Why Everyone Suffers When Job Seekers Give Up

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I'm well qualified for many jobs and have kept most my jobs for 2 years or more. My last Job left town. aka the market over here was costing them money. so, they pulled all three locations. 8 months ago. Now I cannot find work at all. I've only had 3 call backs.. and one 3 part month long interview process. The call backs were all from an area too far for me to travel with Gas and wear and tear on a minimum wage part time status.
I am to the point of trying for fast food. Still, no call backs. Private economists predict things to get far worse. So, I have decided to try and start making money in any form... selling things I dont use... etc. blah.

Paul Alcohol of NC 10:31PM March 27, 2012

Having pressed forward for a job for a couple years and trying to pay my bills, the floor finally let go. I have lost my home, car, and all my financial structure (what little I had). Unemployment finally ran out and I am with a family member helping me with is getting old, but I have to be grateful for the help. I have given up hope, but pray for some higher power to help me out. Being middle aged, I wonder if I will ever have what I built in the past again. I continue to network, but sadly times prove to be tough for not only me. Like stated above, I am able and smart and want to work to earn some cash. I am hoping to press forward with College this fall just to fill the void and learn something to possibly help obtain a job with acceptable pay for living. I came close to marriage, but that ended. I have no kids, but again...at middle age I wonder what my life will become going forward. I keep trying to be positive, but I am only human when it comes to worry and negative feelings of this cycle. That American dream of owning a home, with wife and kids seems like a very distant reality. I can only hope and pray that with my effort I can still fulfill this as I do wish this for everyone else. America is not America unless a large majority of the population is living life with Home, Car, Family, and making those ends meet.

D of FL 10:05AM May 13, 2011

I live in the Saint Louis region and I have to say, the jobs used to be here just 5 years ago but now, nothing. Not unless you work in a service related job or work for something that relates to people/sales. I have been unemployed/laid off/screwed since June 2009. I have looked and looked and looked, and I gave up back at the end of Nov. 2010. I didn't look again until March 2011 (last month) but I haven't put that much effort into it for various reasons. I have pretty much given up and I feel pretty hopeless about it.
The economy doesn't help and the number of people who are competing doesn't help either. But as a man I also realize that I'm probably going to have it much harder in finding any kind of work not just because I'm a man but also because alot of employers will think something bad about me since I've been laid off this long. If I were a woman I could have all kinds of opportunities for me and could have a job in the healthcare industry but no, that's not the case. Oh well, I'll keep looking half-a@@ed and hope to find something.

Matt of MO 11:55AM April 27, 2011

I am so tired of these hiring managers wasting my time with phone screenings, then a phone interview, then an onsite interview with at least 5 people, and then you never hear form them again. I would be farther ahead if I simply stayed home and cleaned my house.
Not only have I spent hours interviewing but also lots of time researching the company to prepare for the interview, driving to the interview, etc. What a waste of time!
Two days ago I was to have a phone interview at 2pm with a recruiter that I met at a job fair. At 2:15pm I e-mailed her to see if the interview was still on. At 2:30pm I gave up. At 2:42 pm she e-mailed me that she was stuck in a meeting. She called me at 5pm and said she would call me the next day. No phone call came. Then at 6pm she called to tell me that the position had been put on hold. At that point I said "I am done". So I have quit looking as well.
At least my house will be clean now!

