Official DU unemployment thread! Help us Obama!

[ddeclue]

I'm an unemployed test engineer / computer programmer in Orlando, FL.

I know several friends who are unemployed now who worked on campaigns this year as well.

Sound off:

Occupation, location.

Doug D.
Orlando, FL

[Captain Hilts]

1. I'm not legally "unemployed" because I don't apply for at least 3 jobs a week - former pollster...

about to get phd. Poli Sci Russian Economic Reform

[ddeclue]

2. Where are you?

I'm not on unemployment either because I have come up with a part time gig to work on at home for a few weeks anyways...but I won't last long if I don't find a real job.

I do voter targeting on the side (usually for free) in Florida (using my computer skills). I know other campaign people who do other campaign related tasks. I worked as a volunteer this cycle on Grayson for Congress and helped out a few other local and state campaigns.

Doug D.

[Captain Hilts]

7. Unemp in DC. nt

[pinqy]

19. Huh?

There's no requirement for number of applications, just to have actively looked for work in the previous 4 weeks. Those on temporary layoff or on the union rolls don't have to actively look.

[ecstatic]

3. Just about all my friends are unemployed or recently layed off

One friend is so desperate that she is considering working in Iraq with a construction company (RBK I think?). :-(

I work in the healthcare industry which is virtually recession proof.

[FarLeftRage]

4. Unemployed now for 2 months...

Will have to get Medicate to cover my monthly meds, because the COBRA is too expensive and I still have monthly car payments....

SysAdmin / Upstate NY....

[whistler162]

10. Search this website.

They have two openings in the Syracuse area that might be a fit, or not.

http://www.cloughharbour.com/go/careers

[FarLeftRage]

11. Thanks!

I did check them out and unfortunately, I did not have the required skills and or experience they are asking for. I worked primarily with a server/PC system, running various data uploads and did very little tech support.
BTW, I am about 4 hours away from Syracuse and would have to re-locate there and I used to live in Syracuse way back in the mid 1980's...

[whistler162]

16. Oh well....

Good luck in your search.

I am at the 1 month until layoff, so I have started gearing up the looking. The nice thing is I have had 11 months to prepare, the bad thing is I have had 11 months to prepare.

You might also check http://www.americasjobexchange.com/seeker/jobsearch/quick.

[prolesunited]

21. Hate to burst your bubble

but I don't think you can keep your car AND get Medicare. You basically have to have no assets to qualify.

Check with your doctor, though, about free samples.

[FarLeftRage]

25. Well... I was told by a social worker here

That I can get medicaid and still keep my car... provided that I can make the monthly payments.
I can't get free samples from my doctor for my hemochromatosis, because the drug itself would cost me $20000 a year w/out med coverage... and that doesn't include needles, syringes and other needed accessories. I have no assets to speak of and I get very little from unemployment.

[TheDoorbellRang]

27. They give drugs now for hemochromatosis?

My husband was diagnosed with that 20 years ago, and the doctor laughed and said this was a disease best treated by medieval bloodletting. My husband would go in once a month and have blood drawn -- kept his high iron count under control. They couldn't donate the blood which I thought was too bad. We had a friend at the time with severe anemia who used to get blood to get her iron count up; we used to joke it was too bad my husband couldn't just give her some of his iron-heavy blood.

[FarLeftRage]

29. Yes, they do....

And if I wasn't chronically anemic, I would go for the blood-letting... it is much cheaper. Without med insurance coverage, I'd be paying $880 per week for my meds - desferrioxamine. I just simply can't afford it.

[MichiganVote]

5. Well we don't work in Michigan or contribute to the Federal gov't. For that honor,

we get to have stories posted by right wing rags about making $70,000 a year, welfare fraud Queens and we don't get to participate in our state primaries...and of course we're to blame for that too. Its alright tho'. Even though these things have become mundane in the eyes of the public, the recent loan/bailout for the auto industries really has us in the lead for the state with the most shit to hate.

