Nobody wants me and I accept it.

Nobody wants to hire me. I now accept that. Why beat myself up about it! I have enough self respect to say to myself, "hey, they don't want me? that's fine!" Today I spent time in prayer. Maybe God is trying to get my attention. Maybe I am not cut out for this line of work. Perhaps I am not good enough. Or, maybe they just don't like the fact that I am an older worker. Who knows! All I know is, life is more than getting accepted by these half wits who pass judgement by thinking I'm not good enough to hire. And my life is too precious to suffer over past employers transplantations against me. There is a material world and there is a spiritual world. I have been so consumed by the needs and wants of this world that I totally forgot about the spirit realm. Will I continue looking for a job? Perhaps. When the time is right. But I will move forward in life with prayer, reflection and meditation. Life it too precious to allow this pathetic system to belittle my self work. It's not worth it. I will hold on to my dignity and struggle to stay close to God.

Just how old are you. Someone mentioned getting a legal secretary job at age 60 (and she is thrilled because she didn't think she would get a job.

My last job I made $48,000 in 2007, last year was $10,000 (with UM benefits). I'm still being aggressive in my job searches.

I HAVE survived for three years - simply by doing substitute teaching and working on my shorthand. I'm looking for a real job every day.

AS FOR YOU: Don't let them win. How old are you? How far are you from Social Security? Can you do substitute teaching? Can you tutor? Can you freelance or do contract work? Can you sell your house and move somewhere else to life cheaply?

I am 50.

Nobody Wants Me and I "Can't" accept it. All of my friends are saying, forget about it; at your age, you will not find anything. I still have top skills and I am not quite ready to be forced into early retirement. Do you ever get the feeling you are being discriminated against by agencies because of your age? I think I hide it fairly well because I look at least ten years younger than I am; possibly more. I have been on unemployment for almost 3 years, but working almost every day as a volunteer in a law firm that is not doing very well and can use the help. Unfortunately, I am starting to despair. Can anybody give me any suggestions on what I can do. I want to stay in my present field which I feel I am very good at (Legal). Thanks.

You should not be working for free at a law firm. There is no such thing as a volunteer at a law firm. There really is no such thing as a law firm "not doing very well."

You're being had. You should at least be getting minimum wage.

Thank you for your response, but I believe you are wrong. I am working for this law firm because one of them has been a long time family attorney who has helped us with no charge. It is my choice to work because I am keeping my skills strong and it keeps me motivated and focused. I am still searching for work at the same time, but there is nothing. The attorney sometimes gives me money from his own pocket, but the firm is deeply in debt and I work directly with the Legal Secretary who handles all facets of business (financial), so I know. I am getting tired, however, so early retirement is starting to look good to me.

casey45 in Georgia said: A lot of people have gotten caught up in the material world. They think working is all they have to live for. Working is important, but not the most important thing. If working is such a grand thing, then why do almost everyone gripe about it? Work is sapping the energy out of people. That is why I don't put my trust in work, but instead my family. My family, my health, and my happiness comes way before some energy sapping job. In fact, work is at the bottom of my list. Work won't have your back or pick you up when you are down. If it did, then employers these days wouldn't treat their staff like second rate citizens. They wouldn't pull the rug beneath them.

I agree with everything you said, but what about money. We have to live some way. The government don't want to give us crap. I have worked all my life since I was about 16 and I have to go begging to them now.

casey45 in Georgia said: A lot of people have gotten caught up in the material world. They think working is all they have to live for. Working is important, but not the most important thing. If working is such a grand thing, then why do almost everyone gripe about it? Work is sapping the energy out of people. That is why I don't put my trust in work, but instead my family. My family, my health, and my happiness comes way before some energy sapping job. In fact, work is at the bottom of my list. Work won't have your back or pick you up when you are down. If it did, then employers these days wouldn't treat their staff like second rate citizens. They wouldn't pull the rug beneath them.

Wow Casey45. I have to say your words are very, very wise! You kind of blew my mind!! You are 100% right in everything you said! Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I mean that.

