looking for work

[Jen10122]

I have just past my year anniversary of being out of work. I just received my last unemployment check on Wednesday. I only have $6,000 left in my bank account. My bills here in NYC are $3,000 a month. This tells me I only have 2 more months to find a job. I will be 50 on June 2nd. I only have a high school diploma. When I graduated high school college was not extremely necessary to get work. When I was in my 20's I had a baby to care for and a husband going to night school. It was difficult to find time to go to college and also I felt I couldn't do the work required. Now I am looking for work and can't find anything with my skills. I was a customer service representative for 7 years. Then I was fired due to some errors on my part as well as not having a manager I could work with. Now I am afraid that I am close to being homeless. I am afraid that I will go on welfare shortly. I am living in a rent stablized apartment right now. The apartments here in NYC go for $1,000 a month and more. I am only paying $485.
I am so afraid that I will never find anything I can do. Jobs are so scrarce. So many other people looking. I have an IRA in my bank. The face value is $20,000 but if you withdraw early they penalize 2 months later. I would like to close out my IRA but would like the bank to retain the amount that I would be penalized. I doubt they can figure that out. So I still can't win. I can't even be sure how much money I do have left to survive on. It seems that everything I try just backfires on me. I wish there was a way I could have faith that I could survive. But with the way things are right now in my life I don't. I don't eat, I can't sleep. I just give up. I want to continue looking for work but why. Nothing works out. I am sorry for all this. I just need someone to talk to. I wish there were support groups for people like me but I can't find any.
Whoever reads this entire letter,thanks. I wouldn't blame you if you didn't. JUst thanks for being there.
If you care to respond you can write me at blueey2597@aol.com
Thanks again,
Mary

[scorpy808]

Hi Mary -

I know how you feel ... only when I was out of work I was on disability for a year and had zero money in the bank. That was back when I was 25. What ended up happening for me is I started my own business because I couldn't find work that I could do. Well, it's now 6 years later and I'm still surviving. Our biggest problem now is this $4500 income tax payment we can't pay (still no money in the bank!)! It's always somthing ...

Anyway, have you considered relocating? There might be other areas where jobs may be more available.

I know it's a really crappy economy now and joblessness is out of control, but don't lose hope!

[Clarsax]

:hug: Hi Mary -

I know what you're feeling. I've also been out of work for a year. I'm in a very lucky situation in that I can still live with my parents, so don't have as many worries as I would if I were on my own, but even with a degree I can't find anything. The economy is awful right now and the job market is even worse. Never blame yourself for what you're going through. This slump is affecting lots of people with all kinds of backgrounds, and almost everyone I know is either out of work or about to be downsized.

I know that its hard not to feel bad when you keep looking for work and keep not finding anything, but try to hang in there and don't give up on the job search. Some of the things that have been helping me with my own search are to get some exercise and to take a little time out of each day for relaxation. No matter how bad I'm feeling, sometimes going for a short walk or spending a few minutes meditating or listening to relaxing music can brighten up the day and make me feel better about myself even if it doesn't change the situation.

One thing I'm considering until I can find a more permenant job is temporary agencies. I've done it before, and working as an office temp is kind of like being an assistant secretary. Its easy work, mostly answering phone calls and sorting mail, but the pay isn't generally too bad. I don't know what your situation is, but if there are any agencies in your area, you might want to consider checking with them to see if they've got anything like that for you.

If you have any interest in relocating, I know a couple of websites that describe the Cleveland area, what jobs are available and so forth, and I'd be happy to help.

About the only other thing I can add is that the people on this board are pretty friendly, and if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm sure they would be glad to listen and offer any advice they can.

Hang in there, and don't lose hope! :hug: