For my 6000th post, Please allow me to say that job hunting and unemployment really SUCK!

[MarianJack]

As many of you know, I, as well as many others here, have been unemployed for 10 months. Many of you were VERY supportive in early February when I posted a thread about a son of a bitch bastard quack "doctor" who screwed me out of a job with his assertion that my back would make it impossible fo me to fulfill my duties in a position where I would have to TALK to people.

In January, I was called back for a 4th interview for what I thought would be a really good job. My wife and I thought that for a 4th interview (that I was told in advance would be a brief 30 to 40 minute chat) they were looking to firm up an offer and a starting date. I was shocked when I saw that the "interview" was clearly an exercise in trying to find excuses to NOT hire me.

I know, by the way, that I am a strong interviewer. My references are all close personal friends that were all supervisors or co-workers at one time or another.

Since early March of this year, I have had 10 interviews for state jobs. I have received the "blow off" letters for 7 of them so far. My scores for state positions is always in the high 90s if not 100+.

I interviewed for a position Friday 3/16. The job description may as well have simply said "JACK". The 3 individuals stated at the end of the interview that they looked forward to bringing me aboard and working with me. On Wednesday 3/21 I received a phone call from the director stating that she had "good news and bad news". Obviously the bad news was that I didn't get the job. The "good" news was that she "invited and encouraged" me to apply for the exact same position at an office that was about another 10-12 miles further away from my home. I applied immediately via e-mail. I called her on 3/29 to see when I may schedule an interview and was denied by the same woman who solicited my application.

This was the most cynical thing I'd seen done in a job hunt since my first official part time job as a dish washer when I was 15 in 1970. I think that I called a bluff and that I was supposed to say that the second opportunity was too far away.

There have also been several other interviews that I thought were good possibilities. Each of them has fallen through

I have seen that there is considerable discrimination being practiced against the long term unemployed. I also believe that, even though I look much younger than I am, the biggest factor is that I'll be 57 in June.

This week I expect to be offered a position that will pay under $10 an hour. Even though I have a Masters Degree and almost 20 years experience in my field, I'll be happy to get it. The agency seems a good one and it certainly has opportunities for advancement.

If one of the higher paying jobs comes through I'll take it. If not, I'm keeping my ass where it lands. I am SO SICK of going on interviews that if I never do another one (after I get a job) it'll be too soon. I really have to fight my feelings of depression and despair. I have to keep trying because I have a family that, as many of you know from my other posts here, I love very much and to whom I am very devoted. For them, I have NO OTHER CHOICE than to keep positive and to never give up. Sooner or later SOMEBODY has to look past the gray hair.

If necessary, I'll be visiting hiring kiosks at Walmart (ugh!), K-Mart, Lowe's, etc,. If I have to, I'll be offering my services for rides, cooking, delivering messages, light hauling or cleaning. Maybe there's a market out there for a pudgy middle aged gray haired male stripper. The only question there is if the ladies would supply their own magnifying glasses to see my naughty bit or if I'd have to throw them in with my fee.

Still in all, I remain hopeful and optimistic. Things will get better sooner or later. On the whole, sooner would be better. I hope that I and all of the DUers out there find something damn soon. I hope that those of you who are working don't have to go through what we're going through now.

Thanks for reading and "listening"

PEACE!

[russspeakeasy]

1. In this country; no one with your obvious skills should be unemployed.

Best of luck MarianJack.

[MarianJack]

3. Thank You, russspeakeasy!

I'll post when I get a job. I hope soon!

PEACE!

[russspeakeasy]

5. I'll be watching for your post....soon, I hope.

[MannyGoldstein]

2. Good luck!

Very difficult stuff - hang in there, soon you'll have something, I do think prospects are getting somewhat better at least around here (Boston area).

Hopefully we'll get good Democrats in office soon who fight for you, me, and the rest of the 99%!!!

[MarianJack]

4. Hello from Augusta Maine, MannyGoldstein!

Things are getting a bit better up here, too!

