How are you coping with job loss?

More than 22,700 jobs have been lost since September 2007 in the Tampa Bay area, the hardest-hit area in the state. On Thursday, Congress extended employment benefits for the toughest job markets by an additional 13 weeks. Today's St. Petersburg Times story tells the tale of Annie Lesso, a widow who lost her job Oct. 1 due to Frontier Airlines' budget cuts.

How has this mother of 2 gotten by? She only buys necessities now. No more Starbucks, cable TV or health insurance. Friends have helped her with finances, she's applied for food stamps, turned to her church for help and even asked her hairdresser for a reduced price (he agreed).

Tampabay.com readers have empathized with Lesso:

"My story is like Annie's. It took me 8 months, multiple interviews, 100's of resumes, searching for a new sales career this year. I never had this problem before getting a new job." said Diane of Tampa Bay.

Melissa of Clearwater says: " I've been out of work for 6 months, and I've applied for jobs I wouldn't normally ever consider doing. If this keeps up, I'll have to move back into my parent's home."

How are you handling being out of work? Who are you turning to for help?

[Photo by Cherie Diez | Times: Annie Lesso fills out an application at the Hilton Hotel in St. Petersburg with her daughter, Madi.]

Comments

[Walter]

After being successful in my field for many years, I found myself out of a job several months ago due to slowing economy. My severance package ran out recently and I'll be getting unemployment insurance. That'll won't even over basic living expenses. I've cut down spending on everything including food and I'm not overweight. I make sure my kids eat well though.

Since I'm over 50, I do think employers are discriminating. I'm willing to work for a lot less, but still no luck. I'm either overqualified or underqualified. I haven't experienced such bad economic times in my lifetime. I have no doubt that the horrible economic policies of this administration have damaged the economy of this country for many years. I'm hopeful the new administration will improve the situation, but it'll take time and certainly won't help me put food on the table for quite a while. Where's my bailout?

[Ray]

I agree with Walter's commentary. In my case I have over 20 years of experience in Operations Management and been very successful. I am slightly over 50, in great shape, a college graduate, fully bilingual do not need to make $75,000 or more any longer and guess what? I can not get a job. Folks are scared I want or need more. I have been out of work over a year now and benefits ran out long ago ... do you think less money is unacceptable at this stage, or does any money work? Companies will tell me I can not be a front line supervisor because of my professional experience ... Think about that! I hate to sound all gloom and doom but for the new class of unemployed folks out there, it pains me to say welcome aboard and please, get ready for a long haul! But there are things you CAN DO in order to make it work.

This is the worst it has been since I was born. All I will recommend to the new class is not to get discouraged, keep trying. Find networking groups, make it to as many meetings for any social event, non profits, professional events and job fairs as you can. Send emails to all your friends stating you are out of work. Keep in touch with all former vendors if you have any. Post resumes in any job board you can, re write your resume in as many ways as possible to suit opportunities, all you want is to get in the door and sell youself!! Get business cards printed, keep many copies of your resume on hand and hand them out to anyone that will take it! Leave business cards with your hair dresser, your mechanic, at church, anywhere! Collect as many business cards as you can, you never know who you just met! Get your elevator speech perfected!! You now have time for this. Think of it as selling yourself instead of your company or a project at work!!! Keep a calendar of to do's and completed, you'll feel better seing what you have done, not guessing! Lots of other tips you can find, but above all, as bad as it is, never ever quit, keep smiling and keep trying!!! Don't ever get so down that you quit, just keep reinventing yourself.
God bless you and remember you can do this.

[Tim]

I have not worked for almost 2 years .. A surgery left me very hard of hearing .. cannot work telephones anymore ..
I am selling my home and moving in with my family after the first of the year .. I have been surviving on a home equity line of credit ... I am 54 and never been without a job since I was a teenager .. The worst I have ever seen ..

[Holly]

Walter, Ray, and Tim are real stories, and there is never a good time to lose your job! It really takes an army of people to help others get going in another direction. I will be losing my job at the end of this year. I can assure you that I'm shouting it from the roof tops and what we need to keep in mind; people hire people! Good luck to Walter, Ray, and Tim!

[Mike]

Fortunately, I have a job and was spared from recent layoffs at my company. However, I was quite upset that some of the better, hard working employees were laid off while others who rarely put in a full day's work are still working. Some of these people take tremendous advantage of their situation. I've met with some of the laid off employees and many are struggling to make ends meet. I even let one borrow my car to go to an interview because she had trouble with hers and can't afford to get it fixed.

We used to be the most productive country in the world, but now look around your office or business. I bet at least half the employees goof off a lot and still complain. Workers overseas know that if they don't put in a full day, there is a line of people waiting to replace them. Time to shape up people!

