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

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

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: GUEST
Date: 06 Nov 06 - 10:25 AM

Sound off, Pauline. Any good news?

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: YorkshireYankee
Date: 06 May 06 - 12:51 PM

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

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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,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: 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: 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: 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: 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 - 06:23 AM

Yeah!! Way to go, Pauline!!!

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.)