No hope anywhere
I have been looking for work so desperately. It's been a year and a half....now I am feeling so depressed. I don't know what to do where to start..
I have been very bright student all this year. Even after all the criticism, I have earned my bechalors degree in Mathematics.. As a female , I felt proud when I finished my study in Mathematics 15 years ago. As usual got married and has wonderful kids. IT industry always attract me so then I studied database. I found a job and worked for a little while but some how I felt to take care of my kids. Man......it was not a good decision I believe in the eyes of recruiter/company.. I know I shouldn't stop working but believe me keeping kids in the hands of stranger was too expensive.. couldn't afford. Is it true that if I don't work, pay taxes , and couldn't make 10 credit i will not have social security or retirement? Do I ever get hired? Should I keep looking or quit . ???
Always keep looking.its part of the american dream
You're doing better than I am, Omni. I've been out of work for THREE years. I have 20 years experience as an IT professional with a Masters degree from Johns Hopkins University in Information Systems (with a BS in Finance and ASs in Business Admin, Accounting and Electronics Technology). I've worked in every conceivable capacity from Help Desk support to relational database design and development. I've been a project manager, a shift supervisor, a team lead and an individual contributor. I've even taught IT courses! I have NEVER been fired from any job and have a solid reputation as a dependable, highly adaptable and reliable employee who gets the job done no matter what obstacles are put in his path. But since my family relocated to Houston, and despite have applied to over 1000 jobs, I've had exactly THREE interviews. I've gotten to the point where I target a company, identify the people whom I want to review my resume and literally walk it in to their offices. I'm applying for work back home in Washington, DC, which may cause my family to break up, but if I get a job back in DC, at least we won't die from hunger! I'm even applying for temporary work and entry-level positions. I even say in my cover letter that I'm willing to work FOR FREE for the first 3 months! The bottom line is this: in an economy as horrendously terrible as ours is, and in which there is absolutely ZERO likelihood of improvement in our, or our children's, natural lifetimes, the only way to find viable, substantive employment is through our friends and family. Sure, we might be able to land jobs delivering pizzas or working as the night-shift cashier at the local ExxonMobil gas station, but if you're trying to find meaningful work, forget about finding it on jobsites. You need word of mouth recommendation at the supervisor level. You can apply to all the job announcements in the world but chances are 1) those jobs totally suck (ask yourself this: if all those jobs that are announced on jobsites were really all that great, how come they aren't being filled by internal candidates? Why aren't the workers trying to place their kids, cousins, spouses or friends in those positions? Answer: because those jobs suck) and 2) its a waste of time. Lean heavily on your network...your friends, you family, former co-workers, etc. If you don't have a network (as is my situation), well, you're pretty much screwed.
Care.com to work with families. What about tutoring even at the college level? U can post a flyer offering your services at local colleges ( ask first). Glass door.com for office jobs.
Hi Omni, I agree with Anthony's suggestion to expand your search beyond Mathematics and IT. You might want to approach those jobs from another angle. An entry level job within an IT company now could lead to a permanent IT role down the line. Have you taking on job assignments via temporary agencies? Temp assignments are a good way to get you back into employment while you continue to prospect for permanent careers. Overcoming the gap on your resume is another important item to consider towards regaining employment. Upload your resume onto your Jobcase profile to allow myself and other members to view then ask for suggestions. Mother's going back to work is not a novelty experience but it can be challenging if you don't have a good strategy. You can also use the CareerOneStop.org website to find one on one FREE local career assistance.
This will help answer your questions as to whether you can get Social Security benefits if you don't pay into the system:
https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10072.pdf
As for not being able to find work, a year and a half is a ridiculously long gap to have on your resume. That might be seriously hindering your ability to and a meaningful job. At this point, you are probably looking at starting out in something entry level. How do you plan on living if you don't have an income source?
I think you need to put your nose to the grindstone, and find something, anything, to get back into the job market. Don't limit yourself to your mathematics degree, look for work outside of your area of study.
Apply at at&t, they gave me a shot. I was in your same situation. There is hope