Desperation is starting to set in...

I've only been out of work for about a month and I'm not only very depressed at not being able to get a replacement job, but my savings are running out quickly and suicidal thoughts are popping up in my head. Life sucks so much right now. I feel like a complete failure and when I read these stories of people that have been unemployed for several months or over a year and they have so much more education and better qualifications that I do, I figure, what chance do I have?
I also watch the news and the USA is just going to hell. Stories abound about companies laying off $20.00/hr workers just to replace them with $9.00/hr workers that are so glad to have that job even though they know they're getting screwed pay-wise.
I've applied to about 50 job ads in the past few weeks, I've signed up for emails from about a dozen different job boards, etc. and I've only gotten ONE interview for a job I know I will hate.
Somebody cheer me up. How about some good news for a change??

OuttaworkinSTL in Ballwin, Missouri said: I've only been out of work for about a month and I'm not only very depressed at not being able to get a replacement job, but my savings are running out quickly and suicidal thoughts are popping up in my head. Life sucks so much right now. I feel like a complete failure and when I read these stories of people that have been unemployed for several months or over a year and they have so much more education and better qualifications that I do, I figure, what chance do I have?
I also watch the news and the USA is just going to hell. Stories abound about companies laying off $20.00/hr workers just to replace them with $9.00/hr workers that are so glad to have that job even though they know they're getting screwed pay-wise.
I've applied to about 50 job ads in the past few weeks, I've signed up for emails from about a dozen different job boards, etc. and I've only gotten ONE interview for a job I know I will hate.
Somebody cheer me up. How about some good news for a change??

First, let me say how sorry I am. You are not the only one experiencing this pain, there are way too many of us in the same boat, but this is one situation where misery does not like company. I have been out of work for 8 months, had made a six-figure salary and cannot find anything that pays half of what I made.

It is difficult to get your mind to rest when all you think about is what a mess this all is, sometimes I cannot sleep. Please do not think of suicide or anything drastic, this WILL turn around. Do yourself a BIG favor too and stop watching the news, the broadcasters love to make everything a big drama. Try to concentrate on things that make you happy, watch comedies and take a long walk when you get overwhelmed. What has helped me recently is to let my voice be heard by the government. Call your congressman and let him or her know what you feel about the unemployment situation in America.

Why don't you place a job wanted ad on Craigs List. Do this every other day. Companies will contact you for an interview. Spending time on the computer is a waste of time looking for a job. You send your resume out in cyper-space.

My advice: Post a job wanted ad on Craiglist (it is free.) Don't put your phone number or address on it as anyone can read it. Say you will forward your resume to the company (when it responds to you). List your skills.

2. Try the Unemployment Office Website. They have jobs listed on there and you may get some interviews out of it.

3. Volunteer (on a Saturday?) at a hospital. You will feel better about yourself. Also, you will get references to use from being a volunteer, and can be on the look out for openings at the hospital in Clerical, etc. Plus, you will be doing worthwhile work.

Don't feel so terribly down. You are a worthwhile person. Ask God to help you. You will eventually find some work. These are very bad times for many people. You a 'more than your job' - you have much to offer this world.

All good advice. I suffer daily from panic attacks. You can't fend them off they come w/o warning. I sleep most of the day away so I don't have to think about my situation.
If your in dire straights, you need to get to your local communinty mental health dept. Don't be ahsamed, it's nothing you've been prepared to deal with. Try to maintain your normal schedule but stay away from negative news. Exercise is the best medicine for depression. I too thought I'd never see the light of day but, then I found my calling and although was only making 66% of my previous career wages, I was happy. However, due to the econony I have found myself back at square one. Employers are taking full advantage of the market, there is seriuos competition on the streets but, one thing to remember is that there is nothing you did to cause this and there is nothing you can do to fix it. Just hang in there the best you can, surround yourself w/plenty of positive people. Lastly, network, network, network. Best of luck and don't let the man get you down.

It is very tough out there and you don't need to look very far to find someone worse off then you are. Education or no education it is a very tough market. I agree seek some free mental health treatment if you are as bad as you say. Try to find a job search group to join- don't isolate and go out and take a walk.

Maybe you and others can find some new idea in this article; "How to Get a job in a BAD economy", URL : bizcovering.com/employment/how-to-get-a-job-in-a-bad-economy/

Sincerely wish you the best, but your not alone- there are plenty of people out there pretty desparate- maybe try to help one of them out- it will give you new enthusiasm. Many people report a volunteer job found them a new job. the best wishes.

OuttaSTlouis,
I lost 2 legs and my family due to a savage war I did not ever understand.
Drafted out of high school I was shooting at anything that moved 14 months later and was homeless on the streets for nearly 6 years.
Long story short the best I have every been able to do was door greeter(obviously due to being a war castoff).
You got everything it takes to make it and make it you will.
Jump up early young man grab a shower and biscuit and forget the past....move ahead without delay and God Bless!!

Remember that if you did get a job now –
(1) The job is most likely very low paid, very stressful, short-term, and nobody else wants it
(2) Even so, you still need to save big. The job after this one ends may even be worse.

Don't worry, I went through the same thing about a month ago and most of its gone now. In this country when you have something you pay but after you have nothing the government pays. We don't choose this either way but things are really screwed up beyond what most people even realize now. Take what you can get for now and don't worry because if you do I promise that you will look back some day and wonder why you did. Try to do some of the things that don't cost money that you were to busy to do when you were working to death. Keep on looking for jobs but not in desperation, be realistic. It won't cost much for basic life for a while. I have had that fear of the unknown future but I realize that most of life is basically what you put in your own mind. If you feel like you don't have enough then you make yourself miserable. Anyone can live and find happiness at any level if it is in their mind to do so. Be creative and see this as a challenge to see how cheap you can live. This period in your life will be an experience that will make you stronger and make your future life much better. It will all be so easy after this and probably the little things that you once worried about won't even phase you. When the Mutt is finished screwing around it will come back some day.

Hello. I completely understand how you feel. I lost my job in 2006 right before the market tanked. I was able to secure a house and investments on a $60K salary. My company closed its US operations and outsourced the jobs to India. In 7 months, I burned through my savings and investments. I lost everything. Currently, I earn $10 per hour as a temp employee (since 2007). I don't have benefits and I have to pay for medication.I thought it was the end of the world.

IT's NOT! You have to look at things differently. Is the glass half empty or half full? What are your talents? We all have them. What was your dream career before you became part of the system? I'm good at event planning, art, cooking. I was able to start my own catering business.

We have to think outside of the box in this economy. My neighbors in my community grow gardens and sell produce, bake cakes, sew clothes and cut/barber hair.

Please don't give up. I believe that you have the talent and resources to pull through.