Well, I'm about to be unemployed again

[Philosophy]

After working for only four months. Didn't even make the 20 week minimum to collect unemployment. And that means I won't make Bush*'s unemployment rate numbers go up either, which doubly irks me.

My company lost its biggest client today because they missed so many deadlines over the last year due to gross mismanagement before I was even hired. My job was to get some real work done there for a change and actually get some projects completed, which I did accomplish but it turned out that it was already too late. Since I was the last one hired, I get to be the first one let go.

And I thought this was going to be the first year since 2000 that I wouldn't have to get the EITC (did I hear somewhere that Bush is trying to eliminate that?). I thought I had finally turned the corner on this job, which didn't pay that well for university degreed computer programmer and web developer with 10 years of experience, but they took a chance and hired me based on my demonstrated skills instead of automatically eliminating me at the start like everyone else because of the huge employment gaps in my resume (I was pretty much unemployed for almost three entire years before this job). Now this four month stint is going to make my resume look even worse - people will just assume that this company quickly found out there was something really wrong with me.

At least I got a security clearance out of it. So now I can maybe get a job at Taco bell because I won't divulge what the fuck that putrid "carne esada" meat stuff that squirts out of a tube is really made of. :cry:

[Tripper11]

1. Man that sucks..sorry to hear about it

I am trying to get another job. I have a shitty part time job, my wife makes the scratch here. But we need every penny, like most "middle class" people.
My current job is being run by a megalomaniacal republican who thinks he's right about everything and if you even question him he will shout you down.

Good luck in finding a new job, they are out there, albeit few and far between. At least I have something while I look for somethng else.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

2. I'm sorry and can commiserate

my last job stint lasted 10 weeks and the state reopened my unemployment from the previous layoff in July. December was my third layoff since June 2002.

As far as resumes go, you don't have to include that job unless it helps you. I am NOT including my last one on my resume.

Good luck!

[Philosophy]

9. I have to use this job on my resume

Otherwise it looks like I was pretty much enemployed for 4 years now that it's 2004. I'll just fudge on the dates a little.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

5. Link to back up your assertion please?

[dfong63]

11. here's one

see the bls geographic profile faq

the stats are based on a phone survey:
``...
What is the Current Population Survey (CPS)?

The CPS is a monthly sample survey of approximately 60,000 households (nationally) conducted by the Bureau of the Census for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It is the source of much key labor market data, including the U.S. unemployment rate. For more information see Current Population Survey.
...''

see also bls dept of labor faq

the rate depends on who is looking for work, not who is collecting UI:
``...
# Employed persons: All persons who, during the reference week
(week including the twelfth day of the month), (a) did any work
as paid employees, worked in their own business or profession or
on their own farm, or worked 15 hours or more as unpaid workers
in an enterprise operated by a member of their family, or (b)
were not working but who had jobs from which they were
temporarily absent. Each employed person is counted only once,
even if he or she holds more than one job.

# Unemployed persons: All persons who had no employment during
the reference week, were available for work, except for temporary
illness, and had made specific efforts to find employment some
time during the 4 week-period ending with the reference week.
Persons who were waiting to be recalled to a job from which they
had been laid off need not have been looking for work to be
classified as unemployed.

# Unemployment rate: The ratio of unemployed to the civilian
labor force expressed as a percent (unemployed/labor force)].
...''

[necso]

4. Put out your shingle.

Even a modest amount of self employment can turn those ugly blank spots into self employment. After all how many "customers" is a prospective employer going to talk to. If they want to see your tax forms tell them "Bite Me".

Of course you need to massage your resume before sending it to any employer and decide how much to puff this or that. (Some checking is done by everybody, and a lot is done by some.)

As for gross mismanagement --- about the only kind I've seen. I used to work for consulting firms and have seen lots of different companies --- impressed by none.

[Philosophy]

8. I'm already kind of padding my resume

I don't even put the months where the jobs started and ended any more, just the years. So this one will say 2003 - 2004. It almost looks like I had the job for a whole year if they don't dig too deep.

[necso]

10. Do some actual outside work if you can..

Sooner or later you will have to fess up on the months on actual applications.

If you can get any outside work, you can go back and color in older openings (as long as you are willing to gamble a little).

There are volunteer openings, and many small website jobs. Getting a domain name and a host costs just a few bucks and lends much credibility.

Identify local merchants with lousy sites and offer to update them for a song.

Do anything that can make you a few bucks or at least give you someone who will say that you did work for them. I had a buddy (now deceased) whom I met by doing work for him, who would have said anything that I told him to.

Sure it sounds sleazy, but man you have to get in the door before you can show them what you can do. And who knows, you might end up earning a living.

P.S. Don't lie (ie don't get caught lying) on security clearance forms. Last time I filled them out, the SO read them over "to check for mistakes". She wasn't supposed to use the info against you, but they fired some new hire based on what she read. Whatever you do, be consistent in how you fill out security clearance forms.

[45th Med]

6. FILE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT ANYWAYS!

You should still file! In Texas, the minimum is only 30 days, so you may be able to get at least SOMETHING!

I'm on unemployment right now and I'm using it to fund my business!

[Philosophy]

7. I checked today - it's 20 weeks in Alabama

And it's 20 weeks in Tennessee where I moved from to come down here.

[45th Med]

12. FILE ANYWAY!

Just file and get a decision, you never know.

[TOhioLiberal]

13. I empathize with you

I got the word in late November that the call center I work for is closing end of February. the Ironic part is that the company does outsourcing for other companies, and is now outsourcing to Canada!

Hopefully I can find someting soon.
Trekkerlass