EDITOR’S NOTE: RFFM received this letter in response to a column titled “Unemployment Insurance: Not An Entitlement, But Obama Acts As If It Is” [http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2010/07/unemployment-insurance-not-an-entitlement-but-obama-acts-as-if-it-is.html]. It is a sad, but telling description of the jobs market in America today. The author has no political agenda. Mrs. Smithson simply describes what those who are currently on the unemployment rolls are experiencing in their attempt to earn a living.
Letter to the Editor by MARY SMITHSON
I just read your article. I have been unemployed since 2008, and I have never refused a job. I worked for a mortgage company. Since that is no longer an option, I've had to look for jobs for which I am over qualified. I don't mind that at all I just want to work. I have gone to job fair after job fair, I have registered with my local Workforce Center, I have setup job alerts at tons of website's, I have let everyone I know and everyone I meet know that I am looking for a job, and followed every lead.
At first employers were fine with job experience, however, they began asking for an associates degree for a receptionist position at $8 to $10 an hour and then a 2-4 year degree within the industry that you are applying. And more recently, they are asking that you have experience using their company specific software as well as an associates or bachelors degree in the specific industry. Again, I don't mind working for less.
Now I don't mind the pay cut or starting at the bottom, but it is becoming more impossible to find a job. It is not because I couldn't negotiate my wants, I just want a job. I am willing to take whatever I can get.
Employers are asking for more because they can, because they receive hundreds of desperate applicants for each job they post. I understand why there doing it, we all enjoy getting more bang for our buck. Unfortunately, I don't see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am thankful for unemployment extensions. Yes, those of us on unemployment would all rather have a job, but we the reality is we don't.
I have been laid off 3 times and quit a job once in my career, companies fail, but I have never been out of work this long in my life. I always worked temp until the next job came along. Not even temp agencies are hiring.
I get tired of listening to the news because they talk about where were at, I know where were are, I would like to hear solutions, I want to hear about how we can get out of this mess.
Thank you for listening,
Mary Smithson
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