Who's unemployed or facing unemployment...

[Monica Lewinsky]

Run my own business - fixing PC's hardware/software things.

HUGE drop in requests for service since 9/1/2008.

Made more money [3-times as much] during 11/1/2008 - 11/15/2008 than the ENTIRE month of October, 2008 - The month of October, 2008 worst EVER since 1989 for bottom line revenue billed out.

[nikimcbee]

Just started a new job 1 month ago. I'm making twice as much as last job. My last job was pretty good, but prior to that, work was a train wreck

[Hylander_1314]

Had to close the mobile auto a/c business down back in May. The cost of gasoline rising 2 and a half times what it was six years ago, and a 30lb bottle of R-134a went from a wholesale price of 48 bucks to 300 bucks, and the fact that 95% of my business was autobody and repair shops, which entailed dealing with insurance companies, who don't want to pay for anything............... To have those kinds of increases, and all I was allowed to increase my price per ticket was 20 bucks, because the insurance companies tell you what you will charge or they won't let the shops use your service, so it pretty well sealed it for me. And my average ticket price per car was 120 bucks. But I wasn't allowed to charge a service call, or diagnostic inspection, nor was I allowed to charge for pre-repair recommendations, and post-repair inspections. But if the system failed, I was supposed to figure out why and fix it at no extra charge. And this included new model year vehicles where I had no shop manuals, or schematics. I had to figure it out as I went along. And the newer the car, the more complex it got.

Funny thing is , I got a call, and went to meeting with about 20 of my old shop owner customers who complained about having to pay to have cars towed to the repair shop at 100 bucks each way, and then got hit with a 220 dollar a/c recovery, and recharge bill. So they went from 120 to 420 a car overnight. All I said was, welcome to 2008 boys! I said I would get back into the business again, but it would cost 350 bucks per car. That saves them 70 dollars a ticket, and I can pay all the taxes and wage requirements and insurance for the business, and then actually have a real paycheck. Nothing extravagent, but at least I could make my bills and put food on the table, but i didn't have any takers.

So now I'm still looking for work, but it's hard to come by.

[August]

Technical schools like the one i teach at normally do well when the economy tanks because there are a lot of displaced workers needing to be retrained and many others just looking for an edge over the competition in a diminishing job market.

ATM I have a full class so I have guaranteed employment for another 6 months at least.

[fatty]

In the middle of the interview process for a government position which I can start at right after school, keeping my fingers crossed.

[sonar732]

Had orientation at the Post Office yesterday and am feeling confident as I'm not a 'seasonal casual'.

[XabbaRus]

Originally Posted by August

Technical schools like the one i teach at normally do well when the economy tanks because there are a lot of displaced workers needing to be retrained and many others just looking for an edge over the competition in a diminishing job market.

ATM I have a full class so I have guaranteed employment for another 6 months at least.

What do you teach out of curiosity?

[jumpy]

A little update for you guys.

Following starting a fresh claim for jobseekers allowance and chatting with the guy who sorted out my claim, I was told that there's really no jobs to speak of out there. The market for jobs in construction (CAD for architectural stuff and space planning and such like) has gone bang. There's one or two positions in london (I live in Leicester) for candidates with engineering hnc's but that's about it. Even jobs driving a van are down to only half a dozen or so for my area.... can you believe it?! About the only thing that is available is leaflitting delivery on foot for NMW.

I might decide to do this, not so much for the cash, but the excercise will do me good as I should really start training for a little trip from coast to coast following hadrians wall, some time in late spring next year. Myself and a few friends have been planing this for a month or so now, despite one of them having a suspected hear attack recently. Roll on getting sponsorship for charity. We have a choice of various mental health charities, cancer research (macmillan probably) or the british heart foundation.
If the trip goes ahead then there's talk of having a go at the pennine way, which is a little more of an undertaking. And the three peaks challenge... but I think that'd probably do me in
I'm going to have to invest in some new kit- bergen, some decent waterproofs, stove, and other bits.
Closer to the time I'll start a thread on this detailing kit and the route, plus any charity information that's worth while. It ought to take us 10 to 14 days depending on how much kit we have to carry and what sort of pace we can set over the terrain. Keep yer eyes peeled for that one

[August]

Originally Posted by XabbaRus

What do you teach out of curiosity?

I teach a telecommunications technician course.

[UnderseaLcpl]

Laid off. Sadly, I had to go to Oklahoma for work.

Good news, though, my bro got laid off as well and went to North Dakota, so that state is populated again