is corroded as well.

Turn the key to "On" without starting. Check if the idiot lights all come on (oil, battery, check engine, temp, etc). If not, it could mean that some of them were disconnected to conceal a problem.

Start car and check the exhaust for blue smoke. If so, that means car is burning oil, not good. Hold brake and put car in gear, check to see if transmission shifts smoothly or "clunks" into gear. If it clunks, drive train could need work in the neighborhood of a few hundred dollars.

Once car is running you can check to see if A/C, heater, radio, etc works.

Auctions I've been to, once you've won the bid on a car, you have about one hour to drive it around, check everything out, and if you find something majorly wrong, you can bring it to the attention of the auction manager to seek some sort of "redress of grievances." I've never had to do this so I can't comment positively or negatively on this (sometimes the engine and drivetrain will have some kind of limited warranty - 30 days perhaps - that will be included as part of the sale).

My ex bought a SUV this way. She got it for about $2k less than what it "booked" for. We drove it and I noticed a "bumping" noise. I'm thinking the rear end/axle is bad, and I go back to the auction manager and tell him about it. He drives it and says it's a defective tire, sorry...no refund or rebate or anything. Oh well, I can live with that. That was about 5 years ago. She's still driving it. (new tires fixed the problem)......

This is just a smattering of things to check for. Hope it helps. Best of luck to you.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 03:26 PM

I've been rereading this thread and loving it. While it's true that my happiness has to start within me, it also helps to get positive energy from friends on and off the Internet.

I've always had trouble with self esteem and it's very, very hard to have faith in myself. Open Mike wrote on this thread that my Ph.D. says something good about me. At first I dismissed this as nonsense, because intelligence really doesn't have anything to do with hard luck. Then I remembered why I'm proud that I finished graduate school. It was my attitude. I felt weak and incompetent, but I hung tough and kept persevering, in spite of the voices inside my head and coming from my own graduate advisor's mouth telling me that I couldn't do it. Eleven people started grad school in my department at the time I did, but only five made it through to their doctorate. Incidentally, 4 of the 5 were women. Some of the people who dropped out were very intelligent and hard workers, but they didn't have the thick skin or determination or whatever it takes to hang on. We all know that a song can save your mortal soul. All through grad school, my divorce, and other difficult experiences, I've reminded myself , "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize." It helps.

Through my long (2 1/2 years) unemployment, I lost faith and hope. This time, I will try hard to keep these things alive inside me. It won't be easy. There will be setbacks and disappointments, but I will try. It will help me to get some more positive energy and good advice from the Mudcat community.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,jacqui.c
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 04:45 PM

Pauline - you made a good start by reaching out to other Mudcatters. I've been thinking about you and hoping that things get turned around and it sounds as if you are starting to do just that.

This may seem rather trite but sometimes it can be just a case of looking for the doughnut, rather than seeing the hole.

Please keep us informed on how things are going.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Nancy King
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 05:06 PM

Pauline, you're sounding much better already. Keep it up!

Good luck!

Nancy

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 03:12 PM

Oh, boy! I know I shouldn't get excited yet, but I just got a call for a job interview. It's with a company I've applied to numerous times and even interviewed with once. I'm not sure, but I think that two of the people I'm going to interview with are people I've interviewed with before. My interview is scheduled for Wed., Dec. 1. I'd really like to get this job. Wish me luck!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 03:33 PM

Just another gig, they're lucky to have a PhD with an onstage presence....

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Janie
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 03:34 PM

There you go, girl! Sounds like you really know that keeping a positive frame of mind is not only necessary---but also requires work! And, clearly, you know how to work.

When you really get into a spiral of worry, remember, the only function of worry is to make you feel bad.

None of us can always be or feel "strong", and that is when we lean on friends, in the flesh and in virtual reality.

If you find yourself dwelling on the past or worrying excessively about the future, STOP. IMMEDIATELY. Distract yourself with some positive activity. Go help someone else who needs it (like a beginning violin player;^) Go busk on the streetcorner and watch how people appreciate your art. Meditate. Eat some ice cream. Go to Starbucks and have a latte and read National Geographic (Or National Lampoon!) Wear that wonderful hat and cloak.

Above all, APPRECIATE AND VALUE YOURSELF.

I too will keep sending good energy and prayers.

Janie

I don't know how good mass transit is in the DC area if you really need to get around, but is it possible to forego a car and its expenses at present?

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: MMario
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 03:36 PM

What's that saying about doors that close and doors that open?

Best of Luck!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Juan P-B
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 04:00 PM

Go for it Pauline babe!

Mrs P-B is a life-long adherent to the 'one door closes another one opens' school of thought and it took me 18 years to agree.

If your new boss (to be) has any sense he will see what a gem he has in you.

After all! He's called you back after maybe realising that the person he chose over you last time was the wrong choice - The others being interviewed are, of course, also in the running so...

Best foot forward, be positive, SMILE, but most of all, relax and tell him what a diamond you are!

Good luck
Juan P-B

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Jeanie
Date: 23 Nov 04 - 05:17 AM

That's great, Pauline ! May this be the turning point to your finding many new openings and fresh opportunities in all parts of your life. I couldn't agree more about the "doors and windows" thing. Like I said when you posted last week, for something new to come in, a gap first has to be made for it, and life has a way of creating those gaps, often (or always ?) at times when we least want or expect them. That's the way it always seems to happen to me, anyway. Hard to see it in the heat of the moment, but it is a good and positive thing. Gaps like to be welcomed by positive action, as you have seen !

My own sudden gap in translating work - my current main income source - led me last week to apply for a couple of drama jobs I wouldn't have become aware of if I'd been up to my eyes in the Deutsch as usual. (I do patchwork of freelance jobs). Strangely, this morning, some more translating has come in, plus the drama people have asked to see me this week. My feeling is that Someone Somewhere opens and closes the doors, and the Someone Somewhere is totally good. It is up to us whether we see or go through the new doors or not.

All good wishes to you Pauline, and to Bassic and everyone else on the thread who has found themselves in an unexpected gap at the moment.

- jeanie

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: jacqui.c
Date: 23 Nov 04 - 07:15 AM

Best of luck with the job interview Pauline. We'll be thinking of you on the day.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Dipsodeb
Date: 24 Nov 04 - 07:40 AM

Good luck Pauline We will be thinking of you and sending out positive thoughts. What times the interview?

~Debs~xx

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Carly
Date: 24 Nov 04 - 01:25 PM

I just got home and found this thread. I am impressed again at the support, and good advice, to be found here in mudcat. Pauline, we'll be cheering you on; call me if you need a friendly ear.

With love,
Carly Gewirz

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: SINSULL
Date: 25 Nov 04 - 12:54 PM

Keeping this one alive at least until after the interview.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 25 Nov 04 - 02:21 PM

Thanks, Sinsull. I need a lot of positive energy from the group.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: jacqui.c
Date: 25 Nov 04 - 04:47 PM

You've got it Pauline - hope you had a good Thanksgiving today.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 27 Nov 04 - 08:53 PM

A song can save your mortal soul. Just now, a voice spoke to me. The voice came from my radio. It was the voice of Stan Rogers. He was singing Mary Ellen Carter.

No matter what you've lost
Be it a home, a love, a friend
Like the Mary Ellen Carter
Rise again.

I forgot to mention, in my initial post to this thread, that I also lost a home during my hard times in the last three years. It was my spirit place. The IRS didn't regard it as my home because it wasn't my primary residence, but home is where the heart is, and it was my home.

I've had too many losses in too short a time, but I must rise again. Thank you, Stan.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Linda Goodman Zebooker
Date: 28 Nov 04 - 01:26 AM

Keep playing, Pauline, your violin music has really touched a lot of people. Do something you really enjoy every day--it will help keep your spirits up, and you deserve it! Sorry I didn't join in with my good wishes earlier--I forget to "check in" with the Mudcat more frequently. I'll be thinking about you on Wednesday. Please keep us posted.

--Linda Goodman

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: M.Ted
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 11:54 AM

Don't let the bastards get you down, Pauline--if you have the energy--pursue the National Labor Board option that Kendall mentioned above--while it true that an employer can let you go for no reason, there are some "reasons" that are unacceptable, and can cause big legal trouble for them--even without litigation, this can translate into a useful settlement (often paid as additional severance pay), if the employer sees that are interested in pursuing it--

As to the used car thing, consider checking out Carmax in Rockville--the have a huge inventory on the lot, and, if you don't see exactly what you want(year, model, mileage and price) you can check their on-line inventory and get it from there--there cars are mechanically inspected and tested before they offer them for sale, and they say that they will not offer any cars that have been damaged in accidents, etc--they come with a warranty--also, you won't need to negotiate price--

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: jacqui.c
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 09:40 PM

We're off the the UK tomorrow but didn't want to go without wishing the best of luck for Wednesday.

We'll be signing on occasionally and will watch out for further news.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Metchosin
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 12:41 AM

Best of luck Pauline!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,bbc at work
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 11:28 AM

You'll be on my mind & in my heart tomorrow!

bbc

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Jeanie
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 03:10 AM

Good Luck for today, Pauline.
Thinking of you,
- jeanie

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Dipsodeb
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 05:34 AM

Well I was thinking of you sending huge amounts of positive thoughts!!LOL did it work? Let us know. I will log on again later and check this thread.

~Debs~xx

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: MMario
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 08:29 AM

Best of Luck today !

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: SINSULL
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 10:45 AM

Luck has nothing to do with the interview. Show them who you are and why you are the best person for the job. Show them too that you are interviewing them. Maybe it's not a good match for YOU. have fun!
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Dani
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 12:57 PM

OK! How'd it go!?

For what it's worth, I, too, remember you well from the Getaway. And it seemed to me this year that you had an aura of 'smile' about you that hadn't been there before. Maybe it was just the beautiful music you were making??

Anyway, I wish you well, and second what many have said about seeking professional help when the overwhelmed feeling doesn't go away, and talking with friends isn't enough. It's out there, even for people without the means to pay for it right now. Sometimes, therapy is the greatest gift you can give yourself, and there's no shame if YOU don't put it there.

Be well,

Dani

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Dani
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 03:10 PM

One more note: I've had some hard times lately, myself (girl, we should talk.....) and my sister sent me a card. On the front it says, "I heard you've been feeling blue.... Is it like a cotton candy blue, or more of a French blue?". It tickles me everytime I see it!

