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I was laid off and looking for work every single day. I
checked the job boards early in the morning and late at night. I made cold calls
and sent out resumes by the dozens.
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I did this
for six months. Yeah, SIX MONTHS!
Keep in mind, this was back in the late 90's when job descriptions were
short and pay was long. Jobs were plentiful. You could roll out of bed unemployed
and have three job offers before you hit the floor.
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Unless you
were me, that is. I
couldn't even get arrested.
That was before I learned productive, high-percentage ways to look for
work.
As some of you might know, unemployment insurance is a 26 week (six month)
program. If you're out of work longer, you have to get by one way or
another. This, unfortunately, included me because I was past the 26 week
mark.
Like many out of work, I had a wife (at the time), a mortgage, car payment
and child. Oh - and land taxes in a higher-tax suburb. I can't forget them.
I was in panic mode. Despite having a college education, good skills and
talents, I was draining my checking and savings accounts.
So I took a weekend night job, sweeping the floor of a factory. Then I took
a weekend day job moving furniture around in a showroom. And another
sorting clothes in thrift store weeknights. And yet another weekdays from 8
to 5.
All told, I had four jobs and was getting four paychecks from four
different temp agencies. I was working 75 hours a week and was still making
next to nothing.
I pulled through this, and so will you. In the short term, though, don't be
afraid to take a "disposable job" - something to tide you over -
to get you through. Take on four if you need to. If you keep looking,
things will start happening. You will get interviews and you will find a
job.
IN THE CARAVAN: Take disposable jobs to pay the bills once your unemployment
insurance is tapped, but don't stop looking for a "real"
job.
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bSafari.c
The Lion’s Pride: Q & A
