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Comments

• [1] Jane from east village July 06, 2009 - 10:05AM

  Not that recent, but also uncounted. I'm a freelancer and have not had significant work since before Christmas. No severance obviously, no unemployment insurance, no health insurance to COBRA, not counted in those laid off or those looking for work. There are a lot of us out here and we're invisible.

  
  
• [2] kabuku from brooklyn July 06, 2009 - 10:09AM

  lost 2 jobs in the past 2 months but thankfully found another job (not as good as the ones I lost). These days the 2/5 subway out of Flatbush is vacant in the mornings, and June was the worst I'd ever seen it. There are plenty of seats available and I sit there thinking 'are we the ones who survived?' (the layoffs)

  
  
• [3] Jon from NYC July 06, 2009 - 10:22AM

  At the risk of making a "me too" post, I'm in the same boat as [1] Jane. I'm not a blip on the unemployment radar because, even though my last paycheck was in early June, I hadn't had steady employment in almost 10 months.

  Even though I've cut my hourly rate in half (yes! 50% off!), the clients I used to work with on are now turning to more cost-effective solutions for their needs - put simply, unpaid interns are cheap. And even though I'd rather have the job, I worry for these interns, as they are currently receiving the same health benefits and salary that I have right now: not a damned thing.

  Although I'm sure my ex-clients will change their minds as soon as they realize that cheap pseudo-employees produce cheap pseudo-results, I truly and honestly don't know how the I'll survive until then.

  Perhaps I should start panhandling now...

  
  
• [4] Al from Manhattan July 06, 2009 - 10:53AM

  I'm a mechanical engineer with fifteen years of work experience, a background in the medical device industry, and an MBA in finance and management from NYU Stern.

  I have been unemployed for nine months now.

  
  
• [5] Robert from Brooklyn, New York July 06, 2009 - 11:01AM

  I was laid off from a "for profit" school that decided that it was too expensive to provide high quality curriculum to its students. I was told that my position would eventually be revived when the economy improves, but that I would be out of contention for it as I have too much experience and would be too expensive to hire.

  What it comes down to is this: in a for-profit company, you can hire people to do the same job a lot less effectively for a lot less money. It's truly a race to the bottom.

  
  
• [6] Hugh from Brookyn July 06, 2009 - 11:04AM

  The case of the woman who called saying that she had interviewed with the Census Bureau is revealing. Dean Baker, of CEPR, reported that some of the spring uptick in employment was a result of the Census Bureau preparing for the upcoming census.

  As for people who are seeing nothing -- I'm one of 'em. And part of the problem is that the real unemployment rate is actually much higher than we typically hear. (See Dean Baker, James Galbraith, Joseph Stiglitz and others on this.)

  Don't know if economists speculate on this, but it seems plausible that the dynamic of unemployment and national economic performance exhibits "tipping points". That is, the economy can do very well with employment fluctuating between certain bounds. But if employment is "too high", as conservatives like to say, we risk inflation. Conversely, at some point unemployment is bound to have the effect of depressing *everyone's* wages, especially when *any* employer knows that *any* employee can be replaced at the drop of a hat.

  
  
• [7] Karen from NYC July 06, 2009 - 11:05AM

  About three weeks ago, I placed an ad on Craig's List, seeking a part-time, temporary data processor for my husband's very small general contracting business. He'd had no business at all for the first few months of the year, but now had several small projects in progress and needed help in the office.

  I placed the ad at about 3:30 p.m. When he picked me up at the Metro North station at 7 p.m., my husband's first words were, "How do I turn off the ad?" He'd received over 100 resumes in less than four hours, many from people who had MBAs and other advanced degrees and had been executives and bankers earning high salaries.

  We are hiring a local homemaker seeking a part-time job. The job market is very, very frightening and anyone can become a statistic.

  
  
• [8] CD from NJ July 06, 2009 - 11:06AM

  I was laid off in December of 2008, and was searching for work for two months with no luck. Out of desperation, I decided to go to a Temp agencey to see if they had anything, and I was quite suprised when they called me within a week with a fairly well paying 3 month temp position. After three months the company I was temping for decided to extend me indefinitely! I recommend seeking out a Temp agency as a possible way to get back into the workforce, if even for a limited amount of time.

  Good luck to everyone!

  
  
• [9] Hugh from Brookyn July 06, 2009 - 11:07AM

  The Bill Moyers Journal followed up a few days ago on a report from last year about food pantries. Those pantries -- a year ago -- were seeing a huge boom in people seeking help. Now those numbers are so great that the food suppliers just cannot support all the people coming in.

