Unemployment Support Group
Recently unemployed or frustrated with the job search? Unemployment can affect more than just the bank account - it has a negative effect on motivation and self-esteem, even sense of identity. This community addresses the challenges associated with unemployment and how to cope.
I think perhaps it is time at least for me to be somewhat realistic,,,I have just turned 62 and during normal times being out of work and trying to re-enter the labor market would be a challenge, but these are not normal times at all despite the glowing reports that come out of CNN about economic improvements,,I work in the Social Service sector and funding for that comes from taxes and if there are fewer funds coming in there are fewer jobs going out and the need for persons requiring these serves grows expodentially..and fewer and fewer people are served,,,it soon becomes a house of cards,,
I am in a reasonably good place as I saw this coming on gradually about 10 years back,,,certainly doesn't make things any easier at the present time at all,,,,I am still applying for whatever is out there,
I have even gotten some interviews and continue to keep a positive approach,,,it is very very difficult to maintain with any credibility,,,still,,it is the people 10 years behind me that are suffering big time,,,the last job I had was absolutely ridiculous and it on occasion required physical intervention for behavioral issues with male teens twice my size,,,in a juvenile diversion program,,,the guy who interviewed me should have known better ,,,,what the hell was he thinking...still I got 3 months out of it till I got sacked ,,,I only took the job for insurance which I wound up not getting anyway,,..it was a stupid job anyway and have no regrets..so here I am back on familiar ground about 8 months later ,,,\
Just for a laugh the other staff people that I worked with most were pretty nice and supportive were mostly ex-football players,,,and I am not even close to that ,,and was 61 to boot.
So...I guess it is just a matter of keep on keep'in on,,,my UC will run out in January unless the Feds extend it ,,,I even applied to my local Congressperson in this Fl, district as a field case mgr, ,,,shows you how nuts I am !!!!
:) neil
I am in a reasonably good place as I saw this coming on gradually about 10 years back,,,certainly doesn't make things any easier at the present time at all,,,,I am still applying for whatever is out there,
I have even gotten some interviews and continue to keep a positive approach,,,it is very very difficult to maintain with any credibility,,,still,,it is the people 10 years behind me that are suffering big time,,,the last job I had was absolutely ridiculous and it on occasion required physical intervention for behavioral issues with male teens twice my size,,,in a juvenile diversion program,,,the guy who interviewed me should have known better ,,,,what the hell was he thinking...still I got 3 months out of it till I got sacked ,,,I only took the job for insurance which I wound up not getting anyway,,..it was a stupid job anyway and have no regrets..so here I am back on familiar ground about 8 months later ,,,\
Just for a laugh the other staff people that I worked with most were pretty nice and supportive were mostly ex-football players,,,and I am not even close to that ,,and was 61 to boot.
So...I guess it is just a matter of keep on keep'in on,,,my UC will run out in January unless the Feds extend it ,,,I even applied to my local Congressperson in this Fl, district as a field case mgr, ,,,shows you how nuts I am !!!!
:) neil
After being out of work for 26 months now, despite trying VERY hard to find a job, I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever work for hourly wages again. At 59, after going up against what I've experienced as I've looked for work these last 26 months, I'm really beginning to believe that, as far as the average hiring manager is concerned, age trumps everything when they consider candidates. It doesn't really matter how much work experience someone has, nor how many good job skills, nor education - if the hiring manager feels the candidate is too old, the position will more than likely go to a younger candidate, even if the younger candidate is less qualified.
Several months ago, I read an interesting article about people who had set up storefront businesses and were having problems with their customer base. Namely, the biased and stereotyping beliefs and perceptions of those customers. The owners of these storefronts spoke of customers who would make negative comments directly to the owners about the owners race, gender, ethnicity, etc. So, these owners decided to take their businesses online - where their customers had no way of knowing what race, gender or ethnicity, etc, they were. As a result, most saw their sales and profits go up dramatically.
I've really been thinking about that article as I continue to struggle to find work. If I now seem "too old", maybe I need to position myself in a place where no one can discriminate against me because of my age - because they can't see me at all. Problem is, I don't know how to do that where I would been able to earn a steady, DECENT income. (Decent to me would be 40K+ a year). I've always worked the "traditional" way, for hourly wages, on-site, with a corporation. But, I now realize that trusting my financial future to companies who would just as soon downsize you as look at you has been treading on very dangerous ground, although that didn't used to be the case.
My UI benefits ran out the 3rd week of September, so I'm now SOL as far as continuing to receive that kind of help, but, I remember how nerve-racking it would be, wondering when and if the next extension would be approved. I hope a vote comes through in time for you and others in your situation.
Janice