Job Market Troubles?

[AndrewTickles]

So,

Today I was involved in a multi-department, budget-cutting layoff at my now former place of business. I'd seen it coming for awhile, and somehow maintained thru various waves of other layoffs. Definitely started applying towards the end of '10 and going into this year, so far without much success. I have my B.A. and continuous work experience since 16, but am having problems obtaining even the most trivial of positions.

I'm sure there're abuncha folks who've experienced similar difficulties, what was your solution?

 

[BrightEyes1082]

My company didn't do any layoffs, and in the last year we've hired
around 350 people (we are a 2200+ employee company with like
7 offices around the world). That number includes replacements
though, because for a couple of years, we didn't fill any spaces left
by people who resigned.

I saw this article not too long ago, and I'm not sure if any of these
are in your area, but it's probably worth the read. 🙂

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/fortune/1001/gallery.bestcompanies_mosthiring.fortune/index.html

 

[GEORGIATKLER]

Good luck to the unemployed and the overemployed, too

I feel your pain. My job was eliminated late last year along with about 30 others at our former company. It was not a sudden thing, but it still hurts of couse. Here in Georgia, the real estate related market has been toxic for several years now. Lower home prices/values and a sea of bank failures and foreclosed real estate from raw land to mansions. People needing to sell or refinance are three fourths of the way to sold....S.O.L. Our stated unemployment is still over 10% and that does not count all those that have been without work so long as to quit looking. Those that still have jobs are expected to do the work of two people or more. Productivity is up due to those people being so overworked. I do not see much imrpovement in new jobs being available for several years. Companies will only hire if the demand for their products/services rises above what their existing overworked force can supply.

 

[Jagermeistered]

I feel your pain. My job was eliminated late last year along with about 30 others at our former company. It was not a sudden thing, but it still hurts of couse. Here in Georgia, the real estate related market has been toxic for several years now. Lower home prices/values and a sea of bank failures and foreclosed real estate from raw land to mansions. People needing to sell or refinance are three fourths of the way to sold....S.O.L. Our stated unemployment is still over 10% and that does not count all those that have been without work so long as to quit looking. Those that still have jobs are expected to do the work of two people or more. Productivity is up due to those people being so overworked. I do not see much imrpovement in new jobs being available for several years. Companies will only hire if the demand for their products/services rises above what their existing overworked force can supply.

Sorry too hear that Georgia! That is terrible! I wish some of my friends in the PR forum can feel the pain... Unfortunately, they are lost in fantasy, and not in reality.

 

[socktickler86]

So,

Today I was involved in a multi-department, budget-cutting layoff at my now former place of business. I'd seen it coming for awhile, and somehow maintained thru various waves of other layoffs. Definitely started applying towards the end of '10 and going into this year, so far without much success. I have my B.A. and continuous work experience since 16, but am having problems obtaining even the most trivial of positions.

I'm sure there're abuncha folks who've experienced similar difficulties, what was your solution?

There is no solution to being unable to get a job. Just be continuously looking for work, talk to people you know about whether or not they can get you a job or at least some work where they are, and things like that. One thing that people really screw up on is if they're unemployed, they do nothing all day. Try to improve any skills that are required in your field. With the interwebs, you don't even have to shell out cash to do that in many cases. Go interwebs!

 

[Jagermeistered]

There is no solution to being unable to get a job. Just be continuously looking for work, talk to people you know about whether or not they can get you a job or at least some work where they are, and things like that. One thing that people really screw up on is if they're unemployed, they do nothing all day. Try to improve any skills that are required in your field. With the interwebs, you don't even have to shell out cash to do that in many cases. Go interwebs!

Definitely agree!!!!! Learn what you can to remain competitive!

 

[ndj101982]

This job market is fucked up now. People with Bachelor's and Master's degrees are working beside high school dropouts doing unskilled labor jobs. I know a kid with a Master's in architecture currently working as a Valet. I am in the processing of completing my Bacehlor's degree and worked beside a kid with a Master's in education in a warehouse a few years back. It's sad to see people with an education being punished by a poor economy.

I too fear that in another year I'll be asking myself, "why did I spend 50 grand to complete my degree to be stuck doing a I job I could've gotten if I dropped out of middle school?"

 

[Jagermeistered]

This job market is fucked up now. People with Bachelor's and Master's degrees are working beside high school dropouts doing unskilled labor jobs. I know a kid with a Master's in architecture currently working as a Valet. I am in the processing of completing my Bacehlor's degree and worked beside a kid with a Master's in education in a warehouse a few years back. It's sad to see people with an education being punished by a poor economy.

I too fear that in another year I'll be asking myself, "why did I spend 50 grand to complete my degree to be stuck doing a I job I could've gotten if I dropped out of middle school?"

Their is a lot of things I wanna say, but would suggest having a new thread like this; start up in the PR forum.

 

[ndj101982]

UMMMMM......SPAM ALERT!!!!!

 

[Knox The Hatter]

Don't give up, Andrew. Luck and fate play an important role here, don't miss out on any opportunities that might be revealed to you!

 

[socktickler86]

Don't give up, Andrew. Luck and fate play an important role here, don't miss out on any opportunities that might be revealed to you!

ooo I STRONGLY disagree with this. It is NOT a coincidence that certain people are continuously gainfully employed when others go years without work and you should NEVER feel like getting a job is partially about luck.

We tell this kinda stuff to high schoolers and undergrads attempting to get into universities or graduate schools. Unless you're applying to MIT or Harvard where every applicant is nearly perfect and it IS in fact, simply based on luck or the admissions committee having a bad lunch or someone doesnt like someones name or something stupid, there are things you can do to increase your chances.

So unless the job you're applying to has large numbers of former MIT graduate ex-CEOs with references that include former Presidents also applying, there are probably various ways you can improve how you look to an employer. Most people simply fill out applications and walk away and just sit on their couch hoping they'll get a call and a job will be thrown at them. These days it is just not that simple.