  
  
• [10] Doris from Parsippany, NJ July 06, 2009 - 11:10AM

  Lost my job as a manager in the pharma industry in mid June. There are a lot of jobs being advertised for pharma (although most are contract jobs) and so I am hopefully I will be employed soon. In the meantime I'm looking for a less costly option to COBRA to keep my daughter insured. Under the Obama administration, employers are given incentives to cover 65% of the health insurance premium, but even with this benefit I will be responsible for paying about $525 per month - a pretty penny if you are unemployed.

  
  
• [11] Jim Pharo from NYC July 06, 2009 - 11:11AM

  My heart goes out to all these callers.

  I am in their ranks, having lost a job several years ago, and basically have struggled ever since.

  I remember hearing from people who had solid jobs that all I needed to do was to network, re-evaluate my skills, maybe start a business.

  I think many of those folks are now learning that what the newly unemployed need is not advice, but help.

  Thank God Obama is picking up 65% of the COBRA costs. Like many millions who came before, I had no such help.

  
  
• [12] Rachel from upper west side July 06, 2009 - 11:11AM

  I'm an architect and have been unemployed since September, except for the most minimal freelance work. I've been using the time to study for and pass the LEED exam, to catch up on continuing education credits and to learn some computer programs. I haven't had this little work since the early 90s. It's dead out there.

  I didn't appreciate how good things were before.

  
  
• [13] sm July 06, 2009 - 11:34AM

  I'm in the same position as #1. I'm especially discouraged, since I've never had a problem securing work in the past. Although I would never wish this situation upon anyone, I do feel like I'm one of the only people in my peer group having this problem; I can't simply check Facebook without being subjected to my friends' job complaints or raves about the incredible tasks they are fortunate enough to be performing for a paycheck.

  In addition to the preparation involved with the average interview (researching the company and environment, proper attire, and positive self-reinforcement), I've been subject to some incredibly unprofessional and downright rude behavior from several companies:

  1. Don't say, "we want to bring you back in to meet so-and-so" if you have no intention of doing so.

  2. A follow-up inquiry (after the thank you note) ensures I won't sit around wondering if I'm still in the running. Just because the candidate wasn't selected doesn't mean he or she never existed in the first place, and it takes two seconds to copy and paste, "the position has been filled, thank you for your interest."

  3. Many candidates are required to submit a test or critique as a part of the process. Unfortunately in many cases, your work is not protected, which can result in free labor for the company. If I'm submitting a typical critique, I've lost a few hours I'll never get to enjoy for myself. How about a quick "thank you" upon receipt, so I know it's not headed into a black hole.

  A little courtesy goes a long way. We use significant resources in presenting ourselves...and you never know when the situation might be reversed.

  
  
• [14] Debora Shiokawa from Manhattan July 06, 2009 - 11:36AM

  I got laid off in March 2009 from an Interactive Art Director position in a Pharmaceutical advertising agency. I received unemployment for 3 weeks, and luckly found freelance work right after that has been enough to keep my head above water. In the meantime, I enrolled in Cobra, which was $900/month for me and my husband,

  I paid for a couple of months, and as soon as the new Stimulus plan was available, I applied for that too. I got approved, but only part of the charges were refunded to me. Neither Ceridian nor my old employer is restituting the whole amount owed to me. I called them both several times, I don't know who to go to anymore. Ceridian keeps charging me, even though I'm entitle to a 4-month credit

  
  
• [15] Virginia from Bronx July 06, 2009 - 12:13PM

  Dear Erica who called in to Brian:

  You sound depressed--not sad, but actually depressed. While you're trying to figure out "which hat to put on" as you put it, you need to keep active and connected to people--which is exactly what depression makes you not want to do. It gives you that stuck helpless feeling you described dealing with every morning. Try doing some volunteer work in the fields you mentioned. Not only will this keep you busy, it would put you in the environments where you want to find a job. Even if this doesn't lead to a job at those places, they could point you in the right direction to other people or places that could be job prospects in the fields you're interested in. And stay in touch with the people in your life who make you feel good. Take good care of yourself and good luck.

  
  
• [16] Kim W. from Brooklyn, NY July 06, 2009 - 01:43PM

  I "lost my job" in January rather than June (I put that in quotes because it wasn't much of a "real job" to begin with -- I'd had a long-term temp assignment at a bank). So this is a word of encouragement:

  So, as I said, in January, I was told that the temp assignment I'd been involved with for four years (yes, four years) was going to be cancelled. I was out of a job, and no temp work was to be had. I posted my resume on two different job search boards and hunted on Monster.com and Craigslist every day, sending my resume out to at least three different places each day.

