I think there really IS a bad job market out there. I don't think that the media is has been blowing any unemployment news out of proportion.

I am having a difficult time finding a job and I think I might have to find a job at a fast food joint after working in an IT position for 4.5 years.

Come to Australia: we're suffering from a skills shortage because companies don't want to train anyone any more, they just use contractors...

1) The unemployment data is worse than what is being reported by the media. Read this thoughtful analysis by noted commentator Kevin Phillips:

http://www.mindfully.org/Reform/2008/Pollyanna-Creep-Economy1may08.htm

2) As a group we on this forum are in the "last hired, first fired" category. It's not personal, it's strictly business...

1) The unemployment data is worse than what is being reported by the media.

I never trust the media to report any economic indicator correctly.

And on the topic of unemployment, don't forget the invisible underemployed.

I agree MovingShadow. I have been out of work close to 4 months. I live in California as well. Are you in southern or Northern? I'm in sales and I can't find a job!! I have had quite a bit of interviews though, but the competition is fierce! especially on jobs posted on the web(craig's list,etc).

I'm celebrating my transition to that category. I am now working two days a week at a hardware store. Voila! I'm employed!

I never trust the media to report any economic indicator correctly.

And on the topic of unemployment, don't forget the invisible underemployed.

WHAT??? I quit my job this year and amy trying to stay at home. I have had three job offers since January. I finally agreed to consult so i could work at home.

My husband was laid off last year and had a job within the week making twice as much. And all he has is a high school diploma.





I think there really IS a bad job market out there. I don't think that the media is has been blowing any unemployment news out of proportion.

I am having a difficult time finding a job and I think I might have to find a job at a fast food joint after working in an IT position for 4.5 years.

movingshadow, have you ever considered cognitive behavior therapy?

I echo Driver's sentiments....COME TO AUSTRALIA!! life is great here, the airfare at this end can be arranged by someone and there are plenty of people here who would be more than willing to help you find a job.

Some industries in Australia are difficult to get into due to the lack of jobs available but as far as I know the IT, Care, Hospitality, Mining and Retail Industries have several jobs going and there seems to be a real shortage of people actually willing to work and if you need to be trained in anything there are places such as TAFE, Cengage etc etc that can help you retrain for whatever job you want.

Like Imnapl I've also wondered have you ever considered CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) as that could be the thing that helps you out big time, a Psychologist will generally practice this type of treatment and from what I've heard from several friends and acquaintances of mine it's done them a world of good with all that said you can only start to make improvements in your own life when YOU are ready to do so and Zachary you really need to stop relying so heavily on people to give you advice and opinion especially when you aren't willing or can't take them on board and follow it.

Good Luck

Selena:)Come to Australia: we're suffering from a skills shortage because companies don't want to train anyone any more, they just use contractors...

It all depends on your skill set. Undertakers can count on work in the worst of times...

WHAT??? I quit my job this year and amy trying to stay at home. I have had three job offers since January. I finally agreed to consult so i could work at home.

My husband was laid off last year and had a job within the week making twice as much. And all he has is a high school diploma.

Reality check request: Has anyone heard of 'CBT' therapy being provided on a sliding-fee basis?

Retromancer.

That I'm not too sure of, every treatment has it's fees but every practitioner is different and whether there is a sliding fee or not is probably up to that practitioner, I guess if you really want more information just contact your local Psychology association or do a google search.

Selena:)Reality check request: Has anyone heard of 'CBT' therapy being provided on a sliding-fee basis?

So Zachary you think you might have to find a job at a fast food joint....well that's better than nothing at all hey?

Selena:)I think there really IS a bad job market out there. I don't think that the media is has been blowing any unemployment news out of proportion.

I am having a difficult time finding a job and I think I might have to find a job at a fast food joint after working in an IT position for 4.5 years.

movingshadow, have you ever considered cognitive behavior therapy?

Why are you asking me this? What does this have to do with the topic?

WHAT??? I quit my job this year and amy trying to stay at home. I have had three job offers since January. I finally agreed to consult so i could work at home.

My husband was laid off last year and had a job within the week making twice as much. And all he has is a high school diploma.


I believe location has a lot to do with the job market - we here in south central US are "slow to catch on" - when it comes to unemployment and the crappy market this is a good thing.

My sister is up north and it is very different story for her in there than it has been for me - Gary's son lives in California - around San Degio and the cost of living is higher than hell and the job market is much tighter -

Lucky he is like his pa - he is a wheeler dealer take life by the gonads hyperactive ADDer so he has done pretty well for himself but his wife who is less "imaginative" {read her line of BS isn't as good} has been unemployed for over a year. She has a culinary degree so she is not uneducated. . . or without skills. It is that tight there -


Why are you asking me this? What does this have to do with the topic?

My guess {and that is what I am doing} - CBT to prevent you from falling into a negative thinking pattern or to help you recover from one - long term unemployment would be depressing even for the most resilient of people.

Personally

I would consider ditching California if possible, Australia sounds rather nice {IMHO}

Zachary.

I feel Imnapl asked a very valid question regarding CBT, CBT is a form of therapy that helps you to change the way you perceive yourself, what it does is help you get rid of unhelpful, unrealistic, irrational and negative beliefs and thought your may harbour against yourself and change them into beliefs and thoughts that may be more helpful, rational, realistic and positive...I guess in more simpler words it's a feel good about yourself therapy which helps one change from thinking negatively to thinking positively and if one changed their belief system and thought process even slightly they definitely have more chance of succeeding...with all that said please know I'm not at all implying that you're a neurotic mental case however this therapy is designed to help anxiety disorders such as Social Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder etc etc and we all know that those who are bothered by these types of conditions usually have a lot more challenges than the average joe.

I could be wrong but what Imnapl is trying to point out is maybe if you considered or participated in CBT things may improve for you and yes her question has plenty to do with the topic at hand.

If you want to find out more just google it.

Selena:)Why are you asking me this? What does this have to do with the topic?