Not sure why you were downvoted, you're understandably upset and some people just don't understand (most likely explanation: a pathetic troll).

I'm glad you are working with those asshats. The job market is tough, especially tough for former criminals, and there's people like you going through the same thing. Hang in there, something will come along and you'll get a decent paying job to help you back on your feet. It may take days, it may take weeks, it may even take longer than that. But you need to stay focused on the goal of getting a job. That is priority #1 for you right now.

For perspective, I just got out of the National Guard after spending about 8 years in the military altogether. I left active duty after a tour in Iraq, came back home, had trouble finding work, so I signed up for the Guard. The pay sucks (I got roughly $300 after taxes each drill/per month), but the GI Bill helped me out a bit when I decided to go back to school. I had to live with my dad because I couldn't afford my own place. I've been unemployed for four years now. (My mom is in a worse position: she has been unemployed closing in on 6 years now, and she's 52 and she just can't compete with these young upstarts graduating college) I basically gave up hope after 2 years being unemployed, I figured that as soon as they saw "National Guard" under current/previous jobs on the application, (edit: they would think) I would be an unreliable worker because I might get called up again. Eventually that happened. Unfortunately during physicals a year prior to deployment I let it slip that I was on anti-depressants and anti-psychotics. They flagged me, and they let me go on a medical discharge this past March.

I'm not going to lie, that really hurt me. Half my friends from my unit are in Kuwait, the others (including my platoon) are in Afghanistan now. I really wanted to go on this one, too. So I got even more depressed and started smoking pot...like every day, and I still am. I was a previous smoker and felt deprived after my time as Uncle Sam's bitch, so I decided to find a release. Now I have a problem: getting cleaned up for any potential drug test which comes with an offer of employment, which is probably going to take a long time. It was a stupid choice, but I can recover from it. It just takes time and patience (and not smoking).

And that's what it is going to take for you: time and patience. You're pissed off at your whole situation; I would be too. You need to use it as your motivation to go forward. It's a tough world out there, but it is survivable. Take a moment to think of all the good things in your life right now. You have a roof over your head, even if it isn't where you want to be. Talk with some of the other people in there for places you can do your hygiene at. Someone is bound to know. Don't just do it to look good for interviews or to smell good in public, do it for your health. The cleaner you are, the less likely you can get sick, and you'll feel better about yourself. To keep your mind sharp, start reading about different professions at the library. It could give you an edge in interviews. Also, network with some people and get some good references. Be sure to ask them if you can use them as a reference first and follow up with them and become friends with them.

Finally, and this may sound silly, but go look at yourself in a mirror and practice your smiling. Stay with me here. It will hurt at first, but just practice doing it. There's a reason why I'm telling you to do this. Your smile will gradually become more natural and people will generally like you more and employers like job candidates who show a nice, unforced smile. Not only that, it can help with depression. It helped me. If you don't feel like smiling at yourself in a mirror, go outside for a walk to a nice spot in town that has awesome scenery. I'm not talking about a bar, I'm talking about sitting on a park bench and just spend some time observing everything, like a sunset or attractive women. Looking at hot chicks always picks me up when I'm feeling down, especially with the warmer weather.

Keep in touch man. Send me a PM if you'd like. We may be strangers on opposite sides of a computer screen, but we do care around here. Stay safe brother, and good luck.