any DUer who, or whose immediate family, is unemployed, please check in

[Lerkfish]

By immediate I mean spouse, father, mother, sister, brother or adult child. By unemployed I mean you've actively sought work and have been unsuccessful.
I don't wish to count temporary or contract positions less than 2 months in duration.

please both post a post and rec the thread.

I just want to get a rough idea.

I'll start: I'm unemployed for a year.
I was refused unemployment because I quit a job that was not paying its employees a year ago, two months after being laid off from a profession that is dying.

I'm over 50 and have made over 850 job applications. (I keep records).

I've applied in every state that had a job, was willing to move.

[Love Bug]

1. 18 months for me

I'm still looking.

[RayOfHope]

2. My brother has been looking for a year. nt

[two gun sid]

3. Layed off since November 9th....

licensed master electrician. This sucks.

[Cid_B]

12. How do you feel about Afghanistan?

Contracters can use solid electricians all the time. Good money. Can do at any age(almost).

[two gun sid]

17. No thanks, Cid_B...

I spent 6 years on active duty in the '80s (Grenada, Central America, West Africa and Persian Gulf) and diagnosed with PTSD.

[truth2power]

40. sid - please check your inbox. n/t

[Lerkfish]

4. thanks everyone, don't forget to reccommend the thread

to counteract those who are unrecc'ing it.

[LibDemAlways]

75. Ridiculous that anyone would unrec this thread. I know

some would prefer to don rose colored glasses and not admit there's a huge problem. They should just feel mighty fortunate that they currently have a job because that could easily change tomorrow.

[KG]

84. unrec'ers? the worshipful who still have job.

[rurallib]

5. retired, but now looks like I will be going back to work.

[Roselma]

6. Both my husband and I are currently unemployed. My

employer went out of business in May of 2009, and my husband's employer just laid off 400 employees on February 26th. My husband is 62, and I'm 56. It has been a long, uncomfortable and scary year for us. My husband might just permanently retire if he can't find work before unemployment kicks in.

[LibDemAlways]

157. Welcome to DU. Laying off older workers is one of the

crappiest things a business can do. Employers know the chances of finding another job after 50 are slim, but they routinely send people packing anyway. If we had a strong union culture in this country, that sort of discrimination would be much harder to get away with. As it is, companies do it because they can. All they care about is the bottom line.

I hope things improve for the two of you. I know what you are going through. I'm a substitute teacher in a district that's cut back tremendously and my 59-year-old engineer husband was recently let go after 20 years. To top it off, our daughter starts college next fall. When it rains.....

[lynne]

7. Laid off in Jan. from a place I'd worked about 25 years -

- haven't collected unemployment yet as I figured I'd get a job. Had no idea it would be this difficult to find work. Prospective employers don't even bother to call you back after an interview as they have so many applicants for each job. I'm mid-50's and am competing against a much younger crowd. Ageism Rules!

[DemReadingDU]

8. That's my son-in-law

He's 35 and sent out a few hundred resumes too, over the past year. It is rare for him to even get called in for an interview. This is SW Ohio.

[Riley18]

9. My brother has been looking for work for over two years. I try to help out

as much as I can, but it is very bleak. Also, my teenager has been everywhere looking for a job. Only her friends with connections have landed a part-time job. She volunteers at the hospital so she can at least say she has experience when she does apply for jobs.

[Siwsan]

10. My brother - over 2 years

My sister's hours were cut in half, and she's pretty sure she will be out of the job, at the end of the school year.

[DawgHouse]

11. My adult son is unemployed.

He was fired after he missed too many days of work due to a broken ankle and surgery. He's been out of work for six months.

[tech9413]

13. I quit working in 2002

I wouldn't mind going back to work but the industry has become a joke, the business atmosphere in general is not employee-friendly, and I have 89y/o parents to care for.

My field is electronics and I really love it but since it's become a throw away society, no one wants to repair anything. I'm well into my 50's so I realize most companies wouldn't look at me as a likely prospect.
When I do go back to looking for work, I intend not to be interviewed as a candidate for employment but to interview prospective employers.

[NNN0LHI]

23. Taking care of 89y/o parents can be a full time job in itself

I have just a mother about that age and she is a handful. Something all the time.

Don

[Iwillnevergiveup]

174. My 31 year old son who's been unemployed for a year

will be looking after my 89 year old parents when they move from the East Coast to the West Coast later this month. They all need each other.

[raccoon]

212. Another reason the US needs a national health plan. At present, caretakers are screwn.

Unless they're already old enough to qualify for Medicare.

[LibDemAlways]

169. I like your attitude. My husband (age 59) is job hunting and

he also feels that it's important to interview the interviewer. He's a first-rate software/systems architect. Any organization would be lucky to have him, and when he does have the opportunity to speak with a prospective employer (which isn't often because of his age), he asks about their software process and how much attention they pay to quality and getting the job done right the first time. The answers have astounded him. No one seems to give a damn about quality. It's all about "Whatever it takes to meet a schedule." He has yet to speak with a company where anything is written down or documented. It's mostly just hacking. One guy at a company that provides software for a television application told him "It's just tv, not rocket science. It doesn't have to be great." Husband is extremely disspirited - not only because of how tough it is to locate a job at his age, but also because of the lax attitude of the companies out there.

[dixiegrrrrl]

200. Don't know if this thread about a job hiring would hlep your husband...

but can't hurt to post.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8085976

[raccoon]

213. Yeah, however, there's a big BUT to that.

"My husband (age 59) is job hunting and
he also feels that it's important to interview the interviewer. "

I totally agree, but if you're desperate enough, you have to take anything you can get.

[freddie mertz]

14. My sister and her husband. For over six months.

[Christa]

15. Two years for my husband nt

[footinmouth]

16. 32 year old son

The company he was working for went Chapter 11. He's been unemployed since last May.

[Johnny Harpo]

18. 15 Months For Me (This Time)

I am a 62 year old I.T. Constultant. My last assignment ended on 01/02/09.

Since then I have sent out 535 resumes. In that time I have had 5 face-to-face interviews.

I didn't get the jobs. Anyone want to guess why?

I also keep records of my employment.

Since 1987 I have had 3 unemployment periods that have lasted for over a year. One of them was almost 2 years. All 3 were under GOP administrations.

Since 1987 only 3 jobs have lasted longer then one year. Only one of those jobs was under a Democratic administration.

I have been in Information Technology since 1967 and this is without a doubt the absolute worst I have ever seen it.

This year I applied for early Social Security benefits. This was not done without a great deal of thought and debate, and I consider my decision to do so to be forced rather then voluntary.

Once the government decides to raise the 'retirement' age, that particular bill will go through both the House and the Senate like a hot knife goes through butter. So my decison was to get some type of SS benefit now rather then 'roll the dice' and lose altogether.

I am still drawing unemployment benefits (for now) and continue to actively look for work both inside and outside of my field but am not even 'guardedly optimistic'.

[dixiegrrrrl]

92. You are smart to apply for early SS.

The reason I say that is the amount you get, even with the early penalty, is based on your last 4 quarters of work history.
My last 4 quarters happened to have been high, but jobs I applied for after that were already paying less that previous salary levels.
So I opted for early retirement rather than lower my earnings record.

Turns out, with no job related expenses,
and because we moved a lower cost of living area,
I am doing almost as good on Soc. Sec. as when I was working.

Mr. d. also has Soc. Sec. We are doing ok, for now.

For us, it was a good plan.

[unabelladonna]

191. same here...

we both opted for early retirement. we sold our overpriced home in the NY burbs and bought a less expensive one in florida...bought and paid for(no mortgage). the cost of living is so much less (taxes, no winter clothes, heating bills, etc). we'll live off of SS, 401K, and investments. we have "peace of mind", i feel terrible for all the young families who are struggling.

[cilla4progress]

19. As of 12/14/09

Over 50; 20 year professional career as a paralegal; live in small, rural town - no jobs for me here (willing to be "creative" as to my skills, however). Haven't kicked the job search into high gear yet; low gear has failed to turn up anything. I know I'm going to have to settle for less pay than I have been making. Just hoping to find something in line with my values -- not willing to work for "the man," so, looking at non-profit sector.

Good luck to all!

[tavalon]

20. My ex husband is out of work (for a year now)

One of my current husbands was underemployed until a few weeks ago and my other husband is on Disability so no worries there. I'm blessedly employed as a nurse and shouldn't be facing much trouble.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

59. One of your husbands? Other husband?

OK, you couldn't have said that and expected no one to be curious!

I'm not usually nosey, but I couldn't stop myself.

[tavalon]

131. I'm polyamorous

No, I'm not a Mormon (though I guess having two husbands would preclude that). I've practiced this lifestyle most of my adult life and it has worked well for me and my kin.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

137. well, I knew you couldn't be a Mormon...

only the men get to have a stable... ;)

cool! it's certainly out of the mainstream -- which is good :) I've always preferred the non-conformist approach.

[tavalon]

140. Yikes, don't tell them I have a stable

They both have girlfriends, but neither of them are live in.

[livetohike]

21. Have not worked since 2000. Moved to CA with my husband's

new job and looked for 3 solid years. Had interviews but no offers.I was 48 years old in 2000 with an MBA. My husband quit his job there in 2007 and we moved back home to PA. We are 55 and 57 now and "retired" although we don't have pensions from anywhere and are living off our savings until SS kicks in.

[NNN0LHI]

22. My daughter has a business degree and can't find work in her profession

So she became a licensed day care worker out of her house last year. She is not working at the profession she was trained for and is constantly looking for something in that field. But she is doing really well financially watching kids until she finds something. Actually she makes more than her husband who is also college educated and wears a suit to work everyday. That causes some friction between the two because she makes more than him.

