Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I to find It truly useful & it helped me out much. I'm hoping to give something again and help others such as you aided me.

I am looking to work serveral days a weekI am a retired Allstate Insurance with loads of customer service experience, have acounting back groud, real estate and misc. experience.Where do I go from here?

looking for guitar manufacturing job at the entry level, particularly working on a machine in the assembly line process. Does anyone know of any manufacturers of guitars in the Chicagoland area or of music equipment in general? Desire is to be trained as a Luthier and eventually design, build, and sell my own guitars. Can someone help me with my dream?

To the people on the blog, I join in your suffering. I have been out of work exactly one year. I worked for various temp agencies ranging from General Office and Data Entry to other jobs like Product Filler, Accounts Receiveable, Image Scanner, Database Admin, Mailroom Clerk, and even Order Entry. It has been a waste of time for the last 6 years. I was working for Kelly Services on assignment at Allstate. I enjoyed it there for 5-6 months. I was told that I would have to wait for 1-2 yrs before being considered for permanent employment. I was never given heads up about the assignment ending all of a sudden. I was told that it was because of cut-backs. (I still have the text message.) And to make matters worse, I been told that if you contact anybody from a completed assignment, they terminated your file because it is considered a violation of one of the agency's policies. This is rediculious. I need references. How else am I going to try and find a good job without references. And don't rely on the Agencies to provide a good reference. They will not disclose any information to your potential employer. I have registered with other agencies and they can't talk to other rival agency. I hate the stupid of formalities. And lot of you have said the temp agencies are no good. Here is another reason why. They will not review their policies or change them because they want you to still keep working and make them money. There is one thing that hasn't been stated here. The companies won't hire temp because they still have to buy out the contract that was started by said agency. And even if the company wants to hire you, they won't because they won't consider you valuable unless you prove to them that you are a great asset. Aside from everything, I can't afford to be re-educated because college is expensive. Even if I fill the paperwork out, I would be considered because the government says I have money and could afford it. It's complete bullshit.
I blame Bush for putting us in this situation. I blame Repubicans in our current government that don't want to lift a finger to help Obama. And this whole thing started with raise of gas prices 2 yrs ago. And some companies have left the states because some state governments raised taxes. And yes, the downturn of the ecomony has closed business. But you have to look what caused the snowball.
It's not Obama's fault. He is trying to help the people but we are suffering because of dirty political bullshit. Personally, I don't care if my grandchildren will wind up paying for it in the future. We just won't have a future if the mess is going to be fixed in time. If we could see free health care, I want to see free college in the future. That would be a great dream come true.
Good luck to you all on your survival of this dreadful fuckery.

Youre way of prestation is beyond anytyhing I have ever seen before and real as a conversation with a best friend, my dream has come true !!! I felt something like I never felt before I just want to be a part of youre company.

Insurance positions. Need an insurance company background. We pride ourselves in offering regular jobs, not temporary. We cover the US. You may e-mail your resume to jobs@ godfreypersonnel.com Please use code 4GP when you e-mail us. If you don't have an insurance company background, feel free to refer friends or colleagues.
Thanks and Happy Holidays,
Godfrey Personnel

This book is very useful in searching for top corporations and get you hired:
TOP PEOPLE IN CHARGE AT MAJOR CORPORATIONS from VoiceBookPublishing.com
When your working at one of the top corporations, you are assured of a stable job and great benefits.

I am saddened by your lack of work. I lost my internship last year. I am working part-time at a restaurant in the retail department. I am in sales.I graduated last year in August. Nine years ago when I entered college, I ask a sociology instructor about the economy. He told me that we are not longer an industrial economy, rather a service economy. I then asked when the rest of the country (blue collar workers) were going to be informed? He said, they will either get re-educated or become poor. In our area in Ohio, President Bush Jr. came to a community college five times to speak about re-education.

I realized that I was not making enough money to live on, as I was working over 48 hrs. per week, making minimum wage. I entered college to get a skill. One of my low wage employers asked me if I had a college degree. I said no. He let me know that he did not have to pay me more money and released me from his employ. (I was self-employed at the time).

