Brides Helping Brides ™ - Out Of Work

Suzanne Posted: Jun 10, 2002 01:03 PM

Out Of Work

after reading Jenny11.9's post about her stressful situation, i was surprised to see how many of us are out of work.. i have been laid off since feb.. and i can not seem to find work anywhere. i call fax email my resume to a hundred places all day long and i have only been on 2 interviews since... is anyone else having this problem? i know this is not wedding related i was just curious.. for a while i went through a little depression, feeling worthless and unproductive.. i sit home all day with my two dogs and feel like i am going to go nuts.. if leave the house i seem to spend money..i have taken up a million hobbies, but nothing sticks and i find my self glued to the tv.

Jeanene Posted: Jun 10, 2002 01:30 PM

Re: Out Of Work

I know how you feel!! I am sort of in the same boat. I am looking for a 'real' full-time job. In the meantime, I am lucky to have a temporary job doing some independent consulting for a firm in Manhattan. However, what I really want is a real job. I, like you, have been getting discouraged with the low number of interviews I have been getting. The job market is very difficult right now. Trying to look for a job and plan a wedding is stressful!!! Hang in there - if you need someone to commiserate with e-mail me at [email protected].

jenny11.9 Posted: Jun 10, 2002 01:33 PM

Re: Out Of Work

I have been hearing a lot of this as well. We have our own small company, and for the first time, have had to consider letting somebody go. As a businessowner though, there are hills and valleys with the economy and you just have to ride it out! I bet in a couple of months none of you will be having problems finding anything. Good luck. I wish I could hire all of you to be on my team!

Suzanne Posted: Jun 10, 2002 01:43 PM

Re: Out Of Work

thanks ladies, i truly love this board and all of you.. i know i will always get good advise as long as i am signed on this board

02bride Posted: Jun 10, 2002 01:45 PM

Looking to move to DC?

I work at the Advisory Board Company, www.advisory.com, in the recruiting department. If you're interested in any of the positions, let me know! It would help you (and me) out! ; )

02bride Posted: Jun 10, 2002 01:56 PM

One more thing

Since I work in an HR department, I thought I'd pass on some information.
1- Most companies do all their hiring electronically. Therefore, resumes are submitted online and are placed into a database where recruiters search the resumes using keywords. The only way you'll be contacted is if your resume comes up on a search and they like what they see. Advice- be sure to use key words from the job description in your resume or cover letter. Most recruiters search for these key words because that's what they're looking for.

Exception- if a company asks you to apply via fax or mail, follow their instructions.

2- Since it's very hard to get in touch with people who work at specific companies, try to find a contact at the company. Search your alumni board at school, look at the contact listed under job postings, and even check sites like vault.com for contacts.

3- If you still don't know a contact, call the general number for the organization and ask to speak to someone who posted the ad for ______. They'll hopefully put you through. The important thing now is NOT TO WASTE THE RECRUITER'S TIME. We don't mind if people want to call to see if we received their resume, but we don't have time to explain the position in a lot of detail to hundreds of applicants a day. That's what the first interview is for. I would suggest calling, introducing yourself, letting them know the position you're interested in, and then asking if you can e-mail them your resume for fastest consideration. At least this way you'll know someone will view your resume. I think it's hard for people to say no to this simple request.

I hope this helps a little bit! Since it's so easy for people to apply to companies through Monster, HotJobs, etc., it makes it possible for hundreds of people to apply to a position at once. Most HR departments can't handle this type of volume.

Please let me know if you have questions!

Suzanne Posted: Jun 10, 2002 02:03 PM

02 Bride

i was in the H/R department at my last company..i ran the entire department myself, soup to nuts!!. i will check on that website you gave me and thanks so much for the advise!!

michele31 Posted: Jun 10, 2002 02:05 PM

Re: One more thing

I was laid off last July and lucky was able to find work but only because I spoke to every contact I had. I am in public relations so I spoke to every media contact, anaylst firm and ad sales rep that I knew. I got my job because one of the ad sales rep knew of a company looking for a good PR person. He asked me for my resume and sent it directly to an executive at the company. So make sure your resume is online (monster, hotjobs etc...I love the advise about keywords), have other people proof your resume for you (spelling mistakes make you look disorganzied and careless) and call ALL of your contacts. You never know who will help you.

(P.S. I also sent the sales rep a big cookie basket as a thankyou after I got my job. THat helps in case I need him again)

Don't get discouraged. Also, consider getting a Part-Time job in retail or a local flower shop etc...just to give you some extra cash and get you out of the house. You never know where your next career might start.

Suzanne Posted: Jun 10, 2002 02:08 PM

Re: One more thing

Thanks michelle!!! i appriciate the advise alot!!! i was going to get a job at the local florist in my neighborhood, but they wouldnt pay me off the books, and at 7.00 an hour i could afford to loose the unemployment, with the whopping 400.00 a week they give you i can barely make ends meet...