But you know what, whenever you go on an interview and they find out you have been out of work for such a long period of time, they want to know what you have been doing. I think it sounds better to say that I have been doing volunteer work then sitting at home on my butt doing nothing, and actually it has been accepted quite well when I say that. I couldn't find anything else. As far as asking them for money, what you are saying about I should be paid may be right, but it's a small firm, they have 3 Legal Secretaries besides me, and sometimes they don't receive a paycheck for a month (they are bi-weekly). That is ridiculous and under those standards, I don't even see why they stay there and put up with that. They are younger than I am and if that were me, I would have been gone long time ago. How do you just not pay someone and expect the caliber of work to be the same. Outrageous.

Good point, but let me ask you this. How then shall I explain my 3 year absence from the work field? I have nothing to fill in that hole. They know there is a recession, but they don't care. I have to have been doing something. Maybe I can change it and say it's a part time job while I look for work. But the attorney is so afraid he will be caught paying me money and I am on unemployment and he can't pay me enough to get off. Please advise.

So you think it better that I remove the law firm from my resume (which states its a voluntary job) and see if someone is going to contact an older individual who has been out of work for three years ?????

casey45 in Georgia said: A lot of people have gotten caught up in the material world. They think working is all they have to live for. Working is important, but not the most important thing. If working is such a grand thing, then why do almost everyone gripe about it? Work is sapping the energy out of people. That is why I don't put my trust in work, but instead my family. My family, my health, and my happiness comes way before some energy sapping job. In fact, work is at the bottom of my list. Work won't have your back or pick you up when you are down. If it did, then employers these days wouldn't treat their staff like second rate citizens. They wouldn't pull the rug beneath them.

casey45 in Georgia I just want you to know I woke up first thing this morning and thought about your post again. I read it last night and it blew my mind. As a result I felt it was worth reading again. This post is one of the most profound posts I have ever read about work. It really puts everything in perspective. Thank you for this gift! I hope you can read this.

VPRICE - If you are working for a longtime family friend who has helped you with legal issues for free, there is a way to work with that.

When you get an interview, you can say you are working for an attorney on a part time basis. He is a longtime family friend who has helped your family in the past so you are working without compensation. You are helping him because he can use the extra help, and he is helping you because of your previous relationship and you are getting the opportunity to keep your skills uptodate.

Do not say you are doing volunteer work. You are not. I wouldn't ask that attorney for pay at this point. You went in there knowing what the situation was. If he can't even pay the staff timely, he sure can't pay you either, and he will tell you to walk. The minimum you are getting from him right now is a reference.

Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida said: VPRICE - If you are working for a longtime family friend who has helped you with legal issues for free, there is a way to work with that.

When you get an interview, you can say you are working for an attorney on a part time basis. He is a longtime family friend who has helped your family in the past so you are working without compensation. You are helping him because he can use the extra help, and he is helping you because of your previous relationship and you are getting the opportunity to keep your skills uptodate.

Do not say you are doing volunteer work. You are not. I wouldn't ask that attorney for pay at this point. You went in there knowing what the situation was. If he can't even pay the staff timely, he sure can't pay you either, and he will tell you to walk. The minimum you are getting from him right now is a reference.

Mary in Tampa: What you said sound good. But, I don't believe I will get an interview when someone looks at my resume and sees that the last time I was working was in 2008. This is 2011. They are going to put it right in the circular file. That is the only reason I added the volunteer position. But since I have sent out so many many resumes, you may have something there, but WHAT TO DO!!!!

Say you have been working for him since 2008. Since there is no record (tax forms, employment forms), that shouldn't be a problem. I am sure he will vouch for you. You can say you are there because you had the financial ability to be there part time and you enjoy the work. If they ask why you are looking for paid work now, keep it simple. "It is not my intent to work for free and I am looking for a position that benefits both the employer and me." Don't say any more than you have to.

VPRICE - How many hours a week have you been working for this guy and for how long? That is a real determining factor.

I like this response. No, I don't believe I use a chronological resume. After my name and address at the top, I have bullets listing my skills, one after the other down the page, about 11 or 12, then begins the employment. I have never seen a resume that said 4 years. I will search the internet for a functional resume. I have very good skills. In law firms they use Styles on their documents which is a specific way of setting up automatic numbering, character styles, etc. Many of the secretaries could not learn this system. I, however, am a computer nut, so I did everything I could to learn it and their attorneys were bringing their work to me. I was let go, they are still there. Who gets fired and gets a check for $8,000. I am writing an email to my last employer, where I stayed the longest, to see what he sees when he looks at my resume, as an Office Manager. We had a pretty good relationship.

