The first time I was laid off, which was thirteen years ago, I decided I was better off without a job. Sleeping in late, lounging around in my pajamas all day and enjoy being a bum was all I did. But I knew that had to change eventually, like as soon as my unemployment ran out, so I finally got a new job.
Twelve years went by at that job, and I was a very good employee. The office management position required a lot of focus and hard work, which was fine because it’s what I knew how to do it with my eyes closed, and I ran an office with about 75 employees.
When I first started there I had the feeling it would be the same environment with the same annoying customers and overbearing co-workers as my previous job. But actually I loved the people I worked with and ended up forming some great friendships.
I did the best job I could and was always on time and prepared. That office was run without a hitch for 12 years. And then, when the recession started, sales at the company went down a lot and I ended up being in the first round of lay-offs. It had been a good, long run, but I was unemployed again, and in one of the worst times ever.
I’ve been looking ever since (I got laid off eight months ago) and haven’t even been able to get an interview, even though I have applied for every type of job that even is CLOSE to office management and registered with several temp agencies. Several hours of each of my days are devoted to job hunting, and there’s still been nothing.
Thankfully my unemployment has been extended but I’m desperate to get back to work and very frustrated at the lack of responses I’m getting. I guess I just try and stay optimistic and remember what my grandmother always said: This too shall pass.
By: R. Montes, Cherry Hill, NJ
9/03/2009
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{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
Things will turn around just stay positive and keep trying
I live in New Jersey as well and I know of lot of people affected by the recent layoff… my prayers go out to you and your family.
i’m in the same boat . my unemployment ran out a few months ago and I’m having a difficult time trying to a new job
it is good to be able to collect unemployment for a while.. but you go crazy looking for a job that pays good in order to pay your bills.. i want to work need to work… i am about to lose my home my bills are behind i am lucky to have money for food.. yes is nice to get extend on the unemployment for now.. but i have friends and family who collect unemployment and they love it because they love be at home.. it is like a long vacation to them… i feel by collecting unemployment makes people less to go out there and look for a job.. it is just welfare and collecting food stamp.. they feel the goverment will take care of them…no need to worry about anything… people on welfare live better then if they were working.. i love to work and make money on my own .. i like to feel worth something… so when it comes to unemployment collecting that does not solve the promblems…the more unemployment gives more months to collect the less people are going to go out there to look for a job..
I’m truely blessed that there is unemployment for us single moms that do dedicate ourselves to being loyal to our jobs for however long as long as we do.I think that when we are just cut loose with no warning we all need a little back up.THANK GOD!
I am not sure who to talk to but recently i was terminated for “theft”. That is only per them.. Including myself there were 4 people involved with this mess. To make a long story short all of the others were terminated for the same reason at the same time and they are were approved for their unemployment and i was denied… Why is this? The employer did not have any proff nor were there any video showing this.. There was only the same he said she said that the others had. Why was i denied and all others approved?
i have been unemployed over 2yrs and still looking i tried the self employed home cleaning and selling lunches but that didn’t work when i lost my car now i have transportation but no customers if it wasn’t for my son disability assistance we would be homeless but i stoll have to worry about other expenses i trust in god everything will get better for everybody
I have been on it for 8 months trying to find a job. I put apps in all over and no answers back. Its drivin me crazy
I usually get my check today, but I called today to find out the payments stoped. Not because my benefits ran out, just because they can stop it. I ask the lady why? and she said that a meeting with congress has been called, and we will know then. Mean while who is going to pay my bills. It could take hours weeks or even months. I do not think it’s right they didn’t inform us about the hold on our benefits. The government can do what ever it wants. Hopefully it’s taken care of quick.
Unemployment does suck . . . but you can work your way out of it.
i’m a truck driver, and been laidoff for about a yr andstill looking for work. because in the town i live in si so small, theres no work. the state and fed worker are getting pay cut and days off. i like to work and feel go about myself. theres companies that want you work for them but thier four states away. and they dont want to pay for relocation.
i’ve been looking for work, and i still can’t seem to find anything. My unemployment benifits ran out, and now i am wondering when my family, and i will get our next meal, and how am i going to pay my bills. While the american people is suffering congress is on vacation. This just goes to show the empathy these people have towards other americans. To all the families who are suffering, and wondering how they will pay the bills, or eat God will make away out of no way. God may not come when you want him to come, but he is always right on time.
This is a shout out for that punk bithass Dino, hey fucker i have workerd hard all my fucking life bitch. congress and all of these fucking politicians talk about economy is getting better bullshit things have not gooten better i am down at hall everyday waiting for a dispatch and been looking for burger flipping job then now it is near July 4th and congress wants to take a fucking vacation. people are close to eating out of trash cans and loosing homes you bastard. Congress and all of the politicians do not give a fuck about us this is not welfare we worked for that money to come to us and i pay taxes. welfare is free you stupid fucker. so all i can say is fuck you ,Obama and Congress because we as Americans are losing to much. They do not want extend our emergency money because they want to pay trillions to keep this fucking war going. But to all my brother and sister construction tradesmen god bless you all it may get better someday!
forgive the spelling i was fucking made at that bitchass Dino fucker!!
i meant mad fuck!!!
