Standing in the unemployment line

[Courtney]

This is a place to talk about jobs. Or lack thereof.

[Courtney]

So, I have 6.5 months of state unemployment benefits coming my way. How unethical would it be to nix the job hunt for a couple weeks and take the money and go on a fabulous vacation?

[kreutz2112]

So, I have 6.5 months of state unemployment benefits coming my way. How unethical would it be to nix the job hunt for a couple weeks and take the money and go on a fabulous vacation?

It's not immoral at all. If I understand unemployment correctly the company you used to work for contributes a certain amount of money to an unemployment insurance plan they have and then when someone needs to collect they draw from that insurance plan (i.e. make a claim). I don't think tax dollars pay much, if any, into most unemployment packages.

[Courtney]

It's not immoral at all. If I understand unemployment correctly the company you used to work for contributes a certain amount of money to an unemployment insurance plan they have and then when someone needs to collect they draw from that insurance plan (i.e. make a claim). I don't think tax dollars pay much, if any, into most unemployment packages.

Heyyy now that's the sort of rationalization I was looking for! Thank you kreutz.

[CalmerThanYou]

Well, you wouldnt be the first...

and, are you really looking for moral guidance on this board?

[Courtney]

Mostly I'm looking for people to support my immoral decisions so I feel less bad?

[TeamCoachellaHellYeah]

Court, did you get laid off? What were you doing before? And exactly how much unemployment a week are we talking here?

[wmgaretjax]

A couple weeks is no big deal I think....

I'm currently unemployed, but hopefully getting closer to finding a job. I'm not taking unemployment though, I have some cash saved up and it should last me a little while.

[Courtney]

A couple weeks is no big deal I think....

I'm currently unemployed, but hopefully getting closer to finding a job. I'm not taking unemployment though, I have some cash saved up and it should last me a little while.

Wooo being unemployed.

How are you going about your job search? Do you find that networking is the best, or looking through job listings, or some other method? Are you limiting yourself to your immediate geographic region?

And wait, what happened to grad school?

[wmgaretjax]

Wooo being unemployed.

How are you going about your job search? Do you find that networking is the best, or looking through job listings, or some other method? Are you limiting yourself to your immediate geographic region?

And wait, what happened to grad school?

I am limiting it to the Seattle area for the time being. I'm doing a mix of job listing and contacts I've already made.

As far as grad school goes, I got into NYU but the whole baby thing happened.... So that is postponed (I'm applying again this year).

[Courtney]

I am limiting it to the Seattle area for the time being. I'm doing a mix of job listing and contacts I've already made.

As far as grad school goes, I got into NYU but the whole baby thing happened.... So that is postponed (I'm applying again this year).

Oh yeah. Baby. But congrats on NYU. If you got in last time, and you get a job doing something at least remotely related to your field or volunteer or do extra-curricular field-related activities, I'd imagine you should be able to get in again the next time you apply.

I am the worst networker ever. I'm always afraid of being perceived as being the sleazy guy handing out business cards at cocktail parties. It would probably behoove me to get over that fear, in terms of using contacts to try to get jobs.

[wmgaretjax]

I am the worst networker ever. I'm always afraid of being perceived as being the sleazy guy handing out business cards as cocktail parties. It would probably behoove me to get over that fear, in terms of using contacts to try to get jobs.

I have the exact same problem. So that's why I just hit up my friends working at Amazon or Microsoft to help push my resume through (it's hiring season for those companies, so I have my fingers crossed).

[chairmenmeow47]

Oh yeah. Baby. But congrats on NYU. If you got in last time, and you get a job doing something at least remotely related to your field or volunteer or do extra-curricular field-related activities, I'd imagine you should be able to get in again the next time you apply.

I am the worst networker ever. I'm always afraid of being perceived as being the sleazy guy handing out business cards at cocktail parties. It would probably behoove me to get over that fear, in terms of using contacts to try to get jobs.

one way to help with networking is join message boards where people in your field might post. this is easy for IT people for example, i've seen people get jobs simply by posting with people on fark.com for example. also, if there are professional societies in your work, that can help. networking is difficult, good luck with that.

[Courtney]

Yeah, 52% of my company got laid off this week due to some serious budget cuts. I think unemployment insurance is going to be something like $1500 per month for me, which (pathetically) is not really at that much less than what I was getting paid after taxes, health insurance, etc anyway because I was working for a small nonprofit arts organization.

[Jon Blazed]

My job just laid off 5 people and blamed it on the economy.

[Jon Blazed]

That reminds me I need to get the fuck off the internetzzzzz

[TommyboyUNM]

The best month of my life was when I was unemployed in December last year, but I think I would've gone crazy if it had been longer. I sit in front of a computer all day with my current job, clearly, but I make decent enough money to pay for concert trips. So that's really what matters.

And, Courtney, I say just fuckin do it! Though Marco is probably asking the right questions.

[TeamCoachellaHellYeah]

Well 1500 a month is pretty decent...you COULD use it to try and move outside of Hawaii...if your feeling bored....also, given your experience with a non prof..you could pick up another job easily I think...

[Courtney]

Well 1500 a month is pretty decent...you COULD use it to try and move outside of Hawaii...if your feeling bored....also, given your experience with a non prof..you could pick up another job easily I think...

