Headhunter/Recruiter Just Told Me That There Was No Hope

[mhr]

If in Bush's America those that have been unemployed for a very long time have no hope finding employment, what does it say about our country and economy.

I have been unemployed for the last five years - a refugee from the telecom and aviation industries.

The recruiter said that the employment market was so competitive that there was no hope of placing me and that I might as well give up. There was nothing that he could do and did not know any recruiter that could help.

So, the question is where does this leave those that are similarly long-term unemployed. The flippant side of my character says that becoming a full-time anarchist is in order. If Bush wants to relegate millions of Americans to the scrap heap, then he should feel their wrath.

All out of ideas here!

PS - For Agent Mike - PM me and I will supply you my address so you can do the FBI workup on me before I start my new occupation - dethroning Bush - Amerika's new growth industry!

[shoelace414]

1. Darn that Bill Clinton!

[depakid]

68. Bill Clinton actually does have a lot to do with what's happened

I know that's not a popular viewpoint around here- but the fact is that many of Clinton's actions and policies set the stage for what's happened to the job market and employment conditions. Not only did he push hard for NAFTA and the WTO (which he knew damn well would result in what we've seen happen) but he did nothing to discourage consolitdation trends in industry, treating anti-trust an other regulatory providions with about as much disdain as Reagan.

His policies (or lack thereof) with respect to regulating abuses in the finacial industry were possibly THE major factor in the tech crash and ensuing corporate scandals, including the so called energy crises (note- that's plural) all of which happened ON HIS WATCH and his willingness to go along with DINO efforts to deregulate the banking industry would have astounded me, had I not figured out by say, 1995 that the man had few principles and even less honor.

Of course, this isn't what the Republicans talk about when they "blame Clinton," but that's largely because he was their key ally in implementing these policies....

[Media_Lies_Daily]

75. Gee....I could have sworn that the Clinton years were the best....

...we had ever had from an economic standpoint.

Maybe you need to look at the actions of Greenspan and Big Oil prior to the 2000 election. Very interesting information if you care to do the research.

Maybe you also need to look at who was really driving the government train during Clinton's last four years...that would be the GOP-dominated House and Senate. Any policies generated during the last four years of Clinton's presidency came out of those organizations. Any legal decisions came out of the GOP-dominated Federal judiciary.

"Key ally"? Right.

[depakid]

91. You might want to broaden your view

Sure, we had economic growth during certain years, yet during that time Clinton's policies- which as I mentioned, often dovetailed with GOP policies- sowed the seeds and in fact CAUSED many of the economic problems we're facing today.

You mention Greenspan- well, who reappointed that right wing hack? Bill Clinton.


It's evading reality (and avoiding responsibility) to say that since certain policies came out of the GOP Congress- and therefore Clinton (and his DLC cohorts) don't shoulder a good portion of the blame.

Clinton didn't have to sign bad legislation like the repeal of Glass-Steagall- indeed, a Democrat with integrity would feel the reponsibility to veto them! And on that particular issue- Liebermann was one of those leading the charge- and, instead of being decried- the man was rewarded with the Vice Presidential nod!

Clinton was also a miserable failure at using the power of the federal agencies to protect citizens against a wide variety of corporate abuses that collectively, created huge drains on our economy. The modern executive wields enormous legislative power that requires a veto proof majority to reverse.

The 90's may have seemed like good economic times- and on the surface they were- but it turned out to be in large part a house of cards- for which Clinton and the DLC Dems cannot in truth escape a measure of responsibility.

[ldf]

99. who's to say

that those policies orignated by clinton, like nafta, world trade agreement, etc., under the direction of gore, would have turned into the disaster that has occurred?

do you think that the super rich have not been making out hand over fist off this downsizing, outsourcing feeding frenzy by the repub business owners?

sorry, i do have a lot to complain about clinton, but i don't think it would have turned out this way with gore in charge.

bush started the 2000 campaign by talking down the economy.

sure there was the dot.com bust. that was a bubble that could not last.

but who the hell was behind enron, global crossing, and all the rest of the super rich rip offs of the working people?

no. you can not lay all the blame at clinton's feet.

bush, and bush alone, got us into the worst fix this country has ever been in, by "topping" (to use gannon terminology) his rich buddies and filling them with pure cash.

at the same time waging an illegal war where he continued to pump his buddies full of cash through halliburton, kellog/brown/root, bechtel, all the major defense feeders at the taxpayer teat.

again, sorry, clinton screwed a few things up, but he did NOT reduce us to the economic brink we are on, nor reduce us to the most hated country on the planet.

w can claim credit for all of that.

[ldf]

100. delete - dupe post

[Media_Lies_Daily]

101. My view is very broad....but unlike yours, it doesn't include blaming....

....Clinton for the economic collapse that is taking place under Herr Busch's "leadership". His father tried to bring about our economic collapse during his and Reagan's 12 year reign, but things didn't unravel fast enough.

The 1990s WERE very good economically, and I bet you'll find very few people that are willing to state that it just "seemed like" good times.

You and others that repeat that crap about Clinton are doing just what the Rightwingers want you to do. They know that the only way to keep us defeated is to keep us divided. Congratulations.

[depakid]

103. If your views were actually broader

You'd see that many of the forces at work which bear directly on our current economic condition, take years to play out. And since some of them came into being (or were furthered) through Clinton's agenda- the logic is inescapable that he and the Dems who promoted them bear a good deal of responsibility for the results- both the intended (the unsustainable tech boom) and the unanticipated (the spurious energy crises).

Your difficulty is that you're unwilling to separate partisanship from objective policy analysis (it's not an uncommon problem, btw- it's one I shared with you, say 10 years ago).

Bad policy is bad policy- and it doesn't matter whether it's a Republican or a DINO who enacts it. Pandering to certain commercial interests at the expense of the broader, long term public interest yields the kinds of results we've seen with the media consolodation encouraged by Clinton's Telecommunications Bill- to name just one example.

You may be right that few people would recognize that decisions made in the mid to late 90's were sowing the seeds of suffering in the economic climate and job market of the 21st century. However, that doesn't mean it isn't so.

Nor does it excuse Bush and the Republicans for making the situation exponentially worse than it might have been (although remember that Al Gore was calling for large tax cuts, too).

Personally, I'm interested facts and rational analysis- which basically means I call it how I see it, leaving the Clinton notalgia (both warranted and unwaranted) to others.

[ProfessorGAC]

128. Same Question

Upon what analytical basis was your conclusion reached that the forces at work bear directly on our current economic condition?

How did you establish causation and leverage of these policies vis a vis the economy?

My suspicion is that it's ad hoc, and that no real science stands behind your opinion.
The Professor

[ProfessorGAC]

127. Any Data To Support That?

Didn't think so. Kneejerk conclusions are seldom well-founded. You disagree with specific policies, and shipping jobs to India is his fault. Of course, WTO and NAFTA had no influence on any of that, since we've been open trading partners with India for about 45 years.

