April 2009
60 posts
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Watch CANDY IS DANDY DURING DOWNTURN. We may have less money to spend, but when it comes to treats candy is more than sweet. It’s an affordable stress-buster. According to Dylan Lauren of Dylan’s Candy Bar, “Stressed spelled backwards is Desserts”. However, it was the late poet and humorist Ogden Nash who wrote, “Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker.” (See below...
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DOES THIS MEAN SEAGRAM IS HIRING?
They say some businesses are recession proof. Well, they may be right. Apparently, many restaurants in town are on a deathwatch, and booze is their life support system. Many 405ers are going on liquid diets, skipping the burgers and heading straight for bourbon. Maybe we should start a liquor company. Anyone know how to make moonshine…I’ve got a pretty big bathtub we can use as...
March 2009
70 posts
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WatchPREPARATION IS KEY.
While on the sidelines we may be so fixated on the short term goal of finding a job that we forget the real goal, to succeed in the job and thus your career. When the time comes and you get the nod to get in the game you’ve got to be ready. You will be faced with many new challenges of all different kinds therefore your skills must be primed and ready to give yourself...
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RACE TO PLACE RECAP.
The 405 Club, New York’s fastest growing unemployment club named after the maximum weekly unemployment benefits in the State, held their first live event, entitled the “Project 405 Party: Race to Place Challenge” on Wednesday, March 25th at the Galway Hooker Pub from 4PM and 7PM.
This gathering was the first of what the club hopes to be many that bring together job seekers (405ers) looking for...
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SAMPLE SALE OF THE UNEMPLOYED.
If I were a good unemployed girl I’d wake up early, get dressed in business or business casual attire and approach my job search as if it were my new job. Each new day would be an opportunity to network and spin my years of successful multitasking into model cover letters for the next exciting chapter in my career. Instead, I’ve developed a number of alarming habits that interrupt my focus when...
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OPERATION DINNER OUT REINSTATED.
“In the time of the depression, Jeffrey Ruhalter’s great-great grand father helped people eat; now his great-great grand son is doing it again.”
In a response to the tough times, Jeffrey’s Meat Market is providing a Certified Black Angus New York Strip Steak dinner for up to 230 guests (115 couples) at $10.00 per person (this does not include beverages, tax or tips), plus...
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AN OPPORTUNITY FROM DREW BERMAN.
Social Security vs. social media. Office politics vs. time freedom. Can’t we all just get a long? My name is Drew Berman, I am a Local business owner and successful entrepreneur and I am seeking several young, ambitious, web savvy talented individuals who want to work out of home, with great hours and potential to make a lot of money. I am an author, trainer, business and success...
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DON’T FORGET TO CLAIM YOUR MONEY.
Today’s the day to claim your unemployment benefits, which will include an additional $25 weekly payment, known as the Federal Additional Compensation, or FAC. The FAC payments are expected to be deposited to your account by Monday, March 30th, and will be retroactive to March 1, 2009 — for claimants who were paid unemployment benefits for that period. No additional action will be...
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I DID MOCK JURY DUTY.
Even when I was working I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to earn quick cash from participating in focus groups. As a recruiting manager at Goldman Sachs I was invited to participate in two, one where I had to comment on the strengths of Wharton’s Career Management Office and the other on my perception of various business schools that was eventually revealed to be sponsored by Cornell. I...
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MY UNEMPLOYMENT CONFESSION: I TOOK AN ODD JOB.
In March I was laid off from my job as the Director of Legal Recruiting for a large global law firm. I’d thought that switching from investment banking recruiting to legal recruiting was a wise move given the comparative stability of the industry, but after September, 2008 and the demise of Lehman even the most prestigious law firms have experienced unprecedented declines in business. Now ...
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FRIENDS FIND WORK FOR FRIENDS.
We’re all familiar with the old adage, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” With hundreds of thousands of people out of work and actively responding to postings of job openings in New York, who you know can make the difference between getting your foot in the door and having your resume get stuck in an overflowing stack on someone’s desk. There’s...
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BUILDING YOUR PERSONAL BRAND.
Personal Branding...
THE PRICE [WAS] RIGHT.
If there’s any upside to this economic crisis, its that everything is negotiable. With revenues dropping fast, companies will do almost anything to stop the bleeding. Now that every dollar counts, a simple phone call may help you keep more of that $405 each week. In some cases, its as easy as saying “are there any discounts you can apply to my account?” Or, you can play...
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WatchSOME WILL TRY ANYTHING ONCE.
Submitted your resume online - still no job. Emailed the HR department - still no job. Called to follow up - still no job. Video resume recorded - still job. Went to a career fair - left with pamphlets, still no job. What to do now? Las Vegas building materials salesman Dave Wilson has an idea, advertise on the radio!
“When I got the call from Dave a few...
