Nov. 29: Wow, I got a response

Yes, I must have put in a dozen resumes and I received only one response.  Guess who it was from?  Hmmm, an identify thief is my guess.  My qualifications sound more than ample for the position.  However, in order to schedule an interview, they must have a current (no more than 14 days old) credit score.  All I had to do was "click here" and submit my information and I will be forwarded my current credit score.  They even included an long explanation of what paperwork I would receive with my credit score and which pages I needed to return.  You see, they don't need all of the pages, only the one with the credit score on it.

Now, doesn't that sound just peachy?  I mean, what could go wrong.  Putting all my personal information online for identity thieves isn't enough, now they want me to scan and return certain pages.  I guess to ensure that they have all the pertinent information to steal my identity. We certainly don't want to leave any stone unturned in our quest to open credit card is someone else's name now do we?

Really, couldn't a legit business respond?  Hint to all you job seekers out there ... if a future employer responds to you via email, my guess -- hoax?  Don't even bother responding.  They are just out to get your personal information.

As for legit responses, they are few and far between.  I haven't heard back from the two (2) places I interviewed three (3) weeks ago.  Guess, even though I thought it went well, it didn't go good enough.

Wish me luck and keep following my ventures ... remember ... better me than you!

Nov. 24th: Yippe!!!

Tomorrow is Turkey Day!! Yippee, I love turkey, and stuffing, and mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie, and everything about have the family get together to celebrate Thanksgiving!

Plus, I just got a call for an informal interview next week.  This is a preliminary interview to tell me more about the company and the position.  An actual brick and mortar business with an office and not just a phony website.  Another big yippee for me!!

So, as I'm thanking the good Lord for all I have in my life (sans the no job thing), I'll also be thanking him for getting an interview lined up for me.  It's been 2 weeks since the first two interviews and I haven't heard from either place.  I was just beginning to lose hope, again!

Of course, I did get the obligatory phone call from one college and one "company" who wanted me to pay $300 for their online make money scheme.  This was a little different from PPD in that they set up a web site for you and got you hooked up with search engines.  Then, all you have to do it wait for folks to search, find your site, and you direct them to Amazon.com or Ebay.  Once they purchase, I make money.  What could go wrong here?  Hmmm ... I'm outta work and you want me to pay how much to set up a website??  I know plenty of computer geeks who can do that for me for a whole lot less money.

I'm also thankful that I have enough sense (and family with good sense) that I didn't fall for it.  It really did sound real, easy, and profitable.  But, the more I think about it, the less "real" it began to sound.  Shew, that was a close one.

I did, however, open a shop on Etsy.com where I feature handmade jewelry items.  Please, I'm out of work, so please visit my sight and make a purchase.  All items are less than $20 + shipping.  These are great, inexpensive holiday gifts.  Thanks!  http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadandbaublejewlery?ref=pr_profile

Wish me luck and please help me out with an order or two.  I'll be posting more items and these sell.  Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!

Nov. 23: Almost Thanksgiving

Yippee!  It's almost Thanksgiving.  It gives me something to think about besides being out of work.  I've hardly put in any applications the past few days because there is nothing new on the job boards.  The email from scammers have slowed down also.

The big thing this week, all the job boards who want me to join their "exclusive" clubs.  These are "pay" services and say they offer all sorts of job you won't find on other job boards.  The problem, is the pay part.  Jeeze folks, I'm out of work.  What part of unemployed/no income are you not getting.  If I had the money to join your job board, then I probably wouldn't be desperately looking for a job.

Some people/companies just don't get it.  Out of work means, "I don't have a job to pay for your stupid service!"  Gimme a break.  "Kick 'em when they're down!" must be the motto of these organizations.

Of course, I can get the 7 days "free trial" but I have to give a credit card and remember to cancel before the seventh day.  I've thought about this, but what if something happens and I forget to cancel, then I'm stuck with a $25 (or up) card on my credit card.  Like I can afford that.

I guess I just have to stick with the freebie boards and hope something comes along.

Scam offers, college offers, continuing ed offers, pay for job listing offers ... All sorts of offer in my email, but no real job offers -- not even a request for an interview.

Looks like I got a long road ahead of me.  Wish me luck and remember, better me than you!

Why Work?

Finding a job is a full-time job.  I'm wondering why I want to go back to work at all.  I mean, really.  It's great for the old ego to submit applications and resumes all over town only to either hear nothing or to find out the the place you were applying was a complete scam!!