But, don't let the facts get in your way.
The Professor

[depakid]

131. What data would you like to see- professor?

Data on outsourcing encourage by HAFTA GATT/WTO? That's easy enough.

Should we look at the internal revenue regs? see if maybe there's some numbers on that?

How about SEC policies that allowed for mismanagement that bankrupted companies and cost investors millions- and cost I don't know how many countless people their retirements? Bet there's something on that out there.

Job losses through media consolodation?

Energy regulatory policies- with Clinton's FERC looking the other way and dropping the ball? Job and/or business losses in California due to sudden and unanticipated spikes in energy costs?

Should we factor in cost shifting, decreased multiplier effects and externalities?

Name your poison(s) and we'll go there....

Personally, I think in a pretty untenable position- trying to defend some of Clinton's policies post hoc.

[ProfessorGAC]

132. Yes. That Would Be A Start

More importantly, is whether you've been able to show that the current economic conditions are actually caused by any of those influences.

My guess is that only on a very tenuous path would one find any correlation between those policies with which you object (and i understand your issues with those policies) and the current situation.

Fiscal policies have always influence the economic conditions NOW! The time horizon is typically 2 to 5 years. Don't fall into the trap of the Reaganites who attempted to explain the economic boom of the 90's with actions taken by St. Ronnie 10 years before.

The current economic condition is influenced FAR more by the lack of stewardship and the looting of the current administration than by anything that happend 5 to 10 years ago. There is just no evidence that your conclusions are anything other than picque caused by your justified objections to those policies. There's a difference between finding those policies objectionable and concluding that there are still influence the job market in 2005. If you have access to any data that shows this linkage, i'd be happy to examine it. My work would, however, indicate that no such linkage exists.
The Professor

[depakid]

133. A lot of what I'm talking about isn't fiscal policy

and I'm not talking about who shares what amount of blame- clearly the far right's irresponsible fiscal policies have a lot more to do with current economic conditions than anything that was or was not done in 1999 & 2000.

What I'm thinking about are primarily regulatory policies put into place via statute or at the agencies- most of them substantive - which in fact have some lag time.

When I return from class tonight, I'll look at a few specific ones (it's been 5 years- so I don't recall all the details off the top of my head) and see what studies are avaliable on the university databases and on google scholar. Obviously, omissions (failures to act- which is arguably where Clinton was weakest) will be more difficult to assess- but some of those regulatory decisions still have a some effect- even now- on employment conditions, particularly in certain sectors.

[ewagner]

2. You are a

"Consultant".....

Might try renting yourself out on a contractual, per-job basis.....

That's been my bailout position....

[Vanje]

112. Or you might try MY bailout strategy

Sell shit on ebay, and forage through dumpsters, between working other peoples sheep during lambing and shearing.

Anarchist revolt? A good old fashioned peasant uprising would better fit my wardrobe.
I can supply pitchforks!

[leftofthedial]

3. we're in the same boat

except for my kids, I have nothing left to lose

[Warpy]

17. Same here

I'm an RN who should be in great demand. My physical condition will no longer allow me to do bedside nursing or anything even moderately active. The jobs I'd counted on when I got to this stage are now in India and Belize.

I suppose I'll just live until the money runs out.

[jbnow]

95. If you have a physical condition

and need and want work, try Vocational rehabilitation services. All states have them with a branch in each county. They can really do a lot in helping with any retraining, finding willing employers, setting up a home business, whatever might work for you.

[wryter2000]

4. OMG

The same thing happened to my husband under Reagan. We almost ended up on the street before he started getting Social Security. That to supplement my salary finally pulled us back from the brink of disaster.

I feel your pain! :hug:

[Eloriel]

5. Well it might be a competitive market

but I'd say that headhunter is definitely bereft of ideas, creativity and ability. Screw him, and do NOT take his word for it.

Put another way: GET OUT THERE AND DEFY THOSE ODDS -- maybe that means going the consultant route, starting your own business, whatever. But whatever you do, you've got to prove that stupid headhunter wrong. :D

[mwb970]

6. I was thinking this too.

It's bad, but I don't think it's that bad. Or is it?

[veteran_for_peace]

7. My company is hiring

We need some developers. Oracle Experience, .Net Development, Javascript, Crystal Reports.

[mhr]

10. Thanks, I Have No Experience In Those Areas

I appreciate your kind thoughts though.

[tcoursen]

11. what kind of job?

What kind of job are you looking for?

[veteran_for_peace]

13. We are looking for at least two people

Who are willing to relocate to Memphis, TN. Who are experienced in .NET development, Oracle, and Crystal Reports. If you are interested send me an email at [e-mail].

[tcoursen]

18. Sorry

I was asking the original poster. Was just curious what type of work he was looking for for 5 years.

However, are you having a tough time filling those positions? Doesn't sound like those are skills that would be uncommon to find. Do you really have to go outside of the Memphis area to find qualified people?

[veteran_for_peace]

20. I am a not a recruiter

Just a rare american programmer.

[tcoursen]

25. me too

But since I work for a small company that only has 3 people, only programmer, in the computer department, I end up doing just about everything. Design the software, program the software, test the software, fill in for the support guys when they aren't there, fix the paper jams in the printer, etc.

[mhr]

31. Would Relocate But I Am Not A Software Developer

Thanks for asking though.

[mhr]

16. The Bulk Of My Experience Is Project Management And System Engineering

I hold a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master's degree in Business Administration.

As of 5 years ago, I had 15 years of professional work experience - nothing but odd jobs since then.

[tcoursen]

22. That is amazing

And there is another thread about #1 college majors, and electrical engineering was #2 on that list.

Are you losing out on jobs to younger guys that they can pay more, or there just no engineering jobs to be had?

[mhr]

24. My Engineering Degree is 20 Years Old Now

This means that it is worthless as a practical matter.

[tcoursen]

28. Tubes

So you know all about vacuum tubes and could give me some pointers on the tube amp I want to build :)

I fixed up an old Ampex console tube stereo that my wife's grandfather had sitting around and now I am hooked on the sound of tubes.

[mhr]

33. Yes, I have A Vacuum Tube Phono Preamp, Preamp, And Mic Preamp

All that I learned about tubes was on my own time though.

Tube theory was phased out in the 1960s - really ancient history!

[DancingBear]

129. Sorry to thread hijack - but I'm another tube guy!

I run a set of tubed SET (single ended triode) monoblock power amps, fronted by a tubed line stage pre-amp. In the audio world, tubed equipment is cutting edge (mine is very recent), and there are several companies producing only tube gear.

I'm getting ready to undertake the restoration of an old Hammond tubed organ, so we'll see how much of MY old theory (I was trained as an electronic tech many years ago) I remember.

