Posted by Shes_InItForTheMoney on September 28, 2011, at 12:40:37
In reply to Returning to the workforce after years out, posted by zonked on September 20, 2011, at 21:28:07
> ... I think I asked this question before, but it wouldn't hurt to bring it up again.
>
> Little background on me: I used to be a professional in a technical occupation - no college degree, just experience and luck got me to where I was.
>
> Fast forward. I've been on SSDI/SSI disability since May, 2009 and haven't worked since April of 2008. While I am trying to take advantage of Social Security's "work incentives" and the Dept of Rehabilitation at the state level, I am hitting brick walls. One is not really anyone's fault; my Voc Rehab counselor is out sick a lot (she has a physical disability herself) and I find my file not advancing much.
>
> If you escaped disability, how did you do it? When I post my resume online, I don't mention the employment gaps that result from depression, nor do I mention why when I write cover letters. I never know if this is a good, or bad thing to do.
>
> I am working my way through some medication insurance hassles, and yeah, Nardil's made me gain weight. But overall, I finally feel well enough to return to work.
>
> I'll just say, applying for jobs is a nightmare. "Bachelor's degree required".. and how thin craigslist seems these days.
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> Even places I'd be willing to work, as I continue searching for work in my old field (the big corporate retailers) seem to love to do credit checks. Mine isn't great.
>
> I just don't know how to beat the system, and my social contacts are few. The economy is nasty.
>
> At the same time, I don't want to try to take a job at McDonalds only to become more depressed.
>
> There has GOT to be a path to employment. I would think government agencies might be a good target, since they are rather familiar with the state and federal laws protecting people with disabilities, but there are many hiring freezes due to government funding cuts these days.
>
> Anyone who sees me work considers me brilliant (I don't. I think I'm above average in some areas, and have some uncommon strengths but brilliant I'm not.)
>
> Sigh. I have till December first to start paying rent and it is a "hard" deadline.
>
> I don't know what to target - my old profession, which is probably crowded with recent college grads, or even something like Target or something. I don't know how to distribute my energies.
>
> I know the biggest thing I'm fighting is my own pessimism - which causes me not to be very active in the job search. "you're not gonna get looked at, because you have no recent experience so why bother? you'll only disappoint yourself."
>
> OR
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> "your credit sucks. you'll be below the threshold for that employer so why bother?"
>
> OR
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> "you have a conviction for fare evasion which you plead "no contest" to. that could be an automatic disqualification."
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> ^^ I am not proud of that, by the way. I was broke and homeless at the time, and I needed to get from point A to point B and was too ashamed not to ask the station agent for a ticket someone had dropped.
>
> My social contacts (in terms of people who'd know someone on the inside at companies) have dwindled; and the ones I maintain ironically enough tend to work at elite companies you'd probably know the names of. There are not exceptions made at companies that big and famous for folks like me.
>
> I keep thinking I'll monitor the government sector... and maybe split my energies 50/50 between jobs that are below my abilities and ones at them.
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> Has anyone had particular success with a given job engine? I've tended to use craigslist exclusively in the past.
>
> Sorry this is rambling. I am so freaked out about this. I can't end up on the street or at my Mom's house again. We love each other, but she doesn't have space for me and we irritate each other too much (no separate bedroom.)
>
>My heart goes out to you. My best suggestion, get a student loan and find the hottest career field that you like. Even if it is a bit out of your 'realm'. You can take prep courses. Try to find a program with a CO-op option, or an intern option. Investigate the career field intensively, and look at the job market trend reports to see where you can go. I've been down your path regarding jobs, and you want to get the absolute best you can, even if it takes a few years of hard work.
Let me know if you have any questions. If you are into business, how about accounting or HR? Just suggestions.Best,
Jay
"Love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic and we'll change the world," ~Jack Layton 1950-2011
poster:Shes_InItForTheMoney
thread:997344
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20110910/msgs/998155.html