Extended benefits (Chicago, Joliet, Orland Park: lawyers, job openings, gated)

[ConnieIL]

I just received the form for Illinois unemployment EB, along with the work search form. I am stunned. 5 job applications a week? I haven't been able to find 5 paralegal job openings a month, unless I would be will to work for $10 AN HOURS, WITH NO BENEFITS, downtown Chicago. Given I live in Orland Park, and that Metra has raised it's rates, I pretty much would be working for pennies.

I was making $23/hr, driving to Joliet.

I feel rather (!) discouraged, and not a little panic, at applying for 10 jobs every 2 weeks. Not much out there for a 62 yr. old.

Seriously.. 5 a week, at this point? Haven't I applied for all of them already?

What are others doing in this situation?

[Manigault]

Originally Posted by ConnieIL

What are others doing in this situation?

1. Search craigslist.
2. Network with lawyers
3. Consider volunteering in legal aid.

[madpaddy]

Originally Posted by ConnieIL

I feel rather (!) discouraged, and not a little panic, at applying for 10 jobs every 2 weeks.

What are others doing in this situation?

Applying for 5 jobs a week?

I'm sorry, but unemployment isn't supposed to hold you over until you get the job you want, just hold you over until you can get A job, period. If you're only looking for $23/hour paralegal jobs you probably will struggle to find 5 opportunities a week. Maybe you need to consider jobs in other fields. Maybe even the service sector. What kind of jobs would you be considering if your unemployment benefits were expiring?

[linicx]

You are in a tough age bracket. I don't know if 62 is early retirement for your birthdate or not. I retired early. I was able to earn $12,000 yearly with no penalty. SS deducts $2.00 for every dollar earned over the limit until retirement age. When I reached 65 the max dollar limit ended.

Paralegals are not lawyers, however I believe paralegals are allowed to do x number of things on their own that does not include legal "advice". Notary is one service you can provide. You might be able to advertise and work from home.

If your grammar skills are sharp you could conceivably adverise an Editing Service. A good editor is worth gold and it is one thing aspiring writers desperately need. Companies need great brochure writers. Textbroker.com is legit and it is one way to earn some extra coin while you are looking. You should be Level 4 which is the highest pay.

Chances are you have skills and life experiences you don't realiza you have.

Good luck!

[ConnieIL]

Originally Posted by madpaddy

Applying for 5 jobs a week?

I'm sorry, but unemployment isn't supposed to hold you over until you get the job you want, just hold you over until you can get A job, period. If you're only looking for $23/hour paralegal jobs you probably will struggle to find 5 opportunities a week. Maybe you need to consider jobs in other fields. Maybe even the service sector. What kind of jobs would you be considering if your unemployment benefits were expiring?

I was close to getting a job I had 30 years ago, taxpayer service representative, but veteran's go first, and I understand that. So I am trying other ideas. But, let's face it, flipping burgers?

[madpaddy]

Originally Posted by ConnieIL

But, let's face it, flipping burgers?

Face this: Our children are inheriting another ~$300 of debt owed to the Chinese for every week you decide to stay on unemployment rather than take a job you think is beneath you.

Jab aside, I'm not heartless. I empathize with your situation. I can only imagine the turmoil you've been through after losing a job like that and then being unemployed long enough to get to EB. My wife is out of work and having a hard time, for the first time in her life, finding a new job. But she's applying for 5 jobs a week or more....and she's not doing it to meet unemployment requirements because she's not on unemployment. We haven't got to looking for burger flipping jobs yet, but honestly we're getting close. Would you act differently if you were financing your own unemployment?

I believe you are ethically obligated to pursue a job as if you didn't have any unemployment benefits. If you truly can't find any work then take the benefit without any regret. But please think about what your u.e. is costing future generations when you decide what jobs, commute, pay, benefits, etc you are or aren't willing to do.

For a constructive suggestion, maybe you take one of the $10/hour Chicago jobs, apply your experience, and hope to get noticed as someone having the talent for a higher position. And if they don't notice you then continue to job-shop while you're employed. You're more likely to get a high-paying position with benefits if you're currently employed in the field than if you've been out of the workforce for several months. As for the Metra cost expense, that's horse crap. ~$115 gets you a mothly pass. That's about $5/work-day. Cost you at least that much to drive a 30-mile round trip anywhere in Chicago. You'd still have $75/day (before taxes) which is considerably more than "pennies."