So depressed ...18 months and still no job

[blondietink]

This is just so depressing. Lost my job 18 months ago when it was eliminated. Finally in the last couple of months have actually been getting some interviews. However, now I am seeing age discrimination at it's finest. The excuses for not hiring me are all the same: over-qualified, not right for us, can't pay you what you are worth (even though I say I will work for what they advertised the job at), etc. Then when I find out who they actually gave the job I applied to, they are all very young, right out of high school or college. A friend of mine who has been out of work for 6 months and is 2 years older than me is running into the same thing. We are in our 50's.

Now, we are not destitute as DH is retired which means we are on a fixed income. We had to drop our prescription insurance coverage as of Jan. 1st as it was just too expensive. We can get by. But is it wrong of me to want more than just getting by? I know there are many families out there that are worse off than we are, but I feel like such a failure. Why did I bother to go to college when the only jobs that are out there seem to be for truck drivers, auto mechanics and cashiers? I have sent out so many applications and resumes in the last 18 motnhs that I can't understand why the US Postal Service is running out of money. This hope and change stuff is not happening for this family.

 

[ariel5884]

I hear you. I have been out since July 2010, and this economy has gone to sh**. I make more on unemployment then if they paid me what most of them are offering for a 40 hour work. They also want me to do twice the work I used to do for half the price. Go figure!

 

[Beezle2]

I just want to offer some support! So many good people have been knocked down these past few years and the new realities are so painful. We have are in your age group and have struggled also. We both lost good paying jobs and might never be able to get back to where we were. It's very discouraging but we keep plugging along, I wish you some today!

 

[angwill]

I hope things get better for you. My aunt had the same problems with her age. She had a great job in management till they decided to let her go and hire someone younger for less money. She spent 18 months looking for someone to hire her for over $10 an hour even though that is not enough to live in her area. She ended up at a nursing home answering phones for just over minimum wage. This is in the Chicago area so you would think in a big city it would be easier to find a job. She is so strong about it all and actually had to keep dipping into her 401K so she didn't lose her townhome.

My heart goes out to you. All I can suggest is to keep your head held high and keep on trying. Maybe look into areas you never thought to look. I know it is not ideal but if worse comes to worse maybe one of those cashier jobs will not be so age discriminatory and help pay some of the bills.

I just had to add that if you think about it everyone is on a fixed income. We make what we do and live withing our fixed income. I never quite understood why it seemed older people use that term when it actually applies to everyone.

 

[JaymeC]

I wish you the best of luck. It seems everyone is struggling lately. I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum, just graduated but it was going back to school while being a stay at home mom. I make enough we can just eek by.... but honestly that's all we can do right now. I wonder why I went to college when I'm working a job that only requires a high school education and pays accordingly. I hear the economy is recovering, but all the job growth is in low entry level work like cashiering, and that's not enough to support our family on in the long run. My only hope is dh is back at school now (so not working) and once he graduates I hope things will get back on track.

 

[mistysue]

Not that it makes it much better, but be glad you were in the work force during the good years to be in a better position now. People in my area who are my age got pushed out into a world where being a server or cashier is the best they would ever get. My peers got out of college aroung 2003 and STILL have never gotten jobs in their field. When the economy comes back, there will be newer graduates, so they won't get the jobs then either. There is a whole generation that just looses completely. They are either SAH parents by force or work for minimum wage and have school loans to pay back. Think of private school kids who have their masters and the most they will ever do is be a receptionist at a nature center for $8/hour.

 

[Bete]

but you may have to accept a cashier job for now. I'm in my sixties and in our town it seems this is it if you are older. I cashiered at Staples in my fifties and I know in that chain you can move up to full time if they give you a chance at another area like copy center.

I couldn't do factory work, but that can be another option and most time it pays better than a cashier. We have a son-in law who has been out of work for 2 years as an engineer and he's working for Federal Express part time and it's hard work. we are grateful our daughter has a decent job with benefits.

Sometimes, you need to tone down your resume for the job. You may need three or four different ones. If you know you are over qualified don't use that resume. Once you are in a place you may be able to bring more to the table if it presents itself to do so.

Good luck.

 

[ilovemk76]

I hear you. I have been out since July 2010, and this economy has gone to sh**. I make more on unemployment then if they paid me what most of them are offering for a 40 hour work. They also want me to do twice the work I used to do for half the price. Go figure!

Even if the job pays less, that maybe the right decision to make. It is easier to find a job when you have a job and the longer you are unemployed the less desirable you are to a future employer. Many stills are obsolete after a year or two.

