What is Your Employment Situation?

[Medusa]

Hey Folks,

I noticed a lot of people talking lately about their employment status or losing their job. Im curious about the makeup of the folks here on the forum.
Anyone wanting to talk about their employment status, searching for a job, etc - This might be a good way to support one another.

Check out the poll:

EDITED TO ADD: WHO VOTED IN POLL IS PRIVATE.

[Blade]

My employment situation has been going down hill since August of 2008. I do still have a job and am working 30 hrs a week. There is rumor that if we loose one of the largest home improvement centers in the US we will go down to 24 hrs a week and likely some will be laid off. They've hit me for $1200 a month, but I am still working and have my benefits, but heck I can't afford to use my benefits. I'm looking for a job. Not a part-time job to compensate for the loss, but a new full time job. Best of luck to everyone looking for a job.

[girl_dee]

Bodyworker here about ready to lay my hands on whomever I can get them on! Hopefully I get some clients who need me!

[Greyson]

I am employed full time but have been at a 15% reduction in pay for the past year and a half. In January it will go to only a 10% reduction in pay.

I don't like it but I know I am still lucky and no matter what happens "out there," I will keep my self respect in knowing, I am doing what I can like most of us here are doing.

[Greyson]

Originally Posted by Greyson

I am employed full time but have been at a 15% reduction in pay for the past year and a half. In January it will go to only a 10% reduction in pay.

I don't like it but I know I am still lucky and no matter what happens "out there," I will keep my self respect in knowing, I am doing what I can like most of us here are doing.

Wow, six years later things have changed a bit. I am retired from that career, in graduate school full time and working part-time. The sort of work I do part-time has been traditionally for entry level young people. Not anymore. I cannot tell you how many adults with higher education scramble for these jobs. Well at least here in the SF Bay Area. The economy still has a long way to go.

[RockOn]

I went from software contractor to permanent full time employee in 2009. I knew I'd get a healthy pay cut but with raises and promotions since '09, I have exceeded original contractor salary. I did not have as much what I call "play money" there for awhile but manageable. I like the stability I have being a permanent employee, good benefits, generous holiday and annual leave, Blue Cross Blue Shield ... I cannot complain at all ... but I will ... I miss the thrill and fast pace of the contract work even though it was terribly stressful at times and people seemingly were more back-biting. A big plus at my current job is that for someone like me who seems to get into trouble periodically for being "mouthy," you would just about have to snuff someone to get fired. Overall, I like the job I have today just fine.

[Linus]

I've been lucky enough to be employed by the same company for 5 years now and they've been proactive enough to get me a visa to work here in the US. My role has changed a bit but my company is also doing very well (profit of 40% year over year and receiving regular raises and bonuses each year -- this year is a whole new high at about 40% pay increase, bonus and raise combined).

[shadows papa]

I am currently in school,working toward my A.A.S. as a physical therapist assistant. I live and breathe for graduation,state certification boards and getting back to work by June of 2011. It's been a long hard slog of almost 4 years to attain a 2 year degree. For the first 3 years I worked fulltime along with school. Working while actually in the PTA program was pretty much out of the question. So I have been living on school loans and finally,after impoverishing myself enough,I am getting Pell Grants. That along with the help and support of my Miss Pink,my Mama and my bro SnackTime have helped me to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I can't wait for that first paycheck in a field I LOVE,that happens to be very stable and has a HUGE projected growth rate over the next 10 years. The first thing I'm gonna do is take them all out to eat,on my dime because I wouldn't be doing this without them. Sorry for the off topic ramble,but I am truly BLESSED. The job market here in Middle Tennessee is pretty tight for all fields but if folks will post what they are looking for and whether they are able to re-locate maybe we can all help each other through this dismal period in our country's economy. Good luck to all who are looking!

[lipstixgal]

I'm unemployed but just graduated literally weeks ago from a medical assistant college here in NJ. Looking to relocate though to warmer climate. NO I don't have experience which sucks but would do anything to get some. I did do an internship for 6 weeks so that is good. My dream job is to be an nurse a degree in RN...any tips would be appreciated..

