# What do I do if I'm unemployed indefinitely? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 29, 2009, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-if-im-unemployed-indefinitely/498057 "2009-05-29T18:02:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-if-im-unemployed-indefinitely/498057/1 "2009-05-29T18:02:10Z")
I’m now on Federal emergency unemployment, having been virtually unemployed (a few one-day temp assignments) since last October. I’m registered with a couple of temp agencies that I’ve done well with in the past; but even they, professional job placers who have a financial incentive to see me work, can’t find anything. Even the fast food joints aren’t hiring, and the local paper now prints it’s help wanted ads double-sized, since they wouldn’t have enough to make up a full classified section otherwise. There is **nothing** I can find that I’m qualified for (G.E.D.), and even people with much better training than me are having employment problems. I can’t even find openings to apply for, as an exercise to prove I’m trying. What do I do if the last cent of unemployment runs out and I still don’t have a job? To put it in it’s bluntest terms, if I don’t get a job soon, my wife (retired, too sick to work) and I will lose our house. Maybe one of my wife’s children would take her in (me, who knows?). I just can’t believe that in this day and age someone willing to work can’t find _something_, however lousy, that they’re qualified for. Son of a bitch, is this really the Great Depression II, complete with soup kitchens, shantytowns and men who haven’t worked in years?? ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Poster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Happy\_Poster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Poster)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-if-im-unemployed-indefinitely/498057/2 "2009-05-29T18:07:14Z")
In the words of Norman Tebbit, get on your bike and move in search of work… You will be able to find something in a big city, at least at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![anson2995](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@anson2995](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anson2995)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-if-im-unemployed-indefinitely/498057/3 "2009-05-29T18:27:42Z")
> [@Angry Lurker](#): > > In the words of Norman Tebbit, get on your bike and move in search of work… You will be able to find something in a big city, at least at the moment. Not true in most cases. The unemployment rate for Los Angeles is 10.6%, its 9.4% in Chicago, both higher than the national rate of 8.9% or the 8.4% rate in the OP’s hometown of Minneapolis. The problem simply is that jobs are being cut in massive numbers and very few new ones are being created.[This article](http://kstp.com/article/stories/s941739.shtml?cat=1) provides some intersting insight: > [@](#): > > [Minnesota Unemployment] Commissioner Dan McElroy said the slowdown in job losses is encouraging but the economy is still challenged. He said he has yet to see one sign of recovery he’s watching for: Fresh hiring at temporary help agencies acting as the recession’s shock absorber. > > “We are not interpreting this as a turning point in the recession. It is much too early to tell that,” McElroy told reporters on a conference call. > > Minnesota has lost 90,200 jobs over the past 12 months. That’s 3.3 percent of total employment, but the losses have hit the Twin Cities harder than regional hubs including Duluth, St. Cloud and Rochester. > {snip} > Hiring was up in health care and the hospitality industry in April while other sectors were letting people go. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-if-im-unemployed-indefinitely/498057/4 "2009-05-29T18:30:11Z")
I have been looking for full time work for the last three years. Ever since the first of this year even the temp agencies have dried up. Still I recall the recession in the early 80s, that was much worse than now. I think 'cause people have more credit now. The temp agencies I went to said that since I’m over 40, I’m gonna be last on the list. I’ve been through program after program, I’ve had people examine my resume. I still get interviews, companies pay my expenses to fly me out to meet with them. But the fact is, I’m not the only interview. And if someone is out of work less time than me, or is younger than me, or whatever they’ll get it. And you gotta be realistic and cope with that. I live in Chicago, and even place Accountemps, which I used to always get work at, have nothing for me. And I used to be an assitant controller. And I’ll work cheap. I used to be a system admin so I know a ton about computers. I used to be able to put ad in Craigslist and flyers, computer help $7.50/hr (minimum wage in IL) and I’d get calls. Now no one calls. I spend a lot of my time now teaching volunteer classses about computer, just cause I’m bored. Times is tough, hopefully we’ll all be around when they get better ---
