After an eight-month search for employment left her with less than $2,000 in her bank account, 63-year-old Michele Wilke of Chicago faced the possibility of eviction. To cover her $1,000 monthly rent and basic living expenses, she relied on loans from friends and a GoFundMe campaign that raised nearly $3,000.
Having been unemployed or underemployed since 2020, Wilke’s financial situation grew increasingly dire following the end of her most recent role. She initially applied for dozens of jobs in her fields of expertise, including human resources, restaurant management, event sales, and administrative work. As months passed without success, she broadened her search to include positions in dog walking, house cleaning, and delivery driving, even going door-to-door to hand out résumés at local cafés and restaurants.
Despite securing some interviews, Wilke struggled to land a position. When applying for junior-level roles, she was often told she was overqualified, with employers expressing concern she would become disengaged. In response, she refined her résumé to highlight key details and shifted from a tailored application strategy to a broader one, but these efforts did not lead to an offer.
To manage her finances, Wilke has taken on significant personal debt. In addition to over $20,000 in credit card and bank loans, she owes more than $20,000 to friends who have provided support. One arrangement involves a work trade, where she provides cat-sitting, cooking, and cleaning services in exchange for several thousand dollars in financial aid. Wilke has also adopted a frugal lifestyle, shopping at discount grocery stores, cooking all her meals, and eliminating non-essential spending, travel, and use of her car and air conditioning.
Recently, Wilke received a job offer for a catering sales manager position that aligns with her past experience. While she is hopeful the offer will be finalized, she recognizes the long road ahead to financial recovery. Her primary goal is to use the steady income to pay off her debts and achieve a fresh start.
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