Dani

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Janie
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 03:15 PM

Waiting to hear .....;>)

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 10:50 AM

Thank you all for your positive energy. The interview was so-so. I'm really overqualified for the job and I made my qualifications clear, but the interviewers weren't excited about me. It reminded me of playing a gig at which the audience never gets warmed up. It was one of the strangest job interviews I've ever had. The interviewers were more nervous than I. They acted like this was the first interview they've ever given, or maybe the first interview of this type. They read from a list of questions, and they were all HR-type questions ("What do you consider your greatest strength," "Describe a job situation in which you felt particularly challenged," etc.) They were both technical people and one of them would have been my supervisor, so I expected them to talk about the work. Sinsull was so right when she said that I should interview them. Maybe I should have tried harder to warm the audience up. What I did learn from them about the job, however, was not so good. The work sounded pretty boring and the pay was not particularly good. My initial reaction was that I'd like to have the job and get paid while I keep looking for another job. Now I think that it's just as well and I'll just keep looking for something better.

As I write this, I'm listening to an American Folkways recording of songs and speeches from the American civil rights movement. I just heard MLK say, "No matter what happens, keep on walking. If you can't walk, crawl, but keep on moving."

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: MMario
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 10:57 AM

AMEN, SISTER!

Seriously - though you may *feel* sometimes like Alice when she had to run as fast as she could in order not to go backwards - you *are* moving forwards.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Dani
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 11:00 AM

Pauline, I've printed it out, and will keep it in front of me to get through this day.

I am having a super-hard time, different than yours, but also no fun.
You probably came here to share your despair, but instead, you are sharing your hope. thank you for that.

Dani

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,bbc at work
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 11:21 AM

Sounds like the right reaction. I can't count the number of interviews I've been on, through the years. Some of them, I think, are just to get us prepared for the "right" interview. Live & learn & keep on living & learning. Don't lose heart!

best,

Barbara

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: SINSULL
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 11:26 AM

A step in the right direction, Pauline. Isn't better to know that you don't want it and won't take it than to scramble to get it and be miserable. One bit of advice: In every interview, your goal has to be to get an offer or an invite back. You need the practice in closing the deal.

As to warming them up - get there early, watch how the office/lab operates, make positive comments on what you have seen. Ask about the interviewer - how long have you been here? Two weeks - why did you decide to work here? Five years - you must love it here...and let them talk. Getting there early also gives you a chance to see the office dynamics. I was on an interview for a high pressure sales job and walked in to discover the receptionist crying. Worse - every single person in the office was involved in her little snit - including the Sales Manager. How the hell could anyone make money there if the pay is commission and the receptionist won't answer the phone? SIGH.

You have experienced the latest innovation in Human Resources carried out poorly. Interviews are carefully choreographed to get the best information AND avoid law suits. Your best weapon? Ask questions. Prepare them in advance so it looks like you are thinking on your feet. Make it clear that you are so good that you feel comfortable interviewing them. It is a game. And the winner is rarely the best qualified candidate.

Put it behind you and move on.

I am half happy/half pissed. There was a job I really wanted, had FOUR interviews for, and lost to another candidate in September. Guess what? They are advertising it again this time with the home office in MA doing the interviewing. My ego won't let me re-apply - their loss and mine. They should have hired me in the first place.

SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Hollowfox
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 05:18 PM

That's right, hon. A friend of mine told me there's a Japanese saying: Fall down seven times, get up eight.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 12:22 PM

Sinsull, thanks for your very good advice. I remember reading some things on the Internet about asking the interviewer questions, but, in the past, I had only done that for a second interview. I read some more articles on the Internet last night and got some very useful information. Everybody says it's very important to ask questions to show the interviewer that you're really interested. There are a lot of recommended questions on the Web, some of which I like and will use. I also thought about some of the questions I have asked in previous interviews. Some of them were very good, and I'll use them again, Succeeding at job interviews, like everything else, is really a function of your mindset. Asking questions to the interviewer would make me feel less passive and more directive. So, I learned a lot about interviewing from this interview. I also relearned something I had known before: working out takes a load off my mind. I'm so glad I joined a gym recently.

Sinsull, I advise you to put your pride aside and reapply for that job you really wanted. As someone said earlier in this thread, pride is for the rich.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: SINSULL
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 01:42 PM

Thanks. Pauline. I have slept on it and will do just that.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Juan P-B
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 02:30 PM

Hey Sinsull! Will you keep us updated too - We wanna know!!

Hey Pauline! Be thankful for the opportunity - The job you want is out there and just like finding a 'mate' you have to kiss a few frogs before one turns into the prince.

Bide your time - WE can see what a treasure you are! The boss brigade will discover that soon enough!

Think Lucky, Be lucky
Juan P-B

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 08 Dec 04 - 08:36 PM

Juan P-B, job interviews remind me of first dates. However, I often have more fun on job interviews.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: bbc
Date: 08 Dec 04 - 08:50 PM

One of the important things I learned about interviewing was that most employers don't want to know about your personal life or your problems. They want to know what you can do for them that no one else can. A good friend told me, going into interviews, that I should tell the interviewer that I could do anything & then, do it! Naturally, you have to be somewhat reasonable in your claims, but many jobs are a stretch to start w/, until you get the hang of what is expected. Part of it has to do w/ going in w/ a "can-do" attitude. Believe in yourself & others are more likely to, as well.

best to both Pauline & SINSULL,

Barbara

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 18 Dec 04 - 12:48 PM

I'm beginning to worry, so I thought I'd write to Mudcat for some encouragement. There just aren't that many jobs for me to apply for. (No thanks, I don't want to, and probably couldn't, switch fields.) I'm applying to the same companies and, sometimes, for the same jobs over and over. I do take heart from the experience of a friend in a similar situation. He applied for a job, was interviewed, and didn't hear anything for 6 weeks. Then they called him for a second interview. He had been their second choice. They had offered the job to their first choice person, who had turned it down. My friend got the job and seems happy with it. Anyway, I'd appreciate any comments or encouragement now.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Metchosin
Date: 18 Dec 04 - 01:14 PM

Don't know if it was mentioned above, but it is sometimes helpful to present your application in person, where practical and after an interview, to send a thank you note regarding the opportunity. Hang in there Pauline.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Dec 04 - 03:03 PM

Pauline,
This is a screwy time of year and interviewing is the last thing on most people's minds. Keep sending the resumes but don't get discouraged. The right spot is waiting for you.
M.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 19 Dec 04 - 02:00 AM

Sinsull, you are both wise and sensible. Thanks.

Pauline

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 19 Dec 04 - 12:43 PM

???

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: bbc
Date: 19 Dec 04 - 02:31 PM

Just ignore them, Pauline. It's a childish game to see who can make the 100th post to a thread. Don't give up, dear; just keep pursuing what you can & keep your spirits up w/ people contact & things that make you feel good.

love,

barbara

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 13 Jan 05 - 12:02 AM

I got a call from another HR person about another job I applied for. I'm somewhat excited about this, but it would be a long commute, 2 hours each way by public transportation. I need to get a car. If I had to spend 12 hours a day on a job, including commuting, I wouldn't have much time for myself. I've been teaching violin evenings and weekends and I love it. I'd hate to have to give it up. I won't give it up entirely, just juggle things around somehow.

It would be nice to be employed and salaried again. I'm getting tired of applying for jobs. I've applied to the same company for essentially the same job several times now. I remind myself about the experience of someone I met recently. She applied to the Metropolitan Opera several times before she was accepted. However, the job I've applied for repeatedly is a far cry from the Met.

Yes, it would be nice to be employed and salaried again.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Tinker
Date: 13 Jan 05 - 12:20 AM

Pauline, I've got good feelings headed your way. HOpw things go the way they should and life settles as it should.

Blessings and Light ]
Tinker

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,bbc at work
Date: 13 Jan 05 - 11:28 AM

Hi, Pauline,

I was wondering how you are doing. Thanks for posting! Two hours for a commute seems long, but you never know. I stayed unemployed a year longer than I would have needed to, because I thought (at the time) that a 1-hour commute was too long. By the end of 2 years of unemployment, I was looking at all kinds of options! What do you know, at that point, a 1-hr commute looked feasible! That same job had been available the year before, but I wouldn't have considered it. It has turned into the most stable job I've had so far & may be where I stay till retirement. Two summers ago, I moved closer to where I work &, now, I have a comfortable, scenic 25-minute commute. Give it some thought. Weigh the pluses & minuses w/ an open mind & see what you think.

love,

Barbara

(Please forgive if I double-post. I got an error message the 1st time.)

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Jan 05 - 11:38 AM

I'd get a lot more done if I had a two hour commute on public transport then with my current self-driven 1.25 hour commute! If we had public transport.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: open mike
Date: 13 Jan 05 - 12:00 PM

you might find that someone else there has a similar commute and you could car pool! soon after the money starts rolling in you CAN get a car!! best of luck and hang in there...and keep fiddlin'!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Dipsodeb
Date: 13 Jan 05 - 12:21 PM

That's great news Pauline it looks as though things are looking up. You certainly sound more positive.
Look at the traveling time as a good thing! You can get to read great books or even use the time to study something. Whatever you decide to do it can only be a positive step up from when you first posted this thread.

Blessings
~Debs~

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: hesperis
Date: 13 Jan 05 - 12:48 PM

Best of luck!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 13 Jan 05 - 09:01 PM

My long commute may or may not be dead time. If I take public transportation, I would have to walk a mile or take a bus, then ride a Metro train, then transfer to another Metro train, then take another bus. I probably wouldn't even get a seat for much of the journey and I can't read while standing, holding onto something for balance, and bouncing around. Of course, I could listen to CDs.    :-)    I just bought a portable CD player and some kind soul gave me a CD with a couple of hours of MP3s on it. I take it everywhere I go. Other options include car pool or van pool. I've decided to buy a car some time soon, and that would give me another option. I think the most important thing now is to get a job.

Thank you all for your continued encouragement.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 14 Jan 05 - 03:25 PM

My latest call from HR looks like a false alarm. She called me Wednesday and left a message, and I've called her back and left a message several times. Today is Friday, and I still haven't heard from her. I checked the company's website. They're advertising the position again, this time with slightly different wording on the requirements, and I don't qualify. However, there is some good news. The company's website gives a link to a list of 60 companies, mostly local, that do similar work. They're all on contract to NIH (National Institutes of Health), and most do science/health writing. I've started going through the list one by one, going to the websites and looking at "Careers." So far, I've only found one position to apply for, but it's a start. I guess I just have to keep marching along one step at a time. Wish me luck again.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: M.Ted
Date: 14 Jan 05 - 04:21 PM

Don't give up hope--most of the time, no one bothers to call you if they are not interested in you--also, the slightly different job description may be a slightly different job--one thing, don't leave too many messages, it makes you look over-eager--

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 14 Jan 05 - 04:24 PM

Well done pauline, keeping positive and working out ways that you start work again. All my very best wishes
to you

Big al

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: M.Ted
Date: 14 Jan 05 - 04:44 PM

Don't give up hope--most of the time, no one bothers to call you if they are not interested in you--also, the slightly different job description may be a slightly different job--it is important to follow up, but don't leave too many messages, it makes you look over-eager--

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Amos
Date: 15 Jan 05 - 12:06 AM

Well, Pauline, I've just joined you; my dear wife and I are facing Reduction in Force within weeks of each other as the costs of Operation Iraq Freedom begin to trickle down into the contracting research and development parts of the military/industrial complex.

