I’m sure you have heard about networking. In 2001, when I was downsized unexpectantly (the day before Sept. 11th), a fellow downsized employee told me about a networking/write-your-resume-type-group, which was taught, free of charge, at a local church (this was not a religious thing). Well, each week we brought in our stories and a headcount of whom we contacted…for an “informational” interview, not a job, per se. This is “networking,” which frankly, I was unfamiliar with until then! I bumped into a former neighbor, told her I was looking for work, and low and behold, her office had an opening for a job (transcriptionist) which I applied for and accepted as an independent contractor (after a 5-month trial period at the office).

Long story short, tell everyone you meet what it is you are looking for. You do not have to have the same job as before. Flexibility and adaptability are key in this insane market. I took the job as a transcriptionist because I needed income immediately as my unemployment ran out and temping didn’t pay enough, which I had tried. As an independent contractor, I negotiated my own (great) rate, worked from home, and the job lasted 2 1/2 years! Ironically, I am not a typist at all! The office did not even ask if I could type or if I liked it; I simply went in, sat down and started typing. Thank God for spellcheck and for the networking group! By the way, this job was not advertised.

One more thing, read your resume as a prospective employer would. What are they really reading? Did you tailor your resume to that specific job opening? And your cover letter too?

I have been downsized twice without any notice. It is not fun. Until recently, I had a career in real estate and we all know the real estate market in the U.S. So, yet again, I have revamped my resume, and, am willing to take a position I may not really like, but being unemployed in real estate for over a year now, is not economically feasible to wait for the dreamjob. The very good thing about real estate is that I like to meet a variety of people and have been continually complimented on my ability to interact with many different people. It has also given me the skill to introduce myself to anyone with confidence. This is adaptability. I have rewritten this attribute in my cover letter and just received my first response back for an interview, after 6 months of no responses!

Network everyone! Consistent follow-through. Rewrite your resume/cover letters. I also wrote “Immediate Hire” at the very end of my resume in the summary section and in the same location on my cover letters.

Work it! Work it! Work it!

Here is the thing though…I have more experience than I used to in my field…and I haven’t gotten one single call back or F.O. letter…and honestly that is more worrying than anything else.

There are jobs out there (they are in other states than my home state) but I am looking at EVERYTHING…blanketing the whole southern US and still nothing but silence. Here is what I can’t reconcile…maybe I am from a depressed area…but WAY more people that I know have been laid off than the reported 7.5%…is it just me or does it seem more like 25 to 30% of working age people are out of a job?

Not only that and as a struggling 30ish person, I hear that a lot of retired people are back in the market since their 401K and investments tanked…I’m thinking right about now, I DON’T NEED ANY MORE COMPETITION for the meager jobs that exist…

I have 3 more months of unemployment left…I haven’t gotten a single call back…what am I going to do when those three months are up?

In 2012, when I finally get the nerve to quit my job and run for the presidency (unlike the Senate, my employer would never tolerate a campaign on the clock), will you vote for me, even as I chastise you for allowing these people to gain so much power?

My personal economy/finances? The current real estate crash has dramatically affected by life 24/7. My one and only property on the market needs to sell, for the right price of course, and I will be alright for a few months; then what?

Fortunately, I have always been relatively frugal and am now moreso. I have decided to reduce my utility bills. My water bill is about $10/month (by taking 2 minute showers and making a game of it), and keeping my heat down to 62, while wearing two layers of long-underwear, which help immensely.

There are ways to reduce use of everything if you really think about it and focus. Having fun with these changes helps. I no longer drive anywhere unless necessary and instead go for another walk if I need to get the world’s woes out of my head. Also, I have pretty much eliminated tortilla chips and chocolate (two favs) unless they are on sale and then I only buy a little and savor each bite.

Also, I have changed my diet to a bean and grain based diet, buying in bulk - steel cut oats, barley, brown rice, and beans. Not only do I feel better but think about those around the world in AFrica, India, Asia, and South America who go to bed hungry each night, and some of these people, particularly in AFrica (Darfur, Congo) are suffering horrors beyond words and are starving too!

So, while the economic crisis is looming all around, I do what I can in my own daily life to stay sane (1990 car, no TV, wear the bsame clothes I’ve had for years, changed diet, enjoys more walks, etc.. This all really helps keep a positive outlook while job hunting too!

Bush’s legacy - pitiful, dishonest, selfish, immature, fearful of others, a bully, a whine in his voice - thoroughly short-sighted, a disgrace to the U.S. and to the world.

Obama - hopefully the economy will improve with Obama but it will take many years to move out of this all-round quicksand and get on stable ground. Here’s hoping Obama will stay honest and straightforward with us.

Cheers World!