Anyone else finding it impossible to find a decent job?

[Cookie monster]

Couple of months ago there was an article in the paper about 10000 people applying for one position in a mcdonalds.

There are no jobs over here and it's going to be like that for a long time i fear.

 

[Strainhunter]

Instead of continuing trying to find a "decent" job I went and created my own income.
It doesn't pay super great but well enough to enable me to live away from the crowds.

What I am trying to say here is these days one gotta get (very) creative and figure out something that works for him/her instead of having to rely on finding a job.
Unfortunately traditional job values don't really seem to count these days anymore and one often gotta become a 1099 (instead of W2) to create a stable flow of funds.

The above works for me and is has worked for many others as well, you just gotta figure out what suits your skills and is working for you in today's economy.

People always gotta eat and live somewhere so I call making a buck related to those two things "recession-proof".

Sounds easy enough?

No it's not (at least it wasn't for me) but once I got it figured out I would never go back being a W2.

 

[SpasticGramps]

I graduated college in '04 and was lucky to get into the oilfield while it was booming. I grew up in the oilfield and have been through the peaks and valley's. We almost lost everything a couple of times. I'm the division manager now and I have had to let a lot of people go. Our company is doing alright, but we are the best in the business for our size. Other companies are really struggling. The job market is really really bad and I'm in a state that is probably doing better than 90% of the others. Unfortunately I think it's only going to get worse. Unless you know somebody you aren't getting a job around here.

 

[DankHank]

i got laidoff 10 mnths ago
200 resumes,100 applications and nothing!
it used to be it was between you and the next guy to get the job..now its you up against hundreds for each position. every interview i been on they say they put out an add on craigslist and in two days they get a few hundred apps/resumes, so the chance of you finding work is like 1 in a million and the pay rate has gone way way down as well..jobs that used to pay 15-18HR are now paying 8-10HR being they know eather way they will find someone to fill the job at any cost cause people are hard up! fukd up shit!

 

[Grat3fulh3ad]

i got laidoff 10 mnths ago
200 resumes,100 applications and nothing!
it used to be it was between you and the next guy to get the job..now its you up against hundreds for each position. every interview i been on they say they put out an add on craigslist and in two days they get a few hundred apps/resumes, so the chance of you finding work is like 1 in a million and the pay rate has gone way way down as well..jobs that used to pay 15-18HR are now paying 8-10HR being they know eather way they will find someone to fill the job at any cost cause people are hard up! fukd up shit!

But I was always told that it was a good thing when prices and wages are driven by market forces like supply and demand.... We are, as employees, simply another commodity rich people trade in, after all...

 

[funkervogt]

Instead of continuing trying to find a "decent" job I went and created my own income.
It doesn't pay super great but well enough to enable me to live away from the crowds.

What I am trying to say here is these days one gotta get (very) creative and figure out something that works for him/her instead of having to rely on finding a job.
Unfortunately traditional job values don't really seem to count these days anymore and one often gotta become a 1099 (instead of W2) to create a stable flow of funds.

The above works for me and is has worked for many others as well, you just gotta figure out what suits your skills and is working for you in today's economy.

People always gotta eat and live somewhere so I call making a buck related to those two things "recession-proof".

Sounds easy enough?

No it's not (at least it wasn't for me) but once I got it figured out I would never go back being a W2.

'Employment' or 'job security' is a false sense of safety for the frightened. My dad gets on my ass all of the time about going into independent consulting work and not "getting a real job". I've had a "real job", what a waste; I was doing the work and my boss was making the money. Why not do both?

If your business is tied to something that can be done overseas with similar quality for cheaper, your job is not secure. Options: compete with those overseas folks (more work for less money) or do something with your own tacit knowledge that cannot be easily replaced.

I think once people stop crying about how they "can't find work" and start "making work" this country will be back on track. Many people are already doing this as they note in the thread: they are using their tacit knowledge of growing to generate income. Create, sell. That's it. That's business. It's not easy, no, but people JUST LIKE YOU do it everyday.

 

[Sam the Caveman]

I do yard work for rich folks and one of them told me a few years ago "I hope you never get a real job, because we like your work", well I was felt insulted at the time thinking she didn't think what I did was real work, now I appreciate that comment.

I agree with you totally funkervogt, I had 'real jobs" for a long time and they are horrible.

I'm not in love with my work by any means, but I actually get fair compensation for my work now. High intensity labor for a short period of time and make great money and have plenty of time to create other type of income. Diversity of revenue creates financial stability.

 

[movingtocally]

You would actually off yourself if you got busted growing?Bullshit man thats all I can say what a stupid thing to think much less say..You know if you had to do a little time you probably wouldn't survive it because you are not mentally strong enough.Kill myself lol I can't get over such bullshit!

It's not about mental strength or lack thereof. It's about looking at the situation rationally and unemotionally and determining that the immediate price isn't worth the long-term reward.

 

[zenoonez]

I have been out of work for a while. There is really nothing around here unless you want to work at a Mcds or BK. I am trying to get something through a friend of a friend sort of deal but it doesn't look promising.

