As jobs grow harder to find, older workers are taking entry-level positions once filled by teens

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.startribune.com/business/26210764.html?location_refer=Business:highlightModules:6

Teens pushed out of job scene

As jobs grow harder to find, older workers are taking entry-level positions once filled by teens.

By H.J. CUMMINS and LIBBY NELSON, Star Tribune staff w r iters

Last update: August 2, 2008 - 10:14 PM

The job market has been getting tighter for all workers, but it's becoming especially hard for those who are trying to get their first paychecks.

The unemployment rate for working-age teens rose to 20.3 percent in July, the U.S. Department of Labor disclosed late last week. That's almost four times the overall 5.7 percent unemployment rate, and a big leap up from the already elevated 15.3 percent rate among teens a year ago.

Economists are reporting "the demise of the summer job" and saying this is the worst season in more than 60 years for those ages 16 to 19 who want or need to work.

Alison Slowes knows firsthand. She started a summer job search when she got home from Brandeis University in mid-May, beginning with boutiques where she thought it would be fun to work, then broadening the search to Target, Michaels and other national chains.

No one wanted a student who could work for only a few months, she said.

"I got several where I was talking to someone and we were thinking of an interview, and I said, 'You know I have to go back to school in August,' and they were like, 'Oh, never mind,'" said Slowes, 20.

FULL 2 page story at link.

[FreakinDJ]

1. Welcome to WallyWorld

[freethought]

2. Employers are becoming impossible

If they want full-time help they troll around looking for young college grads. Why? They work for less and will work extra hours to make management happy. If your in your 30s on up and possibly have family obligations and have larger salary requirements, too bad, you cost too much and you have to make time for wife/husband and kids.

Now, if you're a high school or college kid on summer break. Oops! Sorry! Not interested!

I recently finished a second college degree, one in accounting. It was paid for without borrowing a single f_____g dime! But in order for me to do it I had to leave the full-time workforce for a few years. I did work but only on a seasonal basis. I burned through savings and an inheritance to do it. I'm 41 now. As it turns out this gap in my employment has turned into some sort of scarlet letter. Mind you I was at school. Dozens of resumes have gone out. Nary a peep. I did get one phone call, and they did ask why I had not been working for so long. I kept my composure and simply said that I went back to school full-time. That's why. I wanted to scream "I was in school you dumbass!!"