Incidentally my wife used to do the same thing when I would get laid off during the recessions we have lived through during the 70's and 80's.

Don

[TankLV]

24. My sister has been unempoyed for over a year and a half now.

She lives now in Columbus, Ohio.

My cousin used to work at the Toyota plant that closed this week for good near Frisco - Freemont I think.

He has sent out over 900 resumes this past year when they first heard of it.

Not good at all.

And my compay is overworked with us that are left to pick up the workload of those that have been laid off (over half the company) and to top it all off, instead of hiring more - we are farming out work to some outfit in the Philippines to make it look like "OUR" work to our clients...!!!

[LibDemAlways]

25. Spouse laid off in January after 20 years with company. He's 59 and well qualified in his

field which requires special certifications. He has them all and there is a demand for people who have his skills. But, he can't get a foot in the door. He's being blatantly discriminated against because of his age. He attended a job fair recently for a major company that has lots of job postings that match his skills to a tee. He was sure he'd have some luck there. No way. The recruiters were like bees on honey with the younger applicants. The "old guys" were ignored. It sucks.

[cordelia]

26. Me - 10/27/09

Just turned 52. Been in the same business area for over 30 years (travel).

Surprised I managed to hang on this long.

K&R

Good luck to all of us.

[B Calm]

27. I was called back to work when Pres. Obama introduced Cash for Clunkers.

[undeterred]

28. I was unemployed for 8 months with unemployment

but I started a low paying temp job in February. It offers benefits that the employee pays for and I can't afford the health insurance. Its a 3 month assigment but I could be there longer. Still looking for a real job in my field, but I feel lucky to have this.

[tilsammans]

29. Nine months for me . . .

. . . without as much as an interview. I'm moving soon, so I'm hoping I'll have better luck there.

[eugeneliberal]

153. Furloughed..

...for the past year, working one week on/off and collecting unemployment during off weeks. Laid off in February for the full month of March and it doesn't look like I'm going to be called back anytime soon. I'm a magazine editor/writer with a journalism degree, but there's nothing out there.

[Berry Cool]

30. Checking in. Been out since July.

Just got offered a Census job, had to reject it because it'll be making me little more (perhaps the same or less after taxes) than I am currently receiving in unemployment and it would last only 6 to 8 weeks. I don't know whether I'll get an unemployment extension in mid-June when my current one runs out, but I can't afford to make myself ineligible for it right off the top.

I don't think applying for jobs in other states is helping you. Employers don't want the trouble of interviewing people in other states, even if it's at the candidate's expense. Sad but true. It's just easier to interview and hire locally.

Edited to add: I have had only three "bites" for permanent jobs. Two ultimate rejections; jury's still out on the third.

[annabanana]

31. 23 year old son.. Graduated last May, has been looking since.. . n/t

[paulk]

32. wife is not employed

unless you count her crap census job, which has so far netted about $350 this year. And the government does count it, btw, which makes those recent employment numbers kind of meaningless, imo.

Both my wife and I are self employed, which means we can't collect unemployment. I guess I'm technically employed, although I've only made about $1500 so far this year - which is on a pace for what I made last year...

Our income these last 2 years is around 35% of what if was the previous 15 years... which may account for some of my bitterness when people here post about how wonderful the "recovery" has been... I am on the verge of losing everything I've worked my entire life for. I don't think it helps to cheerlead every little positive thing, as some do (especially when it's mostly spin that makes it "positive") - because it detracts from the fact that the economy is still in the toilet and much more needs to be done.

[flyarm]

33. I believe the people posting the propaganda about a recovery are paid propagandists..

there is no other explaination..or they are dumb as dirt!

[renate]

66. it's kind of like a weather report saying a 50% chance of rain after a flood

It's a lot better than a 100% chance of rain, but if it does rain anyway, it doesn't rain at 50%... it rains.

Many people are doing better (and I don't just mean rich people; many regular people are in fact finding jobs again), but for those for whom it's still raining, it's 100% raining, and 100% as hard out there as ever.

If things are going well for a person personally, and if they see the numbers starting to go in the right direction, it's easy for them to believe in the recovery, because it's real for them. But that doesn't mean that people are still suffering just as much as if the overall recovery hadn't happened at all. And I worry that the improved numbers might lead politicians to lose any sense of urgency about fixing things for the people who are still losing their homes and going without food or medicine.

[laughingliberal]

50. Self employed here, too

Husband's business (in business since 1982) started into the dumper in 06 tanked to nothing in '07. We make enough to eat and put gas in the car, now. No point, really, in looking for a job. He's 62 and we're in Nevada with 13.2% unemployment. Self employed are not, technically, being counted in unemployment numbers but there's a lot of us out here who have lost our incomes.

[paulk]

175. it's kind of ironic

if we were able to collect unemployment insurance, we'd not only be counted as "unemployed", we'd actually have more of an income than we do now.

[Capitalocracy]

206. nothing ironic about it

it's designed to run low and exclude people

I mean, what better system could you possibly design? Strict requirements for getting unemployment payments, you don't count as "unemployed" unless you do, so they pay out less and look better because unemployment numbers are artificially low, and can successfully marginalize the people who DO receive unemployment as lazy welfare queens or whatever

[LWolf]

34. My oldest son was laid off a year ago.

He finally found a part-time job; 10-20 hours a week. It will simply extend his unemployment benefits awhile longer. It wouldn't support him.

My younger son is still working, but had his hours cut to half-time last summer, and lost his health insurance.

I'm still working, but 50 of my fellow teachers were laid off last spring, and the rest of us took a pay cut and increased extra duties.

[Vincardog]

35. No IT job for 8 years

[Earth Bound Misfit]

36. 7 months here.

However I am the primary care giver for my 84 yr old Mom who, although not incapacitated, needs more & more attention daily so it's kinda sorta working to my and my family's advantage.

[erinlough]

37. Michigan here, are you kidding?

Husband over a year, 58
Daughter in law, 30 over a year
Nephew, legally blind, in Detroit, over a year

It's not looking good for employment for any of them, especially my husband and nephew. Only by family, working together, have all of the households kept going.

[Faygo Kid]

112. Native Michigander here. All the best to you.

Stick together. Do what you have to do.

[cullen7282]

38. checking in

my husband has been unemployed for over a year

[scentopine]

39. We needed a jobs stimulus instead of tax credits and

we need a real health plan instead of a insurance company bailout that lets you cover children into adulthood. It almost like a concession that all jobs are now in India and China (maybe this is the new meaning of the term "willing to relocate") and your kids don't have a chance in hell of making it on their own.

[Jakes Progress]

41. Brother: one year. Son 1.5 year. Step son 1.5 Year

Brother got a job a month ago, but he company laid off half work force this week.

Son working different odd jobs. 20% of former pay.

[jimmil]

42. Out of a job 2 years

I was laid off two years ago and have not found anything. I have sent out hundreds of resumes and so far nothing. I will say that I have sent resumes to 7-11, Home Depot, Wal Mart, and zip, nothing. I don't need the money really but I like to work to get out and be around people.

[sakabatou]

43. My dad and that's about it.

[2Design]

44. Yes

[JackDragna]

45. I'd be shocked if there's more than a handful..

..of people here who have everyone in their family gainfully employed, given the crap state of our economy.

[KG]

46. over 50 y.o., 18 mos, bene's may be running out, 35 applications last month.

[cosmic _mind]

47. unemployed

Been unemployed for almost two years except for some Census work

[dooner]

48. Husband, over a year

My husband (57) lost his job as a graphic designer at an ad agency over a year ago. They weren't getting enough work.
He's been getting some contract work.

[zalinda]

49. Son, 33 out of work for 18 months

He picks up a web site job now and then, but not enough to live on.

zalinda

[gels]

51. Out since February

I got terminated while on short-term disability, then denied unemployment, awaiting the appeal. I'm 54 with 37 years in the grocery business

[JDPriestly]

52. Don't know whether I count.

I wanted to work until the age of 70, but lost the job I loved at the age of 61. I continued to try to get jobs, got one that was impossible (on grounds I can't discuss here), quit it for good reason and tried to work in my own business. I soon learned that starting your own business at the age of 63 or 64 in my field is not realistic. So, I simply took Social Security long before I wanted to.

I would be working if the economy were even half-way decent. I need to be working, but have given up even trying to get a job. Meanwhile my resume is becoming less and less attractive (as am I, I suppose). It's pretty hopeless for me.

[tonysam]

53. Two years this month. No offers, a handful of interviews

and hundreds of resumes and applications in all kinds of fields which I remotely qualify for.

I am 55, and it's just about impossible to survive.

[DollyM]

54. Unemployed and Old . . .

My husband is 56 and has been unemployed for 2 years. We have sent hundreds of resumes out and get a few interviews but mostly it is a waste of gas to travel to interviews. They don't want someone "old". I found work last fall at a nursing home then was cut to 10 hours a week due to the state owing the nursing home tons of money for patient care. It doesn't look like that is going to change anytime soon so I am thinking of going back to school and going through an Occupational Therapist program. There are jobs in that field just like nursing. My husband will probably just have to take early retirement as they are laying off teachers in Illinois like crazy.

[LibDemAlways]

155. My husband (age 59) has wasted time and energy travelling to

interviews as well. Two weeks ago he received an invitation from a company he had sent a resume to to attend a job fair. When he walked in, a recruiter who had been friendly on the phone wouldn't even look him in the eye. He knew right away he was wasting his time.

He has a phone interview with another company two hours away Monday morning. If that goes well and they ask him to come for an in-person interview, he's going to ask up front if age is an issue before he consents to make the trip. (I know they won't admit it, but he truly doesn't want to travel two hours each way only to be looked at like he's some sort of alien because his hair is graying.)

