Jobless rant

So for the past few summers since I moved to the Midwest, I have been looking for a job. In 2011 I applied to two places that said they really needed the help, but after putting in my applications, I was never even contacted for an interview despite going into both stores and talking to assistant managers that knew me.

Last summer I was pretty much trapped back in Pennsylvania to visit family, and couldn't even look for a job because I never knew when I was going to be back in Minnesota/South Dakota.

This summer, my fiance told me to apply to the on-campus computer lab at the college, so I did. Weeks after applying, I asked if he talked to anyone about my app, and he said there won't be any jobs available until the fall. I also applied to the local branch of the dollar store, and even after having a pretty good interview, I was never called back. There aren't any other places in town that are hiring now--not a single help-wanted sign in the window anywhere.

I'm frustrated because I've had no money since my financial aid ran out in May, my parents haven't been particularly supportive despite my best effort to find a job, and now I'm at the point where I have to rely on my fiance to buy all the groceries, pay all the bills, and pay what I can't manage for rent.

I've been trying to sell some jewelry I have posted on Facebook but that hasn't worked out, either.
I'm just starting to feel hopeless. My job search came to an abrupt end because nothing is available in town, selling stuff online just hasn't even happened, and I have nothing but a credit card that's already almost maxed out to fall back on.

I just needed to rant to get all this off my chest. This summer has been absolutely awful financially. I've not been able to go anywhere fun or get much of anything for myself or my friends, and worst of all it's kept me from being able to do swaps on here.

Advice is not really something I'm looking for at this point. I just need encouragement, or for someone to tell me it's going to be alright. I've had one of the worst summers so far, and there are still 7 more weeks to go until school starts up again.

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9 replies since 19th July 2013 • Last reply 19th July 2013

Reply #1:

I'm sorry to hear about what you're going through Monica- I can understand frustration when you're trying to provide for yourself and your family and are struggling. Things always turn around eventually if you keep trying so don't give up hope.

And I know you said you didn't need advice- so this is just a suggestion, maybe you can do odd jobs for people in your area like gardening, alterations or baby sitting? Just a suggestion, maybe put up a flier at your college and let them know you're looking for something. Best of luck and keep up the moral- things always get better.

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Reply #2:

I'm sorry to hear that things are tough. I know how awful it feels when you can't pay your own way with bills. Its horrible. Big cyber hugs coming your way x The only suggestion I can think of is to get ebaying and maybe have a hunt on the web for any online companies that they pay you to take surveys. I do it and it doesn't make money as such, the one I'm with pays in vouchers and I get amazon vouchers as they are really handy for getting most stuff. The one I'm signed up with is valued opinions but there are loads. Also if you blog it could be worth looking at adding google ads to your page. I was loathed to do it but it does at least bring in something and you can restrict the type of ads they put up. I think they pick them from your search results as well as the options you select. If you already have a blog with google ads on let me know and I'd be happy to click on a few.

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Reply #3:

I used to do little jobs through Mechanical Turk on Amazon, and I used to do so many that I was making close to minimum wage. Unfortunately there haven't been many higher paying jobs there that I liked to do, like writing real estate articles and helping website owners improve their sites.

I'm not a very good blogger, I don't really have anything worth blogging about, and even then I'd post irregularly.

I think I have a good shot at getting the computer lab job in the fall, but that is still a ways away.

I'm going to have to check up on Mturk though... hopefully something decent is up. Last I checked, all the good jobs were looking for were Asian women or black women to do surveys, or people who were native Spanish speakers... I am none of those. lol

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Reply #4:

As long as you are still trying something good will happen. I have been through this too. When it is over you will know you are strong enough to face other problems. I am sending good thoughts your way. Happy

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Reply #5:

If you have an etsy shop, I'll be happy to post a link on my facebook page. I only have 327 likes but maybe someone there will be interested and buy something Happy

This is my page if you want to take a look first....
https://www.facebook.com/AsianInvasionSaloon

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Reply #6:

I know we hear it a lot but out generation really got screwed with this economy. I graduated high school 2007 and the next year everything went south. After college I was fortunate to get my current job because I knew the right people at the right time... my boyfriend had a harder time and was working minimum wage for a year before he finally got a full time job. I know how hard it is right now, so few jobs and so many people looking but just keep at it. Keep a resume updated and in your car just in case something comes up, try volunteering while you wait because it will fill gaps on your resume and could lead to other opportunities, and just keep applying. I'll sit down on a day off and just apply to over a dozen places and do it again the next weekend.... another option is to try submitting your resume to local Temp Agencies who will help place you in a job for a period of time.

Just keep focused, finish school and keep crafting to stay sane Happy

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Reply #7:

Yesterday I got a call for a library computer lab consultant job and got hired. I started today. It's minimum wage but I can keep it as long as I'm at the University for school.

It was right as I was losing hope too...

Since I have lots of experience with Word they really wanted to hire me. Happy

I'll have tons of time to read at work. I'm excited now. I finally found a job after 3 years...

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Reply #8:

Yay! Congrats Monika!

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Reply #9:

Thank you! It feels good to have a job again. Today is my first real shift. It's a pretty easy job and I get to read and work on school stuff whenever it isn't busy. Happy

I have a ton of hours this upcoming week, too, so my first paycheck will be big. Happy

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