GeneralElectric Joins the Ranks of the Unemployed

GeneralElectric · #1 06-15-2009, 06:02 PM

Got laid off today from my masonry job. I knew it was going to happen sooner or later, you need money to put in sidewalks and driveways, and everyone is pinching their purse strings tighter. Too many guys, and not enough work. Everyone got laid off except for 3 guys and the boss, which leaves me and 4 others out of work.

Work everywhere seems to be drying up, even studio gigs.

I've been trying to prepare for the inevitable, filling out job applications and everything else via craigslist, but most everything seems to be a scam. Tomorrow I plan on going door to door looking for jobs.

Rent is due in 2 weeks, and I've got $30 in the bank and I owe them another $1800. The gear sell off begins.

On the offchance, since this is TB, does anyone know of anywhere in NYC thats hiring? For anything. Hell, I'll wash dishes, cook food, wait tables, scrape gum off floors to pay my rent. How is everyone else coping with unemployment in the face of fiscal doom?

Luckily, I'm a fulltime college student, and I can apply for student loans, but I can't exactly go back home to ask my folks for help (not that my ma would anyways) and I'd rather not just stave off the inevitable.

kesslari · #2 06-15-2009, 06:05 PM

Crap. I'm sorry to hear that.
Good luck, man. With a "want to work, willing to do what it takes" attitude like you've got, I suspect you'll land on your feet.
Wishing you the best.

NJL · #3 06-15-2009, 06:16 PM

i'm sorry bro

same boat here..

can you file for unemp?

Chipsonfire · #4 06-15-2009, 06:21 PM

I was in the same position for a bit, but I managed to find a min wage job at a local dollar store. Just go to every business in town and ask if anything is open. Also, talk to managers if possible, that way you aren't just an application or a number, but a person. And don't forget to follow up. My dad used to hire people for his respective company, and he used to tell me he hired a few people just to get them to stop calling him about it.

GeneralElectric · #5 06-15-2009, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJL

i'm sorry bro

same boat here..

can you file for unemp?

Unfortunately no. My last on the books job was last summer.

I'm getting together all the gear I don't use and sell whats left of it off, since I've been selling stuff for awhile.

southernrocker · #6 06-15-2009, 06:26 PM

The military is always hiring. My local electrical union isn't gonna hire in who knows how long, so I'm doing the air force. Good Luck on whatever you decide to do, I hope you don't have to sell your gear.

thejrace · #7 06-15-2009, 07:03 PM

damn man, sorry to hear that. I've been looking for work for a while now with no luck. I'll let you kow if i come aross anything that sounds promising. And for the bart, thats cool, didnt know you were using it.

warwick.hoy · #8 06-15-2009, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southernrocker

The military is always hiring. My local electrical union isn't gonna hire in who knows how long, so I'm doing the air force. Good Luck on whatever you decide to do, I hope you don't have to sell your gear.

Some how I don't see GE in this capacity.

GE is your rent that hi? I know it's NYC,...but damn. I'd consider checking out freeway overpasses for dwell-ability.

did you check out some of the other bricklayers?

Hit up the businesses that are listed in the classifieds or CL. Find one you want to work at and keep bugging them till they hire you.

GeneralElectric · #9 06-15-2009, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

Some how I don't see GE in this capacity.

GE is your rent that hi? I know it's NYC,...but damn. I'd consider checking out freeway overpasses for dwell-ability.

did you check out some of the other bricklayers?

Hit up the businesses that are listed in the classifieds or CL. Find one you want to work at and keep bugging them till they hire you.

Currently I rent a 2 bedroom 1 bath house for $1650 a month. I'm probably going to invest in something smaller once my lease is up.

Happynoj · #10 06-15-2009, 08:01 PM

You living with anyone else? 'Cos if not, get yourself a lodger and make them pay half the rent.

bwv1013 · #11 06-15-2009, 09:04 PM

hang tough dude, we're pulling for you.

Jim Campbell · #12 06-16-2009, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

Currently I rent a 2 bedroom 1 bath house for $1650 a month. I'm probably going to invest in something smaller once my lease is up.

from what ive heard of nyc rents it would not seem out of line......i would hate having to live with people,but i think a room mate might be a better option than a smaller apt for 1200 a month......at least you'll have somewhere to practice ......825 a month in nyc........seems do-able......this thread makes one aware that the economic downturn in america is affecting people way worse than what what the various news sources have been saying......

