Should I feel lucky to have a job? Is it still really bad out there? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Jesus Pimp · 10-08-2003, 04:21 AM

I've been working an entry level job not really related to my field (unless you include my hobby of video games) for a few months now. The pay is decent, a lot better than most entry level positions. I obviously don't want to work here the rest of the my life. Should I feel lucky to have a job right now? Is is the job market still bad out there? I just still feel odd having a job now after being unemployed for several months.

Averett · 10-08-2003, 05:13 AM

I feel the same way somewhat. I can't stand my job and I want to quit, but I see friends of mine who are having a rough time looking for work. Granted one in particular is just too lazy to get a job but anyway....

There's a new job opening here at work that I'm going to go for. It's nearly the same thing I'm doing now, but maybe it'll drag me out of my boredom for awhile.

Yes, feel lucky you have a job. But keep an eye out there for other posibilities.

lurkette · 10-08-2003, 05:44 AM

If you've only been there for a few months, it might be better to stay for a while rather than looking for something right now. For one thing, anything less than 6 months looks a little funny on a resume, particularly if you have several stints like that. And things still seem a little shaky out there right now - even though the unemployment figures are dropping a bit they're not taking into account that a lot of people have become "self-employed" out of desperation, and it's not clear that they're doing terribly well. If you're able, use your entry-level job to grab every bit of free training that you can, or at least use your spare time to develop skills that might help you in whatever job/field you want to jump to next. Things won't always be this dismal and it'll pay then to have good skills so you can move to something more satisfying.

mb99usa · 10-08-2003, 05:59 AM

I'm finding its still really tough out there. I've been where I am for almost 7 years now. I have a horrible commute and now that I have kids I'm looking to relieve some of that.

The problem I've found other than a lack of positions is that companies don't have to offer attractive compensation plans. They have the power now with so many people out of work to lower the pay and benefit scale.

I agree with the others who have said to use the time constructively to better your skills and knowledge.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

Cynthetiq · 10-08-2003, 06:04 AM

You should ALWAYS feel lucky to have a job...

I know people who in the past 1 year have taken SEVERE pay cuts >US$25,000 to take a new job.

I also know people who have been looking for over 2 years for ANY job. Mind you, these are midlevel midcareer people, but still. I don't see many entry level positions either.

I keep up with what's going on in my own job market, and it's really really bleak out there.

Dano069 · 10-10-2003, 06:50 AM

Yes, it's very bleak out there. I have a couple of friends who've been out of work for 2+ years. Degreed or not, it doesn't matter anymore. Stick with your current job, improve your skill set and sit down and really think about what you want out of a job. I'm currently working at a non-profit company and loving it. The pace is slower, the people are friendlier, I can juggle my hours and the money, although not top dollar, is enough to keep me here. Good luck with your decision.

skysooner · 10-10-2003, 09:57 AM

Hard for me to tell. I get job calls all the time, but I'm working in an industry where there aren't many people with my experience level.

onetime2 · 10-10-2003, 10:41 AM

It depends on what you're looking for, the experience levels you have, and the lengths you are willing to go to take a job. Certainly it is an employers market right now. Unless you have something they really need they're not gonna put out too much money for you (especially if you aren't already employed). Definitely agree with lurkette as far as leaving after only a couple of months. Employers want to be confident that you won't abandon them when you get another offer or you get bored and want to move on.

Take your time and plan where you want to be next. Determine what skills/experience you need to get in the door there and work towards getting it. If there are projects you can take on in your current company that you can relate to where you want to be, get involved in them. If there aren't then look for other opportunities outside of work to gain some experience (volunteering, just doing stuff on your own, etc). Looking for a job while you have a job puts you in a much better negotiating position than if they know you're unemployed (or really dissatisfied with your current role). Good luck!

--Paul

Mephisto2 · 10-10-2003, 06:43 PM

I would say it is probably very bleak out there for most "standard" or "typical" job seekers.

Thus, the advice to improve your skills and experience is very important. If you're just one out of a list of 300 people applying for a job and have no 'stand out' attributes, then your chances are necessarily slim.

Mr Mephisto

Mephisto2 · 10-10-2003, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cynthetiq
I also know people who have been looking for over 2 years for ANY job. Mind you, these are midlevel midcareer people, but still. I don't see many entry level positions either.

