Anybody who has been out of work and trying to get a job knows how frustrating it is to try to find a job. As I search through the classified ads for jobs that I think I would want to do- mostly secretarial, I know that there are hundreds of more qualified individuals applying for the same jobs as me. I can't help but constantly feel rejected, or feel that if only I tried harder I would already have a job.
One job I looked at today on Craigslist was looking for receptionists, file clerks, etc. I saw that they were paying 10-13 dollars an hour. I feel that this is a reasonable amount to be paid for this kind of work because I am in college, and only have a little experience being a receptionist. But then I saw it said Bachelor's degree required. So you are telling me that after I go to 4 years of college, you are finally allowed to make 10 to 13 $ an hour? That is ridiculous. Why even bother going to college?
I guess I have always had big plans for my future, and no offense to receptionists, but why would someone go to 4 years of college to be a receptionist? No one can support a family being paid $10 an hour, its hard enough to even support yourself on that kind of money, especially in the city. In my opinion, the minimum wage should be raised, maybe then we wouldn't have to outsource all our jobs. I can see why some Americans would rather go on welfare or sell drugs than get an honest job. The money they would get paid to do all the crappy hard jobs is not even worth it.
Perhaps it is a starting point, and they move up from there. Also, with computers and other various new technology, secretarial jobs are becoming more difficult than they once were. don't give up hope and don't forget to be creative in your job search.
Like what you've read? Well, then here's more:
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/tricia0711
Raise the minimum wage and we will outsource even more jobs. Companies are outsourcing because they are looking for cheaper labor. Raising the minimum wage will make labor even more expensive and will increase outsourcing.
You might have better luck by fighting against immigration. This is just a cheap labor subsidy to big business. A greater supply of people chasing after the same number of jobs translates to lower wages. Simple supply and demand.
When I got out of college in 1980 after four years of Jimmy Carter our economy was in serious trouble. Things were much worse then they are now. But it is starting to look like a repeat. For companies it is a buyers market they don't have to compete very hard to hire workers. They are using their low level jobs as entry level jobs. For them they get to try before they buy. My advice is to take whatever job you can get, work hard and try to get promoted. The trick is to get your foot in the door however you can and get some experience on your resume.
It is going to be a few years before this economy turns around so that is just how it is going to be. You'll have something to tell your grandchildren. You lived through the Bush years.