I think I have floated about forty resumes in the last couple of weeks and a few interested responses have surfaced, but it is a bloody slow and nerve wracking process. Wish someone would pay me for second-rate poems and essays!! The only answer, as mentioned above in one form or another, is to "keep on plugging!"

A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 15 Jan 05 - 12:26 AM

Amos, I'm sorry that you and your wife are both being RIF'd. I'm glad, though, that you have already gotten a few interested responses. From my point of view, that's pretty quick. I used to work for Uncle Sam, and now I'm looking for jobs among the Uncle's contractors. As you said, "Keep on plugging." Good luck to all of us.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 11:56 PM

Hi, I'm back. I have a job interview on Wednesday, only my second interview since I lost my most recent job in November. I'm somewhat surprised that they called me because the position is at a senior level and I haven't done quite that type of work before. I feel confident that I could do it, though, and do it well enough to avoid being disgraced and fired. The job is writing and editing of a very technical nature, re government regulations in health care. The firm is very large and prestigious. Their publications are authoritative. If I get this job, I would get a lot of freedom and responsibility in my work. As part of the interview, I will take two tests. I will be given something technical to edit (30 minutes) and some technical stuff to read and write about (60 minutes). They told me to bring writing samples. I've been working on one for several days. It is the type of article they publish, and if I don't get the job, I can use the article as a writing sample for other jobs. Writing this is not trivial. I'm reading an FDA regulation 197 pages long and writing about it. Last night, very late, I got slaphappy and started writing limericks instead.

It would be nice to get this job. Wish me luck.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Amos
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 12:01 AM

Pauline:

Congrats!! Just remember, bring the writing sample without the limericks. Until you determine the scopew of the interviewer's sense of humor!!!


:D


As it happens BBW's job has stabilized again and she is not being RIF'd. In fact she's been re-situated into something she is MUCH happier with!

A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,~S~
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 12:03 AM

Amos, RIF is sometimes only a legal fiction where the employer is required to notify victims within a certain time frame (related to budget cycle)..... then Presto! People get rehired before they leave. COULD happen anyhow.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,,gargoyle
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 12:14 AM

Greetings - Gargoyle wishes to show the richness of each day.

Start each morn with a thankfull prayer that GOD considers you worthy persons and that you continue to still contribut to his kingdom.

Count your many blessings - name they one by one.

Sort the blessing into a list of your many talents.

Put together a pro-active resume - with a focus on talents and achievments.


ENJOY THE FISHING,

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Linda Goodman Zebooker
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 12:30 AM

I wish you the best in your interview. Sounds like you are very well prepared for your adventure later today. Your cheerful attitude (Limericks!) will help carry you through.
--Linda

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Amos
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 12:30 AM

Thanks Wyz, and thank you too, Garg.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Peace
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 12:52 AM

Great news, Amos. And Pauline, lotsa luck with the interview. I trust success will come your way. Go girl go.

BM

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: fat B****rd
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 03:06 AM

Good luck and all that.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,bbc
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 07:06 AM

Give it your best shot, Pauline. Sounds like it might be a good one! I did a co-op job while I got my graduate degree, indexing Navy documents. More interesting than you might think! I'll be praying for you.

love,

Barbara

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,Juan P-B
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 12:45 PM

All the best for tomorrow pPauline.

The prayers of all us Phatt-B'Stards are with you.

If you'd got that first job this one might not have dropped in your lap!

Go for it gal!!

Juan

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Dani
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 01:41 PM

Thank you, Gargoyle. That felt great.

I'm in the middle of polishing resume and going (practically) door-to-door. Still don't know that the hell I'm qualifed for, let alone what I WANT to do, but need to get a job quickly regardless.

Anyway, I'm off to an interview this afternoon, and have been thinking of you a lot, Pauline. I think you're very smart and very brave, and you've given me courage, too.

Dani

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: jacqui.c
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 02:21 PM

Good luck to all of you. I'll be thinking of you Pauline for tomorrow.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: heric
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 04:51 PM

Whoa, Amos. I was just inspired to look into this thread for the first time. Do you drink?? Me neither. . . Maybe we should go practice. I just looked into the ads for my dark art and was shocked by the paucity. Wanna open a day care? You can teach them philosophy and computer technology, and I'll teach them, umm, ahh, I dunno poetry or something. We'll make a movie of it. Perfect. This will sell.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,Nancy King at work
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 05:33 PM

Good luck with the interview, Pauline!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Amos
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 05:52 PM

Heric,

I love the idea. You round up the moms and sell them on it, ok? I'll paint the furniture...or whatever...I've never been too goods with moms....


A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 06:00 PM

well done in getting the interview - all the very best - they're lucky to have a chance of you

al

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: PoppaGator
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 06:39 PM

Pauline, good luck! I hadn't seen this thread for a while, and was afraid I had missed my chance to convey my best wishes to you in time.

Technical writing isn't such a bad racket. Your chances of winning the job, and of enjoying smooth sailing once you're in there, are enhanced because no one on the organizational chart is well qualified, well positioned, or even particularly interested, in finding fault with your work. (A long as you produce some work, and resist the temptation to spend too much time at the Mudcat Cafe!)

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 09:51 PM

PoppaGator, other people have told me the same thing you did about technical and scientific writing, and that includes Dick Greenhaus. It's a cheery thought. :-)

Thanks to everyone for your good wishes and encouragement. I'll let you know how it goes. Now I'll print out several copies of my resume and writing samples and then get some sleep.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 12:01 AM

Pauline, haven't posted before now, but have been following your saga over the past few months with sympathy, & sincerely rooting for you.

Can't remember if somebody has already said this or not (I did read the whole thread (once upon a time), honest!), but if you want the job, say so! I have received job offers in the past by virtue of being the only candidate to out-and-out say "I would really like this job." or "I want to work for/with you." More on that later, but it's almost 5 a.m. here... but anyway, just wanted to wish you the very best of luck & tell you my fingers are crossed for you.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,Amos
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 10:03 AM

The big secret to scientific writing is learning the nomenclature. If you keep a list of words you hit that you don't grok and look them up (and their dependent definitions) until you do understand them, you will become a whizbang science/tech writer in no time. It never ceases to amaze me how many people fail to do this one simple trick, and thus consign themselves to being confused a lot more than they need to be.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: heric
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 11:50 AM

What time zone is Pauline in? This thread has too much suspense today.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 07:15 PM

Hello, all. Thanks for all your good wishes. I'm in Eastern Standard Time Zone when I'm not zoned out. Guest Amos, I am a scientist and I know scientific terminology. In this job I'd be writing about regulations. I've written a lot about regulations, even written some regulations. After that, it's a miracle that I can write a simple, clear sentence. Yorkshire Yankee, I plan to tell them that I want the job (I'd be an asset to your organization) in my thank you email.

The interview went well. Now is the waiting game. I'd like to write more about the interview, but right now I can barely stand the thought of writing. I'm zoned out. I'll write more tomorrow.

Again, thanks to everyone.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: M.Ted
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 08:16 PM

A little late, but good luck, break a leg--etc--I second what PG said about technical writing(and, in fact, all writing) and add that most people can't do it, and most of the rest won't do it--

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: bbc
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 09:17 PM

Good to hear your news, Pauline. I hope it works out. Any idea when you'll hear about an offer, if one is forthcoming?

love,

Barbara

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,Peter Woodruff
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 09:29 PM

Pauline,

Don't you worry your little head off! We here in Bath, Maine will soon be laid off too, thanks to George W Bush.

Peter

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Amos
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 11:44 PM

Brava, Brava, Pauline!

I just got an invitation for a phone interview with QualComm, the premium employer on my wish list, makers of CDMA and BREW wireless applications and Location-Based Services for wireless cellphones and so on.

This could be wayyyy cool!


A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,jacqui.c
Date: 17 Feb 05 - 07:00 AM

Good luck with that Amos.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 18 Feb 05 - 12:43 AM

When I got home from my interview yesterday, I was totally exhausted. It would probably be more accurate to say that I felt like I was coming unraveled. Chronic unemployment and job hunting are extremely stressful.

As I said yesterday, the interview went very well. I followed the advice given in several Internet articles I've read. I asked some substantive questions. This made me feel pro-active instead of passive. You can learn a lot from the answers someone gives to your questions, and I liked his answers. I took the editing test with the aid of a dictionary, not Microsoft Word Spell Check or the AP Style manual. every time I reread the document they gave me, i found more spelling errors. A lot of people have told me that, when writing, it's important to submit a "clean" copy, with no errors in grammar or spelling. Now I understand why. Their office computer system was down for repairs, and the interviewer initially told me that I would have to come back another day for the writing test. However, while I was taking the editing test, he read the writing samples I brought with me, and he told me that he really liked them and there was no need to come back and take the writing test. :-) I plan to send him one more writing sample of the type I've seen in the company's publication which he gave me. If he had any doubts about my ability to write because I'm a scientist and not a journalist, I think I convinced him that I really can write quite well. He said that in about a month, the one or two top applicants would be called to come back for another interview. I'm applying for other jobs, but I would be less than honest if I pretended that I don't want this job.

I suppose I'm superstitious, but I take the following as a good sign. I got to the office quite early and read the book I had brought with me, "Will you Miss Me When I'm Gone?" by Zwonitzer and Hirshberg. The interviewer saw the book and asked me what it was about, and I replied that it was about the Carter Family singers, and he knew who they were. That's got to be auspicious.

Amos, I'm so glad that you have a phone interview with the #1 employer on your wish list. I'm sure you'll ace it.

Peter, I'm sorry that you're about to join the ranks of the illustrious unemployed. I hope that your job search is short and fruitful. A lot of Mudcatters are wishing you well.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: bbc
Date: 18 Feb 05 - 04:50 PM

It sounds good, Pauline. Congratulations on a good interview. You're one step closer to where you want to be.

love,

Barbara

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Amos
Date: 19 Feb 05 - 01:25 PM

Good job, Pauline!! Maybe sending him a note saying thanks for the interview would be a good idea?

