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June 15, 2009 | being unemployed sucks

I’ve come home from Las Vegas to no job. And well this leaves me in quite the predicament because I’m broke. No, not because I blew all my money gambling because none of us really did any gambling. Shock! You don’t have to gamble to have fun in Vegas! I wasn’t really working many hours as it was and hey, I was a part-time nanny so it’s not like I was rolling around in a bed full of cash while sipping champagne.

I’m sure I’ll pick up the occasional hours babysitting here and there but for the most part, I won’t have steady income coming in. This leaves me 1) poor and 2) bored.

Now for possible solutions.

For the POOR part of this unfortunate equation, I obviously have been and will continue applying to jobs. The thing I feel that is holding me back from getting hired a lot of places is my lack of degree. The only way I can go back to school is if I have a job to help me pay for it since I won’t be having help from my parents. So yeah, even though bursting at the seams with ideas, have hands on experience and most importantly, am eager to learn, a lot of people won’t take that chance on me. I’m not letting that deter me though from jobs I think I’m qualified for in other ways. I’m confident in my skills.

Or instead of a 9-5, I can try my hand at freelancing. I think this is the route I’ll be following in the meantime.

(I do know for sure, I’m tired of the big game talking and promise making people do about stuff that always falls through or dropping off the radar after getting you involved with things. I’m so not interested.)

As for the BORED part, there are a few things I’ll be doing to combat this.

Hit that library and take advantage of the free stuff! I’m a book nerd and I love to read. I haven’t had the time to lately so it’s time to change that.
Write more to keep my skills sharp.
Make 20 Something Bloggers the best community out there because hey, did you know? I’m your new favorite Community Admin keeping your forums clean and being generally awesome!
Exercise. Keep up the long walks with Edie. Shred it up. And let my personal trainer in a box kick my ass.
Get a hobby. I have something in mind but that is a post in itself so stay tuned.

So those are my plans to help battle the unemployment beast. Any other ideas?

And if you know of any sweet jobs that could use a blogger extraordinaire, Etsy loving, mac and cheese making, puppy cuddling, social media person of awesome, let me know.

I’d even consider moving because, dude, Chicago winters suck.

36 Comments so far
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This sounds like a good plan! I hope you find some freelance work soon!
.-= Jess´s last blog ..Thunder hike =-.

oh dearie, I have a degree and NO ONE is knocking down my door for job opps.

degree, shmegree. (OK, I’m kidding. a little).

Truly, truly, truly DO NOT discount your hands-on experience. It is so much more valuable than you (may) realize.

I would consider doing so resumé sprucing-up because your past experiences are so vital, so really play those up and emphasize every little thing you did.

and yes hit the library! since I have more time on my hands nowadays, I’m practically BFF with all of the ladies in my library. I love it there.

Freelance work and going back to school sound like a good plan! I know it’s hard, but I’m sure you can do it.

School basically gives you the degree which I guarantee you most employers look at. But you’ve also got a lot of experience so that’s definitely a huge plus.

Try nonprofits. I know they don’t pay as well, but they could be hiring more than for profits right now. I know here in DC they are.
.-= Marie´s last blog ..Sleepwalking =-.

Good luck with your freelance job search, I’m sure something will come up soon! And I will be joining that community!
.-= Sheema´s last blog ..3 Reasons Why I’m Not Bothered By the Facebook Vanity URL’s =-.

Freelancing is the best way to go! It’s a resume builder too and it’s helped me be able to pay the bills since being laid off. P.S. if you want someone to help you kill some free time, I’m your gal!

You could also go teach English in another country. I considered doing that just for a break.
.-= Leahchristine´s last blog ..The forehead stache =-.

Try FAFSA. A lot of times they’ll cover living expenses as well, but even if they don’t, FAFSA is need based and will pay for your tuition.
.-= Beauty of Argument´s last blog ..Public Service Announcement of Utmost Importance =-.

Being unemployed sucks. I hear you on the boredom front too! We can always have puppy play dates if you get too bored! Good luck with your new endeavors. Something will work out soon.
.-= Erin´s last blog ..Glee =-.

i think you have a great list going there. when i didn’t work for 7 months a few years back it was awesome!! i worked out twice a day, i was in the best shape of my life, i volunteered and lunched a lot. i can only imagine the blogging empire i could have started if i had that type of time back then…

sigh.
.-= alexa – cleveland’s a plum´s last blog ..is it really monday already? =-.