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SO THATS HOW THEY DID IT.
Because laughter is the best medicine, there’s a new online game called Layoff that lets you be the “downsizer” instead of the “downsizee.” Its basically the HR Manager’s edition of Bejeweled; line up 3 of the same workers in a row and send them to the unemployment line. After a few rounds, it’ll make you wonder whether if this is art imitating life,...
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WatchIN THE SPIRIT OF VIDEO RESUMES.
With a hundred thousand trillion resumes being sent to every job post it’s tough to stand out, especially if your kid isn’t as art saavy as fourteen year old Ben Gullet. That being said, should we include a video resume with our paper/online resume? Is it effective? John Henion’s (from Unemploymentality) brother from another mother Michael...
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FREE $5 iTUNES GIFT CARDS AT THE PARTY.
No joke. The first 100 people to sign in at The Project 405 Party this Wednesday from 4-7pm at The Galway Hooker Pub (7 E 36th St between 5th & Madison Ave) will receive a $5 iTunes gift card FREE. Save your spot — make sure you RSVP on our Ning Community here. We’re also taking RSVP’s on Facebook & LinkedIn. Recruiters RSVP on eventbrite here — over 30...
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LOSE YOUR JOB? DON’T LOSE YOUR SHIRT, UH SUIT.
Following the steps of Hyundai and JetBlue, Jos. A Bank Clothiers is doing their part to ease the minds of the nervously-employed by helping them look good with one less worry. For the first time ever, the company is offering its customers a full refund (up to $199) for suits purchased before April 9th, who involuntarily lose their job between April 14th and June 1st of this year. Here’s...
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WatchRECESSIONALS WITH AFP.
Last week a half dozen 405ers got together with the AFP (Agency French Press) over a mixed bag of bagels, cream cheese and Tropicana on sale to discuss our experiences as unemployed New Yorkers. Stories were shared, commiseration abound, and there was our introduction to the world of film; a true breakthrough performance I must say. Although, as much as “Unemployed...
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DON’T FORGET.
Today’s the day to claim your weekly benefits. And if you haven’t yet switched to the direct deposit option, do it now (to avoid fees and hassles). Then make sure you RSVP for our Project 405 Party, being held at the Galway Hooker Pub on March 25th. You could walk away with a raffle prize — and a job.
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WatchDON’T BE A PARTY-POOPER! “PINK” IS IN. Lost your job? Or afraid you may be due for a pink slip soon? Join the crowd! There’s extensive networking to be found at a Pink Slip Party, where fellow job-seekers mix ‘n mingle to commiserate, exchange ideas, hand out business cards, and talk to recruiters. The above Pink Slip Party was held in Pasadena, CA. Ours —...
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PLUGGING IN PAYS OFF.
Just because you’re unemployed doesn’t mean you have to give up your connection to the outside world. David Pogue at the New York Times recently detailed how you can slash your spending on cable, cell phone and other technology that you can’t live without. Lets face it, with spring approaching, you can cancel the gym membership, but you’d go crazy if you have...
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THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE.
The Adventures of Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You’ll Ever Need.
Written by best selling author Daniel H. Pink, The Adventures of Johnny Bunko will be available via FREE raffle to those 405ers who RSVP to The Project 405 Party: The Race to Place Challenege *HERE*, along with his other book A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future. The fun doesn’t stop here — tons...
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SAVING BUCKS AT STARBUCKS.
After getting a generation of java-lovers hooked on spending $4 for a cup of joe, Starbucks has gotten to feel a latte guilt of late. The coffee giant has been trying to perk up its sales with budget-conscious offerings and keep their customer base from dwindling — and deserting them for Dunkin’ Donuts and McDonald’s. Earlier this month Starbucks introduced their new $3.95...
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REVISITING “FIRST THING’S FIRST”.
The very first post on THE 405 CLUB’s site, “FIRST THING’S FIRST,” jumped things off for us here, simply stating three things you’ll need to do and/or think about now that you’ve been laid off. Since then we’ve touched on numerous issues, tips and tricks to educate and commiserate, including some humorous comics and videos to keep the spirits up.
I...
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REMINDER: CLAIM YOUR WEEKLY BENEFITS TODAY.
It’s that time of the week. Get your money by claiming your unemployment benefit here! Don’t forget to use the direct deposit option to stay clear of fees and hassles.
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WatchLEGENDARY BARTENDER GETS BOUNCED AT CHEERS.
It’s getting so bleak out there no one is safe. Eddie Doyle, the long-time bartender at the Boston pub that inspired the popular 80’s TV show known as Cheers, has gotten the boot due to the bad economy. Doyle, who spent more than 35 years pouring drinks and schmoozing with the pub’s patrons, is now among the newly unemployed. While...
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WatchLEX LUTHER HUMBLED BY ECONOMIC DOWNTURN.
