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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
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.
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
"your credit sucks. you'll be below the threshold for that employer so why bother?"
OR
"you have a conviction for fare evasion which you plead "no contest" to. that could be an automatic disqualification."
^^ 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.
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.)
Posted by SLS on September 21, 2011, at 8:11:33
In reply to Returning to the workforce after years out, posted by zonked on September 20, 2011, at 21:28:07
I fell out of employment on 04/15/1990.
:-/
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on September 21, 2011, at 11:36:18
In reply to Re: Returning to the workforce after years out » zonked, posted by SLS on September 21, 2011, at 8:11:33
That's great you feel good enough to work again have you tried temp agencies? I've heard some are doing them? Phillipa
Posted by zonked on September 21, 2011, at 11:40:55
In reply to Re: Returning to the workforce after years out, posted by Phillipa on September 21, 2011, at 11:36:18
> That's great you feel good enough to work again have you tried temp agencies? I've heard some are doing them? Phillipa
It used to be that you walked into a temp agency and were assessed on the spot. These days, there are massive applications online. I have yet to hear from any of them.
It isn't my skills that are deficient. It's that I haven't worked in so long. Although that's a good idea Phillipa, I haven't exhausted applying for every last one in the area.
Eeeek. I still haven't figured out how to target my job search. If time weren't an issue I'd volunteer doing the same kind of work I used to do to establish a recent reference and connection to the community, but I must be self supporting as of December or very bad things could happen.
-z
Posted by emmanuel98 on September 21, 2011, at 19:00:17
In reply to Returning to the workforce after years out, posted by zonked on September 20, 2011, at 21:28:07
Not to be discouraging, but the average duration of unemployment is now 25 weeks and almost 40% of the unemployed have been out of work for 27 weeks or longer. So it's not just you. The job market sucks and you would probably find something, despite your disabilities, if the market were better. I don't want to discourage, just to help you put your own plight in perspective.
Posted by floatingbridge on September 22, 2011, at 13:52:14
In reply to Re: Returning to the workforce after years out, posted by emmanuel98 on September 21, 2011, at 19:00:17
How's it going Zonked?
You'll land something decent. Please don't get discouraged.
Posted by zonked on September 22, 2011, at 14:13:28
In reply to Re: Returning to the workforce after years out, posted by floatingbridge on September 22, 2011, at 13:52:14
> How's it going Zonked?
>
> You'll land something decent. Please don't get discouraged.It's going okay. This is something that requires getting my hands dirty (well, filthy). I have to target: my previous occupation, things I would not normally do if I had a recent work history, cold "calls" (website visits) to local retailers, craigslist...
I have tended to use craigslist exclusively in the past. I never had any luck with monster or dice.
Start low, go slow. I started with one application and one response to an ad a day. I'll increase as this becomes more routine for me.
Now I have to be *sure* and check on my new health insurance's prescribing restrictions before I see the doc tomorrow. There are quantity limits on Testim but I forgot what the lady said.
Thanks, f. I haven't been conserving my testosterone packets remaining like I should until the first, instead I skip like on the weekends. I hope I never have to skimp on meds again!!
-z
Posted by B2chica on September 22, 2011, at 15:57:11
In reply to Re: Returning to the workforce after years out, posted by emmanuel98 on September 21, 2011, at 19:00:17
i want to follow up this...
bad news: economy is bad, not many jobs, employers pick these days...
HOWEVER,
good news: with TOns of experience but no formal education, employers may tend to edge more towards you because they could get away with paying you bit less than college grad...
this would be great for getting your foot in the door at a place.i wish i new better what technical trade.
if its technology there are tons people out there looking for work in this field...you need an edge to present. if you specialized in area before, maybe speciality software or special type of field (corporate, medical, etc) PUSH that on your resume.I WISH YOU THE BEST BEST BEST Luck!
keep your chin up!
the job market is bad, it can ONLY stay the same or YES get better!
just take time. and yes december is close, dont be hard on yourself if you can not make that deadline. these days give yourself 6 to 9 mo. at least.:)
you'll do it, if your skilled its only ...ONLY a matter of time.
Posted by zonked on September 22, 2011, at 16:05:46
In reply to Re: Returning to the workforce after years out, posted by B2chica on September 22, 2011, at 15:57:11
Thank you *so* much. Actually, believe it or not, my former employer let me go due to a nasty crop-up of depression; but allows me to say I "left for personal reasons." and wrote me a glowing reference letter.
If I can just get through to someone technical, I should be okay if they are willing to overlook the gaps and lack of degree or any certification.
My specialty is sort of IT-integrationist/generalist. I've been a Programmer/Analyst and director of IT for a large company, but really, I've had my hands in a bit of everything.
I am in the SF bay area, which is better than me being in bumfuck, WV (no offense to anyone who lives there); so that's sort of advantageous.
I appreciate the support, guys. My Mom was trying to help me, but she told me her coworker's husband had a background in IT and sent out 75 resumes without a response. She didn't MEAN to discourage me, but it had the effect of doing so.
I've already had one response but it's too far a commute.
With my unmedicated ADD and my caffeine threshold very low before it reaches anxiety/panic levels, I have to take breaks fairly often, but I keep a spreadsheet so I can keep track of where I applied and what the status is, and set deadlines for myself so I don't beat myself up at the end of the day for not doing enough.
Have a great day :)
-z
> i want to follow up this...
>
> bad news: economy is bad, not many jobs, employers pick these days...
>
> HOWEVER,
> good news: with TOns of experience but no formal education, employers may tend to edge more towards you because they could get away with paying you bit less than college grad...
