In light of the recent job report, who here is a statistic?

[prolesunited]

I lost my job at the end of August. I've applied for dozens of positions that fit my qualifications exactly and I haven't so much as landed an interview.

So, I'm just wondering who here is in the same boat? How's your search going? How are you surviving?

[yy4me]

1. Took a member of my family over a year to find a job in

her field. I was laid off at the end of September. It will probably take me ages to find something. It is more than difficult for a woman age 66 with limited computer skills to compete with younger people in todays job market.

There are programs for people of my age to help find jobs but they pay $8.00 an hour. I am better off with unemployment.

Searching the internet daily is discouraging. If I was in the medical field, easier. That seems to be where the jobs are plentiful. Not just for Doctors and Nurses but other skilled people too.

Going to be an interesting ride. I have cut to bare bones and hope, like everyone else, that it is a mild winter.

[prolesunited]

2. When unemployment runs out

$8 an hour will be better than nothing. Are their any training programs in your area to help boost you computer skills? Perhaps check out the library and see if they have materials our classes.

I'm lucky because I'm 45 and most peg me for 35. I changed my resume so my age would be less obvious unless someone takes the time to work through the math.

[Greyhound]

3. Me too, I've dumbed down my resume to the point that it looks like

a thirty year old's. On the bright side, I get more interviews now.

[prolesunited]

4. I just wonder about

those who have given up looking. What do you do then?

[yy4me]

5. It is discouraging even if you have not given up. Ninety nine %

of what is on the job search sites is for someone with greater skills than this old granny. There has to be a point where you face the reality that it will be a while, I know.

I had anticipated retirement, well, that's out the window. To be laid off after going back to work is a little damaging to the ego.

My heart aches for all those millions of people who have families to support. I am alone and make all the sacrifices I can. Don't go anywhere, don't do anything. Boring.

Look daily on monster.com and other sites. I will not post with a headhunter because they do not bother with my skill range. My resume in not on Monster because I don't want to be bombarded with job
listings that are either too far away or too advances for my skills.

The daily new listings I get from them are good but, even though I gave a radius for travel, I get notifications of openings 50 miles away. Traffic near us is about the worst in the country. I put a reasonable radius in their profile. Geeze, they need to redraw the map.

Like everyone else, I'll keep plugging.