Please check in here if you're still looking for a job.

6 months and counting, here. We have heard one NO after another, had two bait-and-switches, and two weeks ago it looked very hopeful and there was salary negotiations going on, but pulled at the last minute. My husband is an engineer with a master's degree and works in pharmaceutical manufacturing. There are hardly any interviews these days as the bottom really seemed to fall out about two months ago.

There is less than two months left on dh's contract job, but it is better than unemployment here in FL (pretty much anything is better than FL's pitiful unemployment). It may or may not be renewed. We've paid COBRA for two months and have 7 months left of Obama's subsidy (which makes it a little more affordable, but still a huge financial hit). We are bringing in less than 70% of what we were before, and paying out more due to no benefits. Thank goodness we had savings (but it has taken a huge hit), we aren't behind in the mortgage or any other bills but have cut WAY back. We have always lived below our means, but with 6 people in a small house with college around the corner we really do need to make a move but cannot afford it now.

I am still looking for a part-time job but have had no luck (and neither has our teenage daughter). My job here is trying to cut our expenses back as far as possible, especially in the food budget. We're hoping to have another yard sale next month as well.

Last time we went through this it took right at six months to find a job (2001 recession), so now we're there and without any open interviews to speak of. It's really hard not to panic. The situation is taking a huge toll on our kids in particular.

A year next month. DH is signed with temp agencies, I'm going through sites daily. There's lots of scam *start your own business* stuff out there, but not much else.

In March through the beginning of May, I got a lot of calls and a few phone interviews. One company flew me out TWICE for in person interviews (I thought that one was in the bag).

Since the beginning of May, nothing. Not even a nibble. No call backs, no interviews, nothing.

One job opening that I'm well qualified for... my recruiter told me that the hiring manager had 700 resumes on his desk and didn't want anyone to call him anymore.

If there is a recovery, I'm not seeing it.

significant other income (ex pays a small spousal maintenance to make up for taking all of our money he stole - certainly not enough to buy groceries much less pay rent, car payment, etc.), didn't qualify for unemployment, have literally sent out over 150+ resumes without a single peep. My last job was for eight months after a year of unemployment due to a serious illness. I was finally, finally starting to get caught up on my bills and planning a new life with money coming in and feeling good when I was laid off. I'm now healthy, willing to work hard for much less than I'm worth and yet nothing. Panic and depression are my daily companions. My mind keeps going to the "what if" I don't find a job, or I get sick again, or any of a hundred other nightmares.

And yet, I still send out the resumes, I've called friends, family, past co-workers trying to network into something. Hope springs eternal.

And, oh, yeah? The state is taking my house to widen the road and I will have to be out sometime in October or November. I have lived here 14 years and it is my little sanctuary on the hill. Nine acres of peace, quiet and personal space gone. Have you ever tried to move with no money for deposits, first and last month rents, and the million of other things that will need to be paid? I wish the repugs could live in my shoes for just one month.

/end of whine - I am healthy and able to work, have a roof over my head (today!) and a car to get me to a job if I find one. I have a lot to be thankful for but it sometimes gets hard to remember all that.

you definitely have my empathy and positive vibes.
This economy sucks!

of open position in every imaginable field.

in a six state area and nothing. Not a nibble. Fort Knox - 15 minutes from my home is hiring 400 (400!) people this summer for human resources positions (BRAC is moving the human resource command for the Army to Fort Knox) with another 1,000 by this time next year. I have 20+ years of experience in office management including human resources, benefit packages, etc. and I'm not hearing a thing. The unemployment office told me they are getting 500+ resumes for every position and are swamped.

It is a whole art form just to get considered for a civil servant job but that would be my Nirvana if I could just get my foot in the door.

even to Canada! Still, nothing.

packaging lines for pharmaceutical companies. They are very good people and have helped me a lot. What state do you live in? Send me your husbands resume. At least I can send it on. They may not be able to help but it's worth a try.

Here is my web site www.bethpets.com if you want to email you info use my business email.

I'll send you an email if you don't mind.

Boss pushed me to leave to avoid paying unemployment, so I quit last May thinking I would be able to find something else pretty quickly. Then the bottom really fell out and I don't qualify for any stimulus. I just found a great full time job, but still have to live on a shoestring until I can make up for the bills I could not pay for the last 3 months. I've got full benefits and a good salary, but can only guarantee me 16 months work.

