Finding work after being unemployed going four months

admin in Bay Area, California said: I am 57 years old, 10 years experience as an admin, computer savvy and been out of work going on 3 months now. I have received calls saying I have a very impressive resume, excellent resume, go to interviews and then they hire someone else.

I have even interviewed in companies where I was last temping and then find out the person they hired was internal, a friend of someone in that dept or external and younger.

Do you think age has a lot to do with not getting hired? Sometimes I feel like that when they hire someone in their 20s recently out of college. Now how can that person have more experience than me?

Very frusted and dont know what to do.

i am so sorry. i am 57 yrs old and worked for 35 years. the last job i had was for 9 years. i was fired as a coworker found my job more convenient that hers. i have looked everywhere and my retirement from 1st job (state) is about to run out. i dont know what to tell you. this has been going on for 9 months. i feel your pain.

anne e in New Bern, North Carolina said: i am so sorry. i am 57 yrs old and worked for 35 years. the last job i had was for 9 years. i was fired as a coworker found my job more convenient that hers. i have looked everywhere and my retirement from 1st job (state) is about to run out. i dont know what to tell you. this has been going on for 9 months. i feel your pain.

do you tell prospective employers that you have been fired

I just got laid off three weeks ago. My supervisor began to fire employee's and hire relatives for all of the positions available. I was working for a Foster Care agency funded by the city. My supervisor and director are related (cousins). This is so unfar, the CEO has no idea of these developments, employee's are scared to tell her what is going.

If you actually know this to be true (rather than rumor) perhaps you could report it to the CEO after you've received your unemployment papers (then you'll have nothing to lose by doing so).

Again, if you actually know this to be true, rather than rumor, you might also report this to the DEPT. of LABOR, because while nepotism (hiring relatives) is not against the law, letting folks go in order to do so MAY BE actionable.

Pls. take care of your Unemployment application first (since you were laid off, if you worked 6 months there, you should qualify).

Sorry for your difficulty & best of luck.

Sherry in Birmingham, Alabama said: Just a note to all you "50 somethings" still looking: I started a temp to hire job today, alot less than I was used to making and I got the job because of word of mouth (sometimes you gotta know someone).........a friend of mine works at this place and put in my name. This just goes to show that the more people you know the better chance you have at landing a job.

All the agencies I have been to have just given me false hope, they call and say "I thought I would run this by you to see if you are interested and I would like to send over your resume'". Of course you get all excited and say "yes"! Guess what......they never call you back and tell you that you have an interview. That's really cruel in my book.

This job is not exactly the one I wanted but at least I have a job for now. I have to give God the praise too.........it was right after I prayed that I got the call. So don't give up guys, pray and believe. May God Bless each of you with a job and soon!

I know just what you are saying. A majority of the agents want to stuff you in for low money so they can make money off of you.
I know some agents, and they got me work and placed me in jobs that were short term, or didn't work out because all the companies want to work you to death and have the Admins be financial analysts and pay only the lower rate.

I have been off for one year. I have had 3 jobs. One was a nightmare job that couldn't keep anyone, one was a new manager who couldn't come up with any work after a couple months. And, one was a job that wanted me to be an analyst for an admin. price. But, it did keep me partially employed.

I am going to try part time jobs now. I face losing my home if I don't find anything soon.

The agents are like users, and the HR people do not follow up, and have no common manners anymore. I keep a list. I was stood up by at least 2 companies for interviews. Not to mention the lack of follow up.

Laid off in Conn in Norwalk, Connecticut said: I know just what you are saying. A majority of the agents want to stuff you in for low money so they can make money off of you.
I know some agents, and they got me work and placed me in jobs that were short term, or didn't work out because all the companies want to work you to death and have the Admins be financial analysts and pay only the lower rate.

I have been off for one year. I have had 3 jobs. One was a nightmare job that couldn't keep anyone, one was a new manager who couldn't come up with any work after a couple months. And, one was a job that wanted me to be an analyst for an admin. price. But, it did keep me partially employed.

I am going to try part time jobs now. I face losing my home if I don't find anything soon.

The agents are like users, and the HR people do not follow up, and have no common manners anymore. I keep a list. I was stood up by at least 2 companies for interviews. Not to mention the lack of follow up.

Best wishes to you on your job search! I'm not a snob, but have no problem declining (employment) invitations, I'm just not impressed with some of these people.

I think what it comes down to is they are trying to stay employed, and they have become greedy in the rates. Often charging clients 65 or 75 and paying the worker a pittance of that.