The American people allowed this to happen to themselves. They were so busy living the lifestyles of the rich and famous, that they did not pay attention to what was happening around them. Union shops allowed their workers to buildup inventory prior to contract renewals. Thus, long union strikes did not hurt the company.

The propaganda to Buy American Cars, was propelled when the auto company was setting up factories in China, to sell to the new middle class.

Over consumption of Americans caused a need to find a new customer base. Rather than staying awake to the global economy, the average american was busy going on vacations, shopping, but not organizing themselves and their personal affairs.

Now it is nine years later, and the industries have left the United States. The (blue collar workers) are out of work permanently because unlike the eighties, the factory no longer exist. There is not recall back to work.

It is so sad to watch.

I am not employed in my new career yet. I am working freelance to provide and hope to become self-employed again, as age discrimination is now a factor in my search for employment. But, I knew this would be an issue when I entered school nine years ago. The need for design and print will always be although the industry will slow down during economic downturns. Keep up the search, and if you can take advantage of the TIME to re-educate or add to your education during this depression, keep your chin up. Do not give up.

Unfortunately, that scenario makes all too much sense. I frequently find that search firms do not clearly understand their clients' needs with regard to the specific job duties the employee is to hold -- thus sending in mis-matched employees to apply for the positions and/or overselling the clients on "skilled" emmployees who in essence really are not skilled at all in the required areas. I have never had luck using a search firm -- either as an employee or as an employer. Best of luck in your search.

Anonymous - you confirmed what I've known to be true over the last few years re: recruiters - they are simply counting the bodies coming across the threshhold. I once had an "appointment" on the Thursday before 4th of July weekend, when I continually questioned "Sally" whether she was going to be in that day, she assured me that she was just so excited to meet so we could discuss how much she could help me. I called ahead before wasting my carfare and of course you know she wasn't there that day and neither was I! I heard from her about 2 weeks later when she got back from vacation, with an attitude that I didn't come in for a face-to-face. "You could have met with anyone" she told me. Just be honest about what you can or can't do for me - lying seems to be a required and valuable skill for many recruiters.

I'm a former recruiter and what most of you don't know is that alot of agencies have no intention of offering you a job when they ask you to come to their office and apply. They have mandated quotas to meet so they have to have so many bodies in the office to complete applications per week. In addition, they intend to use your references to solicit new business. Yes, they plan on calling and emailing your past supervisors to try to solicit business. They aren't interested in finding employment for you at all. Sad..but true.

Staffing Agencies- I have been out of work so long it doesn't matter anymore. I have applied for(and can prove)over 3000 jobs. Have used a job board I've paid for.
Requiters are the biggest snobs I've ever had to deal with. Two have set-up phone interviews at specific times and did'nt call, nor would they answer e-mails after.

I am 59 years old, and have work experience that 90% of the people in my field do not. One HR Child said, as a response to an interview, that she didn't feel she would be setting me up for success if offered the position. They needed FP&A Experience, 25 years worth wasn't enough.

I have interviewed with the Twenty Somethings who could not answer my questions about the position.

If you are over 50, its going to take the right fit for the right job with a company that understands the value of what you bring to the table, trouble is the requiters are not going to bother selling you since they are into the quick buck, and the HR people are not old enough to be working in the first place.

JOB REQUIREMENTS - Another insane example of incompetence.
This generation goes by letters after their name. If they are there you know what you're doing, and if you don't, you certainly will not hire anyone who knows more than you do-

Most postings are not real, data bases are being built.

And I agree with several of the posters- Life can change in the blink of an eye, so to you twenty somethings out there that know everything, you also will be 50.

And against the law, but I truly wonder if an attorney would take a case of age discrimination as easily as one would for color or religion? (Quite frankly - I don't think so!)

I would say it is discriminatory. The only reason I can think that an older aged person is less likely to file discriminatory charges against a company is because it isn't a life-time of being older, whereby discrimination for color or race is. Also, an older person without money isn't the same as a younger person without money - there is bias everywhere one goes in general, across the board. It is frustrating!

