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OT: The Unemployment Thread


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There have been multiple threads floating around between several of us who have lost our jobs, not to mention of course all the lost gigs. I was hoping maybe moving forward to have a single positive thread geared towards getting back on our feet - tips, advice, etc. Got some good advice on my original post about losing my job and some good advice on subsequent threads by others whom I will not call out unless the wish to identify themselves. We all lost gigs, so this isn't a "lost gigs" thread, though if your SOLE income is music, then it would apply. By that, I guess this is for anybody who lost their primary income source and want's to update, offer support, etc. I'll follow up with some updates but thought I would at least get it started. Hope everybody is hanging in there!

Dan

 

Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth.

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:thu:

 

I filed for unemployment as early as Texas Workforce Commission seemed to be able to deal with gig workers. It took a couple of tries, but I finally got approved for the money from TWC and the CARES Act for gig workers. Frankly, it's more than I made from the gig I lost, but that's not my fault. OTOH, when that money ends (end of July I think), it may be all I get unless there's another law passed. Or if the state says, "everything is open now, go back to your gig, no excuses." I might not be ready when they are.

 

Anyway, I post this not to brag but to encourage others to take advantage of what's out there for you.

"I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck

 

"The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI

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To add to Joe's comment: I'm sure this varies from state to state, but New York is providing substantial Pandemic Insurance payments in addition to its typical unemployment payments. My wife lost more than half of her voice students in the change to remote instruction (plus loss of scholarships and summer programs), and while it took her hounding NYS unemployment for over six weeks to get a confirmation and then still longer to get a payout, you can imagine our relief when we got all of the back payments...

 

One of my bandmates was just furloughed for the month of June, and he was able to get unemployment plus pandemic insurance right away. Again, not sure if that's useful or encouraging outside of New York State, but hopefully you are able to take advantage of the social safety net while you get your highly skilled self back on your feet.

 

Hope you're hanging in there too, Dan! Thinking about you.

Samuel B. Lupowitz

Musician. Songwriter. Food Enthusiast. Bad Pun Aficionado.

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To add to Joe's comment: I'm sure this varies from state to state, but New York is providing substantial Pandemic Insurance payments in addition to its typical unemployment payments. My wife lost more than half of her voice students in the change to remote instruction (plus loss of scholarships and summer programs), and while it took her hounding NYS unemployment for over six weeks to get a confirmation and then still longer to get a payout, you can imagine our relief when we got all of the back payments...

 

One of my bandmates was just furloughed for the month of June, and he was able to get unemployment plus pandemic insurance right away. Again, not sure if that's useful or encouraging outside of New York State, but hopefully you are able to take advantage of the social safety net while you get your highly skilled self back on your feet.

 

Hope you're hanging in there too, Dan! Thinking about you.

 

Same here. My wife was on staff at 2 churches and 3 lesson studios. Only two of those gigs were W2, the rest 1099. Overnight it all closed. With monthly bills still coming in we can"t mess around. She filed for unemployment immediately - they only accepted one of her W2 gigs for state unemployment. So the fed support is making up the difference. It"s a hassle, she has to check in every week - but we wouldn"t make it without it.

Yamaha CP88, Casio PX-560

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i'm not sure how to say this. I made good money before which makes things more difficult. I have variable income an made WAY too much in 2018 to get stimulus this year, even though before I lost me job, I was already making very little. I'll spill the beans, I made $135k in 2018. Last year probably more like $90k, still not bad. Before being unemployed if you extrapolated my pay, would have been more like $70k. Now it's $0. One thing I've found in all this is nobody cares about your expenses. If you made a certain amount a couple years ago - F-U. In reality it's a bigger burden to handle because of mortgage, utilities, kids education, etc.

Dan

 

Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth.

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I swear if I made less money I would have been better off after the kid"s education costs. But we found a way. Unemployment scares the shit out of me. I have a lot of experience at what I do and I know a lot about the industry but at my age I don"t see anyone wanting to hire me when they could get a guy half my age. Its funny how our fears evolve over time. Virus don"t scare me. There are scarier things than death.

"It doesn't have to be difficult to be cool" - Mitch Towne

 

"A great musician can bring tears to your eyes!!!

