So hard to get a job

[lbeery]

Okay, so s-- happens.  My husband and I who so foolishly thought we could retire (didn't count on the status of the economy for the last two years) have been looking for jobs.  We live in a low population, mainly rural county so felt really lucky to get interviews for minimum wage jobs - partime.  Well, they are both for companies that do govt work so there are a lot of things you have to do - background and drug tests, physicals and driving tests.  Well, you put in a good week doing these.  Yesterday husband went for his pee test and had to hold it so long then he really couldn't go and we ended up taking him to the hospital emergency room for medical assistance. He's okay but the bill will be several hundred or thouand? dollars.  ANyway now he has to go again and retake it.

I had an interview today....I think it went well but don't know if they will hire me.  I had to take the old 60's truck since I blew a heater hose in my car (part on order) and not being used to it, clipped a telephone pole in an alley and dented the door.

If this keeps up, we will go broke just looking for work.  Someday this will be funny but I am in deep deep doggy do with my husband over screwing up his truck.  The mirror caught on the telephone pole the braces for the mirror majorly dented the door.  Urgh!!!!!

[PeteinTexas]

I am about in the same boat, Just turned 59 and out of work and have to start all over again.

[2getherwewin]

It is so hard to find the right job thats going to treat you like your a human being and pay right.

[ninajay]

I know how you feel. It was almost a year before I found a permanent job and it's part time. I'm still looking actually ... need full time or another part time and , yes it is hard

[cloudsoup]

i know they aren't the best environments
to work in, but when you're desperate it doesn't
really matter, right? retail and food service jobs are
usually always open... especially if you have any
kind of experience.

resumes are very easy to make (you can find blank
resume forms online and just fill them in with your
information and past work experience). it doesn't
matter if there's only ONE job on that resume --
it matters that you care enough to make one and
you take yourself seriously.

what about selling cosmetics? there's ALWAYS a
mary kay consultant nearby just waiting for you
to have a party, lol. it really comes down to what
you're willing to do for money!

[robin1128]

Its hard to fine work at any age any more but mostly for use 50's or so

[makedoughonline]

Isn't the gov't just release the job report today saying unemployment rate is at 2-year low?
What a joke!

[thetop31]

I don't know much, I am try ing to looking for job, I applied 2, but I have to do the test they arranged then know the next

[lbeery]

Hi guys - thought I 'd give you a follow up on the difficulty of job hunting. 

My part time position panned out for me.  They offered me the job yesterday...only 14 hours each week and additional fill in as needed but hey. that's okay.  I feel much better now.  I found out that in our county, there is a senior job program that educates and trains and places seniors in part time jobs.  It is income or need based but the library directed me there to get them to "sponsor" me so that the library could give me additional hours.  Check it out in your county if your over 55 and don't have alot coming in each month or a bunch in the savings accout.

Also, husband got his job and looks like he will be working almost full time (no benefits, mini wage) but we are very grateful. Here is another place to look for work.  Many govt funded programs for driving old folks to their doctor appts.  This is all over the country so do some web searches or contact Amer Cancer Soc, Passport programs, county seniors programs and health programs and they can maybe turn you on to something in your area.

Being lucky enough to have had a job all my life, I didn't know there was so much public assistance stuff that you can tap into.

[diala84]

I have always been able to find caregiving positions in my area and have often been hired on the spot. If you are not grossed out by bodily processes and can stand low paying work and fairly physical job they always need people.  Several companies even hire older folks as companions/inclusion to take disabled or elderly individuals into the community. I've met lots of caregivers in their 50s or 60s who do the job you just have to be more careful not to hurt yourself on the job.   

[nickit]

So happy I have one that I like

[sdenimandlace1]

Thank you for the information, I will be looking for somthing part time in the near future to help with my retirement.

[Cuddlebugs75]

I feel horrible. Here I complain because I have two jobs! I wish I can share but even doing two jobs I can barely make it in this world. One is full time working with mentally and physically disabled which is government funded and doesnt pay a whole lot but is rewarding. The other is part time taking care of an elderly couple. basically helping them with everyday needs. I work 7 days a week between the two and still only bring home around 1600.00 a month after taxes. My husband was laid off 4 years ago and we live in a town of maybe 1000 people tops and there are no jobs out there unless you travel. Which gas prices is a whole other subject!

[samrhett2]

I have seen that happen over and over again where I live.  I live in a resort community and people dream of coming here and retiring.  Because it is in South Carolina, people automatically think it is going to be inexpensive and that their Northern retirement income and equity from their home will go further here.  Well, in fact our property taxes are now low because the property is sought after and groceries and gas are only slightly less.  The jobs here are all tourist related, so the jobs here are mostly low paying.  The golf course staffs are filled with retirement age guys and the beverage cart girls keep getting older and older.  I think it takes a lot more money to retire now than it did 10 or 15 years ago.  I wish you the best and the only comfort I can offer you is that I know you are not alone.

[lbeery]

Sounds like alot of us are floating in the same boat.  But, I do have to remember that we have been down this road before and survived....my husband did night time janitorial work for $3.00 and hour in the early 80's when construction took a tanker (he'd been making about $25 an hour.)  I think I was making about 3.75/hr for secretarial work  stuff was cheaper but, still, times were tight and we knew a lot of folks out of work then too. 

Well, as for the unemployment figures, that's just cause folks who aren't on public assistance aren't counted so it looks much better that it is.  HOwever, since the economy is so gossip based, if the word is good, things get better just because people think it is.  So, don't give up.

And, yeah, I feel really really lucky to have found a job in our small rural community.