More job searchers just quit looking

USA TODAY ^ | 4/7/2003 | Barbara Hagenbaugh

[Willie Green]

WASHINGTON

[annyokie]

No sh*t, I got laid off in January and there is nothing out there.

[vannrox]

The job market for technical professionals is very bad. Anyone who has a job should count their blessings.

[B-Chan]

"Gave up on finding work"? What the heck does that mean? I dunno about New York or other high-welfare states, but here in Texas the idea of giving up on finding work means living in your mom's basement, on your friend's couch, or beneath the overpass.

I can understand a teenager giving up on finding work, but an adult? In my world, if you give up on finding work, they come and take your car, your stuff, and eventually throw you out in the street.

I am a professional artist. During the last recession, however, I ended up driving a truck for minimum wage. Why? Because I had no choice, that's why!

How in the world can a grown man with bills to pay just "give up" on finding work?

[AM2000]

They only give up until the unemployment checks stop coming in. IOW they don't really "give up," they just get frustrated and decide to take a break.

[AntiGuv]

"Gave up on finding work"? What the heck does that mean?

It means that when the Household Employment Survey people call and ask you (after finding out you're unemployed), whether you looked for work during this past week, you say no. That's how the statistic is compiled...

In reality, it's just another aspect of duplicitous 'accounting' practices to make our unemployment rate look a lot lower than it really is. The real unemployment rate is up between 9% to 11% or so, I'd guess.

[AntiGuv]

Actually, in most states those receiving unemployment checks would not fall under this statistic, because they're required to submit an application or two every week. Therefore, they automatically don't fall under the category of 'not looking' because those are workers who did not submit any applications or send off any resumes.

[AntiGuv]

How in the world can a grown man with bills to pay just "give up" on finding work?

Also, to follow up on this, most all of those who end up in the 'not looking' category are married with a working spouse, or indeed living with blood relatives.

[AntiGuv]

Just one other clarification, in case that issue comes up. This 'discouraged worker' statistic does not include housewives, stay-at-home dads, etc because those fall under the category of 'would not work if employment available' or however that question gets worded.

[gcruse]

How in the world can a grown man with bills to pay just "give up" on finding work?

I don't know about the thirty-somethings, but I'm confronted with early retirement, like it or not.
It's like they are saying.  There is nothing out there.

[saluki_in_ohio]

No sh*t, I got laid off in January and there is nothing out there

I got laid off in January too. I have applied for hundreds of jobs and I have had only one job interview for an engineering job where 2000 people applied for. I didn't get the job.

Two years ago, I could have applied for 50 jobs and interviewed with five or six potential employers.

Every headhunter and HR person I have talked to has said employers need engineers very badly, but are not hiring because of the uncertainty in the economy as a result of the war.

[philetus]

Don't feel bad. As more labor is exported to china, as more jobs are exported to India, as more companies move out of the country, you will have more and more company.

[maxwell]

The job market for technical professionals is very bad.

Just got an interview and two call-backs after months of sending out resumes to ever'body and his brother-in-law-- what kind of worker is NOT having trouble finding employment these days?

[jrushing]

The number of working-age Americans who dropped out of the labor force — meaning they aren't working and gave up on finding work — rose for the sixth straight month in March.
How do you drop out of the labor force? I have worked over 30 years & never could "drop out".

Frustrated workers are calling it quits. People 16 and older who are looking for work — is at its lowest in nearly a decade, the Labor Department said Friday. A fifth of the 8.4 million people who are unemployed have been out of work 27 weeks or longer.

This could mean that they aren't seeking work or they choose welfare. Many people 16 & older do not want to work. I can't "call it quits". I have a house note to pay!

[annyokie]

Who needs your sympathy? I have eight years of college and am 44 years old with 20 years of experience, I really don't need your advice.

By the by, my father was a tradesman, so there is no disrespect meant.

[StolarStorm]

A low IQ guy like you should be just fine in the general labor pool. Good for you!

[GailA]

Hubby has his first interview in months, after sending out tons of resumes..he's hitting the Gray Ceiling....29 years as a tech in 2 way radio. Will interview for a TV station tomorrow.

[maxwell]

I'm sorry, no Sympathy here. Get into the trades, its not cool to be a plumber or electrican, but work abounds. I'm in the Air Conditioning bizz. I'm not paid alot, but I can go to any town and find employment. You geeks out there that can't find work just don't want to get you hands dirty. Tough S...T! Get to work. Its there. Go to any construction site, ask for labor work. You will get it. You folks are just Pussy's!!!! Lee308

Well you got you a point there, Lee. I'd be one of the most ridiculously overqualified construction workers in history though. "Overqualified" ain't even the right word. Lemme put it this way-- construction work and what-I'm-qualified-to-do ain't even in the same coordinate system...

[Billy_bob_bob]

Hello. I'm retired from 23 years in hi-tech, and I'm highly interested in learning about HVAC or commercial refrigeration. My eventual goal is to purchase a business supplying one of these services. Do you have any suggestions for how to go about learning about these trades, or how to "get your foot in the door" when you are a middle-aged male?