Anyone else currently unemployed?

Out of curiosity, though unemployed, do you not want to do a job that employers say they have to outsource or hire illegal immigrants for because no American is willing to do them?

I'm currently unemployed. I'm in a weird situation though thanks circumstances outside of my control, which makes finding a new job temporarily unavailable, although I MUST find one, eventually.

Unfortunately I have no real wisdom to share other than the old platitudes: hang in there, and don't give up! And it's true, tenacity is key. That's how we can get through anything, humankind has done it before!

Lower your expectations. A recession is coming and, like musical chairs, if you don't have a job when the music stops- you'll be shit outta luck.

There's a bunch of jobs in Security. You just wear a polyester uniform and walk a lot.

Back in the day when I was between jobs I tried to find volunteer work to keep me busy. Also, getting out of the house and going for walks helped too. At times I wanted to crawl into my shell and not see anyone, but I discovered that wasn't a good idea so I got out and met up with friends for coffee (being thrifty) as often as I could. Staying connected is important and you never know when they might have a job idea.

Hope this helps.

Try 18 months fml.

The South of France is lovely this time of year. Instead of fretting, treat yourself to the break you deserve!

Feel bad about yourself . It’s you - not the job market.

If you have unemployment or ample savings, don't sweat it too much. I would suggest going to agencies and temping if there is temp work that in any way matches your skills or abilities, even if its not any your desired "field". Good luck.

Sell drugs out of your apartment. Not only can you make some quick cash, but it's a way of meeting people.

Seriously I would start doing some heavy duty exercising. Maybe two hour cardio sessions per day. Give you something else to focus on and a feeling of achievement. I was unemployed for three years when I was younger, 30 years ago, and took up obsessive cycling (on a cheap rusty old bike). I hated it. ..... and loved it. But it gave me something worthwhile todo. I’ve never been unemployed since but I still do bursts of cycling every now and then and those three years built my ‘legs’ to be able to do so.

Do NOT live off your savings. Take a crappy job beneath your station until you're hired for the job you want. Crappy job? Retail. They only hire parttimers now anyhow which will allow you to interview elsewhere.

R10, I started exercising too when I was unemployed. Lost 10 pounds and kept it off. I went to the gym everyday for an hour and was pissed off when I couldn't make it.

and stay away from staffing agencies, which are a scam.

How so?

Going out for coffee is not remotely thrifty.

Unemployed. 52. And debating if I can just retire on $600k. I hate work - especially the industry where I’ve worked for 25 years. The absence of stress has eliminated my depression and anxiety. The ability to sleep has cured my physical ailments. I’ve reestablished all of my meaningful relationships. I’m able to help my sick sister. I’m happy for the first time in 25 years.

Most of my family has died before 70 due to a genetic mutation. I don’t want to be miserable until 65 and die within a year or two. I may just take my chances, live cheaply and enjoy the next 10 years.

R11, I agree with you. However, I've just gotten out of a cycle of taking shitty jobs for which I am overqualified, and always end up unable to save any money. Hoping to land a job where I'm actually compensated decently. But yes, I will probably bite the bullet and take another $15/hr, soul-crushing gig. Such is life.

Exercise, volunteer, stay socially connected to friends and colleagues, part time work all good ideas. I’ve worked 2 months of the past 2 years.

And, adding to that--I'm not opposed to taking a low-paying job, however, many companies do not want to offer full time hours. So a $15/hr job isn't terrible if you're doing 40 hour work weeks, but 10-20 hours a week is unsustainable.

Anyway, not trying to make excuses. Grateful for my health and savings. I'm just frustrated.

Thanks for all the advice!!

I'm a tenured professor but I must say I liked my retail jobs if the store and team had pleasant personalities. I also have an OCD tick where I like categorising and putting things in place and that is what retail work is about in some places. I liked putting all merchandise in order. It was satisfying on some psychic level for me. Also creating little displays. Why is this soul crushing? I also liked the older ladies who had been in retail for decades. Some of them had great personalities and a pleasure in customer service even in a box store.

I really think all these jobs should be unionised and made into living wage occupations. I guess that's a pipe dream in the USofA.

I have been out of work going on 5 months and I am more mad than frustrated. I get interviews with these offshore people who have told me I am too old, ask me questions about something that is not related to the particular job I am interviewing for and basically try to say I am not qualified. Talking to other unemployed people, it seems that this is a coordinated scheme by these off-shore recruiters to claim that there are no qualified people in the US so the hiring manager has no choice but to consider a H1B candidate

I’m a manny for my sister often. I get to see my nieces and baby nephew, so that’s cool.

R21 that does sound grisly and enraging.

I started this thread at the end of January. I was struggling, but able to make some income escorting. Then COVID-19 hit.

I've kind of lost the will to look for a normal job, at this point. Doing sex work online for now. Maybe one of these days I'll find a "vanilla" work-from-home gig.

How y'all doin?

Unemployment does NOT mean you're a failure, OP!

r16, check out the retire early board for advice. There are some really smart and helpful people there.