The job I lost
I was Office Manager/IT Coordinator for a Work First agency in Detroit. Due to the numerous agencies not being able meet the job placement numbers/requirements, my agency lost it's contract. This was in Dec. 07. The clients we served (95% women).My agency would not simply try and place the client in just any job to make the #'s but tried to help in other ways....GED, housing info, parenting classes, etc. Sometimes a job was not the answer but assisting in leveling out life situations so one could get a job. Unfortunately assisting in areas other than job placement ended our contract & our jobs. Sad but true.
What it's like being unemployed
21 months of hell. I'm registered on almost every job website there is. I received very few hits and the ones I have would require relocating which I can't afford or position filled "already".I've applied for jobs that both above and below my skill level. I now have 4 different types of resumes 1)skilled, 2)not so skilled, 3)willing to be taught some skills, 4)and stupid just want to work. Still no luck. MI unemployment rate is approaching 15%-in Detroit it's at 17+%.
My benefits ended Sept 1st 09 and my bank account is about empty. I have to decide if I will pay my cell bill or my internet bill to keep in touch with the outside world. I'm leaning toward internet, at least I can still continue my job search. Rent & utilities are due soon and I have no idea how I'll manage that. Not to mention that scammers are using the job websites as their database for nonsense, retrieving my phone#, email & home address off my resume and flooding me with with calls about online schooling, insurance offers, work online from home and Viagra of all things. Just shameful!
I keep copies of my resume with me at all times because you never know who you might meet at the gas station, grocery store, or OfficeMax. I'm up at 6:30 am every morning-online-searching for jobs and now info on the extension vote in the Senate. The money I used to spend on scented candles (when working) is now spent on soup and crackers, luxuries are a thing of the past. Cable TV was the thing to go. No bus fare, No gas money (car down now anyway) No money for new interviewing outfit (lost weight due to stressing), and I'm almost at the point where I have no hope.
I have a 25 yo daughter who just graduated college and a 18 yo son in his second year of college and I'm stressing about their future. My daughter has a job in retail (nothing to do with her degree) and helps financially with her brother (which is supposed to be my job). And during this time I also lost my beloved mother/best friend.
The Bible says that the Lord will put no more on you than you can stand...so I pray and I pray and I pray some more in hopes that the saying is true. And tomorrow I'll get up at 6:30 am per usual and I'll start fresh like today's disappointments were a bad dream.
Advice
- I've learned that tomorrow is certainly not promised to you.
- That if (NO!) when I become employed that I will remain the Budget Master that I have become.
- Being down financially has taught me to respect the dollar and it's purpose in my life. I'm also researching states with better employment opportunities so at some point I can relocate.
- Don't want to sit and wait for Michigan to have it's turn around (?) which may never come.
- And to top my list of things to do, I'm trying to become more involved with our youth as a mentor because they are our future.