My phone interview went well; the hiring manager said she would get back to me as tot he next step which I take as a positive choice of words, but she had several others to interview.   So I can just grind my teeth for a week!! Meanwhile I am flogging ye olde resoomay up and down the town.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: jacqui.c
Date: 19 Feb 05 - 02:56 PM

Fingers crossed for both of you!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 20 Feb 05 - 01:31 AM

Amos, I always send a thank you note by email within 24 hours after the interview. It's de rigeur according to many sources on the Internet. This time, however, the interviewer responded with an email to me -- a first in my experience. He said, "We'll be talking to you." At first I was excited, but then I remembered something. When I go out on a date with someone for the first time, he almost always ends the date by saying, "I'll give you a call" or "I'll be talking to you." That means only one thing: his voice is working. I'm kind of jaded.

If Jacqui keeps her fingers crossed for both of us, maybe we really will have good luck. I hope so.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Amos
Date: 20 Feb 05 - 03:37 AM

Dates are different; I would take that as a positive indication!

A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 20 Feb 05 - 07:15 PM

Amos, I believe that I've had more experience more recently than you.

I hope that both of us get calls this time.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 12:52 PM

On a lighter note: Amos and Pauline L, when you get the job, remember to tell them you need time off in the middle of October!

Best of luck to both of you. They need the goods you offer.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Amos
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 01:09 PM

LOL!


A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 10:57 PM

Thanks and LOL from me, too.

Pauline

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Ferrara
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 09:26 PM

"That means only one thing: his voice is working." Literally, I laughed out loud.

Sending you good thoughts and four leaf clovers,
Rita

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Metchosin
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 10:01 PM

Best of luck to the both of you!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 25 Feb 05 - 01:07 PM

Grrrrrr! Bad news. The job I interviewed for and really wanted has been re-advertised. Almost all of the other jobs I've applied for are dum-dum jobs, targeted for people with a bachelor's degree and two years of experience. (No insult intended for any readers.) I have a Ph.D. and roughly 30 years of experience. The jobs do not allow for independent thinking, taking responsibility, or using professional judgment born of many years of very diverse work and hard labor. Many of the contract companies are rather fly-by-night. The job I interviewed for last week, with a major publishing firm, had the things I want, although it didn't pay particularly well. I know that I'm overqualified for most of the jobs I've applied for, and that's probably why so few employers call me back. This is a form of age discrimination. As someone told me, "How many bosses want to hire someone who knows more than they do?" I can't even exercise to burn off my stress, as I usually do. My asthma is so bad that I haven't bee able to exercise since Christmas. Grrrr!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 25 Feb 05 - 01:11 PM

Can you re-apply? That may make them realize that you are serious about wanting the job.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Amos
Date: 25 Feb 05 - 02:31 PM

Pauline:

Consider getting in touch with professionals, like the people at Mckenzie Scott Executive. They are pro's at getting you through this exact kind of tangle.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,Linda Goodman at work
Date: 25 Feb 05 - 04:29 PM

Very tough news. I've got a tiny suggestion for freelancing, based on re-reading your earlier postings. I don't know if you are still interested in the freelancing route at all, but if you are.. The place in DC where I used to work, The American Society for Microbiology (ASM), several times a year held (holds) various Colloquia on topics related to Microbiology. For each of these, they hired a person (different people) to write up the results of the colloquium into a formal report. They usually used science writers. I don't know where they found them. At one point they tried to have an in-house person employed by the department at ASM itself to do this, but I don't know if that was successful or if they went back to hiring adhoc writers. In any case, perhaps similar scientific organizations in this area also hold colloquia and need science writers for their reports. I'll pm you later today with the little information I have about ASM - perhaps you could contact their human resources office. That might get you a lead on this. Best wishes,
-Linda Goodman

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 25 Feb 05 - 09:17 PM

MMario, they can't help but know that I'm really interested. I interviewed with them 10 days ago, and since then, have sent two emails, a new writing sample, and words like "I am interested..." I am currently re-applying for two dud dum jobs that I've already applied for but got no interview.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: bbc
Date: 25 Feb 05 - 09:24 PM

Bummer about the re-advertisement. I remember one really high-paying school district that I tried to apply to a couple of times. After awhile, I realized they must not be very serious; they advertised the same jobs again & again. Give each job your best shot, keep your head high, & just keep trying. Eventually, someone will realize that you are just the person that's needed!

love,

barbara

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Feb 05 - 12:34 PM

Dear Pauline,

I have been following this thread with great interest and lots of good thoughts for your success. Thanks so muhc for sharing with us.

On those days when you've just HAD IT with the whole process, you might find this helpful.:-)

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 28 Feb 05 - 03:14 PM

Katlaughing, that's great! Thanks so much.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 28 Feb 05 - 10:54 PM

(Tried to post this yesterday, but Mudcat wasn't working too well...)

Ouch! I'm so sorry. I don't have any helpful suggestions to add to what's already been said, just wanted you to know that I feel for you. Actually, I'm finding it hard to really take in... I keep thinking there must be some mistake and that you'll hear back from them with good news.

If I were in your place, I'd have a strong temptation to e-mail them saying I'd noticed the position was being re-advertised, and could they give me any additional information, although I suspect that's not really a great idea... does anybody else out there have a perspective on whether there's a good way to handle this situation – i.e., a better one than just having to wait things out until you hear from them again?

If you do hear from them and it's not good news, I'd suggest asking for feedback on what they felt your weak point(s) was. (Judging from what I've already seen you write, I feel sure you can do it without sounding whiny or accusing, but rather simply requesting constructive criticism.) You may or may not get a straight answer (if any) from them – but if you do, it could prove useful next time you apply for a similar position.

In the meantime, do something nice for yourself – maybe some flowers, or put on your favorite music?

Amos, have you heard anything yet?

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Amos
Date: 01 Mar 05 - 01:05 AM

Nope. I am launching a separate campaign involving expensive specialists doing all the work for me and just sending me offer letters.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Diva
Date: 01 Mar 05 - 07:02 AM

This is a thread I've been watching with interest, I will be job hunting in a year, hopefully with a degree behind me this time and it seems like (stating the obvious) you are massively over qualified for these positions. Why don't you freelance? or aim higher? Anyway, good luck

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 01 Mar 05 - 12:24 PM

YY, that's a good suggestion. One of my friends sometimes writes back with a similar question if she hasn't heard anything for a while. However, I'm ahead of the game. Towards the end of the interview, I said, "We've talked a lot about my strengths and suitability for the job. Do you have any perceptions of weaknesses or limitations that I might have re this job? If so, I'd like to talk about them and clear matters up now."

Thanks for your suggestion to do something nice for myself. :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 04 Mar 05 - 02:20 AM

OK, folks, here I go again. I have a job interview on Monday. I really would like to get a job. I've only been employed for 6 months out of the last 3 1/2 years. This is not like being out of work for a few weeks or even a few months. Sometimes I feel like my life has turned into a nightmare. I need an income!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 04 Mar 05 - 12:59 PM

I'll spend most of the weekend studying in preparation for the interview. Also, another employer has expressed interest in me. They gave me a take home test of science writing and presentations, including a PowerPoint preesentation. I told them that I'm fluent in PowerPoint, but, truthfully, I've never used it. One of my violin students, age 10, uses PowerPoint routinely for his homework, so it can't be too hard. I'll go get a book on it today and carry on.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Janie
Date: 04 Mar 05 - 08:01 PM

Got my fingers crossed for you!

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Mar 05 - 08:48 PM

Well, Pauline, it looks to me as though you're doing everything right, and it sounds as though you have all the skills necessary (and in abundance), so it seems to me it's really just a question of the odds finally going in your favor one of these days... It's gotta happen sooner or later (fingers crossed it's sooner!) You certainly have had more than your share of bad luck, so it's definitely time for a change!

Wishing you the very best of luck – with both opportunities!

P.S.: Maybe I shouldn't ask (please forgive me if it's something you don't want to think about, but I'm truly curious); did the company that re-advertised ever even give you the courtesy of a response?

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: bbc
Date: 06 Mar 05 - 09:12 PM

Rah, rah! Give it your best. We'll be waiting to hear.

love,

Barbara

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Janie
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 08:46 AM

Thinking of you this morning and hoping for the best possible outcome.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 04:08 PM

Got the following in my e-mail today & it made me think of this thread; hope you find it entertaining...

Corporate Speak

"COMPETITIVE SALARY"   –   We remain competitive by paying less than our competitors.

"JOIN OUR FAST PACED TEAM"   –   We have no time to train you.

"CASUAL WORK ATMOSPHERE"   –   We don't pay enough to expect that you'll dress up;
       well, a couple or the real daring guys wear earrings.

"MUST BE DEADLINE-ORIENTED"   –   You'll be six months behind schedule on your first day.

"SOME OVERTIME REQUIRED"   –   Some time each night and some time each weekend.

"DUTIES WILL VARY"   –   Anyone in the office can boss you around.

"MUST HAVE AN EYE FOR DETAIL"   –   We have no quality control.

"CAREER-MINDED"   –   Female applicants must be childless (and remain that way).

"APPLY IN PERSON"   –   If you're old, fat or ugly you'll be told the position has been filled.

"NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE"    –   We've filled the job; our call for resumes is just a legal formality.

"SEEKING CANDIDATES WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF EXPERIENCE"   –   You'll need to replace three people who just left.

"PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS A MUST"   –   You're walking into a company in perpetual chaos.

"REQUIRES TEAM LEADERSHIP SKILLS"   –   You'll have the responsibilities of a manager, without the pay or respect.

"GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILLS"   –   Management communicates, you listen, figure out what they want and do it.

Do keep us posted...

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 10:23 PM

Guest, thanks so much. A few of those were really scary, but most made me LOL.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 10 Mar 05 - 01:39 PM

Oops, that was me – didn't realise I'd lost my cookie.

Sorry about the scary ones – I did debate with myself whether or not to go ahead & post it, 'cos I thought a few of them might be a bit close to the knuckle, but in the end I decided they were funny enough to risk it. Glad at least most of 'em did make you laugh.

Take care...

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 22 Mar 05 - 10:17 PM

Oh, no, I have a job interview next week. I say "oh, no" because it's not a job I particularly want. The problem is the commute. Even if I had a car, I would not want to drive that distance every day. Public transportation is not an option. I would have to find a car pool or van pool. On the other side of the equation, I really need a job. In the last 3 1/2 years, I've only been employed for 6 months. I'm getting anxious about running out of money, and I see several major expenses for me, including a car, in the near future. I figure that if they offer me the job, I'd try to get permission to work at home one or two days a week. However, at all my interviews to date, they've said "no" to telecommuting. This is crazy because the work is almost entirely Internet based, and some of the companies have employees who telecommute from hundreds of miles away. Also, if they offer me the job, I could call someone who has interviewed me for a job I really want (it's about a mile or two from home) and see if they'll make me an offer. If all else fails and they offer me the job, I could accept it and keep looking for another one while I'm earning money. Of course, there's the possibility that they won't offer me the job. I think I know what I have to do, but I would appreciate some feedback on this.

