Good news

[pegkerr]

We got news yesterday that was a big relief: Rob will be getting 13 more weeks of unemployment, for the State, an award for people who've exhausted the first tier of benefits without finding work. It is tight, but we've been managing to pay all our bills while on unemployment (we have to cut payments to a smaller fraction of the original agreed amount on the orthodontist bill, though, with their permission, but they're satisfied because we're continuing to pay.) Rob's been unable to get any interviews; people don't respond to his resumes or calls. It's a really tough market out there. But this will keep the wolf from the door a little bit longer.

What I've done the past few days to make the world a better place: Yesterday I performed at the Valentine's Day luncheon at my church, an annual event held to honor members who are eighty years old or older (we have over 100 of them in our membership). Today, I'll be leading a discussion at the adult forum (Sunday School), talking specifically about this project. Wish me luck! I'm a little nervous. And then the girls and I will drive to my sisters' church for another meeting about the Mexico mission trip.

Comments

[schnoogle.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you've got a little more breathing space with the unemployment. The Valentine's Day luncheon sounds great! It sounds like you've got a very big church. Good luck with the forum. :)

[lapin-agile.livejournal.com]

That's *good* news, Peg.

[trinker.livejournal.com]

YAY! Continuing best wishes.

[moony]

That's what happened to me, no one responded to my resumes or applications. I don't understand advertising for a position but not even acknowledging the people who apply for it. The only reason I work at Target is because they were the only ones who called me back. :-/

Good news on the unemployment though! :D

[kerri]

I don't know what it's like down there, but I know here in Vancouver an ad posted mentioned that they got 500 applications. At that volume, responding can be hard.

[knitmeapony.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you are all doing everything you can, but since you're on Twitter: have you thought about having sending a dm to @jobangels? They're caught up within a day or two.

[jiffy-pop.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear the good news! No one's responding to my applications, either. Ha, happy graduation, indeed.

[ame-chan.livejournal.com]

I'm so relieved for you guys. J came home and told me that got laid off on Thursday night. After my initial panic, the one thing that sort of saved my sanity this weekend was being able to count the weeks against unemployment and what we have left in the bank. It helped so much to know that we could hang on for a short spell. So I'm glad your spell is a little longer now. Good luck.

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry you are facing this.

You might look at this entry I posted on poor_skills I posted when Rob was laid off the first time, asking for advice. And if you haven't joined that community yet, you should. Lots of good tips there.

[kerri]

I'm really, really glad to hear that, I've been keeping you guys in my thoughts.

[airemay.livejournal.com]

That is fantastic news!! *hugs*

[petal-pusher.livejournal.com]

In the recession of 1991, my ex could not get an interview for 14 months. It was so depressing. He did go to a course on how to get a job, and they said that most jobs are gotten by contacts and introductions, not answering want ads. They suggested that he ask people [who work in a certain field that was his interest] to speak to him over coffee, etc. to tell him about their jobs and tell them that he was interested in that field of work and wanted to know more about it. They usually were fine with this as people don't mind talking about their work, but it also kept my ex in their minds if there was a job in their company. And he actually got a job through this sort of information meeting. Maybe it might work for your spouse?

[ann-totusek.livejournal.com]

Peg-
Does he have a resume you could e-mail me as an attachment?

Is he open to relocating? Even as a "gone during the week, home for weekends" kind of thing?

Has he tried http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ and local city/county/state sites?

Even a job as a clerk in a government office would give way decent health benefits, I know he's highly educated, but I don't know what his salary requirements are.

Best of luck to you. I'll be praying.

[dichroic.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear you at least get some breathing space, fingers crossed for even better news in the near future.

[merimask.livejournal.com]

These are scary times. I'm glad his unemployment benefits were extended. Apparently the stimulus bill is going to extend them even further (can't remember the exact length but I seem to have 8 months stuck in my head for some reason...anyway it's a significant period of time).

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you guys & wishing you luck.

[irinaauthor.livejournal.com]

This might seem weird and feel free to ignore me because you've probably already thought of it, but when Steve was sworn in but couldn't get hired he worked as a legal temp and made semi-okay money. Are there any temp agencies that could pay Rob for paralegal work until he's hired somehwhere else?

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

He's tried them. They're ignoring him, too. Argh.