 

[guest1ab]

yep. I disqualified myself from my chosen career a little over two years ago by getting a DUI.... I thought that was just what I needed -- a kick in the pants -- and I definitely did, but it's definitely been a struggle.

I was out in CA last month and I ran into a guy who spent three months camping in Montana last winter....I remember my mother told me once when I was twelve y/o or something and she caught me pilfering beer from the garage, "...If you don't stop drinking, you're going to wind-up homeless."

Now that I've been homeless, however, her words no longer have any power over me. jejeje.

 

[spyvsspy]

At least its not just me........... I have a BA from a major university, no criminal record, have managerial experience and STILL can't land a good job. After graduating from college I spent 2 whole months filling out applications, sending out resumes, etc. I must have done AT LEAST 75 applications for every job under the sun..............NOT A SINGLE CALL BACK. I even got discouraged and applied at COSTCO and WALMART...........not even a call back from these sons a bitches!
So after all this I had to go crawling back to my friend from high school, and now I work for $8 an hour at his bar.............how fucking degrading...........but at least I'm having fun and swimming in puss*. Silver lining I suppose.
But now I'm back in school getting certified in a more focused medical field, and actually LOVING it...........so maybe this will be the key. Thank god for a little extra income from MJ or I'd be on the streets right now, $9 an hour just can't pay rent, bills, etc.
Good luck out there people, and just remember to keep your head up, your bowls packed and your nose to the grindstone.
-spy

 

[AntelopeDope]

Still looking. Graduated in May, have had several interviews, but the job market is the toughest it's been in 50 years. (United States)

With gigantic tax increases coming (Thanks Barry) in such a deep recession, business are more weary than ever to take on new hires. There has been zero private sector economic help, but rather a government that is eating up the money supply, spending us into oblivion, and telling us they've created 1 million new jobs... LOL.

It's going to get worse. Here's a small glimpse of why:

http://moneynews.newsmax.com/financenews/gasparino_sellout/2009/11/12/285561.html

If we all write our government, and demand actual help something can be done. Simply putting our faith in their current "solution" will get us nowhere.

 

[Yes4Prop215]

craigslist is great

i really dont trust craigslist or some of the sites like budtrader, if you want to meet people i think icmag is safer. craigslist has way more leo's watching.

 

[gramma watt]

Sad situation people...
I have been unemployed for over a year now.
My field is agricultural, and like someone else said, even the Mexicans can't get work, and they are leaving as well.
Go apply for food stamps...everyone else is.

 

[MoldyFrogToe]

craigslists has given me cars, apartments, and jobs. craigslist kicks ass & helped me succeed, so far, as hilarious as that may sound.

 

[Grat3fulh3ad]

Still looking. Graduated in May, have had several interviews, but the job market is the toughest it's been in 50 years. (United States)

With gigantic tax increases coming (Thanks Barry) in such a deep recession, business are more weary than ever to take on new hires. There has been zero private sector economic help, but rather a government that is eating up the money supply, spending us into oblivion, and telling us they've created 1 million new jobs... LOL.

It's going to get worse. Here's a small glimpse of why:

http://moneynews.newsmax.com/financenews/gasparino_sellout/2009/11/12/285561.html

If we all write our government, and demand actual help something can be done. Simply putting our faith in their current "solution" will get us nowhere.

Dude... 9 years ago anyone who wanted a job could get one...
Two republican terms later, the whole country is in the shitter...
It is not hard to figure out who's policies got us here...

Blaming the administration which has been in power for less than one year, for a trainwreck 8 years in the making is foolish.

 

[!!!]

The BEST investment you can make in the job hunt is to pay a professional resume writer, or learn how to write a good resume and cover letter. You need to learn how to market yourself, and apply for jobs that you would normally be afraid of applying for.

One thing I've always found amusing is that people who don't have a degree or who don't feel qualified will not apply to a job that asks for a degree, and so the ones that DO apply have a much higher chance of getting the job.

You need to get your foot in the door, and I'm not saying to LIE on your resume, but you do need to make yourself look good. An employer has to sift through hundreds of resumes and you need to learn how to get their attention.

 

[zenoonez]

Dude... 9 years ago anyone who wanted a job could get one...
Two republican terms later, the whole country is in the shitter...
It is not hard to figure out who's policies got us here...

Blaming the administration which has been in power for less than one year, for a trainwreck 8 years in the making is foolish.

Yea I mean who would have thought that an unchecked financial market, a two wars that were never in the budget, tax cuts on wealthy Americans, would ever end up like this?

 

[SpasticGramps]

Dude... 9 years ago anyone who wanted a job could get one...
Two republican terms later, the whole country is in the shitter...
It is not hard to figure out who's policies got us here...

Blaming the administration which has been in power for less than one year, for a trainwreck 8 years in the making is foolish.

Bush certainly made a huge mess. To say that the current administration is not exasperating the problem is being intellectually dishonest IMO.

If you want a job I'm sure the US Government is hiring and will be for a long time filling all the new bureaucracies.

 

[SpasticGramps]

BTW this trainwreck has been 20+ years in the making.