Unemployment in Tennessee is at 10.8% as of August.

Just a little story from working yesterday at the portrait studio:

The 2 big bosses were there (District and Asst District managers) as well as the studio manager. We have been talking here about sending thank you notes after interviews.

Well, they have been interviewing tons of people as seasonal help. Yesterday's mail brought two thank you notes from the same person, 1 for the manager, 1 for the big bosses.

They read them out loud and ridiculed this person for sending the notes. I was in shock and horrified at their reaction! Now, I will have to admit that she was WAY too wordy, going on and on and on. In my opinion a shorter note would have been better. But still their response was negative to it. I expressed to them that I had been taught that was proper etiquette for follow up to an interview and they said this was the first time they had ever gotten anything like this.

Just goes to show, you never know how this will affect your job search. Not all employers are as professional as they would like to think they are.

I have found the ones that brag about how professional they are, are the biggest jerks.

That was awful of them. Don't let that stop you from sending thank yous~

Diane and Simplicity,

I am here in MI and yes the job market is bad. Statewide is about 15%, yet the metro Detroit area is really closer to 25%. I personally know 5 people who have been looking for almost a year. However, I really think that some people have gotten used to the unemployment checks and it has taken away some of the motivation to find a job when there is a guaranteed check(esp since they keep extending the unemployment payout times-currently someone I know is on her 3rd round and I don't see her trying to find work because she is getting paid to sit home-something I resent tremendously as I have always worked hard)

I have been very fortunate over the years in that whenever I am at the point of looking for a new job, something has always presented itself that was generally a better option. Yes, currently I have a job that I hate and it is just paying the bills, but it is a job. I am putting myself out there now to find something else but I am also trying to find something I can do myself so I don't have to depend on someone else for pay. If I can create my own job, it will be easier to keep myself employed.

I found out last night that I did not get the job I had interviewed for, but the upper management I spoke to encouraged me to keep trying(there was a more experienced in-house candidate who got the position-and I knew this would happen).

As for the thank you notes that were sent in.....the management people were obviously idiots....that is what I have always done and that is what head hunters stress to keep your name in front of them.

I was laid off the first time in 1990 and it devastated me! I was 25 so nothing like that had happened in my life. I did unemployment with an extension, and I registered in a few temp agencies plus had 2 waitressing jobs. At that time I was looking for a "like" job with as much pay as possible. I didn't believe I could live on less that what I had been making - when in reality I was with the other jobs! (this was with my first husband who was just as spendy as my 2nd).

I talked to my 1st ex a few weeks ago, and he has been out of work since October. Again, I'm sure he can get by on less because unemployment IS less! He just moaned that there is "nothing out there". Well maybe if you are looking for Cisco engineering jobs, they are hard to find, but there ARE jobs out there.

All I know is if I work for minimum wage, I'll be working two jobs, which is really tough. But I'd do it if I had too - while still looking of course!

As far as my two "new" jobs.... so far so good. Like you beaglelady, most jobs I've gotten have been better, if for nothing more than get out of the current rat race and office politics.

Still at the old place till next week.

Sorry to hear you didn't get the job, but that should mean a better door opens up for you.

Well, I never heard back from the interviews I went on and it is now painfully obvious that I am not even being considered for any position they have at the University. I just saw on craigslist new postings for all the positions I had applied for, plus a few others. They do not normally post on craigslist, as they have their own job web site and have people in their office constantly. Not sure exactly what it is they are looking for, but guess I am not it. I have a feeling that my age played a part in this, but I cannot be for sure.

Oh, well, the hunt continues!

Kristil, keep your chin up. Something will come up for you.

Diane, I guess what really gets me is that I have worked hard all my life, have never been out of work for any extended period of time, and have been responsible for the most part. What makes me mad is all the things our government is doing to "help" people who are not necessarily helping themselves. I busted my butt to put away money to buy my house last year and now they are giving home buyers the $8000 incentive....and now my house is worth less than I owe on it...what am I, chopped liver?? It's the same way in the working world too. Those of us who work hard and are honest and upfront tend to get the screws, if you know what I mean.


Kristil, If I were you, I would contact them to try again. Keep sending in the resume with a cover letter.....if you really want the job, bombard them with your info. If you become a royal pain in the *ss, they may say, let's give her a chance just to get her to stop bothering us.....it's worth a try anyway.

It frosts me that the age thing has to play into it, but I know it does. And being over 50 now, I am painfully aware that I am at the beginning points of dealing with it. The one thing I do have going for me is my energy level and the fact that I do not look my age. I am trying to get into a good company, even in an hourly position, to have a sense of security somewhere and will try to do other things to give me the extra cash I need.

I totally understand! I feel the same way. I will probably be working till the day I die as well.

Don't forget, I was reprimanded for - and these were HIS words!!! "We get the feeling you want to come in, do your job, and leave". Wow, I thought that's what you were paying me to do! Nevermind I had to go back to work at the other store.

I work on my days off, I work from home. I keep tabs on things and try to keep things in stock my customers will buy. They don't do that. They look at the whole, which is not how this town works.

And what did I get for that? Fired. Not that he will call it that, but essentially that's what's happening. Fired with a 30 day grace period.

Ya, that $8000 thing irks me too. No one was helping me when I was laid off the week after making my 3rd mortgage payment. I spent years owing more than the house was worth. It stunk!

Anyway, today is a happy day. I just sold all the grid walls for the old boss and he gave me a percentage. And I got a decent magnetic order this morning. I'm off to find something else I can sell.

Good luck.....

I am getting ready to go to an appointment to present to a restaurant that is trying to save money on their credit card fees, and i can save them about a thousand dollars a year....best part is that if she likes everything, they also own several other locations! It may only amount to $20 in commission a month for me, but the residuals all add up and I get to save her money in the process too!!

Good luck Beaglelady! That's not an easy job. We process credit cards at work and the merchant services numbers will make your head spin! (mine anyway )