So can a auto Mechanic." - Stokes Hunt

 

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:thu:

 

I filed for unemployment as early as Texas Workforce Commission seemed to be able to deal with gig workers. It took a couple of tries, but I finally got approved for the money from TWC and the CARES Act for gig workers. Frankly, it's more than I made from the gig I lost, but that's not my fault. OTOH, when that money ends (end of July I think), it may be all I get unless there's another law passed. Or if the state says, "everything is open now, go back to your gig, no excuses." I might not be ready when they are.

 

Anyway, I post this not to brag but to encourage others to take advantage of what's out there for you.

This is my situation as well. Making more now than when the gig went away. I'm putting as musch $$$ back as I can, because I know I'm not going to be ready to go back at the end of July......

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I'm wondering is it worth anyone experience unemployment touting their non-music skills in this thread in the hope for some freelance work that way. For example I've just commissioned a graphic designer for some work but realised I should have asked here first to potentially help someone out...
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I swear if I made less money I would have been better off after the kid"s education costs. But we found a way. Unemployment scares the shit out of me. I have a lot of experience at what I do and I know a lot about the industry but at my age I don"t see anyone wanting to hire me when they could get a guy half my age. Its funny how our fears evolve over time. Virus don"t scare me. There are scarier things than death.

 

I've been told that, but I have some optimism (once this virus stops kicking the crap out of the job market hopefully). I had a buddy who was let go after 21 years, he was 62 years old and frankly (like many of us) kind of set in his skills doing reports. However, as it happens he also had training in Tableau (a visualization/reporting software that has been hot in recent years) and he was turning away contracts with a stick. Of course, contracting is a different beast than what he (and I ) have been used to as permanent employees, but it's the reality. Anyway, the point is that I would have thought he'd have real issues finding something, but he had none at all. Nobody seemed to care about his age; he's very nice and easy to work with, and that has helped him a lot I think.

 

Hopefully there are still companies out there that value experience under fire. Any of us that have been working in an industry for decades will have gone through a few or many emergencies and come out the other side. On the other hand, certainly the old-timers have to avoid coming across as the crusty veteran who knows it all, won't change their ways etc.

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i'm not sure how to say this. I made good money before which makes things more difficult. I have variable income an made WAY too much in 2018 to get stimulus this year, even though before I lost me job, I was already making very little. I'll spill the beans, I made $135k in 2018. Last year probably more like $90k, still not bad. Before being unemployed if you extrapolated my pay, would have been more like $70k. Now it's $0. One thing I've found in all this is nobody cares about your expenses. If you made a certain amount a couple years ago - F-U. In reality it's a bigger burden to handle because of mortgage, utilities, kids education, etc.

I learned at my first career job after college to be very careful with spending "extra" money. I was making overtime at my initial level at that job, even though I was salaried. When my position changed and I stopped getting the overtime, I didn't realize it. I had bought some gear and had a sense of what I could afford and pay off, and suddenly was looking at the bills wondering why I didn't have the money to pay it off as fast as I thought. Then I remembered about losing the overtime pay.

I'm wondering is it worth anyone experience unemployment touting their non-music skills in this thread in the hope for some freelance work that way. For example I've just commissioned a graphic designer for some work but realised I should have asked here first to potentially help someone out...

Good idea. Maybe start a thread?

"I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck

 

"The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI

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My Unemployment compensation was finally approved yesterday. Have been out of work since my last gig on March 7. Most of my work was in concert theaters and heavily attended clubs in NYC and the Jersey Shore along with some private teaching. None of this is likely to get back to normal for quite a while so this could be the end of my life-long music career.
C3/122, M102A, Vox V301H, Farfisa Compact, Gibson G101, GEM P, RMI 300A, Piano Bass, Pianet , Prophet 5 rev. 2, Pro-One, Matrix 12, OB8, Korg MS20, Jupiter 6, Juno 60, PX-5S, Nord Stage 3 Compact
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Anyone paying quarterly self employment taxes got unemployment as normal in your state.

The extra federal kick in actually comes close to what I averaged per month/quarter.

Never collected before, but since I"ve always paid and reported earnings I didn"t wait more than 6 days to get a Debit Card.

 

In July I must fill out weekly claims and lie about looking for work.

It"s stupid, but a one size fits all approach doesn"t cover Casinos or Green Sheet jobs, much less deductions for agents, etc.

Which is why I sent a letter to my Sate Reps 4x-lain*ng to them I"m the guy you need to help you fix your antiquated designs from the last century.

 

These folks know nothing of commissions, tips, etc.

