SurvivingInfidelity.com^®

I don’t really know where to put this, so if I need to take a ride on ModAir I will buckle up!

I mentioned before that I was let go back in November. Job hunting has been very humbling. I am struggling.

I receive unemployment but it isn’t enough to pay both the rent and the other bills. I am scrambling every week trying to figure out who gets what, how to put gas in the car, how to get groceries….

WXH has been good about giving me some extra so at least DD has lunch money, etc. But frankly I am drowning. My mom has helped out, but she is not wealthy. Everyone I know is strapped and frankly I HATE asking for help.

I am an adult and should be able to take care of myself and my kid damn it!

I was making pretty decent money at my last job and felt like I might, finally, start to get ahead. The last 10 years have been constant financial struggle- even before the divorce. But finally I could see progress. Bills were paid, I had some hope for maybe being able to buy a small place in a year or so.

Now nothing. The job market has impressed upon me that I will be lucky to make 75% of what I did before. I am interviewing like crazy- I think I have seen almost every staffing agency in the metro area as well as individual employers. My job history is a bit spotty/choppy, and most say I am “overqualified” because I have a master’s degree. The degree is in a discipline I want to work in but cannot find a position in because I have no experience in that field. So it is useless.

I am in the final interview stages of a job that looks like a good possibility- but it pays about half of my former income. It is a good field, something I want to move into. And it pays more than unemployment. But even if I get this I am looking at several more years of struggle financially. I am so tired.

Regardless, I hope I get this job. At least the rent would get paid. But when do I get to feel safe?

I can empathize. I was laid off in November 2011. I got another job, but I did have to take a paycut. It's very frustrating sending out resume after resume and not getting responses or getting declined because of "insert reason".

I hope this job works out for you. I'll keep you in my prayers.

[This message edited by lieshurt at 9:42 AM, March 21st (Thursday)]

Good luck sadcat.

Have you considered leaving your masters off your resume? Definitely keep it on if it is applicable to the job, but otherwise, prospective employers will see it as an indication that you would just be biding time with them.

I have left it off on many occasions. Doesn't seem to make a difference! Mainly my job history (several jobs in 5 years) is the main stumbling block apparently. And there is nothing I can do about that.

So frustrating.

Would it look more consistent if you cover your work history in years, not months? For instance, if you worked a job November 2010-March 2011, list it as 2010-2011, then don’t list other small jobs worked in either year.

Well I tried that, too! Then during the interview they ask specific dates. Or often the online application requires them. 2 of my jobs were less than a year in duration. Last one I was fired from was close to a year and a half. Also I have 2 different industries so "time in service" in each is awkward in that I am entry level but not really.

This has been so disheartening.