Unemployment rate

[lacrurowa]

Do you see the unemployment rate dropping in the next 6 months?

[rcbrad]

I hate to say it, but I really do not.  I am out of work, it is going to get worse before it gets better.  I have read from more than one credible source that it is predicted that the unemployment percentage will return to an acceptable level sometime in 2013 at the earliest!  More jobs than anticipated were lost in September. Washington is now strongly considering to continue unemployment insurance in states hardest hit from 79 weeks to up to 96 weeks.  There's little out there that's decent in terms of jobs and there is very, very strong competition for the few jobs that are available.  Most companies are simply not hiring.  These are unprecedented times we are living in. 

[nannan760]

I don't see it dropping any time soon. I have been out of work for almost a year and a half and nothing is in sight. Of course I fall into that group of 2 million age 55 to 65 that is unemployed. Nobody is interested in hiring you once you get some age on you!!

[Falconer02]

Yeah it's bad. Also you must keep in mind that the averages of unemployment only extend to those who havent found a job in under 2 years time. That means that anyone who hasn't had a job in over 2 years is not on the statistic you're reading which means it's probably a lot higher than whatever graph you're viewing.

I'm fortunate to work at a college and know of the people that work there. In the library I was talking to one of the people who oversees hiring and they had one part-time job opening in the library which had over 200 applicants for it-- some with their masters and such...way over-qualified people. You hear about stuff like that in the news but I didn't know it was so close to home.

So it's bad out there. It sucks. But it always gets better. Keep your chin up, people. Good things take time!

[Azanne07]

Oh ya I have put in my application maybe 20 times in the last couple months. Its really starting to suck. All i want is a part time job to help pay down some of the bills that we have especailly my student loans. Im hoping that i will get a job somewhere now thats its close to the holiday season even if its just temporary work.
I live in michigan so my chances of getting a job here arent that good. we have the highest umeployment rate.

[bschumacher]

No, I don't. My brother has been jobless since March, and my stepson just lost his job last week. Companies are still firing people at a dizzying rate.

[mommagoes]

as much as i hope it will, i don't see it happening any time soon. i haven't worked in over 3 years (by choice) and my husband is fortunate enough to have a pretty stable job, not to mention that his brother is his boss so the chances of him being laid-off are very slim. but my sister and my dad are both currently unemployed and are having a really hard time finding jobs. my sister is lucky enough to have been recieving unemployment checks but those will be ending very soon so i am very concerned for her- and the many others in the same situation!

[strumcat]

I am a hopeless optimist, and I'm tired of competing with people who have advanced college degrees for a job that they will drop in a hot minute once the economy improves. I get it, they have bills to pay too, but it is frustrating to be turned down because someone with more education than the job requires looks better on paper. It just has to get better soon.

[markinkc]

Yeah nan I fall in to the 55-65 range. Ive been off since Jan.I work construction and In just not a fast (or flexable LOL) as i used to be. OH well pluggin on!

[ancmetro]

   Job market is very tight right now. To avoid running a budget deficit...both- private and public sector...are not hiring. And some of you are right...job seekers with a degree usually are hired first because employers can not affort to waste time on 'ojt' ...also known as on-the-job-training. If you really want to make some money in the meanwhile...have a garage sale, do some odd jobs- babysitting, yard work or do some arts and crafts.

[camaron_05]

In the Great Depression I think the unemployment rate was like 25%. So, considering
where we are now, its not as bad as it could be. However, the future is unknown.

[mrisha]

The situation is scary.  I hear so much about more jobs being offered on one hand and then on the other thousands of people are being laid off.  I am trying to be optimistic that the situation will turn around and get much better and soon.

[oldbuddy]

At 71 years old I have been through so many doom and gloom predictions that I can't even count them anymore. The bottom line is whenever I found myself without a job and no prospects in sight, I would just MAKE ONE and hire myself. There is always something out there if you want it bad enough to sacrifice. I remember sanding log trucks, falling firewood, doing yard work, babysitting (yes as an adult) and doing anything that would put food on the table when times got tough. Now with the Internet it is a LOT easier.

[Moneymaker777]

I don't see the jobless rate going down much in the next 6 months. I have been out of work since Feb 2009. I used to work in furniture sewing. I went to college while working full time and finished and have 2 associate degrees, so I apply in several industries. They have jobs listed, I am constantly searching. They never seem to hire anyone though because the jobs I apply for are still listed weeks or months later. I think some companies list positions that are not available to make themselves appear to be prosperous. I know some companies just want people to apply so if they have someone quit, they'll have a database to choose from, but the companies I'm talking about always seem to run the same ads, yet never fill the position. The biggest industry in my corner of the world used to be furniture manufacturers. So many have closed this year, I think it will take a very long time for the economy to pick up.

[lexus16888]

a lot people out job. unemployment rate is not true