Desperate Times Am I really ready to resort to desperate measures?

According to the Indiana Workforce Development Unemployment Insurance Claimant Handbook, “An offer of work will be suitable if it is reasonably similar in location, type of work and pay to your previous work experience.”

The Handbook continues, “The longer you remain unemployed, the more likely it becomes that an offer of work will be considered suitable. You must be willing to expand your work search beyond your normal trade or occupation and to accept work at a lower rate of pay in order to remain eligible for benefits as the length of your unemployment grows.”

Even when the economy wasn’t so bleak, I always found the field of marketing communications to be highly competitive. Being aware of the unusually high number of unemployed people in the past year, I’ve certainly looked at job opportunities outside of my field of expertise. But I’ve been determined not to take a huge pay cut.

Several months ago, I contacted a TV account executive that previously served as my rep. I knew the job outlook in the advertising world was far from ideal, but I hoped she might have a job lead.
Her reply?

“Just get a job, any job. Media and marketing are all cutting back. Start your own agency. Start an eBay business. Start a consignment shop.”

Not exactly the response I was looking for. I didn’t feel I was at a point of desperation. That was then. As of last week, I exhausted my unemployment benefits.

NOW WHAT?

I contacted Indiana Workforce Development to find out whether any further extensions were available. I received a form-letter reply. Apparently the state may be able to offer one final extension.

However, the rules are much stricter.

For the most part, I’ve already been fulfilling the job search requirements listed under the “stricter” guidelines. But the one that screams out at me states: “Accept any offer of work, regardless of type, at minimum wage or better, as long as you are physically capable of performing the task.”

Ouch! Minimum wage? Of course, if I don’t apply for positions at that pay level, then I won’t be offered any. However, lately I’ve considered some full-time positions well beneath my education level and my pay level. If I do secure such a position, I’d definitely view it as a temporary solution... a means to an end.

I’ve spent considerable effort in trying to secure a position with a large health care organization. In the past year, I submitted nearly 20 applications for various positions in the organization. A week ago, I cranked out five applications in one sitting, all for that employer of choice.

The next morning, I received a call in response to one of them. Now I’m just waiting for the interview. The pay is low and the hours stink, but the opportunity to get my foot in the door is potentially invaluable. That’s what I keep telling myself anyway.

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by Cynthia Baxter