With all due respect to your friends, if they cannot find "ANY job" for over two years, they are either

a) really REALLY crap at interviews
b) doing something very wrong
c) OK interviewees, but just really crap at their job/career.

TWO years? ANY job?

Come on...

Mr Mephisto

Harshaw · 10-11-2003, 09:01 PM

It took me about 4 months to find a job. Its a call center job, and they are always hiring. I think it is still pretty bad.

And I agree with you Mr. Mephisto: If you can't find a job in 2 years, change your tactics. I know someone who has been looking for probably 2 years and never found anything. I really think it comes down to she keeps her standards too high.

yellowgowild · 10-12-2003, 08:06 AM

I really think it's a city to city thing, depends where you live. Here in Tampa it seems like lots of places are hiring, granted they may not be in your chosen field.

yournamehere · 10-12-2003, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jesus Pimp
. . . The pay is decent, a lot better than most entry level positions. I obviously don't want to work here the rest of the my life. Should I feel lucky to have a job right now? . . .

Think of it this way:
You're very fortunate to be in a situation where you're being paid well while looking for your "perfect" job.

numist_net · 10-12-2003, 12:02 PM

here in CA there is absolutely NOTHING.

I barely got a job for the summer in a warehouse, and got laid off at the end of summer, before I was planning to leave anyway.

If you've got it, don't let it go, because it really sucks out there... bleak really is the word for it.

mb99usa · 10-13-2003, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by yellowgowild
I really think it's a city to city thing, depends where you live. Here in Tampa it seems like lots of places are hiring, granted they may not be in your chosen field.

I agree with this statement, but I also think it has a lot to do with your profession as well. I work in the telecommunications field. A lot of industries have begun to recover but telecom is trailing way behind.

Always be grateful for the job you have. You don't have to be content with it and make it your lieflong career, but a lot of people are out of work right now and would be happy to be in your position.

Stiltzkin · 10-13-2003, 06:34 PM

"Should I feel lucky to have a job? Is it still really bad out there?"

Yes, you should feel lucky. These assholes won't hire me just because I have no job experience. Either that, or because I'm not female, and do not have breasts, blue eyes and blonde hair. I've applied to too many places already and it is kind of annoying me.

Battlefield · 10-14-2003, 12:33 AM

Feel fortunate. I'm from Canada and although unemployment is down/low, youth unemployment is high/rising. I think if you're young you should be thankful for any job that isn't minimum wage.

Alot of industries have recovered but I think the last thing to recover is recruiting programs for college grads/entry-level, so hang in there.

tibs · 10-14-2003, 12:38 AM

where i work we are encouraged to be thankful they employed us as they didnt have to you know

absorbentishe · 10-14-2003, 06:55 AM

Stay where you're at for now. What I'm going through really sucks, we've had several cut backs in the last 2 years, directly affecting me i.e. more work/less pay, my boss was let go, thus causing more work for me. Now, the IT/DP department found out that some work is going to India, where they pay 2 bowls of rice a day, and they are all worried about their jobs. It's a global company, but less then 1000 employees, so we're all getting kind of worried.

dy156 · 10-14-2003, 08:22 AM

My dad went from 100k+ to nothing, and it has now been a year trying to find an equivalent job, searching diligently while working nights in retail sales. Keep your eyes open, but unless something falls in your lap, I'd stay put.

LutherMac · 10-14-2003, 01:54 PM

Definately stay where you are... things really aren't that much better out there... after being unemployed for over a year, I'm really getting scared when my management is talking about how badly the company is doing, and even THEY are starting to look for work.
I took a HUGE paycut ($40K) just to get the work that I'm doing now, though I'll have to admit, the work I do now is a LOT more fufilling than what I was doing before. (I'm finally working in the graphic design industry)
I've had a few opportunities to jump, though I'm holding my ground.... at least for now.

almostaugust · 10-15-2003, 07:01 PM

I reckon you should feel lucky. I have some friends who are really struggling.

TinniT · 10-15-2003, 11:50 PM

Let me say....

the best way to find a new job is to have a job you already do well at.

You can do two things with that:

You can find a new job better than your existing job.

or you can get higher pay for your existing job in making the company you work for realize you are worth more.

