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jyhash

I have a question that I'd like people's opinions on.

I recently was laid off at the beginning of September, and immediately began looking for jobs thereafter. I had been wallpapering the town with resumes (both physical and electronic), but not getting any bites. I did this for about a month and a half.

This is where my problems begin:

I was mainly going for pay the bills, retail/customer service types of jobs, but my true love lies in theatre and acting (I have a degree from the University of Oregon in Theatre Arts), and came to realize more and more that perhaps this was a good time to get back into my acting. Providence revealed itself, and I was graced by a local talent agent wanting to represent me. We're planning on going out for casting calls very soon.

I also (fancying myself a creative person) came up with a relatively good internet based webcomic idea that I'd like to get off the ground soon before it's poached by someone else or my writer moves on to something else. I know it'd take months if not years for it to yield any positive cashflow (if at al), but it's something I'd like to try.

Now, it's been almost 2 months since I've been unemployed, and the day job stuff has started calling about interviews. And I'm frakkin' freaked.

I'm really caught in a conundrum here: I was wanting a day job becuase it took unemployment A MONTH to kick in, and I wasn't sure that I was going to get it. Now I have it, I've found I want to at least TRY to pursue the creative professional angle, but I can't decline any jobs because a) if I do that and tell unemployment, they'll cancel my benefits, or b) if I do that, and DON'T tell unemployment, if they find out not only will they cancel my benefits, but they'll also CHARGE me for all the pay I got after I declined a job.

So I'm not sure what the frak to do: Do I cancel the interviews? Intentionally bomb the meeting? Go and hope they don't offer me the job? Just lie to unemployment because they won't find out?

I don't want to do anything illegal, but I can live off unemployment as well as pursue my other interests as long as they don't get canceled.

Can anyone help me with this?

DeeDee76 · Newbie Joined: 01 Nov 2009 Posts: 2 Career Advice: +0/-0

I wouldn't bomb the interviews or cancel. You could be in jeopardy for refusal of work provision. Unemployment can at any time request proof of job applications and application history. If they were to call any of these places, and I'm sure they can, and find that you turned down interviews that could be very serious.

If you turn down a job because the hours and the rate of pay was not comparable to your last job, it may be OK. You can claim unsuitable job but you will have to prove it and it has to make sense. It's very difficult. Better not to take the job in that case and keep applying. Oh and while they investigate, they will hold your benefits. It takes a few weeks too before a determination and yu may have to appeal, which takes longer.

My best advice- do not accept a job that is "lesser" because they don't care if it is or isn't. All that they care is ithat you are working and they do not pay you. Once you report your wages it ends.

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