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P-45
20 Jul 2005, 03:29 PM
OK. Seems to me that one big part of improving your finances is making more money which means getting a better job. So I'm asking for some help here with that because it's been frustrating for me trying to find something.

Here's the deal: I am the guy who keeps getting laid off. Everytime I go someplace, the unit shuts down, the company closes that office, the whole business shuts down. I'm working hard, I try to advance, but then all of a sudden I'm back in the unemployment line again. AND IT SUCKS! I'm not a job-hopper -- I'd be happy to spend years with an employer, if they just wouldn't lay me off!

Well, the last time that happened, I went back to the temp agencies again. But this was a couple of years ago when things were even worse, and I found the bills piling up and I pretty much wound up with two options: File bankruptcy or move back home.

I moved back home. Dad had just died not too long before, and Mom had some health issues, so I was happy to help her through her troubles. In the meantime, I got a job delivering pizza and I've also been driving to North LA to temp (yes, the commute does suck big ol' donkey balls).

Well, Mom's better now. And she hates Bakersfield as much as I do and she wants to move to Seattle because she grew up there and likes it there and that's where my sister lives. So she wants to sell the place, but she's not going to do it until I move.

Which is what I'm trying to do. I'm really not that crazy about moving back to LA, but it beats Bakersfield with not just a stick but all the lumber in the local Home Depot. Where I'd really like to move to is about a four or five hour drive away, which makes job-hunting there difficult but not impossible.

But it's just frustrating. I keep sending resumes out and never get any calls back. It's like plopping pebbles into a pond. I type 75 words a minute and I'm great at anything else that needs to be done at the office, and I'm always happy to do whatever needs to be done around the office. But how do I convince people of that?

What should I do with my resume? I really don't want to put pizza delivery on there even if I do a good job with it and I've learned some really good work lessons from it. Should I put down that I've been taking care of my mom? How long after sending a resume out should I follow up on it with a phone call? Would I be better off just taking another McJob, resigning myself to more time here and build up a fund to move where I want to and then move so I'm a local?

So many questions! ARRRRGH! I feel like actually physically banging my head against a wall would be a better use of my time sometimes. I'm usually not this worked up about things, and I hope I'm coming across as more grouchy than whiney, but thanks for listening or reading or whatever.

So does anyone have any advice for me? Thanks.

amerifolklegend
20 Jul 2005, 03:35 PM
I recommend a sugarmama.

I'm going on my fourth month of unemployment with no end in sight.





And I love it!

bojendyk
20 Jul 2005, 03:45 PM
Here's the deal: I am the guy who keeps getting laid off. Everytime I go someplace, the unit shuts down, the company closes that office, the whole business shuts down. I'm working hard, I try to advance, but then all of a sudden I'm back in the unemployment line again. AND IT SUCKS! I'm not a job-hopper -- I'd be happy to spend years with an employer, if they just wouldn't lay me off!

My advice is not to get a job where I work.

Seriously, you must know people with good jobs. Time to start phoning in those connections.

Oh, and AFL is right about the sugar mama thing.

peledre
21 Jul 2005, 09:26 AM
Do you have a college degree? What types of jobs are on your resume right now? Do you have anything on your resume that would stand out from all the others? I can probably give you some advice on how to get your resume to stand out, just give me some ammunition.

Saltenya94
21 Jul 2005, 02:37 PM
First you need some quality job-hunting advice. I found it here.

Richard Nelson Bolles - What Color is your Parachute 2005 edition

Its a job-seeker's classic which makes the 2005 version its 33th edition. The book is great for your job-seeking spirit/ego (which as some of us know) can get shot down quite often on our way to getting that final "you're hired". It'll give you a good menatality on how to get a job and how to be resourceful with your options (though it may appear you don't have many - in reality you hopefully do).

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1580086152/qid=1121969467/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-8358912-8922439?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

The other thing I've noticed is that you keep going to places that get shut down. The (secure) thing to do when you're sending out 100 resumes + getting 5 interviews is to pick the ones that won't close down. Its obvious you can get into temping. You gotta make yourself stick out from the rest. I also recommend this one.

Bill Coplin - 10 Things employers want you to learn in college

Even if you didn't go to college. They are very obivious but often overlooked and forgotten skills/traits/qualities even college graduates forget/don't know. Also if you haven't googled 'example resumes' or 'resumes 101' and looked at examples and tips, you have a lot of work to do. Make sure not to just read/skim the 2 books i mention, make sure to let it sink in and think about what they say as it pertains to you. Good luck.

nancyb
22 Jul 2005, 11:39 PM
Do you know anybody who can get you an in someplace? Start contacting your old school chums to see if the place they're working is hiring. Any networks of people from your former employers you can tap into?

Viking
30 Jul 2005, 12:34 PM
I agree with the "WCIY Parachute" recommendation. That book changed my life.