Unemployment sucks

[kanda]

After giving birth to my daughter 2.5 years ago I decided that once my maternity leave ran out I would no longer work. We figured out how to scrimp and save to make it work. Yeah, that didn't work so well. For the past year I have been trying to find a job and, well, I'm still unemployed. I come with great references, amazing work experiences and I'm so gung-ho. Why won't anyone hire me?

I have a job interview on thursday that I am so hoping to get. It pays so little that after daycare and bus pass I will break even. With 10+ years of experience, I am competing against young women just getting out of college at a pay rate that honestly depresses me.

If I get in with this amazing company I am NEVER LEAVING! Anyone else finding it hard to get a job? I'm looking for inspiration.

[Lynn49]

Retired here, but I do wish you all the luck in the world for landing this job!
Is there room to move up from the position you'll be starting in?

[Kyriakos]

Good luck!

[lindsbeth112984]

Good luck!

[Natalka]

Wishing you luck in your search!

[c_mcarthur]

getting a job is really freaking hard.
especially if its in your career field that u went to school for.
I graduated from college april 2010, and STILL havent found a job in my field.
Its very depressing,
so im working retail... yay
I applied for hundreds of jobs and never ever get call backs I honestly dont know what im doing wrong.
Great references, strong resume. but apparently im just another number.

[Sally888]

If there isn't a chance to move up is it really worth it if you'll just break even? Seems like a lot of work not to make anything? I guess when your little one starts school that would be a different situation.

Anyways, best wishes and hope you get it!

[matrix82]

I hear you. We had to move so that I could work. Unfortunately, it meant that my husband had to leave his job. It's been 4 months, he has a great resume, good references. He has applied to every job that he is suited for on the jobbank, and other job sites, told everyone around he was looking and available for work. There has been nothing so far. He's had two interviews in four months.

It is very tough. It seems in this area, people only hire their friends or their friends children. He is a qualified worker, a hard worker. He's even done the employment counselling through the unemployment office, and they couldn't really help him, as he has all the good job searching skills and a resume etc already. He has even been applying for part-time work in retail an hour drive away, and not an interview for that.

It's hard to stay positive. The bills keep coming in, and student loans still expects their payment, even though he is making way less than before. You aren't alone, people just don't seem to be hiring these days.

[caroman]

when we moved from AB to her (Windsor,ON) I decided not to transfer with the company I worked for but to stay home with the kids. I realise now that getting a job in this area is next to impossible unless you are available 24/7. I applied for a job at Tim's and couldn't even get an interview (that made me feel like a winner). At this point I'm not willing to sacrafice time with my family to work min wage. When my youngest is in school FT I'll start looking again.
Our rule is that unless I can make(keep) money from a job then I'm more valuble at home.

Best of luck with your search. Hopefully everything will work out for you.

[DiamondLil]

Good luck with the interview.

[save_girl]

If there isn't a chance to move up is it really worth it if you'll just break even? Seems like a lot of work not to make anything? I guess when your little one starts school that would be a different situation.

Anyways, best wishes and hope you get it!

Yes, it is absolutely worth it to work on a break even basis because companies prefer to hire someone who is already working, so even if there are no move-up opportunities in this company, moving to another one will be much more likely to happen. As well, the longer you are out of the workforce the harder it is to get back in, as companies really don't want to hire someone who has been at home for the past 6 years when there is so much competition and they can be hiring someone who is currently working and they are sure is up to date in their field and used to the work environment.

If it takes this long to get hired now and is this hard, it will actually only get worse the longer you stay out of the workforce.

[marstec]

I wish you luck in your job search.

To me, it's a lot to do with networking these days...it's who you know, and you are at a disadvantage being a stay-at-home mom, because you probably aren't out meeting a lot of people.

Unemployment issues are often regional, so a lot of this may be out of your control. What you can do is let someone look at your resume to check for improvements and research effective interview strategies.

If all else fails, you can try some volunteer work, which may eventually lead to a job.

[hollyquaiscer]

It seems to be harder to get back into the workforce after being out for a year or two. Even though you compete with younger applicants fresh out of school, you must remember that you have the work experience that they do not yet have. Don't sell yourself short, but at the same time, you must be careful to not oversell your experience. A lot of times employers will not hire you if they think you are overqualified as they have a mindset that you will leave when a better postion comes available. If you can advance within this company, it will be worth starting at low pay, but if there will be no room for advancement, there frankly is no reason to take it if you won't be bringing any money home after all the expenses. It may end up costing you in the long run, with fuel for the vehicle or a bus pass, extra lunches and snacks that you normally wouln't get. There is a job for you out there. Keep your spirits high and best of luck on your interview. Keep us posted.

[ame555]

Oh I wish you luck, I'm actually going back to work in Jan from my 2nd mat leave -- I will bring home nothing after paying daycare, but that is my fear not being able to get back into my field after. The only "good thing" is my oldest will start school in Sept so we will only have 9 months of paying full time daycare for 2.

Good luck -- I hope something works out for you, even if it isn't your dream job, it'll be a foot in the door and hopefully better things will become available.

[Judstir]

Offering you good vibes and good luck wishes on this interview. Hope something comes your way soon.