David* is one of the 30+ scholarship applicants we have received since launching Allies to the Out-of-Work. He's overcome with the challenges, fears, and stress of being out of work. Harnessing the power of the micro-fundraising site, Indiegogo.com, we launched a campaign to raise $10,000 that will give 100 long-term unemployed people a full scholarship to our Job Search Accelerator Program (JSAP). This program is helping hundreds of people find work. However, it’s not something we can give away for free. So, we are hoping to get donations from those of you out there who:
A) Have been out of work recently and know how hard the job search really is.
B) Know somebody long-term unemployed and want to sponsor them.
C) Care about getting Americans back to work and on their feet.
Find out how you can be an ally to the out-of-work. You can learn more about the program (and donate) by click the botton below: DONATE NOW ► For the next 3 weeks, we will share stories of those who have applied for a scholarship (see the application form here), so you can see how important it is that we get them the help they want and deserve, but can’t afford. Meet David: Q: What’s the hardest part about unemployed long-term?A: It is difficult to pick just one thing as the hardest part of being unemployed. Feeling useless, bills piling up, credit scores going down, feeling isolated socially, The list goes on. I would say that feeling like the longer I am unemployed the harder it is to get a job would be right up there. How do I explain why I am out of work so long? The interviews are fewer and farther between. It is more and more difficult to stay positive and prepare successfully for each opening from tweaking my resume, to acing the phone and onsite interview.Q: What have you been doing to look for work so far?A: Daily scour the job boards applying to between 3-12 jobs per week in a 100 mile radius, revamping my resume several times, networking on LinkedIn and Twitter. Reading and watching job search training and advice daily, keeping in touch with former co-workers and supervisors (work is still slow), taking online training to update and add to my skill set and then letting my contacts know to show all I am improving. Keeping in touch with the Veteran's rep at DOL.Q: Why do you feel our Job Search Accelerator Program can help you?A: I have viewed the videos and found them to be helpful but only in a general way. I participated in a intro Q+A once and got a great answer from J.T. on how to handle a problem in my background. If I could get regular coaching it would help in many areas. Being part of a group I could share what I learned and get ideas from other participants. Along the way, I would be able to ask questions and get answers that were directed to me instead of generalized in a newsletter. I would be able to avoid errors and correct the mistakes I do make much quicker. I also could get encouragement along the way which would be invaluable at this point.CommentsI know that the two-way communication in the process would be very valuable. It is important to me to help people as much as I can. once I got an offer I would help others with what i have learned. I know that the two-way communication in the process would be very valuable. It is important to me to help people as much as I can. once I got an offer I would help others with what i have learned. Thank you for considering my request.