Also, if anyone has any suggestions about commuting from Rockville MD to Columbia MD, please let me know.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Mar 05 - 10:46 PM

Pauline, first, slow down and take a deep breath and blow it out, slowly.:-) Then, try not to project too much into the future. This is a new company, right, so it MAY be entirely different than the previous ones which said no to telecommuting; perhaps this one understands the value of low overhead, etc. by letting employees work at home.

Also, from my experience and studies, it is always easier to find a job whilst employed, so yes, if they offer you one, I'd seriously look at their offer and YES! call the folks down the road for a counter offer!

Most of all, know that we are sending you lots of good thoughts and live in the moment with positive visualisations of the outcome you desire, then what I do is give thanks for that "or something better, for the highest good of all concerned."

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: mg
Date: 23 Mar 05 - 12:07 AM

Do you own your home now? If not, can you just sublease it and get a studio apartment near the new job? If you own it, can you rent it out for a while? mg

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 23 Mar 05 - 01:30 PM

I'm feeling more positive today. The job looks interesting. I've got to find a car pool or van pool.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 23 Mar 05 - 09:51 PM

Nil Illicit Carborundum, Pauline.
You'll make it.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 23 Mar 05 - 11:55 PM

Dick, I appreciate your good, supportive, wishes, but what does your message mean? Carborundum is "hard" and nil is "nothing, I suppose, but what does the whole thing mean?

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Ferrara
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 12:43 AM

Pauline, I learned this as "Illegitimati non carborundum". Generally considered to be "fractured" Latin but however you say it, it means "Don't let the Bastards grind you down." :-)

Alway good advice!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 01:57 AM

Thanks, Rita and Dick.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 02:30 AM

best of luck with the latest interview. can't help feeling you should be writing some of this down - all these highs and lows. it would make a good drama series for the tv!

all the best

big al

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 09:45 AM

That's it, Pauline! Write your own new Reality TV series, Job Search 101 and get on one of the networks!! **bg**

Seriously, thinking of you, today, and wishing you the best,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 10:01 AM

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: M.Ted
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 02:38 PM

MARC trains will get you from Rockville to Columbia(environs, anyway) about and hour, total--this may seem like a lot of time, but it beats what it would take you to drive during rush hours, and you can read, do work, or even make phone calls enroute--and it is not subject to traffic delays, as car and van pools are--withnew the Verizon wireless connections, it is even possible to connect to the internet while on the train--

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 04:35 PM

The idea of writing a TV series for this is good. LOL and thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Ferrara
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 06:52 PM

MTed, where in Rockville can one catch MARC trains? And, do any go from Rockville to Baltimore & vice versa (our kid's at Towson U.)

Rita F

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: beardedbruce
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 08:01 PM

red line to Union station, then MARC north... Or go to New Carrolton train station.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 11:00 PM

Rita, you can take the MARC train from the Rockville Metro station to downtown Baltimore. However, it's still a long way to Towson.

Beardedbruce, you've got a job with a long commute. Any advice for me?

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 01:20 AM

So, Pauline... any news?

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 01:26 AM

YY, thanks so much for asking. No news yet. I'm getting rather anxious as my bank balance keeps dropping.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Tam the man
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 01:32 PM

PAULINE,

I hope that I've spelt your mane right, I've been unemployed since leaving school, I left when I was 16, and I'll be 40 years old in Ocrober, I have never worked.
And I know how you feel

Tom
However you've just got to get used to it.

I would love a job, however I can't get one.

Tom

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 08:48 PM

Sorry to hear that. I can relate... Any more leads, then?

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 12:59 AM

There are a few more I will apply for, but they don't look very likely.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: el_punkoid_nouveau
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 03:05 AM

I'm expecting to join you in about a years time...

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 08:56 AM

That company that re-advertised – did you ever hear from them saying they'd filled the job? If not, would it be worth getting back in touch with them to find out? I realise it's a long shot, but maybe if none of the new applicants knocked their socks off... It would have to be *very* carefully done, of course, but with what I've seen of your thoughtful, considered way of going about things, I think you could do it without coming across badly. Just a thought...

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: mg
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 03:45 PM

have you thought of multiple income streams? Like one thalf time job, maybe at a school, that pays a small wage but has good benefits. Then freelancing your scientific writing and consulting jobs, and then teaching fiddle. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Leadfingers
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 04:40 PM

Technically I have been unemployed for eigteen months , but that is fron choice as I took early retirement to 'do' music ! I did think in my innocence that I may be able to do a bit of fill in temporary work
but didnt take into account the fact that once you are over a 'certain' age , NO one wants to know ! Still , I do have a pittance company pension and get enough gigs to keep my head well above water .

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Leadfingers
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 04:40 PM

Oh - And by the way Ted !

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Leadfingers
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 04:41 PM

200 !!!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 05:28 PM

Today I got a call from HR at the most recent place I interviewed. They want me to come back for a second interview. The location is terrible, but I'm in no position to turn down a paying job if it's offered to me. Also today I found another job to apply for. It is very similar work but it's in DC, which would be a lot better for me.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,Janie
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 05:39 PM

Fingers crossed!

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 08:21 PM

My fingers, too...

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Nancy King
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 08:23 PM

Good luck, Pauline!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 07 Apr 05 - 12:39 AM

Thanks, everyone.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 03:01 AM

Tuesday I had my second interview for the medical writer position in Columbia MD. My attitude has changed from "I don't want this job because the commute is horrible" to "I'd really like to get this job because of the camaraderie and the quality of work life here." The company puts a major emphasis on assembling a team of people who work well together. I have now interviewed with 10 different people in this company of 60. They know that my professional credentials are good, and now they want to know how well I'd fit into the group. It reminds me of a rush (?) in a sorority. Do the sisters want me? (95% of the employees are women.) I really enjoyed talking to them. Did they enjoy talking to me? This is rather anxiety provoking. I only got one hour of sleep last night, and I can feel the acid in my stomach now. The matter is out of my hands now. I need to let go and move on, but this is a lot easier said than done.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Amos
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 08:34 AM

Pauline:

I'd say you're doing really, really well!


A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Leadfingers
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 08:37 AM

Good Luck !!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 09:36 AM

fingers crossed for you Pauline! Sounds like even with a horrible commute you've enjoy this job. But if not - maybe the one in DC will be the perfect fit.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 10:51 AM

Thank you all again for your support and kindness.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 11:33 AM

Did they give you any idea how soon/long it might be 'til you hear back from them?

Do you rent or own your home? Just wondering if it might *possibly* be worth moving closer (if you get the job, of course) – especially if the work atmosphere is a good one.

Really hoping for you....

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 03:16 PM

Good luck and good for you for hanging in there!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: PoppaGator
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 03:41 PM

Pauline, I really hope this one works for you ! Especially now that you have found that you like the people and the work environment.

Also, I'm getting pretty sick of seeing theis thread reappear time after time! ;^) (As I'm sure you are too.)

Best of luck.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 08:24 PM

PoppaGator, I, too, hope this thread won't last much longer. Having the support of friends has helped me so much. Start thinking about how we can all celebrate when I finally get a job. ;-) Lots and lots of chocolate would be a good way to begin.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 02:44 PM

Today I got a phone call from HR in the last place I interviewed. Since I've had two interviews there, I figured this would be a job offer. It wasn't. HR called to tell me that they've hired someone else.

The job market in my field is very slow. I don't have other irons in the fire. What to do? I thought about one of my violin students, age 7. She is shy, determined, and adventurous, like me. When she knows what she wants, she goes for it and hangs on. A few months ago she told her parents that she wanted to learn to ice skate and to play the violin. On her first ice skating lesson, she fell down and cried repeatedly. Her father thought that she wouldn't want to come back for another try, but she did. She's still working at it. I will use her as my role model and inspiration.

Of course, I'm taking all this in stride. I'm just feeling weak and dizzy now. Tonight I'll go to the gym and work it out (not ice skating).

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: heric
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 03:27 PM

I saw that risk coming for you Pauline, but kept my mouth shut to prevent any jinx on the program. I hate to give you platitudes, but you might as well enjoy the inevitable truth that that you have no other options but to keep trying. I like that seven year old and I will put a mental immage of her into my mind as an inspiration.

Jobs come from inside contacts. I've never gotten one any other way in my adult life. Some (three) of my contacts are working their contacts on my behalf, to no result yet. The point is, you might (a) use your contacts (think hard, you might be surprised at who qualifies) to push you onto an entirely different career path, or (b), as stated above, make it work in self-employment, from which you can never get canned.

You ain't beat yet, not by a longshot.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: mg
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 03:44 PM

bummer. I hate looking for work myself and I hate having to watch other people go through it. It is a miracle I have ever gotten a job. Can you split up your needs and think about multiple income flows? That is probably going to be the safest way for everyone in coming years. I can't remember if I posted this or not already..but a half time job say with the schools, doing whatever, playground duty, whatever, so you get good benefits. Freelance writing and teaching...mg

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 03:52 PM

I'm waiting for the day this pops to the top and the latest additon is "Sorry I haven't been here for a while - too busy at my new job!"

I've got my fingers crossed every time I see the thread, Pauline.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: PoppaGator
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 03:58 PM

Bummer!

I just wrote and deleted a couple of long paragraphs that, on second thought, seemed to be entirely beside the point. I have no idea what to say to you.

Hang in there ~ something will have to happen sooner or later. Good luck!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 10:59 PM

Mary, thanks, but it's obvious you haven't been job hunting in a while. A part time, low paying job, even if I could get one, would not give benefits. I wish it were that easy.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Janie
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 11:05 PM

((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUG))))))))))))))))))))))))))!

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Amos
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 11:11 PM

I am happy to report I just passed two interviews in one day and got a job for the next 30-60 days. It is brain-numbing work, inheriting and taking responsibility for hundreds of pages of test data which was badly performed and yet making it into a rational and meaningful report. It is the white-collar equivalent of ditch digging, but I ain't complaining yet, because the dough is good. Oddly enough this one did not come through connections but through a recruiter.

Flood that resume out to anyone and everyone who might have the vaguest connection with where you want to go.

Me, I am going to keep right on looking for the right job. THis one will tide me along for a bit.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: mg
Date: 27 Apr 05 - 01:06 AM

have you tried all the government agencies? I know in Washington State you get full benefits from working half time at colleges, public school, state agencies...even if it were way below your education etc. it could stabalize things enough for you to do what you like the other half time...also federal jobs I would think kick in at half time. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 27 Apr 05 - 03:08 AM

Good news, Amos! I hope you get something you really like soon.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Amos
Date: 27 Apr 05 - 03:55 AM

Keep on keeping on...what else can we do?


