At that point, not finding good job opportunities, I went out on my own. I did okay, at least paying my bills, until the crash after the dot com bubble and 9/11.
I went to work for Home Depot for over a year until another project came along, and then worked again on my own until the spring of 2008, when I was offered a full time job in my field. I did that AND ran my own projects for almost two years.
Then came THE crash and by August 2009 my employer called it quits. I took unemployment for a year while I searched for a job. I couldn't find one, but won a one year contract for the State of California.
Then I really screwed up. I was naive, weak, and too willing to go along. I got abused. I gave an unplanned two for one sale. It took two years, and nearly killed me. I went months without pay, sleep, or sanity. But I got the job done and now it's past me.
I had another big project lined up, but the funding agency requires a performance bond that I can't obtain and a $400,000 job slips through my fingers.
So now it's summer 2012. I have no choice but to take a low paying job in an unrelated field. I apply for all the jobs I see, and do freelance work when it comes up. I can barely make ends meet. My credit's shot. I owe back taxes.
My resume says I've been freelancing (or self employed) since 2009. Do I change that? Should I list a completely non related job instead? I have applied for dozens of jobs in my field, including out of state. I have had two interviews, both for freelance work, and got no work from those.
Am I too old? Too much experience? Not diverse enough? Not up on the exact software they want? Are the ads a formality and they already know the hire?
I do not ask to make a point. I want advice. I don't have the cash to live on while building up a business, nor the time now to do work if it came up without jeopardizing what employment I have. I really need a decent paying job to live like a modest life, save some money again, and plan the last two decades of my working life.
Actually, you are exactly the kind of person I would want to hire, were your resume come across my desk. You are not what I would call chronically unemployed at all. You never sat still.
Now, I know nothing about your area of the country or your field....but I would advise finding some kind of partner who is bondable so you can snag the next 400 K type opportunity that comes along.
My heart goes out to you...that’s a tough situation. I’d be curious to hear what other people say who have worked in hiring.
Is it possible for you to relocate from CA, if you’re just doing freelance and part-time work anyway? Maybe move to a state with a much lower cost of living, so that the money you do make goes much farther?
Also, do you have stuff you can sell on ebay? If so, you can use your current assets to get you liquidity and an immediate cash infusion, which you can then use to buy other merchandise and sell it online. It doesn’t take that much time either.
Damn! You’re me! (Except 5 years younger and maybe 400 miles further south)