Funny or Die casts Mad Men’s Jon Hamm donned in a bald cap as Superman’s nemesis Lex Luther. In a plea for $700 billion, Lex’s frustration grows with failed attempts to kill Superman.
-By Garrett Dale, Founding Member
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WatchNEED A JOB? MOVE HERE.
Is it getting tough toughing it out in New York? Thinking of packing it all in and leaving for a better economic climate? Where to find optimum opportunities for work: According to CNN.com, it seems the only state in the country that is gaining jobs is Wyoming. Stay away from California and Rhode Island, two states with over10% unemployment. Michigan is over 11%, while...
BOOK A PROFIT.
We told you how to get a New York Public Library Card here, and with access to all those books , you can sell the ones cluttering up your apartment. That’s where Strand Books comes in. They buy almost any book still in demand except textbooks (no chance of selling that econ 101 book from freshman year). Check out the website, or call for more details. The process is pretty painless; you...
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THE UNEMPLOYED QUILT PROJECT.
Our friends over at iget2work have begun a visually fantastic project they call The Unemployed Quilt Project. Scouring the corners of youtube for quality vlogs while also shooting videos themselves, iget2work is also asking for contributors to email them their video links to join the fabric of the unemployment quilt. Take a look for yourself here — the vlogs go from sad to humorous to...
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FROM WALL STREET TO MAIN STREET…TO SESAME STREET?
This recession is on a mission to leave you like Oscar the Grouch, living in a garbage can. Today, Sesame Workshop, the non-profit company behind the kids show “Sesame Street”, announced they are canning (sorry I couldn’t resist) twenty percent of their workforce. It’s a dark day on The Street, but the show must go on.
-By Ryan Schramm, Contributing Writer & Member
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WatchTHEY SAY THE NEON LIGHTS ARE STILL BRIGHT ON BROADWAY.
With two successful opening weeks of the classic West Side Story’s reproduction grossing over $2 million, it looks like big budget Broadway shows are still highly desirable and not going anywhere. In fact, while the hilarious SNL video above shows a worried group of Broadway standards, The New York Times has reported that that’s...
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IN NEED OF EARLY RETIREMENT.
The following is a list of expressions that have outlived their usefulness and should immediately be retired from being uttered: Laughing all the way to the bank. You can bank on it. Money is no object. Money isn’t everything. Money is the root of all evil. A fool and his money are soon parted. I never worked a day in my life. Another day, another dollar. A day late and a dollar...
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BACK TO THE OFFICE.
No, I didn’t get a job yet, however this is pretty exciting news. Even though I had just posted this deal in the DAILY DEALS shoutbox on our left sidebar, it was important enough for a real post as well. According to the NY Unemployment Examiner, FedEx Office (formerly FedEx Kinkos) will print 25 copies of your resume for FREE today, March 10th. Good to see a major corporation doing...
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(IMPROVISED) LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE.
So you’re out of work, your life sucks, and you can’t even afford to go out at night. Well, we feel your pain and The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre has the (short term) cure. No, they probably won’t give you a job unless you have a knack for improv comedy or enjoy cleaning toilets, but what they will give you are dirt cheap laughs. Most weeknights you can catch an improvised comedy show for...
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TOP TEN BEST THINGS ABOUT BEING UNEMPLOYED.
10 - Stay in pajamas and as-seen-on-TV Snuggie blanket/coat all day.
9 - Minimal need for good grooming, which means saving on soap, shampoo, deodorant, etc.
8 - No long checkout lines when shopping during the weekdays (just too bad no budget for shopping)… but see item 7 below…
7 - Lots of spare time - can spend hours on end scouring for coupons to save some bucks. [See...
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ONE STOP SHOPPING FOR JOB SEARCH, TOO!
Workforce Investment has partnered with the Department of Labor and other agencies, to provide comprehensive employment services to both job seekers and businesses in filling their needs—and these services are all free. Among them included are resume preparation; interviewing techniques and know-how; labor market information; networking clubs and one-on-one counseling for career change and...
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OH, I DON'T LIKE THE LOOKS OF THIS.
Cartoon by Ben Sargent, American-Statesmen
Crain’s New York reports that the city has lost over 85,000 jobs since August [and counting].
The city has seen a net loss of 85,400 jobs since the labor market peaked in August, wiping out 32% of the job gains made since the end of the last recession in 2003, according to an analysis of New York State Department of Labor data by real estate...
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ONE BIG STEP FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BLOGS, ONE HUGE LEAP...
We at THE 405 CLUB just wanted to show some love to our west coast counterparts Unemploymentality for a great piece on them from the local abc network in San Francisco. I personally enjoyed the explanation of how the Unemploymentality project is filling what would otherwise be a gap in the resume — well played.
Blogs similar to ours have received quite a bit of press over the past few...
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