Pat of MI 12:46AM April 02, 2011

Don't mean to be cynical, but looking for a year and people are giving up? Sorry, but I wish I got a job after only a year or two of looking. I graduated from university 3!!! years ago, Summa Cum Laude, and finally, 3 years later I landed a job in security and am paid barely enough to look after myself and 2 girls with medical problems. And just so you know, I can't get unemployment because I haven't worked for long enough - I was a stay at home mom. Too bad for me.
My husband lost his job after only a few month of us moving to a new state is now in another state and has been for the last 2 years. I don't qualify for any assistance, but am only earning $16,000 a year. We are attempting to manage two households, medical bills, etc etc, but naturally can't sell our house - namely because well, its the economy right, and houses aren't selling. I can't walk away due to credit consequences because simply, should I be lucky to get close to landing a job in my field, bad credit will completely ruin any chance for a career before it even starts. I am not even sure if we can rent the house out because I have no money to maintain the lawn, kill the weeds or anything else. We don't even have curtains up.
We have basically no furniture, our beds are horribly old and have caused back problems for me. My student loans alone are $700 per month, and Sallie Mae could care less how you're living as long as they get thier stinking money. Oh and they don't mind using the 'default' route as a threat either.
You want to talk about health issues - we can't afford to go to the doctor even WITH insurance. I don't own a cell phone, we don't buy clothing, or go to restaurants, I'm having a hard time doing anything, and all employers want is people with experience! The stress is also affecting our marriage. We can't afford to see each other, and now gas prices are up, its a done deal really.
I have so many qualifications and some areas of experience I can apply to a job, that most people don't. I'm smart and able - but its no wonder, seriously, people give up. I've started wondering myself, but I can't. I have kids to look after!! Why the hell don't employers just look at the potential some people have and say 'hey, this person looks capeable, maybe he/she will work for our position' instead, they don't even offer an interview

Tina of TX 1:36AM March 22, 2011

This may not be very helpful information to any of you, but I've heard that there are some good paying jobs in PA. My fiancee works for Cargill meat packing, and I tell you what there is job security for you. Meat will never be out of demand...really. It is very hard work, but you get good hours and high pay. Also great benefits if you can stay on long enough. My fiancee,John, has been telling me he will easily move up the chain because so many people think its too hard of work and just quit.
There are also local job openings because so many people in PA went to go work for the gas company. I know it doesn't fit in your known skill set, but maybe something may come up?
I don't know how helpful this info is but I thought I would put that out there.
Sorry you all are having trouble finding a job. I just got a seasonal job two weeks ago, wont last long. I was looking for 3 months and happened to catch the shopping season when they need more help behind the counter.
Keep up the search!

Lily of AZ 11:28PM November 05, 2010

It's a waste of money, too. I have a BS degree, my son is a teacher with a Master's Degree. We are both in the same boat, traveling all over the state and to other states and territories for promising interviews only to get a rejection letter within a day or two. I have quit looking. I ran out of money for gas and maintenance, and a taco en route. He's about there, too. We both gave up our homes and are living w/ relatives. And he has kids to support, and so do they. I am tired of fighting with the unemployment commission and social services for every dime. We have applied for everything, flipping hamburgers, mopping floors, changing diapers, etc.

Liz G of VA 9:21PM September 09, 2010

what the government, states, s.r.s, state. what their missing, is how do they account or find out. the who, what and where. they do not have in place, a set of rules or guidelines, too who or where the job seekers that cant find a job, and are not drawing unemployment, where or who can they report too, so that they can get a darn good idea, where the pep's are that need the greatest help or assistance, that is where i see fault with the system, is yes you have the safety net of state unemployment insurance,,, "if you qualify" of course i have seen it in my line of work, and am a victom of, is that the job, comes up to you, tells you your fired,,, and they just say harassment,, yes i agree harassment is a serious deal,, but when you talk to the past workers,, they also were fired for so called harassment,,, you do not get the unemployment benns. for that, and they company spokes man, off the record, mind you, has told me, that this is now their standing order, from above, so they do not have to pay, the unemployment paycheck... go figure,

dave! of KS 1:07PM July 19, 2010

They should have sent this directly to my home. It's all about me. I'm so discouraged- I'm in my 40's, have a degree, lots of work experience. Up till now, I've never had a problem getting a job. Now I can't even get a response to my resume for jobs that seem like a perfect match. I've been looking since last October-and I'm tired! I feel like I can never have any time to relax, because I HAVE to find work. Do I chuck my qualifications and go work for minimum wage? I think what's bothering me the most is the rejection I feel. I would feel different if I chose to start over, not was compelled to...

Alex Fanning of OH 11:53AM July 19, 2010