marlinie94
New member
I an an Accountant with many great references and certifications that owned my own business in Atlanta. My other half is an IT Architect with a Masters and also a lot of experience and certifications. He too owns his own business. He was offered an 18 month contract outside Philadelphia that was worth a good some of money and hopefully an even longer contract to follow. I moved with him hoping to either find new clients in Philly area, or go back into corporate America. I have found no work nor clients, and get a feeling that since I am a "Southern Belle" I get less respect for my many accomplishments, as there is clearly a feeling of superiority among "yankees" here. Due to the downturn in the economy, the 18 month contract was cancelled in 3 1/2, and to sue for the contract balance would cost more then we can afford. As both of us were self employed, we do not qualify for unemployment, so have no money coming in and are going thru savings quickly. When I see unemployment figures announced, I think "not including those of us in this situation", which increases those figures substantially - or even those whose benefits have now run out. I have applied with temp agencies (too overqualified for warehouse work or office work!) and send out resumes to all possible jobs in a 45 mile radius. He has had the same problem, but there seem to be even less IT positions, and he keeps getting technical interviews via phone (3 now) from interviewers of Indian origin, with heavy accents - one who called on his cell phone on his drive into work! Are we being punished for our Southern Heritage? I went to school in Philly and grew up in North Jersey before moving to Atlanta for 20 years, he went to undergrad in Colorado then Masters at Columbia before his move south. So, we are truly Yankees though our accents may have changed a bit. Are we being discriminated against? Are we just unlucky? We have the credentials and then some - but I have now been 1 of 2 final candidates twice, and both times the other candidate chosen. I got so desperate I applied for both cashier and customer service at Target - and was again turned down! Any ideas on what to do? We are watching everything we worked for dwindle away, and I am falling into a true funk/depression. We also had to cancel our $600/mo health insurance, so now have to pray nothing happens physically as well. Who else is in same situation, what are you doing about it, and anyone else have advice/suggestions? We worked hard all our lives, were taught well by our parents (my grandparents immigrated from Poland through Ellis Island in the late 30's, his Maternal Grandparents from Italy, his father from Greece) and they worked hard to make it and provide us with good lives. We took those lessons and used them in our lives. We planned on starting a family about 2 years ago, had trouble getting pregnant, I am now 40, he 41, and we are not going to try now while we have no $ coming in, and when we do, it may be biologically too late. We are not against adoption at all, but that may be a long time coming as well. What is this hard working, moral, ethical couple to do to save everything they worked so hard to build? Any/all advice would be appreciated. Thanks y'all!