That lower paying job could result in a raise and a promotion.

Looking at just the pay this week on unemployment vs. a salary is not a good comparison. If you have say 20 weeks of unemployment left and you make 20% more than the job. Once you work at the job for 24 weeks you are even and on the 25th week you are ahead. Might not be the $ you want but it is $ and $ buys you time and gives you options.

 

[prncess674]

However, now I am seeing age discrimination at it's finest. The excuses for not hiring me are all the same: over-qualified, not right for us, can't pay you what you are worth (even though I say I will work for what they advertised the job at), etc. Then when I find out who they actually gave the job I applied to, they are all very young, right out of high school or college.

I know it is rough, but I understand the hiring manager's decision. If they hire someone over qualified for less than they every made they know that the employee is only using the job as a temporary landing while they continue to look for better employment. The whole hiring process is lengthy and expensive for the hiring company and wasting time on employees who they know are just taking "any" job is a pain for them knowing that they will have to go thru the hiring process all over again when you get a job that fits your skills and salary requirements.

Another thing is when an employee is over qualified and you would be grateful for some income at the beginning, these employees tend to be dissatisified sooner and can be a real moral downer for those around them.

 

[chimilady]

I was out of work for a year and was so frustrated applying and nothing. when it happened for me, it was very quick, as it turned out I knew someone at the place I was applying. Made a few calls for networking purposes and wham, was hired in less than a week. Granted I'm mid-30s but I find the kids out of college are getting hired first, as they are willing to work for way less and are likely to stay, and like the PP said, overqualified folks tend to leave at first chance, so in a way I don't blame them because it does cost a lot to hire and train someone. I was lucky I was still hired in the same pay range, even though it would have been nice to find something that paid a little more.

Here's hoping your time at unemployment goes by quickly and you find something soon.

 

[happygirl]

to everyone looking for work.

 

[frannn]

Just wanted to give hugs...my company shut down in 2011 (and I had worked there for over a decade). It took a couple months to find something, not necessarily ideal, but I'm going to try my best to create opportunity there. My daughter, on the other hand, recently graduated with an English degree (hoping to get into editing/publishing) and can't even get an unpaid internship. Not sure if I should advise her to try for a waitress or cashier type job, or hold out for something more in her field.

 

[AJ1983]

Just wanted to give hugs...my company shut down in 2011 (and I had worked there for over a decade). It took a couple months to find something, not necessarily ideal, but I'm going to try my best to create opportunity there. My daughter, on the other hand, recently graduated with an English degree (hoping to get into editing/publishing) and can't even get an unpaid internship. Not sure if I should advise her to try for a waitress or cashier type job, or hold out for something more in her field.

I would suggest waitressing-you'll always find a job and you will make more money doing that then an entry level position in your field. Also, you can work nights/weekends at a restaurant so your days are free for job hunting and interviews. Also, waitressing looks great on a resume because it requires skills like time management, ability to stay organized, work under pressure,etc.

So really, its a pretty ideal job while you're waiting. I did it for 6 years and loved it! I would recommend that over a cashier job, where you will likely make minimum wage and have no opportunity to earn tips. JMO

Also, I just reread and your daughter has an English degree? I would suggest she get a waitressing job and save some money for grad school. I got an English degree as well but had to go back for a professional degree to find work in my field.

 

[blondietink]

Thanks for all of the encouraging words! I knew I could count on my Dis friends.

In this week's Pennysaver there is an ad for 32 migrant farm workers. Unfortunatley, this body cannot handle that type of manual labor any more. I have all I can do to keep up with my own garden and yard work. We live in a very rural area and even cashier or waitress jobs are hard to come by. We only have 2 fast food restaurants here (McDonalds and Burger King), and all of the employees in those establishments have been there for years. Everybody knows the employees by name. There is no WalMart, Target or anything else like that.

I have thought about doing some at home work, but all of the ones I have investigated have required a high speed DSL line. Unfortunately, there is no DSL line even going down our road (or FIOS)!

I just can't believe that in a country as great as the USA, this sad job market is what we have come to.

 

[DISdreamin']

My daughter, on the other hand, recently graduated with an English degree (hoping to get into editing/publishing) and can't even get an unpaid internship. Not sure if I should advise her to try for a waitress or cashier type job, or hold out for something more in her field.