US companies are plain stupid for discriminating against older workers this way. People with a lot of experience have a great deal of knowledge and wisdom to offer and can keep the younger people from making costly mistakes. This country is just ass backwards.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

55. Checking in (laid off in January of this year).

I'm currently collecting unemployment benefits, applying for jobs and attending networking events.

I've had two job interviews (one in the city in which I live (in Jan.), and one yesterday that was an hour's drive away (each way, of course). I've applied for about 20-25 jobs.

[raouldukelives]

56. Out of work for a a year

Still looking with no luck.

[GoCubsGo]

57. Lost my job of 20 years on 6/30/2007 thanks directly to the Bush administration

One of Cheney's flunkies saw to it that my employer's federal funding was eliminated. I have had a few 5-month temp jobs since then. Almost had a job at the end of 2008, but they instituted a hiring freeze before they could hire me. I get to go back to my temp job this summer, which was physically demanding for even the newly-graduated kid I worked with. I am pushing 49.

I have put in hundreds of applications, too--all over, including one in the Aleutians. Many of them require answering 3-8 essay questions describing every damn thing you have ever done in your life--in great detail. In most cases, they are just different enough that you cannot cut and paste from previous applications. If I have to answer one more damn essay question, I swear I am going to slit my fucking wrists. Don't even get me started on my application/interviewing experiences...

[BlancheSplanchnik]

58. 55 yr old hunny, several years now

was supervisor in successful construction firm in Fla. Firm got bought by larger one, full of "youngsters" with no actual building experience, just a lot of computer experience.
After 6 years of consistent supervisor of the month awards with them, they canned him. Then went back to him begging him to fix their screw ups. Too bad he didn't demand something in return. Was supporting himself doing handy man work for last couple years.

Came to western NY here and hasn't been able to find anything; doesn't know people so can't get remodeling work (it depends on knowing people--they know your quality and honesty, and spread your name. Here, he knows no-one. It's boondocks out here, so I don't know very many people close-by either. He's done a lot of rough work (many years deep diving-underwater construction) and looks it; I'm sure his rough look has an effect.

[mainstreetonce]

60. unemployed son needs work soon

My son was let go the day after Christmas. He just bought a larger home and second child is on the way. He has ten yr experience and a master's degree. He is willing to do almost anything for the salary he originally started with. He gets interviews but no luck yet. He is not willing to relocate.

[GoCubsGo]

121. My mom had a similar experience several years ago

She was a hospital administrator. The hospital where she worked got bought out by one of the big hospital chains. They let go everyone over the age of 45, with the exception of one person. They did that so no one could claim "age discrimination." A couple of years later, the 30-something who they put in my mom's position called her, begging her to help him clean up the mess he made. She told him where to go. My mom had been hired in the first place to clean up a mess there. She wasn't about to clean up another one, especially after what they did to her.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

186. I'm sorry she went through that -- disgusting how corp.'s are treating people

like garbage once they get to a certain age. Years of relationship makes no difference. Oh right, we're NOT people, we're workers. It's nothing personal, it's business.

I am so glad your mom told them to stick it in a place somewhere between the upper thigh and diaphragm!! Unbelievable, the nerve, isn't it?

I hope she's got work now.

[GoCubsGo]

204. It took her a while...

She found permanent work after about a year. She worked right up until she got sick and unable to continue on. She was at retirement age by then, but if it weren't for the complications from a second round of breast cancer, she'd still be out there.

[JackInGreen]

61. My wife

pistol lost her job a couple weeks ago.
Seattle, Wa.
She's hunting, fingers crossed.

[BEZERKO]

62. Right here,

when the realestate and constructin market fell through the floor, my wife's archicetural firm's business dried up almost overnight.

[Jokerman]

63. S.O. Has been unemployed or under-employed for the last 3 years.

She has had a few part-time and temp jobs during this time but not directly in her field and not on the pay scale she deserves. Currently unemployed.

[Arby]

64. Been unemployed since 2007

I've taken a few contracts, but have not been offered any position since being laid off in 2007....

[skygazer]

65. I'm the only one working in a household of three

My husband is a carpenter approaching 50 in an economy where construction has been devastated. He's been out of work for over a year with not even a return phone call from any applications. Luckily he's been able to get unemployment but it is roughly half what he used to bring in.

My daughter has been out of work since last December and is having little luck finding anything. She was not eligible for unemployment and I am essentially supporting her until she finds something, anything.

I am thankful to have a job and to have full-time status but this is really stressful and hard.

[notadmblnd]

67. 2 here

[dajoki]

68. Yep...

My wife lost her job about two months ago. She workwd in a hospital as a houskeeper and made decent money, they are currently being bought out by a larger medical center and they let a few housekeepers go. My daughter is an RN there but she is fine. Shit always rolls downhill.

[Bulletin Justin]

69. Unemployment stats don't tell real story.

My husband is in his 50's and lost his job two years ago on April 1. Some April Fools joke. He has been in the printing business 30 years. Fifteen years ago the average journeyman press operator made about $25 an hour. Today the jobs are paying $14 hourly if you're lucky. He was a press room supervisor. Ten years ago competitors were always calling to "steal" him because of his good reputation in the industry. During the Bush recession after 9/11, 2700 printing companies went out of business due to the impact of PC printing capabilities for small jobs such as business cards and wedding invitations and the advent of China manufacturing cheaper paper stock. Companies could by the paper in China so why not have the printing done in China before it is shipped here? In addition the onslaught of merger and acquisitions in the printing industry has caused the closing of many printing companies.

He has applied for every kind of job imaginable with no luck.

The unemployment stats show unemployment percentages in categories for teenagers, whites, blacks, Hispanics, but never for those over 40.

[bluescribbler]

70. Just two weeks, so far

I'm hopeful.

[Spike89]

71. Wife and Son, both with journalism degrees

My wife was put on "work share" for about a year (about 60% employed) then laid off two months ago. My son has been out of college for 2 years, works pumping gas. Both send out tons of resumes, rarely even get contacted.

[peacefreak]

72. Well, this is a group of good people I wish I wasn't part of.

Unemployed since 9/08. 58 years old & feeling more discouraged all the time.

[Greyhound]

73. You're just not trying hard enough, you lazy hippie!

Ageism does not exist! Corporations are our friends and only means of salvation! We've turned the corner on this economy!
:sarcasm:
:kick: & R

[Lerkfish]

79. LOL! that made me laugh.

you forgot "old, overweight hippie"

:)

[Greyhound]

80. I'm really glad, we are all in need of a lot of laughter these days.

For myself, laughing and pot are the only things keeping me from strangling every moran I meet.
:kick:

[Digit]

74. Unemployed over a year and a half

I am over 50 and this is the most difficulty I have ever had in my entire life.

I am flexible on pay (you have to be), but nobody wants an older individual.

[DesertDiamond]

76. Two years and two months. I have been applying but if I get any answer at all...

it's an email saying "We are sorry, there were so many applicants we couldn't get to all of them." I had heard even when I was employed that the administrative assistant field was drying up, so it's not entirely a surprise. I have applied for other jobs I'm qualified for but nothing yet. Monday I receive what is supposed to be my very last tier 4 UI check, unless Congress enacts an extension beyond what is already in place.

I'm looking at it as an incentive to go for my dream. My college degree was in theater, but I've always worked regular day jobs to have a safe income and so couldn't pursue my acting. But now, since I can't seem to get a regular day job, why not? I'm working on getting voice over work. My goal is to record audio books, and to do voice over work in general.

Back to the subject of unemployment insurance: Congress has got to provide either more extensions, or jobs for all of us. They cannot let us fall. That simply cannot happen. With Wall Street stockpiling $1.1 trillion dollars and just sitting on it, I know something can be done.

[sandyj999]

77. Husband six months.

No prospects but we are fortunate he just turned 62 and decided the best way to go was file for early Social Security, so he did. He still is looking but being in Michigan it is pretty much useless. He may have a better chance with some part time job. And these are the Golden Years?

[rivercat]

78. unemployed

about 4 months now.
unemployment insurance was denied. savings are gone.
I'm fucked.

[Autonomy]

81. Unemployed for 15 months

with a newly minted MBA, I cannot get a professional job, a job mopping floors at McDonalds, or anything in between.

[mzteris]

82. I'm stll unemployed.

Kind of a different journey, but the end result is the same.

I was an HR manager back in 1993. My position was eliminated while I was pregnant. I did do some part-time clerical from 94-99, then an HR clerical part-time until the december after 9/11. Then I became a full-time homeschooling teacher mom...

moved to WI in August of 2006. Husband left in April of 2007. I started looking in earnest for work - still wanted to do part-time due to the kids still being at home. . . . Husband company had massive lay-off in January of 2009. I started looking for FULL-TIME, part-time, temp, you name it.

Had a few temp jobs that were just temp off/on for a about three months around christmas.

Had three "almost got the job" interviews - but due to the fact that I'd "been out of the work force for so long" and "others had currentn experience . . . " I think the only reasons I got those interviews is because - since they were state/county agencies - they couldn't discriminate on age AND because I had the highest scores of anyone on their "clerical assessments" roster. Ever.

I graduated with the highest GPA of the entire University back in May 0f 2002. I have twenty years progressive work experience. I have impeccable skills and I "interview well". I can only find ONE reference though. The rest have died or moved or married or divorce or something or the companies are out of business or bought out or no longer have records from "that far back".

Hubby (still not ex 'cause I needed his insurance) got a crap job in Texas in February of this year. Not much $$. His house is in foreclosure. Fighting to keep mine. All the savings are GONE. I owe the dance school so much money I could just give her my car.

