Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Just wondering if anyone has totally, or almost totally, given up searching for work? The last few weeks, I've barely seen anything to apply for and I've only applied for a few postings. I'm always considered underqualified for anything except the exact job I did before (even though I have great skills and experience in other areas), and there is just hardly anything in my field to apply for.
I know I am supposed to meet minimum search requirements for my unemployment benefits but they are hard to meet anymore! Has anyone else gotten so fed up that they just quit looking for a while?
I too am about to give up looking!! Other then putting some applications in online, our local paper has hardly any job postings in it anymore. Found out yesterday that I have 4 more weeks of unemployment left then I am out of money. Was told the Presidents extension plan was out of money. I have been laid off now for 13 months, and use to make a weekly trip to 2 employment offices looking for work. They never had anything that I was qualified for. I did recieve an email today from a temp agency for me to take an online test for one of their customers. So maybe I will hear from them, just hope it's not a temp job that will last 2 weeks then.." Ok, we don't need you anymore, Thank you". Oh well, gotta keep thinking positive and hope things get better for everyone who is out of work. Good Luck to all!!
I think sweet was talkign about the ones that are still ON UI, but basically have lost hope of finding anything worthwhile. Barely finding the number of positions to apply for to fulfill their job search requirements.
Out here in California the last four weeks have been exhausting and frustrating. No new jobs online. I even went to two EDD offices nearby today, to see if they have anything listed that I don't know about. I'm a newbie at four months unemployed, but I'm sick of not working, if you can believe that.
We "sort of" gave up. After 3 years of job searching, both my dh and I have steady, decent paying jobs with benefits, but exactly 1/2 what we used to make. We feel we're worth more, but can't handle the job search anymore, its too emotionally difficult,just take what we have and be glad of it. So, yes, in some respects we've "given up". BTW, dh an I together make 85K, so its not so bad, good luck to all!
How do you know these people just gave up? Seems like an assumption that you don't have the right to make.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics compiles the data. They are expert researchers and statisticians so they know how to find the data from various sources and interpret it.
For example most states have job-seeking assistance separate from unemployment benefits. These are Job Corps offices, retraining programs, etc. When the number of people enrolling in these programs decreases, but the number of people filing for weekly UE benefits does not, BLS can estimate that the reason for this is primarily discouragement that such services will be of any help in finding a job.
The whole process is of course much more complicated than that. BLS has plenty of explanation of their methods on their website if you wish to read it
U1 Unemployed 15 wks or less
U2 Unemployed who've found temporary work
U3 Long term unemployed (15 wks or greater)
U4 Total unemployed plus discouraged and marginally attached workers
U5 Total unemployed plus discouraged plus marginally attached plus underemployed workers
I don't know that I would necessarily call myself 'discouraged' but I have crossed over to another plane of existence. It's more, I'm so over it.
I haven't given up in the sense that I stopped trying to find a source of income. I have been spending less time applying for traditional 40 hour week jobs and focused more on marketing myself as a specialist in both my former field and in my hobby.
For example- my work experience has been in health care but I have also been an amateur actor and director, I looked for and located a part time job teaching kids drama at a small arts school that doesn't require a teaching certificate or degree.
While doing that, I am looking into ways to use my mental health care experience to create opportunities. That's hard to explain here but basically I'm working to develop services for people that don't currently get appropriate mental health services. I found someone with a degree that likes my ideas, he is willing to work with me to perhaps develop a business.
My point is that since 40 hr. jobs aren't looking to hire older people w/o degrees, I have to create my own opportunities.
Sort of....I've decided to focus on getting our house on the market and trying to move someplace with a better economy, or at least a less dismal one. I'm mainly sending out resumes to places that have not announced any kind of job opening, assuming that they will most likely be ignored, also applying to government jobs where there is usually very little chance that you will actually be considered for an interview--things that I am technically qualified for as far as education but have no real experience with.
Don't get me wrong, if I do see a good job opportunity I will certainly go for it, but I've only had three interviews in the past 7-8 months. The jobs just aren't here, and I don't want to still be here when my benefits finally run out.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