Don't touch the B+ rail, I remember that... :)

Long live ancient history!

[gbwarming]

45. Engineering education has not changed much in 20 years

It may look different to a recruiter, but what has really changed? Look at engineering curricula - the emphasis is STILL on a core of 100 year old math, physics and chemistry along with design and problem solving skills. So what if you're not up on the latest zero point whatever micron semiconductor process - no one with a fresh BSEE is going to jump out and create the newest microprocessor without a lot of ojt either. The core skills are the same.

One thing that has changed a lot are the software tools - nearly non-existant in undergradute engineering 20 years ago. But these are not very difficult to learn if you remember the fundamentals.

[KaliTracy]

79. Are you close to Ohio? There may be a Project Management opening

in my company, which just happens to supply airports and airlines with information display systems. No programming necessary -- installation of displays, and computer systems.

[SharonAnn]

93. For Project Management opportunities you should be a

member of PMI (Project Management Institute), it's our professional association, and be looking for PM positions. See www.pmi.org.

They're not as easy to find as they were 5 years ago, but the market for them is coming back. Lot's of companys need project managers to coordinate installation of their systems, from power plant turbines to hospital diagnostic equipment.

There's contract work for project managers too if you're interested in that kind of thing.

[mhr]

117. I Investigated The PMI Training And Was Discouraged When I Learned

That I did not meet the experience recency requirement.

Hence, it would matter little to take all the classes for certification since I could not be awarded the certificate.

It is a real catch 22 situation.

[Virginian]

88. Wish your company was in Virginia.

I've been out of work for two years and have started getting rusty. The longer I am out of work, the less likely I can get back into my field.
Too old to start over, I should be retiring in 15 years. I thought I was set with job skills that would guarentee me employment for life --until Bush came along. Maybe this thing started in Clinton's time when the living was easy, but if the economy had turned, as it did on Bush's watch, there would have been changes. There would have been fewer not more H1b visas issued to India for people taking technical jobs. Big Dawg would have looked out for the people, not the corporations' profits. Everyone would have borne the burden, not just the working class.

[harlinchi]

121. Hey are you guys using Oracle and Crystal? My company will not upgrade t

a higher version. We're using Crystal 8.X. I need 10.0 to develop an on line application using Crystal and Oracle (Toad). Which are you using?

[fooj]

8. I vote for "he should feel their wrath"! What the hell?

Anarchist mhr reporting for duty? Peace!

[MADem]

9. News flash from BUSHCO!!!

YOU DON'T COUNT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Once you are "long-term" they don't count you amongst the rest of the great unwashed, who are waiting to jump through hoops to get unemployment insurance, who are getting unemployment insurance, or who have just dropped off the rolls because they've used up their benefit.

Your only hope is to go into a different line of work. The service industry--as in, ya want fries with that?--is about the only thing hiring. It's pathetic, and unless and until this misadministration stops rewarding the cretins at the top for moving jobs offshore, it ain't gonna change.

This feels so much like Nixon, like Reagan....I've got relatives in your circumstance, and it is painful all round.

[catmandu57]

12. If it were'nt for ssi

I'd be in the same boat mhr, and when they kill that program they'll probably be killing me also. When the time comes I'll be right their with you.

[MARALE]

14. I know a place that is hiring

It makes aviation controls and communication devices. I used to work there and know people there. If you want to move to the midwest that is.

[mattclearing]

15. That's ridiculous.

I'm sorry, I disagree. And I tend to disagree often when it comes to people who complain about not being able to get a job.

First off, this is a headhunter. Are you applying for other jobs? Associating with other headhunters? Temping? Developing new skills? Have you considered relocation?

I know the job market is extremely competitive, but where there is a will, there is a way. I refuse to believe that it isn't possible, and I suggest you likewise refuse to believe it.

[Warpy]

21. Wait until you hit 50

[mhr]

27. Two Years Away From The Big 50

I feel as young as ever and the grey hair has been kind. Apparently it does not matter to the powers that be. If your over forty, you might as well be dead.

I wonder if anarchists will still let me enlist?

[hfojvt]

29. hell, I had the same problem when I was 20

Now I am a totally qualified janitor.
Who says it does not pay to goto college?
It sure did help my appreciation of the movie "Good Will Hunting."

[mhr]

23. Temp Jobs - Overqualified - New Skills - No Money

Over 2,500 resumes out the door by June of last year. I have stopped counting.

What this recruiter said is consistent with other comments I have received. Really nothing new, just sharing.

Relocation? Yes! Those 2,500 plus resume have been sent around the country and in some cases the world.

The only conclusion I can come to is that I am too old and have become useless in the eyes of the world.

Anarchist trainee is looking better and better!

[mattclearing]

32. Sorry to hear it. God bless you for trying.

I'd have given up long ago...2500 resumes is outrageous.

[alfredo]

34. Find something nobody wants to do for themselves, then

charge big money to do it.

I had a friend that cleaned up crime/suicide scenes. She made good money.

I opened a janitorial service and made good money for 20 hours work a week.

You got to break out of the inertia.

[NJCher]

106. 2500+ resumes out the door is not inertia!

Cher

[alfredo]

111. I wasn't implying inaction, just the

emotional rut one gets in when nothing goes right.

[cap]

41. faith, hope and courage

is needed now more than ever...

On the downside -- just to add to your woes -- we are getting set for another wave of bankruptcies. Just went to Wharton Restructuring (aka bankruptcy) conference .... their business will be booming in middle of 06 and 07.

At first glance, the recruiter is correct. Your skills are big company skills -- pm and system engineering. No hands on work for some time now. There's no demand in big companies anymore for someone they will retire in 5 years. Retirement age is now 52-55 years old. There are no managers or professionals 55-65. Big Companies walk them out the door.
So you maybe are right about being finished if you look at the world through this lens.

On the other hand, maybe you need a new lens. Take a personal assessment -- costs $100-200. You will look at other careers in a different way. You know Project Management and can manage anything from construction on out including your own business. You will look at yourself differently and see other strengths and interests that you never thought you had. Maybe QA is your thing... There's a company that will hire you on contract to do QA -- vendor surveillance corporation.

You are in Dallas, if I remember correctly. Dallas is sucking wind. Either relocate or use the internet to do remote work. I think the hospitals are Ok there. so maybe you want to think about offering some service to the hospital. Nursing staffing agency? Some medical service...you dont have to be the expert just know how to organize the resources... you're a manager, right? So delegate what you dont know how to do.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

76. Welcome to the Brave New World....

...54, and closed the doors on my one-man recruiting company in November 2003. I've tried several other things, but nothing is falling into place.

[Liberty Belle]

105. Have you tried getting a pro to rewrite your resume?

I've helped a few friends redo theirs, after they'd been job-hunting for a long time with no results. Each found work fairly quickly after we spruced up their resumes.