Thanks. I'm considering moving, actually. Mostly because the Hawaii economy is really really bad right now between tourism and fuel costs (no one is visiting, and companies can't afford to ship things here). I'm not sure if I can continue to collect benefits if I'm out-of-state, but I could probably get around that as long as I maintain an in-state official address.

New York would be the obvious choice because of the quantity of arts jobs, but it's such an expensive place to live.

I have no idea what I'm doing, really.

[marooko]

Luckily, I'm still employed.

[TeamCoachellaHellYeah]

as am I...for now anyways...luckily the Colorado Economy is doing a little better then the rest of the country....

[locachica73]

I have been at my current job for 9+ years and almost wish they would lay me off for a bit. I need a break but would prefer to get paid while on my break. As much as I slack you would think they would have fired me by now but they are none the wiser, and being here as long as I have I refuse to quit because they won't pay me any severence. So I will continue being a slacker until they figure it out.

[CalmerThanYou]

I have been at my current job for 9+ years and almost wish they would lay me off for a bit.

I'd bite your tongue young lady and be VERY happy you are employed. The plane has crashed into the mountain. We are going to see things get horrendous in the upcoming year or two, you should be counting your blessings...

[locachica73]

Loca, I thought you could only get unemployment if you get fired through no fault of your own?

That is what I meant by laid off that is the only way I would get unemployment, if they fired me though I would get a few months of severance so I could at least lay low for awhile. Just to take a break, I know that sounds stupid but I have worked since I was 16, the longest I have ever been off work is when I was 8 months pregnant with my kids and I went right back to work 6 wks after my daughter was born and started college full time 4 wks after my son was born. And that was 14 years ago.

I'd bite your tongue young lady and be VERY happy you are employed. The plane has crashed into the mountain. We are going to see things get horrendous in the upcoming year or two, you should be counting your blessings...

Yeah I know. Luckily with my construction experience working in accounting and administration there will always be work for me somewhere. There will always be shit to build in the commercial industry. Right now even while the rest of the country is slowing down we are going strong, we just change what we build. When I first started here it was all retail, then office buildings a couple years after that, then 2 years ago we built condos, now in todays market it is hospitals, schools, retirement facilities and alot of stuff for the military.

The thought does sound nice though, but after a couple weeks I would be bored silly.

[Courtney]

I have worked since I was 16, the longest I have ever been off work is when I was 8 months pregnant with my kids and I went right back to work 6 wks after my daughter was born and started college full time 4 wks after my son was born. And that was 14 years ago.

I don't think being a new mother exactly counts as being off work.

[locachica73]

I don't think being a new mother exactly counts as being off work.

yeah not really lol. having to be the grown up one blows sometimes.

[Courtney]

Loca, I thought you could only get unemployment if you get fired through no fault of your own?

[TeamCoachellaHellYeah]

Thanks. I'm considering moving, actually. Mostly because the Hawaii economy is really really bad right now between tourism and fuel costs (no one is visiting, and companies can't afford to ship things here). I'm not sure if I can continue to collect benefits if I'm out-of-state, but I could probably get around that as long as I maintain an in-state official address.

New York would be the obvious choice because of the quantity of arts jobs, but it's such an expensive place to live.

I have no idea what I'm doing, really.

My boss moved out from Maui in May because the economy was going sideways...worst on the other islands from what I understand...even though he only got a $1000 salary increase to move to Denver...he said it felt like doubling his salary due to the cost of living being much less then Hawaii...he was a Director at a hotel down there...if you like want art jobs you could check out Santa Fe, NM...unemployment there is lower the CO...and Sante Fe has the 3rd largest art market after NY and LA.

[TommyboyUNM]

My boss moved out from Maui in May because the economy was going sideways...worst on the other islands from what I understand...even though he only got a $1000 salary increase to move to Denver...he said it felt like doubling his salary due to the cost of living being much less then Hawaii...he was a Director at a hotel down there...if you like want art jobs you could check out Santa Fe, NM...unemployment there is lower the CO...and Sante Fe has the 3rd largest art market after NY and LA.

Indeed. Santa Fe is really good for art jobs. And New Mexico is a great place to live. Albuquerque is growing pretty rapidly and the green chilie will have you hooked.

[Courtney]

Hmmm. I've never been to New Mexico. Also, just for fun, I looked up:

20 U.S Cities With the Lowest Unemployment Rates
Average: 2.9

1. Fargo, N.D.: 2.1

2. Casper, Wyo.: 2.4

3. Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, La..: 2.5

3. Lafayette, La..: 2.5

3. Sioux Falls, S.D.: 2.5

6. Ames, Iowa: 2.6

6. Bismarck, N.D. 2.6

8. Fort Walton Beach-Crestview-Destin, Fla.: 2.7

8. Idaho Falls, Idaho: 2.7

8. Iowa City, Iowa: 2.7

11. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Fla.: 2.8

11. Charlottesville, Va.: 2.8

11. Harrisonburg, Va.: 2.8

11. Rapid City, SD: 2.8

11. Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice, Fla.: 2.8

11. St. George, Utah: 2.8

11. Winchester, Va.: 2.8

18. Billings, Mont. 2.9

18. Boise City-Nampa, Idaho: 2.9

20. Des Moines-West Des Moines, Iowa: 3

20. Lake Charles, La.: 3

20. Logan, Utah: 3

20. Missoula, Mont.: 3

Not a whole lot of terribly appeal prospects there. Although I could move next door to Yablo if I moved to Missoula...