Magnus C350 + FMR RNP + Realistic Unisphere Mic
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This is maybe OT from the OT, but I was behind on tax returns but filed before losing my job. To my surprise I had quite a bit of money coming back. State sent me checks. Federal sent me a notice that my 2011 had been sent to collections. I'm not sure if that means they won't pay me the $7000 they owe me until that is paid but I don't know which collection agency that was sent to or how much it was since it was 9 years ago. I think that was the year that I filed an extension and never followed through when I left That 80s Band because I never got the 1099's.

Dan

 

Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth.

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All that said, I could use advise on my resume an general approach. I've done a lot of things over the years and have a lot of skills that may or may not apply depending on the job. I have friends saying "send me your resume" to which I counter "what's the opportunity?" I can put together a completely different resume based on industrial instrumentation, vs control panels, vs Web Based programming, vs Database programming, vs Hardware design. If i put it ALL on one resume it would be 5 pages, but for any given opportunity I can make a really good single page resume.

Dan

 

Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth.

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More difficult - I googled myself to see what turns up. An open DWI case is the #2 hit. State vs me. Lovely. It used to be that one of the top hits was a presentation I gave to the state of MI wastewater conference. My presentation was public for all to see. I'm guessing a potential employer can find it once they get past the fact that I'm in a DWI case that has been dragging on for years.....even longer now since all the covid-19 postponements. My lawyer says I should get 2 yrs probation with nothing on my record, but google already says differently.

Dan

 

Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth.

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But I have friends saying "send me your resume" with no idea what the intention is. That's my struggle. Great network of resources, but I need some info for the opportunity.

Dan

 

Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth.

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But I have friends saying "send me your resume" with no idea what the intention is. That's my struggle. Great network of resources, but I need some info for the opportunity.

 

Yep absolutely. Also, are you on Linked In? I'm not a huge fan but I can personally vouch that it's a great way to both find jobs and be approached for positions. Spend a couple of hours setting up your profile well and it could pay off.

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But I have friends saying "send me your resume" with no idea what the intention is. That's my struggle. Great network of resources, but I need some info for the opportunity.

 

Most likely, there's no specific opportunity. If I were telling a friend to send me their resumé it would be so that I had all their contact & CV information readily available should something come up. If a job came up around my company I don't imagine I'd just call up my friend to see what he's doing, still available, interested or qualified.

____________________________________
Rod

Here for the gear.

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But I have friends saying "send me your resume" with no idea what the intention is. That's my struggle. Great network of resources, but I need some info for the opportunity.

 

Most likely, there's no specific opportunity. If I were telling a friend to send me their resumé it would be so that I had all their contact & CV information readily available should something come up. If a job came up around my company I don't imagine I'd just call up my friend to see what he's doing, still available, interested or qualified.

If they are asking for the company they work for, and you at least know what the company does, that would be a start. But if your friends are wanting your resume so they can share it for you, tell them thanks but you need to tailor it for the job. Give them the contact info you want them to share and let the person with the opening ask for your resume.

"I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck

 

"The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI

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In a weird moment, I fully retired in mid-Feb at the ripe old age of 60. Didn't expect to get anything from unemployment, etc. The pandemic hasn't hurt us much, and we're still here for the kids. So far, so good. My thoughts and prayers go out to those who are getting hurt by all of this. And there are a lot of you.

 

BTW, if you can find a way to fully retire, highly recommended. Thanks to having plenty of time to indulge in my interests, I'm now playing at my best level ever. At least, in my own modest world :)

Want to make your band better?  Check out "A Guide To Starting (Or Improving!) Your Own Local Band"

 

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I have been on unemployment four times in the last 30 years and each time was a little different. It is a big pain in the ass but necessary. Everyone has a different situation.

"Danny, ci manchi a tutti. La E-Street Band non e' la stessa senza di te. Riposa in pace, fratello"

 

 

noblevibes.com

 

 

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I applied for PUA unemployment here in Oregon, and got it after about a month. I'm actually making a bit more now from unemployment than I would have in an normal year, but significantly less than I would in our busy season, which is mid-June-October. Payments have been very uneven, first check I got covered 4 weeks, then nothing for 3 weeks, then 3 weeks of checks all at once, then nothing for the last 3 weeks.

Turn up the speaker

Hop, flop, squawk

It's a keeper

-Captain Beefheart, Ice Cream for Crow

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