Computer people in particular have a tendency to list "just the facts", i.e., long lists of technical programs they're trained in, without including the info an HR professional most wants to know: how will you help OUR company?

For instance, one friend added info on how programs he'd headed up streamlined procedures, saving his last employer a lot of money.

Also think of skills that may be transferrable to a new field. Military retirees face this all the time when moving back into the civilian world. So talk up things like "strong organizational and problem-solving skills," for example.

Good luck!

[mhr]

118. Hi Liberty Belle - Thanks For The Suggestion

I believe I have the "soft" information covered very well in my resume.

If you will PM me with a email address I will forward a link to my online resume and you cane see if it meets muster.

[Lorien]

70. I know three others in the same situation

two are still unemployed after two years, one friend JUST got a job after almost three years of job hunting. He's a 50 something year old physicist with multiple patents and loads of experience in the medical, manufacturing and defense industries. He had THREE headhunters working for him, he was listed on every job site, and spent 12 hours a day combing websites and making phone calls WORLD WIDE to find work. He found a job through a professional headhunting service that charged him a $4000 fee (how many unemployed people have that kind of money? He had to barrow it from family because he was desperate). He had secured a job as a telemarketer in the mean time, but $7 an hour doesn't go very far when you have a family to support and a kid in college.

[mhr]

78. Maybe You'd Let Me Borrow Oberon For Awhile That Would Cheer Me Up

Does Oberon like his head scratched?

[Lorien]

85. He sure does

He hopes things pick up soon!

"Pet my head"!



He also loves a good belly rub:
"Rub my belly"!



Such a good kitty:


BTW- I PMed you with a job opportunity in your field.

[Vincardog]

102. SCUSE me taste just because you refuse to believe does not make it false.

You are buying into the RW myth that there is somthing wrong with the American worker, that some how we just need the right skills and we too could be ganefully employed. The truth is that aWoL and Co. have been paying American companies to move good paying jobs to China and India. We can not and should not have to compete with slave labor to benefit the Corporate bottom line while they steal our future and retitrement.

[The_Casual_Observer]

19. mhr, forget about those fields and do something different

Get out there and beat the system. But/steal some Microsoft training books and take the tests for certification, work as a bouncer or bartender, sell real estate, work at a bank, retail, back office. Get back on your feet, my friend!

[mhr]

40. If Positive Thinking Could Will The Universe To Bend, I'd Be There

Sadly my friend, I have found the universe doesn't listen.

[mattclearing]

26. self-delete

delete

[Just Me]

30. Geez, "mhr". I wish there was something I could do to help you.

I respect your strength to hang in there for so damn long!!! I just recently got a job (making less than half the salary I expected at this time in my life) after 30+ months of unemployment and it was really a "fluke".

I know you've exercised a LOT of ingenuity trying to land employment.

Are you still looking at jobs in the government sector? There's been an increase there.

I really do wish there was something I could do.

[EC]

35. So it's official we now have our caste of "untouchables"

unseen, unheard, therefore don't really exist

[doodadem]

36. I am also a Headhunter.....

(gasp, gasp!) I've been in this business for 15 years, the past 10 as self-employed. What this other person told you is only partially correct. For about a year after 9/11, we were deluged by candidates who attributed their job loss to same. In the past few years, we've been hit by tons who have been "restructured" out by layoffs, mergers, bankruptcies. I can't tell you how many terrific Phd's I've had lately who have been unemployed for 6 months+. On my professional network, we get requirements from clients who will say--don't bother sending us any candidates who have been unemployed for more than x amount of time, or that old bugaboo--no jobhoppers.
But 5 years......I can tell you that telecom is not so hot still, but aviation/aerospace in regards to the defense industry IS. Hey think about it--what's getting most of the government budget now? I always advise my candidates to interview in a very positive way (I'd be glad to send you my prep material). Don't say you've been unemployed the past 5 years, say I've spent the past 5 years going back to school and refreshing my skills (and DO it!) It doesn't mean you have to build bombs.....I recently put a candidate on a 5 year contract as a database administrator. So shoot me--if you think the headhunting business hasn't been beat to hell in all this, I have a number of buddies that filed bankruptcy or went out of business in the past few years. I'm getting by on a smidgen of what I made during the Clinton years.
This recession has sucked for everybody. I keep hearing that it's over with, but I'm not buying it.

[mhr]

39. I Spent $ 70,000 Of My Savings To Retrain As A Professional Pilot

All was going well until 9/11 killed the pilot market.

Money is all gone now; so training is not an option.

I guess my two college degrees are actually as worthless as the recruiter said.

I'd better stop by Half-Price books tonight and pick up that dog-eared Anarchist's Cookbook before some other unemployed person beats me to that job as well.

Brewing trouble is all I have left to look forward to these days!

[Yupster]

66. Very good advice Doodadem

I'm a small business owner myself, and sorry, but I just wouldn't give a second look to anyone's resume that said they'd been unemployed for five years.

You've got to get that off your resume.

Take a class or get a menial job. Anything to get that off your record.

Just giving the employer's point of view, five years unemployment is a ball and chain on a job-seeker that you don't want to drag around.

[mhr]

69. In Dallas, TX - Menial Jobs Are Not To Be Had - Too Many Illegals

That the employers can pay nothing for.

Trust me I have already tried this tact.

[Yupster]

71. You don't have to try to convince me of anything

or defend yourself.

I was just trying to give you an employer's perspective.

In my opinion, many prospective employers are not going to ask you for an explanation, or argue with you. If you have on your resume that you've been unemployed for five years, a prospective employer is just going to shrug and throw the resume away.

I think you must get that off your resume in any way you can. But you didn't ask me for advice and I gave it, so take it as worth what you paid for it.

I do wish you the very best of luck though.

[bfro22]

37. Careerbuilder.com shows 22,000

postings looking for project managers. Not all in your specific area of expertise, but the ability to manage complex projects is, in itself, a marketable skill. Are you sure you aren't focusing your search too narrowly?

[mhr]

38. My Resume Is Posted On Career Builder And I Apply To Posted Positions

Regularly i.e. several a week.

So far, no one has bothered to reply.

My take is that many of those positions are not real and are only posted for legal reasons.

BTW, did you notice any openings for junior anarchist?

[bfro22]

43. Have you had someone look at your resume

and cover letters? Even if 80% of the positions aren't real, you should be getting a hit every two weeks or so.

Also, are you sure you're giving it your best shot? My own experience with long-term unemployment sounds a lot like yours - lots of education, good experience, lots of resumes out, but no responses. In retrospect I think that I just going through the motions - sending resumes without much thought toward presentation. I was, let's just say, pretty down during that time.

I suppose even anarchist groups need good project managers these days!

[mhr]

48. Me Thinks Anarchists Needing Project Managers Is An Oxymoron

Oh, that was your point!

The senses do dull with age.

