Back In The Ranks Of The Unemployed

[demwing]

Well, I'm back! After 8 months on the job, my boss (whose personality and mental capacity I have compared to that of Bill O'Reilly) called me in to his office, and then promptly sent me home without a job "due to the economy."

No notice. No severance.

I'll get a final full 2 week paycheck out of this, but that wont get me far. I'm eligible for unemployment (275 bucks a week), but that won't kick in for a month. Rent is due, and I JUST started a Rehabilitation program to get my student loans out of default. I blow this, and I'll never get a second chance to straighten it all out.

The unemployment rate in Tampa/St Petersburg area is 12%, and there is NOTHING advertised for over 10 an hour.

I can fix computers, and I can design websites, but my experience running my own business is limited to managing a Charter Cruise Business 20 years ago, and running a Flea Market Stand :)

I wouldn't even know what to charge for Web design - any tips out there in DU?

So far, I'm not cracking from the stress. Some of you may know that in the last year and a half, I lost a 9 year old son to cancer, and my 20 year marriage dissolved after that loss. I am literally at the end of my rope.

If anyone at DU has any advice, owns property in St Pete/Clearwater that they would be willing to rent cheap, or could use a new or revamped website at a discount so I could build my portfolio, give me a holler. I don't want a handout, just a hand up.

At this point I aint got much to lose by asking...

[xchrom]

1. sorry.

i don't really have a lot to say -- wanna chime in with support.

[Angry Dragon]

2. I am sorry to hear of the loss of your son and marriage

I hope you find your way through to a better life.........

[Oregone]

3. There is always black market drug enterprise

That aside...


"I wouldn't even know what to charge for Web design - any tips out there in DU?"

Taking advice from me can sink you, because I always did underprice my work when I freelanced--though I built a quick clientele. Just estimate how long it will take you to do the work, and multiply that out by a living wage ($20-$30 dollars an hour). A business that will use that site to perpetually make money will get a swift ROI, so don't be shy if the price is high.

Learn or brush up on PHP and mySQL. The Web has changed and you need to be able to offer some dynamic functionality on the sites to keep pace.

[Greyhound]

4. Same here.

I only know a couple of people in FL. and they're both in dire straights as well.

:kick: & R for the next person.

[patrice]

5. Solidarity, demwing! NGU!

:grouphug:

[sellitman]

6. I'm sorry. I thought I had it tough

I lost my job last week as well.

The son part I can imagine because mine has gone through 2 Brain Tumor operations in the past 2 years. Mine is still with me though. Hugs.

[Tsiyu]

23. ...

:hug:

[demwing]

29. Go give your son a hug right now

love him unconditionally. I'd give everything in the world to have my boy back again.

Peace to you and your family...

[sellitman]

33. I will.

I know your son would want you to be strong.

I'll hug mine if you will be strong.

Hugs to you.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

7. I'm positive that there is a market for helping older folks with technology

I do it all the time for my folks. It's always really simple stuff. I think someone could easily make themselves a neighborhood computer consultant. Help them post pictures, create Facebook pages, install virus software, clean-up their computers, etc.

Put out some flyers and charge $20 bucks an hour.

[SocialistLez]

11. Working in a public library, I've seen quite a few older people

who need help on the computer.

[Subdivisions]

12. That is excellent advice! I have people asking me how to do this or

do that all the time.

Under the circumstances, it's really worth a try.

[demwing]

31. This IS a good idea

and much better than my idea of investing my last paycheck in a half pound of pot, a scale, and a box of baggies.

[Hannah Bell]

36. my mother used to hire a neighborhood kid for just that kind of thing. he helped her a lot.

[Hannah Bell]

40. i think that didn't come off the way it was intended. he was kind of a computer genius, not just

your average "kid".

what i meant was a think there's definitely a market for that kind of thing, & not only with older people.

[Dappleganger]

8. I am so sorry...

fellow Floridian here, I know your area is worse off than ours (Jax) but not by much.

:hug:

[SocialistLez]

9. Wow.

You are a very strong person.

If you think you can muster a move, I saw a few ads for "web designer" on indeed.com for the state of Arkansas.

http://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=web+design&l=Arkansas

[scubadude]

10. Don't know what to say.

I've been looking for a decent job for about one and a quarter years. Sure, there are a few low paying jobs, but nothing that is anywhere near what I have made previously.

Don't know what I'll do but keep on plugging. Age is certainly a factor at 50... Overqualified is certainly a factor... Under-qualification is certainly a factor...

I wish you luck, hope you find a place to stay. I'm moving to a place where hopefully I can find a decent job.

Scuba

[NNN0LHI]

13. Best advice I can give is to get a union job and support other union workers whenever possible

Very sorry to hear about your son. I can't imagine that pain.

Don

[a kennedy]

14. *HUGS SO TIGHT*

and wish I could do something for you..... :hug:

[demwing]

15. Here's a Pic I found that I wanted to share -

[Yavin4]

16. Make Sure That You Collect All The Money That's Coming To You

Forget about your student loan for the time being. Your survival is paramount.