Hey brother you have told the truth about that it has been almost 2 years and thing have not gotten better what happened to all that stimulus money Obama said we were supposed to get to start up the construction jobs. it all went in the states pockets for there judges and cops etc. they really do not care about us even to take a vacation when people are really looking for jobs and loosing out on rent car payments no insurance and etc. Hope those asshole have a nice fucking vacation and they even gave the banks more money instead of making more jobs. someones priorities in Washington D.C. are really clouded. Looks like the rich still keep getting richer.
What the HELL are supposed to do while these so called Congress people are suppossed to be working. I’m homless broke and very hungry. Unfourtunetly I was so hungry this weekend I made a horrible mistake at a Giant Grocery store this weekend I manage to borrow 10$ from someone on Saturday 7/17/10 and went to the store for food, and for the first time in my life I shoplifted and got caught. I explained to a very nasty ass attitude of a D.C. Police officer (undercover) security, that I recently lost my unemployment insurance extened benefits. He was not understanding at all and besides it no excuse for what the crime I COMMITTED. However Washington D.C. along with myself and many others whom are not receiving our extended benefits will probably either commit more crime or simply drop dead from homlessness and hunger. Come on OBAMA I did vote for you please help us in D.C. or you and Congress can start explaining to the america people NO WE CAN’T!!!!!
I am a resident of Tennessee. I have not received an unemployment check since March of 2010. I am very stressed out right now. I don’t know how I am going to keep a roof over my head or pay my bills. I am the single mother of four and I have never seen such hard times. I hope those in Congress who did not stick their necks our for the 99ers realize that we are the some of the same people who helped get them where they are today. Can they imagine if they came to work today and President Obama told them that their services are no longer needed? I feel the same way. Congress really let the American people down as a whole. As for those comments about us being lazy, applying for TANF, and applying for food stamps, let me tell you it is a lot easier to talk about those less fortunate when you are making mega bucks. The average rent where I live is $700. As for TANF, the amount for 4 children is not even $200. I will say the the food stamps will allow us to eat and that is a blessing. What are we supposed to do about shelter,clothing, and transportation? Remember what goes up must come down.
This blog helped me with some input and I hope it may help others as well:
http://www.squidoo.com/101-ways-to-not-lose-your-mind-when-unemployed
I’m at the end of my rope, now that my state and federal benefits have exhausted, however, I did qualify for 20 weeks of the federal extended benefits as promised by Congress, I haven’t received a check in two months because the temp service I used to work for disputed my claim by stating that I “quit” my job. Are they insane, why on God’s green earth would I quit my job knowing the severity of life without income. This is absolutely ridiculous for them to make such a preposterous statement. I worked for that agency 33 months and of course, it was for a client, who was an auto supplier to Chrysler and GM. Once that industry hit the skids so did my job. That’s when the client cut some of it’s temp staff. This was a long term contract and we were told that we would get called back in a couple of weeks after the holidays…Christmas and New Years. That didn’t happen. I called the temp service weekly, as required, to continue receiving, and they just gave me that same old line..”thanks for calling, we don’t have anything right now, if something comes up, we’ll give you a call”…bull-they never intended on calling me-they wanted me gone and now they want to squeeze those 20weeks from my federal extnded benefits to pay back the 26 weeks state benefits they were obligated to contribute to. Now, I’m struggling to survive because those fed benefits are on hold until a decision is made on my claim. I’ve look for work aggresively–nothing has materialized, I’ve reported my work search to the UIA, and still no check, I’m on the verge of losing everything, but do they care, no—because they have jobs, 401k in place, houses, cars, boats and they can send their kids to college, they don’t give a hoot about me.
Ive collected unemployment in michigan for the last 2 years and have worked a part time job.Until recently when I was sent a re-determination. That I had objected to a year prior in which I was told I failed to report my earnings accurately. Is it right to let me continue thinking im doing nothing wrong for a year and then be told i had claimed benefits fraudlently? My claim was pushed thru at a time when so many people had lost their jobs and new workers at uia were overloaded and under trained. Not only will I be expected to pay amount of overpayment but also 25000. in damages, Should I pay for a faulty system and many errors within my claim?
This is a statement and opinion. I too have been out of work for three years. I live in the Motor City. I resigned from me position of 26 years to take care of my elderly mother (who has since passed away – leaving no will or any life insurance) and I found out that my youngest child is autistic. Congress and the Federal government had nothing to do with why the Country is in the straits that we are in. The Republicans and President Bush are responsible.
At he talked with the Auto industry leaders much sooner than he did, and if the Republicans did not want them to go under then the country would not be in this mess. The many arms of the auto industry workers which helped run this country supporting all kinds of industries and businesses were allowed to almost go under because Bush and the Republicans did nothing.
Trying the rely on the american capitalist market to correct itself was totally incorrect. They wanted the Auto Industry and the UAW to go under — well they almost got their wish. What they did not count on is them taking the entire country with them.
Now then they (Republicans and the top 5%), and private america are the only ones that can hire anyone — guess what THEY ARE NOT! So that is why we are still in this mess.
If it were not for President Obama having compassion and the then Democratic Congress trying to correct things, we would be in a much bigger mess then we were. Now the Republicans have control of Congress — watch the mess begin all over again.
Next election people do the right thing — PUT THE DEMOCRATS BACK IN CONTROL!