Asking Sometimes Works

[mizarchivist]

File this under: don't ask, don't get....

I have mentioned QE is more actively looking for work. Well, when he called for his weekly unemployment thing on Sunday, (Yesterday), he was told by the system that it's gone. He may be eligible for an extension... or not. Normally they give a few weeks warning, which did not happen this time. Boom. Surprise! He will hopefully find out today about that. In the mean time NO REALLY, time to find an effing job.  There's only so much one can say to the business agent. He's on the list and now has been on the list for over a month with nary a nibble.

I am not quite comfortable putting this on FB or G+, but I ask here. If anyone knows of gainful employment that my very handy spouse is qualified to do, by all means send leads our way. I'm taking care of insurance, so full benefits aren't technically required right now (although not a bad thing, duh).

He was checking out Craigslist ads last night, and went down a few rabbit holes. We concluded it's too bad he/we are not hot college age women who are up for a wild weekend in Vegas with the ad-placer. We could get rich. Or go to jail. Tough call. Both?  We also discovered that fluffers get paid $1000/day. More seriously though, it's kind of barren out there. The few carpentry jobs that were listed were depressing. 19/hour for finish carpenter? To give perspective, drywallers typically make 21/hour. 

Comments

[weegoddess.livejournal.com]

FWIW, I hear this. J has been on unemployment since the end of June and with the sequestration going into effect, we don't expect any of the good stuff to happen that looked so promising a few months ago.

I wish I had ideas for you. Or work for QE. Or at least wish that we were living closer by so that we could do communal suppers or something and try to cut down on the food bills.

"finish" carpenter?

[ghislaine.livejournal.com]

Because I don't have a clue about these things...

As a "finish carpenter", does this also mean he has the skills to do framing, drywall, flooring, trim, etc?

Looking it up on wikipedia tells me he's skilled at the finer aspects of woodworking (i.e. cabinet making, furniture making, etc), so I'm not sure if that also means he does these other construction related things as well?

[red-canna.livejournal.com]

Other than the standard job listing websites like indeed.com and monster, I have little to offer except this--it's easier to get a job if you have a job which means taking a "junk" job for the short term may be well worth it. Good luck and hugs! I will keep my ears open for you.

Much sympathy

[drwex]

I hate to ask this, given how little he liked retail, but has he made the rounds of the local furniture and woodworking stores?

[debsquared.livejournal.com]

Is QE still doing home inspections? The market seems to have picked up.

[catness.livejournal.com]

You may remember the post I made over a year ago about reconnecting with my friend the trombone player. Lots of education, lots of talent, solid white collar work history. He was selling shoes in a mall so he could feed his kids. It wasn't glamorous, it didn't pay well, it wasn't a right fit for him, and it fucked with his sense of self. But he was employed and contributing to his household, and that mattered to him. He didn't do it forever, it was just to get by.

I agree with red_canna that having a crappy job is an easier place from which to launch into better work. $19 an hour may not be the appropriate rate, but it's incredibly better than $0 an hour.

[catya.livejournal.com]

I have work coming up I'd be happy to talk to him about, and likely other folks here do as well - our local folks are over-busy. Drop me email?

[mizarchivist]

Thanks. Fingers crossed for both of us.

(headdesk)

[mizarchivist]

There's that. We'll see if we can find a "junk" job that will at least cover child care (and stuff)

Speaking of "Junk" Jobs...

[mizarchivist]

I'll ask him later. It's a thought.

[mizarchivist]

The market fell apart before he got official, then he never went back, so sadly no- not a right-now choice, although that is a skill set that could be useful to have for future fill-in-the-gap work. We have a great relationship with our current real estate agent, so we even have an in.

[mizarchivist]

Good food for thought.

Re: (headdesk)

[red-canna.livejournal.com]

There's the sucktastic option of a home improvement retail stint which at least might have hours that require less childcare. Also, when I was with lowe's I saw many skilled carpenters, etc. ťrickle off to "real" jobs in part due to networking with the customers.

[mizarchivist]

Done

Ohhh... Networking...

[mizarchivist]

Hadn't thought of that... Good point.

[catness.livejournal.com]

Also, and I was remiss for not saying this, I will definitely keep my eyes and ears open for opportunities. I know some folks who do house work, if M would be interested in hooking up with them (and if they are currently hiring).

[mizarchivist]

Thank you kindly :)

Re: Ohhh... Networking...

[lifecollage.livejournal.com]

And, if he wants to try Home Depot, I can see if my sister & brother-in-law know any of the Northeast regional people (they both work for HD down in FL).

Re: Ohhh... Networking...

[mizarchivist]

He's going with Lowe's first, but if he does, I will let you know.

[aelscha.livejournal.com]

There's a lot of little stuff around the house we've thought about doing and neither D nor I has skills and spoons to take point on. I'd be delighted to give QE some sporadic employment at reasonable wages - email me^1. (A lot of it is not carpentry per se... but some of it is!)

^1: This username at isomerica.net.