Hi all,

I've been unemployed since April 2009, seems like an eternity to me, and I'm really down about it. Endless resumes being submitted. When I finally do get replies, it's a month later saying the position has been filled. That's the most aggravating. I attended a free workshop at my local Employment Security Commission on "Networking". The information the instructor gave was ok. I've found it really difficult for me to stay motivated to look for work. If anyone is going through this, how do you all stay motivated? Thanks.

[Ygrec23]

Originally Posted by Deborah35

Hi all,

I've been unemployed since April 2009, seems like an eternity to me, and I'm really down about it. Endless resumes being submitted. When I finally do get replies, it's a month later saying the position has been filled. That's the most aggravating. I attended a free workshop at my local Employment Security Commission on "Networking". The information the instructor gave was ok. I've found it really difficult for me to stay motivated to look for work. If anyone is going through this, how do you all stay motivated? Thanks.

Well, Deborah,

I'm probably a bit older than you are, but I lost my business in the "recession" (depression) and have since then been trying to find a job or a new business or something, without success. I stay motivated by poverty. I need to find something to do to keep food in the house for myself and my wife. And to keep the house itself. I have found nothing yet that finally answers either the food or the housing questions. As to keeping motivated, how can hunger not motivate you? Let alone all the other things you need. We have four cats. They are family. Every two or three days I have to find, somewhere, five dollars for cat food. THEY WILL NOT UNDERSTAND, AT ALL, IF THEY HAVE TO GO HUNGRY. It's not as bad as having hungry kids. But it's in that direction. I don't mind going hungry myself. But to see those I love having to do so drives me crazy. And if you don't think this has to do with motivation, think again. It's all the motivation I need. So I'm out there every day going from one place to another trying to find something that will pay, that will feed my family. I really don't care what it is. As long as it's legal. But, by God, I will not stop until I find something that permits me to keep my family fed.

Take care.

[susan888]

(((Deborah35)))

(((Ygrec23)))

Scary times for the USA. Blessings to you both! Words are cheap, but please know that your pain is understood and felt. That is my greatest fear. I hope that there is something wonderful waiting around the corner for both of you!

[shichi]

Sorry to hear about your unemployment issues. Being unemployed and going on the job hunt can be pretty soul-destroying.

I keep myself motivated because...well...I need money to survive. That's the bottom line.

Have you had someone look over your resume? Perhaps a tweak or overhaul might improve your chances.

[Perna]

Are the sorts of jobs you are applying for what you really want to do? I have remotivated myself at times by taking a course (in same/different subject) or reading self-help books, etc. Think of ways you could use your time on things you wish you had had time for before, when you were working, but didn't? Do you write or do artwork, volunteer, etc. You have time now and getting "out" and about might help you meet a contact that can lead to a job. Being around other people can be very energizing and motivating. Do you belong to any business "breakfast" clubs or anything? Professional organizations?

[novack]

I'm in a similiar situation. I was homeless from January to June and unemployed for the majority of the time. I've now found myself 12 hours away from where I was and unemployed but now with the home. The only new snag is now my fiancee who's been unemployed as long as I have is pregnant! We're in a bad situation but we're just hitting the pavement as much as we can applying for every job that comes up whether it's below us or not.

[Ygrec23]

I feel for Novack, homeless for six months! I just couldn't do it, myself. I'd rather self-terminate. There are ups and downs, as for everyone. I wrote here two weeks ago about the determination I felt, and today I had both tomorrow's cases cancel for nonsensical reasons. I don't charge for cancellations. It makes me feel like giving up. I only had four cases set for July, and three of them have cancelled. I wonder about caring any more. I suppose my wife and cats can do without me. Her social security will go up with survivor's benefits. She'll lose the house, but she might move in with my brother, who has lots of space since he just got divorced, kept the house but lost the kids. I guess I need more success of any kind at all in order to keep my spirits up and keep going.

[Perna]

Stop it, Ygrec! Take your wife out for a drive, spend a bit more time together if you don't have cases to work on? You are not your cases/caseload. Maybe have a little cookout at your brother's house with him? My stepson was out yesterday, and a single guy friend of ours who just found 6 months of work up in New York State (we all live in Maryland) and is commuting on weekends. My stepson is an insurance broker so having some of the woes with the economy too. But we had burgers and hot dogs, lots of good conversation. It was very cheering.

