Finding a Job Isn't Going to Be Easy

This Sux

from JoeUser Forums
Every day I go through the local job ads hoping I can find something that is a) reasonable close enough for me to get to b) something that I can physically do.

This morning I went through 2199 job ads. Nada. Zilch. Zero. Between my lack of transportation for a job distant from me and the physical requirements of the jobs that are close enough, there is nothing.

I really wonder what the hell I'm going to do. Things are just not looking too hopeful. No money, no car, busted hip, no job. As Manopeace would say: Oy!
blogging
2,790 views 19 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
time for an application to ssi or ssd, my friend, there is nothing wrong with getting a helping hand for a while till life starts to go your way again.
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
Actually I did talk to an attorney regarding SSI. Seems one of their rules, according to said attorney, was that you have to be actively "cooperating" with the doctors in your treatment. After I was released from the hospital and flew home I was supposed to follow up with orthopedics here at home. Unfortunately since I had no insurance they wanted $400 up front before they would even make an appointment. Lovely little catch-22 eh?

The attorney said in all likelyhood my claim would be denied on that basis so he wouldn't take the case and doubted any other would either.

Since I had been employed as a contractor, I can't get unemployment either.

I'm basically screwed.
WindowBlinds - Free yourself of the default settings, customize your desktop.
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Sorry, I'm in a foul mood today.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Reply By: MasonMPosted: Monday, May 09, 2005Sorry, I'm in a foul mood today.


tis ok mason I do "foul mood plenty" and on a side note, You can fight your own ssi case and win, moderateman KNOWS how to do this.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
Yes, I know you can do that, but it would likely take a year or longer, and frankly I would hope to be gainfully employed before then. IF I felt this was a permanent situation it would be different.

Besides, winning SSI wouldn't fix the real root problem which is sitting around feeling useless.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
yeah, I was originally turned down for SSI also, the reason that was given me? Because a paramedic who passes out occasionally, for no apparent reason should still be able to work the back of the ambulance, even if he can't drive.

Of course I appealed the "decision" and was awarded SS a year after I originally applied for it.

From what I've seen, the basic rule of thumb is, you will get denied for that first year. Don't worry about what the lawyer told you, do to the Social Security office and apply yourself, when you get turned down, appeal; when you get turned down, appeal; when you get turned down, appeal; when you get turned down... get the message?

Also, as far as the job hunt goes, try a reputable "temp" agency, they only get paid if they find you work, and more and more companies are hiring exclusively through them.

Good Luck on both accounts!
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
Besides, winning SSI wouldn't fix the real root problem which is sitting around feeling useless.


mason if you base who you are by having a job,, your in deep shit. who you are comes from inside and does not have anything to do with what you do. get me?

Reply By: ParaTed2kPosted: Monday, May 09, 2005yeah, I was originally turned down for SSI also, the reason that was given me? Because a paramedic who passes out occasionally, for no apparent reason should still be able to work the back of the ambulance, even if he can't drive.Of course I appealed the "decision" and was awarded SS a year after I originally applied for it.


what ted said...... retroactive ssi could help you pull yourself out of a hole.. if you have worked and "paid in" get some back.
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top

mason if you base who you are by having a job,, your in deep shit. who you are comes from inside and does not have anything to do with what you do. get me?


Yeah I know what you're saying. I don't define myself by having a job. But I am the type of person who likes to work and feel like I'm doing something productive. That comes from inside as it's part of who I am. I've worked all my life and feel like I'm just drifting now without a plotted course or wind in my sails.
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
#8 by MasonM
Monday, May 09, 2005


Yeah I know what you're saying. I don't define myself by having a job. But I am the type of person who likes to work and feel like I'm doing something productive. That comes from inside as it's part of who I am. I've worked all my life and feel like I'm just drifting now without a plotted course or wind in my sails.


doing my very best miagi from the karate kid movies. YOU MUST focus masonsan.btw your kind words and responses here to me have done GOOD.
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
your kind words and responses here to me have done GOOD.


Glad to know that.
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
Reply By: ParaTed2k Posted: Monday, May 09, 2005
yeah, I was originally turned down for SSI also, the reason that was given me? Because a paramedic who passes out occasionally, for no apparent reason should still be able to work the back of the ambulance, even if he can't drive.


This is the thing about some of these social services; they don't take into account what type of job you have. All they saw was that you could still work, they didn't care that passing out while in a ambulance could be a problem. If you work for construction and need your legs to walk bu end up in a wheelchair for a year, they will say how come you couldn't go to work.


Listen, I know about appeals and what they say is true, apply and appeal, apply and then appeal; Do it until they say you can't any more.


I wasn't in the same situation as you, but being unemployeed (or under-employed) for over 4 years now. I've been unemployed for so long I am inventing ways to become employed. I would suggest you do that to, in order to stay sane.

