[David]

"I have been trying to fill 4 technical jobs for 4 months. No one, with the qualifications, seems to be looking. I know that is anecdotal but I know of many other's having the same problem all over the US."

What kind of technical jobs?

[Conspiracy Guy]

Telecommunications/Data Networking equipment company. My data side is in good shape but the Telecom side needs two technicians, one with experience and a trainee. I also need a customer service rep and a dispatcher. I am the Operations manager and currently I am filling the gaps with me. I am working 12 hours at the office or running service tickets when we get overloaded. I am backing up the one Cust Svc rep, doing the schedule and adjusting it all day long, and when my 6 techs get covered up I am toting my tool bag. In addition I do my job, I do jobsite surveys, manage the trainers, manage the project managers, make coffee, make joint customer visits with 4 sales people, and handle emergency calls at night 1 week every 7 weeks. I ask to be fired 4 times a day on a good day, (I'm no quitter). I freep when it's calm.

This has been going on since October, when one guy retired, one left to build houses, and two got lured to another company. The resumes we get read like chronic unemployed and work release. The people we have interviewed lack basic skills. I have never seen it like this.

[DownInFlames]

Bravo Sierra! I have over 20 years in the tech industry. First programming in mainframe and client server. Now, I cannot even find a job driving a taxi.

[SZonian]

The company I work for has over 700 job openings in aerospace, and they're scrambling to fill them. There are jobs out there, folks just need to look for them, and once found, be willing to move.

That appears to be the big problem in my field, nobody seems inclined to move to where the jobs are and then cry foul because they can't find a similar job in their hometown.

Cheers!