Back then - even during those Dark Carter Years - there was less govt regulation and jobs could had with a phone call most of the time.
Back then, I was younger, didn't hurt all the time, and didn't own a home and land to maintain.
I can completely identify with those statements. I'm unemployed...for the first time in my life and I'm 53. I've been working since I was 14. Started on a horse ranch for years through school then full time at other jobs while going to college. Never graduated but eventually found my way into the IT biz in '83 and never looked back. I was recruited from my first job in the biz after 5 years then weathered 2 major aquisitions......maintaining the same level of engineering expertise while aquiring and assimilating new technology at the speed it showed it's ugly head. I.E., I hadn't seriously looked for a job in 26 years when I was laid off in advance of another aquisition. I survived through God knows how many layoffs/headcount reductions over the years at all three of these companies, not because of who I knew, but because of what I brought to the table.
Now my unemployment has expired. I waited 3 months to file because I had a good severance package...thought I'd get something that soon. No such luck. I won't bore you with the details, but I've worked as hard or harder to get a job than I did to keep one, and I was working 70 hrs a week while employed and on call 24/7.
Do I think we should extend unemployment benefits? No. Would I file for and draw them if they did? Hell Yes. Wanna know where the engineering jobs are? With .gov contractors. Wanna know what 90% require? A current clearance. Never needed one before (I supported the engineers that had the clearances and went to many very secure sites when needed, just not often) so I'm screwed competing with thousands of others for the few jobs that don't require a clearance.
Think I haven't tried going for jobs I could easily do making much less? You'd be wrong...either no reply or a polite "we don't have anything for someone at your level right now". Don't even think about asking about the applications for jobs that have no revelance to my experience but pay less than unemployment. Would I do them? Yes. Will they hire me? No.
I'm posting an ad today selling my services (don't get queesy now). Gotta Kubota tractor with a bucketloader and bush hog, finish mower, post hole digger and blade. I've been using these tools for myself maintaining my property now I'll put them to work. Have the 16 foot trailer to haul them too. With any luck I'll find a job working 3rd shift that makes enough to pay for health benefits for us with a little left over and fill in during the days with work sitting on the tractor. I'll pay the bills and sleep when I can.
One thing is for sure...things will never be the same again. Maybe that's good, maybe not. It is what it is.