This is what I did:
joeKnowledge: Education for ALL
The Meaning of Having A Personal Knowledgebase

Basically, in theory, by telling potential employers that you have a knowledgebase of data on your specific career choice, you are showing them that you can answer tough questions and are up to date on current issues in the field. It also shows what you were DOING during your time unemployed. Trust me when I say this: the longer you are unemployed, the harder it is to find employement.

I would suggest while doing your job searching to also do some researching on what you actually want to do and store that data on your blog (whether privately or publicly like me).


I'm playing around with the idea of people doing this together and creating one big knowledge base on careers, social topics, and life. If you want, you can join here

I am also trying a job placement blog... but I am not sure if that will work. Businesses would post their jobs as well as their info on what they do and why.
Knowledge JobNet

If all else fails and Hot Jobs, Craiglist, Craigslist With Google (to find a new place to live because the jobs are their), and Monster fail you should try this:
InDeed.com
Its like a big search engine for jobs. You can even make a rss feed for the type of job your looking for. I think it is in Beta right now.

Hope this helps.
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
Don't give up hope Mason.... Something will come along. As long as you have determination something has to give. If you give up, nothing will happen. Sure, we all have our down days, but when we get back up we are on a higher plateau than we were before.
The biggest danger right now is for you to get into a depression that you won't be able to get out of. You seem to have a very positive attitude towards life... dwell on that.
I used to be a union organizer, I always wore a special T Shirt when I went into negotiations.. it said...'DON'T LET THE BASTARDS GET YOU DOWN'.
That's all I can say to you now...it's much more effective than 'oy'....
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
"Illegitimis non carborundum" Don't let the bastards grind you down.
Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
Hang in there, Mason, this too shall pass.


Yeah! Like a kidney stone!

But in all seriousness, LW has some valid points. I would just go in to the local SS office and start the claim there. She's right on about the forms. I got mine but then I started my claim in the office. And this is the kind of stuff family is supposed to help with.
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top
Yeah I'm working hard to try and maintain a positive attitude. Just hard sometimes.

As for family, I've been staying with my mother since I got out of the hospital in January. If not for her I have no idea where I'd be.

I may look into the SSI thing, but I'd rather have a job.
Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top
Mason, sometimes it is hard for you to feel justified in sitting around "doing nothing" as you say, although you are healing. It's hard for you because you're independent and you've always been out there supporting yourself. I totally understand where you're coming from and so, if I might speak for all of us here, so does everyone else who commented here.

The thing is you have to realize that sometimes you have no control over what happens to you. Maybe this is your time to sit back and take a break. Don't look at it as you being useless, look at it as this being your time to heal, you did go through a bad accident. You have to allow yourself to let go and just take one day at a time. I know you're trying to do that. And it's ok to have days when you feel really shitty and you don't want to hear anyone telling you shit. Hey that's ok too.

But listen to yourself, and know that (1) you have to heal; (2) you have to allow yourself to heal; (3) not working and not having any money of your own is a bitch; (4)were you to get a job right now, that would allow you to work even in the capacity that you're in now physically, would you really be able to do it (ok perhaps you could) but would you really be able to deal with it (no matter how much you want the money and to feel useful)day in day out and the stress that would place on your body that isn't 100%?

Your situation is not what you wanted right now and it's not of your own doing. You're a good man who doesn't only think of himself, which is obvious and that's possibly why you're at odds with yourself. Sometimes you just gotta let go and let the dominoes fall where they may (so to speak).

That said, it's up to you of course to do whatever you want and I would look into what the others said. There's nothing wrong with getting a little help sometimes and you might just be lucky the second time around! (I hope I didn't come off as preachy or condensending)
Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top
It's hard for you because you're independent and you've always been out there supporting yourself.

You hit the nail on the head there.

The thing is you have to realize that sometimes you have no control over what happens to you.

Exactly what makes it so frustrating at times. I've always been one to attack problems head-on.

would you really be able to do it

Possibly not. I have considered that and it only adds to the frustration.

I hope I didn't come off as preachy or condensending

Not at all. You make some very good points.

LW, I understand what you're saying and appreciate the information. But my point basically boils down to the fact that I'm not really sure I even want it. I don't hold anything against anyone who is on SSI (or SSD) as both my mother and one of my younger brothers are on them. But, I would simply prefer to earn money on my own. It's just my way.

I'm not one to turn away help from someone as I have helped a good many people myself in the past, but I am just not ready to file for it from the government even though I did look into the possiblility early on. That's just me.
Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top
Hang tough !!

BTW, us little used car lot guys are always lookin' for guys to either drive cars to and from auctions, baby sit the office, and generally help, aid, and assist...it don't pay much, but it's usually cash......

Good Luck !
Reply #19 from JoeUser Forums Top
Hmmm Dynosaur, while I can't drive that does propose an interesting possibility. There's a used car lot right across the road from me. Maybe I'll hobble over and have a chat with them

Thanks for the thought.