10-08-2003, 04:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jesus Pimp The Original JizzSmacka	Should I feel lucky to have a job? Is it still really bad out there? I've been working an entry level job not really related to my field (unless you include my hobby of video games) for a few months now. The pay is decent, a lot better than most entry level positions. I obviously don't want to work here the rest of the my life. Should I feel lucky to have a job right now? Is is the job market still bad out there? I just still feel odd having a job now after being unemployed for several months. __________________ Never date anyone who doesn't make your dick hard.

10-08-2003, 05:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
Averett Is In Love Location: I'm workin' on it	I feel the same way somewhat. I can't stand my job and I want to quit, but I see friends of mine who are having a rough time looking for work. Granted one in particular is just too lazy to get a job but anyway.... There's a new job opening here at work that I'm going to go for. It's nearly the same thing I'm doing now, but maybe it'll drag me out of my boredom for awhile. Yes, feel lucky you have a job. But keep an eye out there for other posibilities. __________________ Absence is to love what wind is to fire. It extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great.

10-08-2003, 05:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
lurkette My future is coming on Moderator Emeritus Location: east of the sun and west of the moon	If you've only been there for a few months, it might be better to stay for a while rather than looking for something right now. For one thing, anything less than 6 months looks a little funny on a resume, particularly if you have several stints like that. And things still seem a little shaky out there right now - even though the unemployment figures are dropping a bit they're not taking into account that a lot of people have become "self-employed" out of desperation, and it's not clear that they're doing terribly well. If you're able, use your entry-level job to grab every bit of free training that you can, or at least use your spare time to develop skills that might help you in whatever job/field you want to jump to next. Things won't always be this dismal and it'll pay then to have good skills so you can move to something more satisfying. __________________ "If ten million people believe a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing." - Anatole France

10-08-2003, 05:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
mb99usa Keep on rolling. It only hurts for a little while. Location: wherever I am	Tough Job Market I'm finding its still really tough out there. I've been where I am for almost 7 years now. I have a horrible commute and now that I have kids I'm looking to relieve some of that. The problem I've found other than a lack of positions is that companies don't have to offer attractive compensation plans. They have the power now with so many people out of work to lower the pay and benefit scale. I agree with the others who have said to use the time constructively to better your skills and knowledge. Good luck in whatever you decide.

10-08-2003, 06:04 AM	#5 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	You should ALWAYS feel lucky to have a job... I know people who in the past 1 year have taken SEVERE pay cuts >US$25,000 to take a new job. I also know people who have been looking for over 2 years for ANY job. Mind you, these are midlevel midcareer people, but still. I don't see many entry level positions either. I keep up with what's going on in my own job market, and it's really really bleak out there. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

10-10-2003, 06:50 AM	#6 (permalink)
Dano069 is Nucking Futs! Location: On the edge of sanity	Yes, it's very bleak out there. I have a couple of friends who've been out of work for 2+ years. Degreed or not, it doesn't matter anymore. Stick with your current job, improve your skill set and sit down and really think about what you want out of a job. I'm currently working at a non-profit company and loving it. The pace is slower, the people are friendlier, I can juggle my hours and the money, although not top dollar, is enough to keep me here. Good luck with your decision. __________________ I may look attentive, but I'm taking peeks down your blouse faster than the human eye can follow.

10-10-2003, 09:57 AM	#7 (permalink)
skysooner Registered User Location: Oklahoma	Hard for me to tell. I get job calls all the time, but I'm working in an industry where there aren't many people with my experience level.

10-10-2003, 10:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
onetime2 Junkie Location: NJ	It depends on what you're looking for, the experience levels you have, and the lengths you are willing to go to take a job. Certainly it is an employers market right now. Unless you have something they really need they're not gonna put out too much money for you (especially if you aren't already employed). Definitely agree with lurkette as far as leaving after only a couple of months. Employers want to be confident that you won't abandon them when you get another offer or you get bored and want to move on. Take your time and plan where you want to be next. Determine what skills/experience you need to get in the door there and work towards getting it. If there are projects you can take on in your current company that you can relate to where you want to be, get involved in them. If there aren't then look for other opportunities outside of work to gain some experience (volunteering, just doing stuff on your own, etc). Looking for a job while you have a job puts you in a much better negotiating position than if they know you're unemployed (or really dissatisfied with your current role). Good luck! --Paul __________________ Strive to be more curious than ignorant.