Your mouth to God's ear that something happens soon.

PEACE!

[MannyGoldstein]

7. Probably a serious hike to Portland?

I know at least one company that's expanding in Portland - I don't know how the economy is in general there.

[MarianJack]

9. An hour away.

If you'd like, I'd appreciate it if you PM me with the company name.

Thanks!

PEACE!

[TexasTowelie]

6. I'm in a similar position.

While I'm younger (46) and don't have a family it does suck. Prior to being unemployed, I worked for a company and made contributions that added MILLIONS to the bottom line. When my former boss was transferred into my department, the reputation was that she was assigned to projects that were destined to fail. While working for her, it also became apparent that she had a grudge against men. My department had four men and eight women and she managed to run off the other three guys before me. In addition, my immediate manager was demoted and placed under so much stress that she had a stroke at the age of 48.

I actually believe that most employers want to hire mediocre employees these days so that they don't have to offer decent pay so they can skim money off the top for the upper echelon. Good luck to you--you definitely have more incentive to keep trying than I do. At times the frustration is deep enough that I want to give up, but I keep plugging away hoping that something good will come along.

[MarianJack]

10. It IS frustrating.

Your former manager reminds me of the Colonel in "Catch 22" who was always recruited by advertising agencies due to his great ineptitude. He was a guaranteed HUGE tax write off so he was paid a HUGE salary!

Good luck to you.

PEACE!

[LibDemAlways]

8. I feel your pain.

My husband lost his job 2 years ago when the company he had worked for for 20 years closed his division down. All the bigwigs who had driven the division into the ground were transferred to other areas. The worker bees, including my hard working husband, were let go. He was 59. What followed was 7 months of fruitless searching. Finally, he attended a get-together of former company employees (at my request - he had such bitterness he didn't want to go) and ran into a guy who had left years before but was able to hook him up with a position at his current employer. It is far from ideal. The pay sucks and the work is not at all what he's used to. However, in this market and at his age, we consider ourselves fortunate.

Hang in there, MarianJack. If you haven't already, contact anyone and everyone you've ever worked with or for. You never know when a door will open.

Sending good vibes your way.

LDA

[MarianJack]

12. Thank you, LibDemAlways!

I've been keeping in touch. Since looking for work is a full time job, I work OVERTIME.

I'm also going to local Democratic meetings. My new boss may as well be of like mind.

PEACE!

[MrSlayer]

11. I've been out since last July.

Not enjoying it at all and no prospects in sight. I moved up a mere 200 spots on my local union's list in all this time to my present spot at 464. At this rate I won't return to work until next May. No side work around either, fucking blows.

[MarianJack]

14. You're right.

It BLOWS!

PEACE!

[annm4peace]

13. hang in there and keep out there

my brother who is 46 and lives with me is going into his 4th year of unemployment. for 2 year he had unemployment and now he has no income. It is horrible. I'm carrying him.

he is introvert so going out and joining support groups or "volunteering" is not for him. But i keep encouraging him.

He used to do labor jobs but his back adn hips don't allow him anymore.

I wish he and I hope you do.. volunteer a couple days a week.. if only for 1 or 2 hours. You are needed.

and it is a great way to meet people and you never know if you'll come across someone who has an opening.

I wish you luck.

[MarianJack]

15. Thank you, and...

...best wishes and good luck to your brother. He's lucky to have you!

PEACE!

[Behind the Aegis]

16. I wish you luck.

I gave up years ago. I have been unemployed (or wildly underemployed) for 8 years! Thankfully, my partner has a job with a company that covers me on most things (not completely, because I am not his "spouse" despite being together for ten years). I have a Master's in Education, 15 years professional experience, and use to be fluent in 5 languages (not so fluent anymore). Since, I have been out of work for so long, I have two choices, go back to school or fast food or other similar venues. Since we are not desperate, thank G-d, I will not work in fast food. In the few places I recently talked to, I was "overqualified." One other place, which would have been a 40 minute drive one-way, I was qualified, but had been out of work so long, they felt I might not take the job seriously enough to stay for an extended period of time (WTF?!).