[EnderD_503]

I'm currently employed full-time and while I'm not actively looking for another job right now, it's definitely on my mind considering how the company treats its employees and membership/clients. Once I've helped my current clients get to where they want to be, I'd like to move away from that kind of atmosphere though in a similar line of work. Who knows, though.

[Julien]

At this moment in time I am an unemployed (laid off) teacher with a PhD in a field that is very competitive in the job search front. I taught for 10 years before the lay off happened. My dad found out 4 weeks ago that he has throat cancer. I believe that my lack of job enabled me to help my folks out. So does everything happen for a reason? I've got to believe in that or I would be really depressed.

[Two-spirit]

You show work at a truck stop. We drivers are always having back pains, legs pains and just need a good rub down after a 70 hr work week..

At this time I'm still on family leave, my father had two strokes last year. So I'm helping my mother take care of him. But when I can I might go back trucking I always come back home with my back hurting after two weeks on the road.

[imperfect_cupcake]

Originally Posted by Two-spirit

You show work at a truck stop. We drivers are always having back pains, legs pains and just need a good rub down after a 70 hr work week..

At this time I'm still on family leave, my father had two strokes last year. So I'm helping my mother take care of him. But when I can I might go back trucking I always come back home with my back hurting after two weeks on the road.

Oh I got a lot of truck drivers in the UK as patients willing to be treated by me as a student. They were great clients. Friendly, chatty, not up their own arse, not shy about their bodies, appreciative and tipped me and even brought me bottles of wine and a couple gave me restaurant gift certificates. Real sweethearts actually. Flirtatious sometimes but always perfect gentleman with me.

[Hey You]

I work at a uni library as a library assistant, which is below my qualification. And I'm only 2 subjects off being qualified as a librarian. Keeping an eye out for jobs not because I don't like my current job/workplace, but because I need to be on more money. Life will get more expensive when I stop having a student status. Sigh.

[LipstickLola]

I have a full time job in a highly stressful area of a large medical center. The trend is to hire younger, fresh out of school types who are paid less, and that is worrisome. I've been at it for 30 years. I love my job and am grateful to have it regardless.

I always say I need to find something else, (at my age), but at the same time, I feel I should not rock the boat!

[miss entycing]

I've been out of work for a year now... I was a GM for an extended stay type of hotel. Been in the Hospitality industry for 20 something years, 3/4 of that time, I've been in upper managment.

My last job required me to live on property, which was fine, because we were selling the house in Co anyways, the apt there was almost 2000 sq ft, and everything else (elec, wireless, etc) was taken care of and the plan was for me to transfer and take over a property close to home- anyways, 3 1/2 yrs later, I am working 120 hours a week -LITERALLY, (and anyone who knows me knows my work ethic- knows that I gave EVERYTHING I had, and then some) with 1 desk clerk, and 2 housekeepers- I'm telling you, my company had it GOOD with me, lol. I found out after I lost my job that they had brought a 23 yr old desk clerk from a Vegas property to take my hotel, she was given 1/2 my salary, given a bigger title, and was flown in to replace me asap.

I was then given 48 hours to vacate the property- mind you, not only did I lose my job, we lost our home... in a span of a 10 minute conversation in my office with my boss.

I had moved to Colorado in 2006 a couple months after Damon and I met, and last year at this time, Hy brought me back home to SC after I lost my job.
When we came home the unemplyment rate here was 12%- its not gone down much since.
Since moving back home last november, I have searched for a job in some capacity every single day- I have even applied and interviewed for a job at McDonalds- only to be turned down because they said I wouldnt take it serious enuff because I would think making biscuits at 4am beneath me.
No joke, I cannot find a job, and I will run out of unemployment benefits eventually.
I've never been out of work this long my entire life, nor have I felt as low as I do when I call in my unemployment every 2 weeks- makes me feel like a bum, and to be quite honest.. I feel absolutely worthless most days. I am missing part of my identity, its affecting my confidence, my self esteem, my relationship, and my outlook on life in general.

what saddens me... is that I am not the only one here feeling like this, and in this same situation.