  But I also checked into freelance writing -- it was something I'd always wanted to do anyway. And then someone called me in response to my resume -- they were asking me if I would be interested doing web content for their new startup web site.

  And then one of the Craigslist ads I saw was for still more freelance writing, for a travel site. I checked that out, liked what I saw, and signed up.

  It is five months after I lost my job -- I've had spotty temp work since then. But I've also written $250 worth of work for that web content site, and just signed a contract for a months' worth of work with the travel site. I'm not making enough to live on, but it's supplementing the temp work I get quite nicely. This writing work is something I would never have forseen as an option back in January.

  So the moral is -- getting laid off leaves you open to a lot of things. Give it all a try, because one of those things may turn out leading you in a whole new direction.

  
  
• [17] DAT from Nathan Housing Projects July 06, 2009 - 01:46PM

  NYS Court Officer.

  Filing Period ends July 31, 2009.

  Examination Dates:

  10/24/2009

  12/12/2009.

  You must 18 years old at the time of appointment.

  There is no maximum age limit to be appointed

  to the NYS Court Officer position.

  There is a $30.00 application fee.

  Qualifications:

  Pass written exam and be least 18 yrs old.

  USA citizen, NYS resident, GED.

  Undergo medical, psychological, physical

  testing and extensive background check.

  Benefits:

  12 Paid Holidays

  Regular Work Schedule.

  Pre-Tour Prep Leave Time.

  20 Paid Vacation Days in First Week.

  Excellent Health Insurance

  Retire benefits.

  35 Hour work week plus overtime.

  Deferred Compensation Option

  http://www.courts.state.ny.us/careers/cot/

  
  
• [18] DAT from Nathan Straus Projects July 06, 2009 - 02:01PM

  http://www.nyboldest.com/

  NEXT EXAM DATE

  Saturday, December 5, 2009

  * Starting salary is $36,339

  * Salary increasing to $70,717 after 5 ½ years of service

  * $1,524 per year holiday pay increasing to $3,146 after 5 ½ years

  * Uniform allowance of $1,100 per year

  * 13 paid vacation days, increasing to 27 days after 5 years

  * 11 paid holidays

  * Paid health insurance

  * Longevity pay ranges from $3,859 to $6,859 after 5, 10, 15, and 20 years of service

  * Great pension plan, with the opportunity to retire after 20 years of service

  
  
• [19] sam from brooklyn July 06, 2009 - 02:06PM

  Re: Not Having Interactive Experience

  I'm not sure if you are a copywriter or an art director but if you would like to add interactive projects to your book, you may want to check out FIT - www.fitnyc.edu.

  They have incredibly affordable classes in Flash, Dreamweaver, Web Design, etc. The teachers are good at teaching the technical aspects and with your creative skills, I'm sure you will come away with really great pieces for your book.

  It's unfortunate but the truth is we have to constantly, I mean continuously upgrade our skills.

  Good luck!

  
  
• [20] DAT from Nathan Straus Projects July 06, 2009 - 02:09PM

  NYS Court Officer and NYC Correction Officer

  jobs are solid jobs with pensions.

  They both have excellent health insurance.

  In the case of NYS Correction Officer,

  is 20 years and out, same as NYPD.

  They retire with substancial pensions.

  A check for life.

  
  
• [21] carole from inwood, nyc July 06, 2009 - 07:55PM

  I was layed off 3 times in 3 yers from the fashion manufacturing industry, the most recent being March of this year.

  I have been on interviews but have not been hired.

  To survive I rent a 1 bedroom & now live in the living room & rent out the bedroom to a friend to offset living expenses. I should be able to collect unemployment until the end of the year but am now concentrating my search in the DC/MD area where the recession is not as evident.

  
  
• [22] Bri from Greenpoint July 07, 2009 - 02:29PM

  I was laid off in November (small severence, now collecting unemployment and never received info on COBRA as my employers discontinued health care after letting me go) and while I have no real prospects right now, I am enrolled in an evening class at FIT for Fall in hopes of moving forward (and keeping classes to the evening with fingers crossed for a day job). I've been keeping myself busy with all sorts of things, though, including my blog UnEmployed Brooklyn (http://tiny.cc/0pyVx ).

  Thanks for keeping everyone informed about what's going on with unemployment here in NYC. And letting us all know we're not alone.