Then the music stopped…
About a week and a half after receiving this check did we realize it would be the last unemployment check we would receive. To the best of my knowledge, the maximum period for unemployment benefits, including extended benefits, is somewhere between 59 and 72 weeks, and if you were really lucky 99 weeks. We (Eric) have been receiving benefits for approximately 72 weeks. To be sure, our challenge has not been unlike that of everyone else. We have been steadfast in our efforts to find a job, or jobs. There are simply no “real” jobs. In fact, the notion of whether or not a job would pay more than Eric’s unemployment benefit never entered the equation. What’s sad is unemployment pays very little, so the idea that these benefits would somehow be a deterrent to actually wanting to work is ridiculous at best and has no basis in reality.
Oh yeah.. there are plenty of job postings, but I am left to believe that most of the employers posting these jobs online through Monster, the Ladders or their corporate job sites have no true intention to hire. It would appear that most postings serve only to fulfill some legal obligation to do so, rather than actually creating a job for someone in need. We are all well aware that these jobs are ultimately reserved for someone internally. The disregard for the unemployed has become so assumed now that some employers have gone as far as posting jobs stating that the unemployed will not be considered. Can you imagine???
But the question we all wanted answered was “what happens when unemployment benefits end?” Now we know… Nothing. For the longest we maintained hope, as unemployment benefits continued to be extended. And why not, considering national and state unemployment rates remain at record levels. Who would have guessed there would be politicians bold enough to use unemployment benefits for those in need as a bargaining chip to pass largely irrelevant legislation.
So I am sitting here thinking I really have to make the most of this time at the parents’ house. Unless the jobs outlook changes soon, our entire family, not just me, will be thrust into entrepreneurship. We take some comfort in the amount of money we have saved by reducing living costs, but we realize we cannot “save” our way to financial independence. At some point, you have to act on your talents and carve your own path.
Accordingly, we used some of the funds that would have otherwise been spent on rent and utilities to invest in developing TheBoomeranger.com community, which will hopefully help and encourage millions of others who can relate to our experiences and are increasingly frustrated with the lack of career and job prospects. To be sure, where ever we find ourselves in this economic implosion, the market for acceptable jobs and careers will never be the same for those of us who have been unemployed for 6 months or more – the “long-term unemployed”. Employers will find cheaper and equally qualified and capable resources to replace all of us, even as the market recovers (… like that will be anytime soon… doubtful).
As Boomerangers, we have to find encouragement and motivation from within, and amongst, ourselves and invest in our futures to realize any opportunities ahead of us.
- Identify services and/or products from which you would benefit – good chance others would benefit as well
- Determine how to use your talents to develop such a service or product
- Set aside a portion of any saved funds to invest in your ideas
- Develop your entrepreneurial aspirations, using as many as free small business resources as possible
- Exploit your circumstances as quickly and as long as you can
- Be fearless!!!
Even though the unemployment insurance bill will be up for a vote in the Senate for the fourth time later today, do not hold your breath. Start planning for the worst, so you expect it and are pleasantly surprised by anything else.
Comments (12)
