The job market is really tough now

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Right now, I am sticking to a job that I hate, because if I quit, it would be impossible to find anything comparable. We are in for a long spell of high unemployment, but people have not adjusted to it. They are still living in the past.

The standard advice is that it's easier to look for a job with a job. Now, personally, I have never been able to follow this standard advice because a bad job wipes me out so much and it specifically tends to drain the type of energy for formal, stranger-to-stranger interaction that I need in job hunting.

That's very true for me too, though so far I've been able to get a new job before losing the last one (either because I couldn't take it any more, or because they were about to fire me). I don't know if that will happen again with the economy like it is.

There's talk where I'm at now of maybe layoffs. I know it will kill me financially, but I'm close to hoping it will happen, just so I can rest for a time before finding another job.

I remember hearing about Silicon Valley during the glory days that computer people kept their resume updated at all times, and that some of these guys lived out of their suitcases! And as the theory goes, the lightest of light touches. With a job, you can look for another job, and hardly extend yourself at all, don't have a good feeling after an initial phone contact, forget it, that job's not for you (maybe a short email, 'have decided not to pursue at this time . . ' maybe not, the important thing is to not make a big deal out of it either way)---but I have struggled, quite a bit, in trying to follow this seemingly sensible advice.

I'm also being told that the unemployment system is working really hard to disqualify people now, too, so it doesn't have to continue paying out benefits. I just read on one state's faq that turning down a job that requires a 1 hour drive each way -- even though you don't have a car -- means you will be cut off from unemployment. It says it will also cut you off if you turn down part time employment (even if it means you'll earn less than you did on unemployment) and if you turn down a job that requires shifts you can't make (like a graveyard shift that no bus can get you to). Nice. Not.

Yes it's even more of a buyers' market than it's ever been, so employers will be rubbing their hands together in glee at the increase in exploitation opportunities. Lower wages, longer hours, worse conditions. I'm just glad I'm getting near to retirement age so I won't be involved for much longer. I feel very sorry for anybody young who wants to earn an honest living.

Don't get me started on the benefits farce.

Tell me about it. Even here in Canada it is a nightmare.

I have a master's degree in social work and I still can't find a job. Not even McDonalds. I'm overqualified, and inexperienced for every job I would want. And I'm not eligible for any kind of support, unless I want to go on welfare, which is not an option I'm looking at right now. Still, as it gets harder and harder to live on $360/month after rent, I am finding myself jealous of those who have a health plan and a steady source of income, even if it is through the wefare system.

I'm pretty much overqualified for stuff, and I'm in the same boat as you (master's degree, but in education). I don't even qualify for welfare. It is difficult living on that much after rent, which is pretty much where I'm at. I don't have health insurance, but am thankful for the health clinic for those who qualify because they make so little.

Jazz, what field of education are you in? I'm in math.

I have a Master of Science in Education degree, specialization in Higher Education Administration (college/university administration).

Jazz

That's basically Pittsburgh in a nutshell.

The buses stop running after a certain time, parking costs too much, and for most, it's an hour or longer ride to get to work.

That's why you should not fill out apps if you can't commit to these things.

900+ Electricians out of work at my Union Hall and, I'm only about half way through the list. It's very frustrating. It seems to be even worse then it was back in the early 80s.

Jazz, do you have a certification in a field of science? With your degrees, you should be able to at least sub per diem pretty easily if you can get yourself to said school during the time school is in session. During the summer, maybe tutoring or at least volunteering for 2 hours a week somewhere?