I've been on-line for the past 2 days and have recieved 2 rejections. At least I know someone is reading the resumes. I just keep trying. I have no choice I have a lot to lose here, like my home. Many of us are in the same situation, some better off, some worse off. I've learned so many lessons here. It is sad what it's come down too but we all have to remain strong and keep trying.

Laid off in Conn in New Canaan, Connecticut said: I think what it comes down to is they are trying to stay employed, and they have become greedy in the rates. Often charging clients 65 or 75 and paying the worker a pittance of that.

I've been on-line for the past 2 days and have recieved 2 rejections. At least I know someone is reading the resumes. I just keep trying. I have no choice I have a lot to lose here, like my home. Many of us are in the same situation, some better off, some worse off. I've learned so many lessons here. It is sad what it's come down too but we all have to remain strong and keep trying.

On some days, I'm sure many unemployed people wonder, "Is anyone actually reading my resume or truly taking an interest in me at all?"

There are days, when I'm like, "OMG was I just here for over 2 years without a job or under-employed/under-paid in poor working environments, and 1 year with no vehicle transportation? On top of being given problems and/or being ignored in higher education?"

To people around who claim they have an interest in me and my success, watching this situation actively going on and go from bad to worse, I'm like, "Really. Actions speak louder than words. The majority of you definitely aren't putting your money where your mouth is.....and that's a fact. Some of you may have given me a job briefly, but in quite a few of these cases, I had to deal with poor working environments/conditions and problem staff members and/or supervisors."

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: No. Don't use the term, "fired." Just give the facts that led to your termination. Be brief and dispassionate. Do NOT badmouth your last employer.

People (who believe they are in the free and clear and are doing what they should be at a job) could put "involuntarily discharged" on their resume (for reason for leaving that employer) and if the potential employer asks why, then give a brief explanation. There are alot of employers who tell pinnochio tales about good employees now days and "Fire" them, and putting "Fired" on your resume, makes it sound like you're the guilty party, when in reality, you are in the free and clear, were doing your job and following procedures and not bothering anyone and they "involuntarily discharged" you for frivolous or fabricated reasons and were lying and/or dishonest in some way.

I thought so too.

Here's a good job:
Legal Assistant - Full Time (North Tampa)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2010-05-12, 4:29PM EDT
Reply to: ----------------------------------------

Have you wanted to break into the legal field but have been told you need experience? Have you told yourself, I can do that if someone would just give me a chance. This is what we are looking for and if this is you, this is your chance. Legal Assistant wanted to provide administrative support for a small law firm. Important duties include mail, fax or arrange for delivery of legal documents, receive and place phone calls, schedule appointments, maintain and update client database, make copies and scan documents, do client intakes, call clients, type letters and other documents, filing, order medical records, organize client information, and provide general office support to paralegals and attorney. Office experience is highly desirable, ability to type at least 40 wpm required, familiarity with copier and fax machines assumed. Must be computer literate with working knowledge of Windows environment. Qualified candidates will generally possess a high school diploma or GED; additional education is not necessarily a barrier to consideration for the position. We are looking for the right person. The right person is organized, diligent and self-motivated, with a professional but relaxed attitude, able to develop a strong rapport with our clients and interact well with other people. If you have an awesome attitude, exceptional integrity and the ability to work at a high level with minimal supervision, please reply with a cover letter and resume to this ad. Responding with a cover letter and resume substantially increases your chances of getting an interview. We are a nonsmoking office. Must love dogs. Compensation begins at $10.00 hr. with a 90 day trial period. Health Insurance after trial. We are looking for a long term hire to become part of

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Isn't responding with a cover letter and resume a given? Are candidates so incompetent or such poor self-starters that employers must include such statement in a job ad? If so, no wonder UNemployment is at 9.9 percent!

(corrected)

___________________________________________________________________

You'd be amazed at what a lot of job seekers don't seem to know. It's scary.

What a lot of employers don't know is scary too. That sounds like a very condescending law firm and the pay is nothing to write home about.

I've actually been in places where I have been instructed "get this letter out .... you know put it in an evelope and then you have to put postage on it." It may be the former lab tech in me, but I like to believe tht people who say (and write) things like that are on drugs; not that they are that increbibly stupid.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Isn't responding with a cover letter and resume a given? Are candidates so incompetent or such poor self-starters that employers must include such statement in a job ad? If so, no wonder employment is at 9.9 percent!

