Gen Xer Looking for Work For 14 Months, Shares How He Pays The Bills
This as-told-tos Essay is basic on a conversation with Kevin Hannegan, A 53-YEAR-OLD Former Director at A Publishing Company in North Carolina. IT HAS BEEN EDIted for Length and Clarity.
I Watched Layoffs Happen During Many of the 18 Years I WORKED AS A DIRECTOR AT A PUBLISHING COMPANY. In January 2024, I finally got the call: nosereds of us haad ben let go this time, including me.
My Employment didn’t endt unil april, so i had a few months to prepare to leave. I Still Showed Up Everyday and Did My Job. Be my last day finally came, it was surreal. I’d workhed SINCE the age of 15, and now all of a sudden i wasn’t working.
I Begin Looking for Work and Never Apploid for UNEMPLOYEnt benefits. I thought, I’ve Got Experience, Knowledge, and Transvulture Skills – Someble Will Want to Hire Me.
The reality han ben seed tougher than i ever expensive.
I’ve applied to the nosreds of jobs so far
I Begin My Job Hunt by Focusing on the Education and Publishing Sectors, but I’ve Since Expanded My Search to Various Operations, Marketing, and Procurement Role.
I’ve workhed with three jab Coaches and taped intoe Every Networking Resource I Can Think of – But I’m Still Struggling to Find Work. I’m trying to stay afloat financially by Cutting Costs, Doing Gig Work, and Picking Up Odd Jobs – But Each Month, Still have to figure out how i’m going to cover.
Cutting Costs
When you first get laid off, People Say, “Take a Vacation, Go Camping.” I don’t want to spend my money on thies. I need to get a jab.
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I Received a Few Months of Severance, and Thankfully, i’ve ok Finanibly over the years. Howver, that doesn’t mean my savings are unnding, and i’m concertned about my cobra health insuration ending latter this year.
To Save Money, My Family of Four Has cut out excs and scaled back our spending wherever we can. We’ve Dropped TV Subscripts like Netflix and Appletv and Stopped GIVING GIFTS FOR OUR ANNIVERSARY or BIRTHDOYS. I’ve been shopping more carefully when i go to the Grocery Store-i buy no-name chips and off-brand productions.
I’m also able to do some of my own car maintenance, including changing the brake pads on one car and replacing the thermostat on another. A Little KnowLEDGE FROM YOUTUBE SAVED US NORDREDS OF DOLLARS.
Picking Up Side Gigs
To make some money, i’ve been helping a friend with his business – Sending marketing emails and getting a small commission on any sales. Its Not MUCH, but every bit bits.
I’ve Also been driving for doordash for a few hours in the Eveings. My goal is to earn about $ 20 to $ 25 per hour, but there are nights when just dosesn’t happy, and i Earn around $ 15 an hour.
I ALSO DO ODD Jobs – Including Fixing Deck Boards, Changing Out Ceiling Fans, Helping Friends Move, Doing Yard Work, and Helping a Buddy Saunas for His Business. While I Help Out for Free, Friends Often Pay with Because they They Know I’m Trying to Stay Afloat.
Recently, I landed a part-time no at the lenovo center in raleigh. I WORK ON THE CHANGEOVER Crew, Helping Reset the Arena Between Events. IT’S ENTIRELY DIFFERENT From What I’ve Done Before, But it Might Be A Nice Change.
I’m Not Making Anyding Close to the Low-Six-Figure Salary i Had in My Last Job, but i’m what i can to get by.
Job Coaches and Networking Strategies
I’ve Worked with a Few Job Coaches. One was Through an outplacement service my company offend – they revolutionwed my résumé and told with to incorporate keywords from the nonb description into my cover letter. I met the others through my monthly Career ministeries Meetings.
Each Job Coach GIVES SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT ADVICE. Some Say Put in the Years You Workhed for Past Employers, Others Say don’t list the year you graduated from College. Some Say Get Your Résumé Down to One Page, Some Say Two is Ok.
I’ve Also volunteered with grills like habitat for Humanity and Special Olympics. In some ways, volunteering has been a networking opportunity, and i’ve received some ideas for strategies to pursue.
I’ve found face-to-face Meetings at nonb fairs or networking events make a big difference. I’ve also found that nShing peoples about roles or companies, Rather than just focus on mySelf, can lead to a deeper connection.
While some of these strategies have been helpful, they haven’t gotten with the across the finish line.
I’m more than my résumé
When i Apply for Jobs, i SUSPECT THERE’S OFTEN SOMEON IN HR THINKING, He’s Older. He doesn’t have Tech Skills. He wans a high salary. He’s going to retire soon. I would counter that.
I was Loyal to my company for 18 years. I’m Not Looking for the Next Rung on the Ladder – i just want to work. I Might Stay Longer than Some Youngere Employees, Some of Who Change Jobs Every Few Years.
What i am on a piece of paper doesn’t tel the full story. Years Ago, you coulud drop off a résumé at an office and have a conversation right. Today, the résumé seems to be Everything. If you don’t hit the right keywords, the ai-popered Applicant Tracking Systems Might Filter You Out.
Retirement Could Be Sooner than I Thought
I get that companies are busy, but the hiing process Needs an overhaul. Many of us are Out here raising Our Hands – Applying, Praying, Hoping, and Begging for a Chance to work.
I’ve always consider retirement a distant future, but i’ve started wondering if i could ease it by continuing to work Various Odd Jobs.
I’m not ready to full retire yet, so i’ll kepPlying for roles seem interesting or align with my skills. AFTER STRUGGLING THIS MUCH TO FINT FULL-TIME WORK, I’ACCPTED that part-time opportunities might be best fit for me.