my unemployment diaries

[mr_j]

i've been going through my unemployment/job search diaries, and i have to say that it's been a very interesting experience. i'd record what i wore, how the interview went, how i felt about it, and things related to the whole 'no money' and 'no job' situation. some of it's really funny. some of it's really sad. i may post some of it.

if you ever find yourself in the unemployed line...do you ever document it?

[monet2u]

Now mr j, I have been unemployed so in that you are not alone...however, I have never been unemployed for the length of time you have and so have never had the need to document it. The longest time I was unemployed (by choice and enjoying benefits) was about 8 mos...then my free ride ran out and so I got a j.o.b.

Dunno, you say you want to work and yet you're not working...I do not believe it's very hard in this country to find work that makes you money. At some point you have to give up some lofty ideals so you can feed and shelter yourself. Perhaps taking anything until something more suited comes along.

just remember you posted this thread....so that says you welcome comment.

The diary may indeed be interesting, but I find working far more interesting generally (especially if you have whackjobs at the office...them or you ). Also what good is this diary if it hasn't helped you secure employment? I would think you (being a smart fella) would have used it to correct anything that didn't work in previous interviews or something along those lines.

Don't want to pick on you and I hope you don't take it like that...I just don't understand why people that need to work, don't. Rich people fine...whatever, I get it. But not being rich I've found work the best way to support my lifestyle (not lavish, but every enjoyable).

I still <3 you mr j. And I know you're working now towards your teaching cert, which is a great move cuz I think you'd be a great teacher.

[ifihadahifi]

My longest stint of unemployment was two weeks and it absolutely tore my guts out that it was that long (Wee was two weeks old at the time. Talk about stress!). Any time I've been faced with unemployment, I treat the job search like a job. It's 8 - 12 hours a day of hunting and interviewing. And that leaves very little time for anything else like pondering and writing about my experiences.

But I have a family and all the stuff that goes with that. It kinda changes the rules of the game.

[mr_j]

hey jackie--

point taken.
i should have stated that i keep diaries for *everything* and that this was more of a collection of things over time. i'm working; i do temp work, and i have a 'job' of sorts; it's not a conventional job, but it is work--and am looking for something a bit more stable, a bit more rewarding. also, these diaries are not *continual* at all.

i guess what makes them fascinating is the fact that I am *learning* a lot from looking at them, not only about myself, but about life and the world in general.

plus, it also shows how ... interesting ... some people are in the world. such as the guy who was the manager of a televised regional farm report. or the airline reservationist job i actually had secured but lost due to 9/11, and the changes that took place the second time i tried to apply (and didn't get the job). or the creepy, weird scenes at a pharmacutical company where everyone wore lab coats (including HR) and wouldn't give their last names to non-employed individuals coming in for interviews. ever been told that you'd be perfect for the job you'd interviewed for, but they will not be offering, because they feel that you really should aim higher for another position within the company which they then describe, and then when the person tells you this, you ask if that position is available, and they say 'no'?

and as for the unemployment bit, yeah, it can be tough to find gainful employment, depending on the region you live. i've learned this one the hard way...

[monet2u]

well I wish you the best of luck with your search and hope you find the perfect match for you.