So, with the recent budget cutbacks in the schools in Florida, I'm out of a job. I'm so desperate, that I've applied for waitressing and entry-level secretary work and nothing! I've only had one interview, and when the interviewer found out I had been a teacher, she thanked me for my time and basically the interview was over. My husband and I just bought a house and he just had a cornea transplant so we have a lot of bills that I don't think we can pay. Sorry to be such a downer, it's just that I'm feeling really depressed that I can't find a job.
I know this isn't a permanent solution, but have you considered doing promo/ marketing work? It's great to do while you're looking for a job because it keeps your schedule flexible (so you can do job interviews) and also usually has a pretty high hourly rate because it's contract work. The work isn't always the best but like I said, it's good money and you can schedule it around interviews or looking for a regular job.
Here'a one from the orlando craigslist (where I find my contract work) http://orlando.craigslist.org/evg/752117371.html - $18/hr on July 29th.
Also don't forget to file for unemployment! Every cent helps.
Try advertising on craigslist and local community centers, starbucks, maybe somehow through your school, that an FL-certified teacher is offering tutoring - tutoring usually has an ok hourly rate. Also some teacher friends of mine work at Sylvan during the summer (it's a tutoring center - not sure if it'd in Florida, but I'm sure there's something comparable.)
http://orlando.craigslist.org/edu/753486751.html - here's one for tutoring at $60 an hour http://orlando.craigslist.org/edu/753269058.html - here's another for $25 an hour through No Child Left Behind http://orlando.craigslist.org/edu/747360633.html - science camp looking for teachers
Also what about teaching at a private school? I know the money's not as good, but it's something: http://orlando.craigslist.org/edu/753748128.html http://starchildwintergarden.com/ - This school is looking for an assistant teacher
I know it sucks that this is happening. I'm sorry. I hope this gives you at least a jumping off point! Good luck!
Oh my gosh! I can't think of any advice, but you're probably competing for jobs with a lot of people who are out of school for the summer. Maybe in the fall there will be more options out there.
I second the advice above to maybe look for tutoring jobs in your area. I did this just out of college for Kaplan (at $25/hr, several years ago), and my sister, also a teacher, when her husband's teaching contract got a salary cut, just started tutoring for $35/hr. In addition, you might try looking at ets.org - they often have online scoring opportunities for teachers. Anyway, I hope you find something soon!
Career Guide This booklet has a bunch of articles and tips for job searching. It also has an article for dealing with rejection during a job search. http://www1.cpcc.edu/career/studentsgrads/guide
I think everyone else gave some great advice. I've been through job loss too (sexual harassment), and the thing to remember is that it's random. People like to come up with causes, based on unrelated effects, and pretend that the people who "won" knew something the rest of us didn't. But in this economy, employment is more and more dependent on completely random factors. School funding is a good example. The biggest risk with a job loss is that you internalize the, "Yeah. I should have..." that some people will sort of try to put on you. It helped me to remember that you lost the last coin toss, but the next job interview/coin toss has the same statistical probability of coming up in your favor that it ever did.
Oh, and applying for things beneath you can be a bad strategy. The employe knows you won't stay, so they're less likely to hire you. Meanwhile, you're thinking, "I can't even get a job at Malibu Grill!" It's depressing all around. If you're going to try for a waitressing or data enty job, lie about your background. Maybe just say you've been a housewife and need to get back into the workforce.
Good news- I had an interview at a high school not far from where I was teaching and was offered a job! Thanks everyone for the advice. P.S. I'm now adicted to craigslist.com after Hermione's post! I also found a parttime editing job!