The End?

It’s been a long time since I posted here at WSFAU, for a variety of reasons.

Such as: Last January, I was very sick. As in, the ER doctor told me I could have died. Thankfully, I didn’t die. But I did spend a week in the hospital. And I’ve had to see doctors and take drugs and lab tests regularly ever since then. But I feel much, much better now, thanks.

And after years of blogging about unemployment, I tired of blogging about unemployment. So I did other things. I worked part-time, I looked for other job opportunities, I kept going to Toastmasters and serving on the board of the Friends of the Ferndale Library. Last month, I started another blog.

Yesterday, I received a job offer from Kelly Services to be a call center representative for my favorite computer company.  I’m also beginning to volunteer my writing services for a few local organizations. They and I hope the pro bono work will lead me to other opportunities.

So this looks like it may be my final post here. I’ll keep WSFAU up and linked to my new blog, though. (After all, I paid for the domain name.)

“The staff” and I thank you for reading WSFAU and its Facebook page.

And if you’re unemployed, you’re in my thoughts and prayers.

Job Strategies: Gifts for job seekers

I was surfing the Internet this afternoon in between searching for job openings and filling out applications (yes, I’m still alive and looking) when I came across this holiday story:

Job Strategies: Gifts for job seekers  | ajc.com.

This Atlanta Journal-Constitution story takes a different approach to the “here’s what to get that special someone for Christmas” story.

For one thing, it suggests that — besides a job — your favorite unemployed person could use things like some escapist entertainment (some well-chosen DVD’s, perhaps?), a gift certificate for your help with company research, or even a nice home-cooked meal.

For another, its suggestions won’t cost you a lot of money, either.

 

 

 

Michigan: Hire the Nerd Nov. 2

The statistic Michigan Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder uses at the start of one of his campaign commercials and on his website is shocking: Every 10 minutes, Michigan loses another job.

Jobs have been the central issue in this campaign between governor hopefuls Snyder, the Ann Arbor “Nerd” venture capitalist, economic developer, and former CEO of Gateway computer; and Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, the Democrat who’s been called “America’s Angriest Mayor.”

Jobs should be the central issue in this campaign to take over the job of term-limited and unpopular Gov. Jennifer Granholm; Michigan’s unemployment rate is currently 13 percent according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. We have the second-highest unemployment rate in the country, right between #1 Nevada and #3 California.

Bernero did make news this week for attracting more General Motors jobs to Lansing’s GM factories. And Bernero’s city (which happens to be the state capital) has one of Michigan’s lowest unemployment rates.

Meanwhile, Snyder’s stance against the state’s film and TV industry tax credits — credits which are bringing a growing creative industry and positive publicity to a state which needs new industry and good publicity — troubles us. We’re also slightly concerned that the governorship would be Snyder’s first elected office.

Snyder has impressed us, however, with his focus on wanting to see and change our troubled state.

He and Bernero only debated once this fall. But ever since the primaries, Snyder has traveled to every county of Michigan, by RV, to question and be questioned by voters in town hall meetings. How many other candidates traveled to both peninsulas?

And just like the policy wonk nerd he’s always claimed to be, Snyder’s always had a simple 10-point plan for changing Michigan. It’s on his website. We haven’t seen or heard of a similar plan from Bernero — just angry campaign commercials and mud-slinging during the debate. Michigan needs a positive leader, not another angry talking head.

If Snyder’s popularity in the polls translates to votes this Tuesday, the Nerd should become Michigan’s head Nerd on Nov. 2. We at WSFAU believe that hiring Snyder as Michigan’s next governor is one of the best things to do to bring jobs — and good governance — back to this state.

We’ve made a little change ….

And now we’re masters of our own domain. 😉

The Internet domain “whatssofunnyaboutunemployment.com“, that is.

But never fear, WSFAU readers! You can still reach us at our old address, whatssofunnyaboutunemployment.wordpress.com. WordPress is so nice to forward our traffic for us like that. (They’re such gracious hosts.)

Either way, we’ll still report on unemployment news and views — and one woman’s continuing search for a job in this economy.

What I’ve been doing this fall

Gee, it’s a little dusty in here. Guess it has been awhile since I’ve written. Sorry about that.

I’ve been busy this fall. I have had one or two short-term temporary jobs and some substitute teaching assignments. I’d prefer a full-time permanent job, but hey, it’s work and it’s money.

Toastmasters has also kept me busy. It’s fall speech contest season. I’m not competing; however I did organize one contest and am assisting with other contests. Until the end of this month.

Lastly, I just can’t stay out of The Apple Store. Against my better judgment, I bought another new toy there a couple of weeks ago. I’m really enjoying it and its various apps.

Labor Day without laboring

I wasn’t in much of a celebratory mood yesterday on Labor Day. To me, Labor Day was just another Monday. And the end of summer. I’m really going to miss summer.