[Steven Myers]

I, too, have suffered. I am 22 months now without a full-time job. After trying for some time, I obtained a student loan to go for computer certifications, have re-certified my insurance agent license, obtained a Class D security license all in an effort to keep up and open more options. NOTHING! I have made t-shirts to wear when I go out saying I need a job and it has peeked interest. I finally thought I had landed a job with a start up business a couple months ago, but the market crash wiped out my boss' investment business and him as well. So here I am still, but this time I am not even getting calls. Retail business are not even calling. I am lost.

[Jay]

My story isn't as compelling, as I'm still (relatively) young, healthy and have the support of family and friends. But while I was out Trick-or-Treating with my daughter on Halloween, I received a call on my cell phone that I was being laid off. I've been trying to finish getting my 4 year degree for a good 6 years now, but life (and divorce) keep getting in the way. I've been forced to move back in with my father, who is on disability. I've had a couple of interviews, but it seems like all the jobs I'm qualified for, require a degree. I don't know if that's hyperbole, but not having one, in anything, has seriously held me back. On top of that, the old fall back of waiting tables has dried up, because no one is hiring there, and in fact, the places that I do know of, are cutting back shifts and letting people go. I know I'm very fortunate to have help, but it has been a meteoric fall over the last 10 years. When I left the Marines, I would have thought that things could only get better, but I'll admit that this economy has had me visiting recruiters again, just to get the degree and paycheck I was supposed to be earning back then. The options are dwindling with each unanswered application I send out. Frustration isn't even coming close to describing this feeling of helplessness and inadequacy that being unemployed around the holidays brings. I hope other people out there are doing better, and I wish them luck. I'll figure something out. Soon.

[dkettler]

I know where this woman is coming from. I am a single mom I have been raising my son on my own for the last 9 years, I was in an accident in 2006 which forced me to close my business After recovery I went to work full time and 11 months into my year I got laid off and had to start all over. I thought at first go back to school but the college I chose soaked me for more money than they told me originally was told in which I am still paying on to this day. I had to rent out my house and move only to have the people do 9000.00 in damage to my house and now I am finding myself with a full time job with benefits thank god but just the other day I had left one of my sons Christmas gifts in my car only to get stolen the same day I found out that my Uncle back in Michigan passed away that I have not seen in almost 2 years. No money to fly back for the funeral no money to replace the gift I bought and still struggling it is difficult times for everyone and sometimes it may seem like we can never get ahead but my motto has always been don't give up don't let yourself get beaten down there is more to life out there sometimes it just takes longer to achieve it. My new task is to get scholarships for my son to achieve his dream of going to college and making something more of himself when he graduates in May.

[Tom]

The sad part is that since Walter, Ray, and Tim aren't pretty, blonde, single moms, there will probably be few sympathetic employers contacting the Times to offer them jobs.

[Ray]

I was laid off for months during the first George Bush in '92. I was a Republican then and figured out that the first George Bush was 100% responsible for my predicament. I learned never to vote for any Republican ever again and became a Liberal Democrat.

It sent me off in a total different direction where I was able to handle the second George Bush this time around.

Hopefully the folks going thru the Bushes in their lives will realize that voting Republican is what caused their plight and will find work soon and never, ever vote Republican again.
Hopefully these people see the consqeuenc

[Brian]

I was laid off from a major employer in the area about a month ago. I was shuffled out like a criminal after giving them many years of loyalty and good work. I was given a good severance and I have plenty of savings, and I'm healthy, so I suppose I'm "lucky".

I would advise those looking for a job to try to get out of the area. I'm finding that the job market in Tampa Bay is non-existent unless you are an accountant. The political leaders of this area have ruined any chance for a young professional to do well here. It's sad. I'm now looking into other cities but it's going nowhere.

Like many others, I have sent out countless resumes but rarely get a reply. I have a graduate degree and have always excelled in everything I've done, so to be sitting here with no hope is killing me.

Good luck to everyone struggling to find a job.

[Matt]

It's funny to me that every time someone like Annie Lesso is profiled in a random article on St. Pete Times, or you read about some poor woman handing out resumes on Dale Mabry, all of a sudden employers come out of the woodwork and offer interviews. Is that the only way to get a job now? Humiliate yourself publicly?

Where are these so called 6 interviews at? There are plenty of good people out there that need jobs. It shouldn't take an expose in the newspaper to bring on an interview. Just pathetic.

[John]

I feel sorry for Annie, but I too am in the same boat as she is. Even considering that I have a great deal of experience in the IT field. I am having a very hard time finding work. I have even tried to get a 7-11 clerk position, but none of those are available either. I wish her luck as well as all the others like her and I who are in the same situation.

[Reality]

I hate be a party pooper, but here is an idea:

MOVE

If you are unemployable in this market (with this level of "competition") then it is time to move. I work in HR and hire several applicants a week and I am always suprised of the quality, or lack thereof, of applicants. The best and the brightest find jobs, or jobs find them. If you are unemployed for several months, my guess is you ain't doin' sumthan rite...

Move.

