I’m late to this party of unemployment. I had worked steadily for almost 45 years before I was ever unemployed, and to this day, I still cringe when I remember what it was like to wake up and have no place to go. I didn’t need to pack my lunch or my planner. I didn’t need to check my schedule and do my morning ritual before leaving for the day. It didn’t matter if I had gas in my car…
I’ve been unemployed a few times in my life and during those times, while I looked for a job, I still had to earn money. While unemployment benefits are available for those who qualify, in many circumstances, not even that can hold down the fort until a new job comes along. And if you don’t have access to unemployment benefits that can be an even scarier situation. As you find opportunities to make money while unemployed, you may discover that…
In October of 2016, I was laid off. I wasn’t surprised by the lay off; work had been dwindling for months. My last two months there, they had me doing the one task I explicitly said I desired not to do (make phone calls to strangers) almost exclusively. I was surprised by how powerful my feelings of self-hatred and worthlessness were. My self-esteem hadn’t been particularly robust before being let go from my first position in the legal field, but…
Boston, 2006: I step down from a full-time editing job seconds before I’m sure to get a pink slip. I convince myself I’m ready to create my own work. And I do. I edit. I teach. I write. I even babysit. Ten years fly by in a blur – during which I accumulate exactly two things: telling experiences and untold debt. I try LA, then Boston, and then LA again. All complete busts. The unsteady diet of tutoring and teaching…
134 days after I got married, I lost my job. 134 days is a very short amount of time before being forced to deal with the harsh realities of the real world. That line in your vows – “for richer or poorer” – was quickly put to the test. Spoiler alert: we failed. However, losing my job wasn’t the main reason why my marriage failed. I will say, that although it may seem as though this is not a happy…
Let’s face it, some advice really stinks! What’s the WORST advice you received on job loss or job hunting? I’m compiling a top 10 (or maybe I should call it bottom 10) list and so I’m asking for input. Entries selected will be paid $25 to be included in Escape from Unemploymentville book. But first let me answer the question myself. The WORST job loss/job hunting advice I received was… “Don’t feel bad.” This advice came from a few family…
What’s the best advice you received on job loss or job hunting? I’m compiling a top 10 list and so I’m asking for input. Entries selected will be paid $25 to be included in Escape from Unemploymentville book. But first let me answer the question myself. The best job loss/job hunting advice I received was… “Take a break. Don’t even think about a job or looking for one for at least 3 or 4 days.” These words of wisdom came…
Below is an excerpt of John Fugazzie’s interview for Out-of-Work to Making Money, 21 Comeback Stories Every Job Seeker Should Hear: As I kept applying for jobs, we have what we call the black hole where you just send resumes and you never hear back from anybody. Basically, as I was finding it more and more difficult, I really started to try and figure out what’s different and what is the solution. I went to a networking group. Some lady had…
As a kid, I was taught a lot of things. For example, to entertain myself, respect my elders, and not to drop ping pong balls on Grandpa’s head from the loft (which is another story for another day). I also picked up on a lesson that I think too many of us learn – the art of politely saying no when someone offers you something. After all, you don’t want to be a bother and should be able to take…
Three Keys to Cutting Costs While Waiting for a ‘REAL JOB’ You tear open the envelope and stare down at your horse boarding bill for the month. Your eyes widen, the envelope flutters to the ground, and you put your face in your hands. You haven’t had the strength to announce to the world that you’ve just lost your job, and if you don’t hustle, you’re soon going to lose your horse. This is exactly what I experienced when I…