See if the Census is still hiring and look for other stimulus jobs.

[demwing]

18. I can't blow the rehabilitation program

You get one shot at it. Screw it up and the door closes. I need to get back in school and finish my education. It's my only chance of long term stability.

I'd rather go homeless than screw that up.

[prolesunited]

19. Not so sure if the education thing is true

Lots of people with degrees, even advanced ones, without jobs out there. Age really seems to be the determining factor. Apparently, you are washed up at 45 to 50.

I was thinking about going back to school, but at 47, I don't need to rack up that kind of debt, still not get a job and then be even further behind. Thankfully, my loans were paid of long ago.

I liked the idea of offering computer help for seniors. How are your people skills? You also could check into running classes at retirement centers. Focus on doing popular things that will let them connect with their families, like setting up FB pages, downloading and sending pics, etc.

I'm still trying to figure out what my hustle will be. After hundreds of applications and several interview rejections, I realize I'm going to have to scrape together my own revenue streams.

[demwing]

21. I'm 47. I refuse to belive that I am "washed up"

I'll let someone else believe that, but not me.

[prolesunited]

24. Oh, I'm not saying you are or that you should believe that

and I know I certainly don't believe that about myself.

HOWEVER, if you look at the job stats, people 45 or older make up more than 65% of those who are in the ranks of the long-term unemployed.

That's why I believe I will have more luck taking charge of my own destiny. I was a freelancer for many years when I first started out. I really dislike the uncertainty and waking up each day wondering how to make a buck (plus the headaches of self-employment taxes), but there is something to be said for the autonomy and controlling your own destiny.

Good luck. I really know how hard it is.

[demwing]

27. Yes, if that were the case

then why the hell even try

[greytdemocrat]

35. You aren't washed up.

I'm older than you and my wife and I just moved back to Sarasota. I found a good paying
computer programming job down here. It took a while (I had been up in St.Louis for 3 years
after losing my job down here.)

I was looking in several southern states and FL had the best number and quality of positions.

It's a cycle. So many people left FL (like me) after not being able to find work that now that
things are picking up, the labor pool here (for tech jobs) is empty.

Hang in there and KEEP LOOKING. Don't give up and don't listen to the Doom&Gloom Squad here.

[raccoon]

17. Sorry, Demwing. You'll be in my thoughts. :hug: nt

[amborin]

20. very best wishes to you

[tranche]

22. Sorry to hear about this. This will get better. As far as web design tips:

Here are a few things off the top of my head:

1. Put your "website designs" on a CMS (Use WordPress)
- this allows clients the ability to update
- this provides clients with a blogging/news platform
- it provides plugins to extend functionality
- it's search engine optimization handling is perfect
2. Sell the importance of Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- see: above -- if you need a "Best Practices" doc, PM me and I"ll send one to you
- start with local search (ie. St Pete Solar Installers)
3. Pitch eCommerce Installations
- if you know any php/mysql you can pitch Magento
- also, Amazon Webstore has new software out of Beta that's great

The thing about the three points above is that you're no longer just pitching the design, you're pitching functionality and search engine optimization (the only internet marketing method that really matters). You can charge more for this because you're providing a better product.

Another thing about the above, if you discount Magento and go with Amazon Webstore then you really don't need to know much PHP and/or MySQL at all. If you know those all the better, but if not, it's not an impediment to providing full service.

I hope this helps. The Web business is a tough one, but if you keep your eyes open you can get enough jobs to keep you going.

[Tsiyu]

25. Just gonna send good vibes to you

after all you've been through, whoa...you are one tough individual.

you will make it

:thumbsup:

[Berry Cool]

26. I'm really sorry.

I hope everything works out for you.

[conspirator]

28. Forget web design. I have pakistani friends who design web sites for peanuts n/t

[demwing]

30. thanks!

for the ray of sunshine :)

[demwing]

32. BTW - how MANY peanuts?

There's a fair market in the South for boiled peanuts

[conspirator]

34. Web design is probably the most outsourced industry. Check elance.com

approach self-employed web design more as an extra than a main source of income.
If you can get a full time job as a web designer that's a different story.

[barbtries]

37. i am so sorry

especially about your son, i didn't know. :hug:
i wish i could help, but i will say you sound as good as possible under the circumstances. don't give up.

[Donnachaidh]

38. try this for a place to rent --

http://www.nationalsharedhousing.org/index.html


They have groups in each state, to help people who are looking for shares, etc.

[Hello_Kitty]

39. Any Dem campaigns hiring in your area?

Your skills could probably be quite useful to a candidate.

[nashville_brook]

41. can you PM me your contact info?

and any sort of online portfolio you have?

i'm a marketing director for Central-North FL markets, and I don't know of anything right off the bat, but if I have your info I can put you in our call-list and refer you others.