I just don't understand ...

[SilverVeil]

I know several people who are unemployed. I can not understand this. There are jobs available. They may not be in the preferred field of employment, but it is a paycheck. And an honest paycheck at that.

I have never lacked for a job. I am trained in nursing, I have been hired in at entry level positions and later promoted to supervisory positions, I have quit jobs and found a new one within 7 days. I have been fired exactly 1 time, I walked out of the store, across the parking lot to another store and left the second store with a full time job with benefits in 1/2 hour.

I want to work for an answering service. Either just answering phones for businesses or for a medical exchange or something similar. I hate phone sales, but if push came to shove, I would do it while I looked for something better. I currently work midnight shift at a gas station. Once again, not my preferred field, but I can walk to work since we only have one car, I have 7 hours of free time to read, play my video games, write, hell I even crochet up there. All my boss asks is that when he comes in at 6am the store is cleaned and the cigaretts restocked. I even have a good medical coverage through this job.

My fiance's sister has been unemployed since I moved here 2 yrs ago. I can not understand how this can be. She eats at our house cuz she does not have money for food. She is able to work, she has a car and a home. What the fuck is up with this ? I have even had 2 jobs at times in my life when I was trying to save up money for something special.

Why are so many people out of work when there are signs up all over with Help Wanted on them ? And ads in the newspapers.

Can someone please explain this to me ? I am totally at a loss.

 

[april-wine]

There are many out there, who believe some jobs are below them.....How money in the bank can be below them I'll never know.........

 

[red_rose]

My feelings exactly.

I always tell my roomie (who's unemployed), "You do what you have to do."

He hates that philosophy...so I adjusted it for him...

"You do what you have to do until you get to do what you want to do."

He hates that one more, I think. LOL

 

[sch00lteacher]

Have you ever tried to get a job without:

A car.

An address.

A phone.

I have. They won't even talk to you. Try living off of what you can get by selling your plasma three times a week (five if you lie).

I spent about 4 months in Columbus Ohio being homeless. Right after I came back from Europe and working for the DOD. In a job that I could not put down on a resume. Working for people who would never admit that they knew me.

You can't even draw unemployment without the address. I thought that was cute.

I occasionaly stayed at a female's house. Showered at the YMCA. You learn a lot of tricks.

I finally gave up and went 'home' to my parents house, or I should say my fathers house. I'd almost rather have stayed on the streets.

 

[bored1]

I have been unemployed for a year now, I have lived off my savings and by going to auctions and then reselling items on ebay,which at times can be quite lucrative. Now, in the past year I have sent out an incredible number of resumes. In interviews that I've had, Im told that Im "over qualified" How can that be? I just want to go back to work, While its true that Im applying for jobs that are a level or two below where I was , I;ve decided that, is where I want to be, as I no longer want the stress that went along with my last position. Ever Manage a Country Club? High Stress! Trust Me. I have been applying for positions that will take me back to my roots.<Culinary> As, I was trained by some fantastic European Chefs in my youth,I would think that a company would jump at the chance to hire someone with a background as varied as mine. Personally, I'm beginning to believe that its my age more than anything. However I will keep trying, something will turn up. I will not stop ebaying though.

 

[Weird Harold]

...Im told that Im "over qualified" How can that be? ...

I once applied for a job of limited duration -- extra help stocking a new store before the grand opening. The Lady who interviewed me actually apologized for not having any job available except the one I was applying for!

I went into the interview and said, "I need a very temporary job, because I have to go back to Florida in two weeks and can't take a permanent position," and this lady acted like I was going to get upset and yell at her because she only had a job available that exactly fit what I needed!

I do NOT understand why "overqualified" applies to interviewing for a job you have personal reasons for wanting whatever your qualifications.

 

[bluntforcemama]

Why do I get the feeling that this thread should be included in the "arrogant statements" thread? Honestly, think about it. There are people who have problems that are deeper than the surface where you can see. Have a little empathy. Sch00lteacher has a good point.

 

[alexandraaah]

It's not quite so black and white, depending on your situation. There are many people, just as one example, who have families to support, mortgages to pay, etc., and "any" job will not bring in the amount of money needed to care for these things. Unemployment will often times generate more income to cover these expenses than just going out and taking a pay cut and having to lose a home, move the kids to different schools, etc..

I understand your thoughts, but I think it's an oversimplification. Sometimes, life gets in the way.

Remember, anyone who is down and out wouldn't choose their current situation over being employed.

 

[Allison484]

I know several people who are unemployed. I can not understand this. There are jobs available. They may not be in the preferred field of employment, but it is a paycheck. And an honest paycheck at that.

I have never lacked for a job. I am trained in nursing, I have been hired in at entry level positions and later promoted to supervisory positions, I have quit jobs and found a new one within 7 days. I have been fired exactly 1 time, I walked out of the store, across the parking lot to another store and left the second store with a full time job with benefits in 1/2 hour.