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!!!

02bride Posted: Jun 10, 2002 02:54 PM

Another piece of advice

Someone e-mailed me their resume today. They had called the career office where they went to school and asked the office if they had a contact for my company. The office obviously had my info and what do you know? The resume ended up right in my e-mail box. A great tactic.

Wendy Posted: Jun 10, 2002 03:50 PM

Re: Another piece of advice

Another suggestion is to sign up with a temp agency. There are many of them around. Many companies that use temps end up offering them full time employment. Of course if you are collecting unemployment it could affect the money you get, but if not it can be a good way of getting some cash and making contacts.

barbara Posted: Jun 10, 2002 06:25 PM

Re: Bride02

I work in a hospital and they are ALWAYS looking for good employees. They pay well, give benefits for even part-time employees, and it is definitely a job to be proud of. I would say look into it, even if you only do it until you find a better job. You will never be bored in a hospital. I wish you the best

JennK Posted: Jun 10, 2002 08:13 PM

Re: Out Of Work

Bride02, I am so sorry to hear about your situation and I know what youre going through. I lost my job on 9/11 (my company was on the next block). I was out of work for 3 1/2 months and it was tough. Besides thinking that I was going to have to postpone my wedding, I just felt lonely, anxious, and frustrated. Oh yeah, also ate my face off out of boredom. Have faith, something will come along. Maybe you could find a part time off the books job somewhere just to get you out of the house and make a little extra money, that is what I did. I worked at a dry cleaner 4 days a week for 4 or 5 hours. Whatever you end up doing...good luck.

DianaL Posted: Jun 10, 2002 09:33 PM

Re: Out Of Work

I have the reverse situation where my FH lost his job a couple months ago. He immediately started going to school for computer IT certification because he was working in desk top support at his last job. With wedding expenses he is going to have to take the summer off which delays his getting all the classes in that he needs to get the A+ certification. I hate that he has this added stress at a time we should be so happy. So I can sort of relate to what some of you are going through. It is a difficult situation.

Suzanne Posted: Jun 10, 2002 10:19 PM

Re: Out Of Work

Thank you very much... i am too eating like there is no tomorrow... i think i downed an entire pint of Ben and jerrys cookie dough ice cream and some oreos in one sitting!! its like a food nightmare!!! i dont even go food shopping for anything else but the nessesaties...or i eat it in one day!! i am coping feeling much better than i used to...the lack of motivtion these days though is pretty rough.. somedays i sit on the couch all day and then at 5pm i cant understand where the whole day went...i sleep more than i ever have! thank you all for all your advise and well wishes! you guys are great..

aug9bride Posted: Jun 11, 2002 08:26 AM

Re: Out Of Work

=\

Jenny Posted: Jun 11, 2002 08:34 AM

Re: Out Of Work

DianaL - I am in the same boat too! My FI was let go from Merrill Lynch in one of their huge layoffs two weeks ago. My wedding is in 3 weeks and I am freaking out! The good thing about this is that he receives severance for 3 months. The bad thing is that I know how quickly 3 months goes!

I was so upset and I debated about postponing things. I still go back and forth about the honeymoon (will I regret taking the trip of a lifetime). He promises me that he will definitely have a job before the 3 months is up but after reading many of these posts I am not so optimistic. Everyone is like, oh that's great he can help out with all the last minute wedding stuff to relieve some stress. Well to tell you the truth I have more stress now and there really isn't much he can do since many things left are the details that I am obsessing about.

I know it's not his fault but I am resentful that at a time that should be one of the happiest I am so depressed. Two weeks ago I had the attitude, it's my wedding, of course I should get it. Now I am starting to think twice about unnecessary expenditures like the $300 in flowers to decorate my wedding cake. I am so confused and I just hope that everthing works out. At least I know I am not the only one in this boat.

Good Luck

tarakinspa Posted: Jun 11, 2002 04:26 PM

Re: Out Of Work

Wow no wonder all we do is surf the net all day.
It has been a blessing in disguise for me thoug, i have gotten alot of research done as far as the wedding which took alot of time, (its like I am a fulltime wedding planner hee hee) time that If I was working i would not have hda, but then again i dont have the money now for the wedding so it's an ambivilent situation for me.

Buttafli1277 Posted: Jun 11, 2002 11:27 PM

Re: Out Of Work

Aug9Bride I'm kinda in the same situation as you. I just finished up with my MA and am workig p/t and subbing on my days off. Now I want to leave my p/t job in the medical field and find a f/t teaching position for Sept.
I have sent my resume everywhere and to every principal and school district. I hope I hear something soon. Even though I really want to leave my job, I won't leave until I find a teaching position.