I became unemployed by choice, once my husband and I realized that with impending student loan payments we could no longer afford our $2,000/month apartment in DC

We knew this was our course for months before we actually became unemployed and applied and applied and applied for any and all jobs in a large NC city, where we both grew up and decided to return to. Although we couldn’t find anything, we had family to live with and a savings account to support us for awhile, so we were optimistic about finding STILL without employment. The economic situation in my city is awful; we continue to have one of the highest (possibly THE highest?) unemployment rate in the state. I’ve applied to any job that I think I could do- no matter the pay, no matter if I’m not interested, no matter if it’s an hour away and isn’t worth the gas money driving to and from work. I’ve had a few interviews in the past year but they didn’t lead to anything. I don’t think it’s me (I hope it’s not!). I am educated, I dress appropriately, I make sure to smile and give firm handshakes. There have been interviews that I have ROCKED and left smiling. Yet, I can’t get a job. I attribute this to the stiff competition I’m facing. Sure, I’d be a great employee but I only graduated from grad school 4 years ago. My experience compared to others’ experience is nothing. How can I compete against the people my parent’s age, who have worked top dating sites in usa longer than I’ve been alive? I can’t.

I’ve tried unemployment groups, I’ve tried posting my resume on websites, I’ve made contact with people that a friend of a friend of a friend knows, just in the hopes of hearing about a job. Nothing. We are still living with family, which I feel terrible about. The worst part is how people view me, like I’m somehow lazy and at fault for this. I actually had a grad school classmate say that if I wanted a job, I would have one and that I obviously think I’m above doing labor, or working at a local Target. HA. Until recently, we couldn’t even afford the insurance for me to have a license to get to Target, and since I live in the ‘burbs, there is no public transportation around me to speak of. So no, I do not think I’m above certain working at a Target but it isn’t that simple! When you can’t even afford to get to the local Target, how can you be expected to snap up a job? (Not to mention, the local Target isn’t always hiring.)

My husband has lost a job since being here, and until he found a new one, I could hardly sleep from the stress of being unable to pay for what we need

My situation has improved some. I was graciously gifted a car by family, and we had saved enough for my insurance. I still haven’t found a full-time job, but I’m working as a nanny and getting paid almost double what I’d make at Target or Wal-Mart per hour. However, nothing ever feels safe. My nannying job is fine for now, but it has its own uncertainties; the family is on vacation next week and doesn’t need me. And what happens when school starts, and they don’t need me as often? So next week I have an entire week of not being paid. I basically can’t leave my house because I can’t afford the gas to get anywhere since I’m not getting paid. It sucks, and there is no other way to put it. It just sucks.