I've sent in at least 3 dozen applications/resumes and received 3 calls and had 2 interview.  Then. complete silence.  You've all heard, I'm sure, of the song "Silent Night."  Well for me, baby, it's "Silent Life."  Silence may be golden, but it is also painful.

Actually, for me it is literally painful. I have tinnitus (ringing in the ears) so when I'm sitting here at the desk searching for jobs, if I'm not plunking away at the keyboard, I hear this high pitched ringing in my ears. So yeah, it is kinda painful.

Oh well, you know my motto, better me than you!!

I've ranted quite a bit about all the scam job stuff out there on the net. Well, I'm changing today's topic a bit.  It's not quite the job scams, today's topic is how fast the on line colleges get your email address and even phone number.  I must get at least 4 messages in my in box and countless numbers in my spam box of colleges asking me if I've thought about furthering my education to increase my marketability.  These college are even so bold as to call me.  Wow, you give your email address and phone number to one job search sight hoping it will make you more accessible for legit employers to get a hold of you and all the colleges get a hold of it and whamo, you're on their hit list.

Don't they realize that if I had enough money to increase my education, I wouldn't be looking for a job.  Working full time and going to school is rough.  I should know, I did it for five years.  Yep, 5 years!

These people are nuts if they think that at 45 years old, I have the energy to work full time, take care of my family, and go to school.  These college recruiters need to have their collective heads examined.

Besides that, I'm out of work.  How in the heck do you expect me to pay for it???  Hey on line colleges, if you're giving away full scholarships to middle-aged, unemployed women, count me in.  However, if I don't get a free ride, then forget it.  I need to work to earn money for my family, not spend $30K while working myself half to death at a paying job and then having the other half killed off by school work.

Gimme a break.  All you Internet recruiters ... get a clue.  We work for a living because we need the income, not because we love waking up at 6:00 AM, going to work, and being under appreciated on a daily basis.

Another OMG Moment!!!

Now that I've scoped out Project PayDay (PPD) for you (and saved you an hours worth of aggravation), my inbox is flooded with PPD emails.  They want to know why I haven't logged in lately, how I like the program, etc. etc.  LEAVE ME ALONE.  OMG!!!  I think, could they be, yes I do believe they are worse than AFLAC.  I almost can't believe it myself.  Before yesterday, I thought AFLAC was the biggest pain with their emails.  Nope, PPD has them beat!!

Do yourself a favor, stay away from PPD (or any other of these types of programs).  You'll get nowhere but buried in email junk!

I've gotta get out of this chair.  Searching the net for a job is getting to be a literal pain in the butt.  I've been sitting for so long, I think my tushey is numb.  Oh Lord, how long do I have to do this before my penance is paid?

C U L8R - Gotta go restore the circulation!

I'm sick of job hunting ....

I know, I know.  It's only been 3 weeks. but jeeze, I'm so tired of looking for a job, only to either find no decent opportunities -- or to find a great opportunity, submit my application and wait, and wait, and wait, and never get a response.

Let's rethink this.  I have actually gotten several responses.  The Internet phishing schemes are getting pretty sophisticated these days.  I have responded to several Executive Assistant and Administrative Assistant type positions over the past 3 weeks.  I have received at least 5 email responses to my applications.  Each states that I seem to be more than qualified for the position.  However, before an interview can be arranged, the organization must have my credit score. I can simply "click here" and I can get instant access to my credit score and thus an interview. Hmmmm, no problem, I'll give you all my personal information before you even meet me.  Naaa, I don't see anything wrong with that, do you?

I guess these schemers think I'm stupid.  Of course I'm not going to "click here" and turn over all my personal information to you.  YES, I do want a job, but no so bad that I've completely lost my mind.

The ads seem so real; they listed realistic qualifications.  I guess I may not be totally stupid, but I'm dumb enough to fall for the phony ads.  So, BEWARE ... if a company responds to your application via email (instead of a direct phone call) it is probably a phishing expedition.  Don't fall for it.  Have steak that night instead.

Between the "work at home" scams, and the phony job responses, I can't even sort through my email in box.  I wish I had set up a separate email box for my job search so all the junk would go into one place where I could successfully ignore it until I have the patience to sort through it all.