A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Apr 05 - 01:15 AM

Pauline, I agree totally with the general consensus: "Bummer." Serious bummer. In spades. Amos' advice is terrific though, Flood that resume out to anyone and everyone who might have the vaguest connection with where you want to go. I know you've been doing roughly that all along.

I once read the term "Repetitive Strategy" to describe the process where you just keep on keeping on and keeping on and keeping on, until one time you reach the right people and you finally get what you want. You are pretty good at that, as you know I have admired your determination and perseverance.

The example the writer gave was his and his wife's desire to have a dream house for not too much money. They wrote to realtors all over the country for several years, until one day the right house showed up. Then they didn't hesitate: They bought it. Well I don't know if you're going to find your dream job but a job that works for you ought to be possible darn it.

Do you have any leads right now for any free lancing?

Would it be any use to use to you to write up a long list of crazy things you might do to earn a living? (Examples: Take a job playing violin gigs for orchestras in retirement communities. Get a job as a docent at a butterfly show.) It might be relaxing and fun to make such a list even if it didn't lead to any real ideas for income. And it might actually trigger a useful idea or two hidden among the absurdities.

Hugs & butterflies,
Rita

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 28 Apr 05 - 05:14 PM

Dear Pauline -- so sorry to hear this -- what a disappointment! I don't have any suggestions for you at the moment. I think you're doing everything right -- it's just that these days, even doing everything right is no guarantee of anything.

FWIW, I've heard the same things about jobs coming from contacts, not adverts, but almost every job I've ever managed to get has been the result of answering an ad or sending out my resume to a bunch of places, as opposed to hearing about a job from a personal contact or a (friend of a) friend.

Wish I could do more to help...

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 03 May 05 - 01:01 AM

I had an interview for a temporary, part time job today. A short time ago, I would not even have considered such a thing, but I'm getting desperate. I've noticed that most interviewers seem more nervous than I am. This time, I decided to try harder to warm up the audience, as if I were playing a gig or meeting a new student and trying to get him or her to relax. I was successful at doing that. When I applied for this job, back in January, I thought it would be full time, long term. The woman with whom I interviewed today told me that they had decided not to hire anyone at that time but they need someone now. She may be telling the truth. Actually, I had the impression that she doesn't know what she wants. I tried to convince her that she wants to hire me full time. I told her that I have so many skills that I could pinch hit for other people in a crunch. She said she's not sure whether they could afford to hire someone full time but she'll check into it. We left it that if I go to work for her, I'd start as part time and then we'd see what happens. I still don't know whether she wants to hire me short term (through the summer) or long term. I wouldn't mind working part time if they'd give me benefits, but very few employers give benefits to part time workers. The work sounds boring as hell, but I'm in no position to turn down an income. Ow, I have an awful headache.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,Amos
Date: 03 May 05 - 08:05 AM

Way to go, Pauline. You have found the right attitude -- tell 'em what they want, and you're it!

I hope this comes through -- even part time will take a loadof stress off for a bit.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 03 May 05 - 01:01 PM

Thanks, Amos. You're certainly right about the stress.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: PoppaGator
Date: 04 May 05 - 03:00 PM

Ouch! Too bad that you sometimes have to take the attitude that something is better than nothing, and you'll take whatever you can get. In the meanwhile, all you can do is visualize things developing to your best advantage.

This could work out OK, actually; once you get your foot in the door, you may very well be able to make yourself as indispensible as possible. If given the opportunity ~ spoil them! When summer comes to an end, they may well come to realize that they can't (or at least don't want to) go on without you. By then, if you have continued to seek better jobs, full-time positions with benefits, you might be able to turn the tables on them and issue an ultimatum: "If you want me to stay, you'll have to upgrade me to full time, with benefits and [x] amount of pay."

As always, good luck!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,ClaireBear
Date: 04 May 05 - 07:43 PM

Pauline, how are your technical and marketing writing skills and experience? E-mail me the answer and I'll respond with why I'm asking.

Sorry, I've never become a Mudcat member because I don't have Internet access at home, so no PMs, but I am a frequent poster -- nothing weird going on.

Claire
claire [e-mail]
(substitute an underscore for the space -- standard precaution against spam harvesting)

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 09 May 05 - 07:15 PM

I just found out that I've got the temporary, part time job. I'll try very hard to make myself indispenseable and hope they'll keep me for longer, but I won't count on it. This work will keep the wolf from the door for a while, anyway. I'm running out of money and I'm almost at the panic point. I'm glad I got the position.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Nancy King
Date: 09 May 05 - 07:29 PM

Not perfect, but WAAAY better than nothing! Congratulations!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 09 May 05 - 09:20 PM

Good start!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 10 May 05 - 08:26 AM

Good! now you have some breathing space to find "THE" job. Best of luck!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Amos
Date: 10 May 05 - 08:29 AM

Oh, Pauline, what a relief!! Way to go!!!!


A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: heric
Date: 10 May 05 - 09:39 AM

Even if they don't end up being able to offer you a longer term or full time, your employability posture now goes way up on subsequent applications.

(I just had an interview with for a job that will exceed my former salary by thirty percent. Hard, hard unglmaorous work, but hey. .. . And it came through one of those three connections. I reiterate - think hard on people from your past, not bosses, but coworkers for whom you did a good turn or with whom you shared good laughs.)

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: PoppaGator
Date: 10 May 05 - 10:04 AM

Halleluliah!

Or, at least, Phew!

I'm so glad to check into this thread and finally see some (modestly) good news. Way to go, Pauline! It's not a complete solution, but now you're certainly in much better shape to continue looking for the job you really want.

Congrats!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Carly
Date: 10 May 05 - 04:41 PM

So glad to hear this news! It is a major step in the right direction. Congratulations, Pauline!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 24 May 05 - 05:21 PM

I tried to post this message yesterday, but it didn't work.

Second verse, same as the first
Two times louder and two times worse.

That's how I feel about job interviews. I'm getting tired of them. I'd like to come to closure, but that may not be possible. Maybe I need to learn how to live with this kind of uncertainty. Today I had an interview for a pseudogovernment job. The pay is good and they give benefits. Hot damn! I don't think my chances of getting th job are particularly good. However, I put on my best positive attitude, along with my interview suit, and tried my best. Now to see what the future brings...

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: bbc
Date: 24 May 05 - 10:00 PM

Pay & benefits are good. Keep trying, dear. One of these will pan out. The process sure ain't fun, though. I did it for 2 years once.

love,

Barbara

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 25 May 05 - 08:09 AM

keeping the fingers, toes and otherassorted body parts crossed for you!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 12:05 AM

It's been several months since I've written on Mudcat about being unemployed. Lest you think that I have a job, I'm writing yet another chapter in my horror story.

I have been unemployed for almost all of the last four years. I lived on my savings until they were exhausted, and now I'm living on my retirement money. When that runs out, I will come to the end of the road. I have no family or significant other to fall back on for help. I have a small income from teaching violin and doing very occasional freelance science writing. Naturally, I've been looking *very hard* for a job. I'm not waiting for the ideal job which makes full use of my abilities and experiences. I will do almost anything that pays and provides health insurance. Yes, I've considered temp work. Yes, I've considered switching fields. Yes, I've considered walking people's dogs and mowing their lawns and living cheaply. I've even considered applying for a position as a violin teacher in a commercial fishing town in the Aleutian Islands. Really.

I have been finding only about two or three jobs a month that I'm qualified enough to apply for. Today I had a job interview, my first one since last summer. This interview was bizarre. It is a fairly senior level position which I am well qualified for, and the work looks interesting. (I have a Ph.D. and over 30 years of postdoctoral work experience.) A major part of the job would be attending high level scientific/medical meetings biweekly and writing 47 page long reports within three days. That's not the outrageous part. The first person I spoke to at the company seemed quite reasonable. Then I spoke to the company president. Usually this is pro forma. However, this woman was a real bitch. She told me that she didn't want to hire me because of my age; she'd rather hire someone younger; if I know a younger person who's qualified for this job, please let her know; unfortunately, a younger person would not have the amount of experience necessary to do the job well. Age discrimination is illegal, but I didn't remind her about it. There are 46 employees of the company, and only one science writer and two science editors as senior as I. She has about 30 freelance science writers and she wants to have more writing done in-house. I asked her why, and she said that she wants to have more control over people. If someone has problems in their personal life that might interfere with doing their job, she wants to know about it. I wouldn't survive long under her thumb. I think I'd be happier flipping burgers at MacDonalds than working for her. If she has nothing better to do with her time than monitor the personal lives of her employees, then she should go to work for George Orwell. They gave me a take home test of science writing and editing, as most employers do. She wants me to give her names of references. I'm thinking of telling her that I would consider working for her as a freelancer but not as a company employee. There are worse things than being a violin teacher and freelance science writer, just as there are worse things than being single.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh! I need Mudcatters' advice and support.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Peace
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 12:51 AM

Pauline: It might be a good job to pass up. However, since you likely wouldn't care to work for this woman, maybe it wouldn't hurt to give her your terms and see what she says.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,DB
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 07:14 AM

Pauline,

I'm now unemployed for the second time in my life. The first time it happened I took the first job that came along. The interview for this job was appalling - I was gobsmacked by the rudeness and aggressiveness of the interviewer! I got through this ordeal, somehow, and managed to survive in the job for 17 years.
The interviewer was a pretentious and smug little prick whose bark turned out to be worse than his bite. It also turned out that, in the course of the job, I had very little to do with this oaf, although I was destined to meet people who were far worse. I soon learned that most of the 'bad' people were basically insecure and tended not to last very long. I also met some wonderful people who were a pleasure to work with. Since I was made redundo, back in August, a number of these people have given me a lot of moral support - for which I am very grateful.
For a sensitive person (which you obviously are), it is very difficult to get work into perspective. Like most people, I suppose the trick is to find a way of telling yourself "it's only a job".
My current situation is that I have a small occupational pension that I now have to supplement for the next few years (preferably with something part-time). I have recently had three interviews which look promising. I think that the last 17 years took their toll on me and I'm now searching for something a bit less pressured. The jobs which you are going for seem very pressured, to me. I wonder, have you thought of looking for something a bit more 'relaxing'? Such a job might not pay a lot but it might help you to ease yourself back into work and build up your confidence a bit - that's certainly what I think I need at the moment.
Hope this helps.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 11:21 AM

My sympathies on a job market which keeps many of we best and brightest underemployed and unemployed. I don't see it getting better except for the upper crust, because of outsourcing.

