Unemployed and looking........

[flash]

Since this is the off topic area I thought I'd post this to see if any other members are feeling the crunch of today's economic downturn.
I got laid off from my company (LDV Inc) at the beginning of the year and have sent out over 120 resumes with little to no response.  There were 3 of us front office  personnel (sales, marketing and PM) that were let go (and about 20 more on the floor) and between the 3 of us office folks, we've sent out almost 500 resumes!
I've had 1 face to face interview and 3 phone interviews that either ended up with "we decided not to fill the position" or "we went with another candidate". The sales person from my company waited for almost a month after an interview to find out from an internal friend that they had filled the position but HR told her on the phone that they "still hadn't made a decision yet" Why would HR keep someone hanging on to hope when the position had already been filled!
The internet boards seem to just keep posting the same jobs that really don't exist or care to respond. I've gone to several networking events and career fairs but even the recruiters tell you to use the internet to find jobs and let them know what you find.
I'm sure that there are other members here that have similar stories so please share them because it feels good just to get it off of your chest (at least for me it does)

Thanks for letting me rant.
If the site owners wants to remove this post I completely understand.

[Rick_EE]

A reason for keeping your friend hanging like that is that they want to be sure the new hire works out.  If it doesn't, they can just go back to the pile of resumes that they have already vetted.

I am not defending, just giving a possible explanation.

[Chinatown]

Your age & experience...............If you are abundant in both, your application goes on the bottom of the pile.

It's called being penny wise & pound foolish. They do not recognize the true value( forgive the pun), that you and others bring to the table. Will they learn by their mistakes?, probably not.

Bottom line............... you  get what you pay for.

[flash]

A reason for keeping your friend hanging like that is that they want to be sure the new hire works out.  If it doesn't, they can just go back to the pile of resumes that they have already vetted.

I am not defending, just giving a possible explanation.

That's pretty much the way I saw it but it still doesn't make it right. To keep someone on the hook regarding a position that is already filled is just wrong. imho

A reason for keeping your friend hanging like that is that they want to be sure the new hire works out.  If it doesn't, they can just go back to the pile of resumes that they have already vetted.

I am not defending, just giving a possible explanation.

I'm only 46 but I have removed all indicators relating to my age over the last few years on resumes etc...
Age discrimination is a concern nowadays but I can't use that as an excuse for not getting a job. There still has to be companies out there that value a person who can contribute to the prosperity of the organization. I am more than willing to take a serious reduction in pay so I can keep my house and maintain some semblance of a normal lifestyle.

There are too many overqualified individuals looking for jobs today but are not given the chance because of employers misconception of them wanting too much money. Unemployment only lasts so long and there are not enough jobs to go around. I am more than willing to take a 25% to 30% cut in pay as long as a company is willing give me employment for a year but as of today.........30% of nothing is still nothing.
I am very thankful that I'm able to claim UC for the next few months because I don't know what we'd do otherwise.

Thanks again for letting me rant.:blush:

[Chinatown]

That's pretty much the way I saw it but it still doesn't make it right. To keep someone on the hook regarding a position that is already filled is just wrong. imho



I'm only 46 but I have removed all indicators relating to my age over the last few years on resumes etc...
Age discrimination is a concern nowadays but I can't use that as an excuse for not getting a job. There still has to be companies out there that value a person who can contribute to the prosperity of the organization. I am more than willing to take a serious reduction in pay so I can keep my house and maintain some semblance of a normal lifestyle.

There are too many overqualified individuals looking for jobs today but are not given the chance because of employers misconception of them wanting too much money. Unemployment only lasts so long and there are not enough jobs to go around. I am more than willing to take a 25% to 30% cut in pay as long as a company is willing give me employment for a year but as of today.........30% of nothing is still nothing.
I am very thankful that I'm able to claim UC for the next few months because I don't know what we'd do otherwise.

Thanks again for letting me rant.:blush:

But the employers are intimidated by anyone with a wealth of knowledge, even though you are willing to take a paycut.

I believe they think that you will eventually take their job, because most of the current work force is inept, undereducated, and unwilling to take creative advice from any person senior to them.

That is not sour grapes, just reality.

[jkane]

That is not sour grapes, just reality.

Sounds more like sour grapes to me.  It is not the reality I see in most jobs.  I have worked for dozens of companies over the years.  What you described only happened a couple of times.