I second the volunteering thing — that’s what I’m doing to keep myself occupied. Best of luck finding something (unemployment is le suck!), and congrats on the CA gig at 20SB!
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..Butter and Shortening. Not The Same. =-.

Good luck with everything! It sounds like you have a good plan and freelancing will so rock more than a desk job, thats for sure. I know i’m going to be in the same boat as you when i return to the states in October/November. Enjoy the freedom while you can
.-= ashley´s last blog ..Reminiscing on Summers Past =-.

maybe volunteer at an org you like? sometimes that could lead to a job?
.-= Lexi´s last blog ..from Albania with love =-.

Ugh. I hate the degree homage world. I ditched out of the idea of college before I ever applied – much to the shock of everyone. I’ve written for newspapers, the AP, have owned two businesses, and managed one of the most successful branches of a white collar corporation.

It’s attitude. I talk my way into interviews, apply even when I am not “qualified.” I take the view that once someone meets me, I’m hired. If I get a phone interview, I’m hired. If I get my foot in the door, it’s over – hired.

It may not always be true (it’s always worked for me) but I think it is better than hand-wringing over that history or psychology degree that everyone else has.

The only reason I bring this up is that it seems you’re twice as smart and well thought of than I ever was.

Just never believe a door is shut.
.-= drunkenhopfrog´s last blog ..What’s Your Take? =-.

I’d suggest you move to MN but the winters here sure aren’t any better than Chicago’s… Can’t wait to hear about this new hobby of yours!

See you soon, dollface
.-= Lily´s last blog ..Happy in the Gray Areas =-.

All the best finding a job – your inbetween status list sounds awesome! Libraries are the best for us nerds <3
.-= jessica maria´s last blog ..The bridal shower! =-.

I’ve found that broke and bored often compound each other. Because, when I think about all of the fun stuff that I’d like to do…. I realize that I don’t actually have the cash to pay for it!
.-= Hope´s last blog ..The Facial Hair Club =-.

Sorry to hear that.

As a freelance writer, I will say that you probably won’t make much.
.-= Travis´s last blog ..Monday Morning Awesomeness =-.

What crappy circumstances… Sorry hun.

Have you considered looking into your grant/scholarship/loan possibilities? I know it’s crappy to think about spending the next 30 years paying off students loans – trust me, it especially is when you’re 50Gs in debt because of school – but then you’d be able to get a degree and have some extra money, if you apply for loans a little higher than you need them for school, for your expenses. Then maybe just a part-time job in addition to school.

That’s what I did my four years of college.
.-= MinD´s last blog ..Feel the burn. =-.

Your ideas are fantastic – I would add to them, don’t try to make your avocation your vocation straight away. If you know an amazing firm you want to try out, see if they need administrative help! Almost all of my jobs have started that way, and then you can have office experience and become a resource to that company.

Getting onto that first step of the ladder can be a really great shoe in. If you don’t mind foot metaphors, that is =)
.-= Kyla Roma´s last blog ..Who’s your Baba? =-.

I’ve actually heard of a good strategy recently: Ask a company you’re interested in if you can come in for an “informational interview” where you can ask people what they do and to “see if that company/industry is one that can use your skillset.” It’s a sneaky way of getting your foot in the door because it takes the pressure of the company to schedule an interview and go through procedure. It’s basically disguising an interview as a walking tour.
.-= nicopolitan´s last blog ..Hello, Change of Pace =-.

Hey hun. i HEAR YOUR PAIN. COMPLETELY. I’m a freelancer at this point and you can end up making good money but the problem is that, they pay you when they feel like it. Which sometimes is AFTER you need ot pay all your bills and be a functional human being….I wouldn’t do anything else. So it’s worth it, but it can definityl be tough. That being said, I think if thats what you wan to do-you should. No doubt about it. Hang in there darlin!
.-= Chelsea Talks Smack´s last blog ..Trusting is like not knowing how to swim and letting someone DUNK YOU ANYWAY. =-.