You are absolutely correct.

Those should know BEFORE going to Kelly Services and filling out their 5 page nonsense application that they WILL turn you down if you don't have a vehicle. I've been there 5 times, and every time (throughout the year) they tell me that there is NOTHING for me unless I have a car. Now, how the hell can I GET a car without a job? I ever told this one of the office admin's and they didn't have an answer for me. Also, Spherion (for the Washington/Seattle area only hires for jobs in Bellevue. I currently don't live in that area and it's a hour and a half commute by bus. not to mention they aren't very reliable on getting a job for anyone (myself included) since the job recruiters have switched on me 7 times in a 3 month basis. Really not that credible in my opinion. Get some credible temp agency's that HELP get JOBS instead of simply wasting everyones time and efforts!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have had some success with these temp. companies finding me tech. jobs in the past. They do make it easy because they find the job for you and pretty much sell you to the company that is hiring,

BUT

You will definitely be making a lot less than if you were directly hired. It's a trade-off, and for a temp job in this economy it might be worth it.

Also... a word of advice when dealing with these temp companies: DON'T SELL YOURSELF SHORT! If they list the job as $15/hr ask for $17 or $18/hr, and be willing to negotiate. They are making money off your skills, they will usually pay you more if you make it clear that you're worth it. If you don't feel like it's enough pay for what you are worth, then politely tell them where they can go. They may just call you back an hour later with an offer. After all, if you don't get hired they have to spend more time finding someone else.

A lot of these agencies are competing with other temp agencies, be sure to look around some, I've seen 3 different temp agencies trying to hire people for the same job posting with starting wages that were all different. Find the one that pays the most.

Good luck.

Here! Here! You are so very correct. I agree and am just a disgusted.

Hello Mary,

My fiance and I are looking to relocate to a warmer climate such as yours. We both work for a water company in the Northeast. He is a service manager and I am in inside sales. Do you know of any jobs or companies in your area that might be hiring? We are willing to pursue any options. You mentioned health field jobs in your email.

Thank you~

I tend to agree to a certain extent. I also agree that staffing agencies should NOT have access to our credit reports unless they are hiring us to work in a position handling money. Even then, I question their need to know our credit rating. Moreover, I do not supply social security number on any job applications. If the company wants to hire me, I will provide the SS#.

Unfortunately, it's an employers' market and they take advantage of us, paying us low wages and putting us in positions no one else wants. We do have the choice of turning down such work, but there will be 10,000 people in line behind us who will accept the poverty wages and lack of benefits to just have a job.

been out of work since march '09... registered with every temp agency under the sun - and nada. moved from CA to NY in august in hopes that the market would be better on the east coast than the west coast. NOTHING!!! print industry for 10 years. Estimating, sales, project manager and purchasing. Any help in NYC area would be greatly appreciated!

I, too, am very frustrated about finding full-time employment - being out of work for more than a year. My resume has been posted on many websites. I receive responses from the companies' HR Department responses that the position has been withdrawn. As of 11/23, I no longer receive unemployment compensation and I have no other income coming in. The American companies, who send our jobs overseas or hire non-Americans living in the US, have destroyed the American dream for many households. Up until the 1960's, we were a strong industrial country. Now we make other countries strong and powerful, who we owe billions of dollars too. That is now our American Drean to make other countries wealthy. It's a miracle China has not taken over the US since they pratically own us. If China did do a takeover, all industry would fall under Chinese control and top executives and board of directors of the American companies would be out on the street, too. What a joke!

all of those look awesome for paper and computer jobs...i'm a cook, where do I go?

I agree with you. I have been out of work for over a year now and have been registered with a couple of the agencies listed above and other recruiting agencies.

I got all the way through the assessment and all I needed was an interview and the application with Citi financial. The agency being used did not know how to direct me and has not contacted me since. I don't understand it?

Mac, your friend should not have had to lose his benefits for refusing an offer under those circumstances. $9/hr with 800 miles/week of driving isn't really gainful and should be considered a justifiable refusal.
If you are on unemployment for a prolonged period, the Dept of Labor does expect you to cast a wider net in terms of settling for lower wages or a different career field, however.