Ana got hired by Frank without a cover letter. She went to Fowler White's website, submitted her resume for the job - no cover letter. Frank was looking for young - so she got interviewed, and Frank likes young and pretty.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Isn't responding with a cover letter and resume a given? Are candidates so incompetent or such poor self-starters that employers must include such statement in a job ad? If so, no wonder UNemployment is at 9.9 percent!

(corrected)

I think that ad came from Craigslist (I could be wrong). I'm not so sure I would want to submit my resume to a random listing on Craigslist. I don't trust the ads on that site because they could be a scam to obtain personal information. I think that might be why they specifically put that request in the ad.

Just came across this page...I too have worked as an administrative assistant for 15 years and have been out of work for one year. I exhausted all options, lost my car and my home and then had to move back in with my parents. I don't receive unemployment benefits either. I got a little frustrated with putting in countless resume and then being told how impressive my background is and then not being hired. I've learned that it generally is the pay that most companies don't want to pay any longer. So, I started my own company offering the same services I was doing for an employer, from home. It is finally paying off. I've learned that situations that look bad may be a blessing in disguise. I'm rebuilding my life step by step. I wish you all the best in your job search.

I am so sorry you lost your home and car. But wanted to congratulate you on your new business. I have also thought of that, as I have the skills. I just don't know where to get started. I saw in the local paper someone took out an ad for Admin. services.

I also have a family member that does home organizing and errands for people at 35 an hour. She does pretty well, they also give her assorted jobs and realtor referrals. I thought I may have to try something like that also.

I am tired of being at the corporate mercy.

I wish you continued success.

These folks must be high (I have 20 yrs. legal secty/word process experience). They want ALL that for $10 hr?

Included in this is their paralegals work as well, so that begs the question, what will the paras be doing, playing w/ the dogs? w/ all that's required here, this person won't have a chance to breathe, much less take a bathroom break.

Karen S. in Brooklyn, New York said: These folks must be high (I have 20 yrs. legal secty/word process experience). They want ALL that for $10 hr?

Included in this is their paralegals work as well, so that begs the question, what will the paras be doing, playing w/ the dogs? w/ all that's required here, this person won't have a chance to breathe, much less take a bathroom break.

___________________________________________________________________

LOL! That does sound like quite a bit.

$10/hr seems to be the average new wage that most places want to pay. Sadly, they're doing that because they can. People are desperate for work. In Florida, $10/hr is more than someone would get from unemployment.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Meaning you've been offered employment and turned it down because you are not "impressed" with people?? In the meantime, you've written you've been barely employed during the past three years. You've written you have overdue bills and other bills owing. In the meantime, you are ***turning down** employment?

You need a serious reality check, "Serious." You come across as self-centered in most everything you post. Sorry to inform you, but the world does not turn around you. Beggars can't be choosers, "Serious," and IMO you are a beggar who apparently turns down offerings. You need a paying job. You need not be impressed with the people providing the job - just the paycheck they're providing.

Thank you for expressing your opinion, because it's very important that unemployed job seekers in America, hear that people like you (and many employers) don't value or take any interest in them, look at them like animals to abuse and mistreat, and aren't interested in providing them safe, high quality working environments, or paying them appropriate market value wages.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Meaning you've been offered employment and turned it down because you are not "impressed" with people?? In the meantime, you've written you've been barely employed during the past three years. You've written you have overdue bills and other bills owing. In the meantime, you are ***turning down** employment?
....you are a beggar who apparently turns down offerings. You need a paying job. You need not be impressed with the people providing the job - just the paycheck they're providing.

You act like like people now days receiving offers, should jump for glee and accept offers from every Tom, Dick and Harry, even when they are low-quality in many respects, low paying and really have nothing spectacular to offer. I'm not under ANY obligation to accept an invitation from or carry on a relationship with people whose plans are to abuse me and treat me like an animal. And I have walked out of workplaces and colleges whose staff members and leaders are taking more of an interest in game playing, lying about work or higher education performance evaluations, abuse, and wasting my valuable time, than taking a very serious, high interest and priority in me and my success.

Secondly, you made an extremely deceptive statement that I turned down (numerous) job offers and that's why I'm not paying bills. You act like I had thousands of job offers. What job offers? Furthermore, when I receive job offers (the very few that I do get), I do have a right to determine if they are suitable.

Thirdly, to my critics who say I'm not flexible enough>>>>I graciously accepted a job offer $5 dollars (well) below my typical market value. But, unfortunately, along with the paycut came a (all from the second location I worked at, not the first, where I was provided an excellent experience & hospitality) a lack of respect, lack of class, problem staff members and an overall lack of quality. I won't be doing it again.