This one is impossible
I don't see any solution to this one. My wife (now x-wife) was in an accident leaving her paralyzed. I was her primary care giver for 13 years. Before the accident, I worked as a sub-contract electronics engineer and had great experience and pay. During my care giving years I was able to work on home projects or projects for others at no charge to them. My x-wife had an annuity for all our expenses and she wanted my full time attention and care. She divorced me a year ago leaving me with 5 percent of the assets and she has all her annuity. I have been partially homeless for this year. I have stayed some with family and friends, but worn out my welcome everywhere now and sleep in my Tahoe SUV. I have applied for 100s of jobs, but no luck. I've had one in person interview and 2 phone interviews. My experience is out dated of course. Cannot afford to pay for an advanced degree. Just wish I had a more comfortable place to lay down and die. Cannot affort to eat much. I have learned to bath with a wash cloth and a quart of water. For the last five days I just drink fruit or vegetable juice from Wal-Mart. This way I don't have poop. It is a humbling experience, but I have it better than those with no Tahoe SUV. I don't drive much because it sucks a lot of gasoline. Wish me luck, or a miracle. I hate to even have to ask, but is this account truthful? You have my deepest sympathy. I cannot even imagine what you are going through. It truly is a terrible predicament, however, no situation is hopeless. I would suggest finding close family or friends that can really understand the difficult time you are going through for a temporary place to stay plus emotional support, which you are certainly going to need plenty of. Can you go back to the employer from 13 years ago? Or at the very least, get in contact with these former colleagues, maybe one of them have some good job leads. At least this would be a place to start. Go to the unemployment office and use their resources, and I'd file for unemployment benefits as well if you haven't already. Your field is one in which I would think there is a huge shortage of good workers. What job sectors are you applying in? If you've only been applying for private sector jobs I would suggest looking in local/city government, they usually have plenty of technical positions which are hard to fill. Also, I'd find a pro bono lawyer immediately through government resources or some kind of non-profit organization to find out what additional assets you can recover. You clearly got a raw deal in the divorce for being the primary stay-at-home caretaker for 13 years.
There are many things that you can be doing. The first is to start with your state unemployment office for job placement help. If they don't help much, call your local United Way and find out who in your community does job placement assistance and then go to that agency. I'm not an expert on your field, but my bet is that since it is pretty technical a 13 year gap is going to be very difficult to overcome. You don't need to get an advanced degree but you should look at taking some classes at your local community college. It is also a time to consider other fields of employment. Is there something else you'd rather be doing? Granted, that's what you know about, but what do you like? Again, a career counselor can help you figure that out and then for employment, I'd look in this field, but also at temp agencies and non-profits. Temp agencies are a great way to get your foot in the door of a company and start building a job history. Non-profits aren't likely to have jobs for electronic engineers but if you're willing to look at other types of jobs, non-profits are more likely to overlook gaps, lack of experience, etc. Finally, the career counselor can also help you fashion a resume that makes sense. If everything you have to say about work is 13 years old and you've got it in a chronological format, that's not helping you either. There are many acceptable formats these days that would suit you better and ways to craft a cover letter that emphasize your assets and minimize the gap. Tess You have 13 years as a primary care giver to a handicapped individual. Have you considered contacting agencies who work with handicapped adults? Trying to find someone experienced assisting a handicapped adult is tough - even tougher is finding someone who would be able to "live in". Do you have friends/ doctors who might be able to act as references - to attest to the fact that you are a very responsible adult with care giving experience? You may be the answer to someone's prayer! Perhaps someone who needs live in help to assist an aging parent. Of course to trust their aging parent to you they will want great references. Under the circumstances you may not be able to ask your ex wife for a reference - but if you have doctors, nurses, friends familiar with your care giving experience they may be willing to vouch for you. A live in arrangement might also solve your housing needs. Mary
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