Decisions about job search

[Nikia]

A week ago, I left my job. Although I had been thinking about leaving for a while, I was forced into making a decision. I am not eligible for unemployment though, at least without legal action that I am unwilling to do. I need to find something in the next couple of months maximum, preferably before.
Since graduating from college, most of my experience has been in the food manufacturing industry. There are a few other companies in the area, but most of them are relatively small. While there may be few other qualified area candidates applying to these jobs, it also means that there are few jobs, let alone openings. I am facing the issue of how far I am willing to commute or if I am willing to relocate (I have been contacted by a recruiter, but could also apply for jobs within a few hours drive.) I also am considering getting any job to get me by, but this would probably mean very low wages and may interfere with my career related job search.
If you have been in this situation, what did you do and how did you come to that decision?

[Loge23]

1. Be open to new opportunities

I wish I could be more specific, but that is the situation you are now in.
Depending on what neck of the woods you are in presently, it could be a very tough experience finding another job.
First, take a good look at the industry you were in, assess your reputation, and determine if there's any realistic possibility of continuing in that field. Next, determine if you are open to relocating - if so, start looking at your industry further afield.
Make sure you have a well-constructed resume that has your best attributes highlighted. Think about this a bit - so many people forget all of the things that they really do at work and lock themselves into their title. There are plenty of free resources availble online or at your local library in writing effective resumes.
Always answer a job opportunity by immediately addressing what they are looking for. They will get bombarded with resumes and will shift quickly through them. Make your reply stand out.
Don't put too much hope in the recruitors - they are paid to search for people like yourself and are often far from professional placement people.
Don't expect a parallel move - not in this economy. You are now vulnerable to the labor market and that will probably indicate lower wages.
Get busy on every job board you can find, including your state workforce center. Try indeed.com - that seems to have a good compilation of other boards included.
Don't get too wrapped up in the same industry you have been in unless of course there's a real opportunity. Having that experience (in one industry) sometimes results in "do you know anything else?" in interviews. So be flexible, particularly if you are young.
I wish you the best.

[DaveJ]

2. I pursue my passion regardless

If food manufacturing is your passion, just do it, regardless of whether there is a job for you. That's what I did. I took temp jobs to survive until I finally got a job in my field.

Looking back though, I wish I could have just lived with my parents until I found the best job. It would have been better if someone could have just paid for my room and board for however many years it took until I found the perfect job. That's what alot of people do, and I am jealous of them, but I never had anyone to take care of me, so I had to get a survival job and creep my way up the career ladder very slowly. Having nobody to support me in any way had devastating effects, but whatever.

[Nikia]

3. I would not call food manufacturing my passion exactly

It's what I have been doing for the past 10 years though. I do like the research and development area of it though.
I had an interview for an research and development job earlier this week. I like the idea of the job, but I did not enjoy the hour drive each way. I have no desire to move to that area either as it is out in the middle of nowhere. I am not really sure whether I am going to take the job if I get it. I had another job interview this week in quality. Although I am less passionate about that area, it is a much shorter drive and probably pays more.

[DaveJ]

4. I struggle with the distance factor too

Whenever I've talked to recruiters, they seem surprised that I don't want a job that is a 90 minute each way drive! I often have refused to go to interviews because of their location. I think that's just insane to drive that much... I realize that it is sometimes necessary, to support kids or some other obligation. But I couldn't spend 10-20 hours a week commuting. That's just ridiculous, IMO. Currently I'm on a long train ride coming home from work, but I'm just sitting here browsing the internet and reading so it's not the same as driving....

I truly believe people should stay focused on what they want to do, and your goal seems very achievable. Maybe the R&D job can work out shorter work weeks? Good luck!

[Lick the Toad]

5. The world has really changed, hasen't it?

The best advice I could give you is that you should have found a job before leaving the last one. (woulda, shoulda, coulda, eh?) Since you said you did not, I can offer what I know (not much). I have been unemployed, and doing miserable part time minimum wage work since 2008. I've been caught between giving up, and continuing to look for some time. In 2008-2009, most people would have laughed at me if I asked for a job. I have a BA degree and was an editor of scientific reports and other government related paperweights. In late 2010-2011, I worked at a deli, part time. It was the worst year of my life.

Right now I am in Truck-Driving school getting my CDL. In about 10 weeks I will be getting a license and getting an over the road job that will pay very well for my area. I will save money and buy a small but cheap place in the Midwest. Once I've paid off the place (under 50K) I plan on getting a "real" job, perhaps as a dispatcher at a trucking company -- it will be for way less money but I will have the major purchase of a house under my belt. My time frame is only 2 years.

Truck driving schools are expensive for someone with no money. A community college in your area may have a program-- usually for much less. Once in the community college, you will be eligible for career counseling, and student part time jobs.

There is no way not to lose everything, so protect the things you love. No apartment or house is worth going broke to keep.

(Used trailers are pretty cheap-- some people balk from the thought of a trailer park, but they are actually quite nice if you get into a nice one-- once more, my experience may not be yours).

[Nikia]

6. I don't think that truck driving is for me

The reason that possibly having an hour commute or more bothers me isn't just because it takes up time and gas. I have anxiety about driving, especially in heavy traffic. I also have below average backing and parking skills in a car. I'm not really sure what areas that I should consider other than what I've been doing but that isn't it.
Yes, I should have been looking more seriously for jobs months ago. Probably September was when I got the hint that I did not have much of a future there and that things were going to just keep on getting worse. It wasn't like I could have had any time to go to any interviews though. I was working around 60 hours per week and needed to give a couple of weeks advance noticed to get any time off.