@katiecouric Talks Unemployment. Any Questions?

pinkslipsarethenewblack — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 02:53:57 +0000

Here’s another media request we got:

Tomorrow on @katiecouric, we will be hosting a discussion on the economy and job loss in America. Our guests include Conor Dougherty of The Wall Street Journal and Ellen Gordon Reeves, author of “Can I Wear My Nose Ring to the Interview.” Katie will also be talking to bloggers Scott Pierce (RecentlyLaidOff.com) and Norm Elron (JobLessandLess.com).

Like our other shows, we welcome your questions in advance for any of the guests. You can submit it on the Couric and Co. blog, Twitter or Facebook.The video is scheduled to go live Tuesday, August 10, 7 P.M. ET.

MainStreet Is Looking for Unemployed Americans!

pinkslipsarethenewblack — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 02:42:21 +0000

Seth Fiegerman from MainStreet.com sent an e-mail to us looking for Unemployed Americans:

Hi, I’m working on a new series for MainStreet.com, a personal finance site, about the faces of the unemployed. Every few weeks, we will feature stories and updates from unemployed Americans from all walks of life. At the moment, we are looking to reach out to anyone who is out of work and still looking. I was wondering if you might be able to pass this info along to the community at Pink Slips Are the New Black.

Thanks for your help with this,
Seth

SETH FIEGERMAN
Staff Writer, MainStreet
(212) 321-5207 (w) | (212) 321-5016 (f) | Seth.Fiegerman@thestreet.com

So shoot him an e-mail if you want to tell your story!

Government Extends Unemployment Benefits

pinkslipsarethenewblack — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 04:19:06 +0000

Can’t they just get employers to give the unemployed jobs instead?

Huffington Post Chronicles Unemployed College Grads

pinkslipsarethenewblack — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 04:11:51 +0000

A staggering nine percent of college grads ages 16 to 24 are unemployed according to the Huffington Post. Check out ten of their stories here. Does a college diploma mean anything these days?

New York City’s Unemployment Numbers Go Down

pinkslipsarethenewblack — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 01:32:00 +0000

WSJ reports that New York City’s unemployment numbers declined last month to 9.6 percent. I hope I can contribute to that number dipping soon. While I’m getting by on a combination of unemployment and freelance work here and there, I’m sick of the uncertainty of it all. One week yields enough work for two people, so I’m basically working day and night for a week, while another week brings nothing. None of my gigs are steady, so I’m constantly on the hustle, looking for every way I can to make money. I really hope New York City’s unemployment numbers continue to drop this month and that I’ll be a part of that!

My Odds of Getting a Job?

pinkslipsarethenewblack — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 02:43:48 +0000

On the last interview I went to, the HR manager revealed to me that they received 250 applications for the two freelance positions, and that they selected 15 to interview and that two lucky candidates would be hired. That’s basically a .8 percent chance. He thought he was giving me a compliment when he told me I was one of 15 selected to interview. I thought to myself that my odds of getting into an elite Ivy League university, like Harvard, for example, are much higher. And they are, at 6.9 percent!

The going rate for competitive industries in New York is pretty low. I heard one job posting yielded 500 applications for one position! It’s ridiculous!

It must be insane for the hiring managers who have to select one lucky person out of several more than qualified candidates. I’m sure any one of the candidates would do a great job, so it really comes down to who you know, how they felt they got along with you or some other detail you can’t really control. Any suggestions on what I can do to make myself stand out more?

New York Times Wants Senate to Extend Unemployment

pinkslipsarethenewblack — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 01:34:26 +0000

I saw this editorial on NYTimes.com today calling for the Senate to extend unemployment benefits. I feel like this debate happens on a monthly basis, and once again, the Senate needs to vote. I know this is a controversial issue for many of you, but without these benefits, millions of Americans would be on the verge of homelessness without any means to support themselves. If there was a way to increase job growth, I’d be all for that. If someone gave me a full-time job, I’d be more than happy to accept, but until more people find work, unemployment benefits are the only way to keep going.

Sorry for the Hiatus!

pinkslipsarethenewblack — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 22:01:13 +0000

Sorry for the very long break I’ve taken from the blog. I’m still underemployed, without a full-time job. I freelance now and then, and I’ve been going on interviews weekly to no avail! I’m going to try to post weekly and let you know how it’s going. I’m personally fed up and frustrated. How many interviews does it take? For those of you who have managed to get work again, how long did it take you? How many interviews did you have to go on?

How Many Résumés Does It Take?

pinkslipsarethenewblack — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 04:10:43 +0000

Unfortunately, too many. Via PostSecret

Need a Website?

pinkslipsarethenewblack — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 02:52:23 +0000

In this digital day and age, a website can be your key to success, but sadly most of us don’t know how to build websites or pay the big bucks it takes to hire somebody to do so. Today is your lucky day. Does your small business or non-profit organization need a website but can’t afford one? Go to the Free Websites Foundation, submit your case to the e-mail address on the page, and who knows, maybe you’ll soon have a website that will get you out of unemployment!