I would have to second the question "are you really going to be spending a lot of time with this bitch". If you have an evil awful top dog who runs the organization, but everyone else is a pleasure to work with, then maybe the situation will be livable until she moves on. Particularly if there are nice colleagues who could be of great moral support and possibly help you prepare/network for a better position down the line.   

However, if you are going to have to have story conferences with the awful woman every 24 hours and rewrite each syllable for her, then that's a different story.

Yet, I also have to ask "are you desperate for work or not" because your post contains both messages. You must make up your mind if financial stability is your number one goal at this time, or if you want to starve to death with your dignity intact. It may be much better for you as a whole to think of this as a 2 year hitch in the army or a stretch in prison that simply must be undertaken and endured for the greater good.

Know that we care about your situation and hope there is a much brighter future through the next door.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: MMario
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 11:35 AM

drat, Pauline - I was hoping the reson we hadn't been hearing from you was that you were wildly busy with a new job. Keeping my fingers crossed for you and holding you in my thoughts.

Just don't take a job that conflicts with Getaway! (kidding!)

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Amos
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 12:59 PM

Pauline:

If you have spare time in your job search, you might also consider developing book proposals in the field of popular science/technology expositions. Biotech, genetic engineering, nano-tech, environmental degradation, the mathematics of neo-Darwinism, are all topics that could use a series of really well done popular expositions.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 01:51 PM

Guest DB, please reread my post. Your advice conflicts with the facts I've stated. I said that the woman who interviewed me is the president of the company, and there are only 46 people in the company. There is no way that I could avoid her. I know you're still upset and sensitive about your own experiences, but please reread what I've written before giving me inappropriate advice.

If anyone is implying that I'm too thin skinned and that I should put up with this kind of crap in return for an income, I say this: First, I resent the implication. Second, please reread what I've written. I make some money teaching violin and doing freelance science writing. If I take a job like the one I described, would that be a net gain or loss for me in terms of income? As I said in my previous post, I wouldn't survive long under her thumb. I simply wouldn't last long in that job. It might be worth my while to take such a job and stay just long enough to get health insurance and qualify for COBRA, but I don't think I would last that long. I have numerous medical issues that get worse when I'm under stress.

Someone said I wonder, have you thought of looking for something a bit more 'relaxing'? Such a job might not pay a lot but it might help you to ease yourself back into work... Please read what I wrote in my previous post. I've addressed these issues already.

I am 57 y.o. and I have been working for pay since I was old enough to qualify. I have hated almost all of my jobs. For many years, the only way I could talk myself into getting out of bed in the morning and going into work was by thinking of the gym where I worked out at lunch time. Now I would be happy to get a job that I like *and* that would pay enough for me to live on. It really hurts to think that I will never be able to buy a car; I will never be able to retire; I will never be able to take a vacation, even something as cheap as flying to a nearby city and staying with friends; I may not be able to get health insurance or afford the copay if I do. I have numerous medical problems and my prescription drugs alone cost almost $1000 a month. I honestly don't know how I'd survive without my antidepressants and my asthma meds. I've been suicidal. Since I don't have a car, I have to walk everywhere, including the grocery store, and I can barely make it now. I'm hardly a spoiled princess.

I was hoping to get realistic advice and moral support by posting here. I thank you, MMario and others, for caring. I look forward to getting some hugs from you at the Getaway.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 02:14 PM

Wow, DB says some kind and thoughtful things and you completely devalue it calling it inappropriate. You need to look more closely at yourself, lady.


"Guest DB, please reread my post. Your advice conflicts with the facts I've stated. I said that the woman who interviewed me is the president of the company, and there are only 46 people in the company. There is no way that I could avoid her. I know you're still upset and sensitive about your own experiences, but please reread what I've written before giving me inappropriate advice"

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Ferrara
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 02:22 PM

Pauline,

Thanks for the heads-up about this thread. I have been under the weather and not even answering e-mails for a few weeks, but I wrote you a long chatty e-mail just 2 days ago, just to try to get back in touch, but it was returned yesterday. Somewhere in my address book I still have an obsolete e-address for you, and I sent it to that, I'm sorry.

Well that message is now O.B.E. I guess. The first thing I can say to you is that you know there are people who care for you and are concerned about your welfare. We can't really help you find the work you need -- at least I can't, because I never could figure out how to pursue a good job while I was working. I just took whatever came along. I hated the interview process SO much! I shudder when you describe your experiences.

I've been worried since you told me your COBRA insurance is running out.

Kaiser Permanente has a relatively good personal insurance plan but even though it's relatively inexpensive, it's still expensive. Their doctors are better than I would have expected, too, and it would give you prescription benefits. I know you're guarding your remaining money pretty carefully, but what good will any of it be if you can't afford medications you desperately need? Well this is probably also something you have already thought about!

Would it do any good to use a few of your friends as "sounding boards" when you are looking for work? I know there's not much out there but perhaps in talking to people about the pros and cons of different possibilities, you could come up with some creative approaches, maybe to supplement the free lance work and the violin lessons with another rewarding activity, or maybe something full time with benefits.

I know I have your current e-mail, it's just that my e-mail program doesn't show anything but your name when I pick a recipient. I will look for the current one and try to write again off line, or we can PM each other.

All I can say right now is that you have lots of friends who do care, both here in the Washington area, and, from knowing you at the Getaway and your other activities, all around the world.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 02:52 PM

Pauline,

Thank you for letting us know where you've been and how you've been over the past few months.

If it were me, I would run from the job you described, esp. as you have said you would not last long under her thumb. Some things are just not worth what they do to us. Offering to work freelance for her sounds like a better idea, to me.

I know several center-aged people who have great degrees, lots of experience, etc. and have not been able to find jobs, mostly because of qualifying for higher salaries and age. It's not fair, nor legal, but it happens all of the time, as you have found.

I don't know your living situation, but have you considered looking into alternative places where you could provide a service in exchange for living space and/or health insurance? There are some great and meaningful opportunities listed in the Caretaker's Gazette. Not all of them are short-term nor just caretaking property; some are co-operatives in which each person owns a part of the land and gives in ways they are able, etc. Just a suggestion.

One other question, have you ever tried to qualify for social security disability? Once one receives it, medicare/aid(?) is available, I think it is after 1-2 years. I know, that doesn't make any sense to me..if one is disabled, one would presumably need the medical coverage immediately, but such is the way of our system.

Also, I have a subscription to Writer's Market, online. If you'd like me to do any searches for you, for magazines, publishers, agents, etc, which may be looking for someone of your talents and experience, I'd be happy to do so. Are there any headhunters whom you might contact to see if they could find something for you, even temp. or freelance? I don't know your field so I am just asking.:-)

Thinking of you with good wishes and prosperity,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: M.Ted
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 02:54 PM

I'd suggest looking into Amos suggestion--I am not sure how one goes about it, but it sounds like an interesting possibility, and one that would give you both an income and the flexibility that you would need to accomodate your health issues.

Meanwhile, while age discrimination is illegal, it is usually difficult to prove, so people just move on. In this case, though, the woman came right out and told you that you were qualified for the job, but she didn't want you because of your age. That is a pretty open and shut case.

Though a lawsuit can take a lot of time, in cases this blatant, employers have been known to settle quietly and quickly--particularly in a place like Washington, where misteps of this kind can be fatal for an organization--

Just a thought--

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 08:43 PM

Re housing: I live in a two bedroom condo which I bought in 1989. The value has tripled since then, so I couldn't find anything cheaper. I need my living space to give violin lessons. What would really help would be renting a room in my place to someone. I've been looking for a roommate for a long time without success. Also, I need to be careful about who lives here, since there is a lot to lose.

I have applied for disability and been turned down four times.

Kat, I'll PM you about Writers Market.

I've spoken to headhunters, again with no success.

Rita, I'll email you about health insurance. You're very familiar with the issues.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,Concerned
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 08:45 PM

Pauline,
This is an observation, not criticism.
After four years of near unemployment, you need to take a deep breath, relax, and try to see what is wrong.
Your reaction to DB's advise may be a clue to what is happening in your interviews. An angry, defensive response to a perfectly normal bit of sympathy and sharing.
You say:
" I have numerous medical problems and my prescription drugs alone cost almost $1000 a month. I honestly don't know how I'd survive without my antidepressants and my asthma meds. I've been suicidal. Since I don't have a car, I have to walk everywhere, including the grocery store, and I can barely make it now. I'm hardly a spoiled princess."
Speak with the doctor prescribing your anti-depressants. Have him refer you for a complete evaluation. LISTEN with an open mind. Katlaughing is right - you may qualify for SS benefits based on your depression.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 11:17 PM

I've read a lot of BS threads where people fight about politics. i don't participate because I don't want to get burned. People sometimes call each other names etc just because they don't agree about politics. No one says that the name callers are mentally ill. Here people are suggesting that pauline is mentally ill because of one remark she made. Do you think that means that she must be acting bad at her job interviews? i think one inappropriate remark by her is not surprising. She is under a lot of stress. Come on guys, give her a break.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 11:23 PM

Just sent you an email, Pauline.

Also, I've heard from folks who work both sides of the issue, that it sometimes takes several times being turned down before one is finally okayed for disability.

Good to know you have good living arrangements, but I know what you mean about finding the right roommate. That'd be tough. Not something I'd ever want to have to do.

Hang in there. Mudcatters will help as much as possible, at very least in keeping Hope alive.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,Concerned
Date: 18 Feb 06 - 09:43 AM

Apologies. Not everyone who sees a therapist is mentally ill. I was suggesting that Pauline is missing cues that others might pick up both in her interviews and on the job.
A trained therapist might help her be more aware of the effect she is having on other people.
She was fired for being two hours late due to a medical emergency. There must have been some other events that led up to this.
She lost a temporary job where she herself asked if her work style was a problem. Why did she ask that?
As a new employee she was downloading music on the job site - a problem? Maybe, maybe not.
An objective opinion might help her improve her chances of finding a job.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 18 Feb 06 - 07:29 PM

GC said:

She was fired for being two hours late due to a medical emergency. There must have been some other events that led up to this. Indeed there was. They lost their contract. My boss told me that they were going to lose their contract and said that I was doing good work but I'd better start looking elsewhere. Upper management decided to use an excuse to terminate me early. My boss was honest to me and about me, and we got along well. She was a good boss, but certain things were beyond her control.


She lost a temporary job where she herself asked if her work style was a problem. Why did she ask that? They told me that they were letting me go early from a temp assignment because I didn't have the requisite skills for the task. This was true, and the issue should have been addressed before I was hired. I asked my boss about my personal work style because of people who think the way you do. She was completely sincere when she answered in the negative. She even found the idea humorous.

