Being Unemployed is the hardest job to have

[Taverner]

You have to get up each morning, not knowing where your money is going to come from.

You still have to work as hard, if not harder, just to get a job.

Yeah, you can get a little help, but the small help you get is under scrutiny from all sides.

Anything you do is suspect - everything you do is under a microscope - especially if you get laid off. "Why did you get laid off? Did someone have a problem and just use this to get rid of you?"

Every single job is beset by competitors.

I did not get the job. Pretty sure of that.

There were over 100 competitors and I made it to the finals, but I lost. "Almost" only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

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Fuck Capitalism

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Fuck Capitalism

It sucks

[Berry Cool]

1. I sympathize, Taverner.

I'm there too. It's tough. I don't know what to say, except to keep on hanging in there, and don't let the bastards get you down.

[snappyturtle]

2. I'm in the same boat. Not working is degrading to me. All we can do

is to do our best each day...although that too, is becoming more and more difficult. Best of luck to you.

[Taverner]

8. Too much Calvinism in my blood

Even if I rejected it outright, it's still there...

Fuck I want to die

[zazen]

13. I'm still in denial about what the "long descent" really means in individual lives

I've been (and am) there, sorta.

Please keep posting here and checking in with people. Millions of jobs aren't coming back. Things really do suck. There will be ways people survive based on the primary and secondary economies John Michael Greer writes about. I don't know how. . . each person will work it out in their own way.

I just had to write something because of your "Fuck I want to die" comment. I've been there. It's scary, and it's real. And you feel like that's your only respectable option, based on those internalized Calvinist "values."

But you've helped several people just by posting what you did. So hang in there. Connect with someone to drive a wedge between the downward spiral of helplessness you feel and your sense of self, because if you let yourself get fully wrapped up in that helplessness, you might really do yourself harm.

It seems more people are caving into that feeling of helplessness. So, you're doing the right thing by posting this, and keep doing it, and keep us updated on how you're doing. You don't know how you may have already helped someone today, just by putting this out there.



:hug:

[Taverner]

15. Think of it like this: the Right Wing, Rush Limbaugh - they WANT us to die

They would love it if a bunch of us committed suicide. They'd crow about how "weak" liberals are, and how they're doing everyone a service. Fuck them.

Live long and prosper I say

[Better Today]

3. Yep, I'm in the final five again, third time in three months, w/ second interview tomorrow

afternoon. I try very hard to remind myself that being at the second interview marker is a huge thing when, same as you, there are over 100 in the original competition for the job. But like you, I have yet to be the one. It's really hard on the psyche, I've never been in so many second round interviews without a job offer till this all crashed two years ago.

Nonetheless, as I do for myself, remember that you too must be ahead of the crowd or you wouldn't be getting second interview or as you say, the finals. In such a job market as this one, that is actually something to have pride in. Pat yourself on the back, in between the sobs, as I try to do to keep my chin up a bit.

[Taverner]

6. I hear you man, I hear you

That's my life story these days - second time this has happened this year

FUCK YOU GLENN BECK!!!!

[Carnage251]

4. Check and see if there is any summer work programs in your local career offices

I got a summer internship at a fire dept that pays me minimum wage.

[Taverner]

5. I'm a Senior Storage Architect

I don't think they would want my skills...

[TeeYiYi]

11. Why not?...

TYY

[mdmc]

7. yupyup

[DailyGrind51]

9. And there really are no available jobs out there!

You spend more time and money mailing out resumes and driving to interviews and "they" never even bother to send you a form letter!

[proudohioan]

10. Oh, I hear you, Taverner....

and I'm with you there! I have actually given up. I just can't take that kind of competition and rejection any more.

The final straw for me was getting through a second interview, and being turned down for 'information obtained on your credit report". I haven't applied for anything since.

Fuck Capitalism!!!

[Brickbat]

12. I know what you're talking about.

I went through that during the post-9/11 recession, when I got laid off and was unemployed for four years. I had a baby and "kept house" (snort) in the meantime, as well as did a little freelancing, but the interviewing and competing with dozens of people for jobs just got degrading and I stopped. It felt like such a money chase and that more than anything else honed my realization of how futile it all is, and what a waste so much of what we do is, in the grand scheme of things.

And I know what you mean about being under scrutiny and being suspect. As I'm doing census work, I've been running into people who are clearly embarrassed to be caught at home during the day, not working for whatever reason. I think it's sad that we live in a time and place where people are embarrassed to be at their own homes. As if they SHOULDN'T be at home -- that being in one's own home is reason for suspicion or pity.

You're in my thoughts, man. Capitalism sucks indeed.

[KG]

14. except for the lack of money, i've enjoyed my few extended stretches of unemployement.

i felt it was no reflection on me. and i'm never bored. i got books computer, bicycle, internet. it was a groove.