I need a way out !!!!!!

[birol]

This post had too much information and I deleted it, I am just bored and sick and tired of being  jobless !

[campingcop]

Out of what? there is nothing there

[debbiedee1957]

Birol,

I know I have read in previous posts of your that you are delivering papers to help with your families expenses, but that you have a college degree, but can't find a job in your area.

Maybe it's time to get creative...I am not sure what your degree is in or your previous experience, but many jobs really don't require much hands on experience and are more reliant on work ethic period.  Think out of the box...look around your community...where do you think you would like to work??? Why can't you get hired there??? Maybe they are cutting back & not hiring, or maybe they are hiring only people who someone knows (many companies are this way in the US, you have to know someone to get it)...ok back to the place where you think you would like to work...think about going there and asking for an appointment with their human resources dept...explain to them your desire to work for their company, tell them about yourself, then offer your services for free for two weeks as a trial period for them to see how you work...this is just one example of thinking out of the box...you have to think opposite of what the norm is.

And you have to find a way to get yourself out of your depression...it will kill you...do you have mental health coverage through your health insurance?  Think about seeing a pshychologist...they can provide you with very helpful tips to beat your cycle of depression.

Good Luck Birol.....you can do it!

This post had too much information and I deleted it, I am just bored and sick and tired of being a jobless !

[wiininkwe]

See the above!!   All very good ideas.  also, if you are spending lots of time searching for something available online, and not actually getting out into the community you are really cheating yourself of lots of opportunities.    And, sometimes you may have to offer to serve as a volunteer somewhere, and prove your worth before you will be considered as a paid employee.   It sounds like a hard road to take, but it can't be any worse than what you're doing, and even if things don't work out where you volunteer, you may find something else just by being in the right place at the right time.  I really hope, as do we all, that something comes along for you soon, and that it's just right for you!
T

[NightOwl]

Birol, dear friend,  I saw your original post earlier and have been thinking about it all day long  wishing I had  some wisdom to share with you or a magic wand to wave and make things better for you.

The  ideas the others have given are very good ones and I'd like to second the one about volunteering.   And I say this from personal experience.    

IT WORKED FOR ME: There was a place  where I  REALLY wanted to work but they didnt have any openings.  I figured I might as well use my time productively--not even dreaming of being  employed there any time soon, if ever.  But this was the kind of work where I had had experience, loved doing it and was excellent at.  So I said, "OK, can I come and work about 20 hours a week for you as a free volunteer just to help out where needed and TO KEEP UP MY SKILLS"  They were stunned at first--no one had ever before offered to work for free--it probably seemed strange at first, but ended up saying they were delighted to get me as they were working shorthanded because of budget cuts.

So I went to work for them and was having a great time and about a month into it, the director called me into her office and said, someone on the staff was unexpectedly leaving and they'd like to HIRE ME!   I worked there for 8 years and it was a wonderful job.

Now then, where there are Unions, it gets a bit complicated, but even with that, if you are clever and tactful and make it clear  you are not intending to push  someone else out of work, you might well be able to do this.  Also, it will look great that you wanted to be busy  doing something.  I know that such volunteering is almsot OUTRAGEOUS to most people today, but it will make you feel very good to be busy doing something you can take pride in, even if it doesnt bring in money at first.  it is also a good way to REALLY network--you find a place, go work there and you may well meet someone who will remember you when a job opening comes up.  As Toni says so well. "and even if things don't work out where you volunteer, you may find something else just by being in the right place at the right time."

Pick a place you want to work or a job you'd like to do and go ask if they can use a little extra  free help--even if just a few hours per week  at extra-busy times or with special projects.  Try not to let them get bogged  down in discussing  liabilities or insurance matters or things of that sort  or regulations.  Tell them you understand about red tape but isnt there a way they could use you--that you  just want to do something meaningful and productive with your time and that is your main goal right now.

Have you thought of expanding your field of work into another area?  You could always say you want to add to your experiences and broaden your career background--sort of on-the-job, unpaid training to benefit both you and the company.

Well, none of these ideas may work for you, but they might give you a starting point for your own creative  thinking about this.  and they do let you know how much we care.

[mowalker]

NETWORK!

Contact some of your old bosses, co-workers and friends for some leads.  Don't forget some of the business you deliver papers to.  Go in person, follow up with phone calls and yes, written letters.  Be persistant and persuasive, have your resume in good order.  Don't go into job desciptions, experience only is what they want and minimise it to less than 2 pages anything over 10 years just list the companies you worked for.  Get together letters of recommendation or have them renewed.  

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!

Get out of the normal routine, change your daily habits, explore different areas of work and culture and people you associate with on daily, weekly basis.  

Get involved in community projects.  You will meet a lot of new people by working on different commitees.  

Don't be nailed to a daily schedule that may interfere with a full time job.

EDUCATE YOURSELF!

Not saying you don't have an education.  Keep up with the changes in your former trade.  Get the new certifications in the latest technology(s) that apply. Take a class if needed, if you're unemployed you may get a grant/subsidy to pay for it.  Or take on a new area that interests you (everyone has one).

AND DONT GIVE UP!

More than likely you are not going to have the 'Vice President' name plate on your office door right away.  We ALL had to start somewhere at or near the bottom.  Don't frown at starting pay, once you get in and show what you can do, you will be rewarded and promoted.  Be commited, but keep your ear to the ground for new opportunity(s).

Keep checking the classified and internet listings, but don't stop there.

Give it a chance, if you stick to this plan you will have a job soon.  Just saying what was mostly said above.  Those people care for you.

One other thing when you do make it, don't forget the people who helped you along the way (not me :p ) but those who put their neck out for you or you had to "borrorow from" in one way or another.