I wish you better luck!

[MarianJack]

18. Hopefully something will happen soon,...

...maybe this week.

My wife will be interviewing for a promotion next week so that should be good. I need a job and at this point I'd shovel poop bare handed for $1 an hour.

PEACE!

[Behind the Aegis]

20. Well, I wish you luck and hope you don't have to shovel shit.

However, if that is an interest, I am sure you could find a job opening in the Republican party. They spew lots of shit that needs shoveling! LOL!

I do wish you luck!

[MarianJack]

21. Shoveling shit for the republicans.

It reminds me of a joke from a few years ago where the kid tells the class about how his father is a male prostitute, pimp and drug dealer. When his teacher confronts him with the non-truth of that the kid says that his father actually works for the bush administration but that he was too ashamed to admit it.

PEACE!

[HeiressofBickworth]

17. Looking for work sucks

It's such a game. I'm now retired but I remember a time when I was unemployed for over a year. Like everyone else, I even applied for jobs that would not use my level of skills. I developed my "smart" resume and my "dumb" resume. (I didn't name them to be offensive, just descriptive). One resume contained all my education, skills and length of experience, the other was just experience relevant to the job being applied for. Probably the dumbest thing I did was have pencils printed with my name on them. I enclosed them in letters/resumes to a prospective employers asking that they "pencil me in for an appointment". hehehehe I figured a pencil would stand out in their stack of applications. I didn't get a job with this trick so I would be reluctant to suggest it to anyone here. I read all the advice columns on getting jobs, even dyed my hair to remove any grey and never put a date on my resume and never listed jobs more than 15 years ago. So what finally worked, you might ask. The same thing the articles tell you: networking. I became acquainted with someone who knew someone who was looking for someone in my field. So, the post above suggesting that you get out and do something that would bring you in contact with more people seems to be the way to go. GOOD LUCK!!!

[MarianJack]

19. Thank you for that.

I'm getting out as much as possible. I WON'T have any pencils made up, though!

PEACE!

[lunatica]

22. I wish I could give you and your family a supportive hug

At least I can give it in cyber space

[MarianJack]

30. AND, lunatica,...

...in cyberspace I can give it back to you!

PEACE!

[jeff47]

23. One suggestion for threads like this and many of the replies

Mention what kind of work you're looking for.

Despite the "bad" economy, my employer regularly emails out a list of jobs they are having a hard time filling. From what I can tease out I don't think you're a fit for them. But someone else may know of an open position that would fit.

[truebrit71]

25. That is a very good idea....

...

[MarianJack]

28. True that, Truebrit71!

PEACE!

[MarianJack]

27. Y'know, I didn't think of that.

I'm looking to get back into Mental Health after a few years away.

PEACE!

[Yo_Mama]

24. I'm sorry for your ordeal

And I know it would be easier to cope with if it were not for your worry about your family.

Still, with an attitude like yours you are going to eventually land in one spot.

I think it is probably age, to be honest with you. If you have to look for a job in your later 50s, it's so difficult. Get working however you can, and keep applying for the better jobs that come up in your field. It will help you, because generally I think they look a bit differently at older applicants who are working.

I don't really have much comfort to offer you, only my best wishes and my genuine belief that you will not be beaten down in the end.

[MarianJack]

26. Your kind words are comfort enough!

Every day I'm EXPECTING the offer. I'm certainly getting enough interviews.

PEACE!

[bigwillq]

29. Congrats on 6K!

I hope you find a job soon.

[MarianJack]

31. Thanx, bigwillg!

Something will happen soon!

PEACE!

[grantcart]

32. there is nothing worse than being in a stage of permanent evaluation

It is a test of your inner strength that you are still rational at this point. I would have either self medicated or taken a job as a dishwasher at this point.