I hate having to weed through all the garbage to get to the email from my friend/s and family.  Of course, when I finally do get to those real messages, they are usually "forwards."  As if I don't have enough to worry about, now I have to forward the urgent email to 10 people within 10 minutes or my life will be ruined.  Sure, everything were so great now, what with being unemployed and all, that I can't let an email could ruin it.  Oh no, maybe if I fail to forward the message I will lose my job!  Oh wait, my company already took care of that for me.

Actually, I shouldn't complain about being unemployed.  Last week I baked cookies and muffins (like a real Martha Stewart)!  Today, I took some of the Christmas Club money and started shopping.  Problem, is, when I don't have money, I always find all stuff I want for me.  Today was no exception.  Why do the stores wait until I'm broke to put all the good stuff on sale.  And how do they know when I'm broke?  Are the tapped into my bank account??  Hey, BofA, dont' let the department stores see my account balance!  A little privacy, please????

And now to JC Penney & Macy's: if and when my bank balance increases, please put more stuff on sales, okay?  You keep the good stuff (in my size) on sale and I'll spend some $$$.  Deal?

Nov. 16: I've saved you an hour

Today I decided to follow one of those email leads to work at home and make extra money.  I knew it was going to be a scam, but I thought I'd save you the trouble of having to check it for yourself.

Today's scam was Project Payday.  I got an email link, which I followed.  You either could pay $40 for the training kit, or take one of their partner's offers and get the training kit for free.  I took an offer to get a $50 restaurant gift card for $20 and then get the training kit for free.  Let's hope I can actually use the restaurant gift card and that it is bogus.  I'll let you know once I try to use it.

Basically, you are linked to your "mentors" account.  The mentor directs you to other partner's links.  You need to collect 100 points at a time by participating in the appropriate offers until you get to 100 points.  Each offer is worth a different point level.  Some of the offers are "free" offers, like applying for and being accepted for a credit card, getting a free online credit report (which refuse to do because you have to give up your SSN online -- and to me, that spells trouble), etc.  There are other offers like joining book or video clubs, shopping and purchasing (minimum purchase required) from partners, online trial memberships, etc.

Once you have accumulated your 100 points, you get $50.00.  Now, to be honest, some of the offers are for trail memberships, which you can cancel anytime before the trail is over and not be charged.  However, it is considered fraud if you sign up for the trail and cancel right away, as you must "try" the service.  Here again, I'm not thrilled with putting my credit card number all over the Internet with all these "partner" companies.  Maybe if I get a new credit card for this purpose only - with a very low limit, I'd be more inclined to participate. 

This can be done over and over, all day long, so that you can accumulate a lot of payments from your mentor.  That being said, I don't have a job, therefore, I certainly don't want to ask for any new credit cards, I'm certainly not getting a credit report online and exposing my personal information to all the Internet thieves, and I'm out of work, so why would I commit to minimum purchases anywhere from $25 - $100 with partners? Just to make $50??

HELLO!  I don't have income, that is why I'm looking to make extra money.  I would ask Project Payday if I look like a fool, or if I look like I was born yesterday, however that is the magic of the Internet, they can't see me (nor can I see them).

So, I guess I'm not getting rich by clicking on online offers.  This could be legit, however, I'm much to skeptical to expose myself to this type of fraud waiting to happen. 

Lesson for today: Project Payday -- Project No Way!

Nov. 15: Unemployment Top 10

Okay, you all know what I've been doing for the past three (3) weeks.  I don't need to go over it again...Craigslist, Indeed, Monster, Careerbuilder, etc. etc.  I thought I would take today's post in a different direction.

The TOP 10 REASONS BEING UNEMPLOYED IS BETTER THAN WORKING FOR A LIVING:

10.  No alarm clock necessary.  Job postings are on the Internet 24/7 (so you never get a day off)

9.  You are home all day to tell the annoying telemarketers you don't have any money to spend on their product.

8.  You get to watch OPRAH!

7.  Daytime dramas are even juicer than you remember.

6.  You never have to get out of your pajamas.

7.  Because of number 6, your laundry is much lighter.

5.  If it snows, you don't have to worry about how you are getting to, or home from, work.

4.  Did I mention Oprah!

3.  Your house is finally quiet and you get to be home to enjoy it.

2.  You family and friends take pity on you and buy you lunch now and then.

And the number 1 reason by being unemployed is better than working for a living ....

1.  Your purse (or wallet) isn't weighed down by all that pesky money!!!

Sunday, Nov. 14th: Bad to Worse!!!