I started out going in every day at 8:00 a.m. until about 3:00 p.m. I had keys to the place to open up. Now it is down to two to three days a week. I live in a rooming house due to the recession and there are a couple of felons in there that I do not get along with. It is a pleasure to get out and go to the firm and work. I don't have many friends having just broken up from a 21 year relationship and lost touch with my friends.

I like your advice. Is there any way I can have you take a look at my resume?

Okay, thanks. I am checking it out.

It won't take my resume; too many characters vprice1057@yahoo.com

vprice1057 in New York, New York said: It won't take my resume; too many characters vprice1057@yahoo.com

I sent you my email so you can email me and I can send you my resume. Is this the right person or is that not allowed.

I don't have a problem making a resume I just need to learn how to word things properly. I just received some help from someone on this forum that I'm satisfied with, plus I don't have money to pay anyone. Thanks anyway.

vprice1057 in New York, New York said: Good point, but let me ask you this. How then shall I explain my 3 year absence from the work field? I have nothing to fill in that hole. They know there is a recession, but they don't care. I have to have been doing something. Maybe I can change it and say it's a part time job while I look for work. But the attorney is so afraid he will be caught paying me money and I am on unemployment and he can't pay me enough to get off. Please advise.

I agree with the earlier posters who have been helping you out, but keep this in mind: any company that hires you has the ability to run your social security number and it can confirm your previous employers and the dates you had worked for them and under-the-table work violates the terms of unemployment.

Have you thought about working full-time at a place like Target? While it is not an office job, you can probably earn more working full-time there than you are receiving on unemployment, won't have to worry about any type of background check (I am guessing), and have legal work experience on your resume while job-hunting.

Hello in Santa Monica, California said: I agree with the earlier posters who have been helping you out, but keep this in mind: any company that hires you has the ability to run your social security number and it can confirm your previous employers and the dates you had worked for them and under-the-table work violates the terms of unemployment.

Have you thought about working full-time at a place like Target? While it is not an office job, you can probably earn more working full-time there than you are receiving on unemployment, won't have to worry about any type of background check (I am guessing), and have legal work experience on your resume while job-hunting.

Thanks for your response, but I am being given money from the attorneys pockets. There is no check transaction. Second, I was making almost $65,000. I cannot take a job at target and think I am going to move out of this dumpy room I am living in. No, I make more on unemployment than target would pay me. I get the Max.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Poor advice. Legal employers will lose respect for her if they learn she works in Target. Doing so will demean her image big time and imply she cannot get anything better, even though she may present with excellent quals for working for attorneys. That aside, Target may not hire her. It will see her law firm experience and deem her as overqualified.

I agree with you also, if someone walks in with experience working in a store like Target or any store and I walk in with my application, whose going to get the job? I rest my case. Thanks.

vprice1057 in New York, New York said: I agree with you also, if someone walks in with experience working in a store like Target or any store and I walk in with my application, whose going to get the job? I rest my case. Thanks.

"Getting Money from the Attorney's Pockets" is the same thing as "Working Under the Table" which breaches the terms of unemployment.

unemploymenthandbook.com/unemployment-articles/all-about-unemployment/115-what-you-need-to-know-about-fraud-and-unemployment-benefits

vprice1057 - When I worked in HR, HR Managers instructed applicants who had under-the-table positions listed to take it off their resumes before continuing in any application process, b/c when a company does a background check on you, this will raise red flags.

You can say what Mary said, that you are a "volunteer" in exchange for legal representation in an interview, but you also will then need to disclose why you need legal representation and you still have raised a red flags. If you have strong administrative skills, have you thought about switching from law to a different sector?

Has your resume gotten you interviews? What you SHOULD do is backfile for taxes (I don't know how to do this - 1099?, you'd have to talk to an accountant) and pay back-taxes on your wages earned, then you can list yourself as a part-time legal secretary for 3 years.... which.. you've committed fraud so you can't do that either.

Take it off your resume. No one is going to hire you. Admitting to committing fraud on your resume is a bad idea, much worse than working at Target.