Here is some general advice that you and others in the same situation may find helpful;

As everyone knows the number one way people get jobs (roughly 35% of all hirings) are through networking, while only about 30% are from direct applications:

Below are some statistics on how Americans find employment:



35% -- Found job through a friend, relative or other associate

30% -- Contacted an employer directly, without answering a classified ad

14% -- Answered a job classified advertisement

08% -- Found job through on-campus recruitment or job placement office

06% -- Employment agency or search firm

05% -- State-run unemployment office

02% -- Other

http://www.resumagic.com/networking.html


A couple of years ago I read an excellent scientific study of how networking actually works and there was an unusual finding. Networking through your first circle of friends and acquantices was not that effective.

What was very effective was the second circle of friends; friends of your friends that you didn't previously know.

The reason for this was surprisingly simple. Your first circle of friends are basically going to give you ideas and contacts that are ones that you already know and that you have already applied to. The second circle of friends starts to take you into completely new areas where you will find completely new contacts.

So the recommendation of this study was to contact your 12 best friends and ask each of them to give you the names of 3 close friends that are outside of your common network of friends. Make an appointment with each of these people and tell them what your doing and you need help finding someone that can use your skills.

Many people find it difficult to make the call. Let's turn the tables. If you got a call from someone who said that they got your name from a good guy that was a common friend and you simply wanted to sit down with them for 15 minutes and get a little bit of advice from, what would you do? You would say sure, and be happy to give some advice. So you go see the guy and just tell him what your doing and if he has any ideas where someone like you might find a position to meet his skills. And if you connect with the guy before you leave you ask for a couple more names.

They did test trials and I can't find the study or the results but with two test groups they found that contacting the second or third circle of friends or acquaintances was like 80% more effective than the first circle of friends.

If this was even a little bit helpful in a small way then great, if not just know that I really feal for you.

Peace.

[MarianJack]

35. WOW, grantcart!

I never even considered a second circle approach. Given that 65% of the people found jobs by either that route or contacting th employer directly, it seems that it would make sense to open those horizons!

Thank you for your feedback and expect a response to your PM in very short order!

PEACE!

[Waiting For Everyman]

40. grantcart, that was a really great and simple "how to" network plan

including what to say and do step-by-step. It really wouldn't be a bad OP if you're so inclined.

MarianJack, I'll spare you my long story in a similar boat but I can relate to what you're saying, and have my fingers crossed for you. My daughter (32 and living with me) has been going through a 5-year nightmare too, of underemployment and freelancing, culminating in a layoff just before Thanksgiving from an awful company which paid very little with no benefits where she worked for the last year and a half. At least it was a paycheck. She has sent out so many resumes, and scoured every newspaper and job website, and applied to so many openings, it's crazy - both targeted and scattershot. She signed up with local agencies and the state Job Center. She has worked her tail off looking, and keeping up with Unemployment requirements.

But last week out of the blue, she was suddenly hired by a company she got from a friend's casual tip, which seemed like just another dead end at first. It led to an agency she had never heard of, which does most of the preliminary hiring for her new employer. The agency coached her like crazy before the interview, it took her two days to do the homework she was given as preparation for it. She was also told who she would meet, what to do, wear, and say - everything. It turned out that what got her the job was partly the advance information, and partly her own on-the-spot improvisation during the interview - there's always an element of chance in anything.

Her new job is for 1/3 more in salary than she was making before with fantastic benefits and a short drive to boot. It's a very solid old company, and by all indications they treat their employees very well (they're actively looking to hire more people too, there is paid overtime until they do). I'm so glad for her because her last job was so insecure and stressful - the two owners were highly irrational and fired people for no reason at all if they felt like it. (After she was laid off, the remaining employees all got a hefty pay cut, they're under $10/hr. now.)

Stay optimistic, MJ and try to think outside the box. I had been urging her to do that and the kind of thing grantcart outlined above (I had worked in an employment agency when I was young), and it paid off. Things looked very black for her too up until two weeks ago, and she was really drained and discouraged. As I kept telling her - you never can tell when a break is coming. Stay confident, and don't think of yourself as unattractive to an employer (even if that flies in the face of facts that you know - even thinking it is deadly, people pick up on that vibe and think it too.)