I've registered with more than 20 employment agencies. Not one have offered me a position in my local area. At least to have told me point blank that I am "unemployable" because I've been out of work so long (due to medical problems AND school).

The only time I've ever gotten a temp job was 15 years ago, and that was only for a five day project.

You're better off trying to get a job directly through the company.

The comments on not getting responses, or any kind of communication from staffing agencies are right on. Not even employers who receive your resume will give you the "kindness of a response" - not even an AUTOMATED reply that they received your application. The paragraphs below are my comments to you.
1) I have been registered with numerous staffing agencies and recruiters for nearly a year. I have not received one interview with anyone. This may not be the fault of the agencies, but of the economy and the fact that they do not have jobs available ! ! !
2) I am also registered with numerous job boards, but no real job has come along. What has been offered are commission only positions, franchises to buy, educational opportunities (schools that want YOUR money) and scams. See more comments on that below. I have only been on a handful of interviews, but no offers. I am over-qualified for most jobs, and don’t have the specific experience for some others.
3) Employers won’t consider me when they can get a “just-out-of-school” kid for next to nothing, part time, and no benefits. I am not a young kid any more, but I do need money for survival. I have no parents or relatives to help me. I MUST pay my own way. I had other setbacks this year as well: my husband passed away unexpectedly and now my home is in foreclosure. My credit is so bad at this point that I couldn’t even rent an apartment once I haved moved out!
4) Most of the so-called jobs in my “Alerts” are commission only! Try to pay the bills with that! I did – I worked three months last summer and didn’t make one dime. I only spent my time, gasoline and lunch money for someone else. Employers are not dumb. They want everyone to work for free. They will pay - if and when - you bring them a deal.
5) Some jobs that could fit my profile are out of my area or even out of state. Why do some companies think everyone can relocate?
6) Finally, I receive as many emails for “scam” jobs as legitimate job postings. Many of these ask you to give them your bank account information (in order to pay you of course!), or receive and repackage parcels. I just wonder what laundered money or illegal merchandise are part of these jobs. If you experience the same thing, here is a website where you can complain.

http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx

The company is the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). It is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). It does take a while to complete their application (you need proof of your complaint) and send in a copy of your scam/spam email, but they do look into it, and you can check on their progress. Hopefully one day we can get rid of these criminals. CareerBuilder is also looking into these scams.
Additionally, to learn more about Internet schemes and ways to protect yourself, please visit www.lookstoogoodtobetrue.com.

I hope this helps.

Mary Kraft Staffing and HR Solutions is hiring, too! We are currently looking to fill positions such as Gift Processor, Senior Medical Secretary, Project Director, Office Assistant, and many others in the administrative, medical, legal and other areas.

For a full list of our open positions, go to: www.careerbuilder.com/Jobs/Company/C8B8FB716LXBZ4LVYG9/Mary-Kraft-Jobs/

To visit our website, go to: www.marykraft.com

Find us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/MaryKraftHROrg

New positions are available daily! Please call our office or email Emily Waranch or Joanne Armstrong for immediate consideration at:
emily@marykraft.com
jo@marykraft.com

It is true that the current state of the economy offers a challenge to most staffing firms and employers. The bottom line is that we must all work aggressively to combat the biggest issue in this country today (Unemployment). I went to a staffing firm seeking temporary work but was offered a position with the firm as a business developer instead.What a great opportunity it is for me. Though I am up to the task,it has proven to be a huge challenge. Many employers that I have contacted do not have a budget that will even allow them to entertain the idea of hiring a temp, but I will continue to offer hope to the hundreds of quailty applicatants that are on file with Head 2 Head Staffing & Consulting and I will continue to seek out businessess that are willing to take the chance. Let us form a partnership that will allow these families that are affected, some relief. Employers visit us on line at www.head2headstaff.com
or email me at bizdev@head2headstaff.com

I agree with Disgusted, and with Susan. I too feel that if people cannot afford to run a company, then they should go out of business, and get a temp job. I've been out of work for a year now since my lay-off, and the company I worked for laid off several hundred people just so they could continue to operate. I realize that's business and all, and it's always been that way, but where do these hundreds of people go? How about thousands? The companies continue to operate, but all these people have lost their jobs, and then the companies eventually begin to hire new employees at lower rates of pay, and reduced hours. They don't even recall anymore unless you're lucky enough to belong to a strong union.