**Author:** ![TheBaptiste](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f6c823/32.png) [@TheBaptiste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheBaptiste)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-if-im-unemployed-indefinitely/498057/5 "2009-05-29T18:54:14Z")
Did you vote for McCain or Obama? ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-if-im-unemployed-indefinitely/498057/6 "2009-05-29T19:09:48Z")
> [@Conservative1](#): > > Did you vote for McCain or Obama? **Conservative** —I’ll let this slide for now since you’re new, but this is General Questions, and political asides are not welcome here. Other forums, yes, but try to keep politics out of GQ. Thx. **samclem** Moderator, General Questions ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-if-im-unemployed-indefinitely/498057/7 "2009-05-29T19:10:19Z")
> [@Conservative1](#): > > Did you vote for McCain or Obama? [Moderator Note] Let’s keep political commentary out of GQ. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-if-im-unemployed-indefinitely/498057/8 "2009-05-29T19:14:37Z")
Aw, crap. Never mind. ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-if-im-unemployed-indefinitely/498057/9 "2009-05-29T19:16:33Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > There is **nothing** I can find that I’m qualified for (G.E.D.), and even people with much better training than me are having employment problems. I can’t even find openings to apply for, as an exercise to prove I’m trying. Been there, man. Keep plugging. [www.indeed.com](http://www.indeed.com) has 221 full-time jobs that require a GED listed. [http://www.indeed.com/jobs?as\_and=&as\_phr=g.e.d.&as\_any=&as\_not=&as\_ttl=&as\_cmp=&jt=fulltime&st=&salary=&radius=25&l=minneapolis&fromage=any&limit=10&sort=date](http://www.indeed.com/jobs?as_and=&as_phr=g.e.d.&as_any=&as_not=&as_ttl=&as_cmp=&jt=fulltime&st=&salary=&radius=25&l=minneapolis&fromage=any&limit=10&sort=date) ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-if-im-unemployed-indefinitely/498057/10 "2009-05-29T19:23:56Z")
> [@](#): > > Son of a bitch, is this really the Great Depression II, complete with soup kitchens, shantytowns and men who haven’t worked in years?? No…it’s not even in the same universe as the Great Depression. We had over 20%…nearly 30%… unemployment then for gawds sake! It was incredibly bad. We haven’t even reached the '70’s level of badness yet. > [@](#): > > What do I do if I’m unemployed indefinitely? I’m not sure what you are asking in this OP to be honest. If it is something along the lines of how does unemployment insurance work? then [here](http://www.workplacefairness.org/uswaunemployment) is a link: > [@](#): > > How does unemployment compensation work? > > Every state has an agency that provides temporary benefits to persons who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. The unemployment compensation system is very similar to an insurance policy purchased by your employer. Your employer pays premiums into a state fund. If you become unemployed through no fault of your own, you apply to receive money from the insurance-like fund to assist you until you can find another job. Each state has its own system for accepting applications. If you don’t know where to apply, see your state’s unemployment agency listing below. In a unionized setting, it is possible that your union has an unemployment compensation representative or committee that can assist you in understanding the unemployment system in your state. > > Under current law, all applicants for unemployment compensation must serve a “waiting week.” Since you cannot get benefits for the first week of unemployment that occurs after you file for benefits, you should apply as soon as possible after your job ends – even if you are not certain of your eligibility. Depending on how long you worked before losing your job, you can collect benefits for up to 26 weeks (which may be further extended under certain circumstances under federal law). > > Sometimes, but not always, an employer will contest a terminated employee’s eligibility for unemployment compensation. Whether you receive unemployment compensation depends on a number of factors. > > Why were you terminated? > > You are entitled to compensation if you lost your employment through no fault of your own. The states use different standards in determining fault. In some states, an employee who engaged in willful misconduct is deemed ineligible to receive benefits. In other states, an employer only needs to show that it had “just cause” for terminating an employee. Where you are subject to a collective bargaining agreement, it may be a good idea for you to pursue through your union a grievance relating to your discharge at the same time as you are pursuing an unemployment compensation claim. Consult your union and your collective bargaining agreement about the filing of a grievance. > > Under the first standard, an employee who is a poor performer and made many costly mistakes at work would still be entitled to benefits, since his inability to perform the job is not “willful misconduct.” Under the second standard, which looks at whether the employer had a good reason to terminate an employee, an employee’s