[Lost my Job]

I never collected unemployment in my life. I was laid off at the end of June.In Aug I took job a cause they said I was going to do something else, but that never happened.. So since June I collected 1 week of unemployment. They said I could not collect since I left the other job, I told them I was hired to do this one job and they never gave it to me. So I left. I was being paid on commission and not making any money.. I owed them to be there. It's been almost 5 months and still no work.. I worked for over 30 years and never collected, and this is how the Government will help me.. Thanks...

[Maggie]

I know how she feels. I gruduated this last summer. I applied to almost every job in the town. No one has jobs where I live and tampa is a seriously long commute from where I live. Of course I was pregnate and every job turned me down because the didnt want to take a risk on hiring me. Imagine how I feel. Its not like I just want someone to give me money I want to earn it. I've now had my child and I cant provide much for my child even with help from the state. My husband and I have tried getting jobs just to get her diapers. I had to sell my jewerly the other day just to get some money to do it. Everyone is hurting right now, and I wish there was a way everyone could be helped. I'm glad someone is giving her a job and helping. I just wish I had one now. Its just bad when job loss makes employers wary on hiring anyone who doesnt have job experience.

[dee]

Hello, I have been unemolyed for about five months, and it not for the lack of trying....i also am well-educated, experienced in management and education profession. I have put in applications everywhere, from walmart to car rentals places...have sent out a tremendous amount of online resume...willin to relocate, take low pay, gets so discouraging and lowers your self-esteem when you what to work, need to work, and can't seemed to be hired..could it be my age(55)? could it be my interviewins skill? not hiring? unemployment not enough...no health insurance....thank God for families...will to work...Hire me!

[Reality -]

Maggie - EXHIBIT A

She is "pregnate" - and "Its just bad when job loss makes employers wary on hiring anyone who doesnt have job experience."

And she wonders why she can't find a job...

MOVE. PLEASE.

[U let me go!]

I was actually let go from your company "The Times" due to a performance issue. Since I have had No documentation or warnings of any performance issues I have been able to collect. In reality it was a Manager who had a conflict with me! In my 20 yrs. of working I have never had any issues with any performances! I have seen the structure of your organization from the inside and your either at the top level or bottom level of earnings. I know of so many employees almost getting by there and it's sad as the Managers are overpaid for what they do. I am just waiting to see what shakes out for your organization as everyone is aware of Newpapers as a dying breed. What comes around goes around.

[gator07]

To Reality - I also am in HR and your comments are out of line and pathetic. You commented on one posters typing - what about your response by saying, "you ain't doin' sumthan rite..." that is real professional.

You keep telling people to "move" have you been reading what everyone is writing? They are broke - no money - out of cash - how can they move?

Stop throwing stones - with your attitude you may be the next person standing in the unemployment line.

[Ray]

"Reality" is a typical Republican who always blames Bush's lousy excuse of an economy on the people and not themselves or Corporate America.

They deny the existence of the Unemployed, the Homeless, the Uninsured, and feel if problems are ignored they go away.

Bush's total inaction on anything except getting a bailout to protect CEO Golden Parachutes is a total disgrace.

[Grandma]

To the person telling job seekers to MOVE: You can't outrun the economy. The whole country is in trouble--and for that matter, the world! When the Titans of Wall Street began to fall, they decided to take all of us down with them. Misery loves company, dontcha know. When times are tough is when people need their families, communities, and support systems the most--don't you get that?

[c young]

I also can understand life's speed bumps right now. I lost my job due to health issues...which in turn I lost my financed auto, which leaves me on foot. My health will not permit me to be on my feet for along time, so walking to a job or interview is out of the question. I am on unemployement at this time, but that too will be running out soon. To make all this even worse, I have a handicapped 28 yr old that I am responsible for who needs to go to the doctors and such, and I have to beg for rides to get him there. I have applied for disablity, but this I am told could take a very long time.
I send out resumes constantly, via email, I try and work at home positions, but for the most part they require start up monies, and with only unemployement insurance, it is hard to even afford daily needs for myself and my disabled son.
I keep praying that a miracle will happen to help ALL of us that are in need.
I went today to HR Block to get an advance on my income tax which I did last year, and I am told....DENIED!!!, due to my last pay stub was over 30 days old...
Something has got to change to help those of us THAT ARE trying and continously hitting a brick wall...

[R Ferner]

For those unable to secure viable employment in the domestic marketplace, consider becoming an expat. Despite the state of the "global" economy, there are many opportunities for those with advanced degrees in Asia and the Middle East. For many already engaged, its a great alternative to unemployment.

[Elizabeth]

To those of you advising the unemployed to move: how is anyone supposed to move without the money to make the move? The Republican CEOs and the Republican Chamber of Commerce created this situation by offshoring all the work to Asia, and by importing half of the rest of the third world into this country to undercut Americans. That is the reality, reality, not your neocon lies.