Worse, my brother and his wife have been saving for their sons' college since their birth. The college fund had been in investments. My nephew just graduated high school and instead of his tuition being in the bag for 4 years plus, they have about a year and a half for him and nothing for his 16 year old brother. That's a tough thing to have to tell your kids.

Hang in there. In my case, I'm kicking myself over not planning for this 8 or more years ago. I have learned to live very differently and it's not all bad. I wish I could help you and all the others in your position.

in regards to college funds, although we intended for each of them to spend at least 1-2 years in community college and transfer in (to save money and prove themselves). But yes, that fund was decimated.

That's great you found something with benefits, too. Yes, we did learn to save up more cash savings from the last layoff but it certainly doesn't last long. The last time we had to get help from his parents which we hate to do because they're on a limited income.

Yeah, we're all learning to live differently (and that's a good thing, you know).

And I bet your relatives love all the experts who say that we Americans don't have any savings.

That's right, you idiots, none of us had a little passbook with any money in it, other than maybe a bank overdraft protection account. Instead, we were told by you the EXPERTS to invest - so at that point our "savings" became "investments." Those investments got shoved around inside of financial instruments too complicated for even the EXPERTS to figure out - until they bottomed out.

That's probably the best way to avoid the job market if you have the means - put some financing together, be it student loans or something else, go to college, get a degree (or in my case, a second degree,) so when the job market finally recovers, and I put my shingle out, I can truthfully say I did something useful during my downtime.

...but I am in an internship for the next three months, at least. I extended my internship because none of my co-graduates are able to find work right now.

And extended unemployment runs out the third week in August. I'm 56, single mom - got a grant to get an Associates in one year, and I'm delighted, but will have to do it from a homeless shelter if I don't find something PDQ.

and I have been in the interview process at a potential job for almost that long.

Verizon is hiring, at least in my area. My neighbor works there, and she says they have not had layoffs or a downturn, so, if you're in the SC Low Country, you might want to give them a try. Good luck!

I went from the high of seeing Obama elected to the low of looking forward to a holiday season without employment.

Temp and short contract jobs only. NOBODY is hiring full time in the tech world it seems.

In the last two weeks, i haven't even seen anything to apply for. Had an interview 2 weeks agao, but was competing with over 10 people for the job.

My profession is dead where I live in "Canada's Silicon Valley".

I've had it. I'm going back to school in September, taking advantage of a government re-training program. I just have to make it through the summer.

We're living on less than a third of what DH used to make. We're barely keeping up with the bills, but we're doing it. He just went through the selection process for a contract job locally; the pool started with 4,000 people, it came down to him and another guy, and they went with the other guy. Interviews are unbelievable, when he can get one. There are so many people unemployed right now that companies can pick whomever they want age or skill-wise, and there isn't a thing he can do about it.

We got a dog, which I realize is probably insane, but when he was working, it was 70 hours a week. We have time to spend with him right now. Our pup helps in many ways -- exercise, somewhat cheap entertainment, etcetera.

We're still waiting for the "homeowner bailout" paperwork, and now we've written to Senator Murray's office for help.

Interviews? DH has to apply for three jobs a week to keep his unemployment status; he says that there is NOTHING, and he concurs with the "everything's dried up" over the last couple of months.

I believe that President Obama is going to have no other choice than to extend unemployment again at the federal level; people will start falling off the rolls, and that's when the fun's going to start in a big way.

My nephew graduated from Mizzou in December with a degree in engineering, and he still hasn't found a job. He's gone to job fairs, sent out loads of resumes, and signed up with employment agencies. Nothing. He's back to living with his parents and is getting pretty depressed.

My dad was an engineer and *never* had a problem finding a job. What happened to leaving the country better for the next generation? I feel sorry for these kids.

Its bad for us too, you have to have experience in your field but how can you when they won't even give you a chance...

I worked for almost all of 2008 without getting a paycheck.

