Job Market a Farce

L

LogicsHere

Member
Some of you will recall I've been "forced" into retirement by my now former employer but now must look for another job in order to keep collecting unemployment benefits; despite the fact that I doubt seriously that anyone will hire me at my age once they figure out I'm in the 66+ age group. I'll take a job if offered and the right fit but only till the end of the year in order to meet the State benefits but would of course prefer not to.

What a joke!


You must be an expert with Social Media, must work well under pressure, MUST be able to work unspecified number of hours of OT, MUST know this, that and the other kind of software program, have 2-3 years experience in the field as well as have a BACHELOR's degree. Salary? $12 - $15/hr. After taxes that's approx. $1960 for the month so after rent you have $560 left over for everything else. And then they wonder why the gap between the 99 and 1% keeps getting wider. And this is in the NYC Metro area where apartment rents go for $1400 a month for a one bedroom.

And then you have those working for McDonald's with no experience in anything wanting $15/hr.
 

Don’t know if you’re looking for suggestions or just venting. Seems your options are to increase your income or decrease your housing expenses (take in a roommate, move to a cheaper area). Perhaps your frustration and negativity comes thru to potential employers (although I realize the job market is bad). Meanwhile maybe you could earn money cleaning apartments, running errands, petcare, or registering with temp agencies.
 
The jobs market is largely driven by the rules of Supply and Demand. In today's environment, there are multiple people applying for most decent jobs....so the employers have little or no incentive to offer more than a basic package to a new hire. Increasingly, automation and robotics are taking over most manufacturing jobs....at least the one's which haven't already been shipped to Asia and Mexico. There are certain career fields which still have a high demand....certain Engineering careers, for example. But, most "sit in an office, and peck on a keyboard all day" jobs, have people lined up to take them. Anyone over the age of 55 who is looking for work in today's jobs market will be lucky to find a position as a Walmart Greeter.
 
There are organizations which help older people find jobs, and I mean various types of jobs (not Walmart greeters)…..professional positions, clerical, medical support staff, etc. Not only that, but AARP has offices in mid – larger cities and they do a lot of job placement. Many employers prefer to hire people over 50 because they’re more dependable, mature, and have valueable experience and skill sets.

However, LogicsHere refers to "the right fit" and only wants to work for a short period of time; that’s why I suggested temp jobs.
 
I actually was trying only to make a general statement. Money is not an issue for me . . . I just don't want to start deducting from my 401K yet. My original plan was to retire at the end of this year, middle of next . . . wasn't counting on that plan being destroyed.

In order to maintain UI benefits you have to be ready, willing and able to work so I am required to look and will take a job if it meets NYS requirements but as I said only till the end of the year. It's just that in doing so I have come across job requirements which are just out and out ridiculous. In fact I came across one job offering today that doesn't even meet NY's minimum wage requirement yet it is being advertised. It doesn't even meet the poverty level in NY state making anyone who takes that job eligible for food stamps and other welfare programs.

If employers are not willing to pay a decent wage to someone who has spent tens of thousands of dollars on a college education, then think about the fast food workers who want $15 an hour (doubt seriously that this will happen not in the foreseeable future at any rate). Somewhere down the road the labor system in this country is going to break down even worse than it is already and then everyone is going to wonder why there are so many people out on the street or on welfare programs. Oh yes, I forgot, they're doing that already, aren't they.
 
Are you getting Social Security? Here in Illinois, if a senior is laid off and is collecting SS they may not collect as much unemployment.. in other words, SS dollars are deducted from the unemployment amount, I think $1 for every $2. That's not fair, as Illinois and Lousiana are the only states that do this.. Some seniors NEED an additional paycheck along with SS to make ends meet.
 
There are no restrictions relative to collecting both SS and unemployment at the same time with the exception of the fact that you do look for work and are willing ready and able to work which I am should the situation present itself.
 
Nowdays, employers seem to want a college degree for a person who takes out the trash! It's ridiculous, and it's no wonder so many people cannot find decent employment.

The young lady who used to be my assistant has been looking for a job for several months now (she DOES) have a college degree and so far she has been unsuccessful. She was a GREAT employee, but she's been unable to find anything. It's awful out there.
 

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