substandard work and errors would provide the employer with cause to fire the employee. Whether your state uses a “just cause” standard or the more lenient “willful misconduct” standard may have a bearing on whether you receive unemployment. > > A “faultless” termination would involve a company which has downsized and eliminated the employee’s position for economic reasons. The employee did not do anything wrong, and there was no “just cause” for the termination. Although the employer may have had a valid business reason for its decision, the individual employee was not at fault and so is entitled to unemployment compensation. > > Breaking company rules or violating company policy can constitute “fault” or just cause for termination. Doing personal business on company time, behaving rudely to a customer or client, or failure to show up for work without excuse can all be just cause for termination. > > Each case is different. Just because your employer cites some rule violation as the reason for your termination does not necessarily mean that you were fired for “cause” or misconduct, and that you won’t be entitled to unemployment compensation. You have nothing to lose by filing for unemployment benefits and letting the state decide whether to pay your claim or not. Note that you also have appeal rights if the claim is denied, as discussed below. FWIW, I think that there is an effort on to extend unemployment benefits, so you probably won’t be cut off any time soon. The actual conditions vary though from state to state. If you are asking what should you do, my (non-GD, perhaps unsolicited) advice would be to use the time you have while you are out of work to get some kind of training. I don’t know what your interests or skill sets are, but for my part I’d probably would on re-acquiring many of the IT certs I’ve let slip if I were out of work. There are lots of loan programs and such with the government to get training. Build up your resume and then start seriously looking again. Perhaps consider moving to some place where jobs are more available. It sounds like things are really bad where you are…where I live things haven’t really changed much at all, and unemployment hasn’t had a huge impact. For that matter, the housing market hasn’t crashed here either…they are still building like crazy in my neck of the woods. Good luck! I hope you work it out. -XT ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-if-im-unemployed-indefinitely/498057/11 "2009-05-29T19:25:56Z")
Never employed? Learn to live off the land and don’t expect to own much. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-if-im-unemployed-indefinitely/498057/12 "2009-05-29T19:36:06Z")
> [@anson2995](#): > > Not true in most cases. The unemployment rate for Los Angeles is 10.6%, its 9.4% in Chicago, both higher than the national rate of 8.9% or the 8.4% rate in the OP’s hometown of Minneapolis. Bear in mind [the unemployment rate published by the BLS](http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm) and reported in the media uses a strict set of numbers. The BLS also publishes a different set of numbers as well, called U-6 numbers. And those numbers are almost double the rate the media reports. The official national unemployment rate is 8.9 percent for April 2009. The more accurate nationwide unemployment rate using the U-6 number is 15.8 percent for April 2009. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-if-im-unemployed-indefinitely/498057/13 "2009-05-29T19:50:37Z")
For the OP, if you aren’t already on food stamps, you may want to apply for them, to help stretch those unemployment dollars a little further. Also, prioritize spending. House payment first, unsecured creditors like credit cards last. This way, if the unemployment does run out, at least you’ll be current on the mortgage, and have a little more time before foreclosure proceedings get started. If you have a house, maybe you’ve got a yard with room for a garden. It would give you something to do, and stretch the food budget further. ---
**Author:** ![Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harriet_the_Spry)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-if-im-unemployed-indefinitely/498057/14 "2009-05-29T20:14:02Z")
Here are three places I would sugggest you look for jobs. First, take advantage of the resources at the local WorkForce Center. A) You might find some useful information and B) if you do need to rely on public or charity assistance at some point, most people will expect you to have tried this. Their website doesn’t make things seem as bad as you’re making them sound. There are many jobs listed, as well as other services available to you. Second, look for jobs posted near the university and advertised in the university newspaper. Yes, these folks are looking for college kids, and maybe some will react negatively to having another type of person apply. But maybe some will react positively, if you have some good qualities as a worker. And you mentioned not being able to even finding places to apply. This should give you some. Third, look for jobs on the websites of organizations you’d like to work for. Newspaper classifieds are dead. Those days are gone and are probably never coming back, thanks to the internet. Sites like Monster work for some people, but can also be a waste of time. Get the hang of filling out online applications, keeping track of where you applied, checking back, and resubmitting as necessary, because that’s the drill these days. The advice to consider upgrading your skills is good, too. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-if-im-unemployed-indefinitely/498057/15 "2009-05-29T20:18:07Z")