On age discrimination, yeah it does happen, we just can't prove it. I'm 54 with a lifetime of skills and experience, and I applied at a Target store for a seasonal position for which I was clearly qualified. I made the second interview, and by the time I was done, I had the distinct impression that the young man just didn't like me, even though the interview went well. Sure enough, I got the dreaded letter of rejection in the mail a few days later... from Target!!! Pretty bad if ya can't land even a seasonal job at Target, right? Well, my wife and I were in a Target store soon after that, and I asked her to look around and see if she could see any employee who looked older, with graying hair, just more mature. There wasn't one single one. All of them were young adults or kids. Was this manager discriminatory, or was I just an idiot for applying at Target? You make the call.

I have been disabled for over 4 years now. I remember how hard it was being home bound and not being productive for my family any more.

I started reviewing and learning about Work at Home opportunities that were out there. There were not very many that were legitimate. I did work at some for a while but they never panned out as permanent or profitable.

I was lucky enough to find J. Lodge Corporation (www.jlodge.com). They specialize in working with Disabled Americans and the Ticket to Work Program (www.yourtickettowork.com) with the Social Security Administration. They have openings that provide a inexpensive way for companies to fill there needs for workers and provide a valuable service to the disabled by helping they find work that they can do and stay within parameters of Social Security Administration rules.

J. Lodge currently has some great positions open right now. It is easy to apply at www.jlodge.com/careers. If you are unsure if you qualify for a Ticket to Work - check out www.yourtickettowork.com first to get all the particulars of that program. J. Lodge is now able to assist blind applicants find work with this program as well.

Wow, your facts are just wrong. Nobody, I mean nobody will pay $65 for a file clerk making $16. The highest possible rate for this would be $32/33 and hour. The spread and difference b/t pay and bill rates are for the overhead of the recruiters, the unemployment insurance, etc. Of course temp agencies make money on each hire per hour worked. How else do you expect them to survive as a business?

As a recruiter, I saw on average of 40-50 applicants/week for an average of 4-5 jobs that came in. Do the math, just because a firm hasn't found an opportunity for you doesn't mean that they aren't doing their jobs.

I work for a temp service called Allied Personell. I work for Lutron making light dimming switches. After 3 months I can put in an application for permanent hire. It might take a few months for the hiring process, but totally worth it as Lutron has not layed off one single permanent employee this whole recession....... enough reason for me to become a full time hire!

I have been signed up with a Temp Agency for one year now and not even one job has come out of this. I have worked with them in the past 3 years and always within a week I was placed in a job and the assigments lasted from a few weeks to one year. The work was steady..Now... Nothing...nothing...nothing..And a whole year has gone by...The so called Temp Agencies that are hiring, I see do not have any Insurance jobs for Claim Reps. Thanks for getting peoples hopes up but...it didn't work for us that have been dealing with Temp Agencies..

Sir
i have completed an Electrical Engineering(comm) from NWFP UET Peshawar during 2005-2009.
sir i need a job so that i can use my knowledge in practical field and give developement to the humanity
THANKS
c/o m.amin shop #1 aslam market baghdada mardan nwfp Pakistan
+923339885752

You might need to consider searching and moving to Charlotte, NC alot of Health Care jobs here

Lets face it even these staffing companies are overwhelmed with applicants and not enough openings to accomodate most. It is like Mi stated over 10000 applicants for 1 position. Good luck ! Hope your savings and unemployment dont run out !