I'll second the idea of waiting tables to bring in money while job-hunting, and perhaps while interning. Flexible hours and good hourly pay (at most places), with nights and weekends very possible, make it a nearly ideal job for someone trying to do two things at one time.

FWIW, I wonder how well an english degree will serve her long-term if she is trying to get into publishing. Is that a field where you really need a masters in something closer to the area you want to work in, or will an undergrad English degree do it? (Just re-read AJ's post...their point is what I was getting at)

To the OP, I hope things improve. I keep hearing on TV that things are improving, but those people are clearly living in a reality different from the one I'm in! I see way too many people out of work, people graduating who can't find employment, and part time jobs are not as easy to come by as the media would have you think. Maybe it's a regional thing, but things are not all good and happy here.

 

[goofyredraider]

I am so sorry. I understand how frustrating it must be. Here in Texas, they are offering incentives for experienced teachers (10+ years service) to resign because they can pay first year teachers so much less. I am worried that I will ever be able to get back in the classroom now (SAHM currently, with about 13 years teaching experience).

 

[Jeninindy]

Hugs to you!!! I understand your frustration as I watch it everyday with my DH. Poor guy has been out of work for 2 years. He applies for everything and is told that same thing over and over: Overqualified, we cannot afford to pay you what your are worth (same thing, he would take what they are offering). He has applied for temporary positions working at Joann's fabrics to retail sales at the AT&T and still cannot get anything because you are "overqualified." Craziness. I know it's wearing on him too....

Right now is planning on going back for another graduate degree and maybe that will get something rolling in the near future.

Thankfully, I can support our family on my income, but I know that doesn't help him feel any better when I have to work 48 - 50 hours weeks. (and it's tiring for me too)

Good luck to you and try and keep your head up. You are not alone!!!

 

[klacey1]

I'll second the idea of waiting tables to bring in money while job-hunting, and perhaps while interning. Flexible hours and good hourly pay (at most places), with nights and weekends very possible, make it a nearly ideal job for someone trying to do two things at one time.

FWIW, I wonder how well an english degree will serve her long-term if she is trying to get into publishing. Is that a field where you really need a masters in something closer to the area you want to work in, or will an undergrad English degree do it? (Just re-read AJ's post...their point is what I was getting at)

To the OP, I hope things improve. I keep hearing on TV that things are improving, but those people are clearly living in a reality different from the one I'm in! I see way too many people out of work, people graduating who can't find employment, and part time jobs are not as easy to come by as the media would have you think. Maybe it's a regional thing, but things are not all good and happy here.

Yes, she should definitely be waitressing while she is looking for a FT job in her field of choice! Like both PPs, I'd recommend that over a cashier job because she has potential to earn decent money and hopefully even save up a few bucks. PP, tell her to apply for EVERY unpaid internship and see if she can do multiple at a time. Also, if she can, an admin position at ANY office would serve her even better than waitressing. To get an entry-level job at a publishing house, they'll want to see she has office/assistant experience.

NO-- she absolutely does NOT need a masters to get a job in editing/publishing. PP, Unless you're willing to pay for it completely or she somehow manages to get a free ride, she'll be wasting her money completely. An undergrad degree is all she needs. In fact, with a masters she might run into the problem the OP has-- people not wanting to hire her because they know they'd have to pay her more in accordance to her degree.
OP-- I am so sorry. I know there are no words that will make you feel better, I just hope your situation improves soon...

 

[crisi]

Can you make yourself younger?

Dumb down your resume. Color your hair. Buy younger clothes. Some "this year" jewelry. This will work for some people, not so much for others.

I just started a new job and I'm pretty sure my boss thought I was ten years younger than I am. There aren't dates on my resume and no work on there that is much older than the last ten years.

Don't make yourself sound like a wealth of experience - especially managerial experience. Make your resume sound like a good cog. Emphasize your ability to handle change (an issue with workers perceived as older is the perception that we can't handle change).

 

[crisi]

NO-- she absolutely does NOT need a masters to get a job in editing/publishing. PP, Unless you're willing to pay for it completely or she somehow manages to get a free ride, she'll be wasting her money completely. An undergrad degree is all she needs. In fact, with a masters she might run into the problem the OP has-- people not wanting to hire her because they know they'd have to pay her more in accordance to her degree.

That's a hard field. My mother in law retired from that field - she ran a book editing department. She didn't have a master's degree, but ever one of the editors she had hired in the last ten years of her career did. AND they all were willing to work for $15-20k a year.

And she retired in the 1990s - when the economy was strong and book sales were a lot stronger than they are now.