10-10-2003, 06:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mephisto2 Junkie	I would say it is probably very bleak out there for most "standard" or "typical" job seekers. Thus, the advice to improve your skills and experience is very important. If you're just one out of a list of 300 people applying for a job and have no 'stand out' attributes, then your chances are necessarily slim. Mr Mephisto

10-11-2003, 09:01 PM	#11 (permalink)
Harshaw Is mad at you. Location: Bored in Sacramento	It took me about 4 months to find a job. Its a call center job, and they are always hiring. I think it is still pretty bad. And I agree with you Mr. Mephisto: If you can't find a job in 2 years, change your tactics. I know someone who has been looking for probably 2 years and never found anything. I really think it comes down to she keeps her standards too high. __________________ This too shall pass.

10-12-2003, 08:06 AM	#12 (permalink)
yellowgowild Psycho Location: Tampa	I really think it's a city to city thing, depends where you live. Here in Tampa it seems like lots of places are hiring, granted they may not be in your chosen field.

10-12-2003, 12:02 PM	#14 (permalink)
numist_net Banned Location: UCSD	here in CA there is absolutely NOTHING. I barely got a job for the summer in a warehouse, and got laid off at the end of summer, before I was planning to leave anyway. If you've got it, don't let it go, because it really sucks out there... bleak really is the word for it.

10-13-2003, 06:34 PM	#16 (permalink)
Stiltzkin Junkie	"Should I feel lucky to have a job? Is it still really bad out there?" Yes, you should feel lucky. These assholes won't hire me just because I have no job experience. Either that, or because I'm not female, and do not have breasts, blue eyes and blonde hair. I've applied to too many places already and it is kind of annoying me. __________________ The most important thing in this world is love.

10-14-2003, 12:33 AM	#17 (permalink)
Battlefield Crazy	Feel fortunate. I'm from Canada and although unemployment is down/low, youth unemployment is high/rising. I think if you're young you should be thankful for any job that isn't minimum wage. Alot of industries have recovered but I think the last thing to recover is recruiting programs for college grads/entry-level, so hang in there.

10-14-2003, 12:38 AM	#18 (permalink)
tibs Upright	where i work we are encouraged to be thankful they employed us as they didnt have to you know

10-14-2003, 06:55 AM	#19 (permalink)
absorbentishe Boy am I horny today Location: T O L E D O, Toledo!!	Stay where you're at for now. What I'm going through really sucks, we've had several cut backs in the last 2 years, directly affecting me i.e. more work/less pay, my boss was let go, thus causing more work for me. Now, the IT/DP department found out that some work is going to India, where they pay 2 bowls of rice a day, and they are all worried about their jobs. It's a global company, but less then 1000 employees, so we're all getting kind of worried.

10-14-2003, 08:22 AM	#20 (permalink)
dy156 cookie Location: in the backwoods	My dad went from 100k+ to nothing, and it has now been a year trying to find an equivalent job, searching diligently while working nights in retail sales. Keep your eyes open, but unless something falls in your lap, I'd stay put.

10-14-2003, 01:54 PM	#21 (permalink)
LutherMac Crazy Location: St. Louis, MO	Definately stay where you are... things really aren't that much better out there... after being unemployed for over a year, I'm really getting scared when my management is talking about how badly the company is doing, and even THEY are starting to look for work. I took a HUGE paycut ($40K) just to get the work that I'm doing now, though I'll have to admit, the work I do now is a LOT more fufilling than what I was doing before. (I'm finally working in the graphic design industry) I've had a few opportunities to jump, though I'm holding my ground.... at least for now. __________________ Always remember that you are unique... just like everyone else!

10-15-2003, 07:01 PM	#22 (permalink)
almostaugust Junkie Location: Oz	I reckon you should feel lucky. I have some friends who are really struggling. __________________ 'And it's been a long December and there's reason to believe Maybe this year will be better than the last I can't remember all the times I tried to tell my myself To hold on to these moments as they pass'

10-15-2003, 11:50 PM	#23 (permalink)
TinniT Crazy	Let me say.... the best way to find a new job is to have a job you already do well at. You can do two things with that: You can find a new job better than your existing job. or you can get higher pay for your existing job in making the company you work for realize you are worth more.