B

Not sure why I post it gets ignored anyway

2003 DODGE HEMI RAM 4X4 all the extras (SWEET)
1993 Coleman RIO GRANDE
1996 Pathfinder (SWEETER it's mine)
2 cats
1 wild dog
1 teenager (good kid)
lots of friends
mortgaged home with a view

[Acts 2:38 girl]

Not sure why I post it gets ignored anyway

to quote yourself -
 

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!

maybe someone is listeneing!!:)
 
 
 

DONT GIVE UP

I thought it was very inspiring!  I really thought the bit about contacting old bosses and friends was good.  I actually did this a few weeks ago - I called a friend who works where I used to work about 8 years ago and she gave me the number and some contacts of a company I used to work for five years ago!!!  I do want to do this line of work, but not really for that company again.  Not enough money for the time I'd be spending.  ($50./week for about 25-30 hrs)  But this is not my career, but it might be worth it for you, Birol!

[birol]

Thanks for all the input, I tried volunteering in areas I liked, but was turned down. Will try again anyways, beats sitting at home all day. I do network and use my contacts fully... Nothing yet.

Retraining in other areas is too costly and I can't afford it, wife is going to college part time towards becoming an ECE and then a full time teacher and we can barely pay it.

I know it might be a dream but I want to perform my profession, it might mean back to Turkey for us(me) , I spent enough time looking for something here and the market just seems to be dead for someone like me.

And as for depression, I don't think I am depressed, I am watching for it like a hawk, but unfortunately being told that I am depressed all the time at this board is making me feel way down.

Will keep hammering at it .....

[angelsmom10]

DH hasn't been out as long as you, but he's in the same field and things are just as bad here.  He should start full time at Dick's Sporting Goods (where he's worked part-time for the past few years), the pay is less than 1/4 he was making, but luckily with us working part-time for an auctioneer, where are get a few bucks for working.  The auctioneer had a lawyer friend who needed some work done for a client/friend of his who was in a nursing home and needed work done in his house, it's kinda made the ends meet.  Although we don't see each other and nothing is getting done around our house (DH basically is putting in around 80+ hrs a week for less then 1/2 his pay, but we are barely getting by).
 
Have you tried like a place like Dicks (not sure what's up in Canada)?

[NightOwl]

Y, know Birol , it may sound a bit crazy, but since you love camping and the outdoors so much, you might really enjoy a job at a place like Nancy mentioned.  I know it is way out of your line and the pay probably stinks but it IS worth a try until your ffield of work opens up.  Sporting goods places probably  would enjoy having  someone working there who  really appreciates nature.

You never know where this may lead.  I mean, a lot of profesional people go to those places since they are outdoor lovers too,  and  you might meet someone useful.  But in the meantime, you'd have a job of some kind and I think if someone gave you half a chance, they'd find you an enthusiastic and dependable worker.

Have you ever considered applying at an outdoor place like Nancy mentions?  Surely it must not be easy for them to find people with your talents and dependability and   desire to work.  A lot of these places have to rely on computers now to keep track of their inventory of thousands of items and you'd already have a head start on that.  I know it would be a step down for a professional, but sometimes,  people have to grab what is available until  their profession is calling once again just like Nancy's husband.  And at this point, the pay would not be as important as using your time productively and getting out and away from your 4 walls.

[NightOwl]

Second thoughts--I know this idea is REALLY way out in left field, but when we lived  in Atlanta, I worked for a consulting firm who sent a team of us across the country to do detailed employee morale interviews at auto supply stores and their distribution centers.  

THose companies rely on computerized systems totally  to keep track of their inventories of hundreds of thousands of items and one of the chief things our team learned was that  it was difficult for them to find computer literate people even  to work the counters because all their cash registers were computerized.  This  MIGHT  also be an area worth exploring--they need programmers and trouble-shooters for their systems.  So do some  libraries.

For instance, we have a friend retired from IBM who volunteers at the local library.   He helped them put their whole system on computers a few years ago and continues to spend a morning a week there keeping things going.

Of course, none of this may work for you for many truly valid  reasons, but the fact that so many of us are picking our brains for ideas shows how much we care about you and want to help.  

Any local hospitals who need someone  experienced with the world of computers who might volunteer a few hours per week?  if they say no, give them your business card and tell them if they ever get into a pinch, to call you.  Do this with everyone you talk to.  (Actually, you probably already do this, but I thought it worth mentioning.)

[angelsmom10]

DH applied there during one of previous unemployment spurts.  He works in the lodge (which covers hunting, fishing, camping, etc.. all of which he is into).  He continued the job when he finally got a regular job as the discount was nice and the extra $$$ also helped.  
 
Birol, do you have any interests that possibly you could get a part-time job just to "get away"; places really like people who know the area as in DH and Dick's.  They really value having the knowledge.  The company I work for is a fine artist supply store and we only hire those people who know art supplies (not me though - that's why I'm in the office:J ).

[dee106]

are there any employment agencies around? or unemployment offices that have job listing? a hospital is a good place to look, take anything to get in the door, then once your in the union, upgrade your job

[wynot]

Or Labor Ready places?

Day work, but they seem to do well.  Might be more than delivering the paper.  Gets you exposure too.
 
Temping-
 
My former employer only hired via temp agencies, so that folks could be test driven first (then we killed them).  And we aren't talking low paying jobs either.  We used so many temps, that we exhausted the quality temp pool in less than a year.  We also hired in 90 days or less.
 
Who knows, I may be trying that path myself soon...

[B-flat]

How about one of those customs checkers at the border?  I'm sure you have more experience than most on their procedure.    :Z  :J