This morning I found an excellent essay on NPR.org asking people to think of those of us who were without labor on Labor Day. It does an excellent job of summing up what it’s like to be long-term unemployed.

The School of Unemployment

Since it’s early September, I’ve been thinking about going back to school. Not that I am going back to school; I already have two degrees and I don’t quite feel like going back for a third now.

No, I’ve been thinking about the whole back to school experience: buying new clothes and books, saying goodbye to your parents, going back to class … And I’ve been thinking there should be a School of Unemployment to help the newly unemployed along the way. So I’m going to teach it, today.

Good morning, class. Welcome to the School of Unemployment. My name is Joanne, and I’ll be your teacher. Listen carefully, because you will be tested on this material — but not by me.

One of the first things I will tell you is you’re not alone. The national unemployment rate hovers around nine percent; my home state’s unemployment rate is just over 13 percent.  Unfortunately, there are a lot of us out there. So join a support group. Many churches sponsor them; so do some job centers.

Follow a routine. Get out of bed early each day. Then, don’t spend your entire day sitting in your easy chair watching bad talk shows and judge shows. “Who would do that, teacher?” Never mind who. Just remember, daytime TV is not your friend. Use your time productively. Try networking and making some phone calls as well as searching the Internet.

Make calling your state’s unemployment agency part of your weekly/biweekly routine. Mark that appointment on your calendar and keep it, no matter what. If you don’t, it will cost you.

Do something besides job hunting once in a while, too. Now that you have all this time, it’s your chance to work on your hobby, read a book, clean your house, take walks, or do whatever else you want — within reason.

Libraries are your friends. Sure, your local library has books. But did you know they also have computers? And DVDs? And reference books and materials for researching that company with which you’ll be interviewing? And, if they’re like my local library, free wi-fi without having to buy a cup of coffee? And friendly librarians to help you use it all? (Disclaimer: I’m a librarian.)

Budget your money. As if you needed me to tell you that.

Finally, keep your sense of humor about it all.

Return of The Staff

As I was researching Michigan’s latest unemployment statistics (now at 13.1 percent) and applying for jobs the other day, I heard the WSFAU HQ door quietly open.

Feet — attached to suitcase-carrying bodies– began to tiptoe in.

The Staff was back.

Resisting my urge to scream “Where the bleep were you?” at them, I allowed them to unpack. Then I called a staff meeting.

“Staffers, I have some important things to say to you,” I began as we gathered around the staff conference table. “First of all, where were you?”

“Niagara Falls,” they responded in unison.

Slowly I turned, looking them over as I controlled my urge to give them a good slap upside the head. “Niagara Falls?!? That explains your ‘water, water everywhere’ message. So why there? It’s not like you all went on your honeymoon … is it?”

“No,” they said. “We’re still single.”

Taking turns, they further replied: “We just wanted to go to Canada and New York. And look at one of the natural wonders of the world. And, boss, you wouldn’t believe just how many tacky tourist traps there are along the street to the falls on the Canadian side. That’s a wonder in itself.”

“Oh, I’ll bet.” I paused to begin the Powerpoint presentation I’d carefully developed since their departure. “Now, please pay careful attention to this projection of our quarterly budget.” The Staff began to yawn and groan. “I know finance is not your favorite subject, but this is very important to WSFAU’s future!”

The slide projected on the WSFAU laptop screen for them to see:

Expenses: We Have Them

Income: We Need It

“Congratulations, Staff,” I sarcastically told them. “Your sojourn has thrown a monkey wrench into our budget projections! Now we have more expenses and we need more income!”

“We ate as inexpensively as we could.” “We took digital photos instead of buying souvenirs.” “We shared a room.” “We even stayed out of those tacky tourist traps!”

“I’m glad to hear you watched your pennies. But the next time you take a vacation, you should take it from a paying job! And let people know when and where you’re going BEFORE you take off! That will be all.” I rose to end the meeting.

“Don’t you want to see our pictures and hear about our trip?”

So I sat back down, looked over their photos and heard their trip stories. Soon, I relaxed. I laughed at their travel stories. I marveled at the wonders of the photos of the falls.

It was like I’d been there myself.

Another note from the staff

As I was sitting around WSFAU headquarters by myself this morning missing my formerly loyal staff, another email came in:

Weather is here.

Wish you were nice.

Okay, okay, you are nice. We miss you, and we’ll be home in a couple of days.

The Staff

They’re coming back! I knew it! Especially since I knew they couldn’t get far on what I pay them ….

Another note from the staff

The (former?) staff emailed us another note early this morning with details of their secret location:

Water, water everywhere

And lots of wine to drink.

So where the heck are they? More importantly, are they spending my unemployment checks on tacky souvenirs?