I want to work for an answering service. Either just answering phones for businesses or for a medical exchange or something similar. I hate phone sales, but if push came to shove, I would do it while I looked for something better. I currently work midnight shift at a gas station. Once again, not my preferred field, but I can walk to work since we only have one car, I have 7 hours of free time to read, play my video games, write, hell I even crochet up there. All my boss asks is that when he comes in at 6am the store is cleaned and the cigaretts restocked. I even have a good medical coverage through this job.

My fiance's sister has been unemployed since I moved here 2 yrs ago. I can not understand how this can be. She eats at our house cuz she does not have money for food. She is able to work, she has a car and a home. What the fuck is up with this ? I have even had 2 jobs at times in my life when I was trying to save up money for something special.

Why are so many people out of work when there are signs up all over with Help Wanted on them ? And ads in the newspapers.

Can someone please explain this to me ? I am totally at a loss.

I have been looking for a job, any kind of job, for the past month. I have told all my friends, all my acquaintances that I am looking for a job and am willing to do anything LEGAL! Just because the paper is loaded with want ads doesn't mean they will hire just anyone. I have 14 years experience in my last field of endeavor (medical transcription) and because of that, most employers think that is the only thing I can do. They aren't (most of them) willing to train someone my age (56), for who knows what reason. "I am a fast learner" means nothing to them. I have applied for everything from administrative assistant to warehouse work to fast food. Willing to work part time, full time, days, evenings, nights...whatever. So far, nothing, not even a nibble.

So, like you said "what the fuck is up with this?"

Allison

 

[KinkyKat]

Re: Re: I just don't understand ...

I have been looking for a job, any kind of job, for the past month. I have told all my friends, all my acquaintances that I am looking for a job and am willing to do anything LEGAL! Just because the paper is loaded with want ads doesn't mean they will hire just anyone. I have 14 years experience in my last field of endeavor (medical transcription) and because of that, most employers think that is the only thing I can do. They aren't (most of them) willing to train someone my age (56), for who knows what reason. "I am a fast learner" means nothing to them. I have applied for everything from administrative assistant to warehouse work to fast food. Willing to work part time, full time, days, evenings, nights...whatever. So far, nothing, not even a nibble.

So, like you said "what the fuck is up with this?"

Allison

Allison....if I had an opening, I'd hire you in a minute. Many employers are slow coming to the realization that well-experienced workers from other fields have even more potential for growth and broader on-the-job skills, excellent business judgement, and a stronger work ethic than some much younger workers.

You hang in there, Hon. Some lucky person will grab you soon !!!!

 

[Allexus_TN]

Occassionally its the LACK of qualification, too much qualification, or you just don't "jive" with the interviewer. Sometimes there is an illness that prevents you from doing certain types of work, so you are only limited to a field, and that field has limited job opportunities. I agree with Alex, its not always in black and white.

 

[Allison484]

Re: Re: Re: I just don't understand ...

Allison....if I had an opening, I'd hire you in a minute. Many employers are slow coming to the realization that well-experienced workers from other fields have even more potential for growth and broader on-the-job skills, excellent business judgement, and a stronger work ethic than some much younger workers.

You hang in there, Hon. Some lucky person will grab you soon !!!!

Hey KinkyKat, thanks for the encouragement. I sure hope it happens soon.

Allison

 

[medjay]

Overqualified. . .

I graduated from college in '96 and discovered that I was overqualified to get a job in my field. The excuse was they couldn't pay me what I was worth and they didn't want to hold me back from making the big bucks.

After several months of unemployment I actually considered telemarketing, thinking the whole time about what a fucking rip off going to college had turned out to be. I actually found out that having a bachelor's degree was a hinderance to getting work.

Finally I wound up working in a warehouse for $6.50 an hour. I quit that job pretty quick and have been freelancing in the arts ever since, which has worked out for me. I haven't had a regular job in four years. I'm lucky to have the skills to be self-employed. I know college graduates on either on welfare or working at places like Target. Its a shame.

 

[Kitte]

I can only work part time due to illness. Would you HIRE me...If so let me know. I am fully skilled in Office and am very computer literate. But I can only work 5 hours a day. Oh yeah and I have to go to the doctors 4-7 times a month.

 

[Allexus_TN]

I can only work part time due to illness. Would you HIRE me...If so let me know. I am fully skilled in Office and am very computer literate. But I can only work 5 hours a day. Oh yeah and I have to go to the doctors 4-7 times a month.

Exactly my point. Who's going to hire me for a full time factory job when I have to sit down, and have to miss several days each month for doctors?

 

[dreamer]

Well, my not working currently has nothing to do with lack of jobs or anything being 'below' me. I can remember the day my life started crumbling, and for a solid year it just kept getting worse and worse. All during that time I was putting more and more of myself into a job I truly hated. It got to the point that so much of who I was was based around my job, and at the same time I was hating my job more and more. Which led to hating myself more and more.