They laughed at my food budget - said it was 'way too much". They obviously don't have two teenage boys in the house! And we're vegetarians. the only "junk food" is no-fat pretzels and Flax seed cookies - occasionally. Ok one of my teens is only eleven but he outweighs his 16 brother by about 40 lbs. He's built like a linebacker - and that is NO exaggeration. (The brother is built like the ballet dancer he is...)

Divorce should be final this month. Hoping to get Badger care for insurance. "Hubby" has a new baby due in a couple of weeks. He's already talking about quitting the TX job and moving back to be near his kids. I don't BLAME him, but - hey - we do gotta eat ya know. . . and this may sound bad, but the "baby" ain't MY problem. . .

He's pissed because I'm still unemployed. Hell *I'M* pissed because I'm still unemployed. I'm either over or underqualified. Qualfied, but have no "recent experience". And now with a bankruptcy (due to 'hubby') - did you know people do CREDIT checks now before they'll hire you.

I'm old. Out of work for a very long damn time. References basically non-existent.

I'm at my wits end. I have to work - we have to eat. But no one wants me (hmph - ditto my love life.)

[Autumn Colors]

83. Two...

My brother got laid off from his job doing electrical work.

My sister has a seasonal job with H&R Block right now that will end in early May. Other than that, she's been unemployed long-term.

[Zavulon]

85. Lost my job last year. Had hopes to get it back this spring, but

health care reform eliminated those hopes. The day Obama signed it into law, my former boss called me and told me that he now has to keep his payroll to below 50 people, so I will not be rehired this spring. Great. A bunch of other small businesses I applied to in DC are no longer hiring because of it, either (I hsad a line on another job until it was signed). And I can't even get hired by my local McDonalds (yes, I tried) because I don't speak any fucking Spanish (I'm not joking, they told me to come back when I learn some).

This is going to be my shittiest year ever. Guaranteed.

[BrklynLiberal]

86. July will be 2 years.

[chitown606]

87. Unemployed for 15 months

In the Chicago area applied to over 3,000 jobs. Only 4 interviews. I am 30 with 2 kids and a rented home. Trained as a Accountant with a Bachelors in Business Administration and currently working on a Masters in Employment Law.

It is really hard out there.

[kimpossible]

88. Me too

It's been about two years, except for a 3-month stint that recently ended.

[njlib]

89. Unemployed since 2/16/09

Got fired for attending nursing school in the evenings. Finished school in January with a 3.86 GPA, passed my licensing exam on the first try and got my LPN license a couple of weeks ago. I can't even tell you how many resumes I've sent, applications I've filled out, how many different job sites my resume is on....it's depressing as hell! I knew going into it that I'd most likely end up working in a nursing home setting or home care, and that's fine with me. The problem is everyone wants experience, at least a year. So, how does a new grad get experience when nobody's willing to hire you? I live in northwest NJ and have even been looking in Pennsylvania & New York, with no luck.

I'm 43 years old, so this is my "second career". I had hoped that my age might work in my favor because I'm more mature and responsible than some of the dopey kids I had in class AND I had perfect attendance for the 18 months I was in school. I spend my days online, looking for facilities in north Jersey, mapping my route, then driving from place to place filling out applications and leaving resumes. I even drove 2 hours to North Brunswick yesterday to fill out an application with a home care agency that's willing to take new grads. I got lost in North Brunswick, called them to say I was in town, but needed directions. The receptionist said "We're trying to get out of here at 3 today and the application process takes a long time. Come back Monday or Tuesday of next week"!! I told her I drove two hours to get there and WAS IN THE TOWN. She said again to come back next week because they wanted to close early! So, I ended up driving two hours back home, wasting the entire day!

To make matters worse, my second tier extension runs out this week. From what I understand, Congress needs to do something as soon as they get back from vacation in order for me to keep collecting. My son is a full-time student and has been working at the same part-time job for over two years. They're in the process now of cutting everyone's hours and if they've given him 30 hours in the past 3 weeks, that's a lot.

I'm really at the end of my rope and empathize with everyone else who's in the same boat. As hard as it is to do, we have to hang in there until things get better. If anyone's interested, check out the Union of the Unemployed, or Ucubed. Their goal is to organize all of us to try to put pressure on the politicians as a group. I'm a member of my county's "cube and they desperately need more publicity and members.

Best of luck to everyone out there.

[nashville_brook]

90. i went 2 years before i found my current job -- and had a year unemployed before that...

and, i had a realization about this today. i had a decade of experience and awards in the design field in a city with few options for designers. i think that if i had moved to a better market way back when, i would have been much better off. it has everything to do with having TOO MUCH experience. if you're in a small market and have creative director/art director beside your name you're in direct competition with the agency owners who you're seeking employment with. in larger markets with bigger opportunities (i do both marketing and publishing, both design and writing), then you're more likely to find larger organization that have the need and the ability and the desire to hire high level experience.

and, what most people don't understand, is that when you're this far along, NO ONE looks at you for those dime-a-dozen production jobs, so, you can't even find work to pay the bills. don't look to your friends to understand this--or your husband. they all think you're a big slacker no matter how many resumes you send out, or how hard you network. back in nashville, i'd do things like call companies and public service orgs that were in the news for having received big new clients or directives. i sent notes. kept up with people via email and and message boards and networking events -- i was not resting on my laurels. and this was during the supposed boom.

i'm writing this, Lerk, sad that you haven't found anything yet. man, I've thought about you a bunch lately. i'm really wanting to get out of where i'm and into a larger market...i'm based in Orlando right now, but as i write this i'm sitting in Miami with a big hankering to give this city a shot. and, i know that, wherever i go, i'm going to have to pull up roots and just go there, b/c no one is hiring long distance right now. it SUCKS. it all sucks. and i'm damn sick and tired of the attitude that good designers aren't needed. where i work now they're trying to make us obsolete with a template system they'll give to administrative assistants. i will seriously go insane the next person who tells me to just give them my files and they'll have their "girl in the back" take it from there. i've seen the results, and i'm embarrassed for them presenting that kind of marcomm and it makes me sick that my name has to be involved in any manner.

a friend of mine in journalism recently said that he feels like a hat maker -- that, his business is dying, the same way mine is. i'm sick and tired of it. and, it's been this way since I quit grad school in '91 to start my own business. this "recession" -- it's didn't start in 2007. it's been with us since Reagan. i'm 44, and it's not going to get any better. i've got to find a place where i can feel secure, and that's not going to be orlando.

on edit -- right now i'm doing marketing and PR for a large (international) commercial real estate firm (and, we've all been reading what Elizabeth Warren has to say about commercial real estate). the fiance's job is also dependent on real estate. reading between the lines, i wouldn't be surprised if my company closed 50% of their FL offices come 2011. the fiance's business was bought out, and looks to me that his department is being liquidated. their health insurance is a JOKE -- 50% coinsure. you might as well not have insurance if a major hospitalization is going to be 50% your financial responsibility b/c a $200,000 bill might as well be a gadjillion -- there's no way to pay it.

sorry for the vent-a-rama...this is a very sore subject for me. we're all so very screwed -- even if you have a job today, it means nothing.

[prolesunited]

91. After reading this thread, it is apparent that

if you are anywhere near 50 or older, you are screwed. Very depressing.

I've been unemployed since September 2009. I luckily had a severance package, so it delayed starting UE benefits. I've had a few interviews and a couple of e-mail/phone inquiries, but nothing seems to be panning out.

I have something pending now, but it means a $20,000 pay cut. But, if it gets offered, I'll take it. I'm only worried because I will be more qualified and more experienced than my boss, so I really need to overcome being perceived as a threat.

[The River]

93. 13 Months So Far

with little hope of working again.
I've kept up with new tech but my skill set
is analog and 40 years old.
If I turn off the hot water/ heat/ AC
and learn to eat every other day my savings
might see me through to SS.... 17 months from now.

[wickerwoman]

94. I was unemployed for 17 months before going back to college.

Still can't find a part-time job that fits around my schedule.

I didn't qualify for unemployment insurance because my last job was in another country and I quit (the week before the financial collapse- how's that for timing?) My new job offer fell through so I was completely screwed.

I applied to easily more than a thousand places, including schools, software companies, publishing companies, grocery stores, the city parks department, UPS over Christmas, temping, data entry, coffee shops, fast food... no joy anywhere. I was also willing to relocate anywhere with a job.

I had 21 job interviews mostly in the first few months when companies weren't hiring but at least tried to pretend that they hadn't wasted your time with the advertisement. From Feb last year until Feb this year, I sent in 600-700 applications with only 1 interview offer (temping for UPS- they interviewed 400 people for one part-time slot and while they advertised it at $11.50/hr when we got to the interview they said it was really $8.50. I still tried to get the job and still didn't.) And that was in Seattle where the situation was supposedly not so desperate.

[never cry wolf]

95. A year for me

I do not keep records but I estimate I have applied around 500 times worldwide, including the Middle east and war zones.

I am a 55 year old architect. I blew all my savings trying to keep my small firm afloat. My house is under foreclosure.

I am getting unemployment, $350/week but have only about 10 weeks left.

[Greyskye]

96. Received my notice one year ago, just shy of 25 years on the job.

Got it on April 1st. No foolin'. :crazy:

My wife is a teacher working two jobs; one of which is a small business she owns, so we can't move. Besides, we're fortunate enough to have a mortgage lower then we could rent, much less buy, these days. Unfortunately, my skill set in my hi-tech field is rather specialized. No work in my area, and the industry is still depressed enough that not many companies are hiring contractors that work from home, something that was common 5+ years ago.

[NRaleighLiberal]

97. My daughter, 28 - can't find a thing. Great degree, bright, 2 yrs Peace Corps.

Doors getting shut in her face constantly.

