Keeping the faith while unemployed...(and keeping sane)

[GypsySoul22]

Gardener34, I like your idea about Microsoft classes. I have Vista and need to learn it. I also have minimal excel skills I must improve.

Bjones1976
I also would love to learn a new language. I have been on several site to do this.

These ideas are great. Thanks for everyone who replied.

I am also going to try to work more with my Paint Shop Pro program.

Is it me or do you feel like now you don't work, you have LESS time to do anything due to 'no defined schedule?'

[BabyBoomers2]

Well, I'm going to be taking an online class called Distribution and Logistics Management next month to improve on my skills that I already have in Purchasing/Inventory Control. I will get a Certificate of Completion when I done with the class. A few years ago when I took a couple of other Purchasing classes (from the same school), they didn't give these certificates out. I think seeing the word "Certificate" on a resume says more than an interviewer just seeing the class/date taken. If I still haven't found a job by the time this class I'm taking next month ends (6-week class), I will take another one just to keep the old education "up-to-date" and not get too bored.

[Cinnabunz]

Originally Posted by gardener34

I kept sane by joining unemployment groups which offered free counseling and interviewing tips, job leads, seminars, amongst other tips. Surround yourself with others like yourself and network to anyone who will listen. Print out cheap business cards on your home printer or there are online services (vistaprint) to hand out.

Please contact your local unemployment office, they may have contacts to networking groups like this.

Although the longer I was unemployed the more I was prone to anxiety attacks and other stress related problems, such as teeth grinding, sleeplessness, eczema, stomach pains, etc. My religion helped this, also - relaxion techniques such as meditation.

I finally applied for a minimum wage job - at least it was something to stretch out the unemployment year's worth of benefits ... but now I have a job lined up, although I do not have an official written offer - but have passed the bkgd check and should get that straightened out this week.

I get so mad when I hear people tell me - oh it must have been nice to have the summer off... NOT!! I put more hours and energy into my job search than I did at my old job. Networking, phone calls, letters, interviews, applying online, etc. Being unemployed is a giant PITA - and currently our state is the 3rd highest unemployment rate in the nation but the fall has brought some jobs and hiring in though.

I am hoping after the election and if a reasonable sensible bailout plan is passed things will start to turn around for the unemployed of the entire nation.

Good luck! Let us know how you are doing! We should request a unemployed forum here in the boards.

I cant believe anyone would say such an insensitive thing to you.... Best they wouldnt like it if they lost their jobs and someone said that to them....Gotta love people with no couth...

My advice is to just keep plugging along...putting that resume out to everything...even if its out of your league for the moment. Also, joining message boards like this helps too!

[7035683216]

which websites are you using to learn a new language?

[BagongBuhay]

In hindsight, I would have worked part-time like in a Hallmark, or volunteered my time tutoring kids in my children's elementary school, something I've always wanted to do but couldn't since I am always working full time. I would do everything to be in front of people. You never know when a casual conversation could turn into a job offer.

[gizmobizmo]

Originally Posted by Refugee56

I was unemployed for nine months during the first Bush Recession in 2001. There was just no jobs in my field in my town during that period. Most of the other people I knew who were out of work spent the time walking around feeling sorry for themselves and watching TV and not shaving.

During the nine months of unemployment, I spent at least four hours a day learning everything I could about my field of work. I took classes, I got a number of professional certifications in my field, I got certified as a expert in four different Microsoft Office Suite Packages, I learned how to type, I attended professional association meetings, and worked on my interview and public speaking skills. I reinvented myself.

While employers did not like the fact that I had been unemployed for so long, they did like all my professional development and how much I stayed active during the period.

Refugee56 makes a great point. If you have the time, try to make the most of it. It's not easy when you have a family but if your spouse will pick up the slack around the house while you take classes, it will help with those feelings of hopelessness that seems to go hand in hand with unemployment. You don't have to go to a formal school either. There are terrific classes offered through many libraries that will help to teach new skills, like computer software classes (Word, Excel, etc...)

It may not be much consolation but there are many of us who have either been where you are now or were there before. It's hard to keep your chin up when it seems like you can't catch a break. Consider taking a part time job or something different from what you used to do also. Sometimes it can lead to better things or at least keep you busy till something better comes along.

[Moth]

Originally Posted by Refugee56

I was unemployed for nine months during the first Bush Recession in 2001. There was just no jobs in my field in my town during that period. Most of the other people I knew who were out of work spent the time walking around feeling sorry for themselves and watching TV and not shaving.

During the nine months of unemployment, I spent at least four hours a day learning everything I could about my field of work. I took classes, I got a number of professional certifications in my field, I got certified as a expert in four different Microsoft Office Suite Packages, I learned how to type, I attended professional association meetings, and worked on my interview and public speaking skills. I reinvented myself.

While employers did not like the fact that I had been unemployed for so long, they did like all my professional development and how much I stayed active during the period.

That is the right response.


I would only add two things:

1) Either join a gym, the Y or simply devote time for daily excercise. Helps relieve stress and gets you out of your home- which, in case you have not noticed, becomes a chamber of horrors upon unemployment.

2) DO NOT turn the TV on before 6:00 PM or so. The commercials as well as the shows are geared towards the malcontents of society.

[fierce_flawless]

Originally Posted by GypsySoul22

Gardener34, I like your idea about Microsoft classes. I have Vista and need to learn it. I also have minimal excel skills I must improve.

Bjones1976
I also would love to learn a new language. I have been on several site to do this.

These ideas are great. Thanks for everyone who replied.

I am also going to try to work more with my Paint Shop Pro program.

Is it me or do you feel like now you don't work, you have LESS time to do anything due to 'no defined schedule?'

I seem to have a crapload of things to do, and it makes me wonder how I did anything when I was working. Then I remember, I didn't do much outside of work when I was working! LOL! The house was messier, the yard unkempt, the laundry way behind. I can certainly keep BUSY without working but I am continually stressed due to the money situation. So yeah, the house is cleaner, yard is neat, laundry caught up but that doesn't' pay the bills so I hate spending time doing it. I've been piecing it together with temp stuff.

A big stress factor for me is my mom, who doesn't understand why I don't have a full time, permanent job yet. Obviously when I take temp work it interrupts my searching... and I am in some inbetween state... just qualified enough to be overqualified for many retail or minimum wage jobs but no degree for the better paying jobs. I have been totally ignored by places like Target, food places, etc.

But yeah, I agree with avoiding the TV, and I check Craigslist hourly (!) for new job postings. I've landed some temp work that way at least... and I've registered for school for January so I know if I can temp my way through till then, hopefully financial aid will kick in and I'll be okay once school starts.

[Living Poets Society]

Man. I just quit my job at KFC. Thinking about going to a technical college ( somehow I don't have a car at the moment.) for computer technican position. I hated that job ( got it a few days ago ) and will never go back into fast-food again. I'd rather pick on 10lbs of poo for 8.00 bucks an hour than be that type of business again. None of my past jobs paid that low ( except Arby's, which was a great place even though it's fastfood ). Can't see how people can go through that. Oh well. I can always find something else. Don't want to freeload off my mother all my life.

[ihatetucson]

I have been unemployed for 2 months now. What is my normal routine on a weekday to prevent me from loosing my mind:

1. Go out for an early-morning walk
2. watch cartoons
3. Go out for an evening walk

Thanks to my walks, I have lost 3 pounds of weight since I lost my office job. I'm in no hurry.