[cap]

109. strategy for career builder...

edit your resume every couple of weeks. This forces it up to the top of the hit list for recruiters. Recruiters screen for new postings.

Use the cover letter. Create a boilerplate version of the cover letter.

When posting a response to a job posting, copy the requirements for the job and paste them into your cover letter. Edit out the requirements that you havent any experience for. Create a bulleted list of the remaining requirements and then tag how many years of experience you have in them.

You really have to hit people over the head these days.

[Just Me]

42. I can tell you that this man has exercised more ingenuity than anyone,...

,...I've ever encountered. I kid you not.

His problem is being overqualified and over experienced in a CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP corporate-profiteering market!!!

[Chicago1]

44. I'm a recruiter and the type of recruiting that's happening is GARBAGE!!!

I'm an HR professional with more than 7 years of experience and the recruiters who are employed are ARROGANT, STUPID, DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT, ILL INFORMED AND UNEDUCATED. I've heard this from other HR professionals who have said "I CANNOT BELIEVE the type of recruiting that's going on". DON'T LISTEN TO WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY. Go out there and KEEP LOOKING. You'll find something. Try redoing your resume. Keep your mind open and sometimes we have to take jobs we don't like to keep the bills paid which I'm sure you've already thought about.

Keep your head up and please know that you're NOT ALONE!!!! There are sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo many people who have been affected by Dumb Dumb's job market and economy.

With the scandals of Gannongate and Votergate, he's going to be out of a job soon. It's a matter of time.

KEEP GOING AND KEEP LOOKING!!!! YOU'LL FIND SOMETHING.

Please share your story with us at: America's Work Stories, http://usaworkstories.blogspot.com, [e-mail]

Waiting for the IMPEACHEMENT WHILE THE SCANDALS KEEP UNFOLDING
http://usaworkstories.blogspot.com
[e-mail]

[NickB79]

50. You hit the bullseye with that post

After I graduated from college with a BS in Biotech/Chemistry, I submitted my resume to a recruiter who knew absolutely nothing about science. His understanding of my resume, even after I sat down and explained every concept on it to him, was asbysmal. In over a year with that company searching for a job for me (while I also sent out resumes on my own and worked part-time at a restaurant) I only obtained 3 job interviews through them, and none of them panned out. He sent me to an interview for an engineering job, which I had absolutely NO qualifications for! I felt like a moron at that interview because he gave me so little information before he sent me out there. Even the interviewers were disgusted with his performance, and actually apologized for wasting MY time.

One day last spring, this company had a whole slew of jobs posted on Careerbuilder.com in less than a week that sounded perfect for what I wanted to do. I called my recruiter to ask about them, and he told me those jobs didn't really exist right now, but were the types of jobs they expected to be created in the next few months! They were posting jobs that didn't even exist in order to reel in new grads and their resumes! And guess what? Months went by, and NO new jobs matching their descriptions were posted. He flat-out lied to me.

I finally found another job placement company that deals exclusively wtih science-based positions, and now have a very nice lab tech job thanks to them. The moral of my story is that there ARE some good recruiters and recruiting companies left out there, despite the a-holes so frequently seen today.

[mhr]

51. Yes, I Will Keep Pounding The Pavement - There Really Is Not Much Else

To do.

Sadly, the recruiters are not much help.

One must learn to live in the shadows of diminished expectations fostered by the likes of the GOP.

Just think of how effective a five sigma, quality assurance program applied to anarchy might be. Given the one sigma approach of Dubya's government, one might just stay a step ahead of the Feds.

Now if I only had some property somewhere to .........

[doodadem]

104. I will refrain from all the HR jokes I know

Because I don't think this is the forum to make blanket and derogatory statements about anyone but Republicans. I can tell you that someone like me who has been doing this successfully for 15 years is neither ill informed or uneducated. But just like any other profession, there are good recruiters, and there are bad recruiters.
With that being said, you also have to understand that professional recruiters/headhunters do not find jobs for people. We find people for jobs. Our fees are paid by companies that give us criteria for candidates. In the Clinton years, it was a sellers market, and that criteria would consist of A,B, and C. In this economy, with so many good people unemployed, it is most definitely a buyers market, and that criteria now consists of A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and the moon.

[elehhhhna]

124. ex-recruiter here: You said it!

Probably one in 50 recruiters are worth a damn, regardless. My hat's off to you for keeping the doors open through the Bush debacle(s). Just like when Daddy was President, wemployment will be supressed until the WAR is over. Temp/Contract hiring DOUBLED in the 6 months after the 1st Gulf War. There's pent-up demand out there now IMHO, but companies don't want to hire when there's a war on.

[Chicago1]

America's Work Stories, http://usaworkstories.blogspot.com

Dear All,

Please share your work stories with us. We want to hear what's happenning and what everyone is experiencing.

Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you!!! :)

America's Work Stories
http://usaworkstories.blogspot.com
[e-mail]

[KittyWampus]

46. Can You Restore Old TV's, Radios? There Might Be A Niche For You

[mhr]

55. Really Not A Technician Type

eom

[Cleita]

47. I was just reading an article about Ireland in the new

Smithsonian. After nearly five hundred years of exporting people, the Irish have come into their own and have a new economy based on technology. The Irish for once are chosing to stay home. Maybe you guys should start looking for jobs in other countries that are more advanced than ours, like ones that have national health care and take care of their citizens. This country is turning into a banana republic. You might as well bale while you are young enough to.

You can still be an anarchist somewhere else. As a matter of fact, it would probably be safer to do it from another country as an expatriot.

[sadiesworld]

49. Have you given any thought to teaching?

Some states now permit unrelated degrees and professional experience to take the place of a formal degree in education. Math and science backgrounds are in particularly high demand.

Of course, your science background will also come in handy if you go the anarchist route. :shrug:

:hug:

[mhr]

52. It's A No Go In North Texas - Many Unemployed Teachers Here

Most of the junior college adjunct position were filled by the first wave of Telecom layoffs. Since then the requirements have risen to the point that I do not qualify.

[sadiesworld]

58. I was referring to grade school and high school...

the public school system. Here in KY the non-education-degree accreditation programs seem fairly general (e.g., bachelor's degree and 10 years professional experience, IIRC). I believe they have been pretty hungry for math and science teachers in middle schools and high schools for the past few years.

[mhr]

60. No Need Here In Dallas - Once Again, All Those Downsized Telecom

Workers with engineering degrees snatched those jobs in 2001 and 2002.

[greymattermom]

53. engineer ideas

I have a graduate student in a biomedical Ph.D. program. Telecommunications engineer, now learning MRI technology. He's in his 40s. Being a student pays 20K, and then you know MRI and can get all sorts of jobs.

[mhr]

54. Hmm, Tell Me More, What Kind Of Program Is It And How Does He Get Paid

To go to school?

