Poll: Almost Half of Unemployed Have ‘Completely Given Up’ on Looking for Job

National Review ^ | 05/21/2014 | Andrew Johnson

[fella]

"nearly all of them remain hopeful that they will find a job they “really want” in the next six months."

If you want work you must feel this way. However when I was young and looking for work I took what ever I could get. Washing dishes, traveling photographer, wiping butts in a hospital, digging ditches, sweeper in a fabricating shop, what ever.

[NonValueAdded]

Let’s add to that those of us who are resigned to be underemployed.

[VeniVidiVici]

I’m 52 and got laid-off from a high-tech company a few months ago.

My team had 10 people on it, 7 of whom were in China.

I’m sure there are 8 in China now.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: Let’s add to that those of us who are resigned to be underemployed.

The BLS will still count you among the employed ( which means a LOWER unemployment rate ).

[februus]

I have a neighbor and friend across the street - great guy, active in T.E.A. party grassroots, has a business degree - and is 54 years old. He can’t land anything. He has to reek of desperation by now in those interviews. He’s going to be sitting across the desk from a twenty-something HR doofus playing with their cellphone during that interview and he’s going to try to keep from puking his guts out at another rejection. I went through the same for about 6 months in 2007 and I can’t tell you how many interviews I had with people who sized me up as from not just another generation, but from another planet - Planet Straight as I began to think of it. That strange world where men don’t talk like Valley girls, eat yogurt and take selfies. This buddy is not going to suddenly become someone else and re-invent himself to suit the times. I pity him. He spent 30 years working for his Dad in the pinball machine trade. Times changed on that enterprise too. Bah!

[beelzepug]

You lived up to your name. You sought and you found. I thank you. 8^)

[SeekAndFind]

RE: My team had 10 people on it, 7 of whom were in China.

I’m sure there are 8 in China now.

__________________________________

Other than lower salaries, what other advantage does China provide in the high-tech field? I thought most of the jobs going to China were of the manufacturing and assembly type...

[beelzepug]

I’m sorry to hear you lost your job. Best of luck in finding another soon.

[ransomnote]

According to the Weekly Standard version of this report, only 20 percent of the unemployed are receiving unemployment benefits.

[Gene Eric]

I gather you’re unemployed?

[beelzepug]

Wow. That's like being a typewriter repairman. BTW, your description of an “HR doofus” is spot on. Most of them anxiously waiting for something un-PC to come out of your mouth so they can send you down the road.

[D_Idaho]

In 2012 I was laid off from a company I had worked for for 16 years. The lay-off came a month before I turned 60. A lot of other people my age working there had even more time in. In my field, what I mostly see offered now are jobs seeking 1)Interns; 2)unpaid interns; 3) recent grads. As a great man once said: “Getting old ain’t for pussies.”

[Mastador1]

I gather you’re unemployed?

Why no, I am simply one of the millions emancipated from job lock by Obama and sucking off the teat of, well no that won't work since the teat has dried up. According to more than a few on this site I'm just a lazy leech.

[Kartographer]

"DEAD BEATS"

Did I make it in?

[khelus]

I'm sure there are millions like me who are trying to do just that! Being on the dole as some say, what exactly is that? I would like to know, I was on UI which I paid into for over forty years without ever asking for a nickel, now my benefits not dole have expired and according to some on FR I am living the Life of Reilly trying figure out how to keep the lights and utilities on, food on the table for us let alone our four pawed children. I look and apply for work daily but there is always some reason I am not hired. " Thank you, we had over 200, 400, 700 applicants for this position and though you qualifications are good we chose someone who more fit our needs" AKA younger, cheaper, less White, etc. But what the hell I'm takin it easy no stress, no sweat, on the dole! Some people on this site are just plain ignorant of friggin reality.

That about says it. They're conveniently living in the past. I sometime wonder is today's reality is too much for them to handle.

[Gene Eric]

I hope you find the type of work you’re looking for.

FRegards.

[Gene Eric]

>> I will never give up. I will not let these marxist bastards win.

bttt

[grania]

this is the benefit to consumers of cheap imports

This problem could be solved if EVerify were in place for jobs, foreign labor were not tolerated when there are qualified US citizens, there were a real penalty for shipping jobs and manufacturing overseas, and all of the freebies being handed out ended.

Then you'd see real supply and demand in the labor market.

[Tallguy]

“How about if they just find a job, maybe a job that they don’t “really want” but a job that pays bills and keeps them off the dole?”

It’s really not that easy. I went through a lengthy period of unemployment back in 2010. Most jobs are mirages. Listing only. Paper collectors & head-hunters.

I eventually found employment through an acquaintance. That’s how it really works. You find out about real jobs by word of mouth and that is before they get listed.

People think that you can find a job by logging on the internet. I guess we’re conditioned to think that way.

[napscoordinator]

Come to Annapolis, Maryland. We need workers bad! We have so many help wanted signs around it is crazy. Move to Maryland NOW. That is if these folks are serious about working and not just running their mouths.