More job searchers just quit looking

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

[Willie Green]

WASHINGTON

[StolarStorm]

It doesn't really matter what you think. There are enough people fed up with the situation that something will be done. There is a huge backlash going on now. H1-Bs will be kicked out soon. Better pack your bags. Perhaps you should try to improve your home country (from there) rather then escape to the USA.

[ARCADIA]

"Stand in the way of capitalism and it will run right over you."

Capitalisim is subordinate to our system of government. You have it backwards. I would rather break the current system and replace it with true corporate citizens then simply stand by and kowtow to a name brand. Lets blow away these worthless dinosaurs and clear the ground for innovative entreprenurial ventures.

[ARCADIA]

Yes, I am a conservative, I believe in my country, and in the people who reside there. Globalization is a liberal strategy. What are you?

[EverOnward]

For all you know, mathew-the-brainless and his ilk make money on the H1 program one way or the other... Past threads have proven to me that those who denounce unemployed professionals would lose their income if the H1 program were stopped. There are simply too many people making big bucks from the H1 program and these are the people hiring the six-digit income lobbyists to influence (buy off) our elected whores.

[EverOnward]

You are wrong, We have the greatest economy & country in the World. We may have hard times but not like the 3rd world countries. Come on guys, This is America!. You have to adapt, go to school, learn new jobs, create new businesses. This is the greatest country in the World. We are the one's who make it great. We drive the World's economy. If we aren't working, the poor guys in china & India don't stand a chance. We keep them fed. They will starve without us. Stand up!! Look up!! We are not lost. We are A-M-E-R-I-C-A!!

And who is "we" -- ya got a mouse in your pocket? Just because we're not a third world country yet, doesn't make it any easier for those who are losing their jobs to people from third world countries. Speak for yourself.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

"Do you speak Spanish?"

Now you've gone and done it. I have been trying to teach Spanish to American youth for years and have suffered untold abuse at the hands of some students AND their parents. I have repeatedly told them they're going to need it to get a job (even if I don't agree with the changing demographics). Nothing but abuse. So, now what do you think my attitude is? Can you guess? Sometimes you eventually pay the price for arrogance and poor treatment of people. Sometimes people DO have to pay for their behavior. Giving a heartfelt apology would be a good start and then having a desire to learn would be a good second step. A good third step might be showing respect for teachers who try to get your fat out of the fire.

[EverOnward]

Your a wimp, sorry, we no longer need your services. You made a bad career choice, get over it and go to work. Two years at a trade school and you'll be able to find a job. Lee308

What generation American are you (assuming you are an American citizen)?

[EverOnward]

Do you always communicate with a smirk?

[annyokie]

I must say that I do dislike being called a whiner and self-important. Jeez! I live in a small community with limited opportunity. I keep asking, but there is little availablity for me. I am overqualified to work at the "Git 'n' Go", though, and I don't mind saying so.

[EverOnward]

Do you support the H1-B visa program?

[Mears]

Goodness,such rudeness. I am not a moron.I paid $45,000 for the house that is now worth $600,000. Needless to say I've owned it for 40 years.

My point was that salaries vary in different parts of the country as does the cost of living.Sometimes,for various reasons,moving isn't an option.

I know if I was starting out again I'd be out of here in no time.

[glory]

Lee, you a got a point! Our next door neighbor's son did the exact same thing. He is 32 and he lost a computer engineering job. Fortunately, during his teens, he had apprenticed for a plumber and took to that again within months, in addition to living with his dad(he is not married or anything). He is doing quite well for himself as a plumber and stays with his dad now to help him out. Despite being "overqualified" to be a plumber(as some here like to say OVER AND OVER AD NAUSEUM), he got out there and worked anyway and at least has made an income and decent one at that over the last 2 years! In my opinion, he's the one with the leg up. If there is never a strong market for his old profession again, this guy already has years invested in another career and one that's not likely to dry up anytime soon. I'm not thinking this "overqualified" whining is all that genuine. It seems to be used as an excuse to keep oneself out of the "general labor pool" as someone else so rudely said.

PS my husband is a professional who has been laid of TWICE in the past 2 years so don't give me the, I don't know what it's like line. If push came to shove, he would have taken any job over loosing our home. I don't see how an average job blemishes your prescious resumes. If anything, it would show your employer your resiliency. I would think too long of a stretch without any work would be more of a problem than working as a manager for Walmart for a while. Employers aren't stupid, they know how hard economic times are--I find it hard to believe they will begrudge anyone a job who had to find work in another field while things were hard in their original field, particularly if that person keeps their skills in order. In fact, I think it shows a commendable willingness to work and, like I said before, a resiliency. Can't any of you do something privately in your field while working full time in another field? Lessons? Tutoring? Teaching? Writing manuals? Questions for engineering or software textbooks? Developing software on your own to have a portfolio to make up for your employment gap or diversion? This is how I am keeping my skills fresh in my field while I am home with the kids and it's good solid money for part time work--much more even with the occasional gaps in work than I could make full time as a clerk somewhere and I get to stay home doing it.

[RightWhale]

If people stop looking for work what happens? Do they starve to death or turn to robbing banks and trains, sell dope, join the Irish Travellers?

[glory]

Have you thought of branching out in areas where your expertise may be useful? Scrapbooking and all it's tools and such is big money right now. No doubt your expertise would be useful and if you have any creativity at all, you probably could even consult on a professional level about saving memories and such. I'm suggesting this after doing a search on your job.

[Sunnyvale CA Eng.]

My poor poor uninformed niave friend ... most of the jobs posted on those job boards are either old or bogus. For instance ... I am a DFT expert .... search on DFT ... The "Nvidia job posted there has been there for over a year. Same with the TI jobs the Apaptec job and the Sun Micro job. The "posting" are a ploy to get around the government mandate to "attempt" to find an American engineer before hiring a H1B. The worlds expert in any of these fields could apply and they would not even call them in for an interview. I know for sure ....

Clamper is correct. I've been looking at all of the job boards for a few months now. The same jobs are listed over and over for months. I have been running a small engineering/manufacturing company for 5 years in Sunnyvale and business is so bad I'm looking for additional income (read food / housing level needs - not extra cash). I have put all of my employees on contract/part time or let them go if they preferred that. I've paid them from personal funds for 6 months and a few hundred k later - I'm broke (go figure). I have applied to every kind of job out there and have had 2 interviews and didn't get either job. I was told that I was over qualified at one place and the other place was "worried about my plans to continue running my own business" in the off hours!

I have 2 former co-workers that are now in HR at 2 different local tech companies. I was trying to get an inside advantage for posted jobs with no success - they both told me "We're not hiring" even though they both have about 30-40 eng. jobs listed. They also said they have over 20K resumes on file for the positions. The electronic job boards are a scam (as far as I can see) that falsely builds up people's hopes.

I have applied for every level tech job from entry level to senior management and from retail to restaurant. I'm 36, broke, and screwed. My options have narrowed a bit - I'm down to borrow from friends or Glock to the head - not sure which is better(or worse).