[MarianJack]

45. Thank you, Waiting For Everyman!

Good for your daughter!

I just told my son what I've told my wife many times. Each morning I'm EXPECTING an offer. One of these mornings I'll be right. Hopefully soon.

I certainly don't consider myself as an unattractive potential employee. One thing I'm pretty sure of in most interviews is the fact that I'm almost certainly the smartest person being interviewed. Although I don't show off, maybe that is what's damageing me.

I just may go to the local career center for some interviewing help, although I have been following the interviewing materials my wife and I got when we were in this boat in 2008/9.

I would like to hear your story if you're so inclined to share!

PEACE!

[GoCubsGo]

33. Welcome to my nightmare.

I lost my job of 20 years nearly 5 years ago, and have been having to make do with entry-level seasonal work. That has dried up. Your story sounds just like mine, only mine has been going only way longer. In one of the last jobs for which I interviewed, I made it to the third interview. They even flew me up there for 5 days. I knew by the third day that it was all a huge waste of time and money, even though they let me hope that wasn't the case. I guess I should have noticed all the red flags when they were surprised when I said that, no, having to exist on seasonal work wasn't idyllic. They asked about it multiple times, too. I guess it was a bullet dodged, but I still have no fucking paycheck. A second position made got me to the second interview. I thought I stood a great chance of getting that one, especially since the HR person contacted me and asked me to apply for it. No such luck.

I have a Masters degree, too. I have also watched former co-workers who had no degrees walk into well-paying jobs at places to which I applied numerous times, but was told there were no jobs. I even once had my application stuck in a pile of goddamn internships, despite the fact that I was applying for a senior position for which I was well-qualified. Such are the joys of nepotism. Now, I get e-mails from the federal government telling me that, while I am well-qualified for the position for which I applied, they're not even going to look at my application because at least one veteran who only meets the basic qualifications has applied. I can go on and on with the horror stories, but I don't care to re-live them.

What really galls me is when, after destroying my hopes, they tell me, "Have a nice day, and good luck with your job search." Well, you just ruined any chance of my having a nice day, you goddamn moron. And, if good wishes got anyone a job, I'd be working in a position that pays $10,000 K/month. I have another interview next week. The job is okay, the pay is fair, but it's in the middle of nowhere. I am not hopeful. Every time I think I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, it turns out to be a freight train. I don't have the choice of giving up, either.

[MarianJack]

34. Hopefully...

...our shared nightmare is close to an end!

Best of luck to you!

PEACE!

[GoCubsGo]

36. Back at you!

[MarianJack]

38. A big...

... to you, too!

PEACE!

[Digit]

37. Older and unemployed for over a year

Of course you are not alone.
My UE benefits ran out months ago. It looks like I will be applying for a job across town where I will make a little over 1/3 of what I made in 2008.
At least they accepted me for the entry level position previously although I had thought it was for the position as supervisor.

There is nothing else out there I can do. I apply, and don't hear back.

I wish that things would turn around for all of us, and soon!

[MarianJack]

39. It does suck!

It looks like I'd be getting an entry level spot if what I've been led to believe will happen this week actually happens!

PEACE!

[just1voice]

41. Guess you didn't hear the perky/fake jobs number today

that is supposed to make the U.S. economy look super happy.

[MarianJack]

43. I'm sure that there is an increase in jobs.

Maine is usually behind the curve. Most job hunters are also younger than I.

I'll let romney make a negative of poitive numbers.

[TwilightGardener]

42. Sorry about your job search crap--my husband is going through this now and yes, it does suck

total goat ass. Same bullshit--HR type people who seem real excited about him, act like he's the guy they've been looking for, and then...crickets, wind and coyote howls. I have come to hate phony recruiters/HR people as the scourge of mankind that they are. I hope things turn around for you.

[MarianJack]

44. Crickets, Wind and coyote howls.

Sounds like my experience. Things will turn around soon.

My best wishes to you and your husband.

PEACE!