> this would be great for getting your foot in the door at a place.
>
> i wish i new better what technical trade.
> if its technology there are tons people out there looking for work in this field...you need an edge to present. if you specialized in area before, maybe speciality software or special type of field (corporate, medical, etc) PUSH that on your resume.
>
> I WISH YOU THE BEST BEST BEST Luck!
> keep your chin up!
> the job market is bad, it can ONLY stay the same or YES get better!
> just take time. and yes december is close, dont be hard on yourself if you can not make that deadline. these days give yourself 6 to 9 mo. at least.
>
> :)
> you'll do it, if your skilled its only ...ONLY a matter of time.
>
Posted by floatingbridge on September 22, 2011, at 19:18:28
In reply to Re: Returning to the workforce after years out » B2chica, posted by zonked on September 22, 2011, at 16:05:46
Bumfuck is asterisk-proof?
Posted by floatingbridge on September 22, 2011, at 19:19:33
In reply to Re: Returning to the workforce after years out, posted by floatingbridge on September 22, 2011, at 19:18:28
Seems to be. I have the auto on....
Posted by Phillipa on September 22, 2011, at 20:40:29
In reply to Re: Returning to the workforce after years out » floatingbridge, posted by floatingbridge on September 22, 2011, at 19:19:33
Probably not a real word in dictionary? Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on September 22, 2011, at 21:58:50
In reply to Re: Returning to the workforce after years out » floatingbridge, posted by Phillipa on September 22, 2011, at 20:40:29
Oh. I guess I still default to the East Coast edition of the dictionary. It's in there.
Guess you're right.
But there is that glitch with p*m-p*ms....
Posted by 10derheart on September 22, 2011, at 22:30:59
In reply to Re: Returning to the workforce after years out » Phillipa, posted by floatingbridge on September 22, 2011, at 21:58:50
Babble filter based on Merriam-Webster's classification as always or mostly or usually obscene, vulgar, etc. The thing with p*ms is only partly a glitch. Apparently, the app can't distinguish between our word for the things cheerleaders use and P*mmy or P*ms, which was supposed to be usually disparaging to English immigrants. Well, at least 100 years ago it was.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/p*mmy
But, I 've always let our Babblers from Oz and NZ weigh in there as we Americans generally know zero of the origins of (or truth about) this possible ethnic slur.
You have always been able to attach f*ck and other vulgarities to another word to get around the auto-asterisking :-) Usually done on purpose in my experience, but not always. Dr. Bob used to ask that we please manually insert the asterisk in those cases. So, now you are a naughty poster, fb ;-) I could give you an UN-official, UN-serious, UN-important PBC as an ex-deputy, if you like :-) An exercise in meaningless toothlessness..or something. (Whoa, I am rambling)
Good Lord, I am a true fount of minutia and useless information!!
Posted by floatingbridge on September 22, 2011, at 23:51:59
In reply to vulgarities and such » floatingbridge, posted by 10derheart on September 22, 2011, at 22:30:59
:-)
You told me about the p*m-p*m glitch some time back. I was wondering if you'd notice.
I am a naughty poster. However, not a clever one. I did not realize how to circumvent the asterisking. Not that I want to. The above post was thrill enough to last quite awhile.
I like a less than vulgar board myself.
The other glitch I like is magna c*m laude. This one I understand.
I am interested, now, in the racial slur you mentioned. Before, that made absolutely no sense to me.
Btw, damn isn't considered off-limits. I wonder why. I thought it would be. Maybe because it has legitimate usage.
Interesting.
Posted by sigismund on September 23, 2011, at 0:55:29
In reply to vulgarities and such » floatingbridge, posted by 10derheart on September 22, 2011, at 22:30:59
> I 've always let our Babblers from Oz and NZ weigh in there as we Americans generally know zero of the origins of (or truth about) this possible ethnic slur.
The usual formulation was p*mmy bastards or whinging p*ms :)
It is not used so much now that Australia has become less Anglo.
We used to have 2 distinct ways of speaking..... English (south east counties) and Strine.
It is interesting to hear old newsreals.
That's all changed and no one uses p*mmy any more.
Posted by sigismund on September 23, 2011, at 0:57:06
In reply to Re: vulgarities and such » 10derheart, posted by sigismund on September 23, 2011, at 0:55:29
> English (south east counties)
Actually, that's not right. It was an accent based on something like the BBC foreign service though.
Posted by Phillipa on September 23, 2011, at 20:03:48
In reply to vulgarities and such » floatingbridge, posted by 10derheart on September 22, 2011, at 22:30:59
10der that is funny and toothless people are what I called those who used to shop way far out in this state where families clustered and inbred. On Saturdays was toothless people day there. Phillipa
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.
>
> 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
>
> "your credit sucks. you'll be below the threshold for that employer so why bother?"
>
> OR
>
> "you have a conviction for fare evasion which you plead "no contest" to. that could be an automatic disqualification."
>
> ^^ 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.
>
> 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
Posted by PhoenixGirl on October 1, 2011, at 18:54:31
In reply to Returning to the workforce after years out, posted by zonked on September 20, 2011, at 21:28:07
Hi there. I have worked in government for most of the past 10 years, and unfortunately I have to tell you that it's not all that great for disabled people. The more an employer knows about disability laws, the better they are at getting around those laws. And you are right, there are hiring freezes in the government now that are likely to get worse.
Still apply for government jobs, but apply for private sector jobs, too.
This is the end of the thread.
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