You can say what Mary said, that you are a "volunteer" in exchange for legal representation in an interview, but you also will then need to disclose why you need legal representation and you still have raised a red flags. (I HAVE NEVER NEEDED HIS LEGAL REPRESENTATION BUT MY NEPHEWS HAVE IN GROWN UP, FOR MINOR THINGS). If you have strong administrative skills, have you thought about switching from law to a different sector? LAW IS WHAT I LIKE AND AT THIS AGE I WOULD NEVER ATTEMPT TO TAKE ON SOMETHING ELSE WHERE I HAVE TO START AT THE BOTTOM SALARY WISE.

Has your resume gotten you interviews? YES MY RESUME HAS GOTTEN ME SEVERAL REVIEWS, IN MANY CASES DOWN TO ME AND THE OTHER PERSON. SOME EMPLOYERS TOUGT IT WAS ADMIRABLE TO BE WORKING AS A VOLUNTEER, BUT I HAVE CHANGED IT TO PART TIME. What you SHOULD do is backfile for taxes (I don't know how to do this - 1099?, you'd have to talk to an accountant) and pay back-taxes on your wages earned, then you can list yourself as a part-time legal secretary for 3 years.... which.. you've committed fraud so you can't do that either.

You are right, it was nothing considered dangerous or maybe hurting another person. He gave work to my son, my sister's son, my other sister's son so they could learn how to operate in the work force. He helped many people in the community with cases that they could not afford or just need advice on. That is all. No big time drug dealers (lol).

Yes that is so true. This attorney we've known for 30 years never wanted to see our children get in trouble so he always had a part time job there waiting for them when they were able to do it. He also helped my sister buy a house and sell the house later. He is a "go by the book" lawyer.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Don't you love how people automatically assume someone committed first-degree murder because they say they used an attorney?

Working for attorneys is something I don't care to do again, but they exist for a reason and offer a service.

I didn't say I thought she was a criminal. I said it raises red flags. The answer, "He provided pro bono counsel for my nephews, and I thought volunteering 2 days a week is a good way to keep my skills up and repay him for his kindness" is probably the best answer to "So why are you are a volunteer?"

I would just be careful to not divulge you are collecting any payments for this "volunteer" work, b/c then you are technically doing something wrong (whether or not they may understand it on a human level or not, it will likely disqualify you from an employer standpoint).

vprice - If you are getting interviews, and 2nd interviews, you are probably doing something right. From your earlier posts, it sounded like you were getting no responses.

I have received no responses for a good while now but I remember one agency telling me if you are even receiving calls, you are doing well because there are a lot of people out there looking. I felt good about that. I did tell one potential employer that no they never gave me any money but they did have a birthday lunch for me and she though that was nice. I am going to try a little longer and push come to shove, I will retire early and get a part time job. I should be able to get by on that.

You are completely right, they jump to conclusions, but my records is squeaky clean. I don't ever want to see the inside of a prison. Now my brothers, they have had a few run-ins with the law, but nothing really bad and he helped with that.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Yeah, and your use of "red flags" together with "lawyer" connotes negative images.

People assume the worst — and jump to conclusions, as I believe you did — when they hear "lawyer." Think about it.

An earlier poster suggested she say she is "working off a debt" by volunteering in his office. I said three years is a long time to be working off a debt. A three-year debt to a lawyer is a red flag.

I just warned her to be careful about disclosing that she is working under the table AND collecting unemployent, b/c this can and will disqualify her from gaining legal employment.

Wrong person (lol). I would never say that. Three years is definitely going to raise red flags. That's an awful long time to be paying off a debt (LOL).

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Depends on the debt. Ya think? What is your basis for opining on potential "red flags" to lawyers? Have you worked in the legal industry?

There you go. vprice agrees with me about a 3-year debt, and vprice also has legitimate reason for continuing volunteering.

I've conducted background checks and know what shows up on them, and considering that my original post was about telling her what shows up on a background check, YES, I know what I am talking about.

You suggested a 3-year debt was for a traffic violation or drafting a will. If those are your rates, I can see why you've been "Displaced".

And as an obvious ps - If she was a criminal, it would show on a background check. Drug & criminal are the most basic background checks employers run.