You know, if it's not bad enough that I lost my job, I just found out that my former employer will NOT write a reference letter for me.  Apparently the corp. lawyer, said that all personnel issues must go through HR, therefore, they aren't allowed to write letters of reference.  Oh great, as if it's not hard enough to get a job these days, not I have to tell prospective employers that my coworkers and supervisors won't vouch for my work ethic.  Great!  That'll go over like a lead balloon.  There is so much competition out there that you need whatever advantage you can get.  Now, the company that laid me off is putting me at a serious disadvantage.  What? Do they want me stay unemployed forever?  Apparently so.  If unemployment (or job searching) paid better, maybe I would.  I mean, it is there unemployment insurance rates that will suffer, not mine. What a pain in the "you know what!"

Well, I keep getting email messages from The Amazing Kreskin.  Maybe he can use him mind power to influence my former employer and I'll get the reference letter after all.  Or, better yet, maybe he can use his mind in influence the lottery number and I'll become a millionaire.  Yeah, I like option #2 better.  I'm going for that one, just as soon as I calm down.

Well, just discovered that not allowing employees to write reference letters, or even give verbal reference, is not uncommon today.  Too bad for me and other employees trying to find work.  How is a future employer supposed to know your work ethic?  Oh, of course, I'm supposed to tell him/her and I'm sure they'll believe me because I'm such an honest person.  I mean, when applying for a new job, who would ever admit to being a bad employee?  Everyone is always honest and 100% above board with prospective employers, and themselves for that matter.

Oh brother -- things have certainly changed in the past five (5) years since I found my last job.  I'm beginning to realize I'm more of a dinosaur than I thought.  45 and so out of touch.  Jeeze, my daughter way right, I AM OLD!!!  Help me -- I am my mother -- old, out dated, and out of touch.  Oh no, what should I do????

Nov. 13: It's Saturday and Take a Wild Guess at What I've Been Doing?

Yup, searching the net. Got a great offer in my "spam" box this morning from a company who saw my resume on Careerbuilder. $85,000 - $95,000 a year, no sales, no cold calls, etc.  Funny thing though, they didn't name the company, nor did leave a way to contact them.  So, even if I was interested, I had no way to respond and tell them to sign me up.  Too bad, I sure could use $85K right about now.  As for legit messages from employers ... zip, none, nada.  I wish I had set up a new email box for the job search.  Its been 5 years since I was looking and I didn't realize how much junk a resume on the net would produce.  Well ... if I ever find a job (and subsequently decide to leave it, which is highly unlikely after this experience), I know better.

Well, I actually found an opening I was interested in applying for.  It was legit, a real company with a real location.  "Go for it!" I told myself.  I had no idea what I was getting myself into.  It took over an hour to fill out all the "pages" of information they required.  It was incredible.  My sister was here working on the other computer and she couldn't believe how long it took me to get through this application process.  We decided it was designed to weed out the "casual" lookers and that only "serious" candidates would take that much time to complete the process.  My fingertips are numb from all the typing and clicking necessary to complete the application process.  And, to top it off ... as I told my sister, I probably won't even receive an acknowledgement of my application, let alone an interview or job offer.

Too bad I can't get paid by the hour to search for work.  It's a beautiful Saturday afternoon and I've been stuck on the computer since 7:30 this morning.  I'm going to start to prune up soon if I don't get away from this desk.  I'm just so afraid if I walk away from the computer, I'll miss the opportunity of a lifetime.  At this point, sleep is the opportunity of a lifetime.

I'm getting obsessed with this blogging stuff.  I keep checking my "stats" to see if I'm getting more viewers.  Naaaa, not really.  What do I have to do get get more readers??  Probably the same thing I have to do to get a job.  Pray for a miracle.

I've now spent 9 hours looking for a job on the Internet and all I have to show for it are some tired fingers and crossed eyes.  I didn't even get the laundry done today.  Oh well Scarlet, "tomorrow is another day."

Nov. 12: Day 15 ....

Day 15 - 37 Applications - 2 Interviews - No further contact -- and a partridge in a pear tree ....

It is very uncomfortable to type today.  Why, you ask?  Its a long story and doesn't directly relate to my job search.  Okay, okay.  I'll tell you.  Jeeze, if you really want to know so badly, sit back and enjoy my pain.