[nonightowl]

I feel for you, Deborah. Finding & keeping a job has been something I've struggled with all my life. I'm not clinically depressed, but it's enough to make ANYONE depressed. I've gotten laid off many times through NO FAULT of my own. They are going out of business, they are downsizing, etc. Nothing to do with how smart or skilled I am, or anything I did wrong. Also, many employers won't even consider someone who is out of work. No matter how bad the economy is, I get the message it is MY FAULT. I mean, there ARE people working out there, right? Maybe at a lot of low-wage jobs.

I've run myself ragged with volunteering and "getting out there." Personally, I think networking is a THEORY. It may or may not work for someone, or if it does to some degree, it won't work the way the books or "career counselors" say it should.

[splitimage]

I'm in the same boat, unemployed, other than a brief 2 month job, that I lost during the probationary period, since July 2009. I am doing some part time teaching and freelance accounting, but the teaching pays really badly, and the freelance work is sporadic. I'm at the point where I've used 1/2 my retirement funds, and now have to apply to the gov't to withdraw from my locked in funds, that once upon a time were a company pension. I'm making plans to sell all my stuff in the next 3 months and move into shared furnished accomodation.

I've sent out tons of resumes, have had some interviews, but never make it to the second interview stage.

I'm now hoping to get a part time job over the summer that would at least slow the bleeding of my finances, as well as get me back in the market, since I'm starting to have recruiters tell me "you have too many long periods of unemployment on your resume".

I'm planning on going back to school in the fall to retrain as a forensic accountant. It'll mean going further into debt, but I'm hoping it'll give me a fresh start.

splitimage

[PsychiatricEnigma]

I'm 19 and unemployed. I feel like a dosser layabout as I admit I haven't really been trying hard enough to find work, though I'm not receiving benefits, but my parents and older brother are onto me to find a job. I got rejected from one interview and even McDonald's. -.- My qualifications are average, but it shows how competitive things are lately.

I've badly wanted to join the Army for a number of years but my mental health screwed that one up plus I'm unfit (a tad overweight, I'm ashamed to admit). I applied for an Access to HE course so I could go to university, but I had a bit of an anxiety attack when I was doing the English and Maths tests, there were so many people in the room and I couldn't think, though it was very basic. I then declined the chance to go back and redo it since we're possibly moving to Leeds in the near future anyway.

So yeah, my self-esteem is low. >.<

[rickmn35]

Originally Posted by Deborah35

Hi all,

I've been unemployed since April 2009, seems like an eternity to me, and I'm really down about it. Endless resumes being submitted. When I finally do get replies, it's a month later saying the position has been filled. That's the most aggravating. I attended a free workshop at my local Employment Security Commission on "Networking". The information the instructor gave was ok. I've found it really difficult for me to stay motivated to look for work. If anyone is going through this, how do you all stay motivated? Thanks.

Dear Deborah,
I know how you feel I graduated from college in December and I've been looking for a job that I am able to do. It can be very frustrating when you send out resumes and never hear anything back. Your not alone there are plenty of people out there who cannot find a job. When you see a job posting and they list the skills needed (MS word, excel, good communication, etc) make sure your resume has those keywords listed somewhere. I was looking for a couple of months before someone told me that alot of companies will run resumes through a computer program that looks for those specific keywords. When I had a interview at a company the human resource person told me that he's had people apply that had PHD's and were more than qualified for the job but he didn't have those keywords in his resume and the computer kicked it out. I had no clue about this and I wasted alot of time. This type of system can be a major pain because I've had to sometimes rewrite my resume to fit a job description. If you show your resume to employment counslers be prepared everyone has a different idea of whats a good resume, just make sure your happy with it. Lastly, I know how burnt out a person can get after doing this for a while and I know you really want a job but dont be afraid to take a couple of days off just to clear your head and give yourself a break. I hope this helps.

[nonightowl]

I've tried the keyword thing, and it has never worked for me. Plus, there are thousands of resumes they are running through a computer, and to "stand out" is highly competitive. Plus, if others are reading advice on how to "stand out", everyone is doing the same thing so no one stands out.

They keep repeating the same things over & over as to what you're supposed to do, and you do those things. But still..... To me, it's an oversimplification of what works. It's a subjective process, in my opinion.

Also, see my latest post in this thread:

http://forums.psychcentral.com/showt...25#post2342125

I am upset & anxious enough about the procedure, and it burned me up to see that this EMPLOYED woman can't handle questions in a tactful and clear manner.

[Nicks_Nose]

Unemployment is one of the most stressufl situations in life. I just wen through it for four months. I am now employed but still underemployed. I work in retail with four trades and a degree under my belt. I cannot find work in any of the fields because it was either too long ago I had been trained in it or there are others with more experience in the fields I have. The more unemployment, the more competition for positions and employers are taking advantage of this. They have the pick of the litter so to speak.

