Lost... about to be homeless.

[MJ DeMarco]

Will a shit job prevent you from being homeless? Please don't tell me there isn't a Burger King hiring or a nice steakhouse that needs a dishwasher.

 

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[JohnZ123]

Failure is part of the process. I failed my first business 3 and a half years ago and was only left with a couple hundred in my bank before succeeding on my first e-commerce business. Here are some steps I took that may help you.

1. Move back home with your parents. It's not the "cool" thing to do but you will reduce your living expenses and you will have more time to leverage without income. I personally knew a person who went homeless and trust me you don't want to be in that position. When you're homeless you're treated like absolute garbage by society.

2. Submit your application to every employment agency and any place that is hiring. This include jobs you may not like such as factory work.

3. Once you get a job and save up 4 month worth of income then start another business on the side.

4. Since you have low capital, BOOTSTRAP EVERYTHING. Don't outsource anything until you make at least $5000 net profit from your business a month. If you don't know that particular skill such as coding then take 6 to 10 hours everyday to learn it. It will take you a lot more time to get somewhere but it's the most capital efficient and least risky way to go about it.

 

[spraybottle]

Thank you for this insight. I was debating if I should invest time learning Python earlier this week. I think that answers that.

Congratulations. You've hit rock bottom. Can you feel the burn?

Let me ask you this. And ask yourself this. Did you REALLY try to succeed? Did you REALLY give it your all? Can you look back at your 3 months of unemployment and say you busted your a$$ trying to make this work?

Can I be real with you? You were DEBATING learning python this week? You THINK that answers that?

Bro, you're about to be HOMELESS. You don't have time to "debate" you don't have time to "think" this is the right answer. You need to go back to your roots, figure out your skill sets, figure out where the need is in the market, and KNOW what your next steps are gonig to be. Quit half-assing which direction you need to take and stop feeling down and sorry for yourself. Sit down, take the rest of the evening to contemplate what your next moves are going to be. I'm talking 1 week from now, 1 month from now, 3 months from now. Then EXECUTE. Stop watching entrepreneurship porn, stop listening to video after video about the next greatest money making idea, stop reading thread after thread, and get to work.

Good luck man, I feel you. I really do.

 

[ZCP]

Notice your wording:

It will get me through September only, but it's a start.

Change your language.
It will get me all the way through September, AND I am just getting started!
Positive mindset!

 

[Deleted50669]

So what action have you taken today that will make your tomorrow better?

I actually closed two clients today for small consulting projects. I'm pretty pumped. It will get me through September only, but it's a start.

 

[Deleted50669]

Update time.

Finalized consulting project for $2000.00 today. Someone in my network referred me, and after a scoping session they agreed to work with me as a third party consultant for a fixed rate of $2000.00.

It feels good, because that's the most anyone has ever paid me to do anything without being in a company. I'm in a weird place, because I've shown myself I can sell, but I haven't sold enough to keep myself from needing a job. I will continue to try to capture more leads, and a job, at the same time.

Not sure where this path will put me, but at least I know for sure I can make it through September now.

 

[Almantas]

If you're still on the lookout for jobs, drop me a message and I'll craft a soul-winning resume and a cover letter for no charge.

 

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[Deleted50669]

To everyone who's taken the time to respond to this thread, I greatly appreciate your objectivity and advice. There are a lot of great tips here that I'm going to use / have been using. I have two interviews next week, one with a large tech firm in San Fran, another with a major firm in NY. If these don't pan out, my check down is going to be construction work as others have suggested (I have some previous exposure to it from high school / college). In the meantime, I'm doing everything under the sun to prep for these two important interviews. I'll be back in touch soon. Again, thank you to all.

 

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[AgainstAllOdds]

Figure out where the warehouse district is.

Go there. Drive around.

Everyone's hiring.

It's still a "shit job", but less shitty than fast food/etc, and you can study a product/service business while there.

 

[Argue]

Get a job asap.