[greymattermom]

87. Ph.D. programs

pay students a "stipend". Around here it will be increased to 25k soon. Biotech needs people with engineering backgrounds who can understand equipment like high field strength MRI. NIh standard salaries for postdoctoral fellows are much better than they used to be, so it's a career for 10 years.

[greymattermom]

90. here's the current salary guideline

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/funding/policies/nrsa.htm

Remember this is for training.

[ryan_cats]

56. Contracts?

That's rough, what state are you in? Like someone else said, have you tried contracting? I had to resort to contracting myself. Depending on the postition you can get a decent rate. Usually, none or minimal bennies. Plus the people I work with don't like contractors too much since they know what the hourly rate is. I don't blame them, I was the same way when I was a full time employee.

Would someone again tell me how great this bush economy is?

[mhr]

59. In Texas - All My Skills Are Soft, Big Company Capabilities

Nothing really suitable to the highly specialized and skilled contract world.

[ryan_cats]

72. That sucks!

I would still check out contracting. Here in Califonia, they have all kinds of project manager and manager type contracts-if this is what you mean by soft skills. Lots of big companies are going the contractor to hire route. I prefer working for a big company as well. My last corporate FTE job was eliminated in a merger. I really loved how the ceo told us it would work out great. It did, for him.

[phylny]

57. I can't contest anything you've said.

My only salvation is having a job where the supply of jobs greatly outpaces the supply of qualified personnel. Otherwise, I can't imagine where I'd be right now.

I'm trying to advise my kids toward careers that should have some job growth in the future. It's not easy.

[mhr]

62. And Isn't That The Saddest Part Of All - The Truth About Where We Have

Come to as a country!

[thebigidea]

61. out of curiosity, why do people still talk of this "Agent Mike?"

that one always reeked of Bev Harris' persecution/martyr complex.

[mhr]

63. Agent Mike Is The Generic FBI Lurker Looking Over Our

Underground shoulders 24/7.

Still raising hell and trash talking here Agent Mike.

Keep your pants on old boy!

[thebigidea]

65. and we know this how?

[troubleinwinter]

74. Sshhhhhhh....

It's a secret.

:smoke:

[madison2000]

64. It took me 16 months to find something during 2001-2002

and last year I was unemployed for 4 months. The economy got a little better, but I've had to settle for something that was less of an opportunity and less pay.

Although I know I am lucky to have something it feels like its so competitive now that I can't take anything for granted...including benefits.

I am in computing and people with my skills are a dime a dozen.

This is my 3rd career already...Certainly isn't what I expected to have happen in life.

Keep trying. Lower your expectations. Be glad for what you do have.

[Clark2008]

67. I was a reporter for 12 years, then became a stay-at-home Mom

a divorce forced me back into the workforce. I couldn't go back into reporting for two reasons: long hours and low pay. I am the sole parent, now (really, really rough divorce) and decided I'd use my Communications degree for public relations/marketing - lots of old journo's do that, so I figured, I'd take a starting postion for about $10 an hour and be OK.
It took me a year to find a job, when I did, it was temp-to-hire. I had no bennies for six months, got paid an abyssmal $8 an hour. I'm just NOW earning enough to make ends meet without having to spend ALL of my tax refund, but, with car and home repairs and all the little incidentals of life, I cannot save, at all: for any retirement or my son's college education. I can't even afford to buy ANY car (the payments would break me - I don't know what I'm gonna do when my 11-year-old Mustang bites the dust).
I sympathize with everyone here who has been out of work forever and a day and I agree with your statement, madison, that you can't take ANY job for granted anymore. It's really an employer's market out there, for sure.
God, I miss Clinton. I graduated into a Clinton economy and the longest I ever went without a job was a week.

[sweetheart]

73. The hope of the phoenix

It is time to transform.

Re-do your resume from scratch.

Consider moving away.. not willingness to relocate, but moving away
ahead of time.

You've posted repeatedly your unemployed status and "we" sympathize,
but you don't need sympathy... rather work... and being identified
as unemployed and "unemployable" leaves you with a poor reinforcement for the state of mind you want to be in.

Clearly you've developed quite a skill set at writing and publishing,
given your DU experience. Rather you've been employed these recent
years as a professional writer. If you wish, i'll send you a cheque
and you can call yourself a "pro"... but will the re-description
alter the course of your approach?

[mhr]

77. I've Redone My Resume Many Times - Regardless Of How You Cut

And paste it, there is only so much jiggering one can do.

As far as writing for a living, I don't think I'd make the grade - not creative enough.

I appreciate your positive thoughts though!

[DoNotRefill]

80. Keep looking...

your next job will be the last one you apply for while unemployed. If you don't apply, you can't get hired.

I know a guy who has been unemployed for 15 years. He stopped looking for work a long time ago, and will never hold another job, simply because he isn't looking.

[KaliTracy]

81. mhr Per Post # 79 -- go to the following website

http://www.comnetsoftware.com and send a resume to the contact (which happens to be me) if you are interested in the company -- I don't have anything to do with hiring -- I don't even know if they are going to replace his job but I will forward it to Human Resources.

[autorank]

82. I read this and gave it some thought.

There was an excellent suggestion that you blew off. The suggestion was get certified as a public school teacher. Your response was no teacher jobs in the Dallas area. Well, hell, that's no surprise with hair-boy as governor. They're probably going to abolish K-12. Nevertheless, there are some good teaching programs at public universities in that area. They can fast track the certification process for those with degrees. Here is a good initial point of contact, U of T, Arlington. They may not have the exact professional to teacher certification program you want, but I'm sure you could get information on where to go from this person.

http://www.uta.edu/coed/certifadvsng/

I'll bet that there are loan programs to get the certificate and that you can do it in 9 months (like Virginia).

Once that happens, LEAVE TEXAS and go to the many states that are BEGGING for teachers. Your two degrees are useful for this and you can get a job, respectable and creative, in many locations.

[mhr]

83. Thanks - I Will Investigate Further

eom

[Pooka Fey]

92. Don't spend any money to become certified as a teacher.

I'm in the biggest financial hole of my life due to borrowing student loan money. I got certified in teaching through a University, plus I got a master's degree because I wanted to teach at the college level. Well you know already how easy it is to find college level teaching jobs.

Teaching in the public schools --- well...what can I say. Before you spend a dime getting certified - spend some time in a classroom. Substitute teach - all you need is a bachelor's degree and a fingerprint card; make sure you can deal with the three-ring-circus before you commit. The best scenario would be a long-term substitute teaching gig - like filling in for someone on a maternity leave, etc. That way you'll get a better idea how you can tolerate it - as a one-day sub you'll have to expect abuse from your classes. Some people love teaching public school. However, I know so many teachers who are miserable and looking to get out of the field. I wouldn't let a friend do what I did.

You could possibly be OK as a Teaching or Research Assistant at a University - the guy talking about 20K a year - I really think it's more like 15K but maybe it depends on the University. Again - you would have to make sure you got a full tuition waiver so you wouldn't have to borrow money to get your degree.

