[pgrundy]

1) You've seen all the 'House' reruns at least twice.

2) You've applied to every big box store in town and a few out of town.

3) You think getting a snail mail letter of rejection is progress.

4) You make pages of lists of productive things to do while unemployed and the only thing you manage to do is make more lists.

5) You post these lists to forums at mental health websites because you don't really want to clean out the bathroom closet, not really.

Hours just got cut to 4 per week and I'm out of ideas. It's surprisingly hard to adjust to this.

[John25]

- When you wonder why traffic is busier around 8 AM and around 5 PM.
- When you wonder what all those people are doing in those huge offices all day.
- When you need the comics in the news paper every morning to motivate you for job hunting.
- When emailing a resume feels like the same routine as putting the garbage can out at the road side.

[rjdaws]

- when you get a call from one of the 734528158434521532 jobs you applied to online and have to ask which company they are.

- when the local store employees know you personally, not because of your loyal business but because of your weekly visits to inquire about job vacancies.

- when you're willing to go from applying for college-level jobs to custodial and house keeping jobs

- when you consider pan handling and busking as a possible means of paying your rent.

[NuckingFutz]

All the temp agencies you work for know you by your voice because you call every day to inquire about openings.

[Justme_55]

1.when cashing in change for dollar bills makes you giddy.

2. When you call the potential employer 20 minutes after sending you're resume to "make sure they got it."

3. When you begin to resent laundry; which is gym clothes p.j.s and an actual outfit.

4. Checking you're email or phone for any feedback becomes a highlight of you're day.

5. You realize how much you miss living at home because you're moms bad cooking tops ramen anyway.

6. Craigslist is you're new b.f.f.

[Moreta]

-you spend all day in the PC chat room, so you're not alone

-you go to your husband's job, to get out of the house

-you watch game shows all day, for a laugh

[Kathleen83]

All sadly true, yet still funny! Thanks!

- when there is nothing new to apply to because you already have applied to everything

- Sleeping in is no longer a delight

- Every resume looks the same

- You bulk cook rice and beans for when the employment insurance check runs out.

[Evening]

-When finding a dollar on the ground makes it feel like payday

-A newspaper delivery job earning you $70 a month makes you feel like you've stepped up in life

-You 'splurge' $3 on a new dustpan and wonder how you are going to manage to eat for the rest of the week.

-You wait for job offers for jobs you haven't even applied for just because they've surely heard of you by now.

[splitimage]

When the next step is calling in an estate liquidator to sell 98% of your stuff, so that you can give notice on your apartment and move into a furnished room. It was fun when you were 20 - less so when you're 42.

splitimage

When employers remember you from the last time you applied there.

[growlycat]

-When you've checked LinkedIn 50 times a day to see if anyone has looked at your profile
-When grocery stores send you rejection letters by email
-When you have long cashed in your only retirement money
-When you keep applying to the same job openings multiple times because they keep getting posted, taken down, posted, taken down, all the while not one squeak of a response
-A rejection email is progress over hearing absolutely nothing

[o.kay]

All you have left in your closet are"good" clothes-- All your play clothes are worn out.

[Perna]

You get bored going out to breakfast on weekdays, when it use to be a treat.

When a day of nothing but internet seems "normal"

[splitimage]

You're curious about what dress shoes feel like, because you've been wearng sneakers every day for the last 18 months.

splitimage

When the working world outside your home seems like another world, or just a movie you watch everyday.

[Simora]

-All the local pawn shop staff know you by name.
-The highlight of your day is finding a couple coins in your couch cushions

[growlycat]

Ordering free samlpes online becomes a part of your grocery shopping