[Chinatown]

Sounds more like sour grapes to me.  It is not the reality I see in most jobs.  I have worked for dozens of companies over the years.  What you described only happened a couple of times.

Perhaps in the past, but not today. There is true paranoia within the corporate structure.

[flash]

Here's another story I'll share.........

I met another displaced worker at a networking event a few months ago because I know that networking is the best chances out there.

The person was a Captain at Midwest Airlines for almost 20 years with his bachelors in Aviation. His unemployment is running out soon so he went to UPS to get a "temp" job loading trucks for $8.50/hr. He interviewed last week and HR asked him the normal questions like:
"Tell me where you excelled in your last job....... tell me your best traits..... tell me what you could have done better at your last job........"
ALL of the normal HR questions that didn't really apply to him.
They ask him at the end of the interview that "if we hire you would you be willing to stick around for at least a year"
He gave them the proper response saying that "he would hope there would be opportunities to advance within the UPS organization with time"

He said it was very humiliating but he needs the work for his family.

He's a veteran pilot at a prestigious airline with almost 20 years of dedication who was laid off due to airline cutbacks. He's interviewing for a job where you "pick up boxes and put them on a truck"
YES he's overqualified but c'mon......... he wouldn't be there if he didn't need the job and money!!!!!!!!

When you have someone with his experience was making over 6 figures willing to load trucks.......... does HR really expect him to make that his new career? I know that HR has a job to do but sometimes the questions don't make sense and for them to call him in for an interview fully knowing his background.

That's why there is some frustration in today's job search.

[oz]

The same sort of thing happened to me.  I applied to work at Target for some extra cash and had to take a test with questions like:

True or False:  It's sometimes OK to steal.

The greatest part is that I didn't get hired.

[bschlafer]

I'm in the meat grinder too.   Lots of resumes sent out.  A few interviews, but no offers.

I distinctly get the feeling that some employers are just fishing with job postings, hoping to score a plum willing to work for low wages.  Several postings wanted a BA in engineering to do CAD drafting work, for about half of what a degreed engineer should make.  It's an employers market right now, and they know it.

Chances are I may not be able to do the work I know best and love (CAD design) and may have to look at another career change.  Which at 50 years old, is not the most appealing prospect.  But what's a guy to do?

I hear their hiring census workers...


*Bill

[flash]

I'm in the meat grinder too.   Lots of resumes sent out.  A few interviews, but no offers.

I hear their hiring census workers...


*Bill

Who's hiring census workers and where can you apply?

[bschlafer]

Who's hiring census workers and where can you apply?

Check with your local Wisconsin Workforce Development office.  There's one at the WCTC campus in Pewaukee.  There are others in Milwaukee and Ozaukee counties (check the phone book or wis.gov website).

Otherwise, try this website: http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs/

Good luck.


*Bill

[Talos4]

I am fortunate at this point that I've only had to take a 5% pay cut.

Back in the last bad recession in 81, I was "eliminated" from a management position I was in for 3 years prior to that I worked my way up.

I spent the next 4 years playing Mr. Mom after spending nearly a year after being let go pounding the street, standing in long lines for a couple of jobs. This was the time that Allis Chalmers basically closed shop sending thousands into the unemployment lines.

I had had to again start from scratch. I took a part time job at a serious pay cut and had to sweet talk my way past being over qualified to get the job, and had to again work my way up into management.

I sympathize,

I'm in my early 50's and have been fired only once and that one was more political than performance related and I really didn't care anyway by that point.

That led to my current career which was a complete 180 and I couldn't be happier.  5% pay cut is better than no pay. Especially knowing what that's like in this kind of economy.

Hang in there. And don't let it beat you down.

[flash]

I would have definitely taken a 5% pay cut if it was an option. I was on a "temporary" layoff for 4-6 weeks which ended up in a permanent layoff after 8 weeks.
I'm thinking of "dumbing down" my resume but because of the lack of jobs out there I feel it really wouldn't matter.

If there are any members here that are reading these posts know about any companies that are actually hiring.......... please post them here and share.

If there are more than a few maybe the site mods will create a special category/thread to help member here. This site is more of a close knit group with a common interest which is more honest than the jobs boards. imo

[Bebop]

I don't know what the situation is right now at the local Post office?  I worked there for over a year as a temp until I was able to get a real job. The pay was $10 an hour.

One basically gets hired if one passes the background and drug test. If they are hiring