[Mithreal]

98. Many are underemployed as well.

[loveslife]

99. April 10th

will be two years exactly for me. I was laid off as work was already slowing down at my company. I'm 55 and it's looking slimmer and slimmer to me as far as getting anything. I've only had maybe 10 responses in the last two years. I've over 7 years experience in my field (3d visualization), a Masters,and feel I'm pretty skilled with my work. On top of that the people I've worked with in the past were always positive about my interactions with them. I really do miss working as I loved my work. And yeah, I'm looking for anything now but thats not happening either.

[renate]

122. I love your user name--how positive you are despite the past two years

Welcome to DU! :hug:

[loveslife]

133. Thanks !

Thanks renate! I truly do feel that way and try to keep that upper most in my mind while I'm going through this.

[anarch]

100. yeah

household income cut by about 1/3 several years ago. It is hard.

[freebrew]

101. Fired in Jan. 2008..

I am employed, sort of, but working 64 hrs a week, no benes, no overtime.
I don't count it as employed, just biding time.

At 59, I lost count of how many resumes I've sent out, how many times I've been turned down for too much experience, etc.

Now, taking orders from a guy that is a real piece of work. But bills must be paid. This is Amerika. It has arrived as predicted.

[americanmutt]

102. going on 8 months....

Last job was only ubder the table. I have all the equipment for my own screenprinting biz., but no shop space. The pacific nw sucks. The wife and i want to go home to Cali. It may not be much better, but it is home for us. (thank gods she is working as a cook, people have always got to eat.)

[LiberalEsto]

103. 18 months for me

and not a lot of hope, since I'm 58, female, and a former journalist.

[electricray]

104. Unemployed for about 3 months here. n/t

[ElsewheresDaughter]

105. son-in-law 18 months, my sister (who is now living with me) 2 years

[DissedByBush]

106. Lifelong learning

"after being laid off from a profession that is dying."

It's a good idea to always be learning so this doesn't happen.

Retrain yourself for something. All the time you're not in work you could be working to learn a marketable trade.

BTW, have you tried government jobs?

[Lerkfish]

107. the dying industry was newspapers

but I have the ability to work on websites and graphic design and some programming and flash animation.

I"m already qualified to get jobs in a new industry... unfortunately, that industry has rampant ageism. most workers in that industry are no older than 30.

I don't need education. I"m ready to go. I need someone to hire me


However, your advice is good advice for someone else.

[DissedByBush]

I see you've been moving off paper

I worked in the publishing industry for some years too. But I was more a computer guy who could do some design rather than a designer who knew some computers. I built a whole computerized publishing system while I was there, even started the practice of sending stuff out electronically rather than pasting up.

I've worked closely with government before. That's the ticket.

Ageism is not so bad in government jobs. Or contractors for government jobs. Age is a benefit, more solid, stable, trustworthy people. They don't necessarily want the young punk who might ditch the job a year later for something better. It takes FOREVER to hire a new person so they want to reduce that possibility.

Yes, the government has lots of positions for graphic artists and web designers, some government, some contractor.

Even the military needs them (not as a soldier, as a civilian).

Public affairs stuff, advertisements, training materials, web sites, etc. The government uses them too.

If you do web sites learn Section 508 compliance right now. If you can put that on your resume it HELPS because all government sites are supposed to be 508, and most aren't (and therefore need redesign, hello, new job).

Seriously go for that.

Uncle Sam needs you!



http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/search.aspx?q=illustrator&x=0&y=0&brd=3876&vw=b&FedEmp=N&FedPub=Y&pg=1&re=0

http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/search.aspx?q=web&x=0&y=0&brd=3876&vw=b&FedEmp=N&FedPub=Y&pg=1&re=0&jbf571=11

This one is good to get in the system:

http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=87120732&JobTitle=Visual+Information+Specialist%2c+GS-1084-9&q=web&x=0&y=0&brd=3876&vw=b&FedEmp=N&FedPub=Y&pg=1&re=0&jbf571=11&AVSDM=2010-03-30+00%3a03%3a00

Sounds like exactly what you've been doing.

Once you're in the system it's easy to move around and go up.

[loudsue]

108. 60 yrs. old - no work since 2006.

Self-employed contractor. Can't find work, competing against younger workers. Location where I live isn't an issue, as jobs are always somewhere else, when I can find them.

My 29-year-old step daughter has been out of work for 8 months, and lives in Virginia not far from D.C.

[varelse]

109. one of my sisters is unemployed

she is planning to self-employ as a landscaper/odd jobs person.

[lonestarlib]

110. 2 years and still

looking. Over 55.

[Faygo Kid]

111. Significant other: Late 50s; lost her job at the end of the year.

The Board brought in an outsider to evaluate the organization and make recommendations; she recommended that she take my significant other's job and boot her out. Which they did, with no performance criticism whatsoever. Just lost out after a final, final interview this week to another candidate. Tough stuff. I went through it for 2 1/2 years starting after 9/11; at least this president will sign unemployment extensions.

All the best to anyone going through that hell, especially older workers whose lives may not bounce back.

[SeattleGirl]

113. My husband has been unemployed since December 2008. n/t

[vt_native]

114. My mother has given up finding a job and is retired

Technically, not unemployed, using the Bush standard.

She could've used the regular income for a few more years.

Best to all.

[K Gardner]

115. Brother.. over one year now.

[RockaFowler]

116. Husband just got laid off less than a month ago

Construction jobs in Florida are just awful. Now after almost 40 years in construction, he has to switch careers. Pretty hard for someone in their 50's to do. I wish we had enough money for him to retire at this point. We may start a doggy daycare business. That may help us. Good luck to you in your endeavours, my dear!!

[Joanne98]

117. Me

[FirstLight]

118. hmmmm, dunno if I am considered unemployed or not

Got 'laid off' my PT church secretary position Jan 08 because the church was losing money...
Haven't been in a full time gig since 2006, lost *that* job because my daughter was diagnosed with a birth defect and we had to get tons of tests done, and my boss didn't allow for dr appts.

I still tell people I am 'self employed' as a freelancer, though I have only ONE regular client and she is running out of money too. Trying to finish up some webwork and get her to a stable place with her marketing etc... so I can pursue more options..

TANF & food stamps are our survival right now until I can figure it all out. (single mom w/3 kids keeps me pretty busy, too)

Did some re-training in HR mgmt, but HR positions are NOT available now because there is no workforce...so I guess I made the 'wrong choice' in my contnuing ed. (...all the job projections were from 2006, before the 'crash'...so it looked like I would be better off)

Hoping to get back into some Journalism work with a local online news org...but they aren't launching till may/june and the money part is still really iffy...

so ya, I guess you would say i'm unemployed...but I sure do alot of 'work' anyway!

[yankeepants]

119. Out since May 2009

That job was my third to be downsized in as many years. I am in PR/Marketing/Event Planning professional. I am 52 and now any job I apply for in my field is what used to be three positions. PR person/webdesigner/graphics design and production. I don't have the whole package of skills and I think any employer that expects to get good work by overloading one person is going to get what he/she paid for.

[GCP]

120. My son

Out of work since just before Christmas.

[lifesbeautifulmagic]

123. over 50 --

unemployed for over a year, schooling like crazy, will get a 2 year acct degree in 14 months, trying to stay optimistic.

[mnhtnbb]

124. Not immediate family, but my brother's daughter-in law was laid

off in February. She's a Ph.D.--medicinal chemist--and her Japanese employer closed the San Diego unit
to move it back to Japan.

My cousin--construction worker-- was furloughed in March. He's worked for his company
for a lot of years (Seattle area) and they 'hope' to call him back.

[Juche]

125. Nine months so far

I am considering leaving the country and doing something overseas like teaching english for the next 5 years. My impression is that unemployment really isn't that important to the corporate and political bureaucracy that runs this country. In the great depression there were tons of projects. Now there really aren't. The stimulus was decent and may save/create 4 million or so jobs over its lifetime, but it wasn't nearly enough.

The problem for younger workers is twofold

1. No new jobs have been created (in 2000 we had 280 million people and 132 million jobs. We now have 315 million people and 129 million jobs).
2. The baby boomers can't retire because they can't afford it. So they will not be able to open positions for younger workers.

So no new jobs are created, and no old jobs open up due to retirement. Normally about 3 million people a year retire and leave the workforce, opening their old jobs up. And I don't think that is going to happen over the next 5-10 years because the collapse of the housing industry, pension system and stock market has wiped out a lot of boomers in their 50s and 60s. In a good/average year you might see 5 million jobs a year that are either new or due to retirements. Now it is probably closer to 1-2 million.

We are in a perfect storm of shit, and it honestly seems like nobody with any real power (the people in charge of corporate and political influence) really cares. Corporate profits are up $280 billion, and they are sitting on tons of cash. But nobody wants to hire.

[droidamus2]

126. Looking

After trying to start a business of my own (due to sickness in the family didn't work out) I have been looking for over a year with no luck. Gone through savings, retirement funds (with penalties) and right now am not really sure how I will pay bills.

[Dulcinea]

127. 13 1/2 months and counting.

Not in a position to move, though.

[catrose]

128. husband & son (living w/us)

my contract ends in September

[Flatulo]

129. Over 50 job seeker here. I can find temporary work, which is

something, but I am earning less than 1/2 of what I was earning one year ago.

I can get the occasional interview, but when employers see me, you can see the look on their face. They never call me back.

I graduated tops in my class from one of the most respected engineering schools in the country, and I have 30 years of solid work experience. Big fucking deal. Knowledge and experience are worthless in a society that no longer values labor of any kind. Any job I can do can be done by a Chinese engineer for 1/5 the cost.

I honestly do not expect to ever get a benefits package again. I'll be lucky to get an hourly wage, most of which will go to pay for mandatory insurance.

