Having been unemployed - oh sorry - "semi-retired" for almost a year now is a bit surreal. I never thought at my age I would be out of work. I had a great job and was sure I would happily retire from it. Well along came the crash and of all things that could have happened - my employers filed for bankruptcy! Wait, all I need is 7 more good earning years, just 7 more. Sorry pal, it's over, done, finished. Shut off the lights on your way out will ya?
Bollox! What now?
Filing for unemployment in Florida is a joy unto itself. After being in the workforce for 45+ years, I now have to suck it up, ditch my pride and accept assistance. I've been told "you've paid in all those years, so you deserve it", but that doesn't make it any easier for me to swallow. Down to the unemployment office I go, fill out the forms and meet my "Employment Counselor", yippee! One of the requirements is that you have to apply for 5 jobs a week to collect your pittance. A mere $275 - and it ain't tax free!. You're kidding right? Oh well, at least it'll buy groceries and maybe some beer.
You'd think that applying for 5 jobs a week would present some good job interviews. After all, I do have some pretty good qualifications, even if I do say so myself. Wrong! I was lucky to get maybe one or two rejection emails out of the countless applications sent. With the high unemployment rate, competition is fierce I suppose.
Now that my benefit term is up, I'm not applying for an extension. No way - no how! It's time to concentrate on the web-store and do what I can to drum up some business. That's where the blog comes in to play.
Oh, and I've also started a small technology services company to provide short time contract services to small and home businesses.
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