I was smart, I had saved a good sum of money and I finally got tired of compromising myself and quit. Now I face a real delimma. I want a job. It's not really about the money. I hate not working. But I am terrified of getting 'stuck' again. I know work is like an addiction to me. I will work wherever I go and put up with anything to stay at one place instead of moving on. I will work 80 hour weeks over and over and over and dake no days off. I will perceive they 'need' me and not look out for my own concerns over my employers. I know these things about myself and they kinda have me frozen in choosing a job. I just want something I can enjoy!!

Mix in my dad dying last fall and taking care of my mom, and her health problems. Helping out with both sets of my grandparents when they need yardwork, etc... done, and trying to fix my pretty beat up heart (from yet another source of difficulty) I've been busy.

I am however thinking about what I will do for a job, almost every day. I'm open to suggestions...hehe.

 

[Guest]

I know several people who are unemployed. I can not understand this.

I used to say this exact same thing in my youth.

There are jobs available.

Where I am living now, in the state of Oregon, we have the highest unemployment rate in the country.

They may not be in the preferred field of employment, but it is a paycheck. And an honest paycheck at that.

At this time, I'm unemployed, and have been for the 4 months I've been here. I'll take ANYTHING, and am about to go start applying at fast food joints. I haven't worked in that field since I was in HS, back in 1975. But if I have sling hash, I will.

I have never lacked for a job.

Neither have I until the last 4 months.

I am trained in nursing, I have been hired in at entry level positions and later promoted to supervisory positions, I have quit jobs and found a new one within 7 days.

I'm not trained in nursing, but I have done this exact same thing. Took a job at $6.50 an hour in a call center for a small airline. Within 8 months I was a supervisor.

I have been fired exactly 1 time, I walked out of the store, across the parking lot to another store and left the second store with a full time job with benefits in 1/2 hour.

My ex (to be at the time) stole our kid, then 2 years old, and went to NY, where he was from (I lived in Kansas City with the child at the time). I flew there, no car, no place to live, no money to speak of, except about $500, and within a week, found a room to rent, an attorney to represent me, and a job in a dime store. I convinced the guy to hire me and went to work that very day. Everything was within walking distance, and for that to happen in Westchester County, NY, it was a miracle.

I want to work for an answering service. Either just answering phones for businesses or for a medical exchange or something similar.

I worked for an answering service in 1980.

I hate phone sales, but if push came to shove, I would do it while I looked for something better.

egad, I've even applied for those.....but since I have NO experience, NAUGHTA.

**snip**

Why are so many people out of work when there are signs up all over with Help Wanted on them ? And ads in the newspapers.

I haven't seen ONE help wanted sign up since I've been here, and I've sent out nearly 50 resumes. I've been on ONE interview, but I didn't have experience in the medical field to get a job in the office of the Planned Parenthood.

Can someone please explain this to me ? I am totally at a loss.

Life isn't all it seems sometimes.

 

[StrawberryPez]

I have applied at a bunch of places, Sent out resumes, and called a lot of ads in the paper.

I'm either over qualified or "not what they are looking for" . What are the options? People have help wanted signs out but aren't willing to hire someone that has good qualifications. I don't understand. Doesn't that tell them that I would actually show up for work and that i would work hard?? *shrugs*

I never quit a job on bad terms and I've never been fired.

 

[SilverVeil]

I am not thinking it is all black and white. I know people who make more by drawing unemployment than they could by working. And even a few women that get roughly the same amount of welfare when not working compared to a paycheck they would take home.

I am not saying that all stiuations are the same by any means. There are some cases such as stated where employers don't want to hire older people. Or younger people who they assume will just use the job as a stepping stone and quit in 6 months to a year.

I just can not understand my sis in law's thinking of " If I work here, people I know will make fun of me " attitude. And so she goes without eating, can not pay her rent, runs her car on fumes and tries to skate by.

Losing my place of residence has always been a fear of mine. I hate working, but the alternative is a much scarier thought for me.

I do have sympathy for those who are seeking work yet for some reason or another, the God if Employment looks the other way. IMHO nothing could be worse. Desiring to work and not being able to find a job, any job, has to suck.

I count my blessings I have a job. I doubly count my blessings that my fiance has a job. My mom in law is on total disability and lives with us. Her income is just under $1000 per month. When she told me I was shocked.

$1000 a month because work stresses her out too much ?!? What job did she have and where can I sign up ? I barely make that working 40 hrs a week.
Granted ... like I said, I have oodles of free time at my job, so I should not complain... but damn... I would like to do nothing all day and make $ 1000 a month.

My dream job ? Being a reader for a publishing company. I have heard of these jobs but do not know how to look into them. I can read 1-2 books per day depending on the length of them. Novel size books. Harlequin Romance sized books, I can read 4-5. To read and be paid for doing that which I love is my dream job.

 

[april-wine]

Arrogant, sorry not in the least.....As far as the job department goes I have done some of the crappiest ones out there....Did I like it NO.....It was a means an end, I have a job I love now.....

I would do whatever it took to keep money in the bank to prevent being homeless, starving whatever.....Job doesn't pay enough work two.....I am not being flippant here saying any of this I have been there done that...I know exactly what it takes....