Get creative. People are doing things they never dreamed they’d do. House-sit. Walk dogs. Pick up dog shit for people. Mow lawns. Give bartenders your name and number and be the local “tipsy taxi”. You might be able to cobble together a little something if you just stretch your imagination a bit til things pick up. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-if-im-unemployed-indefinitely/498057/16 "2009-05-29T20:29:08Z")
There’s also plenty of opportunity in the field of direct care for people with developmental disabilities. There’s a high turnover rate in that job because, well, it sucks. But it’s a paycheck. ---
**Author:** ![anson2995](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@anson2995](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anson2995)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-if-im-unemployed-indefinitely/498057/17 "2009-05-29T20:55:39Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > Bear in mind [the unemployment rate published by the BLS](http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm) and reported in the media uses a strict set of numbers. The BLS also publishes a different set of numbers as well, called U-6 numbers. And those numbers are almost double the rate the media reports. > > The official national unemployment rate is 8.9 percent for April 2009. > The more accurate nationwide unemployment rate using the U-6 number is 15.8 percent for April 2009. Yes, and I suspect the U-6 by-city numbers are correspondingly higher for the biggest cities. The point is that this isn;t simply a geographical issue, where you could tell out of work autoworkers to move from Detroit to someplace else. There is no someplace else. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-if-im-unemployed-indefinitely/498057/18 "2009-05-29T22:26:44Z")
Have you looked for jobs with City or state agencies? Most of these jobs are never posted anywhere other than their own emplyment websites, at times a civil service exam is required, it depends what you do. Or federal jobs, like at the post office? ([usajobs.com](http://usajobs.com)). City of Minneapolis is lookin for a 911 operator requiring only diploma/GED: > **[Jobs at the City](https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/jobs/)** > > We depend on our dedicated and talented employees at the City of Minneapolis. Learn more about working with us. Food Service at a jail not too far from Minneapolis: > **[Job opportunities | Hennepin County](https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/hennepin)** Pack Tortilla Chips: [http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/job-J1XN0EE11RV;\_ylc=X3oDMTEwM2NhZDNxBF9TAzM5NjUxMDMzNQRjYXQDTUFOBHBjb2RlAzUwNTc1?source=partner&scode=50575](http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/job-J1XN0EE11RV;_ylc=X3oDMTEwM2NhZDNxBF9TAzM5NjUxMDMzNQRjYXQDTUFOBHBjb2RlAzUwNTc1?source=partner&scode=50575) Target is based in Minneapolis. Any huge company like that always has turnover. Not even a tiny fraction of the jobs that are “out there” ever appear in a newspaper classified anymore. It’s been “dead” as a source of job going on 10 years now. ---
**Author:** ![alterego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6bbea6/32.png) [@alterego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alterego)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-if-im-unemployed-indefinitely/498057/19 "2009-05-29T22:35:41Z")
You should be able to make money on the Internet by studying the market value of various items on sites like eBay and Craigslist and then find and flip the items for their true, higher value. There are also websites that allow prospective programming employers to simply post the programming task and the ransom and then allow the programmers to compete for the jobs. If you absolutely can’t make money in the “real” brick & mortar economy, which is totally fucking broken, you should be able to come up with something online if you’re willing to dedicate the time and creativity to it. Consider Amazon Mechanical Turk. I have no idea how much cash you can make there, but it’s something. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-if-im-unemployed-indefinitely/498057/20 "2009-05-29T22:46:51Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > . Give bartenders your name and number and be the local “tipsy taxi”. That may require an extra endorsement of some type on his driver’s license, additional insurance, and possibly a business license. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-if-im-unemployed-indefinitely/498057.md?page=2)