Don't start thinking you're old at 48 - we are in for such a tremendous social upheaval, it would be better to remember you're still fairly young. Check out these websites: www.fromthewilderness.com
www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net
Also James Kunsler's weblog - Clusterfuck Nation.

Good luck. I'm struggling financially too. I just got a job which will last for 8 weeks grading standardized tests. Wheeee I can pay my bills until July!

[mhr]

114. Thanks For The Advice On Teaching - Your Comments Mirror Others Heard

I honestly don't think I could stomach teaching the kids.

I say this because I spent a year tutoring in Algebra.

The kids were atrocious for many reasons. They definitely taxed my patience! I would probably not last a week full time.

As to feeling old, I don't! However, society makes one feel old and useless.

BTW - I read Kunstler, et al regularly! Good Stuff.

[Pooka Fey]

116. Smart thinking.

There was a 'debriefing' ceremony at the end of the student teaching semester at my university. There were probably 1000 people graduating, they asked how many already had jobs lined up for the upcoming year - probably 5% raised their hands. Not because there aren't jobs - it's because so many of us were shell-shocked. It's really sad, but teaching (at least in the SW states) is really social work. It's not only the kids that tax your patience.

I have a friend who teaches in NM. She has a master's degree in education from Boston University. She was required to take a reading test at the beginning of last academic year. The BofE was afraid that somehow someone might be able to complete graduate level coursework while being illiterate. Also she has to submit a 50 page portfolio of her work this year and pay $175 of her own money to get it reviewed. If her work doesn't get approved she loses her certification in the state for 3 years - master's degree or no. Also - she works full-time and weekends, and she's too underpaid to purchase the group health insurance through the district - so she has no health insurance with her full-time job.

Thanks for letting me rant a little bit. Good luck with your search.

[elehhhhna]

125. Houston's dying for teachers, both HISD & suburbs--come on down!

You can get certified WHILE you teach...

[SmokingJacket]

84. My uncle was an anarchist.

He had a great time fomenting discord and being chased by the cops in San Francisco during the People's Park riots, and slept on floors while running a small screen-printing business. He lived by his own rules -- started a bar with some friends, sold kerosene heaters, got a radio show, etc -- never had a ton of money or security or any of that, but he was his own person.

There are ways to live in this world that don't depend on the corporate giants to support you.

I say go for it.

[hamerfan]

86. Broadcast television!

BSEE?

Considered broadcast television? I've worked this profession since 1976. Since dereg in the '80s (no FCC license required) anyone with a working knowledge of electronics is welcome. Try to stay in the top 30 markets and you're looking at a minimum of $20/hour. Chief engineer/director of engineering pays more. Troubleshooting to component level not necessary, just a grasp of signal path and good people skills. Even with automation, good people are needed! Any RF experience is especially needed! Good luck!!!

[dsc]

89. If you are willing to change careers

You might try breaking into teaching. Many states would allow you to teach while taking the courses necessary to become certified. It is not a decision to be taken lightly but it might be a good one for you.

[chalky]

94. An ugly catch 22

At our company we HAVE openings and desperately need people with experience. We get people with experience applying for
jobs and and yet we're turning them away. Why? Because of their credit.

I've sat in on some of the interviews. I've heard stories from people who were laid off a couple of years ago and who are just
trying to get back on their feet. They hit hard times and tried to keep up, but they missed a few payments. And yet our company won't hire them because they hit hard times and missed a few payments.

Just about every major employer in our town is running credit checks before hiring, and I am livid about this.
It's not like these people don't want to work. It's not like they just got shiny new Sears cards in the mail, thought to themselves, "Free money!", and ran out and charged up big screen TVs and brand new wardrobes. They were living the AMERICAN DREAM and obeying their president who told them after 9/11 to spend, spend, spend. Or they ran into some medical expenses which dragged them down. Or hell, they were just paying the note on the house, the utilities, and keeping the kids fed and clothed.
And then their job got yanked out from under them and they were left with a pile of bills.

About a month ago we walked a temp out the door. She'd been working with us for a year. She was bright, productive, friendly, and
very happy to have a job after some time of unemployment.
The mistake she made that got her fired? Applying for a permanent job, which gave our company permission to run a credit check.

Our company is blaming Sarbanes-Oxley for this new tactic, but I call bullshit. This whole "If their credit's bad then we don't want 'em" philosophy is just another offshoot of that infamous "Personal Responsibility" craptastic philosophy that the repukes so sactimoniously spew, and this is yet another example of the ripple effect from it that is killing the middle class (and, guess what? IT'S KILLING THEM TOO. Since I'm based in Texas, it's a given that a good chunk of the applicants supported **).

Sorry about highjacking this thread with a rant, but I am thoroughly pissed about this new strategy to ream the little guy.

[cap]

110. it's illegal to run a credit check unless the job explicitly

requires handling money. Hope your temp sues.

[chalky]

113. Actually, no it's not.

The temp applied for a permanent position. The application states at the bottom that signing the form allows a credit check to be run. I was so up in arms over this that I gave this topic its own thread "AN UGLY CATCH 22". Check out the discussion. It's pretty enlightening (and depressing).

[Bake]

96. Hang in there ... and PACKAGE PACKAGE PACKAGE

Obviously, I don't know your circumstances. But I can say this: I was OVER 40 (hell, over 45) and presumably unemployable. I was at the end of my rope. I hung in and kept plugging, kept packaging and repackaging my resume. I found a firm that needed what I can do. Lucky? Yes. Am I talented? HELL YES! Lucky (once again)? HELL YES.

I know it's tough. Keep looking, keep hanging in there. Try different ways of packaging yourself. And keep on.

It's either that, or give the fuck up. I wasn't ready to give up, although I got damn close a couple of times. Once, with my last two friends (I thought), Smith & Wesson, in my hand. All I can say is, don't do that. Don't do that. Hang in there. I found a great place. You can too. I'm really glad I stuck it out and kept plugging. That pain is a distant memory now, and I'm focused on the present and future. You can too.

Bake

[Bake]

97. And be willing to relocate

If I were still in my former location, I'd still be unemployed and probably dead. Instead, I moved 700 miles away to my new firm and new home. I'm still working to sell my house and get my family here with me, but I'm HERE, I'm ALIVE, I'm EMPLOYED, and I HAVE A LIFE.

Be willing to relocate. And don't take one recruiter's word for it, as far as it being "over." Hang in there.

Bake

[mhr]

115. All Of My Online Resumes Say "Willing To Relocate"

This has not helped yet.

I don't doubt you at all. I am just saying that it has not helped me one way or another.

I apply to jobs all across the country and world. So far nothing has stuck.

[Octafish]

98. And you believed him?

To hell with the recruiter. You're the most powerful force in your life, not the recruiter. And certainly not George W Bush working to make our nation a cesspool.