You know that I've been unemployed for 2+ weeks now.  I'm starting to feel a little blue and I'm doubting myself and my worth as an employee.  So, while visiting the local drug store, I was looking at all the beautiful nail polish wondering if I'll ever have the need for getting my nails all painted up "perty" again.  So, in a moment of weakness I was drawn to a pretty, pink, flower shaped pumice.  It said it contained special cleansers, botanicals, tea tree oil, etc. to give you "smooth, soft, sexy feet."  Okay, okay; I know that I for one have never looked at a man's feet and thought, "Wow, those are some awesome feet; I've gotta go meet that guy."  and I'm fairly certain that no one has ever looked and my feet and thought, "Oh baby, those are some sexy peds."  But anyway, I purchased the buffer.

As I was bringing out the sexy in my feet, the thought never crossed my mind that cleansers become slippery when wet.  So, as I was sliding  around the tub, I tried to grab hold of something.  Hmmm, the shower wall should do.  Nope, it is even more slippery than my feet.  Ouch!!!  So now, I have beautiful, sexy feet - but my right arm hurts like crazy.

 

If I get called for any interviews in the coming days, I'll have to wear my strappy little summer sandals to show off my gorgeous feet, even if it is only 50 degrees (or less) outside.  I'll need something to draw attention away from the fact that I can hardly move my right arm.  A sling is out of the question on an interview, so I figure showing off my beautiful, soft, smooth, sexy feet should do the trick!  Right?

Now back to the subject at hand -- my job search ... I'm LinkedIn, I tweet, I'm on Facebook, now I blog.  I'm a 21st century girl -- all high-tech and everything.  Maybe??  While I was breaking my neck in the shower, I got to thinking about the 4 or 5 job boards I visit on a daily basis, you know ... Careerbuilder, Indeed, Monster, Craigslist, and Fins.  If my computer were a telephone, these sites would be on speed dial.  Now I'm showing my age.  Speed dial ... can you believe that speed dial is outdated.  Now it's all voice activated calling, Bluetooth enabled, txt compatible with Qwerty keyboard.  You know, when I got my cell phone a year ago (with text capability for the first time), I had to ask the sales guy what in the heck a Qwerty keyboard was.  He looked at me in amazement and said you know, " 'Q - W - E - R - T - Y' like the top line of a keyboard."  Holy Cow, I was an Executive Assistant and had been typing since Jr. High School and I never knew the typewriter keypad (or computer keyboard) was a Qwerty keyboard.

I hate being old.  And I hate it even more when adults look at me like I'm some kind of archaeological find that was just dug up from the dinosaur age.  I'm only 45.  I can't retire yet.  Just because I didn't know what a Qwerty keyboard was doesn't mean I should go back under the rock I just crawled out from, does it?

So, am I actually going to look for a job today.  It's Friday - TGIF and all that.  You know, when you're employed Friday means the end of the work week.  Yipee!!  When you're unemployed, Friday just means another day to check all the websites...again!

I can't believe I don't have a job already.  Everyday I get emails promising me Government Jobs, Work at Home jobs, flexible local jobs, etc.  I've actually opened up one or two of these messages.  You have click on a whole bunch of ads, give them all your personal information, and I think promise your first born or several pints of blood, or maybe your bank account number, something crazy like that.  After all that, you still don't get to the site promising those great government or work at home jobs.  Maybe one day next week, I'll actually follow one of those links and see how long it takes and how many pages I have to sift through before I get to the actual job postings.  As of today, I just haven't had the patience for that.

Guess I'm too picky ... I want the jobs to come too easily.  I don't want to have to sort though all the college ads, nor the face cream, or enhancements, or whatever it is they're peddling.  I must be too lazy.  Mom was right.  I expect everything to come to me too easily.  "Okay, Mom.  This is for you.  'You were right.' "  Ouch, that pains me to say that out loud almost as much as my right arm.

Nov. 11: OMG

I sit here staring at the computer screen.  I've been staring so long that the letters and images begin to run together and swirl before my eyes.  I think I'm slipping into unemployment madness (or at least despair).  I try to walk away from the computer and lay down for a few minutes ... but it beacons me back.  "Come back," I hear it calling to me, "Come back.  What if a potential employer is posting a new job right now?  What if she/he has sent you an email and is anxiously waiting for a response?"  I try to ignore the voice, but it keeps calling me, "Get your lazy self out of bed and get in here and get back to the work at hand!  Finding a job!"

So, I listen to the voice.  I don't know why; I just obey ... just in case.  But alas, no potential employer is seeking me at this very moment.  Well that's not quite true.  I received breaking news in my email box ... see for yourself.

