Thankful for the opportunity
Although I really feel bad for some of the situations shared here, I am sure that it is comforting to many post-ers to see that it's not just them or something they're doing or not doing. As I see the various posts, in many ways I am frightened and discouraged, as I too will job hunting next year. It's just too bad that there isn't some way for those in need to band together and create a helping situation for one and all Thank you for the opportunity to share and help others.
Phyllis-- you are so correct. If you will be hitting the job market, it's a good idea to start now, tossing your name / resume out there. My last day was 11/14/16. I started putting my out there in Sept, we knew due to reorganization etc...jobs would be eliminated. I've been on a lot of interviews & the feedback has been great....with 2016 ending, employers are able to factor in new hires in 2017. I would suggest signing up w/ contract agencies....good luck and one do learn a lot of things coming here, reading the posts; offering suggestions and just discussing job/work/new hire/getting-landing a job.....
Speaking strictly for myself, knowing that others are sharing in the same psychological misery and economic hardship arising from prolonged unemployment does offer a modicum of solace and comfort, but not much. Its kind of like waking up one morning to find yourself on the Titanic or in a Nazi concentration camp with thousands of others. Sure, on a personal level you don't feel quite so bad when you realize that there are a lot of other people in the same position, but deep down you still know that its only a matter of time before you either take a brief dip in the North Atlantic or you're herded into the showers for a quick spritz. The knowledge that others around you are going through the same thing doesn't help assuage the psychological pain that accompanies the awareness that you are seriously screwed and that things might not end "happily ever after". As for me, after two years of fruitless endeavor (and about 3000 applications), I've accepted the fact that the "happily ever after" ending wasn't written into my particular script. Its just undignified for a gentleman of my age to struggle against the foreordained and the inevitable. Being on welfare at 56 isn't so bad. After all, since the government designed the whole economy, it logically follows that this is what they want, so who am I, an intellectual dwarf who never attended Harvard's school of political science or Brandeis' school of economics, to refuse my cooperation? From what I've seen, heard and read, life on welfare isn't so bad. At the very least, I figure I can stop taking care of myself, smoke and drink to excess, eat at McDonald's and other artery-clogging, fast-food venues three or four times a day, gain 150 pounds and let some poor schlep with a job pay for my quadruple bypass surgery and physical rehabilitation.
I totally agree that this is an excellent way for job seekers to provide advice or just vent. I don't know what I clicked on to get these posts but I am glad that I did. I have been out of work for over a year and this site actually gives me hope. Thanks to all of you for being inspirational because you don't know what people are going through emotionally while looking for a job. Every one keep your head up. This too shall pass!!!
I AM 62 WITH GENERAL KNOWLEDGE /EXPERIENCE AND NEVER MISS WORK . THEY LET THE IDIOTS HIRE THEIR FRIENDS -I HAVE BEEN TO 4PLACES AND ON WEEKENDS THE WORTHLESS YOUNG GENERATION DOESNT CALL /OR SJHOW AND THEY SAY NOTHING TO THEM .THEY ARE STILL THERE . HOW ABOUT HIRING THOSE THAT WANT TO WORK -DO MORE WHEN THEY ARE THERE . YOU CAN COUNT ON THEM -WE ARE RESPONSIBLE -MORE DEPENDABLE -RELIABLE .KEEP HIRING THE IDIOTS THAT DONT WORK --ONE DAY MOM AND DAD WONT BE THERE TO BAIL THEM OUT.
You're absolutely correct Phyllis, all of us that's unemployed need to get together and help each other find jobs. Great post! Larry
You are very much welcome. I hope that I was able to help in some way.
I don't know about where y'all live, but near me we have a Facebook group called "Pay it forward," where people help each other. I agree we need to stick together and support each other. God bless everyone here!
That's so true Phyllis! It is great to know that none of us are facing this alone.
I am 63 years old and in two months 64. After much searching I finally got a job paying a few dollars above the minimum wage, I am thankful. It took over half a year, and I am blessed with a pension from my last job where I reached mandatory retirement at age 62. The economy is not as wonderful as the politicians bragged about, midst jobs offered are low pay with less than 40 hours to avoid benefits. Folks over 50 have to work harder in their search for employment opportunities. There are many millions whom want to work, but after bring pushed out, or denied employment so much just gave up. They are not part of the Department of Labor statistical data used to make you believe unemployment crises is over? I believe the economy sill improve and news opportunities will appear in the very near future, you must never give up.