[earthboundmisfit]

178. I know that look!

It hits you right in the gut

[kickysnana]

130. Brother 53, Database intigration, internet and computer secuirity consultant 3.5 yrs. n/t

[upi402]

132. 1.5 years with under 20 hours, now on unemployment 5 months

I knew it was coming and pared down expenses. But there is no hope with Team Obama. Trying to sell my home of 29 years and get ready to leave country. Not old enough to retire early even.

I still donate to real Democrats for primary challenges. I'll fight to the end I guess. And for nothing I'm sure.

[madrchsod]

134. oldest son for over a year...

i retired at 62 after being out of work-drawing unemployment- for two years and
everyone else is employed

[noiretextatique]

135. i was laid off 12/31/09

the day i returned from a month off for surgery. i managed to stay on disability for a while, and i've been waiting for almost two months for unemployment to kick in. i am in california, and the governator's irresponsibility has made the state totally unresponsive to those seeking unemployment benefits. it takes hours or days to reach a live person, and every person i've talked to tells me something different. it's been almost two months since i filed...and still no check. the state owes me $3,400.00 so far, but i have to borrow money to pay my bills this month. i will be working hard to make sure a democrat wins the governor's race here. they finally sent me a claim form for two weeks of the six weeks i am owed, so i suspect it will be another month before they get caught up. there is only one unemployment insurance office in the city where i live and you have to get there before they open to get a parking place. it's a total nightmare.

[irishcat]

136. Nine months for my wife. n/t

[flyingfysh]

138. I was lucky

Laid off in February last year, found temporary contract computer work in September, then landed in a Federal research lab in December. I just wish others could do as well.

[dencol]

139. 15 Months

Airline Operations. Company laid off all the gay management employees for lack of work, and immediately filled all of our positions with people off the street.

[juajen]

141. I have three children who have been unemployed for over a year.

They are all well qualified and over 40 years of age. There's nothing out there. I don't know what they'll do when unemployment benefits run out.

[pasto76]

142. on and off (mostly off) for a year now

structural ironworker by trade. Union to boot. Economy in colorado is abyssmal, and the dozens and dozens of projects "on the books" 18 months ago have all had financing evaporate. we do OK though.

[Mari333]

143. my son, a vet.

[harmonicon]

144. good luck, man

My 65 year old mother just got a 5-month contract job after being out of work for nearly a year - this is a woman with multiple degrees including a doctorate, and she couldn't get hired anywhere for a year. I'm unemployed, but I'm a full-time student with a cost-of-living stipend, so it's like having a job. That ends in 6 months, and I have no idea what will happen after that. I'm pretty scared to be honest.

[timefortherevolution]

145. 12 months in the Opportunity-filled state of MI!

Car is running, waiting for the out-of-town offer ——
employment picture not-so-bright in this wonderful state! You betcha!

[SteveG]

146. Wife has been mostly unemployed since Oct.. '07

Victim of the Construction slump, she worked for HVAC wholesaler. She has found a couple of short term jobs and is now working part time contract as a tutor. She did manage to get into a Federal program for displaced workers that is paying for an Associates Degree since she was in what was termed "a declining field". She also has over 500 resumes out.

[bergie321]

147. Brother

For about 3 months now. Trying to convince him to go back to school to ride out the recession.

[TheDebbieDee]

148. Out of work as administrative assistant since October 14th, 2009...................

I'm hoping to be called in to work at the IRS soon.......I applied for a seasonal job there in November, 2009.

Kicking and recc'ing this thread but it doesn't look like it's needed!

[Patchuli]

149. My husband was laid off a year ago February

and has found nothing but part time since. He has experienced age discrimination in his search as well. He's 59.

If our leaders want to put Humpty Dumpty back on the wall, they need to step on it with the jobs thingie. I'm sorry you're going through this too. :hug:

[lavenderdiva]

150. 4 months now for Mr. ld

they let him go in January, and he's been looking ever since. He turns 60 this year, and he feels that may be part of the problem too.

[Raschel]

151. Immediate family - eight mos.

[Stumbler]

152. In 2 weeks it'll be 12 months

Haven't kept track of the number of apps I've sent out, but glad I decided to go back to school in the mean time, just wish I didn't have to pad some banker's paycheck for the loans I took out 4 months ago. It's long overdue for our nation to provide education to any American who is capable to attending, instead of expecting us to join the military for education benefits.

[jwirr]

154. I lost my part time job last month but I do not count because I was

planning on retiring anyhow. That does not mean I don't feel the money shortage. Living on $694 a month is not easy.

[swilton]

156. A year for my son - I hear the military's hiring

[Techn0Girl]

159. You don't want that. The turnover in that industry is brutal.

[Techn0Girl]

158. I was unemployed for 12 months - for the last 3 years all I have been getting are temp jobs ....

I did get a job 6 weeks ago but guess what? It's a Temp job working for a a California University. I applied for the permanent position but with all the laid off Ca employees its iffy whether I'll get it. In 2 or 3 more months I could be back on unemployment again. FWIW I'm over 50 but usually pass for 40's.

Today I just talked to a woman in a coffee shop who's mid 20's daughter in the I.T. industry has been out of work for 18 months.

(and in totally unrelated news - I bought a iPad today - weee ! )

[Chisox08]

160. Unemployed 20 monthes

I'm still looking, but I'm back with my parents.
We need a job program badly in order to get the economy back working for everybody who isn't on Wallstreet.

[diane in sf]

161. My family is ok--my friends and young people I know are having a terrible time.

[Berserker]

162. Very Confused

I have a friend that is a Triumph motorcycle mechanic and has been out of work for 30 years. He wants it that way I guess. He is happy doing what he does what ever that is to get along.
I just wanted to use his example because I do not understand why some will not work out of the trade they have selected and have trained for. They then piss and moan they can’t find work.
Adapt and overcome comes to mind.
I work for a construction company that does work in 3 states Colorado, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
We offer jobs in all 3 states and few want to work. VERY FEW.
The reason is we knock on doors and set our own appointments.
The person that wants to do this makes $50,000 per summer if he or she even attempts to work and double that if they really want to work at it.
We advertise on many sites and one of them is a site that has people that are on unemployment and that is the least successful of all. We have sent many hundreds of invites to people on unemployment and have had 2 people respond since December. I think they are very comfortable on unemployment and will ride it out. I have mixed feelings.

[Juche]

181. Uh huh

You have tons of openings in construction (which was hardest hit by the recession and where tons of qualified laborers are sitting idle) where people can make $50000-100,000 over the summer, and nobody is applying?

Did you know that census jobs and garbageman jobs supposedly get tons and tons of resumes now? I don't buy the story you are telling.

A job that pays 50k for 3 months of work in a field where there are millions of competent, qualified applications that doesn't get anyone applying since everyone is too content with $300/wk unemployment insurance?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

187. Hire Me

I will work this Summer for $100K

[TheWatcher]

189. I smell Bullshit.

Even in the best of times it's repugnant.

Now, it just makes me want to do something unpleasant.

Go back under your fucking bridge.

[Luciferous]

163. I've been looking for a job for 13 months and have sent out about

300 applications.

[tinkerbell41]

164. August 2008

I am in the trades, laid off aug 2008. Waiting tables part-time to keep my head above water

[HCE SuiGeneris]

165. 50 is the new 80

unless, of course, you are in the highest echelon of wage earners (CEOs, etc). We have a very real discriminatory policy towards the people that actually made the billions and trillions of dollars corporations have derived.

Where does the abuse end? When does the threshold age hit 40? Has it already?

[Sebastian Doyle]

195. Yeah, I'd say it's hit 40

43 here, and even the crappy ass call center with the most ridiculous job application process on the planet wouldn't take me. And only the desperate times even allowed me to consider that horrible place to begin with. My 41 year old sister isn't having much luck either, and she doesn't even have the greying hair and weight factors against her like I do. :evilfrown:

[snooper2]

216. We just hired somebody in my group who is 56 two months ago

30 something years experience has it's advantages...

Also, he was smart enough to learn new technology so not only is he a ISUP/SS7 guru he has some experience working on VoIP networks as well.

[Uben]

166. Damn, this sucks!

I've been retired for ten years, but I used to hire machinists in my shop. I preferred the over fifty crowd because they came with experience and showed up for work......every day! I tried hiring 20 & thirty somethings, but they always seemed to do fine for a month, then they started missing days. It's hot nasty work in the summer (no a/c in TExas), but paid well and came with good benefits. Younger hirees were only trainees. Some were good employees, but after six months to a year, they would get enough experience on the CNC machines they operated and would fund a job with a larger corporation that paid more and had a/c. I can't really blame them for wanting to better themselves, but being a training center wasn't conducive to productivity. The over fifty crowd is much more reliable and are less likely to be able to find another job. So...........

What I'm getting at is if HR managers would weigh the costs of hiring older workers against younger workers for the long haul, they would find that older workers do not really cost more to employee, and they keep production levels higher. At least that was my experience 10 yrs ago. Times change, but not that much. Too many companies look at the immediate impact on their bottomline instead of working out the long term benefits and implications of hiring older workers.

I am just thankful I am retired, financially secure, and not looking for a job. My heart goes out to you guys in your fifties and sixties...I know it's tough and scary! To the younger crowd, I was laid off twice in the eighties (thanks Ron Reagan). Both times the lay-offs occurred the same week as my daughters were born. That was scary, but I did still have insurance to cover their births, and both were healthy! I was able to find work (actually, both times the work found me!) within a few months, and was never in any dire straits. Nothing more than a few late house payments. Having walked a mile in those shoes, the only advice I have is take anything you can get...right now! I took a job at a lumberyard for year. Hot dirty work, but it put food on the table and had insurance for the family. I worked two other part time jobs to make ends meet. But, I don't think it was as bad in the eighties as it is right now.

