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

[Trey]

I hav been out of work for almost a year and it is really really hard. I get unemployment. About 400.00 less than what i was making whn i was working.

[Trey]

Hey

[bdiddy]

STAY POSITIVE first of all. It will turn around...eventually. I am on 100% commission in the mtg business and my wife was laid off months ago and is unemployed. Money is out and debt is going crazy. All you can do is give 100% and control the things you can.

Try to look for a position with collections. Due to the economy that is one line of work that is still hiring.

[Nee]

One suggestion to those with degrees/graduate degrees from an HR p.o.v.:
If you are applying for a job that you are overqualified for, then 'dumb-down' your resume. For example, why list that you have an MBA or a BA if the position only requires a high school diploma? Just list your high school diploma! One look at the degree and we stamp it "overqualified".

[Misty]

Honestly, the entire country is not in the same situation that Florida is in. Check out nationwide unemployment stats and you'll see that some areas of the country have less then a 4% unemployment rate. If you can possibly move, do it. It may not be easy, but neither is being unemployed. My heart goes out to the people who are struggling right now. It isn't fun and I was in the same situation in the late 70s/early 80s. Life is too short to have to struggle like this. Please look outside your own area so you can get employment and be able to go on with your lives.

[Melissa]

This woman hasn't even been unemployed for 2 full months yet. I've been out of work for 6 months, and can't find anything. I am a single parent, and the threat of losing my apartment & everything I've worked for is something that keeps me awake at night. I've had to borrow money from friends & family just to get by, and I don't know when I'll ever be able to pay them back. I am down to $5, half a tank of gas left in my vehicle, and I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to do....

[me too]

My story... I am not unemployed, but a self employed real estate appraiser. Been doing it over twnety years. Have had a real estate office, been a supervisor for a large firm that was bought and closed, and also have worked in a bank. Since I am self employed, no help from the gov't. I have sent out hundreds of resumes and have had little responce. My girls are life and I am worried about them.

[LEJ]

Not that easy to just move. Move to where? Apartment? First, last and deposit. Utilities deposit. All takes money. Something people don't have when they are not working. Show a bit of common sence here.

[RayT]

I am the Ray that posted after Walter. The "politically inclined " Ray is a different individual!! Please do not confuse us!!

[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.

[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.

[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...

[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?

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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...

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.