The job I lost
I was a marketing & sales assistant for a business publication company. I was in charge of entering data into a contract template. the COO added "includes PDF copy" in 3 places when it only needed 1. It wasnt a major issue. Long story short, I enter the data, print it out, get approval from the two people authorized. They would take out the words, then approve it. It gets back to COO who insists that I put it back in. I do so, the other two take it out again. I am told by the COO that I should add it after approval (which is against Co. policy), when the contract gets back to her she fires me for not going against Co.
What it's like being unemployed
I have been out of work since November 2007. I have seven temp agencies looking for work for me - right... One company calls once every six months to offer me a job, only to tell me the next day that the client wants someone more qualified. The last time, they asked me about a part time job, then told me that the client wanted someone with more education than I had. When I asked her about it she said she needed someone with an Associates Degree. This wouldn't bother me if I hadn't been studying for my MBA... Of course I'm not in class anymore.
I have to report to Unemployment every job lead and the result or they will cut me off. I apply to 300 ads per week and still nothing.
I have a Bachelors degree in Finance. But I can't work in the finance field, because I have bad credit - go figure I dont have a job, can't pay bills, bills get delinquent and I get sued, goes against credit, credit report bad, no job.
I have pernicious anemia (B-12 deficient), cant get meds, because I can't afford the blood tests each month (I have to have vitamin injections only). Therefore, have lost appetite, bad teeth, numbness in fingers,(symptoms of B-12 deficiency), my teeth are breaking because I can't afford to see a dentist.
My family (both sides) look at me like I'm a pitiful case, some think it's my fault I cant find a job (maybe you're looking for too much money - you're not going to find a $17/hr job, you've got to start somewhere - or my favorite, your mom and dad want to retire, why don't you just get a job at wal-mart or mcdonalds. - believe me if mcd's or walmart would hire me I'd kiss the floors clean.)I have figured it out, in order for me to break even, I would need to make 10.00 an hour just to keep up with my bills.
I have a car, but i cant let it go - my dad needs me to drive him to work everyday, my mother has medical problems where she cant walk sometimes. Just recently got a notice from finance co where they said I have to either pay the past due or let them repo. My dad first said that he'd pay it off and let me pay him each mo. then told me to let them repo and he'll buy me another used car (my car is a 2005 focus - bought new refi'd 2x to make affordable). he doesnt understand that REPO means I still have to pay the difference between sell and Finance cost.
Advice
- Don't waste your time looking for a job in your field. any job will do.
- Don't burn your bridges - get references from everyone you know.
- Use LinkedIn to contact old employers - don't ignore contacts - even those that you couldn't stand. (I even have the COO who fired me as a contact in LinkedIn.
- Kiss up to everybody.