Good luck, DUers. Know that we all keep you in out thoughts and are wishing you the best!

[thecrow]

193. "...older workers do not really cost more to employ..."

No, but their health insurance is astronomical compared to the 20-somethings.

I haven't been employed since 2008. I'm 60 and have a complicated medical history.
The other people who were "let go" were also "complicated".

Employers are looking for the perfect robot 24-29 years old who never misses a day, has no kids to complicate things, preferable unmarried/unattached as well, (orphaned would be a good bet), no grey hair, no medical conditions, and who will work an MBA job for $7.50/hour.... or my favorite... commissions only.

I hear so many people saying that they can't afford medical insurance. Still. And not just the employees, but the employers.

Medical discrimination is something that hasn't really been addressed predominantly in this thread, but in light of the health insurance reform that just passed, I don't see why. They can't turn you down for pre-existing conditions, but they can still charge you an arm and a leg.

If you're older, you bring down the insurance pool.
If you're overweight, drink, smoke, outashape, (or used to)....don't even look for work.
You're fucked. Get over it, whatever. You no longer get to play.
Tents are 15% off in Aisle 11.

[Liberation Angel]

167. Self employed but no work hardly at all for months

Scraping by ...

[eyeofdelphi]

168. I've been looking for 8 months

i felt my son was old enough and needed to be in daycare, so i started looking for jobs back in august. no luck.

[Technowitch]

170. Both brothers unemployed nearly a year now

n/t

[DiverDave]

171. My wife has been out since

January of last year.
We NEVER argued about money...till now.
We simply keep falling further and further behind.
I work as many hours I can, but it doesnt seem to help.
It's very discouraging.
But, I keep plodding away, what else can I do?
I know I have it better then some and I am grateful to be working, but a year out of
work is killing us.
All I know is that we're in a helluva fix.

[Flora]

172. Unemployed for one year

At least in my profession. Never made a ton of money, but have been making due working at a Sonic. Glad some people tip! So.. what is the point of this thread?

[Liberty Belle]

173. The recession has hit our family hard.

Before, I was average $4,000 a month as a freelance writer. Every single major client I had went under in the economy. In the past year, I've made less than $4,000 total, mostly by writing grants, and a bit of paying work through a new publication I've launched, if there's anything leftover after paying everyone else.

My son graduated college with an engineering degree from UC Berkeley but hasn't found work nearly a year later, so he's back home living with us again.

Meanwhile college costs for my daughter are through the roof. She's working 2 jobs and having to go to three different schools to get all the classes she needs due to budget cutbacks, so every penny she makes is going for gas, books, etc. and we're still paying most of her bills.

Thank goodness my husband is still employed, or we'd be out in the streets by now.

[DAMANgoldberg]

176. 1 yr as of last Friday...

The bottom fell out of the logistics market, especially for small companies and owner-operators. The only way you make money unless you're hauling specialized permit materials is to run illegal. For example, drive over 11 hours daily among other tricks.

[Angry Dragon]

177. Unemployed since August

over 50

[gateley]

179. K&R - Me. nt

[Capitalocracy]

180. no job, exiled from the u.s., got screwed by the bank, and got robbed last night

if it's a competition

I've been trying to scrape together a living doing freelance work, translation, transcription, making chainmail jewelry, that sort of thing, but I haven't had much luck. It's been very slow. I am doing some transcripts/captions for The Young Turks now, which is awesome, but again, it's only occasional work.

Here's my situation: I met a girl from Argentina online, fell in love, and moved to Argentina 5 years ago. Before that, I was working for $7 an hour watching the news and writing down all the stories covered (to put it succintly) and it was very difficult saving the money to come here.

Then I had a little problem with my bank account. When I opened the account at US Bank, I specifically asked if it was possible to overdraft using my ATM card, and they told me it was impossible. At the time my dad was depositing money for me occasionally, so when I checked my balance in the ATM machine and it said I had x amount of money, I obviously assumed it was true and withdrew it. Later I found out that I somehow didn't have money in the account, and now owed the bank $590 and had my account suspended.

Recently I tried to open a new account, because I've been doing transcriptions through Amazon's Mechanical Turk, which only pays you by direct deposit to a bank account in your name. OK, they wouldn't let me open a new account because I still owed this money. At great effort, I managed to earn the money to pay off the debt through various odd jobs paid through PayPal to my mother's account because the banks told me that I would be able to open a new account once I paid off that "debt".

Not so simple. Apparently, even though I've paid off the debt, it still leaves a bad mark on my record. The bank I was applying to, which had previously said it should be OK after I paid off the debt, is saying they can't open an account for me, and they doubt any other bank will either. I just found out yesterday, so I still have to try other banks starting Monday, but if what they told me is accurate, the sentence for overdrafting your account through an ATM machine that claims, when you ask and pay for your account balance, says you have money: SEVEN YEARS ineligible for opening a bank account.

And I have $500 in my Mechanical Turk account that I may never be able to access now (well, maybe in 7 years). And the same day that I found this out, I got robbed on the street at gunpoint here in Buenos Aires. Why did they rob me? Because I'm obviously a foreigner, and therefore rich. I had the equivalent of about $1, my wife had a little more luckily, and we don't have cell phones. And you see it on the news here all the time, if they rob you and you don't have money, quite often they shoot you.


Oh, and if you get a job here, it'll pay about $300 a month, full-time, and cost of living is similar to any small city in the U.S. And if you're wondering why we don't go to the U.S. and try our luck there, I can't sponsor my wife as an immigrant because I don't meet the financial requirement. I would have to earn $1600 a month to do so, far more than minimum wage.

[Techn0Girl]

198. $1600 a month jobs are not really hard to find

You could make that much working at a mall really. The chexsystem hit ob your account can be circumvented. I know because i had a similar problem. You live in Argintina. No one is going to give you a job in the u.s. when you are applying from there. Just scrape up a grand , come back to the u.s. and you'll be able to get work in a month. Seriously.

I have to say this but in most cases, if you think you can't whet a crappy 10 dollar an hour job somewhere in the U.S. then you just aren't trying hard enough.

[Capitalocracy]

202. It's on a yearly basis, actually

Which means I would have to move to the U.S., find a job paying that much (I don't believe you that it's THAT easy, I've been gone for 5 years so maybe it's changed a bit since they raised the minimum wage, but getting ANY job is obviously difficult right now), and work at that job for a fiscal year, January to January, then file a tax return on it, THEN start the paperwork for my wife. A year plus an indefinite amount of time (probably another year or more) is too long to be away from your spouse, in my opinion and, might I add, in the opinion of the judge who married us, who stressed the importance of "convivir", living together, in a marriage. I'd literally be breaking my vows to do that.

Makes me feel pretty good about myself that in this thread with 200+ replies from people who can't find work, I'm the only one who gets told "get a job, bum."

[Techn0Girl]

203. YOu can believe me or not....

But a 10 buck an hour job can be obtainable by anyone within a few months who does not have a criminal history and can move anywhere in the country. Moving to where the job is located is key and that obviously restricts a lot of people who own homes - but that would not apply to you.

If you are U.S. citizen when you were married then your wife is eligible to live and work in the U.S. as well.

None of this makes any sense to me .
In the end you will do what you really want to do regardless of what I or anyone else says.

Y

[Capitalocracy]

205. It doesn't make sense, that's the problem.

I'm a U.S. citizen, but my wife isn't eligible for immigration if I don't meet the income requirement or have a cosponsor, which most people wouldn't have too much trouble with if they have a middle class family, but I don't. In other words, I'm poor, therefore I have to choose between living in the U.S. or being with my wife, but I can't have both. It's the law.

[Techn0Girl]

208. It makes sense because they don't want to pay out welfare benefits ....

I'm FAR from being a right winger but I can see why they have this requirement. And for the record I am uncertain if such a requirement actually exists ...but for argument's sake.

If they did not a great many poverty level people in the U.S. would hire themselves out for convenience marriages to make a few bucks. The Spouse then gets to be on welfare, food stamps, mediccal/medicare whatever.... win-win for everybody.

I can understand why, if a person cannot support themselves and has to be on welfare why they should not be allowed to bring in someone from another country to be on welfare as well.

I am NOT saying that lower income people should not get married. I am saying that welfare benefits should be available to U.S. citizens and disallowed for non-citizens. Pretty much every other country has the same or stricter requirements.

What doesn't make sense to me is your continued assertion that you could not possibly find a 10 buck an hour job anywhere in he U.S.

[Capitalocracy]

209. What you're describing is fraud.

And they shouldn't make things impossible for the rest of us because of it. You sound like the Republicans who want to get rid of welfare because they claim some people take advantage of it.

[Techn0Girl]

210. What I am describing is real life....

and fraud happens in real life.

But I am not even sure what we are discussing here.
I am not even sure if your claim is accurate - that the U.S. does not allow spouses of people who's incomes are below a certain point to live in the U.S. I don't even know if that's true.

What I do know is that you are someone who claims to live in Argentine and who also claims that he can't get a $10 an hour job in the U.S. What I know about THAT is it doesn't make any sense. If you don't even live in the country how can you assume that there are no jobs here? That makes no sense at all.

I know that I was unemployed for a long time and although the job search is difficult, you can certainly land a job here if you want to. When I couldn't get work in the I.T. industry I got a job selling vacuum cleaners at Sears and I made over 10 bucks an hour doing that. I also worked driving buses and made over 10 bucks an hour at that.

So speaking as someone who actually lives in this country and has been beating the streets looking for work I can claim with a lot more authority and experience then you have allegedly living in Argentina that you can indeed get a 10 buck an hour job living in the U.S. .

Now I am going to put you on ignore because frankly this whole subthread of yours is just ridiculous and I am not going to waste time over it any longer.