People who haven't had to look for a job in the last few years might be surprised about how tough the job market is.

Peace said Pauline: It might be a good job to pass up. However, since you likely wouldn't care to work for this woman, maybe it wouldn't hurt to give her your terms and see what she says. This is good advice, and I agree. I wrote my "thank you for the interview" email and said that I don't want to go to work for the company but I'd consider freelancing for them.

Incidentally, I've had feedback from other writers and journalists who who have current familiarity with the issues, and they have been sympathetic and supportive. Blaming the victim is not helpful.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Peace
Date: 18 Feb 06 - 07:33 PM

OK. You are getting 'positive', Pauline, and that's great. I wish you every success. Truly.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 12:35 PM

Things get curiouser and curiouser. I took Peace's advice (it wouldn't hurt to give her your terms and see what she says).   Last night (Saturday), I wrote my "thank you for the interview" email and said that I don't want to go to work for the company but I'd consider freelancing for them. This morning I got an email from the pres. of the company saying that she wants to hire me as a consultant. This may work to my advantage after all. Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 04:04 AM

yah! so it's only "old" folks in the office that is a no-no. I hope you earn lots of money from this mob. Do they let you set the fee?

We have similar problems here re age. Long-term unemployed tend to be older. But fortunately our universal health cover makes life a bit easier. Unemployed & low income folks get subsidised prescriptions, and after paying out so many hundreds of dollars, get free prescriptions for the remainder of the year.

I know a 48 year old man who has been unemployed for 3 or 4 years. He can get occasional part time/contract work, but nothing permanent. He's very famous in his field & has been the person journalists call when they want info, and can't get a job in this field cos he's too old, or too qualified, or in one case, had been the boss of the bloke interviewing him & therefore according to this bloke would want to be boss(???).

Another interviewier was looking at his greying hair AND making a note of his answers. The interviewer was not just noting the answers, but was saving them to use for an interview he was going to sometime later!

My friend's wife is working in a field that is well paid, so their mortgage is not threatened and their kids get what they need, but his self-esteem is very low & the last time I saw him he was finishing his Master's & planning to get a teaching qualification. At least the teaching profession accepts "old" people.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 06:23 AM

Yeah!! Way to go, Pauline!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 07:33 PM

Sandra in Sydney, thanks for the true stories. Some of them are real horror stories. I might move to Sydney for the health insurance.

Katlaughing, thank you!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 08:18 PM

You are most welcome, Pauline! BTW, I keep forgetting to tell you "moggies" are cats.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Amos
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 08:19 PM

Well done, Pauline!! That'll keep the wolf from the door a bit, eh?? Brava.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Janie
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 12:08 AM

Pauline I don't know how I have managed to miss this thread as much as I have been on the 'Cat recently. Sounds like things are indeed looking up for you.

As you know, I expect to be back in the job market soon myself. Reading what your experiences have been, the suggestions people have made, and how you have managed to deal with it is helpful to me.

Thanks for sharing of yourself here.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,KT
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 12:58 AM

All right, Pauline!!! Go get 'em, girl! I hope you love it!!

KT

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: MMario
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 08:16 AM

To paraphrase a fictionalized version of a scot hero:

FREE-LANCE!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 07:53 PM

I vote for a part-time job with the government (think universities, community colleges etc.) with benefits and retirement...at least on my plan you get it by working half time and then work full time a couple of years before you retire..of course not all plans are the same...then continue to freelance and teach to get your fulfillment in...with the job market the way it is, and your own struggles with it, I would recommend just trying for a portion of your income having some security and benefits, no matter if you have to be a receptionist, storekeeper for a pharmacy department, pass out towels in the univeristy gym or whatever. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: PoppaGator
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 10:49 PM

I've been away for a while, and just saw that this thread is back again, having been refreshed just a couple of weeks ago on Feb 17. I was horrified to learn that Pauline has remained unemployed all this time, but then felt much better after learning that the interview from hell may actually have led to a "consultancy," which might well be better than a regular "job" ~ if, that is, it provides health insurance.

Among the many things I lost to Katrina was my technical-writing job of 11+ years. I didn't enjoy it very much, and I am glad to be collecting unemployment at the moment, while using all my energy to rehab my house. However, I'm a little nervous about not having health insurance coverage. I don't have any immediate medical problems, but I am 58 years old, and I went through two expensive health crises not too long ago ~ kidney stones in '03, cancer in '04.

My ex-employer kept me on their health insurance for a few months after I had left, as long as they could, but when they could no longer carry me, my only option for health coverage was COBRA ~ at over eleven hundred dollars per month! No way ~ I'm rolling the dice and betting I don't get sick again until I'm ready to go back to work.

I figure the best I can hope for when I reenter the job market might be a low-level job with a big corporation, like maybe Home Depot or Lowe's (businesses I'm patronizing pretty regularly these days) or even, God forbid, McDonald's or Wal*Mart. The level of pay almost doesn't matter, as long as decent health insurance is available. Six and a half more years and I will turn 65 and qualify for Medicare, and then I'll have much better options. I'll probably never be able to afford complete retirement, but it'll be better when I'm able to accept employment at a wider range of jobs, including freelance and small-biz situations where insurance benefits are unavailable.

By the way, anyone reading this who is ambitious, young and strong, and/or creative and entrepreneurial: There is a lot of opportunity in New Orleans right now in the fields of construction, renovation, real-estate speculation, etc. It's impossible to describe, even to comprehend, just how much everything here is up for grabs. Nobody knows what will happen next, least of all anyone in government. There has to be a port city here at the mouth of the Mississippi, and New Orleans will definitely be reborn in some shape or form. Some people ~ those who make the right guesses and who have the wherewithal to gamble on a few risky investments ~ are going to get rich, and they'll each carry a number of associates and employees along on their coattails. Maybe I'll get lucky and find a winner with whom to catch a ride...

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 04 May 06 - 12:02 PM

Hi Pauline... I went for 3-4 months of being too busy to even look at Mudcat, so I missed seeing this thread in Feb. But I've been thinking about you & wondering how you're doing, so I dug it up this evening and got 'caught up' with you (through Feb, anyway) -- which seems to leave things on a positive(ish) note.

Just wondering how things are going; am hoping the consulting's going well and that your situation is significantly improved. Fingers crossed...

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST,pattyClink
Date: 04 May 06 - 09:01 PM

As well as a report from Pauline, we want to know: PoppaGator, what's shaking down there? Hope you found a decent position. We celebrated a new job at our house today and sheez, can that mean the difference between night and day in attitude and hope for the future.
(sorry if I missed a thread where Poppa already reported his spring doings)

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Ebbie
Date: 05 May 06 - 12:02 PM

Any man fortunate enough, PoppaG, to find his Martin lying on the bed where he'd left it when he fled town has angels watching over him! Good luck and good spirits to you.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 06 May 06 - 12:51 PM

No kidding, Ebbie! So... anybody home?

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 07 May 06 - 09:12 PM

refresh...

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Nov 06 - 10:25 AM

Sound off, Pauline. Any good news?

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 06 Nov 06 - 02:12 PM

Don't know about Pauline but here at the Duckpond no news is definitely not good news and neither of us have found jobs yet.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Tom Hamilton frae Saltcoats Scotland
Date: 07 Nov 06 - 09:35 AM

I've been unemplyed since I left school, I'm 41 years old I'm not lazy or anything, it's just to get a job now you either need experinse or a drive's lisense, I have neither.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Pauline L
Date: 04 Dec 06 - 12:16 PM

Thanks for inquiring. I'm still unemployed and getting desperate. It's been 5 years. I've had a few temp and freelance assignments, but no real jobs in spite of intense searching. I teach violin. That's a lot of fun, but it certainly doesn't pay me enough to live on. I've used up my savings and my retirement money. I got a home equity loan, which will enable me to go on living for about another year. After that, I come to the end of the road. If anyone can offer suggestions or help of any kind, I'd certainly appreciate it. I'm really desperate.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Rasener
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 09:07 AM

Sell your house and downgrade and use the profits to pay off some of your debts or lonas..
We have had to do that 4 times over the last 8 years. Not nice, but better than not having a roof over your head.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: mg
Date: 03 Apr 15 - 10:07 PM

did people get the jobs they needed? thank god i could retire now if needed and could supplement with part time, minimum wage, barter etc....i decided long ago to keep my expenses to what i would get on a minimum wage job or disability...don't get burdened with a lot of stuff so you can pack up and move if you are able and a job comes up.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Apr 15 - 10:31 PM

This came to the top because a spammer posted. It's a very old conversation.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Andrez
Date: 04 Apr 15 - 07:33 AM

That may be SRS but the issues are as current as ever. I hadn't seen this thread before but it mirrors so much of what I have and am experiencing right now that I worked through the whole thread in one sitting. Just recently managed to get two days/week doing some marking work for a Uni despite qualifications, experience and awards in my fields of community services, health and education. Before I got that I did three interviews in 3 weeks and drew a blank each time despite having the required quals and experience.

I'd love to know how its worked out for Pauline now, if anyone knows? I hope she is well and settled down into a new job that welcomes her skills and what she has to offer.

Cheers,

Andre

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 04 Apr 15 - 08:39 AM

As someone who is happily retired and was only ever out of work for about 6 weeks (between university and first proper job), I know I've been very lucky. Both my grandfathers, one of whom was a skilled toolmaker, spent many years out of work or scrabbling for odd jobs in the 1920s and 1930s. As a consequence my parents always pushed me to get qualifications and what was seen as a secure job. I hung on through changes that made my career less attractive , even when my promotion path stalled, until in desperation I was offered me slightly early retirement on generous terms to see the back of me!
I feel for those of you who have struggled to find work and I feel very sorry for the younger generation who see only Mcjobs on the horizon. I hope some of you who posted on this thread have got settled now.
RtS

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, no! I'm unemployed again.
From: Andrez
Date: 05 Apr 15 - 05:48 AM

So in todays paper there was an article about a large freight company that is 'letting go' of older permanent employees some of whom have worked there for more than 35 years on the grounds that they are unable to do any job anywhere in the freight warehouses.

They are claiming that these older workers are medically unfit and are 'dumping' them in favour of younger, disposable casual contract workers. Never mind the experience and skills to be lost, the casuals are just so much cannon fodder and readily replaceable.

We seem to be creating more and more McWorkers as cannon fodder for industry and more McJobs to be filled by them. All this gets rationalised in neoliberal language as 'efficiency and flexibility' and lots of other euphemisms as well.

Its just good old fashioned bollocks and the guy in the newspaper photos who lost his job at the freight company looked like he had tears in his eyes.

Like Roger said above, I hope some of the earlier thread posters are doing better for themselves by now.

Cheers,

Andrez