Not to mention the Lions.........God.

[Fire1]

6. Why don't they just sell the Lions?

[MichiganVote]

9. Because Michigan fans are diehards and fill the stadium=money for the Fords.

[Fire1]

13. Since when have the stadiums been filled to see the Lions????

They damn near GIVING the tickets away!

[Corey_Baker08]

8. Unemployed Student in Ohio....

The Future isnt looking to bright here in Ohio....The holidays really put alot of people around here in a state of depression!

[leftofthedial]

12. I'm underemployed at three (sometimes four) part-time temporary jobs

One unexpected bill or lost time from work and I'm sunk.

I haven't had a "real" job since 2002.

At this point, I'll do just about anything. I'm a writer, musician and songwriter, and I'm good with computers, databases, Internet, etc.
Denver CO

[Gman2]

14. I got heart failure, ran out state dis, then got unemployment to tide me over till SS.

Told the lady the former employer hired another and asked if they were busy. No, was the answer. I told the lady at unemp this. She writes that I was fired. The former employer says that I was layed off. No notice given. Jibes with my statement. Now I am cut off, cuz I was layed off. They threaten to take all the money I have gotten. It might take months to appeal. This country is evil and nuts. I could easily die from exposure or ? Screw the overlords. To hell.

[leftofthedial]

15. this country is evil.

and nuts.

sorry for the troubles.

[SeattleGirl]

17. MrSG got laid off two weeks ago; 3 months after I had finally landed

a good job.

Fortunately, he is eligible for unemployment, and I can pretty much make enough to keep a roof over our heads. But it still sucks.

[backscatter712]

18. Been unemployed for over six months now.

Software/test-automation engineer & Linux computer programmer and general geek.

Northglenn, CO

The job market's been pretty damned brutal as of late. When things are going better, a person with my background hardly has to do anything to get a job - recruiters are always calling, and if you talk to one or two, before long, you get interviews. Now, even the recruiters are laid off and out of work.

[Nedsdag]

20. Not unemployed, but underemployed.

I'm an adjunct instructor at three community colleges and I'm seeking full time employment.

Northern New Jersey.

[grantcart]

22. good luck to all of you

[ncrainbowgrrl]

23. layed off in june 2008

researcher, nc

[MoonRiver]

24. I'm gainfully employed, as is my spouse. But I feel for you guys!

It's tough out there. We're in education, which is one of the very few areas that has remained somewhat immune from this job crisis. I do think Obama will be helping. Best of luck! :hi:

[TheKentuckian]

26. Not yet

but underemployed as I've lost over half of my income in the last 6-7 years of constant buyouts, shutdowns, and cutbacks. That doesn't account for loss of benefits and reasonable increases lost in the shuffle.

Four shutdowns, a cutback since 02, and I get to suck up a 30% paycut now too so I guess the 50% loss is now the "good ole days". Well, except I can bounce out of here and replace some of it but I'm so sick of starting over and over again and I thought I'd ride this out till the inevitable buyout or shutdown and maybe profit a little but the cut makes it pretty much impossible to manage.

I don't get how so many people are able to pretend things aren't about utterly fucked up? What dreamland do these folks inhabit?

[nickinSTL]

28. my wife is essentially unemployed...

and has been for about 8 years...timing sound familiar?

She was a computer programmer - but hated it, and her programming skills are too dated to get any work in that area.

She does work as needed for a local electrician (who I found on DU - thanks trthnd4jstc!) - but the work is sporadic. She also does graphic arts and writing - but that doesn't pay...pretty much at all.

:shrug:

Fortunately, I have a steady job, which pays ok...but with our debts, we're struggling all the time.

[Jennicut]

30. I am unemployed by my own doing, I have stayed at home for 4 years with my daughters

But they will almost be in elementary school soon so I will being going back to work as a preschool teacher. I have been out of work so long though so I am nervous.