The pain of the long-term unemployed: needed but not wanted

The sharp click from the phone sent an emotional stab to my gut. Once again, I was needed, but not wanted. And that seems to be the underlying condition facing today's long-term unemployed of a certain age. It is a condition that creates the proverbial vicious cycle: you can't get a job because you don't have a job because you can't get a job because you are long-term unemployed of a certain age.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• jobless
• unemployed
• unemployment
• baby boomers
• discrimination
• linkedin
• huffington post
• texas
• houston
• census
• aarp
• pew
• craigslist

[Elesparto]

@Network126

I live in New Jersey and things are just as bad here as in any other part of the country. I mean everyone I know is unemployed and can't find work but they also don't understand that the world has changed and you must be tech-computer literate now. Many of them told me to not even bother sending resume. I knew that it was also a numbers game in how many resume's you can get out there--the more the better and the more interviews you'll get. Also a professional resume helps a lot.

[Network126]

@Elesparto Yeah, I can definitely learn new skills on top of what I already know - It definitely helps in that kind of situation. I'm already quite adaptive and able to pick up technical things pretty quick. I've been messing with old computers since I was a kid, all the way up to modern computers over the years, so I know a lot about them and how they've evolved.

[Network126]

@Elesparto Hmm, what area do you live in? I'm in Long Beach, CA. I have those tech skills, but yet I'm still one of those ones with the "I've given up" look. There's just nothing out there, and it's depressing. I also tried to get a job with the Geek Squad - I was interviewed once, and the manager really seemed to like me, and almost assured me that I'd be called back by the next manager in a couple days, and if not, he wanted me to call. I called every few days for a month. Background is clean.

[Elesparto]

@Network126

It's like this--if an employer needs to hire someone who may not know how to use their information management system or other technology but is willing to train then someone like you with you're knowledge of computer systems at the micro level can certainly transfer that over to the macro level of info applications and this is what they look for--the computer and technologically savvy persons are the ones that are going to be hired--this is the new literacy...technological literacy

[Elesparto]

@Network126

It's good to hear that you're doing these things and that there's income in it for you but a paying job will free up the money you make from YouTube It' really bad right now and I see many people I know who have that "I've given up" look but that's because they don't have computer and technology skills and these are important and you have it. Look I was a 99er too and I've had 16 interviews and landed 3 jobs and I'm working now. I'm now looking for a weekend job to supplement it.

[Network126]

@Elesparto P.S. "technological software applications" sounds like something else - I know how to work on common individual computer systems (virus removal, upgrades, troubleshooting, OS reinstalls) - not big complicated networked systems. I'm highly knowledgable and skilled, and have literally fixed hundreds of computers for people. I almost got a job at a hole-in-the-wall shop, but the owner tried to screw me over, so I cussed him out & left. I don't work for free. Screwed twice already before.

[Network126]

@Elesparto I've already tried just about everything already. I was already interviewed on RT from home, via webcam, about being a 99er who can't find work. I then made my own 15 min continuation video for my channel. It has nearly 3k hits now. Honestly, I see more long-term financial potential becoming a self-employed YouTube producer. I'm going to start a new computer tech tutorial show on my channel. I already uploaded one about replacing a dead inverter in a laptop with a dark screen.

[Elesparto]

@Network126

You should use your technical knowledge to your advantage--employers everywhere look at resumes more closely which have a lot technological software applications because it means you can easily learn their information and technical systems with ease. Emphasize all the technical stuff you know and send hundreds of resume and you'll see the interviews come your way--guaranteed...

[Network126]

It's bad for many young people too. I'm 24 and live in my dad's dining room. I can build and repair computers, but in over two years of desperate job hunting, I can't even land a stable, min-wage ($8/h) job. Sometimes I fix computers on my bed. I don't even look for work anymore, it's too depressing and frustrating. I drive a nearly 30 year-old Ford, have nothing financially to offer women (i'm still single too). It's just a big mind-fuck :/

[blockzilla1000]

Who looks at your resume?

HR through the lens of gov't. restrictions.

Who composes the typical HR dept?

Typically someone who has the least qualifications of anyone in the business, with either little to NO background concerning positions.

The problem started when govt. started telling businesses who they would hire through EEOC. Call a govt. office and who will you reach now days? A Mexican immigrant or some Nigerian etc. about 3/4 of the time. The melting pot is now a shit pot.