Breaking News: Single Mom Makes-$1457 in a week!!

I better get off the blog and look into this, I might be missing the perfect opportunity to ditch the corporate life and work from home .....

Here's another one I just received today ... Nigerian counsel wants me to help her get money into the US.  She will pay me handsomely to assist.  Jeeze, another great opportunity.  Better go check it out B4 someone else takes my place and I lose the millions she is willing to pay me.

And lets not forget about AFLAC ... on Monday, I must have gotten a dozen emails from various local AFLAC offices stating they found my resume on Careerbuilder and that I was perfectly suited to their business needs.  Now, in my prior function, I was tasked with screening telephone calls to be sure that  pesky sales people didn't get through to the execs.  AFLAC was one of those calls that we always made sure NEVER got through.  I don't honestly know how it works, but sometimes, we would get 3 or 4 calls a day from various individuals with AFALC.  There must be dozens of local sales people all sharing the same list of leads. I often found myself stating, "I'm so glad I don't have to make cold calls like that for a living."  Now look at me ... no job, AFLAC inundating my email box to get me to become a sales person.

Please, oh please, Lord, don't let it come to that.  I'd be humiliated to have to eat my words with such a large spoon.  Take pity on me...

C U L8R

Nov. 11th: Holy Cow!

I just searched the web again and found an opening for a "Marketing Specialist."  Specialist, mind you, with a pay rate of $10/hour.  What kind of "specialist" works for that?  Would that be a "specialist" with no experience?  If you have no experience than can you really call yourself a "specialist?"

Yikes...  I might as well go be a greeter at the Ugly-W (my nickname for Wal-Mart) if I'm going to have to work as a "specialist" for 10 bucks an hour.  At least at the Ug, I'd probably get a discount on purchases.

What a crock!

Nov. 11: 2 weeks since lay-off

I just spent the past 90 minutes searching various job boards and found a whopping 2 opportunities to apply for.  If only I was willing to make $350 a day completing surveys.  These opportunities fill my inbox since I posted my resume at Careerbuilder.  I actually do a search for many of these inbox opportunities and find that none of them are legit.  I think I need a traffic cop for my email to help move the junk aside and leave the 1 or 2 real messages in place.  I spend as much time weeding through the junk as I do searching the job boards.

I guess I should be glad I have plenty of time for this search.  Searching for a job is a full-time in and of itself.  Only problem with this new full-time job, the pay stinks!

I have gotten pretty savvy an google/bing search engines, though.  I just wish that the real opportunities found there way to me instead of me having to search hours each day for them.

Why can't it be that easy?  I am a good/nice person ... why do the schemers always try to sucker us into there little schemes?  At least I'm no gullible enough to fall for them ... yet.  Lord give me the insight not to get pulled into any crazy schemes.  Thank you.

November 10th: Still looking ...

I had 2 interviews yesterday.  One company I submitted my resume to on Monday and the second actually found my resume on Careerbuilder.  That is the first time I've ever been approached about taking a job.  It really felt good.

Both interviews seemed to go well, but I'm waiting to hear if I'll be called for second interviews.  Waiting stinks!  I'm trying to be optimistic, but it is hard.  Every morning I scour the employment sites and become discouraged when I see that most of the companies out there want senior level experience but only want to pay entry level salaries.

Are they serious?  $10 - $12 per hour for someone with extensive MS Office experience, multi-tasker, able to handle confidential information, 4 year degree a must, higher degree desirable.  Who are these people and what planet are they from?  $10-$12/hr doesn't get any degree let alone a degree plus experience.  There are so many scams out there on the internet and the legit companies are also tryng to scam the labor force.  It's awful to try to weed through all the junk to find the one gem.

I HATE JOB HUNTING!!

November 6: I've been out of work for a week now ...

November 6th (my b-day) and I've been out of work for over a week now. I've put in nearly 2 dozen applications/resumes, all via the Internet. With the electronic application process, there is hardly a reason to get out of my PJ's. If staying home paid better, I could learn do this full-time!

October 28, 2010: Laid-Off

On Thursday, October 28, 2010 I was laid-off from my executive assistant position for a mechanical contractor in Baltimore.  I worked there for 5 years, yet only received 3 weeks severance pay.  That stinks!  I haven't been unemployed for over 25 years and now I'm thrust into an unexpected job search. Follow me as I seek employment during "the worst economy since the great depression." Ups and downs will be posted here on a regular basis.