glamchick wrote:
Unfortunatly I was layed off I was with the company for 6 years I have been applying for jobs like crazy I received one response stating they company has received over 200 resumes they will get back to the lucky ones for an interview soon. Looks like Im in for a long haul of job searching ugh! My question is i may have to withdrawl from my 401K in the next couple of months If I dont get a job soon. I feel so quilty has anyone else been in this situation?
Yep - I was, earlier this year. Laid off from my job of 10 years, job hunting for about 3 months before landing my current job.
Glamchick, don't pull from that 401K unless you absolutely have to.
If you haven't done so already, go through your monthly expenses and get rid of absolutely everything that isn't an absolute necessity, look at what you're spending on food and think of what you can do to cut that down even more (I ate a LOT of ground beef while out of work, since it's so easily 'stretched'). Check local food banks and look into getting some of your food from there, if necessary. Also, try Googling Angel Food Ministries and see if there's someone in that network in your area (warning - church-supported, so if that's an issue for you for any reason, never mind).
I called my phone/internet/cable co., explained the situation and asked what my options were - they put me on a 'vacation hold' for the cable which let me have dead basic service for $5.95/month, found a special offer for the internet that cut that in half or more, and same for the home phone, so that monthly cost was cut down to something much more manageable. If yours can't do something similar, look around for cheaper alternatives for the internet (I was prepared to downgrade to dial-up, if necessary - I needed it for my job search so axing it totally wasn't an option).
Call all your utility companies and ask if they have any hardship programs available.
I assume you've already applied for Unemployment benefits? If not, do so ASAP - you can do so on-line. Work those expenses to fit what's coming in (or as close as you can). Is a loan from the Bank of Mom and Dad (or other relatives) an option? That's something that also helped me.
I also was lucky in that my cc's were in pretty good shape, low util, etc., and since I was unfortunately short on savings, the other not-great-but-helped-get-me-through thing I did was to buy some things with those and then make payments that were a bit over the minimum. Cards did get run up some (now at just over 30% util), but doing that did stretch my money, and I somehow managed to avoid AA through this.
In the job search, I know how it feels - loads of resumes going out, hardly any responses. Being proactive in following up is vital (find phone numbers and call - if nothing else, just say you're following up on a resume you submitted and would like to know if there's any particular person with whom you can follow up, or if they have any questions? Usually, you'll get brushed off, but even if all that happens is the receptionist forwards HR or whomever a message with your name and number that you followed up can make a difference - it shows you're REALLY serious about getting a job and getting noticed in a positive way), as is reading up on what currently makes a good resume and refreshing your interviewing skills. Are you sending cover letters with those resumes? If not, start doing so - a lot of folks don't bother, but one thing I found was that a good cover letter can make you stand out a bit and get you noticed in a positive way.
Make sure your resume is error-free, too, and get input on it from someone you think would know a good resume when he/she sees it.
Mostly, hang in there and keep your chin up!
Hope this helps a little.