 

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[jon2089]

Have a lawn mower sitting around? Can easily make $200 a day with a little hustle.

 

[Paleo]

The economy is pretty much at full employment right now.

Drive along the main street in my town and it's one "Now Hiring" sign after another. Businesses are begging for employees. And it's not all fast food either. Retail, construction, light industrial.

If you can't find work now you just aren't looking. If you consider some work "beneath you" you are making a huge mistake. Once you actually are homeless, that hole is ten times more difficult to crawl out of than just being unemployed.

Of course, you should be hitting your field as hard with resumes and phone calls and meetings as you can. Looking for a job is a job, so treat it as such and be disciplined about it daily.

 

[Deleted50669]

Not sure why people revived this thread, have been back on my feet since September. Doin well

 

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[Tom.V]

Man, this thread hit me hard with the feels. I remember being in this situation. Back against the wall, and the other walls closing in around me. It's a shitty spot to be in any way you look at it. Fight or flight.

Tons of good advice here, but the key of course is twofold. Reduce expenses and find a job. Any job. Something that can keep your head above water while you regroup. Ditch current residence and get a couple roommates if you are able. If you're floating on a high monthly car note, sell and get something cheaper.

Best advice I can give, is JUST DON'T STOP. Knock doors, make calls in between knocking on doors, email your resume during meals; literally whatever it takes to get out of the pit.

 

[jon.M]

Will a sh*t job prevent you from being homeless? Please don't tell me there isn't a Burger King hiring or a nice steakhouse that needs a dishwasher.

Exactly...

Are you willing to take a shit job to avoid going homeless? Or is a major tech firm the only type of employer you want to accept?

A fast-food joint would probably take you in -- without even looking at your resume -- as long as you get their attention and don't show up to the interview looking like a freak. Construction jobs can be very easy to get. Scaffolding for example. Very little knowledge needed and there's always a need for that.

Same goes for cleaning and a whole array of other jobs.

Aside from all the other great tips you've gotten already...

I assume you've got a LinkedIn profile. While you're doing everything else you can, get the Leonard extension for LinkedIn. Utilize it to automatically connect with recruiters and potential employers, sending them a message saying you're looking for a job and would really appreciate any lead they might have for ANY job at all.

Write a LinkedIn update about yourself -- with a friendly photograph of yourself -- explaining your situation and how you're really desperate for a job. Explain how much it would mean to you, and how great of a worker you really are. Ask people to help out and tag any potential recruiters/employers who might be interested.

Recruiters are the shit on the platform. They can have networks of 10's of thousands of professionals. Just go and ask for their help. I've seen people do that and get a job from it in one day. They're real easy to find and narrow down to your specific area.

Disconnected from your time, and lets you do other job-seeking tasks in the meantime.

 

[sparechange]

Why interviews on opposite sides of the country? Seems kinda crazy, also in the most expensive cities in the world?

Regardless hope you get it, with the community here you are better off than 99% of people. Now is the time to be super positive and not let negativity in your head.

 

[Deleted50669]

Why interviews on opposite sides of the country? Seems kinda crazy, also in the most expensive cities in the world?

Regardless hope you get it, with the community here you are better off than 99% of people. Now is the time to be super positive and not let negativity in your head.

That's just where the chips have fallen. I've mostly applied to local positions to avoid relocation costs, but these two openings are the fastest movers.

I'm trying to stay positive. I definitely have a lot to learn.. still. Once I get stability I'm going to invest nearly all of my free time in coding. Idc if it's a saturated market, or whatever. I will become better than most people currently doing it out of sheer will.

 

[Real Deal Denver]

Is it possible to skype interview with these companies? Let them know you are on the other side of the country? Save the money

Companies are well aware of using skype. If they are serious, and it's for an important position, and want a live interview, they will foot the bill for travel, hotel, etc. Could be a nice mini-vacation, not to mention that when you get to that point, things are dead serious, which is a very good thing.