Employment centres are there, I believe, simply to keep us going, motivated, and prevent us, as so many others do, from just giving up. I agree that you have to find your motivational factors. Mine were becoming very discouraging, but as longas I went to the appointments at the employment centres, I kept active. Now, even though I am employed, the company has been bought out and the position will dissolve in 6 moths to a year. I must keep looking, but, in the meantime, this job keeps me surviving. Sometimes we cannot be choosey. That being said, though, I was in a position for just over a year that did not put my best skills to use and all I heard from my employer was criticism. It drove me close to.....

I wish you all the best, and I know this sounds corny but...keep your chin up. Motivation is the key....it won't put food on the table or pay rent, but hopefully it will bring results sooner than giving up will. Hugs

[Rose76]

I have not been gainfully employed since April of 2010. I job I got around Christmas time ended in failure by February, 2012. I was devastated.

I am no longer motivated. Right now, I am at the end of my financial resources. I tell myself that there is no "safety net" - other than the local homeless shelters - that are going to "catch me" when I fail to pay my rent. (I borrowed from a relative for next month, but I can't keep that up.)

If I were younger, I would be more willing to do the most menial labor to get by. Believe me, when I was younger, I did do that. I couldn't physically do what I once could do.

If you are young and able-bodied, it might be a thought to consider jobs that don't really require resumes. I am thinking of caretaking and housecleaning and waitressing.

If that seems just too depressing a prospect, I can't say I blame you. I feel the same way. Then, again, I didn't feel that way when I was young and healthy.

[Nicks_Nose]

Waitressing makes some good tips if you get on at a family restaurant. Believe me..they look for resumes too. in this economy, there are university grads doing waitressing and you have to compete with a lot of people to get it.

Call centres take almost anybody. The dress code is casual, and training is provided. Most also give medical coverage, at least where I am.

[nonightowl]

Another thing adding insult to injury is getting phone calls or e-mails about "jobs" that are scams or "pyramid schemes". These people get your info off your resume online, and they seem to target people looking for work. Then, there's the usual "phishing" scams.

They ask you if you want to "interview" without telling you WHAT the position is for! Legitimate companies don't even say the word interview unless they grill you over the phone first.

Got one of those insurance sales agent calls, where you have "unlimited earning potential, can set your own schedule & be your own boss." Sounds too good to be true, and you know what that means...If it sounds too good to be true, it is.

I remember the old days when you either called, snail-mailed/faxxed your resume, or walked in. Nowadays, everything has to be ONLINE, making your personal info much more visible to people other than the employer you want to have it!

In the old days, I never got any scam phone calls or e-mails. I'm sure scams have always been around, but now, thanks to technology, it's easier for these scumbags to call or e-mail people.

[kindachaotic]

nonightowl, this very thing is happening to my husband right now. Got online trying to find applications for jobs. Then started getting these calls, goes back online & discovers 2 of these company's have same address. He drives downtown, finds out they are using this address but what's there is totally different business, nothing related to the job's names or description...

Very discouraging for a man almost 55yrs old who is in construction, which is at a stand still, and has been working at a restaurant. Now those hours dwindled down to nothing, literally.

We have offically joined the ranks...

[nonightowl]

Just got another one of those calls yesterday, just two days after getting a similar call. Both phone numbers have the same prefix, and both callers left messages sounding like they were reading from a script.

"Found your resume online & would like to set up an interview for my manager." WHO are you people???? Who is your manager? She didn't say on the second call, but on the first one, it was some kind of insurance company. They want you to sell insurance or get people to invest in their company, I'm sure.

Not only do scam jobs use phony addresses, they can use phony phone numbers. Use Caller ID as a guide; a shady company can "spoof" the ID, using a legitimate's company's phone number. (Just like you get spam e-mails from legitimate looking "senders") You then find out from the real company that they are not calling people. Sometimes the number shown is a disconnected number!

I must say that the plus side to the Internet is finding out a lot of other people are getting calls from some number, and you see you aren't alone. Or you can confirm your suspicions by Googling the number.

But that being said, I still prefer the "old days". More of a human touch, and like I said in my last post, I NEVER GOT ANY SCAM PHONE CALLS! And of course no e-mails since tech didn't exist yet.

(I seem to be using that emoticon a lot lately, but it's the best one to explain my sentiments on this, among other things!)

[thickntired]

My heart goes out to all of you! I was laid off twice in 2 years and my self esteem dropped like a bowling ball. I know this may not help you find a job, but I find exercise helps keep me motivated.

Best of luck to you all on the job hunt!

TnT