Unemployed Freepers?

self | April 14, 2002 | self

[Mad Dawgg]

"So what are you manufacturing in your new business?"

WEALTH

[Lazamataz]

Oddly enough, I violated at least six of the principles you have detailed in your letter and got hired for a short-term contract in Birmingham, Alabama, followed by a fulltime position with a fairly large player in the convertible bonds market in Chicago. ;^)

Nonetheless, I suspect I am a little lucky and very good with people-skills, and that most folks would be better off following your sage advice.

(Being a Freeper didn't hurt in one occasion, but was meaningless for the other)

The best job, of course, is to run your own gig. That is what I and my lovely and gracious fiance are looking to do someday. You'll never get rich by digging a ditch, you need to own a plow.

[Lazamataz]

Hey baby, I finally am accepting of your eventual dearest goal. :o)

(No, not the second Mini Pin and the fullsized Dobie)

[Lazamataz]

Where are you geographically located?

[GailA]

Two way radio is taking a big hit too. Nextel has been buying up the frequencies and the businesses. Then the FTR's(transmitter site trouble shooters) and bench techs are thrown out of work, with less and less of this industry left to go to. The office and sales people can easily go find jobs in other areas, but the FTR's and bench techs have a harder time finding new positions as there are very few left. Hubby is in this position 28 yrs in this industry, the last 3 as an FTR, laid off in Feb, no luck so far, not even one nibble.

[Lanman]

Like other FReepers here, I am also out of work. I was layed off last November from my telecom job. The job search has been very slow. From what I am hearing, sometimes companies are getting hundreds of resumes for just one job.

I have been look out side of telecom too, but still no luck. I have sent out scores of resumes, and have only had one interview.

[Lazamataz]

STAY AWAY FROM TELCOM

It is saturated, downsizing, and in its best incarnation and most prosperous it is STILL hell.

[Lanman]

I would love to stay away from telcom, but my background is there and in IT. Most IT companies are not much better thn telcom. I am also looking as sales jobs because I have experience as a sales engineer.

[Snowy]

I swear, being in business for yourself is tough!

Truer words were never typed on FR. My husband and biz partner started their own business 5 years ago. It's just about holding it's own, but it has been and still is very tough! They have a great software product, and some big companies are buying it. The problem is, good salespeople are hard to find. The top sales guy is on track for over $100,000 this year. Good sales people will always be in high demand. Unfortunately for me, my husband and partner believe that the sales guys should make more than they do, and believe me, they are sticking to that. Many months, we barely scrape by with our bills. However, starting your own company is all about taking risks. We wanted a shot at something bigger in life, rather than simply living comfortably. However, I never thought that it would be this difficult! Maybe we should start a "start-up prayers needed" thread. :)

[lewislynn]

Funny thing, you never see socialism in countries with low taxes.

What countries would those be exactly?

[A. Pole]

What a depressing thought. An engineering degree, 15 years experience in high tech telecommunications field to end up selling hamburgers at Burger King. Sad day in America when a highly skilled work force is being replaced by foreigners.

At least you will be serving your burgers to them.

[blueriver]

At least you will be serving your burgers to them.

Gee you like to put salt on open wounds don't you.

[SoCal Pubbie]

OK, I guess I’ll add my tale of woe to this depressing thread. I have 23 years experience in industrial design, with an emphasis in exhibits and displays. I’ve been self employed for a decade, but last year it all fell apart. I lost a few clients, the others stopped going to tradeshows, and I haven’t been able to recover. I went from billing $225,000 per year to $30,000 in 2001. So far I’ve done zip in 2002.

What money I had is gone. If it wasn’t for my mother and my in-laws I may have lost my house, but of course now I am in debt to them. My once impeccable credit is shot and I’m being sued by a vendor I can’t pay. I have applied for jobs all over the country and the last decent interview I had was at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley over a year ago. I came in second on that one. I don’t even get a response to my resume most of the time.

My wife makes almost enough in her retail management time job to pay the bills, but she wants to have kids and she's running out of time. The fact that I cannot support her, among other things, is not too good for my ego. I finally got a part time job at Home Depot to pay off the lawsuit so now I get to work weekends for 3 bucks and hour more than I was making a quarter century ago when I was in college.

As depressing as it gets sometimes, and I have to say it’s a full blown mid life crises as I question every decision I’ve made for the past 25 years, I still remain optimistic. I am trying to play catch up learning the computer programs that didn’t exist when I was in school, and that I hope will be the biggest single advantage I’ll have to make myself more employable. When I can get some money together I’ll try to remarket myself and maybe start a few part time ventures that hopefully will grow.

I will get back on my feet again!

[Rapunzel]

I quit my government(state) job in late '98 because of the stupid,lazy,irresponsible,incompetent,cultural diversity crap,etc.etc. Had enough years to pull a retirement check but not enough to live on. Has been the most rewarding time for me personally until I tried to re enter the job market. Bleak Horizons begin for females at age 40 unless they have been cosmetically arranged.

I started a home based business last August and thank God for Arts and Crafts Shows.

[AppyPappy]

Here's your Uncle Shirad. Have a nice day.

[technochick99]

I believe that taxes and strangling govt regulations share some of the blame.

[Joe Hadenuf]

You're post hit the ten ring. And I agree with some here, it's much worse than the WH and media are putting out. It's pretty ugly.

[Lazamataz]

The problem is that there are too many Indian & Chinese engineers that have been allowed into this country on H-1B visas.

Ping!

[Joe Hadenuf]

I do wish you luck. If you are over 40, you will need it. If you are over 50, welcome to Bleak Horizons.

I don't quite understand that.

From my experience, most people in their 50s are more skilled, dedicated, dependable and stable than most in their 20s, 30s and even 40s. Why is it that an employer whould shy away from someone in their 50s??

Is it that they demand more pay? More benefits?

What's the deal here? It just doesn't seem to make much sense.