Certainly, things look bad. But, then they change. There's always a way. You can find it. What's more, you can do it, mhr!

Relevant article from Detroit News, of all places...

Tyler Perry tastes success on stage - and now the screen

Writer/director turns theater dreams into big business
By Kimberly Hayes Taylor / The Detroit News

On an especially cold morning in 1997, Tyler Perry lay in a pay-by-the-week motel room in Atlanta weeping and begging God to allow him to die. As cars warmed up just outside his door, he hoped enough carbon monoxide fumes would seep into the room to kill him.

He was homeless again. His off-again, on-again homelessness had started in 1992, shortly after he produced his first play, "I Know I've Been Changed." After renting a theater and paying for expenses, barely 30 people showed up the entire weekend. Perry lost the $12,000 investment he had saved from jobs as a bill collector and used car salesman. He also had spent his rent and utility money.

Recalling it all led him to pray for death. But when the cars drove away and he was still alive, Perry says he knew God's answer was to keep trying. He did; it led to a transformation as dramatic as any play he could write.

Perry again produced his show about adult survivors of child abuse. This time it sold out for eight consecutive nights and another two weeks at Atlanta's Fox Theatre.

CONTINUED...

http://www.detnews.com/2005/events/0502/24/C01-97967.htm

[ljm2002]

107. Work with someone else

I understand that five years unemployed is majorly severe, both financially and in the hope department. But someone who tells you there is no hope of placing you is not working in your best interest.

Just my $.02.

[NJCher]

108. I have the solution for you, mhr

Go build an alliance with someone in the area in which you want to work. You fulfill the personnel need in some area where they want to expand but where they don't want to actually pay out a salary. Lots of companies see opportunities but they don't necessarily have the time or money to investigate the opportunity. That's where you come in.

Now, what do you get in return, initially? That you negotiate. Could be office space from which you operate not only for them, but your own consulting-type operation. Could be getting on their health insurance plan (I know about the requirements for getting this one into gear--PM me for details). Could be tradeout for equipment or services that you can then trade out in other arrangements. Whatever the situation is, you define it clearly upfront.

Once you get going on a project and produce, you might very well be offered a salary in short order. This is what happened to me. Since that time, many, many opportunities have come my way--more, in fact, than I have time to take advantage of.

The advantage of this method is that you could easily end up in the forefront of some area that's developing and that has a good career path ahead.

As I said, I've tried this method and it really works. If you want specific details, just PM me.


Cher

p.s. If you really want to be an anarchist, there's money in that, too. Just read about Madelyn Murray O'Hare. There are others.

[sendero]

119. To be honest...

... you should do what I did. Totally abandon your previous line of work for something else. I'm not sure what you are waiting for, I knew that my programming days were over years ago. There is simply no way the telecom/software business in this country will EVER be 1999 again.

Even as the industry recovers, the work is being outsourced.

I'm not trying to be mean, but really, you need to move on.

[flobee1kenobi]

123. Beware of temp/staffing agencys!

Get everything in print before commiting to a position or even saying yes over the phone.
I am currently in a heated battle with a Temp company over terms of employment. According to the phone conversation, I would work for the temp service for 6 months at 14.50/hr and then be employed by a very large tech company in Wheeling W Va for 15/hr. During the 6 months, I would recieve no benifits (health 401k)and I was willing to relocate from Dayton, Ohio and take a small hit for 6 months in order to work for this place(competitors with Diebold). So I said yes.
I get the paperwork for me to sign, and I can't believe what I'm reading!
1- I'd only be paid 14/hr
2- No taxes are going to be deducted from my check-thats my responsibility
3- Workers comp does not apply to me
4- Soc.security payments are also my responsiblity

The kicker is the temp service is trying to say that I aggreed to this job verbally and am bound to this contract even though nothing was signed. -I could be sued!
This large tech company has been unbelieveable the way they have fought for me, they are on my side and I will be grateful until the day I die. I will never, however, sign any piece of paper that has to do with this temp company. (gtsamerica.com)

I said yes because I was desparate for work, and the possibility that I would work for this Tech company when it was all said and done was just too good to be true. I could retire from this place a VERY rich man!
I am still chomping at the bit to work for these people, But I refuse to do so by the Temp company's terms. If it means losing a dream job-then so be it.

Before you say yes-
research
talk to people
read the fine print

I don't wish this nightmare on my worst enemy.
Americans shouldn't have to have a lawyer on standby when looking for employment!

[elehhhhna]

126. Their threat to sue you over a disupted "verbal Contract"

should earn them a report, from you, to the States Attorney and Department of registration...later.

IMHO you should take the job. You can always charge them for underpayment, no paid OT (document your hours--I'll bet they think they're paying you salary w/o OT...) and lack of withholding fed taxes & Soc Sec contibutions once you're permanent and off their payroll. You file all this through the state DOL--not a lawyer.

[tinonedown]

120. Your job recruiter said no hope, might as well give up?

Sounds like you need to find a new job recruiter. And maybe, in all seriousness, get off the message boards and spend more time looking for a job. It does suck out here, we all know it, I was down for 8 months. But never did I let the Bush admin get the best of me. Started up in another field, making less, but I'm working. At home, even.

[kbm8170]

122. I'm so terribly sorry about your situation

. ..and this reminds me of what MANY. .. MANY middleaged people experienced during the Bush I Administration. I've had friends who ended up working retail for subsistence wages after having long productive careers that were cut short by downsizing. Age discrimination in employment needs to be addressed seriously -

Not to make light of your situation at all, but I gather that if you are willing to become a "conservative" there is a Leadership Institute in the D.C. area that can apparently credential White House "journalists" in two days.

[DancingBear]

130. On a serious note, mhr, have you considered a "second career'?

I used to work in RFID, and my company went Chapter 7. The years have been kind to me as well, so I was able to find work right after that (I was your age at the time) but the time and travel demands were immense, and it was still the days of twenty-somethings running companies.

I tried my best, but in that climate expereience played second fiddle to adrenaline. Needless to say, I was let go (actually, it was mutual). The final straw came when I was chastised for not working from 8 a.m Sunday to 3 a.m. the next day (I went home at 11 p.m.) - AFTER working 60 hours during the week. Sadly, the young bucks load themselves up on coffee and junk food and ARE able to do it, so that (In the employer's mind) becomes normal.

I was 50, and I knew my days were behind me - in that field. Instead, I looked for a field that praised experience, and I found it in woodworking/furniture design. I build furniture for a living now, and have been talking with folks about using both my customer skills (gained from project management, systems engineering, etc.) and my woodworking skills in some type of teaching/customer realtions position.

Perhaps this is a road you may look to travel. Not woodworking per se, but perhaps audio? II was able to find a second career that was "age-independent" - I wish you well in finding the same.