I always wanted to be a university English professor but by my senior year of college, the unemployment rate in the field was 99%. The words a Dean said to me a few years before came back to haunt me. It was at a freshman “Meet Your Professors” event where I introduced myself to the Dean of Arts and Sciences. I told him my major and he replied laughingly that I would be “Highly unemployable!” I thought he was rude…
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…
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…
Throughout my working life, becoming unemployed had always been one of my biggest fears, and one that fear turned into reality when I was forced to give work up due to ill health. When it happened, it couldn’t have been at a worse time. With declining health and mobility, and my doctor saying a firm “No” to going out to work, getting another job seemed impossible. All I could see was a lifetime ahead of me of claiming benefits, and…
A doctor’s note ended my career as a professional guitarist and informed me that I could lift nothing heavier than a bottle of milk. The same month, a note from my father cut me off from his medical aid and left me and my family hanging in the balance. Now what the hell were we supposed to do? “Write again.” was my wife’s answer. It had been at least five years since I’d last picked up a pen and most…
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…