GeneralElectric · #13 06-16-2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happynoj

You living with anyone else? 'Cos if not, get yourself a lodger and make them pay half the rent.

I haven't had a room mate for almost 3 months, but when he did he gave me that month, and the nexts rent, so I've only been having to pay the whole $1650 for a month.

I'm not even sure if I wanna move, even if its a semi-crappy neighborhood. I've got a decent sized backyard and a basement as well. But if I can't afford it, I can't stay here.

I just called some friends, trying to get someone to take my monthly rehearsal studio off my hands. A friend of mine whose a door man might take it. Hell, I'd move there if the power wasn't on a timer. That should clear out one expense that I can't afford.

tplyons · #14 06-16-2009, 11:56 AM

Sorry to hear about the job... I was laid off from a lumberyard about six months ago, told myself it wasn't a big deal at the time as I was graduating college then moving back home. Needless to say, if I were paying rent, I'd be over my head right now.

I already sold all my gear to make car payments, rent is an impossibility right now, and there's no sign of a job in the near future.

Hang tough dude, it'll be better in a couple of months. You might be eating just ramen for a bit, but it's better than nothing.

Mazatleco17 · #15 06-16-2009, 12:18 PM

That sucks, hope you find something pretty soon.

Chebass88 · #16 06-16-2009, 12:48 PM

GE,

Sorry to hear about you being laid off. You can definitely use this time to better yourself in the long run.

1. Are you gigging? If so, how much are you pulling in for gigs? Not to be offensive - perhaps you need to find better gigs. Social networking is key. Do you have a card? If so, distribute these ALL over the place (provided you can play all sorts of gigs that might come up). For me, playing bass is MUCH easier than doing anything else.

2. Loan your gear as collateral. Instead of outright selling it, you could loan it to someone who would loan you some money, say $1000. You pay back the $1000 & get your bass back. You don't pay it back, you don't get it back. Very simple & easy - you just need someone you trust to hold your gear for you. My uncle did this with my dad - my dad lent him cash & held onto my uncle's brand new (beautiful) hunting rifle. Years later, my uncle paid back the money & the rifle went home with him.

A look at your profile shows you have a few you could do this with. Once you get on your feet, you can buy them back.

3. General contracting work: meet as many people as you can - most contractors have things going on the side & can always use good workers. Another uncle of mine (flooring contractor) does this all the time. Plus, you'll learn other aspects of the construction industry, an exceptionally valuable skill to have. You can always stand with the illegals at the local Home Depot & search for work.

4. Cut out all 100% non-essential expenses. Essential means only enough to stay alive & keep searching for new employment. This includes beers with friends, cable TV, buying coffee in the morning, smokes, eating out, credit card debt, etc. (not saying you do any of these - they helped me while I was unemployed)

5. +1 on getting a roommate. 1/2 of $1650 means $825/month. Since you are a full-time student, you could probably advertise in your school, or find another student or two or three to share your burden.

6. Student loans - if possible, get the subsidized ones (where the interest begins after you graduate).

7. Internships - Since you are a student - try to search for a position in your field. This will benefit you significantly long term, and depending on your field of study, may also help you short-term. While in college, I interned at a place that ended up hiring me out of college. Not too shabby. What exactly are you studying? (that will help narrow the search)

8. While you have the time, invest in yourself. Spend time practicing or learning a new skill. (AFTER searching for a job, of course). It won't pay this month's rent, but it WILL help you in the future. Don't lose sight of the future because of your current situation.

9. If possible, try to work jobs that are above-board & legit. This allows for health benefits as well as unemployment if laid off.

10. Guitar Center - is this a possibility? The one by me always has a huge turnover of staff. I imagine they are similar everywhere. Any other music stores?

Hope this helps - I don't really know you, or if some of this is applicable, but this is the mindset I had when I was laid off a couple of years ago. Best of luck to you.

ian

Jefenator · #17 06-17-2009, 01:15 AM

The TB classifieds certainly helped me weather winter cutbacks plus oral surgery bills.

Good luck with the hunt. I feel you on the scam thing. When an ad for "warehouse / light janitorial" turns out to be multi-level marketing - for the tenth time in a row - it's like: DWTF!!

I'll bump your FS threads wherever I can.

Spector_Ray · #18 06-17-2009, 05:46 AM

That's a bummer.

I know this is easier said than done, but why not consider moving someplace where there are jobs and the rent is much more manageable?