I agree with MinD…and think that if your lack of degree is standing in the way of doing the things you would love to do, you should go for it! There are financial resources available to help pay for school and you should by all means take advantage of loans and the great scholarships and grants you could get with all of your experience.

Some people say a degree is just a piece of paper but it’s really a symbol of the education and knowledge that you garner in four years (or two or six or whatever).

I actually wrote about this and haven’t posted iy yet but I think that a degree is what you make it. I love to learn and grow and network and have new experiences and sure, I could have done that, a different way, without my four years in college but I wouldn’t have traded the experiences I had an don’t think I’d be exactly where I am without them.

I hope I don’t sound preachy but I’m considering grad school so I’ve been thinking a lot about education lately; I’m in no position to take out $40,000 more in loans but if you think it’s worth it than it definitely is!
.-= maris´s last blog ..Worknight Dinners: Simple Summer Pasta Salad =-.

Volunteer! Chicago has some really awesome animal shelters that ALWAYS need some volunteers. Even if it’s just to go in and help do some laundry, drop off some newspapers…and of course give those doggies and kitties some love.

Good luck!
.-= LovelyAnomaly´s last blog ..Nothing and Everything =-.

man if i could get a job that involved mac and cheese and movies i’d be sold, haha.

Yelp is looking for a Chicago community manager. It looks intense, but you should check it out. I saw it on craigslist.

I wish I could just quit my job, exercise, learn to walk my cat, and eat mac and cheese. Sigh. One day…
.-= Renee´s last blog ..Hater tots taste good with mustard =-.

check out @problogger on twitter, he has a great list of blogger jobs! Good luck!

Aww I love the library. Enjoy the books!
.-= Alana´s last blog ..Extra padding =-.

Jamie- Being unemployed and motivated can be one of the greatest opportunities of your life, especially when your young before having a large family to take into consideration. I talked to you briefly about maximizing your blog and the work you already have done. You should focus on the great start you already have. Too many bloggers I know of don’t really investigate how to monetize what they are doing, or if they do, it is just half-hearted.

Don’t worry about not having a diploma, or what other big talkers are going to do for you. Work on doing it for yourself.

Dave

Man, I could’ve written this post verbatim. Only, I AM going back to school! Wheee!! Thanks student grants, and loans! Seriously, you might check into what you could get going full time thru grants. If I was single (i.e. without two kids and a hubby that I somehow have to maintain on top of it all) I think I would probably stick a job in there somewhere because it wouldn’t be QUITE enough to maintain a decent lifestyle, but it’s more than halfway there, depending on what you consider decent (doesn’t take a lot on my end)! It definitely brings enough in to cover what I would be making if I wasn’t in school.

Either way, good luck!! That takes a lot of gumption to get out there looking for a job right away!! Go you!!
.-= Pink Sun Drops´s last blog ..Sloooow Month =-.

I am always available by phone to combat the boredom!
.-= nicoleantoinette´s last blog ..pink duffle bags, my birthday, and a pigtail wearing girl on your couch this fall =-.

Have you looked at any community colleges? They’re generally much cheaper and quite often you can make connections, get hired, and then maybe the company you work for might pay for the rest of your degree. It’s always worth a shot.
.-= Phil´s last blog ..Drink Up Los Angeles =-.

It defiantly sucks to be unemployed, I even know how you feel with the whole school situation (I could go into a rant about that one). My suggestions are to keep polishing your cover letter and resume until they shine, and go on all the interviews you can, even if you don’t really want the job think of it as practice, defiantly keep blogging and making all the contacts you can, and try to stay positive.
.-= Wardell´s last blog ..Simply the Best Email Client =-.

Good luck! I’m glad you’re staying positive
.-= Margarita´s last blog ..Things I Got Rid Of (last) Week = 25 + 871 =-.

You’ll be off the market in a flash! I like that you have a great attitude though!

This has become my new best friend because I too am quite in the same boat: http://blogs.chicagoreader.com/freeshit/

Also glad to hear you’re hitting up the library
.-= molly´s last blog ..rain check. =-.

You’ll get a job soon, Jamie. You have awesome blog networks and all that, right?:)

[...] I’ve think I have learned my lesson. Now that I’m a broke ass, I can’t feed my book buying addiction. I’ll be hitting up the library and checking out [...]

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