I have about 2 months left until I have to move in with my parents. :(

The second I find a job (and can afford an attorney) I'm suing my former boss for everything he has.

along with 2 of my sons, and my dad. :(

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My position was eliminated in January, and since then the places I've applied to say they're getting 50+ applicants for jobs starting at $7.50 per hour. I almost got employed a few weeks ago, but was beaten out by the 41st applicant...which led to an unpleasant musing on my part- as badly as I need the work, at least I have unemployment. By beating someone out for a job, am I helping to put others out on the street?

as I have a brain injury.

Who'd hire someone who's 56? At least I have some part-time work.

:hug: Will be 58 on Wednesday, am a social worker currently working as a food server. Single, smart, great background/references/experience...ageism is alive and well, trust me. Good luck and NGU!

For those of you with lots of applications out there. Don't give up on them until you get the sorry charlie letter. One job I interviewed for I applied in November and they called me in March! The one I currently have, I first applied for in February and they didn't call for an interview until May. Since they are swamped, it seems to be taking them much longer to get to the interviews. I've had several surprises like that.

Other little tips:

Use this opportunity to get some exercise and eat right! Cooking at home, for yourself, your kids, and whomever is working is economical, and can be lots of fun with the right inexpensive ingredients. The bulk section of the co-ops and natural foods stores are your best friend. You can have a week of yummy food for pennies with the right spices. You'll be nurturing yourself and your loved ones and it will help stave off depression and negativity.

If you live in a great, safe area with lots of wonderful hiking trails, try to get out into nature. It's wonderful. Hiking with my dog kept me sane many an afternoon.

Keep a routine. Get up every morning and take a shower, and get fully dressed. Stay off the internet gossip sites! make a plan and a to do list and stick with it. Do allow yourself a "gown day" (that's when you stay in your jammies all day and do nothing) once in a while, but not more than one day a week. If it helps you, make part of your routine "going to the office" (A coffee shop with internet access).

The library is your friend. Books, advice, CD's DVD's. I see so many more people using the libraries now.

Go see people. socialize and try not to talk about your problems too much. fortunately for many of us, we have friends in similar straits, so the wine bar is out, and the park or free speaker at the university is in.

Try to do some volunteer work. It will make you feel better and you can add it to your resume. You might even meet someone with a job for you. It helped me so much in my interviews to be able to talk about the things I had been doing as a volunteer.

About the bill collectors!...oh man - I do not know exactly what to say, but something must be said. This was the worst part for me because I am carrying the typical amount of american credit card debt. No problem with a perfect credit rating and a steady income for my entire working life, right? Now my zero percent offers that I routinely bounce my balances around are long gone and I get phone calls from complete MORANS who try to get me to give them my banking account routing number. They call 20 times a day and are weird. I imagine some Willie Loman type sitting at his or her kitchen table making these fruitless calls for pennies on the dollar of what they might squeeze out of me. I've tried to appeal to them on that level, but they seem programmed to not give a shit. All the while, they have raised my rates (one card to 24 percent!). Why do they think that it's a sound strategy to squeeze blood from a stone? Keep in mind that I have not missed a payment any later than 2 weeks. I'm current now, but need to figure out how to get out of this hole.

finally - no new clothes! I can't think of a single person in the entire USA that needs one more item of clothing.

I was looking into it a few years ago when I was in similar straights, but it was also the time they were docking military retirement and stop lossing. DO NOT sign on the dotted line- you may never get out! They often talk about how you're 'in contract' with them, but they can change the terms at any time, while what you are getting out of it is completely under their control...even the ability to leave.

And 3 years before my last job. My life savings/retirement fund is down to the last few weeks. House is up for sale at huge loss. I'm halfway through med lab tech school, so hopefully I'll sell the house now and finish school cash, versus being forced to take large student loan now and get less for the house later.

I just got rejected by a gas station convenience store. I failed the test, most of which were questions with no good answers designed to figure out how long you'd stay at the job...

My wife and I have swapped roles - now she's bringing home the main paycheck and I'm taking care of the house and small.

We're in better shape than a lot of people though. Our next door neighbor had retired from the Police Department this year, and had taken a part time job with a local PD to supplement his retirement. The local PD just cut all of it's part time employees due to budget constraints (we're in CA). So they're currently on a trip to the midwest to search out a more affordable place to live. :(