This job market is so twisted now. 20 years ago (and I'm only 45!) I got hired permanently with Abbott as soon as my 90-day contract was up, and mind you - my contract was directly with the Abbott (no staffing/hiring company). I'm back again as a temporary (through Manpower now, since Abbott has farmed it out!) and have been here about 1-1/2 years... and I still can't get hired permanently. There are so few perm jobs avail, and so many contract employees here competing for them - it's crazy! And there is a 2-year limit for all contracts... so if I don't get hired permanently by next June, I'll be out of luck... and out of work. Who can really help?

I have more than 12 years customer services experience and much more experience in different area. I know that I can be a very good assets to your company. Therefore, I am awaiting for a positive response.

Thanks,

Pierre

JUST WANT TOO SAY THAT TEMPS IS JUST WHAT IT SAYS TRIED IT ONCE WILL NEVER DO IT AGAIN ,,WORK FOR WALLMART NIGHTS AND YOU SHOULD SEE THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT COME AND GO,,IT WHOULD SHOCK YOU THANKS KURTIS,,,

thank you

I also feel I am discriminated against because of my age. I am a very good secretary/bookkeeper and also am excellent at data entry work. I am losing my job on 12/3 and don't even know why--no reason has been given. This is a sweet job that should have lasted me for the next 5 years and all of a sudden, I am being let go. I really enjoyed the job and thought I was doing quite well in my performance of duties regardless of the minimal training I received. I have never had any luck with a staffing agency in my area and I have registered with all four of them. I have received one phone call to see if I was still available for work in the past 8 years--not a good track record in my book. All of these agencies you have listed are probably based in big cities and that does not help people like me who live in very small cities, under 12,000 population. Check around and find something in the smaller cities of Wisconsin and then maybe I will be more amenable to trying a staffing agency. Thank you.

I would like to submit a eesume with your organization.Please direct me to the steps to achive my request.Thank you for your time.

It doesn't appear that many of the temp. services deal with administrative or managerial positions.
I have a Master's degree in administration and over 20 years in management. Although most of my work experience is in health care, I've accumulated significant levels of transferable skills that I could apply to a variety of career opportunities.
I'm currently a job seeker in the northern Indiana-southern Michigan area.

Have you tried security? They don't pay much, but it's at least a start. Hospital security pays much more than Allied Barton or Securitas.

hi i am looking since past 7 months a job please help me out. i am looking for the full time position like customer service,or receptionist or any kind

Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope to have the opportunity to discuss the opening with you in person.

I have applied to so many jobs thru careerbuilder.com and I have not have any luck on finding any job,and those jobs that I have applied they still showed up as open,I really do not understand, even my resume war written by a professional advisor.

I have had the same experience as Daniel H. Great education, work experience, background, and I am registered with most of these and others. But still no action.

I HAVE BEEN JOB SEARCHING FOR (3) THREE YEARS NOW. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH JUST ABOUT ALL OF THE AGENCIES HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. DON'T USE ACTION EMPLOYMENT. ALL THEY WANT TO DO IS TAKE YOUR ($30.00) THIRTY DOLLARS CASH FROM YOU AND PUT YOUR PAPERWORK IN A DRAWER SOMEWHERE. I CALL THEM AND THEY HAVE NOTHING TO OFFER. ANOTHER AGENCY TOLD ME I HAD BEEN UNEMPLOYED TOO LONG FOR THEM TO FIND ME WORK. WELL LADY, WHAT KIND OF BUSINESS ARE YOU RUNNING? IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT, IT'S BETTER NOT TO USE THESE AGENCIES. EVEN CAREERBUILDER. I HAVE BEEN CONNECTING WITH THEM DAILY. STILL NOTHING AVAILABLE. WHAT A SHAM AND WASTE. THANK YOU FOR NOTHING

Things are worse if you are over 50 and have been forced out of a job due to "disability" - in my case, a stroke with such minor deficits that the hospital staff didn't realize I had lost any function [I couldn't remember any small words for a couple of months, but I would use the correct anatomical designation, or similar terms...] I have 2 years of looking: apply to 5 or 10 jobs per day, 7 days per week...and all the stress that goes with it. I really hate the 22 year old HR folks who discount me because I have to start over. Can't wait until THEY hit 40 or 50 and can't get a job!