IF, by the grace of God, things DO get to that point - play it cool. Don't jump at the date they propose right away for an interview. It is good to be a little coy and ask if you can call them back within the hour as you have to make some schedule changes. Be coy, but not too coy. It's a big world out there, and you have to let them know you are a hot commodity. Then deal the cards and play the game! Win, lose, or draw, this can be a great learning experience, and a lot of fun to boot!

 

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[The Abundant Man]

got it figured out now

What did you figure out?
How did you figure it out?
When did you figure it out?

 

[Zcott]

If you are close to being homeless then get your self to a recruitment agency asap!

Do that first thing Monday morning - they get commission when they find you a job. Go to as many as you can. I have used recruitment agencies in three different countries and they've always found me work within a week or two.

Where do you live? Maybe someone here can help.

 

[ZCP]

Time to do things like your life depends on it.

What are your next 3 steps?

 

[Deleted50669]

Time to do things like your life depends on it.

What are your next 3 steps?

1. Continue applying to jobs
2. Sell things I don't need
3. Reach out to network to see if anyone knows of openings

I do have an interview coming up next week with a major tech firm, but they are known for being extremely selective, so I can't bank on that working out until it does.

 

[Niptuck MD]

Sell whatever you don’t need; go to sublet.com reduce your living expenses to the utmost that you can live off what you only need;
Work work work; 1 job 2 jobs part time jobs.... my friend that is in Arlington said there is a shortage of factory laborers, warehouse associates around there check out staffing agencies like ResourceMFG, aerotek and Robert half (for menial office jobs) surely you will find something. Unless you have priors, you should not have a problem.

Pm me if you want more insight on getting a manufacturing job (all you need is a good resume and knowledge of the vernacular lingo) at least these jobs will pay you over 16-20$ hr...

 

[sparechange]

its not the hands your dealt, but how you play your hand

 

[DennisD]

I know it sucks but this opportunity might be the kick you needed.

Success gurus always say "You gotta be HUNGRY for it!"

It took me actually being homeless and literally HUNGRY before I ramped my a$$ into gear. If I didn't get a client by the end of the day, I didn't eat that day.

I realize looking back, years later, how much I was holding myself back before I was pushed to the edge.

It didn't sound like you were hungry before. Soak in every moment of your panic right now & use it for years to come.

 

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[Argue]

Thanks for the insight. Do you know how one goes about connecting with an agency? I live in the DC / Northern Virginia area

@404profound, I found this:

Employment Agencies l Employment Agency | Northern Virginia

 

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[Zcott]

Thanks for the insight. Do you know how one goes about connecting with an agency? I live in the DC / Northern Virginia area

Their websites normally have a way to upload your resume or create a profile. Do that and they should contact you. If they don't, you should call them up.

Here is a list of some I found in a quick google search

Temporary & Permanent Staffing Agencies
www.roberthalf.com (massive company)
www.hirestrategy.com
thechoiceinc.com
https://curzonstaffing.com/

Not sure how close these ones are to where you live. There are loads out there, google is your friend. They all do the same thing which is fill positions for companies and get paid for the service.

I've used recruitment agencies in the UK, Australia and Canada and each time they found me jobs within a week or two. They're great for temporary work or permanent positions. Up to you which you want, temporary work gives you good experience in multiple offices and roles, but permanent is more secure.

Keep in contact with them and always chase them up to let them know you are looking and you should be fine in no time!

 

[Raoul Duke]

NOTABLE! - A job isn't something you "get"...

 

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[PetePreneur]

If you have a car, become either an Uber/Lyft/UberEats driver. From what I understand, it’s pretty easy to become one, so it should keep you going before finding more permanent work.

 

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[MTEE1985]

As Tony Robbins would say, to make profound changes in your life you need either inspiration or desperation. Sounds to me like you’re on the road to a profound change.

Now stop spending time on the forum until you’ve exhausted EVERY available option. You can go get hired doing something tomorrow, even if it’s just for a month while you look for something better.