[DFW]

182. Younger Daughter

Maybe technically not eligible for this thread, as she graduates next month, but she has sent out
a huge number of applications to law firms in the USA and gotten zero response. She at near the top
of her class, Law Review, glowing recs from the UN War Crimes Tribunal in Sierra Leone, where she
worked during one summer recess, as well as the international law firm in Germany where she worked
her second summer.

Fortunately, her interviews with firms in Germany and England have gone much better, and it looks
like she will be moving to Europe in the fall if nothing turns up in the USA.

She is a special case, as she is a dual national (Germany-USA), fully bi-lingual (German mother
tongue), and could work instantly in Europe or the USA without having to get a work permit or
learn a foreign language. She loves the New York and Washington DC areas, but would rather get
a serious job in London, Vienna or Stuttgart than wait on tables (if that!) in the States.

[nxylas]

183. Since moving back to the UK last July

I suppose I deserve less sympathy than most of the people on this thread, in that I actually had a job and quit in order to move back, but I was bankrupted by my medical costs in the States and came back to start afresh in a country with universal healthcare. I am living with my parents and receiving unemployment benefits, but I am still in a less precarious position than I was when I was employed and renting my own apartment in the States, thanks purely to healthcare costs. It's insane, and it's even more insane that the teabaggers, who often come from the poorest segments of society, are fighting tooth and nail to preserve this status quo.:rant:

[irishlover]

184. 18 months and counting

I was laid off in December 2008, a week before the holidays thank you. I'm almost 60, live in a small town with a large pool of college students to assume the low paying, tourist based jobs and haven't been able to find work nearby. I am unable to move like so many others. I'd make more applications if I could find jobs I am qualified for. (certified teacher with BA in secondary education plus years of managerial experience in the hospitality industry)

My usual payment of 298.00 for two weeks came in at an even 100.00 dollars this time, with no explanation, no recourse except a day on the phone the last time this happened and with no "catch up" payments later. Also, here in FL, my notices to remind me to file are always post dated 2 days after the filing date and arrive so that, if I forget (I never do), I'm too late to file. This has happened for the last year; I always check the envelopes postmarks, thinking they cannot be that dumb or evil. They are.

[amyrose2712]

185. I am unemployed over a year...

lost my job due to an illness. Truthfully, I haven't really been looking because of health issues. Although I do have an appointment to take the test for a Census job.

Oh yeah relatives: my sister-slowly lost painting biz from lack of work

[Altoid_Cyclist]

188. I lost my job in Jan. 2008 due to health problems and having a real jerk for a boss.

Between my age (53 now) and a lot of health problems it was almost impossible to find any decent jobs to apply for that I could still do. I did manage to apply for (and get rejected) well over 100 jobs in the time since Jan. 2008. I was lucky enough to get a handful of interviews but age and health were not in my favor.

It wasn't my first choice, but I applied for SS Disability and early retirement. As is the custom. I was denied on my initial attempt. To say that I went through a lot of anxiety and depression for the last two years would be an understatement. I made a second attempt at retirement with the aid of an Attorney while continuing to apply for any jobs that I could. My appeal was filed in Nov. of 2008 and I still hadn't heard anything as of Dec. 18, 2009. That was the day that I had my second heart attack in three years. About ten days after the heart attack, my Lawyer called to let me know that the SSA Judge was going to rule in my favor even though they didn't know about the recent MI. That was a rather bittersweet moment. I have since received the 19 months of backpay (minus the Atty. share) and am now officially retired on disability.

The way that older workers are treated in this country now is a national disgrace. I would have preferred to continue to work, but I saw SS Disability as the only sure way to avoid losing our house. I might have lost the ability to do any physically strenuous work, but my mind was still functioning at a higher level that a lot of the people who interviewed me during those two years.

So technically speaking, I'm no longer unemployed. I still feel as though I was put out to pasture while still having a lot to offer an employer.

[Lost4words]

190. same story here, long term at this point, job future bleek!

cant really bear to continue searching, Im starting to have overwhelming earge to attack the person interviewing. The condecending looks the overqualified statements. I am really a broken human being.

[NikRik]

192. 52 year old unemployed 2 years+ !

Iam a married father of two a 15 year old girl and 13 year old boy.I live in the very high priced cost of living San Francisco Bay Area ! The only jobs being advertised for are usally very specfic in what you need to qualify. I was in retail jewelry sales for years and they simply are not hiring, when the economy takes a hit the last thing people want to go out and buy is high end jewelry ! This long unemployment is effecting my entire family and may end a marriage of 17 years, my family is all I have and losing that also,would only add to the depression Iam finding myself in.I know health care is important for everyone however I really wish they would have made job creation #1 priority.
Take Care Nick

[DFW]

196. My other daughter lost her first job in the jewelry industry

After graduating first in her class in NYC, she got a job as a buyer for Finlay Fine jewelry, a national wholesaler.
They went bankrupt less than a year later. She looked everywhere, but got shot down, as they all wanted 5 years' experience. She said, how the hell can I get 5 years of experience if no one will hire me a year out of college?
She finally got a position with a department store chain. It barely pays her rent, but at least she's not starving.
They offer some kind of health plan, but only starting 90 days after she started (WTF??). I've never heard of that,
but it seems lots of places now have that as SOP (mine doesn't).

I realize things are tough all over, but skimping on health benefits for employees seems heartless unless it would
mean the difference between staying in business and going under, and how many businesses are THAT close to going
under? My outfit once had to fire a guy who went nuts, suddenly got "religion" started trying to convert the rest
of the people to his religion, had his wife leave him, etc etc. Even then, we kept the guy on as an employee on
paper for six months so his health insurance wouldn't expire while he looked for another job.

[Urban Prairie]

194. Wife has been unemployed for about

Three and a half of the past four years, I became disabled and am receiving SSD and disability from my ex-employers, so were are still doing a little better than many here, and who have my sympathy in this likely further jobless "recovery". US based businesses are still outsourcing and offshoring with unabated glee, and no RWer tax-cut whining will stem the trend, nor bring our jobs back, ever. The
corporate capitalists use the global economic model to justify cutting wages and benefits, while the rake in million$$$ because they are "talent" that needs to be well-compensated and retained. The domestic terrorbaggers are protesting funding government social programs, including HCR.

No, Mr. Middle-class Socialist Liberal. I want you to DIE!!!

[rox63]

197. Unemployed IT DUers might want to check this thread...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8085976

[Techn0Girl]

201. NO - That Thread is a fake job posting....

Se my "I'm unreccing this post because" post in that thread. Or better yet don't even waste your time.
The person is claiming (or implying) that they personally have a job for someone at a PhD level for 250K a year.
The job requirements themselves are a variety of mashed together googgled-up keywords from certain industries that to make no sense whatsoever.

It's sad that some people feel the need to do this sort of thing.

[flyarm]

199. Thank you for this thread Lerkfish..and I am so sorry you can;'t find a job..

and i am so sorry for every American who wants to work but can not find a job..

I took early retirement from my Flight Attend job 1 year after 9/11 ( I worked for one of the 9/11 airlines as a flight crew) ..I had raised my family and put my child through college ..so I no longer was as dependent on my job as others were ..so I took the early out, to save someone else a job..That needed the job to raise their children.

But what I have noticed on this thread, is that the people suffering are a huge number on DU..and this only shows and proves that it is a very small minority that spew the bullshit and propaganda.. that the economy is getting better..

People in my town are suffering..stores are boarded up everywhere..and if they are not boarded up they have for rent signs on them or going out of business signs on them.
WE are at a 12.2% unemployemtn in Fla right now..it surpasses many records of unemployment.

People want to work..there just are no jobs to be found.

And those holding on by a thread are getting pay cuts and added hours for no increase in salary.


I think it is truely sad that people here on DU are being subjected to propaganda from people supposedly on the democratic side of this equation.

People are hurting and the hurt is real and profound.

We need to expose the propagandists for what they are..and we need a heavy dose of truth ..truth at all costs! And those costs are to people we all know, in all our communities! Even here at DU.

Thanks for the truth Lerkfish..and I sincerely hope everyone here that needs a job, gets one soon!!

[Liberal_in_LA]

207. good post. thanks for sharing

[readmoreoften]

211. Mother-in-law, no work. Father-in-law, sketchy work. I fear they'll have to come live with us.

On the bright side, I'm employed as of about 7 months ago.

[supernova]

214. 18 months for me and counting

I was laid off from a tech writing job in the fall of '08. Sadly TW is one of the professions being offshored to India. Companies don't care about the quality of their documentation and use writers who have a tenuous grasp of instructional and academic English because they think they'd rather save money. So, my source for work is slowly drying up.

I've applied for other TW jobs here, other jobs that I could transfer those skills to like marketing. I've tried going back into medical work with a focus on IT. That may be a path. I don't know. I apply at the rate of 2-3 a week. Often not even getting any kind of reply, never mind an interview. I would consider traveling if that's what it took. but I cannot relocate unless I hit some sort of corporate jackpot. :P

I'm seriously considering going back to school to get my Masters. And that may be how I ride out the rest of the recession.

I'm 47 btw and still consider myself to have a good 20 years of working life left. No early retirement for me.

[GirlAfire]

215. I Am...

...unemployed. My temp position just decided they were tired of me and the other temp, so they had us hurry on a certain project and terminated our assignment. That was just last month, but before it started in January, I was unemployed for six months.

My mother is unemployed as well and has been since November of last year.

[backtoblue]

217. sadly, both my mother and my brother...

we live in a rural area and jobs are VERY scarce.

[snooper2]

218. There's a job in Plano Texas if anybody wants it...

AutoZone at the intersection of Park and K avenue...

They have had a position open for four months and nobody wants to fill it. Had two people so far apply and they both were told a start day/time and never showed up.