[Jet]

Originally Posted by EntycingFemme

I've never been out of work this long my entire life, nor have I felt as low as I do when I call in my unemployment every 2 weeks- makes me feel like a bum, and to be quite honest.. I feel absolutely worthless most days. I am missing part of my identity, its affecting my confidence, my self esteem, my relationship, and my outlook on life in general.

It's normal to feel this way for one thing. But you need to fight this, as best you can, so you can be level. I've been there so many times, I know. I also know what it is to reinvent my career, entering another field and crossing the learning curves. It's tough. I'm responding again here with other things for you and anyone else in this thread.

Some things to remember...as I told you in the other thread it's not you. Job hunting is not anywhere near the same as it was in our generation. You're screened through the internet along with hundreds of other applicants, and that's only if your resume gets seen. It's not like the old days when you could make a call, set up an interview and shake hands. Tailor everything towards the company if the company name is even listed. Tailor your presentation if it's not listed. They do that a lot not to be inundated and that makes it worse.

Companies don't care about you. They only care about what's best for them. Because of the economy, most companies want cheaper help and people who are flexible enough to wear about 3 hats for the same amount of pay. I no longer believe it's good to list years of experience now days when a company's priorities are to get the best bang for the buck and someone who doesn't appear overqualified. Usually younger, and the smart ass savvy get the best shot. I completely revamped my resume to get rid of a lot of over qualifying information. I just haven't applied in quite awhile because I'm so sick. Make your resume brief, but invite them to inquire about additional information if available. And research the hell out of the company.

Job hunting and today's methods and variables make it a tidal wave. Do everything you can to lower the water by getting rid of anything self defeating, that's first. You're not a bum or a loser. Revamp your approach if you need to and tailor your presentation to overcome the youth factor, the online limitations—make yourself custom fit. Having a ton of experience doesn't cut it anymore as much as mentioning stronger skills and venues for bringing technology, fresh ideas, streamlining, profitability to the company, and unique things to the position.

Know that someone at the helm may not care about old history and a lengthy background. Everything these days is about about brevity and making it hard hitting. Know you're competition is likely to be younger and that means fresh ideas and cheaper pay. You just wouldn't believe their take on having years of experience. Streamline your resume and background info to make it tailor fit for what their looking for. Get rid of anything that smells of an "older worker." Hey, many of us are in the same boat. Looking for work is full time. Keep your chin up and get rid of anything thinking that doesn't serve you. I know it's hard. Good luck.

J

[Bard]

work full time in the field I got my degree in .. made it to supervisor and it is a very demanding job and in a my chosen field it is hard on relationships Cops wives deserve a medal just for putting up with us

[MysticOceansFL]

Not working do to my injury plus surgery I resently had

[JustJo]

I spent 20 years in the hospitality industry (waitressing, bartending, banquet manager, front desk, restaurant GM...you name it), followed by 10 in the non-profit field (meaningful work, making a difference in people's lives, but working essentially 5 jobs for the pay of half of one).

About halfway through my non-profit career I decided that, as a single mother, I needed more money, better benefits, and a way to give my son more than his day to day needs. I went back to school, and ended up earning a MS and MBA....and took a job in a medium-sized corporation.

While not everyone who works with my company would agree, I feel like I won the job lottery. I work full-time, have good benefits (although our medical insurance has gotten worse each year), and a great deal of freedom since I work remotely from my home. As an added bonus, my work is meaningful....and I know that what I'm doing enhances the lives and health of many people, so I don't have to feel like I'm just pushing papers around for a paycheck.

I'm a project manager, which I love...it suits my bossy, controlling side. But working remotely lets me be the kind of mom I want to be...a total win-win.

While my company has done 4 rounds of layoffs in the time I've been with them, I've survived them all (luckily the numbers were small)...and I've been fortunate to get promotions, as well as raises and bonuses each year.

I feel for everyone who's struggling out there....and heartily recommend getting training or a degree, no matter what age you are. I went back to college after having been away 20 years, and got my MBA at age 45. It was the best choice I ever made (and yea, I'll be making my last student loan payment when I'm 70).